A male Inherent with silver hair and delicate features rises.
"What are the Death Rates?" His soft voices firm above the faint buzzing of Inherents. The instructor nods at the inquiry turning his direction. The instructor stills on seeing him, something almost imperceptible passing through his expression.
"That's the kind of question you should be asking." He says smiling slightly, the complicated look in his eyes barely concealed by his impeccable composure. His words sounding more of a deflection and everyone notices going quiet to observe the minutes of their interaction.
The silver-haired boy on the other hand stands straight under the weight of everyone's gaze not looking unflattered. A shiver runs down my spine at his upright posture, I sure as hell would have buckled over if I was in his place.
"They always total under the 20% of total Survival Rates." Instructor Calvin resumes flawlessly as if nothing happened just seconds ago.
"Thank you, Instructor." The boy bows in appreciation before sitting back. Eyes linger in his direction for a few seconds longer. It was odd how someone as eye-catching as him manage to stay inconspicuous till now.
"Will personal weapons be allowed in Initiation Grounds?" Another male Inherents asks breaking the tension in the air bringing everyone's attention back on the lecture.
"Of course not. Only standard weapons are allowed. Your weapons are definitely customized." Instructor Calvin replies rolling his eyes at Inherents, groans of frustrations fills the hall soon after.
A busty Inherents stands drawing everyone's attention before she even utters a word.
"Wait, so the Slavic Rates are different from the Death Rates?" She asks, tilting her head slightly to lock eyes with the Instructor.
Everyone goes silent watching earnestly as Instructor Calvin pace the podium briefly in thought. "That's something most don't really understand until it's too late." He begins slowing his pace.
"For those of you who do your due diligence, you must know the Slavic Tenents Of Initiation Rites was only introduced about three decades ago." He pauses watching the hall of Initiates share confused looks at the unfamiliar term.
"Good" I grin slightly. Finally, I wasn't the only one ignorant.
"What is fact considered Death Counts in the past thirty years are in fact Slavic Counts." He continues.
"Slavic Tenents Of Initiation Rites?" An blue-haired Extern calls out before the Instructor can continue.
"Why haven't we heard of that?" A Inherent adds to everyone's surprise. Instructor Calvin looks through the hall pursing his lips at the sharp-eyed Initiates tracking his every move.
"It's normal, majority of you haven't heard of it…" Pausing, he takes a deep breathe. Staring accusingly at the busty, blonde Inherent who was still standing. She shifts her gaze shrugging nonchalantly.
"..as it an hidden clause of Initiation Rites: Survival Game as redacted thirty years ago. Sometime in the mid 90's." The hall falls silence as we stare blankly at him.
A moment of silence goes by, with almost everyone trying to wrap their heads around what they just heard.
Definitely not everyone. The blonde and a few dozens of Inherents are expressionless to the information.
"The Slavic Tenets Of Initiation Rites is not publicised as it is a middle ground for those who fail to survive Initiation and IRSG Commitee doesn't wish to give Initiates any second ground to fall back to. Therefore, unless you fail to meet the survival requirements, you will be privy to its existence till the conclusion of the Initiation Rites." The Instructor explains at our silencing gaining everyone's attention.
"That means not dying doesn't mean you've pass Initiation." An Inherent asks, his complexion going pale in horror.
"Yes. But I'll rather use the term 'survive'." He corrects.
"You see most at your stage are mostly poorly informed of what 'survival' and 'death' actually means in the Initiation Rites. These aren't just words." Everyone pays extra attention including the busty blonde, and everyone else who thought they were more 'informed' than the rest of us.
"They are concepts with principles guiding and influencing their application and usage."
"The requirement to be declared to have 'survive" Initiation is specific to each Initiate actually as opposed to the general requirements you'll all be given."
Gasps of shock resound throughout the hall in quiet waves.
'The increase in Survival Counts and Rates weren't just concidence." I thought seeing the complicated looks on the faces of Inherents in particular. For Externs, all of this new but for them it like not knowing your own territory well enough.
"Remember WIGART, those are the categories survival in the Initiation Grounds have always been hinged on. Then again, there will be hundred of terrains, climate condition and habitats. Therefore, the requirement can not be universal."
"The terrain you find yourself in, your already projected abilities and the present circumstances you find you self in decide if you'll 'survive'.
"So, if we don't pass in all categories we fall under the Death Counts?" The blue-haired girl from before asks, looking at the Instructor with narrowed eyes.
"Of course not." Instructor Calvin says the grave look he wore till now giving way to a charming smile, easing the brimming tension.
"You aren't even Trainees yet, and are all here to learn." I say managing a small smile.
"The IRSG Committee have not gone that far, have they?" He asks making the everyone chuckle warmly, the previous direness fading under slowly.
"Most times, even if you don't make the threshold for a category or two, and your performance for another category is off the charts–You Are In!!" He concludes dramatically making everyone burst into cheers of relief.
"In short, I'm saying you aren't being asked to start off perfect. You are only required to show promising prospects worth nurturing. There have even be case where Initiates blatantly failed all categories just to excel in one and they are taken in. " He encourages.
"That means those who do not survive and are neither dead get to be part of the Slavic Counts." The blonde speaks drawing everyone's attention to her words.
"Yes."
"Sadly, most of these Initiates would fall into the Death Counts rather than Slavic."
"Why?" An Extern across the room asks mirroring my confusion.
"Because some of us have something called dignity" A chubby girl seated amid a group of Inherents snorts in response before Instructor Calvin gets to say anything.
"So you rather die than have a second chance at your dreams." The Extern from before asks in mockery.
"You!!" The chubby Inherent glares at her from across the hall. Their banter bringing about a few chuckles.
"If so, that means the Death Counts were originally Slavic Counts. In that case, death counts are not much." The burly, Inherent Cameron asks with a frown.
"I told you, there are much better platforms for that." Instructor Calvin smirks teasing him and somehow everyone chuckles because it's funny.
"Sir, what then is.." Another Inherent rises to ask.
"That's all for today, Initiates." Sir Calvin interrupts.
"You only took three questions." The girl deadpans folding her arms.
"Uhh last one took about ten minutes." Sir Calvin shrugs innoccently making everyone chuckle at his antics.
"In conclusion, open yourself to know more." He pauses looking in directions at the Inherents. "..because nothing ever leaves Velmora and you know next to nothing. So till the next class." Sir Calvin dismisses going down the steps of the podium
"The class was amazing."
"As expected of Sir Calvin." Two girls beside me spoke in hushed voices, fervent looks in their eyes.
"Serious change of plans, guys." A gruff voice says somewhere in the back.
"Chill, Alexia." A voice consoles somewhere in the crowd.
"So, what do we do now?" Another young Inherent surrounded by her friends cries.
It was same everywhere as the whole class poured into the the hallway making for the exit. Some crying, some laughing, others worried and some even unbothered. Sighing, I carefully weave through the cacophony of voices and footsteps as we drew nearer to the other end of the hall.
Horror was an understatement for what I felt on finding out I'll be walking amid them. Thankfully, everyone was too busy with their own matters to care about me.
Everyone around moves in groups conversing quietly as we all head out. Very few remain solitary but I'm sure the odd one.
Purpled-skirted me in a sea of gray gunmetal pants and navy green tops. My floor length skirt sweeps behind me nearly tripping me every twenty or so steps I take.
I breathe in sharply on reaching the spacious clearing outside the lecture hall. Numerous building stretch far in the distance equally evenly spaced for miles. To think they are only used for unofficial academic gatherings like Pre-Sessions.
Fancy cars filling the other end of the clearing, a few buses too. The doors open and mature looking men and women step out. Some Initiates head to them, a few group of Externs join a stern-looking lady beside a shuttle bus.
The pattern continues, more cars drives in picking up Initiates. I stare by the side froze, my mouth hung in disbelief.
"Guardians" I whisper in mockery at the warm scene playing before my eyes. Initiates chatting and sharing their day with attentive Guardians. Some grumpy, stern, cheerful, bored, curious, annoyed and whatnot. Even, aloof Inherents seemed rather intimate with their Guardians and Externs were picked in groups by three to five Guardians.
But, present.
I clench my fist in anger, "Thanks Jack for making more for a sore thumb than I already am." Groaning, I avert my gaze before they caught me staring like some creep. The two thousand plus of us were already out filling the clearing to about 60% of its maximum capacity.
"How was the class?" A petite looking Guardian asks a brown male Inherent with, enthusiasm evident in her voice.
"Better than having up bug me all day." He rolls his eyes at her, slamming the door she held open for him shut. She smiles unbothered and turns to the other side of the car.
"Marie, I need a drink right now." A tall girl with an intimidating build says to her Guardian who merely gestures into the car. The Inherent sighs getting into the car giving the lady a pleading look.
"The classes were some much fun."
"Really?" A bespectacled Guardian asks looking down from his glasses at his bouncing ward in surprise.
"Really, Andy! I also thought I'll sleep through the class. But, who would have thought. The Instructor was so hottt…" She squeals not bothering about the fact she was in public. Well, no one really paid attention to anything particular.
"Oh!" The Guardian, Andy nods in understanding, a small smile curving at his lips. He looks around and then steps forward to open the door ushering her in.
"You can tell all about it on our way." He interrupts before she goes on.
"Sure.." She does asks he asks.
"You know I can drive, right?" A voice says sharply from another part of the driveway catching my attention.
"Just get in, Claire. I have work to do." A gray-haired young man asks holding the door for the furious young girl.
"Then, you could have just done that." She yells not bothered about losing face in public. Massaging his temples, her Guardian stares at her for a moment before shutting the door. He moves to the driver's seat without another word while she looks on in confusion.
"It's either this or you walk." The Guardian says shutting the door behind him, and the Inherent stills, her face going pale in panic."
"You bastard, like I would need you help you didn't confiscate my cards." She yells, running to the car just as he starts the car.
Groups of Externs board buses chatting with each other, a Guardian or two joining them after a while.
Some Inherents Initiates and Guardians practically ignored each despite riding the the same car, others throw tantrums, curse, speak rudely and even insult their Guardians in spite.
Regardless, they were all present unlike mine. I could count no less than 50 pairs of Guardian and Initiate whose relationship was worse compared to what Jack and I had going, yet here they are.
It's been four days and yet nothing.
He really did abandon me.
The growing quietness pulls me off my reverie, almost everyone was gone while I stood gawking like some creep.
Unlocking my phone, I pull open my chat with Eave.
Me: Shortest route to Commercial Wing.
Eave: Approximately 49 minutes from here with your current locomotive abilities. Why?
Me: I'll walk. I need the stretch.
She goes silent, no typing bubble on the chat. Then my wristwatch flickers brightly displaying a path lined by a green line leading to two points, my current destination and Block A 8th Avenue, Commercial Wing –Stens Electronics
I smile in appreciation.
"Thanks.