Chapter 4 - The beginning
I find a seat in the back of the bus, hoping that no one will want to sit next to me. The seats are uncomfortable, to say the least. There isn't even a cup holder. You would think that the future backbone of this country would be treated with more care, an arm rest at least.
When I say that I do not want anyone sitting next to me, it's not because I detest the idea of socializing. In fact, I am quite good at it, as someone who has had multiple part-time jobs, interacting with others is no problem at all for me. I just really do not like the stuck-up, snobbish and arrogant people of Lauderdale. Especially those who have achieved enlightenment. Most of those who succeeded in the ritual are not common folk like me, they're successors of great clans and they sure act accordingly. Imagine the whole 'How dare you look in my direction peasant!' debacle.
Three days ago, at the end of the ritual, if I previously had any doubts that it was possible to ensure success, now, I am sure. Among the 25 young adults who had become [enlightened], 20 hailed from great families while 2 were the heirs to extremely wealthy conglomerates. The only ones who could be described as common folk besides myself are; Zora, a slender, pale girl with short platinum hair and Alex, a hulking mass of muscles who appears to not have had a single thought in years.
As for my desire to not sit next to any of them, it is crushed after a few seconds. Not one, but two successors decide to place themselves near me. The first is Sylvia, she wears a mesmerizing smile and placed herself right next to me.
I must say this, she is a stunning, gorgeous, devastatingly beautiful young lady. She is blessed with piercing blue eyes the color of the ocean, and not unlike it, their depth seems to hold an insurmountable number of secrets. Her ivory complexion perfectly complements her golden hair. As for her figure, it would be no exaggeration to say that she was sculpted by the greatest artisan under the sky. She is slender but her body's muscles are clearly honed, optimized for effective combat. She most likely has never skipped a single day of training. As much as I hate the heirs of enlightened families, I must admit, Sylvia is hot. Spending two hours next to her might not be so bad.
The one to sit next to us, however, does not elicit the same reaction from me. This is your typical young master sticking to Sylvia like glue because of her status.
"Lady Sylvia, must we sit next to this...guy?"
Sylvia quickly snaps back with a semblance of irritation.
"I will sit where I please, thank you Rowan."
"Then I shall sit next to you!"
That's Rowan ClawHeart, his family has produced strong [enlightened] who have consistently reached the 3rd stage, making them a well-established force of this country. That is still incomparable to Sylvia, whose mother is nearing the 4th stage and who's grandfather actually reached it. 4th stage enlightened are forces of nature, their abilities are state secrets, and they are treated almost like gods. To have one appear in your family is the greatest pride and honor one could hope for.
Sylvia is the first to speak to me.
"So, Alden, how do you feel about going to DaiKar, have you already decided what your affiliation will be?"
As if she was addressing him, Rowan loudly prevents me from answering her question.
"Someone like him? He'll be lucky if he even graduates!"
'Can this guy get anymore cliche?'
I employ my most sarcastic voice.
"Well, thank you for asking Lady Sylvia FullCastle, I was also thinking that a 'Someone like me' should indeed lay low and pray that he lands a good job"
"Pfft! How nice, but what I'm asking Mr. Alden, is if you plan to fight or not."
"I do, the best salaries come from the combatant division after all."
At this statement, Rowan is unable to contain himself.
"HA! You? Combatant? You'll end up dead or crippled as soon as you leave DaiKar!"
'Seriously, does he never shut up?'
"Thanks for the kind words, Mr. ClawHeart!"
"Hmph!"
The bus is travelling on course and Rowan is attempting to get close to Sylvia. All he talks about is what he'll do once he graduates and how great he'll be. He alternates between this and making sure that he is properly sucking up to her. Seems like he is trying to build a good connection for when he enters the world of the enlightened. She answers him politely, but I can tell that she isn't very interested in him. I wonder what gets her to speak to me so often. It has only happened twice, but that is two times more than the last 5 years at Lauderdale combined. Is it my ability?
When Rowan realizes that he is not making any progress with Sylvia, he excuses himself and decides to sit next to the scion of another great family. He is set on making those connections. That is when Sylvia speaks to me again and this time, she says what she has really been meaning to say.
"The shield you manifested; it had a wolf's crest on it."
"So what?"
"Newly manifested abilities, especially constructs, are generally not this detailed. A fireball will be flimsy and easily extinguishable, someone who can fly will fall flat on their face, and someone who can summon a sword will summon a brittle sword riddled with cracks. You must be wondering why I approached you right? That's because you have potential, and you have a lot of it. When I saw your shield, I saw something incredibly detailed and beautiful. Not the result of a first manifestation."
This is shocking, I had only summoned my aegis for a split second. It seems like the scrutinizing eyes of the great families do not miss any detail. Does this mean that all the others had the same realization? It's not like I can make the wolf disappear so they would have found out eventually, but it is just a bit awkward that everyone but me knew of my potential. Something doesn't make sense though.
"Why did Rowan talk to me like that then?"
"He's an idiot"
"...That makes sense. Well? What do you want from me?"
Her smile warms the surrounding atmosphere and her unwavering eyes make my heart skip a beat.
"I just want to become acquainted with a future powerful [enlightened]!"
The 2 hours elapse and we finally get to DaiKar. Or so I think, what meets us is a lone officer in a wasteland. There is nothing around us as far as the eye can see except for a single mountain peak. Once we have all disembarked, the officer speaks.
"My name is Lauren Flake! You runts will refer to me as Maestro Lauren! From now on all of you from Lauderdale will be trainees under my supervision for the full duration of your stay at DaiKar!"
One of my classmates seems unhappy with that.
"I should call you Maestro? You? You don't even look that strong."
"Whoever said that Step forward!"
A young man of tall stature, olive skin and red hair steps up.
"I said it! What are you going to do about it?"
In the next instant, his head flies off his shoulders. his body hits the ground and the metallic smell of blood is strong, accompanied by the contorted faces of all my classmates.
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