Pristine Academy: Singularity's Manifestation

Sudden Turn of Events

The conversation sparks Patricia’s curiosity as she takes her fill. She continues to listen to their conversation.

“Isn’t that girl had a big issue before? And most of her classmates are in their third year now. It’s kind of weird seeing your batchmates way ahead of you, and you’re making yourself known again.” The other person glares, “Hey, don’t discriminate against her for being a returnee, besides, not all of the first years past their first year, well as they say. It makes me a bit scared… That’s why her determination is something to be inspired on.”

“You’re right, many speculated that her disappearance before is something more on the surface. It’s not just about the issue about that f*******n fight, they said she was framed as well—“ “Hey, what are you talking about?” The two girls talking turned to a student who seems like their senior. He was a young man with cleanly-combed jet black hair, taller than Patricia. He wears a square-glasses that barely even hang off the tip of his pointy nose. His arms full of the tattoo were crossed, and she can feel his authority radiating. “Please refrain from talking about other students who have a history in this school, especially loud in a dining area. It’s both disrespectful and outright disgusting.”

Both of the girls were embarrassed by it. “We’re sorry, we didn’t mean anything ill!” He nods, “Still.” He puffs, “Have a good day, you two.” He walks away as the other students approached them. Patricia was quite puzzled by the sudden crowd.

“You were noticed by Fin himself!” One of the girls said, “You two are so lucky!” The other squealed which made the two confused as well. “He’s a big shot here?” The two asked the others and they got the answer very fast. “Yeah? He’s the head of the Student Council!” Patricia’s eyes widen, “A Student Council… president?” She whispered but it was enough for others to hear her.

“Oh, first years! You don’t even know one of the most important people in the academy?” “And the most handsome as well!” One of them shouted which made the others squeal loudly. They were shut by one of the students, “Calm your horses, he might not have left the building.”

They calmed a little but the excitement was still there. “Even in the same dormitory, it’s still hard to even experience Fin sparing time on a student. You two are lucky besties today.”

Patricia finished her food and decided to go and left the crowd of students alone. She came back to her room and prepared for school. She wore her uniform and her usual hand glove and only took her essentials in her bag. She stopped to think for a while. The conversation earlier sparked another curiosity, this time to that guy who was named Fin. Her attention was also focused on some bits of Veronika’s past. She was staring at nothingness until some squeals of the students in the hallways snapped her back to reality. Patricia gets her bag in a rush and goes down from her room.

As she arrived at the proper campus, she could see some decorations that has been filled out by student volunteers all around. The administrative building was decorated as well. It was much more extravagant than the school opened a few days ago. A lot of banners saying “Club Recruitment Day” and “Student-to-Student Orientation” were plastered all around the place as if everyone here doesn’t know what was happening.

Stalls are already up, some are food stalls and some are recruitment stalls for the clubs. Some students weren’t even in their uniforms but their club uniforms. They are already shouting “Join our club!” and similar phrases while holding things to promote their clubs.

“Pat!” She turns and saw her friends approaching her. Gabriel has already bought what seems to be a popsicle. Antonietta has one and has barely touched it. He gives on to Patricia before asking a question. “What club have you decided to join?” Patricia shrugs, “I’ll decide later.” “Haven’t you been reading some of their promotional posters all around these past days?” Antonietta looks at Gabriel, “She has it rough these past days, Gabriel. I don’t think she could care less about the posters around the school. Deciding her club is the least of her worries.”

Patricia giggles, “Don’t worry, I have noticed some of them. It’s just it’s better to decide the clubs in action in their recruitment.” Gabriel looks at her, “I mean, just ask yourself what are your interests. It’s easy, this is not some sort of competition in your mind, is it?”

She shakes her head, “It’s just… it’s boring. I want to meet people who have the same interest as me, yes, but I would love to know more about other things.” Gabriel chuckles, “This is not some sort of training recruitment. I doubt that you can join the choir without having a beautiful and shimmering voice.” Patricia rolls her eyes, “It’s not like that. Yes, it might be like that, but there are some clubs that you could join without being too good at something.”

Gabriel smirks, “An explorer, I see.” Antonietta smiles, “I think her idea will be fun to do. Although, I already have my picks since I knew all the clubs here.” He looks at her, “How many clubs could we get again?” “At most three,” Antonietta looks at the stage and noticed someone already on the microphone. “I think the program is starting.”

They joined the other students who were forming a crowd before the stage. The masters of ceremonies had arrived and had energetic greetings that influenced the crowd. “Welcome to Student’s Day!” The blue-haired girl cheerfully said, “A day where we hold the Student-to-Student Orientation and Club Recruitment.” The white-haired boy charmingly explained. “This day is quite important to start your school year, especially for the first years. This day’s purpose is to orientate students deeper about the school, and let them join friend groups and clubs to perfectly start their school year lively and happy.”

“To start our program, let us hear the opening remarks of our very dearest Student Council Head, the very charming and very handsome, I may add, Finné Bua!” Several varieties of noises can be heard in the crowd of students. Some are squealing, some are genuinely cheering, and other phrases seem to praise the familiar guy to Patricia.

Fin goes to the stage with some thin stream of fire swirling around him. It stops at his raised-up finger as he flicks it out of existence. “Good morning, everyone.” His lips curved which makes all of those who are attracted to him squeal in unison.

“That’s why everyone was squealing, that Fin guy is such a charming man,” Gabriel smirks as Patricia was silent about it. He looks at her and is confused by her lack of reaction, “Hey, are you okay?” He nudges her which made Patricia go back to reality. “Huh? What?” She looks back at the stage, acting as if she was just watching.

“You were a bit… spacey earlier.” Antonietta looks at her. Gabriel chuckles, “Maybe she’s just spacing out on his charming personality, and I’m not going to go against that.” He giggles as he continues to eat his popsicle merrily.

“I don’t think she’s spacing out because of his…” Antonietta coughs, “…attractiveness. She seems bothered more than anything.” Gabriel looks at Patricia, “Hey, don’t think about anything again. You need to have fun today. Tell us what’s wrong.” She looks at them and sighs, “It’s not a problem, it’s just… I have met him earlier this day.”

Gabriel gasps loudly, “Really!?” Patricia playfully rolls her eyes, “Not really met. The two girls earlier fit that description much better than I. I saw him… Yeah, that’s much more right.” He squeals for a bit, “That’s still an interaction! What did he say to the two girls!?”

“It’s something far more different than what I think you’re thinking what happened.” She sighs, “I don’t want to bring it up here. Maybe later when we have a much more private space.” Antonietta looks at her, “With that tone, I don’t think you can squeal as much as you did earlier, Gabriel.” He chuckles, “I mean if he’s going to scold me, I’ll be willing to hear him scold me every day.” Patricia nudges him playfully as the three of them had a good laugh.

“I hope you all have a great time this day as a simple rest you all, and I also hope that you find the club that will enhance your talents and is happy to be a part of in the long run. I hope you all have a good day.” The speech ended as he salutes them with a small fire coming out of his finger. He walks away leaving the audience in awe.

“That was a very inspiring speech from our Student Council Head. For a small orientation, may we call Katerin Milintica, the Student Council Secretary!” The program went on that Patricia spaced out along with it. Although, a certain announcement woke her up.

“Honestly, all of those blabbering seems to make our audience a little bit dulled.” The young man agreed, “Very well, I think a short performance is due as compensation. The very intermission will be delivered to you by a music club returnee known for her impressive guitar skills. Everyone, welcome Veronika ‘Triumph’ Gilmartin!”

The familiar figure goes on the front, holding a guitar that was so personalized. Some of the students were even familiar with the instruments. “Triumph!!!” Some shouted at the crowd as they cheer. Some of the earlier years were a bit wary of what was happening.

“I never knew Veronika have this fame in this school.” Antonietta nods, “And it seems most of our seniors are the ones who are much more familiar with her.” Patricia was confused, “If she had an issue before… Why is she well-received?” She whispers to herself as she looks back at the stage. She witnessed Veronika smile big for the first time. She’s also much cleaner than any other day. Her hair was well-combed and her uniform seems to be in a much better state. Is this the real Veronika?

“Good morning, everyone.” Her solemn voice didn’t change, although the state of her bright face was a bit surprising for Patricia. The students cheered, influenced by their seniors. She smiles as she didn’t wait and started singing. Her voice was so melodious, along with her guitar, that everyone felt at ease. Her voice wasn’t angelic, but there was a sense of calmness as she sings along with the tune of her guitar. The much newer students realized the weight of the person they thought was yet another student for them.

“Her voice… It sounds so good.” Gabriel nods, “She’s a star! I never thought someone with a resting b***h face could be this gentle, and she’s smiling!” Patricia was more confused than ever before. It felt everything was surreal.

A large gust of wind blows at them, enough to concern some of the students. Veronika kept singing, but she certainly felt the wind. It continues to blow until a student noticed something form in the distance. “There’s some sort of tornado!” He called out as they watched some wisps of wind turn into sentient floating creatures.

“Whims!” Some shouted as these creatures charged at them. The students dispersed out of fear. The school staff was surprised by its apparition. They were chasing the students, but as they run away from each other. It became clear who they were targeting.

Veronika stumbles down the stairs while she was running away. Patricia turns and saw her almost getting caught by these creatures. “Veronika!” She said as she runs to her, she can hear her friends call her, she ignored it. She focused and jumped towards the whims, summoning crystals to apprehend them. She shoot it at them, but there was a sudden excruciating pain on her that made her stumble on the ground, between Veronika and the Whims. “Patricia!"