As I walked alongside Ludio, who I now remember, began to talk about some of the times during our middle school days.
“So then, anyway that's how I messed around with a few chemicals and created a stink bomb. Yep, almost got expelled for that.”
“Yeah, I heard something like that happen. I also heard that your other endeavors were even more ‘dangerous’,”
“Yeah, well it’s not bad to spice things up in a boring place like in school besides a lot of people just got used to it,” he explained like it was nothing, which kind of makes me a little concerned about his well-being.
“You never had a good reputation with both students and teachers, I even heard rumors of some even trying to get you into expulsion,” I responded with what memory I knew during those school years.
“Nobody got seriously hurt by my activities and I didn’t bully anyone. I passed and they were happy to see me off. Besides, those teachers had it coming when they tried to have a superiority complex towards their students.”
For being a Mana-adept, my life was pretty normal for the most part. Even during my days in school, there was not much going on and I just went through it without thinking of a purpose in life or motivation of what to become.
Compared to me and Ludio, he might have a less-boring life for a Non-adept.
I kind of envy him in that way.
But at the same time, a Non-adept's life is one of dealing with a world full of hardships and struggles against those that have power. And they’re the ones that lose most of the time.
Although I still don’t know how or why he is in this school. He is the typical school clown that rumors in middle school people have heard about once before. Rumors of his extreme shenanigans and lack of common decency in them.
There are a number of things he did that would easily get him expelled or banned from going to the other schools.
But at the same time, he wasn’t as popular in school as he never stood out from the students and blended in so easily, or at least in positive terms. That is the reason why I never knew or met him in person before and just heard rumors about a clown lurking around the school.
Speaking of which…
“So you know stuff about the three powers, right?”
He makes a weird facial expression and sizes me up with a sense that a question mark would have appeared above his head.
“You’re kidding?” he replies, “We're in one of the many academies that require students to have knowledge about such things.”
“I mean, we came from the same school which, if I remember, didn't really teach a lot of stuff about it other than the basics.”
With the same gaze of doubt, he looks away and sighs, “True, the school was like a regular school teaching regular subjects, I guess you only know the basics of what the three powers hold.”
“Well,” I pause, look around the area and it was the center of the campus between the main buildings and the main gates. Right in the middle is a large ash tree, bigger than any other trees around the place, which I don’t find strange, but it is something to take note of…
“It seems I have to explain what you are missing since the school will expect you to possess something more than the basics. So, I’ll give you a quick summary of how in-depth the three disciplines delve into.”
I gulp at the thought of learning more about the disciplines, which I don’t really have much knowledge about Psi and Chi.
He turns and points towards the huge ash tree and says, “See that tree? For the time being, we ignore the roots and stump of it and focus on the branches. Let’s assume that those three branches are the three types of energies that we know of: Mana, Psi, and Chi. We know that each one follows a different concept of systems. Now, this goes to a weird explanation of Mana, but unfortunately true. You obviously know that Mana comprises different natural elements which can be created by the palm of your hand, that it is connected by the innate birth of the soul.”
“Of course I know about that stuff.”
What he is talking about is the basic concept of one using Mana and the origins of that power.
“No one can replicate such power since it requires the soul to have such affinity and therefore artificial mana-adepts are non-existent. Of course, most of the time mana-adepts are hereditary which can bestow their offspring to possess similar elements or more, if lucky.”
“True…”
The power of mana relies on the innate nature of those who are born with such gifts, That is obvious. It is somewhat an unfair gift since only those with compatible souls are able to possess such abilities.
Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen to have such a gift even though I rarely use it much. I would even think about how I was given such abilities, since my mother, and even my father who passed away, have no record of such accounts to wield such power.
“The next branch is Chi, you know, the inner essence of the desire or will if you want to be humble about it. It is not really about creating power but more about cultivation and channeling that power. These users could essentially exert a type of aura that they can release such blasts of energy, which can be powerful if one’s will is strong. Depending on how they use it is already complicated but is a little simpler to obtain, ‘little’ is emphasized.”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t need to be born with it, some do have it at birth but most of the adepts are just people that learned it from practitioners. But then again, there is a reason that not all non-adepts become one. It can be learned but their will has to be strong enough to exert such Chi and have the masters to notice it.”
“Damn, that is something, so anyone can train themselves to use Chi,” I say with the most sincere response.
He facepalms and continues, “Did you not hear what I just said, their will, their desire has to be strong, like a nuclear reactor strong to even think of training that type of power. It can be obtainable but it is a butt-hurt painful to obtain it. And don’t get me started with the whole Psionic shit.”
“I’m guessing it's something to do with that out-of-control thing, right?” I remember what you said on that part, take that.
“All you need to know is that side of power leads to some sort of physics breaking bullshit, you only need to know the basics on this one…”
“Wait, are you serious?!” his response leaves me to question even more. “C’mon, can’t you tell me anything else about that?”
“... All I could tell ya is to be careful around those kinds of adepts… especially when you’re a mana-adept, which is already a disadvantage.”
That is all he would tell me and move along towards our destination. Even though that explanation gives me more curiosity, and also anxiety.
What does he mean by that? I ponder as we almost arrive at our destination.
“Anyway, that is all you need to know to survive in this academy.”
There was a large structure with a spherical roof in front of us. What appears to be the auditorium as there are a few signs directing new coming students to head into the building.
The school facilities had a sort of sophisticated look as most of them were made out of bricks and were semi-modern. As if I was in some expensive university. Which can be if the administration would like it to be.
Well it seems that this is the right place and all we have to do is move forward and find the next direction to the ceremony.
But as I started to move.
“Now hold on…”
“Huh?”
Before I head into the building Ludio stops me as he stretches his hand right in front of me. With one of my eyebrows squinting into a confusing look, I turn to him eye to eye.
“Hmm, I just thought I saw something…” he looks around.
“Like what, a school prefect?” I said jokingly.
“Maybe, or maybe it's something that might be… dangerous.”
“Dangerous? I don’t think there is anything dangerous around here, in a school.”
“You’ll never know man, at one point, some will get stabbed in the back and start lusting for blood,” He looks at me with a weird grin that even I can feel a bit shivering.
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“What are you talking about-”
“Welp, we shouldn’t be waiting any longer, let's get going,” he interrupts while pushing me into the auditorium.
“You two! The orientation meeting is about to start. Please head there immediately,”
The attendants in front told us in strict tones to quickly get to the first-year orientation assembly. They guide us to a two-handled door that opens slightly enough that it would not shine into a dim-lighted area.
Ludio squeezed into the door before me and when we both were in, the attendant silently closed shut tight.
Turning away from the door the only area that I could visibly see is at the far end where the spotlights are aiming at a stage with a woman in professional attire of suit and tie, while on a podium welcoming the new students. Although most of the area is dark my eyes adjust enough to see a bit of that on top of us is an indoor balcony that I assume has seats. I also forgot to mention that there were a ton of students filling the seats from the three columns divided by small pathways. With a bunch of students and the darkness, it's gonna be hard to find any free seats.
“Hello, students of 20XX. I am Headmaster Siris and welcome to Triune High.”
“Hey, I found some seats at that corner,” Ludio mutters to me and points to the far left side somewhere in the middle section.
“Damn I can’t see anything in this area,” I squinted my gaze toward where Ludio wanted us to sit, “but it looks like we would have to scoot into that crowded space to get through.”
“Not a problem. Follow my lead.”
Ludio states and heads first while I follow.
We scoot along the seats filled with the students sitting while I mutter “excuse me” and other polite phrases as we pass by other seated students.
“I would like to congratulate all of you for your enrollment to this prestigious establishment. As there are many different opportunities that other schools wouldn’t have. As principal/Headmaster of Triune Academy or should I say, Triune High, I hope you all would have a nice and innovative time for the next four years as you spend around here.”
While scooting through the row of filled seats, the person on the podium congratulated the audience and said positive things about the school. From which it was so typical of a speech I just ignored the rest while trying to get into my seat. When we got to our seats she was about to finish.
“Now I hope you all will have a wonderful time in this academy. And now without further ado, I would like to present this year's student council president, Veronica Halle,”
She walks forward to the front stage as numeral amounts of applause are made by the students.
Veronica flings away her long blue silky hair and with elegant strides to the podium. She is like one of those models in magazines posing in trendy clothes. To some extent, her beautiful appearance would make anyone feel a bit mesmerized by it.
“Thank you, Miss Siris,” she spoke in a formal tone. “My name is Veronica Halle. I am a second-year student and current student council president. Before I welcome you all, there is something I want to say. You may or may not know that this academy is unfortunately known by influence: ‘This is a place full of failures’. ‘Losers that did not belong to those schools are forced to come into an underwhelming academy’. Or better yet how about, a place where other schools throw away the rejects of their own kind’...”
Everyone in their seats were shocked by the words she spouted out, which let them to looking down or feeling a bit under the weather from Veronica’s speech. Some people felt a bit awkward or a little frustrated, probably by the fact that some did have the actual intent of enrolling.
Apparently there are more private academies within the lands of Hexous. In particular there are three schools that students from their respective discipline would rather enroll into. From what I heard these academies offer advanced courses that can improve their skills and master their powers even better. Although there was no chance for me to even consider enrolling to them as I had average grades and a meager ability. Triune Academy from my research couldn’t offer such courses due to difficulties of providing an equal but robust education that equates for all.
To be frank, this academy with all of its mysticism for unity and bringing everyone together. The average rate of student grades and prowess is below average than other schools in Hexous. Known out of the four academies, this one is in last place in cultivating potential student candidates into their futures.
All the while Ludio does not seem phased by such words as if nothing matters to him. With his legs resting on top of a seat in front of him and arms crossed behind him as though he looked bored.
“... But,” Veronica pauses to add more suspense as every student turns their head to gaze at her. “That is a load of nonsense, wouldn’t you agree?”
Is she trying to say something cheesy or optimistic about the school? It’s not exactly something to say to a bunch of students that may have gotten rejection letters to their choice of school before coming here.
“My fellow comrades of the Mana discipline,” she waves towards my direction, which I am assuming most of the people on this side of the auditorium are mana-adepts.
She then switches hands and faces to the other side. “Our brethren of the Chi discipline…”
Looking over at the other students in front of me, on the other side, there are people who are wearing headbands and strange accessories that look like they are from the eastern side of the world.
There is also a gal that somewhat stands out with her black tomboyish and slick short hair smiling with absolute bright confidence along with her friends, most handsome boys, and girls. For some reason, she has this sort of significance surrounding her, like an aura of great power that is tempered a hundred times, although I’m not a Chi-adept so I would not know.
Then she opens both of her arms to the middle column. “And finally, the sophisticated Psionic discipline,”
What caught my eye was not the number of students with their unique tech they just fiddled around. But a guy with gray short hair sitting there with a straight face as if her words did not phase him. He also has that same intensity as the Chi-adept girl but he is far more subtle and something a bit dark as I kept staring at him.
At some point, he turns his eyes directly at me with a sense of danger shivering down my spine. Can he see me?! With a quick reflex, I turned away so that he would not notice me so easily, and with that disappointment, he turned his sights to the front.
While all of that happened, Veronica was speaking about the three disciplines and how each one has its unique quirks and complexity stuff.
“-And as Headmaster Siris has said before, although this school does not have the more ‘Advanced’ curriculum than the other institutions. We have what they don’t have: Cooperation,”
Everyone with befuddled looks turned their heads over each other as if such an idea had ever been made.
“More accurately, the cooperation of the three groups as well as the minority of non-adepts,”
She has said confidently and without hesitating her words. The idea of allying with other disciplines and especially non-adepts that are pretty much weak and disadvantageous.”
“Huh? Cooperating with those guys? Am I hearing this right?” mutters and whispers within the audience begin to absorb Veronica’s statement. Which a lot of them don’t take it lightly.
More people become discontent about it.
“ugh… allying with Chi-adepts…”
“Does this bitch want us to be buddy-buddy with those elitist psi-adepts, yeah no, I am good…”
“This is bullshit! I’m not gonna stoop to their levels, ESPECIALLY a Non-adept!”
There it goes, the words that would separate the ‘us’ and ‘them’, whose superior, whose is inferior, no matter what it seems that nothing has changed…
“Hey shut up! This might be a good idea since we are at a disadvantage to the other schools and their advanced courses,” A Mana-user being convinced starts to speak out. But it doesn't seem like anyone else is budging in.
“Screw you, man. I don’t trust those goddamn Mana-users that think they are more special than us Chi-adepts. No goddamn way I’ll ever trust them,” A snarky one within the Chi-adept side refutes them.
“Oh yeah you inner-blockhead how you say that when I shove ya some volts up your-”
Enraged by such comments, one of the Chi-adepts stands up and attempts to walk forward at the aggravated Mana-adept.
“oh, you're approaching me? Instead of talking smack, you're now coming right to me?”
“I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer!” The Chi-adept threatens.
“That's enough!” A psi-adept teleports between the two. “How about we stop this and just get back to our seats.”
“How about you stay away before you go hay-wired You Psi-psychos!” More insults coming from the Chi-adept.
“Approach me if you dare, but know this will not end well for you!” The Psi-adept making the ultimatum
Everyone chatters to full-on arguing as the three groups keep complaining and showing displeasure with one another. The intimidated non-adepts shrunk under their seats to avoid the onslaught of the kerfuffle. I kind of feel bad for them.
This is not uncommon for such conflicting views of other powers since all three of them are at a similar level of strength. The Mana and Chi disciplines were the oldest and had a rivalry of wisdom and power. Even the Psionic discipline which was not too old but still old enough to populate the entire world, has become another foil to the other two. It is a mess of perspectives and views of which is best and more useful.
As far as Non-adepts, they are pretty much the bystanders of all. Since they are the ones that have to lick the boots of those who have power and suck it up to corrupted power-users. To a point where they felt threatened and retaliated from time to time. The history of the world itself is very cruel and bloody for the sake of peace today.
Not sure about the Chi and Psionics history other than the basics, since I focused more on my discipline. The history of Mana is as old as it was which began during Ancient Greece and Western parts of the world, while Chi is more Eastern.
There are affinities or elements that Mana users have an advantage over Chi users since they rely on spiritual energy and techniques to compete with them.
But the loud chatters and yelling disrupt the flow of self-reflecting that I have been doing the entire time.
Curiously I turned to Ludio as he was still seated with his legs on the seat and head resting his arms behind him. The only difference is that he is smiling. A smile with a few quiet chuckles that I could barely hear. As if he is enjoying the chaos. Kinda creepy.
But I again remember that this is Ludio, the class clown during middle school and usually creating such chaos. I also think that he would not bring pain into his plans as I haven’t heard rumors of anyone getting hurt physically or badly hurt emotionally.
“Cooperating…” he chuckles. “Nice one.”
Seems that he is having fun…
“
A sudden bright light flashes in front of the stage as everyone shields their sights. I also covered my eyes from it. And as soon as I uncovered them, a bunch of sparkly star-like mist descended upon us and I could feel my face very watery.
Apparently, Veronica wielding a staff with a sapphire orb had cast a water spell to suppress the crowd. From which it had succeeded in its purpose.
“Now it seems that everyone has ‘cooled off’,” Veronica made pleasantries of the entire first-year class and their banter.
“As I can see, it appears that everyone does not see each other as allies. It's a shame that you all aren’t willing to want to work together. And I also know what you are thinking of this outrageous idea. But hear me out as I tell you this is necessary for not only you but your peers as well,”
Everyone looked at her with either awe, confusion, or animosity…
“Most of us have wanted to have a better chance to improve our abilities in whatever discipline or any opportunities. Some of you did not want to be here, but never had a choice but to enroll in a school full of ‘rejects’…” She said with a bit of sadness. “... But that doesn’t mean we are to be left out in the dust and wither away. We have an opportunity here. A school with a diverse set of individuals. People that can wield elemental powers, enhancing with chi, as well as going against the laws of our world, and that is possible in this place. While other schools have their advanced courses, they don’t have the alliance of their rival disciplines. We do.”
Some people within the crowd started to nod and gaze at one another from different sides.
“We have the choice of helping each other out and having a bigger picture than the rest of the other students attending those specialty academies. Whether or not you want to be friendly with each other is something out of my jurisdiction, but this school encourages that. We are not losers, outcasts, or failures. We are…”
With the suspense and everyone reaching out of their seats with powerful gazes…
“We are a team, a comrade, a friend, and a family! That we will help each other to reach upper heights and no longer below anyone else, ever again!”
The entire assembly with no word and no sound…
Hearing a single repetitive noise, Ludio next to me was the first to clap at her speech.
As it was heard, more followed slowly but absolutely, and everyone began to applaud. I also went along with them for the sake of respect.
But I have to wonder, is it really possible?
It does not sound hard to do but looking back at the history and as well as what just happened today.
Is it feasibly possible for us... to get along?