Marl walked through the grand courtyard of Shimoto Enlightened Academy still fearful someone would notice his affliction
But so far only that boy noticed even Sister Mayura and Aiko which was strange but he wasn't complaining Sister had connections and she applied him the Shimoto on sponsorship, his eyes scanning the sprawling complex as he searched for the administration building.
The sound of murmured conversations and the scent of old books filled the air, and Marl felt a sense of excitement mixed with a dash of nervousness.
As he approached the receptionist building, Marl took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Inside, he was greeted by a bespectacled administrator who looked up from behind her desk.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice friendly but efficient.
"Hi," Marl said, "I'm Marl. I'm here to... well, I think I'm supposed to be starting here?"
The person expression changed from curious to condescending. "Oh you're the new kid the central government has sent us
The administrator's tone made Marl's stomach twist slightly, but he tried to maintain a neutral expression. "Yes, that's me," he said, attempting to sound confident.
The administrator nodded, her gaze lingering on Marl's attire before returning to his face. "Welcome to Shimoto Enlightened Academy, Marl. I'm Administrator Nakamura. We'll need to get you registered and sorted out with your classes."
As she spoke, Marl couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. The dream still lingered in his mind, and the fool's desperation and sorrow seemed to echo in the administrator's condescending tone. He pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. "Okay, what do I need to do?" he asked, trying to sound eager.
Administrator Nakamura handed him a stack of forms and began explaining the registration process. Marl listened intently, his eyes scanning the documents as he tried to absorb the information. Despite the initial awkwardness, he was determined to make a good impression and fit in at his new school. Little did he know, his life at Shimoto Enlightened Academy would be anything but ordinary.
As she gave him directions to the doors of the administration office
After making sure he was at the right place
Marl pushed open the door to the administration office, and a warm, inviting voice called out, "Come in, come in!" He stepped inside, taking in the cluttered space and the administrator he wondered if he was at the right place
Nauq, who sat behind the desk. Nauq's round glasses perched on the end of his nose, and his neatly trimmed goatee gave him a distinguished air.
However, Marl's attention was immediately drawn to the strange creature perched on Nauq's desk.
It appeared to be some sort of twisted amalgamation of a dragon and a lizard, with scales that seemed to shift and writhe like living shadows. The creature's eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, and Marl felt a shiver run down his spine.
Nauq chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement, as he gestured for Marl to take a seat. Marl sat down, his gaze still fixed on the creature. Nauq leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Looks like you're interested in my Drakonian Archnosaur," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
The creature seemed to be watching Marl, its gaze unnerving. Marl swallowed hard, trying to tear his eyes away, but he couldn't help feeling drawn to the strange, defiled creature. "What... what is it?" Marl asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Nauq's smile grew wider, and he leaned forward, his eyes glinting with enthusiasm. "Ah, my Drakonian Archnosaur. It's a rare specimen, one that I've had the pleasure of... acquiring over the years. A creature of dark legend and fascination."
As Nauq spoke, the creature seemed to stir, its scales rippling with an otherworldly power. Marl felt a shiver run down his spine, but he couldn't help feeling drawn to the creature's strange, twisted beauty.
Nauq's expression changed, and he seemed to lose interest in the Drakonian Archnosaur perched on his desk. "Enough about that, let's put you into a class now," he said, opening a folder and scanning its contents. As he read, Nauq's eyes narrowed slightly. "Okay, it says here that you have a utility aspect that affects your body's density and gravity." He looked up at Marl, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"That's quite an... interesting ability," Nauq said. "We'll need to find a class that suits your needs." Marl nodded, intrigued. "What kind of class would that be?" he asked, leaning forward in his seat. Nauq tapped his fingers on the desk, considering.
"I think we'd best place you in Professor Lyra's class," he said finally. "She specializes in teaching students with unique aspects like yours. You'll learn how to control and harness your abilities, and maybe even discover new ways to use them."
As Nauq spoke, Marl noticed the Drakonian Archnosaur watching him, its glowing eyes seeming to bore into his soul. He shivered, feeling a strange connection to the creature. Nauq, however, seemed to have forgotten about it, focused on handing Marl a piece of paper stamped with a seal.
"Here's your class schedule," Nauq said, smiling. "You'll be in Lyra's class, room 314, starting tomorrow morning. Welcome to Shimoto Enlightened Academy, Marl. I think you'll find it's a... enlightening experience."
Just then, Nauq's expression turned serious, and he pulled out a small, ornate box. "But before you go, let's check the rank of your foundation," he said, opening the box to reveal a glowing crystal. Marl watched as Nauq held the crystal against his forehead.
The crystal glowed brighter, and Nauq's eyes narrowed. After a moment, the glow dimmed, and Nauq sighed, his face falling into a disappointed expression. "A Mortal rank," he said, handing Marl a set of keys. "Someone outside will show you to your dorm room. You'll need to get settled before your classes start tomorrow."
As Marl left the administration office, he was approached by a student who would be showing him to his dorm room. She had a quiet, reserved demeanor, and Marl tried to make a good impression.
"Hey, I'm Marl," he said, extending a hand. "Thanks for showing me to my room." The girl looked at him briefly before nodding and starting to walk.
"I'm Akane," she said curtly, not looking back at Marl. He tried to keep up with her pace, attempting to make small talk.
"So, Akane, what's it like being a student here?" he asked, trying to sound friendly. Akane's expression remained neutral, but her tone turned cold.
"It's fine," she said, her voice short. Marl sensed a sudden change in her demeanor and wondered what could have caused it.
As they walked, Akane glanced at Marl's student ID, and her expression turned disdainful. "You're a one-star student?" she said, her voice laced with disgust. "Eww, a Mortal rank. I don't know how you even got accepted here."
Marl felt a sting from her words, but he tried not to let it get to him. "Hey, I'm just trying to learn and improve," he said, attempting to diffuse the tension. Akane's gaze lingered on him, her eyes filled with disdain.
"You're going to struggle," she said, her tone dripping with condescension. "One-star students don't exactly have the best track record here." With that, she led Marl to his dorm room, her attitude making it clear she wasn't interested in befriending him.
Marl followed Akane to his dorm room, his eyes scanning the space as she unlocked the door. The room was small but cozy, with a single bed, a desk, and a closet. Akane handed him the key and turned to leave without a word. Marl watched her go, feeling a bit deflated by her cold demeanor. He shrugged and stepped into his new room, closing the door behind him. The silence was a welcome respite from the day's events.
As he looked around, Marl noticed that the room was already stocked with the essentials: a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. He walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains, revealing a view of the academy's courtyard. Marl took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He had made it to Shimoto Enlightened Academy, and now it was time to see what the future held.
Marl's thoughts drifted to the orphanage, where Sister Mayura had cared for him and the other kids with such kindness. He thought about Aiko, and the others who had become like family to him. Marl smiled, remembering the laughter and the struggles they had shared.
He lay down on the bed, feeling the softness of the mattress envelop him. As he closed his eyes he still didn't know if that star was just a figment of his imagination or not but when he remembered it he felt a sense of dread he slapped himself to think of something else, Marl's mind was filled with determination. He was going to make the most of this opportunity, to learn and grow, and to make Sister Mayura and the others proud.
"I'll do it," Marl whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "I'll show them that I'm worthy of this chance." With a sense of resolve, Marl let exhaustion claim him, and then he fell asleep and started dreaming.