Chương 3: New School Stress Part 3

"I would like first to welcome you all to our prestigious academy." She began. "Today marks the first day of the beginning of your lives. As many of you know, we have a special ceremony that is done in this country.

On the first day of academy the students are injected with nanites. These little machines will alter your body and give you strength, speed, and agility that you could only dream of before. They will also grant you access to fantastic powers that our primitive ancestors could not dream of. If they were alive today, they would truly believe that we are gods.

Allow me to demonstrate what I am talking about."

She outstretched her right arm towards the wall where a small target had been placed. "Electrocute!" She called out. As she did, a small orb of static energy formed in her palm before launching as lightning onto the target. As soon as the lightning struck a small clap of thunder spread through the room and the target ignited into flames. Other teachers quickly surrounded it with fire extinguishers and put out the fire.

She then turned her attention back to the new students, who were all smiling with glee at the thought of wielding such power.

"All of you will not be able to do that." She explained, as if pulling the rug out that she had just placed. "Some of you will be unable to cast a spell, but the nanites should still give you enhanced physical abilities, even if it is at a diminished capacity. So, cheer up.

Let me explain what is going to happen next. We are going to take you into another room, and you will be injected with nanites. After about ten minutes or so we can see how they are doing in your system. That will let us know just how proficient you will be.

If they produce a strong signal, you will be capable of executing any spell, with time and practice of course. If they produce a weak signal, then you will be unable to cast spells but will still see minor benefits."

A student raised their hand.

She noticed and stopped talking for a second as if thinking of how to respond. "This isn't really a question and answer section." She explained. "However, since this is your first day, I will answer your question. What is it?"

"What happens if there is no signal?" The student asked.

"What if the sky turns green?" She replied. "Both questions have the same amount of chance. In all my years of teaching I have never seen the nanites fail to attach to someone. I mean they do more than just give you powers. They are used to store your banking information and a myriad of other things. I would hate to even think of someone not responding to the nanites.

Did that answer your question?"

The student nodded.

"Alright, then moving on." She started again. "All of you here today come from powerful families. Either it is political or financial, your parents have amassed the necessary wealth to allow you to attend here. But they only got you in the door. After your nanite test you will be rated and placed into a class.

Those with scores of one hundred to ninety will be placed in class S. They are the most elite among you and will be taught spell casting as well as the normal curriculum. Those between ninety and seventy will be in class A. You will have the opportunity to learn spells, but we shall not waste resources placing it into your studies.

Those between seventy and fifty will be class C. You are known as class common, you will receive a normal education, although personally I would still consider it a stellar education, we are the best academy in the country after all.

Those who fall below fifty will be placed in class F. That is class failure for all those who did not know. You will receive the minimum effort from us as you will not contribute to this school's prestige in any way.

One other thing. Assignments will be given weekly. Those who do well will earn points for their class. Those who do poorly will cause their class to lose points. At the end of the year the class with the least amount of points will be expelled. The assignments will range from tests to combat training.

Do not forget that even though we live in a time of science and technology, monsters still roam the landscape. Some of you, most likely class S, will go on to be great fighters and defend our city and our nation. So, it is important that we teach you how to fight.

Now without further wasting everyone's time here, if you would all follow the teachers at the back door. They are Professor Ricci and Professor Frone, they teach class S and A respectively. They will take you to the testing facility.

Thank you and welcome to Excelsior Academy!" With that the students clapped for her, and she exited the stage. Afterwards all the students stood up and exited the room, following the two teachers as she had instructed them to do.

"Sounds like class F gets screwed." A student walking next to Dax said. "Hey, my name is Fey, what do I call you?"

"Dax." He responded. "Yeah, I agree. I would hate to be in class F. Sounds like they only get a year here. Getting kicked out of school would not be something I want to explain to my father."

"So, your father is the powerful one?" Fey asked.

"He is a minister in the government." Dax replied.

"My mom is the CEO of Nantex." Fey said. "Largest company in the country. If I got kicked out it would just be one more failure added to my list. I swear that woman doesn't think I am capable of doing anything right!"

"You two." Professor Ricci said. "Cut the chatter. Trust me it is better to wait to make friends after the test. You wouldn't want to accidentally associate with someone of a lower class."