The hall was bombarded with people slowly clearing out.
There were those who were relieved, those disappointed, and then some who just appeared to be blank.
Lucien just stood and observed those students who did not pass. He was not sympathetic of them, yet he was not rejoicing.
Alas, he thought, it is not failure that makes them weak. It is giving in and not thinking of coming back.
Being tough does not only imply being talented. It is all about picking yourself up after that life has hit you.
The announcement of the judges was repeated.
Students who have passed and their parents or guardians, come to complete the enrollment. Get you to sign the dorm contracts and academy rules.
All plain, papers, signings, guarantees of the school regulations.
Rowan placed his warm hand on the shoulder of Lucien and told him, not to rush things because in life at the Academy, it is not about who is the fastest.
Lyana hugged him, and then punch him playfully on the arm. "Don't be lazy, Lucien."
Lucien sighed. "I'm literally one month older."
"Then act like it."
Cassian was ambient with hands in his pockets. Two of you either may be in the same, or others quite different.
Lyana shrugged. "We'll see how it goes."
Towards a notice board they walked, on which the names were engraved magically.
Lucien looked closely.
"Different classes."
Lyana sighed. "Figures."
They were checking the list with three persons who were familiar to them.
Eira Valen.
Riven Holt, a well-mannered boy in a grim pose.
And Iryss, who was cold of presence.
All three of them belonged to the same class as Lucien.
As soon as Eira turned round people began whispering about her.
"Who is that girl…?"
"Is that beauty even real?"
And it is not surprising that people cannot help peeping.
She makes everybody vanish.
She made a direct approach to Lucien.
Too close for comfort.
She touched his face tenderly and even peered in his eyes the way she would seem to be seeking something, which only she could observe.
Lucien froze.
"The crystal did not break, because you are a very strong person," she said quietly to lucien so that only lucien can hear, "the truth is—you're incomplete."
Lucien blinked. "What....??"
"Your eyes aren't deceitful," she repeated just barely. "There is something in you that is not complete."
Lucien didn't know what to say.
It was awkward to him to have some stranger very intimate with him.
Iryss was observing them.
She didn't say a word.
The remaining part of the day flew away.
Lucien forced open the door of the dorm and entered.
Four beds.
Three strangers.
The initial person to be able to observe him was a tall boy who was leaning against the window. Ren Elic. He did not attempt to look cool. His dress was ideal and he appeared quite careless, as he belonged.
"So, you're the last one," Ren said. "Lucien, right?"
Lucien nodded.
On the farther side of the room was a sharp-eyed, Ken Mowyn sat on the bed.
He was reading a book.
He did not speak at all immediately, but only looked at Lucien some time.
"Crystal test," Ken said.
It was not a question, it was merely a statement.
Derian Vex, the third boy was kneeling, his trunk, and was neatly arranging his stuffs.
He was quite taller and a scar on his knuckle and looked directly up as Lucien entered. He appeared to be wary and alert.
"Great," Derian said. "Our roommate is quite famous."
Lucien nodded.
Later in the evening, Lucien went out alone. Not out of escaping, and just to walk.
When he passed by an alley.
He heard some voices and heard them being in pain.
there were some students of another academy being beaten up.
The boys were wounded severely, in seeking to shelter the girls behind them.
They were being beaten up by ten senior students from the academy where Lucien enrolled.
Lucien saw everything.
But he kept walking.
"Pathetic. Not my problem," he thought.
What is counted here is strength.
He turned away.
"Why should I get involved? Why go into danger because of strangers? I'm not a hero or whatever. I believe they'll manage somehow...."
Lucien noticed a bookshop.
He entered, searched about and purchased a weird novel named 'Love in The Age of Uncertainty.' He frowned at the cover.
"Why did I even—"
As he went home, he looked down the same alley again.
Lucien stopped.
What he saw at first was not the people.
It was the sound.
A sickening crack.
Then another.
somebody was coughing, as though he wanted to clear a sore throat.
On the ground were lying three boys.
Not standing.
Not kneeling.
Just a huddle of limbs.
One of them attempted to rise, but his arm failed to answer him.
Before he drew a breath someone stamped his back.
Hard.
The face of another boy was sideways. Blood spurted out at his nose and made a pool upon the stone.
One of the senior students caught his hair and banged his head against the wall.
Again and again.
The third boy wasn't moving.
Lucien's eyes darted around.
Ten seniors were laughing and chatting, as if this was funny.
Then Lucien saw the girls.
Three of them. They were against the wall,
Their hands holding up their robes.
They had their eyes open and frightened.
One of the senior student smirk at them. "Enough messing around."
One of them knuckled his fingers and swiveled.
"Your turn."
They began walking in the direction of the girls.
That's when Lucien moved.
"Tckk. What a mess"
Through the scene, he entered the alley. He passed the blood and the bodies as though they did not exist.
Two steps.
Three.
A man shouted at him behind.
"Hey."
Lucien stopped.
He rounded back and one of the senior student fell to the shoulder.
Yet he neither was touched by his hand.
Light exploded.
No flash sight, but a blast of force.
Something glowed around Lucien which bent the air and trampled everything beside him.
The senior student screamed.
His limb turned, his bones were reshaped by pressure and his whole body soared against the wall that the stone was crushed.
The alley went silent.