As groups of students new and old formed across the quad, all eagerly chatting (or flirting, or escaping to their own devices,) the doors to the building on the far side of the quad swung open. Accompanying this, two large bells erupted in chimes, which seemed almost mystic in their volume. Noah guessed they were, in fact, quite mystic.
As said bells captured everyone's attention, a group of about a dozen adults emerged from the now opened doors. Older students began to exit the quad, heading into various buildings. Noah supposed that this ceremony was specifically intended for new students, and his suspicions were shortly confirmed.
A man dressed in a linen blazer stepped forward out of the group of adults. He pulled a microphone from his pocket, fiddled with it for a moment, and then cleared his throat. The microphone sprang to life, and previously unseen speakers flickered to life. "Good afternoon, students! Would all veteran students please make vacant the quad? Thank you."
After most of the students had left to their dorms or otherwise, the man continued. "Alright! Welcome, new Aurawalkers of all classes. Or, should I say, welcome Home. After all, this will be your home until graduation, and those around you will be your family. You will learn, live, laugh, lose, and love with these students, so I hope you've made some friends already. If not, don't worry! You haven't even been to homecoming yet." he chuckled.
"My name is Mr. Byron. I teach Aural Manipulation here at St. Draefend's. You'll get to know me in time, but for now, I'm going to introduce you to your headmistress: The International Grandmaster...Miss Olivia Du'Pre."
A light applause went up around the quad, as a older woman in a conservative black dress walked forward. She was poised and collected, and her face was thin and tightly-wound. "Good evening, students." she spoke with the slightest french accent. "And thank you for that lovely introduction, Monsieur Byron."
"As I am sure you all know, you are here today because you have a duty. An obligation. A heritage. You come from a long line of ancient guardians; soldiers of life sworn to protect the earth and the beings that live on it. You come from all corners of the Earth, and all walks of life, with this common destiny. You come here today teenagers....but you will leave as soldiers. As a family. As members of our culture." She smiled. "I bid you welcome to St. Draefend's School for the Spiritually Gifted. This is your orientation, which I shall keep short."
"Despite your extraordinary talent, you are inexperienced in both life and training. Here, you will learn how to use your skills, as well as complete your traditional education. This means that all rules of a conventional school apply. You are expected to wake, participate, and behave according to these rules, and failure to do so will result in disciplinary action."
"Each of our admitted classes this year contain 16 students. You will all be separated into two classes of 8 to learn and train, which will join our other themed classes. For this year' sophomores, for example, the teams will be...." Du'Pre glanced down at a note she had written prior. "Team Aurora, and Team Eclipse. Classes compete on a school-wide scale for the greatest 8 students of St. Draefend's. The winners are given an incredibly prestigious honor: an audience with the international Aurawalker community. Such an honor could give you power, influence, an income.....it is a tremendous opportunity. I would advise you all keep it in mind."
"We measure each of our teams, and the individual students that attend our school, by a system known as the A.C.M.A. Our faculty awards points to each student based on their Aural Proficiency with their Spirit Animal, Combat Prowess, Merit and Character, and Academic Prestige. Only through excellence in all four can you emerge on the leaderboards of the school. The rewards are....even more eye-catching than a team's victory. Good luck in doing so."
"Now, let's not dally: today there are no classes, so as to acclimate you to your new environment. On weekends and holidays like this one, you are not required to be in any areas, or wear your uniform. If you travel to Gladsprings, you are not to harness your spirit animal power unless threatened. Doing otherwise will result in expulsion. During school days, you are forbidden from leaving the mountain, of course, but you may do as you please outside of classes. Just stay within permitted areas, and we shall all get along well." She smiled again, but it had little warmth.
"Please travel to the front of the school, to the sign-in tables. You will be given your room number. Upon entry into the room, your team assignment will be revealed. Welcome Home, Aurawalkers." With that, she turned, and walked back into the building.
