The sun above Caethiria's neutral grounds bled gold through the crystalline walls of the Nexus Academy, scattering light into a thousand sharp edges.
After the orientation, the students were allowed to roam the school before classes begin the following morning.
The dormitories were constructed to honor the school's prestige. They were tall and equipped with the lastest technology. Much like the students were sleeping at a 5 star hotel.
Auren received his room key, "Room 804, it's on the 8th floor" he muttered as he entered the lift.
The ride was short and peaceful. When he arrived at his room, he saw another person standing before the door bags at hand.
"Hello, are you also room 804?" The guy asked, his voice chirpy and excited.
Auren gave a nod before opening the door with his key. It seems his roommate forgot to take his key by the reception desk. When they entered the layout immediately pleased Auren.
Their dorm room was like a two bedroom house. The living room and dining area sat in the middle with both their rooms separate. Auren looked at the young man struggling with his cases and couldn't help to ask,
"Why not use the servants?"
The young man was shocked and raised his brows. His eyes widened as recognition shone in his eyes,
"Lemme guess. You're either royalty or a noble."
Auren didn't speak, his face blank giving nothing away.
"Royal it is. My name's Gray from Verion. Shark lineage, a commoner. Nice to meet you."
Gray stretched his hand and he expected Auren not to respond. When he felt the cold heat on his palm he was taken aback.
"Auren from Blest, Fenrir-Dragon lineage. Royal son. Likewise."
Gray felt as though his heart would explode. Blest Dominion is known to be a tough place full of canine Therions and some few dragons. Meeting the son of the King felt like too much of an honor.
Auren ignored his dazed look and went to his room where he found his luggage unpacked and neatly arranged in his closet. His storage ring and weapons had been placed by the bedside locker.
Auren nodded in approval, he took a quick shower and rested. Sleep came easily and the night passed quickly.
The next morning, the school bell woke all the students up. The first day of classes had begun and the atmosphere buzzed with undercurrents of rivalry as they headed to their assigned classes.
Children of noble houses, heirs of royal clans and the upcoming prodigies gathered within their assigned classrooms. Some were happy to see people they know greetings filling the air, others got to know each other there.
In class 1-N, the tension was palpable. Here royals had been mixed with nobles and commoners alike, a deliberate strategy in all the 1st year classes by the academy. To rise one had to dominate, not inherit.
The class was already segregated by the time Auren was arriving. Groups had gathered with each other. Shortly after he found his desired seat, the teacher entered.
The teacher, a hawk eyed instructor from StoneLace Dominion, stepped forward to the projection board. He placed his terminal down and cleared his throat, his voice cut the chatter easily.
"Good morning students. Welcome to History class. My name is Professor Finn." He paused for a minute.
"Before we begin, every class requires a leader. Leadership in this academy is not given but claimed." The professor declared happy to see the tense faces.
"I have set aside the space at the back of the class. Anyone who wants to be leader can be decided there. And I mean anyone, title doesn't matter here, strength does."
The challenge of his words rang in the air. Dozens of eyes turned on each other wary and exited. Auren watched the teacher smirk and settle into his chair as the students gauged each other's strength.
As they discussed amongst themselves, their eyes turned to the back of the class. Some looked at Auren, royal of Blest Dominion and others looked at Eiran, royal of Myrra Dominion.
Auren found himself looking at the Myrra Prince. Eiran was quiet minding his own business. His violet fox ears twiched against his equally violet hair and his tails slowly curled around him.
[6 tails? Is he really a fox?]
Auren wondered as his eyes traced the Fox's tails. The class had already determined that these two were the strongest candidates.
The challengers came swiftly. Nobles eager for status and commoners reckless with hope of ruling over nobles.
Eiran stood up lazily and didn't even go to the designated spot. He stretched lazily, yawning into his hand. As the first challenger stepped forward, Eiran's abyss like eyes gleamed with mirthless amusement.
"This is dull," he murmured. With a flick of his wrist, black mist spiraled from his fingers weaving into his challengers gaze.
One by one, his challengers faltered. Their eyes glazed, movements slowing down as the illusions sank their claws into their minds. They stumbled back, retreating before they even realized they had lost.
Eiran yawned again, "Waste of my time."
Instantly he was classified as untouchable and the room's attention shifted. If Eiran refused to fight seriously then he was not interested. Their eyes turned to Auren.
Auren rose without a word and headed to the designated area at the back of class. His silver tail flicking behind him, his cerulean eyes calm and cold. His challengers advanced together, emboldened by numbers.
The first lunged, claws and shark fins of Verion Dominion glinting. Auren caught his wrist, twisted and flipped him to the oncoming challengers in one fluid motion. Another charged, carapace clattering from Bloom Dominion.
Auren ducked as he swept his legs and sent him crashing to the floor. The third tried to bind him with shadow but Auren's claws shredded the darkness and he threw an high kick to his head.
His movements were precise, brutal and efficient. There was no wasted effort and no hesitation. By the time he pocketed his hands again, half his challengers groaned on the ground nursing bruises and battered pride.
Silence pressed against the class walls when a small voice cut through it. Though soft and shy, the voice was confident.
"Your highness. If I may ask. Do you want to be leader?"
The girl, a Canine lineage from Blest addressed Auren. Auren turned to face her and had to look down for she was short. Too short.
[How old is she?]
"No." Auren answered even as he studied the short girl.
" Prince Eiran. Are you interested in leading the class?" She asked the fox still confident.
"Why would I require such?" Eiran answered, his voice smooth likt velted but it did not hide his innate pride.
"If I may. My name is Nemea and I would like your approval to be class leader." Her voice was soft but it cut through the class.
They looked at her tawny ears and sharp amber eyes. Her small build and short tail and laughed. The whole class assumed that both Auren and Eiran would ignore the girl.
Auren looked at how she stood with arms crossed, expression unwavering even in the face of mockery. Her gaze was clear and focused on her goal. When her eyes met Auren's, she lowered her head not in submission but in respect of his status.
"I vote for you." Eiran proclaimed silencing the mocking laughter.
"Mm" Auren added his approval as he went back to his seat.
Nemea beamed with a smile and looked to the other nobles. Some voted for her because they were disinterested in leadership and others tried to fight her.
"I am weak in body so I can only accept a mental challenge." She shot back when they mocked her for not fighting but still agreed to a mental challenge.
And so, after a short while, Nemea proved her worth and became class president of 1-N.
The first lesson passed uneventful after that. The lecture on the History of their Dominions and the role of the primordial Therion.
The second class was about Primis manipulation. Here students actively scribbled notes and others dozed off. Auren sat silent, eyes half-lidded, memorizing more than the words. He was memorizing the intent.
Eiran who sat beside him leaned against his dest, tails flicking irritably whenever attention was turned his way. They made for a strange pair at the back. A cold wolf and a Tsundere fox.
The third class just before lunch was different. It was a cultivation class, the instructor was a Therion from Seydra Dominion. He was tall and built like a wall as he gestured toward the class,
"Today's class is body cultivation. You will learn to release Primis not from brute force or overwhelming might but from your veins as muscle."
The students were confused, even Auren was puzzled. The instructor continued,
"Primis is a natural force. It contains both Qi and Mana as it is the origin of both. Qi gives strength while Mana gives abilities. Together they form a balance of Primis. Fail to control them and you will shatter before you strike."
A student couldn't help but ask, "Why not use just one like other species?"
"Good question. The answer is because Therions are created from both Qi and Mana. Using just one will break either your body or your abilities. Mana is what makes the bloodlines shine and Qi is what preserves the body. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
The instructor then proceed to lift his hand and demonstrate control of Primis. Within his palm was a ball of air, it was as heavy as iron but as fast as it's essence.
"Your task today is to do what I just did. Release Primis with minimal action from your body. Quick as mana strong as Qi. Those who succeed may leave for lunch."
The class shifted uncomfortably. Hunger was a cruel motivator.