To Become Number One

Chapter 5

The words of encouragement that what youths are needed.

“Always take care of yourself, eat and sleep on time and always listen to your body, okay?” Mother said as she wiped her tears away. Behind her and comforting her, Dad is also teary eyes as he watched his only daughter, his only child to get away from their new home.

Yes, we finally accepted the house, or let me say, mansion, and our home before was given to those who need a shelter, and right now, I haven’t been here for a week when I need to go and start living in the Academy— the Academy which will make my dreams come true.

I am also teary eyes, but if I cry today, my mother would just only cry more, so I’m trying my best to look strong. “Yes, Mother,” I said as I look at my father, who’s now avoiding his stares to mine, but I could see the redness of his nose as he’s trying his best not to cry.

“I’m gonna miss you both,” I whispered, and for the last time, I hugged them tightly. I let my mother cry on my shoulders for a while as my father continuously brushing my back gently. It’s tough to get away from your family when you’re now in College, where you must take the path you wanted to take as it’ll help you reach your dreams.

Sighing heavily, it was kind of hard to let go, especially you don’t want to, but it’s my dreams we are talking about, and we all knows that sooner or later, we have to leave our family and start living independently for our sake since not all the time they will be here for us.

“I’ll be going. The service is already waiting for me,” I said as I turned my back quickly because I know in myself, if I stayed there a little longer, I know I wouldn’t be able to anymore.

Holding a big suitcase in my right hand as I held my backpack’s strap through my left hand, I go out of the door, which is still opened since I was about to go earlier, but then I decided to hug them. Well, I really need that, right? After all, it’ll be three months from now— at Christmas, and to New Year of course, that we will be able to see each other and after that, we’re going to study for another six months again.

Sighing heavily as a Men In Black quickly accompanied me to get the suitcase I’m carrying. I wasn’t still used to it, since I’ve said it before that we live as poor as a rat, and having someone accompany me is still new to me. Even at the house we’re at, I’m still getting used to it, yet I haven’t even done it when I need to go out to study in my dream school. Not that I’m complaining, okay?

“Hi!” Yvonne quickly greeted me, and yes, those MIBs are from her. I gave her a small smile since I don’t know what to say, and right now, I know my face looks like I’m about to cry because I am. She quickly moves away as another MIB opens the door for me since I don’t know how to open it.

When I’m finally inside, Yvonne speaks. “It’s okay to feel homesick, hmm?” She said that made my lips curve downward. She told those softly as if she’s comforting me, and even I know she really does.

“Are you trying to make me cry?” Because it’s useful!

She chuckles. “Is it effective?” But I just look at the outside since my tears are really about to fall.

She didn’t ask again after it as she got busy on her phone. I could hear her calling Dashiel and ranting why he’s already inside as she was planning to fetch him since his house is just on the way. But then, from my peripheral vision, I could see her, and I think Dashiel put down his phone on her that she looks at her phone, as she pouted, before looking at me.

“Are you okay now?” She asked really concerned. I don’t know if she’s used to it since she’s been studying at the Academy ever since she’s just a child, she said, and of course, sometimes they’re going home, but there are also times where they have to stay in their dorms, she said.

“A little,” I told the truth. After all, it may really hard at first, but soon, I’ll be able to get hanged on it, right?

“Hmm. I am too. I’m a bit sad because I’ll be away from them. Don’t worry, they’re always at your heart and guarding you, okay? Don’t be sad anymore, but be happy since we’re going to our dream school! Yay!” She’s right. That’s what I should think of.

That’s when we finally reached the Academy; I still couldn’t believe that I’m already here and I’m not dreaming. If Yvonne didn’t nudge me, I wouldn’t be able to wake up from my reverie. She pulled me as she let those MIB carry our bags. However, they’re just until the gate since we must be the one who must enter with our IDs, and yeah, they aren’t allowed since they aren’t students or personnel inside this big and huge Academy.

It’s really snowing, and that snow just made the surroundings beautiful. Thankfully there is a little sunlight that could’ve to feel, so it isn’t that cold, or maybe we’ll tremble as we waited for those people to inspect our bags and such to avoid conflict, of course.

As Yvonne pulled me inside after it’s done, thankfully, I’m holding my backpack tightly since our suitcases will be delivered to the room we’ll stay. Yes, it was part of other documents from this Academy where our temporary IDs with a dorm room and key inside. Everything is already set in just a short period as if they’re really doing their best at this one.

As we are walking, I couldn’t help but roam my eyes around the whole place. I could see many people wandering around with their thick clothes, and from what I could’ve seen, they’re also freshmen, and they’re roaming this place for familiarity. I saw others with a group, but more of them want to stroll alone since who wouldn’t? Snow plus this beautiful Academy is too beautiful already.

We both stopped in our tracks when someone, a guy, suddenly passed at us, almost bumping us, thankfully, Yvonne’s instinct is really fast, so as the guy with scarp and wearing thin clothes… I mean light, regardless of how cold the atmosphere is.

We both look at each other as we shrugged before walking towards our destination. We ride on an elevator at the side where that man came from. It didn’t take a while when the elevator ring, as slowly, what welcomed us is a massive place with some people inside, as they all look at us when they saw us.

“Hi! Class 1-A?” Said someone with short hair. Yvonne smiles widely at them.

“Yes! Are you all our classmates?” She said as I saw her roam her eyes around the place. I did it too, as I noticed some people are still carrying their box as they smile and nod at us, while some wave their hands and say hi. I think they’re not snobs, thankfully.

I really don’t know how to socialize with other people, since all those years I’ve spent, all I did was to work, study hard and help my family so we’ll be able to live in happy and contented life. This is a blessing to be able to have a new and secured home and also to study in a place like this.

It really looks like a dream for me, and as I’ve said, I don’t want to wake up. Please let me live in this dream for a while.

“Yup! Welcome to our dorm! I’m Zariyah! Call me Zari!” The girl said happily, and that’s when I noticed she’s charming and sexy. Her big brown eyes, which have her hair color, really could catch others' attention. She seems jolly too. Another Yvonne?

“I’m Yvonne, and this is Artemis!” She introduced me as Zari looked at my place and gave me a warm smile. I did it too since I really don’t know what to do aside from smiling st her.

“Hello, classmates!” I overheard other people said to us as Yvonne waves at them, as I just smiled at them since I still don’t know what their names are, as Zariyah started talking to us and leading us where the rooms are, and kindly touring us.

She said where those bathrooms for girls, which is opposite of the toilet for boys. There isn’t any bathroom in our room, she said, as it’s only designed for our personal space. She also told us where that washing room where we could wash our clothes. She also told us about the rule of cleanings, cooking, and such that we’ll be meeting later after the orientation. I thought Yvonne would have a problem with doing chores, but she looks okay with it.

After explaining everything, Zari asked where are our room located. “What room number are yours?” She looks at both Yvonne and me that I look at the paper I’m holding— with a map of the inside dorm, Academy, and of course at its back is the room number on our dorm.

“Mine’s at 11, how about you, Artemis?” Yvonne looked at me as I said mine.

“Room 18.” Zari suddenly smiles.

“Oh, we’re just on the same floor! Mine’s 15!” As I look at her and smile. Maybe I could really have friends despite that I’m just a peasant, right?

I’ll try my best to socialize. I wanted to become a Mage, and it’s part of it after all.

“Really? Have you done fixing your things?”

“Yes! Oh, there will be a showdown regarding who’s the best room later, so do your best at designing your room, okay?” My eyes widen, Zariyah saw my expression, that she laughed at me. While Yvonne just shrieks in excitement.

“Wow! I would love that!”

When 1 PM hit on the clock, all of us looked at where the orientation is. Thankfully, everyone’s waiting for each other, and just from here, I could say that I will indeed be friends with all of them since they are so kind, really!

They’re talking to me even they noticed that I’m timid, and they’re even telling me that I shouldn’t think about status here since everyone here is just equal with each other, as I heard it from Selene. She said her ability is about constellations— she was able to call from her keys of whoever she has, and make them appear in just a short period as she said, she must still practice after all.

And Selene came from a compelling family of Strauss, which Yvonne said she’s a Princess when she heard it.

I couldn’t help but be amazed after all.

“Students, thank you for coming here and choosing Northridge Academy as your alma mater. Before we start, we must hear what our headmaster will say. Everyone give applause to Headmaster Xerxes!” The MC said we clapped our hands when the headmaster appeared in our sight.

I couldn’t help but remember what he said at my explanation, and right now, I think he’s the one who picked me here since who would want an ability like mine when I ran away at it, and those people saw it, right? I know I looked so stupid at that, but that’s the only thing I could do to avoid myself getting hurt.

“Everyone, my students… you aren’t here because you just chose to be here. The star above caused you to come here as those destinies of yours are starting to move ever since the day you were born in this world. The greatest Mages that we will be going to cultivate will help you towards the path your voices inside your heart are shouting too loud. Rise, my future Mages, as you will rewrite the history! The greatest mage isn’t just one, but many, as all of you will become the greatest Mages in this world.”

“Unity brings strength. Raise your head as you surpass your limits! Let us serve and protect people in our world! Greatest Mages of Northridge Academy!” As shouts could’ve to be heard around the place where we are, as I couldn’t help myself to smile because finally…

Those words are really coming from his heart, and by his heart, he could’ve heard what the others are shouting, praying, and even their cries inside.

The headmaster really deserves respect and honor he’s receiving, since, from his speeches, he is also serving and protecting humanity from everything he could, as he’s helping us today by hearing everyone’s voices no matter how small and deep it is.