Chapter Twelve: Pre-Sessions 2
The noise quietens to low murmurs between the newly formed pairs, trios and teams of Initiates. About a hundred students including me did not move to join a team drawing numerous eyes looking their way.
Mine in particular, with mockery in their eyes.
I sigh rolling my eyes.
They just can help it, can they?
Looking away, I focus back on my book.
"Okay. I'm sure we're all done." Instructor Calvin's voice rumbles through the hall drawing everyone's attention. I close my book paying attention to his next words.
"These groups are not permanent whatsoever this is not official. But, if they do remain till Initiations, this will help you understand how to work in a team, enhancing mutual cooperation and synergy" Calvin begins, voice stern and eyes staring sharply in the direction where the unteamed Initiates sat–my row.
"There are 2470 Initiates this year, 2,096 less than the previous year." Calvin stalls scanning the silent hall once again.
"1823 Inherents and 657 Externs precisely." Going on, he walks to the lectern leaning against it.
"That however, does mean you have higher survival chances. The consciousness's prediction will be shared with you in due time."
"We won't talk about the rules as you all know they are changed annually. So we will be discussing the objectives of the of the Initiation Rites and a few standard rules and their implications." Pausing, calin snaps behind him the flat-screen flaring on.
"Like I mentioned earlier, the main objective of the Initiation Rites is WIGART. Velmora expects her trainees to have a base level sufficiency in these six profound categories.
Will–Are you determined or will a few challenges stop you mid-track?
Intelligence–How good can your brain get in face of challenges.
Grit–How far will you go for your goals?
Adaptation–Change is the only constant here
Resourcefulness–You have to make do it what you have.
Tenacity–Failure is not a option.
I'm sure you understand?" He turns briefly in question.
"Yes, Instructor." The hall chorus.
"Good, now let's talk about some rules for successfully tranversing the Initiation grounds safely. The first and foremost rule: Depend solely on yourself." The hall falls into speculations throwing questioning looks Instructor Calvin's way.
"Remember, these groupings are unofficial." The noise dies into a hush at his stern look.
"How foolish, if you plan on being a free loader in your respective teams. Stake holders, The Council, The Ultimates, The Apex and many other powerhouses will be present playing free loader is the most lazy way to destroy your prospects here. "
"Anyways, there've have been many instances of teams being separated by unforseen events effectively ruining their survival plans."
"Back to the class, better work on your sense of direction, there will be no AVAs." Another murmur of surprise spread across the hall even the Inherents had confusion etched in their delicate faces.
"What?" Instructor Calvin snaps shutting everyone.
"How effective of a trial would it be if you had external help?" Instructor Calvin growls facepalming himself at their naviety, I'm most definitely included.
"On that note, discard whatever plans or ideas involving external help you have inside the Initiation Grounds."Instructor Calvin says, voice sharp and pointed as he glance at the rows of Inherents who go pale at his words.
"Whether by your families or your seniors–though I doubt they will be so dumb, while your families may be blinded by their love for you. Your older siblings are very much in the know–it will only get you killed faster." The instructor continues, his voice turning grave with every word.
Some Inherents throw furtive glances at each other confirming Instructor Calvin's words.
"Rule Two: Have a solid understanding of your terrain. As you all know the theme for Initiation has always been Nature in various terrains. You all should have a solid idea of the major terrains by now." Instructor Calvin continues ignoring their discomfort.
"Knowing nothing about terrains is the one of the worse things you can do to yourself during Initiation. Terrains are a defining factor in survival rate, having an adequate idea naturally gives you an advantage.
"What if you find yourself in an absolute disadvantageous terrain." One of the male Inherent Initiates asks Instructor Calvin rising to his feet,.
"There's no such thing as absolute disadvantage, you are simply too ignorant to take advantage of the terrain." Instructor Calvin responds barely looking his way.
The male students frowns in protest taking his seat after a bit.
"Rule Three: No Venting of Personal Vendetta" Instructor's Calvin's voice goes a spikes by a notch, colder and warning staring pointedly his gaze lingering on a particular section.
"You mean we aren't allowed to kill in the Initiation Grounds." A burly young man sitting among the Inherents says bluntly, almost bored his brows furrowing in annoyance. He sits straight, muscles flexing against the barely buttoned shirt he wore showing too much skin.
"Yes, Cameron. You not allowed to off your rivalries during Initiations. There are much better platforms for that." Instructor Calvins leans against the lectern looking in Cameron's direction. A tight smile on his lips, gaze sharp and almost pleading.
"But, Initiates do die during Initiation. How about?" Camerons scoffs ignoring Instructor Calvin gestures.
"Yeah, as much as we know, wild lives are not part of Initiation. If Initiates don't kill each other, then who or what does?"
Leaning against the wall at the back of hall, a girl in ripped gunmetal jeans and navy jacket asks. Bouncing off the walls, her dusty mauve boots cutting through the silence enveloping the hall. The hall bursts out in sounds of agreement, nodding as they set their gaze on Instructor Calvin expectantly.
Instructor Calvin looks her way, a wry smile on his lips.
"I was getting to that, Melody." Instructor Calvin says smiling.
"Just making sure, you don't smooth over that part, Instructor." The ripped jeans girl replies a teasing smile across her lips.
"Right, no venting of personal vendetta is for your on good. You will be in the wild, all alone and you never know who might be your ally. After all, there's nothing like etenal enemies or friends–only eternal interest." He pauses taking in the quiet hall of focused Initiates.
Everyone was focused, even those lazing in their seats stilled staring intently at nothing, ears perked up.
Instructor Calvin smiles at the reponse before continuing.
"Most importantly, it has nothing to do with Initaition and can be counted as assassination. Directly attacking Initaiates under Velmora's protection." Instructor calvin pauses letting the implications sink in.
Most Inherents swallowing nervously at his words.
"You would be informed about all of this before the Rites, alas some of you don't listen." Instructor Calvin sighs, his face creasing into a ring of fatigue.
"Now, as for the death tolls that happen during initiations, who do you there aren't any wild lives in the Initiation Grounds." A small smirk makesit way up Indtructor Calvin's lips, amusement flickering in his eyes at the now whimpering Initaites.
The Inherents had it worst, their faces crumpling in disbelief and betrayal and something that seemed like look.
"Man under no law is the most primal and wild force ever since. What the Rites wants to see is the you beneath all the civilization, sophisation and carefully polished masks only then can we seen your potential at its best."
The noise dissolves at this words, sighs of relief and horror as the reality of his words set in.
They would all be enemies in there.
"What's the foremost rule to survive Initiation." Instructor Calvin suddenly asks, the hall suddenly going silent.
"Eliminate every obstacle in the your path of your goal." My ears ring as the echo of a thousand voices fills the hall leaving me deaf for a second.
"Good. Have you ever wondered what that means?" He asks again scanning the silent hall.
"In simple terms, if someone you know or do not know stands between you and a flag, you are expected to eliminate the obstacle and you will rewarded for your Grit."
"While the rules of Initiation does not explictily encourage killing, it does imply it." He says calmly, gasps of shock and nods of understanding rippling through the hall in equal measure.
I gasp in shock as the sherr underhandedness of the all set up.
"For instance…" Taking measured steps toward the edge of the podium, his hands behind him, Instructor Calvin starts effectively shuting the rowdy hall.
"Killing the occupants of a spot to secure for yourself will reward your Grit."
"Poisoning your group after giving an andiote because you suspect a spy is in your midst earns you a rise in Intelligence."
"Eliminating a stronger initiate who shows hostility towards you by either traps or lures earns you both Intelligence, Tenacity and Resourcefulness.
"Manipulating both your enemies into killing each other, if you succeed It's fine earning you Intelligence and Resourcefulness.
"Attacking an Initiate with an high-ranking flag than yours or when you have none to claim theirs is totally sensible."
"Killing a team member of yours because you suspect them for insurbordination is the most realistic thing…"
The Inherents break into murmurs, confusion etched on their faces.
"Insurbordination?" Cameron asks from the other side of the hall.
"Yeah, Initiation is a one vs one game, the gropuings we make are unofficial right?"
"We never heard about these grouping being recognised officially or under strict hierarchy."
More Inherents spoke up, doubt evident in their voices.
Instructor Calvin watches for a moment taking in the rowdy atmosphere.
"Groupings made outside Initiation Grounds are not official but the ones you make inside are." The Instructor continues, the hall falling silent under the rise of his baritone voice.
"There are official groupings?" Queries ring out disrupting the silence from where the Inherents gathered.
"Yes, they are." The Instructor's voice climbs over the cacophony of voices.
"In the last four years, Initiations have involved spontaneous groupings due to the recent grouping by Initiates."
"So, the rules are changing due to the influence of pre-sessions." An Inherent asks somewhere in the crowd.
"The rules are always changing." Instructor Calvin says firmly, eyes staring sharply at the short-haired girl in the distance, who lowered her eyes afterward.
"But making groupings official is not a rule, It's a structural change in the procedures Initiation Rites, why weren't we informed about this." The bulky guy, Cameron stands, eyes sharp with accusation.
"Why weren't you informed about this?" The calm facade the Instructor wore twisted into mockery.
"Yes, did Velmora expect us to go in unprepared." Another Inherent echoes in support.
"First, you all forget I do not represent Velmora in any sense." Everyone goes quiet at his words.
"Second, you should be prepared for the unexpected, there has always been an unforseen change in every Initiation and this is not one of them.
"Third, have you ever stop to think about why you're the only ones surprised." Instructor Calvin asks, his voice dripping with mockery.
"The externs over there don't seem so surprised?" He gestures to the area where the Extern sat.
At his words, I look behind alongside several Inherents and truly the Externs were not pertubed like the Inherents."
"You would have known if you had done your homework." He says at their surprised looks. All the Inherents go quiet, the meaninng of his words dawning on them.
"Dp you know the Inherents have low survival rates for about a century now, this however became more obvious when Externs joined Initiations." The silence becomes chilly, the buzz of the airconditioner louder than before.
"And do you know why? Complacency." Turning a bit, the Instructor says pointing at Cameron, who was still standing.
"You all forget Velmora isn't your family business where you can strode in and have your way. If you keep this up, I doubt these classes will prevent your survival counts from plunging further this year." Instructor Calvin spats, his eyes glowing fiercingly in the light, his words echoing through the halls.
"That's all for today." He says glancing down at his watch. Voices ring out once again in dissatisfaction.
"Okay, I will take a few questions." He sighs looking from his watch to the annoyed Inherents.
"So, how did we go from ' No Killing' to exploring loopholes to guise blatant murder?" A young Extern to everyone's surprise spoke up first.
Exactly my point.
Instructor Calvin looks at her briefly before answering
"Would you rather fall prey to them in the Initiation Grounds?" He says, staring at her sharply.
"Uhh, no, sir." Frightened, she answers stuttering taking to her seat.
I look at her for a moment longer before cutting down the roots of pity taking hold in my heart.
Every Extern here is not ignorant of wht goes on in Velmora, yet they choose to stay.
I look away, snorting at her choice.