I found the days to be moving at the speed of light. "My parents" had arrived – my first impression was that these were poised people oozing with intelligence; their demeanour and bearing gave me an idea of why they were so praised.
"So. "I already booked your residence; my friend will help you connect to the surroundings," the gentle woman said as we were about to board the Zephyr.
Yes, today was the official day I left Region D. Although I hadn't explored this familiar yet unfamiliar place, I was still nostalgic – after all, this place reminded me so much of my former country.
"Thank you, Mum and Dad. I will be okay; no need to worry about me," I replied.
"Alright, let's go on; we should arrive in about one hour if we set off early," Mr Nia interjected.
Each of us was to sit in a different Zephyr, but my mother insisted on sitting with me. I simply couldn't refuse; although I wasn't her real daughter, I had taken over her daughter's body. Plus, I had chosen to consider these people my parents.
All the way towards region A, the constant reminders from the woman soothed my nerves, which had been tense and seemed to finally relax.
Anga La was grand and huge. That was my first thought when we landed. I didn't notice any students around. It was only later that I discovered we hadn't actually landed on the school entrance but a specially prepared place by the school director.
However, that was not expected; after all, Mr and Mrs Nia were famous people throughout Aetheris.
"Welcome, Mr and Mrs Nia. Zahara Nia, I am happy to have you at this humble institution."
Looking at the woman, my mind immediately connected her to the school director I had searched about the other day.
"Look at me not introducing myself; my name is Kiodu Couy. The director of this institution," the woman said.
My intuition was indeed right.
"No need for introductions. I have heard a lot of excellent things about you," I replied.
Mrs Couy laughed heartily, and it was at this time that I realised that people here really lived up to 200 years. Couy was said to be about 90 years old; she had taken off where her ancestors stopped and taken over the role of the head of the school.
However, she didn't look like her age in my previous world. There were no signs of wrinkles or any signs of ageing on her face.
"Please, this way," the director said as she led us towards some administration block.
In what I assumed to be her office, she told us to make ourselves comfortable.
I was in a trance for a short moment. This office seemed to have so much energy stored in the monuments, generational artefacts, and paintings. This, however, reminded me so much of the former West Africa. Region A was really a region filled with a lot to offer, just like before.
"You seem to be very interested in that picture," Couy suddenly said, cutting me out of my imagination.
"Sorry, I was slightly inattentive," I replied.
"No need to be; that picture has caught the attention of many people. It is said that was my great-grandfather. "At that time, a lot of our current regions were buried in the desert," she commented. "However, no one has visibly seen a desert; it must have been an adventure."
At her words, my mind went to the different deserts that existed in Africa. The Sahara Desert wasn't the only desert in Africa. Many things had really transpired in this place. I couldn't exactly tell where Mrs Couy's ancestor was in the picture.
"He must have been an explorer and an adventurous man," I commented.
"You might be right. I don't know so much about this great-grandfather of mine, though," Mrs Couy replied
Soon, a tall woman came in carrying a tray. On it were cups of tea, which were served to us.
"I have already assigned Ms Zahara a place to stay." "Her entire registration has also been handled," Mrs Couy said, obviously talking to my parents before turning to me. "Zahara, if you need anything, I will be around to help."
"Thank you, Couy," my mother said.
"No need for thanks. We were classmates at one point. This is just a simple thing. I am happy to help." Couy replied.
This information, I didn't know.
Several things were exchanged between the three as I further observed the places I hadn't.
A beep changed the atmosphere as Mrs Couy pressed a button beside her chair.
Soon enough, the door opened, and a medium-sized brown-skinned girl with wide eyes entered the room. She oozed with confidence, first greeting my parents, then me, and then Mrs Couy.
"Welcome." This is Tausi Onuri. She is the head of the student body, Anga La," Couy introduced.
Tausi Onuri politely smiled at us, making everyone feel at home.
The director told me to follow Tausi for my dorm room assignment. I said goodbye to my parents, who said they had something to talk about with the director and would reunite with me after, and followed Onuri outside the room.
"It's lovely meeting you. "This school is lucky to receive yet another prodigy," Onuri said as she led me in the opposite direction of the building.
"You praise me too much," I replied, shame covering my face.
The one supposed to be praised was long gone.
"It's not without reason," she said as we entered into the elevator.
A few minutes later, we appeared from underground!
It wasn't an elevator after all. I kept my face natural, lest Onuri notice my surprise.
Before us were several rows of neatly arranged houses, each polished with a front and back yard. Some men and women walked out of those houses, while some entered.
"This is the sanctuary of Anga La; many people want to experience life living here while studying at this institution," Onuri said, catching my interest.
"Do you live here?" I enquired.
"No. I wish I did," she remarked, slightly smiling. "Follow me."
We turned left, and before me was a nicely shaped house with a keen resemblance to the rest of the houses in the surrounding area.
I looked on my right and spotted my neighbour's house tightly locked; it seemed the occupant hadn't arrived yet.
"Come in; this will be your residence for all your time at this institution," Onuri said as she opened the house, revealing a beautiful interior.
No wonder she wished to stay here.
Wasn't this eccessive for a student?
"Is it to your taste? if not, I will recommend another.
"It's fine. This room is perfect." I replied.
After my luggage was brought over, Onuri helped me organise even though I insisted that there was no need to before leaving.
I slowly collapsed on the bed, looking at the ceiling.
This school would be my footstone to do necessary research about this bizarre place.
A knock woke me out of my thoughts, followed by footsteps.
My parents and the school director had arrived.
"Zahara, bear with this small house for the time being," my mother said as she sat beside me on the bed.
I looked at this so-called 'small house' and reminisced about my past life.
I had lost everything; the prices had gone up, and unrest was at every corner. A person living in such a house comfortably was a winner in life.
"This house is just right; I am comfortable with it," I replied.
"If you say so," she replied.
"Zahara is really understanding; I envy you, Mr Nia, for having such a child," Mrs Couy stated as she looked at my father.
After checking on everything in the room, my mother reached in her pocket and retrieved a square-shaped black cube before handing it to me.
"Although you are not at home, don't sulk off on the training," she stated. "I saw an empty room opposite the bathroom; use it to connect to your training room using this alternate plug."
"Alright," I replied, pretending to understand what she meant; connecting to the training room and what not was really new to me.
However, in order not to appear out of place, I had to take the cube with a smile on my face.
Soon after, my parents left, but not before telling me to use funds that were allocated into my terminal financial account and to reach out to them in case of an emergency.