I sat cross-legged on my bed, the room still humming with the aftershock of Sonya's dramatic exit.
Sia, my Siren system's holographic screen hovered above my lap, displaying lines of glowing text and diagrams.
I blinked, more than a little overwhelmed, as the system began to scan the twins who were now bickering over closet space.
I was the only one in the room that could see Sia's write-up.
[Jessica Foreman: (the tanned twin) Level 1. Ability: Smokemaker.]
'Smokemaker?' I thought to myself. Trying to wrap my head around the ability one of the twins had.
[Smokemaker generate thick, disorienting smoke. In battle, they can create confusion and obscure vision. If inhaled by an enemy, it may induce fainting or temporary paralysis. Best used in chaos or retreat.]
Oh…that made sense. What wonderful ability.
I frowned, glancing at Jessica, who was busy rearranging her shoes in the bottom of the wardrobe.
"Sia, can I see a visual representation of a smokemaker, really? Is it just… smoke?"
The system responded, projecting a quick animation. It showed shadowy figures stumbling through a dense, swirling fog, some collapsing to the ground.
It also showed how enemies become epileptic once they perceive it. Jessica was blessed to have such an ability. I wonder if she got this through reading and studying an ability book or it was passed down through genetics.
[Smokemakers are rare. Their smoke is laced with mild neurotoxins. In the face of war, they can turn the tide by causing confusion and incapacitating enemies. The effect depends on the target's resistance.]
"Yikes," I muttered, making a mental note never to get on Jessica's bad side.
The screen shifted to the other twin.
[Jane Foreman(the lighter skinned twin) : Level 1. Ability: Stone-Girl.]
[ Stone people can transform their body into living stone. When threatened, her skin hardens, making her nearly invulnerable to physical attacks. Can also create stone shields for allies. Jane is also able to hurl stones that can wound or kill an opponent. She is defensive, but formidable.]
Amazing!! So far this room was blessed. We had a Siren which was me, then a science genius that could help us out of troubles, a smoke maker and a stone girl? Perfect!
Jane, meanwhile, was fussing with her hair in the mirror, oblivious to the system's scrutiny.
Jane seemed to be a very vain person and Jessica was more focused. Jane touched her hair a lot of times, styling and restyling them while Jessica helped to unpack their boxes, lay their bed and smoothen their clothes.
I watched Jane for a moment, wondering what it would feel like to turn to stone-to be that unbreakable.
"What are we having for dinner? I'm starving" Jane asked while applying lip gloss and it got Jessica annoyed.
"Am I a cafeteria? Why don't you wait till they make an announcement or something?"
I let out a breath. The system thing was still new, still confusing. Sometimes it felt like I was living in a video game, and I wasn't sure if I liked it or not.
Just as I was about to text my mom and tell her about the chaos of my first day, a shrill bell rang through the hostel, echoing off the living walls of flowers and moss.
I jumped, startled.
A voice boomed from the hallway: "All students to the assembly hall. Immediately!"
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Ugh, what now?"
Jane grabbed her blazer. "Probably another pointless speech."
"We'll have to count 60 seconds. If you don't leave your rooms then prepare to be baptized by smelly toilet water!" The voice continued.
I looked at our ceiling, truly, there was a spot for water to rain in the room. I'm pretty sure this was a tactic to make sure no one stayed inside during activities.
"Our rooms are smart. So don't even think about hiding. The punishment after water drenching is severe."
"Nooo..smelly toilet water. I'm leaving please!!" Jane plopped up from where she sat and stood outside the door.
Maude, still shaken from earlier, looked at me nervously. "Should we go together?"
"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile. "Let's stick together."
The four of us filed out, joining the river of students streaming toward the main building.
I silently prayed that no more roommates would be assigned to our little group. Four was already more than enough.
Our room still lacked four more roommates. If they were going to come, then they should at least be nice.
The assembly hall was an enormous place with sigils of each hostel and the school's official flag hoisted in the middle.
Rows of bleachers lined the sides, filled with students in crisp uniforms, while others gathered on the floor, creating a sense of community and anticipation.
The walls shimmered with magical wards, and the air buzzed with nervous energy.
BLAIR
Principal Winnow stood on the stage, her seven arms folded with impossible grace.
She was a striking figure, her silver hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her eyes sharp as she surveyed the crowd.
Principal Winnow was known as the most powerful woman on earth. No one knew what her true ability was. Sometimes, she would shift to this creature with seven arms and it was interesting to watch.
When she spoke, her voice carried effortlessly through the hall.
"Welcome to Exotikkal Academy," she announced, her arms gesturing in a fluid, mesmerizing motion. "You are the future of our world. Here, you will learn, grow, and protect yourselves and the town."
She paused, letting her gaze sweep over us. "There are rules. There will be no sexual relationships. No bullying. No unauthorized dueling. Respect the boundaries of your peers. We are a community, not a battleground. The only time you are allowed to battle with your fellow student is if you sense that they are a threat."
The whole hall became drop dead silent at the mention of threats.
"Be wary. There's the alien curse. The aliens are sneaky and can find a way to possess students and make them cause confusion. If any student is being too aggressive, report them to authorities or deal with them!"
What's the alien curse? Why isn't principal Winnow touching more on it?
"Wow. Look at that cute guy!" Jane exclaimed as she began to cat call a guy.
Jane was already fawning over a blonde guy that sat five seats away from us.
The guy ignored her and Jane snickered under her breath. Jessica elbowed her, whispering, "Shh, she'll hear you."
Principal Winnow continued, "Before dinner, you will all participate in a simple hands test. This is not a competition, but a way for us to understand your abilities and ensure your safety. You will each face a rock boulder test."
"You will each choose your weapon or tool. Show us what you can do."
She gestured, and the stage shifted, revealing a row of massive alien dummies and stone boulders. The crowd murmured with excitement.
"Now this is what I'm talking about!!" One boy exclaimed as he shifted to reveal a being that had spider webs all over him.
One by one, students were called up. Some chose swords, others magic staffs or elemental gloves.
The most powerful among us drew cheers and gasps.
A boy with bleached white hair stepped up, grinning cockily. He chose nothing, flexed his hands, and with a single punch, shattered the alien dummies to dust.
The crowd erupted in wild applause. "I think that's my new crush. I don't want the other guy anymore," Jane announced.
Then it was Maude's turn. She hesitated, then picked up a strange device from the table. It was a handheld chemical sprayer.
The crowd snickered, but Maude ignored them.
She carefully measured a powder, mixed it with water, and sprayed it on the boulder.
There was a fizz, a hiss, and then the rock crumbled, eaten away by her concoction.
The hall went silent, then burst into cheers.
Principal Winnow stopped the crowd to address them. "Nice. But a lot of Aliens have found a way to be allergic to sconce and technology."
Everyone's abilities were shown on a big screen when you climbed the stage.
Jessica and Jane followed, both smashing their targets with ease. Jessica filled the stage with thick, swirling smoke, then darted through and shattered the dummy with a swift kick.
Jane's skin turned to stone; she calmly walked up and punched the boulder, which cracked in half.
Jane gave a kiss to the boy with bleach hair and he threw her a kiss back. Luckily, Principal Winnow was not looking.
Finally, it was my turn. I felt every eye in the hall on me as I stepped forward. On the giant screen above the stage, my stats flashed for everyone to see. [Blair Williams, Werewolf (not yet turned), Level 1]
A ripple of whispers and some laughter ran through the crowd. I felt my cheeks burn. One girl whispered. "Isn't she big enough? Her wolf is probably delaying because she's an omega."
Sia's holographic screen popped up again.
[Quest: Prove your strength.]
[Reward: Unlock Level 2, +10% Mana, +50% Transmigration Portal progress.]
I swallowed hard. I still had the metallic hand from my earlier system reward. I scanned the weapons table and picked up a machete, its blade gleaming under the lights.
Principal Winnow watched me with her sharp eyes. "We don't have all evening, Miss Williams."
I took a deep breath, gripped the machete, and let the system's strength surge through my arm.
[Metallic Hands activated!]
With a single, powerful swing, I cleaved the boulder clean in half. The crowd gasped.
My metallic hands assisted me a lot by making my grip on the blade stronger.
Principal Winnow raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. Where did you learn such strength? Your wolf is yet to turn so is there something you're not telling us?"
I forced a smile. "My father… he had me train a lot as a kid. Lots of battles."
She nodded, satisfied, and moved on.
The students who had passed the test were dismissed for dinner. The rest remained, murmuring among themselves.
As I left the stage, the holographic screen followed me. [Congratulations, Blair. Level 2 unlocked!! 10% Mana increase. Transmigration portal progress: 50%]
I smiled to myself as I felt my belly rumbling.
We entered the dining room to find robots serving and we occupied a table that seats four people.
Maybe this academy would not be so bad afterall.