Chapter 5: The Academy
The academy gates stood before Arthur like towering portals to a new world. Intricate ironwork formed elegant patterns that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy, while stone pillars flanked either side, carved with symbols he didn't recognize—likely related to the realms beyond our own.
The school behind the gates was a grand structure that sprawled across the horizon, its architecture a blend of classical and modern elements. Gold-lined decoratives adorned the walls, catching the morning sunlight and creating an almost ethereal glow around the buildings. Spires reached toward the sky as if trying to touch the very realms they studied, while expansive courtyards dotted the campus, visible even from the entrance.
For a while, Arthur just stood there, staring awestruck at the magnificent structure before him. He had never seen anything so impressive in his life—certainly nothing like the run-down neighborhood he'd called home for the past few years.
Soon enough, he noticed the odd looks he was getting from other students passing by on their way to school. Some whispered to each other, others just stared. Being the center of attention made his skin crawl.
Arthur cleared his throat and looked down at his feet, embarrassed by his obvious wonder. He shook his head, trying to regain his composure, and finally made his way through the gates.
Stepping over the threshold felt like crossing a point of no return. Something in his gut twisted momentarily—a strange sensation, almost like his newly forming core was responding to the boundary—but he shook it off and kept going.
From what Arthur had gathered from the information packet he'd skimmed in the car, the academy was unbelievably large as it housed all the developing Chosen in District 3. But because it usually only took three months at most until a core fully formed, students were never here for long. It was more of a transitional space—a temporary shelter before the storm that awaited in the Second Realm.
The school broke students into groups of people close to the same timeline of core development. Until you got sent to the Second Realm, you'd be stuck with that group no matter how small or big it happened to be. Right now, Arthur was on his way to the orientation for his group, located in the East Wing according to the map he'd been given.
As he walked, he wiped the nervous sweat off his hands and tried to clear his mind. Even before Arthur had developed his distaste for humanity, he had been painfully antisocial. He'd never been good around groups of people, especially those his own age—which, not guaranteed but most likely, would make up the majority of his group. For some reason, Chosen almost always developed their cores in the age range of 15-20.
Needless to say... he was nervous.
He finally made it to the orientation building—a circular structure with a glass dome that allowed natural light to flood the interior. Arthur stood mindlessly in front of the door, trying to build up the courage to enter. After staring at it for what felt like an eternity, he heard something break the silence from behind him.
"Hey, buddy... you make a better door than a window. You going in or what?"