Xin's nerves pulsated with excitement. She jumped up and down with a huge smile on her face, making Erik stare at her in a trance-like state. Kaiden stood silently, not hiding her dissatisfied look. She quickly turned around and started heading toward the podium.
"Hey Kaiden, hold up!" Chuck yelled as he rushed toward her, hoping to walk beside her. Before he could get close, he felt a hand grab his wrist. Turning back, he saw Lance with his ever-growing smile.
"Come on, it's clear she's not happy about us joining your team," Lance said as he wrapped an arm around Chuck's neck. "Just give her some time. Let her blow off some steam and she'll come around."
Chuck was beginning to think the sudden attention, even from people who apparently loved him, was too much. Personal space seemed to be a virtue he no longer possessed. He understood how Kaiden felt, and he didn't want to complicate things further.
"Yeah, I know," Chuck said as he gently removed Lance's arm from his neck. "But I really need some alone time with her."
He rushed off toward Kaiden, leaving Lance with Xin and Erik. When Chuck reached her, the sunlight reflecting off her silver hair brought warmth to his being.
"Hey… Alexa," Chuck said softly, using the gentlest tone he could manage. "You're not seriously mad about our new members, right?"
Kaiden turned slightly, her cold expression sharpening. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me by my first name?" she asked, her brows furrowing, contrary to the perfection of her beauty.
"You know they're going to complicate things for us, right? You said getting stronger means you'll have to subject your body to pain," Kaiden continued, maintaining her cold demeanor. "And how exactly are we supposed to do that with those two leeches hanging around us every time?"
Chuck understood her concerns. He couldn't afford to have more people becoming aware of his energy and abilities.
"I know, but we can always ditch them when we need to. We can't head to the dimension without them, and I doubt we'll be able to find a replacement. There'll be room for us," Chuck said, though part of his mind began slipping away as he stared at Kaiden. Her beauty was overwhelming.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Kaiden said as she turned her head to look back. Erik was clearly trying to hit on Xin. "Erik isn't even in his right state of mind. He's head over heels for her."
Chuck turned as well and saw Erik desperately trying to impress Xin, while Lance only seemed to get in the way.
"Wait a second… is he… hard?" Chuck thought, as his eyes drifted down to Erik's pants. "Kaiden might be right after all. But I can't blame him, those boobs are fucking enormo...."
Chuck's lustful thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a deafening sound blasting from the speaker beside him.
"Alright, lads!" Principal Flemming announced as he abruptly took the stage. "By now, you all should have chosen your team members already. If you haven't… well… I guess you can exit the main field."
Several students groaned at the announcement. Others rushed around desperately, trying to find anyone to complete their teams, regardless of their mage stage.
"Come the fuck on! I haven't even found a third member!" a student shouted.
"Fuck this guy. He didn't even give us enough time. When I get stronger someday, I swear I'll make a barbecue out of his old ass."
"As for those of you with complete teams of five, step forward. We need to prepare quickly. Time is of the essence." the principal continued.
All the students moved toward the podium, while about ten percent left the field due to lacking team members.
Chuck and Kaiden, already near the podium, watched as Erik and the twins approached. Erik was sweating for reasons unknown, while Lance remained relaxed, as if they weren't about to enter a potentially deadly dimension.
Chatter of excitement and anticipation filled the field as students mentally and physically prepared themselves. Their attention shifted to the podium as a staff member conjured an object out of thin air.
The staff member stepped forward and raised his hand. In an instant, a circular device materialized before them. It was large enough to fit the largest human, colossal and ominous. Its exterior glowed with energy, distorting the space around it. The center emitted a white light with no visible source, like an endless hollow pit.
"This is the dimensional portal that will be used to travel to the dimension," Principal Flemming explained. "There will be dangerous beasts in various sections, so you will receive a map once we arrive. It would be a shame to deliver your decapitated corpses to your parents."
"Is that a joke? It better be," a student muttered.
"Now, line up in a single column," Principal Flemming continued. "Once that's done, you will all go through the portal, with the staff following behind."
Students rushed forward, trying to secure the first spots. Chuck and his team were already at the podium, making them first in line. The moment others saw Chuck and his teammates, they subtly stepped away, trying their best to avoid him.
With the line formed, the portal activated as the principal stretched his hand forward, releasing a wave of white energy into the device. The portal pulsated, responding to his power.
Kaiden stepped forward, with Chuck and the rest of the team following closely. They walked into the portal as its overwhelming essence enveloped them. Chuck felt a tingling sensation on his skin, followed by sudden dizziness. Within seconds, a different landscape faded into view.
A shrubby arena filled with numerous buildings stretched before them. The air felt different and cleaner. The sun seemed brighter, and their skin immediately felt its effects.
The whole team stood in awe of the environment. Several merchant shops lined the streets, it looked like an ordinary planet people lived on.
"Goddamn, the air smells so good. We're definitely not on Earth," Erik said, inhaling deeply.
"Of course it isn't Earth. Industries back home have destroyed the atmosphere all in the name of making new products," Kaiden replied. "Well, I can't wait."
"I can't wait to kill some beasts for the first time."