Eric stood with the rest of the new students.
They were a silent nervous herd before a pack of predators.
The upperclassmen stared at them with cold confident eyes.
From each of the four distinct color-coded factions the red yellow blue and black bands a single representative stepped forward. They formed a line facing the group of first-years.
They looked like they were in charge.
The first to speak was a student from the group with the red bands on their gray uniforms. He was a tall young man.
He had a lean wiry build and a sharp calculating gaze. His eyes swept over the new arrivals with an air of practiced authority. He was used to being in control.
"All of you new students," he began. His voice was clear and commanding.
