During the orientation, students were thoroughly instructed about the schedule and the courses. The academy operated on a meticulously planned timetable, with classes starting promptly at 8 AM and running until 5 PM. Each course had specific time slots, and students were expected to adhere strictly to the schedule. The academy was divided into various departments, each specializing in different fields such as Advanced Cybernetics, Genetic Engineering, Interstellar Exploration, Quantum Physics, and Economics, among others.
Today, the students were supposed to receive their welcome kits. To obtain the kit, students had to go to any of the vending machines scattered across the academy's grounds and simply scan their fingerprint. Upon scanning, a welcome kit in a sleek, futuristic box would be dispensed. The kit consisted of a high-tech tablet that was connected to the academy's system and only functioned within the academy's grounds. It also included a uniform—a crisp white shirt, a tailored blazer adorned with the academy's emblem, and a pair of smart pants that adjusted to the wearer's size.
The students were allowed to enroll in as many courses as they wished. As long as they scored well in one of them, they would be able to complete their major in that course. This flexibility was one of the academy's unique features, encouraging students to explore their interests freely.
Xavier still hadn't selected the course he wanted to take. They were given one week to submit their applications, and during that time, students could attend various classes to see which one suited them the most.
'I don't know what to do,' Xavier thought, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. 'But I have to do something.'
He spotted the four students who had given him a ride home yesterday. With a smile, he quickly rushed over to them and greeted them enthusiastically.
The students glanced at each other, their expressions neutral. After a moment, one of them asked, "Which class are you taking, Xavier?"
Xavier responded honestly, "I haven't decided yet. I thought I'd check out a few classes before making a choice."
The students exchanged another glance, as if having a silent conversation. Then, one of them asked, "Would you be interested in joining us in the Economics class?"
Xavier agreed eagerly, and they headed to the Economics class together. The classroom was almost full, but they managed to find seats together. The professor continued his lecture, delving into complex economic theories and market dynamics. When the class ended, the four students surrounded Xavier.
One of them, the one who had been driving the car, introduced himself. "I'm Lucas Blackwood," he said with a confident smile. He was tall and athletic, with sharp features and a commanding presence. "I'm actually the second top ranker."
The others introduced themselves as well. There was Ethan Sterling, a striking young man with piercing blue eyes and a poised demeanor. Maximilian Hart, who had a friendly smile and an approachable air about him. And finally, Leonardo Kane, who was elegant and composed, with a keen intelligence in his eyes.
"So, what's your plan after classes end?" Lucas asked Xavier.
Xavier shrugged. "I'll probably just go home. I haven't really thought about doing anything else."
A few more lectures started and ended, and before long, it was lunchtime.
"Want to join us in the cafeteria?" Ethan asked Xavier.
Xavier agreed, thinking that friends should stick together. "Sure, that sounds great."
The cafeteria was enormous, stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was filled with students, the hum of conversation and the clatter of utensils creating a lively atmosphere. There were hundreds of entry and exit points, and the variety of dishes available was staggering. From gourmet meals prepared by renowned chefs to exotic delicacies from across the galaxy, the cafeteria offered the peak of luxury.
Holographic menus floated above each station, displaying the day's specials and nutritional information. Robotic servers glided smoothly between tables, delivering orders with precision and efficiency. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared food, and the decor was a blend of modern and futuristic, with sleek tables and comfortable seating areas.
Xavier followed his new friends, taking in the overwhelming sight. 'This is incredible,' he thought, his eyes wide with awe. 'I've never seen anything like it.'
As they found a table and sat down, Xavier couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. For the first time since arriving at the academy, he felt like he might just fit in after all. He had made friends.
The four of them ordered their food effortlessly, and then it was Xavier's turn. He had never used a service like this before, but watching the others order was enough for him to understand how it worked. He mimicked their actions, selecting his meal from the holographic menu and confirming his order.
As they waited for their food, Ethan turned to Xavier. "Have you ordered food here before?"
Xavier shook his head. "No, I haven't. I just learned how to do it by watching you guys."
The food arrived shortly after, delivered by efficient robotic servers. They all began to eat, the conversation flowing easily among the four friends. When they finished, a robot approached their table with a bill and a device to pay. Each of them had a separate bill, and when Xavier looked at the amount on his, he was shocked.
'$80?' His heart sank. He didn't have that kind of money, and he couldn't ask his new friends to pay for him and tell them that he would pay them back on a later date. He realized his mistake—he shouldn't have come to the cafeteria without knowing the cost. He had assumed the food would be free.
Xavier stared at the bill on the device, his mind racing. Suddenly, the device scanned his fingerprint, and a text appeared on the screen. It displayed his name, his rank as the first, and a message stating that meals at the cafeteria were free for the top 10 students.
A wave of relief washed over him. 'I'm so lucky,' he thought, a smile spreading across his face. He wouldn't have to worry about food expenses at the academy. Things were looking up—he had made friends, and his academy life seemed set.
But the atmosphere shifted abruptly when the four students turned to him. "Hey, Xavier, since you're the top ranker, how about you pay for our meals too?" Lucas suggested, a sly grin on his face.
Xavier hesitated, then nodded. "Sure, I can do that." He reached for the payment device, but the transaction didn't go through. A error message flashed on the screen: "Transaction declined. Benefit applies to personal meals only."
Lucas leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious. "Come on, Xavier. You should pay for us. We gave you a ride home yesterday. If you had taken a taxi, it would have cost you at least $500."
Xavier's brow furrowed in confusion. "But the taxi fare was only $80, not $500."
Ethan scoffed. "That's the normal taxi fare, but Lucas's car is a luxury ride. And $500 for that kind of service is the bare minimum."
Xavier couldn't comprehend why they were charging him or why he was supposed to pay for their meals. He looked at each of them, his expression bewildered. "But... I didn't ask you to drop me home. You were the ones who approached me."
Leonardo's face darkened, and he was about to lash out, but Lucas stopped him with a raised hand. "Relax, Leo. I'll pay for everyone." He took the payment device and settled the bill.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the table. Xavier shifted in his seat, unsure of what to do or say. Ethan finally broke the tension, patting Xavier on the back. "Don't worry about it, Xavier. We were just messing with you."
Xavier forced a smile, but the unease lingered. He had thought he was making friends, but now he wasn't so sure. The dynamics of this new world were far more complex than he had imagined.
THe break then ended and they all stopped by the washroom before heading back to their classes.
The break ended, and everyone stopped by the washroom before heading back to their classes. Xavier finished his business and tried to leave his cubicle, but the door wouldn't budge. He called out to his friends, "Hey, guys! I can't open the door. Can someone help me?"
There was no response.
Suddenly, a splash of water came from above, soaking Xavier's clothes. A second later, the cubicle door swung open, and the four of them were standing outside, smirking.
"What happened, Xavier?" Lucas asked, feigning concern.
Xavier, dripping wet, explained, "I couldn't open the door, and then I got splashed with water."
Ethan chuckled. "You're from a village, Xavier. You still haven't gotten used to the city's technology. That's why you couldn't open the door. And you must have pressed a switch or something that splashed you with water."
Xavier didn't say anything, feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion. He returned to class, but on the way, he noticed everyone looking at him and whispering. The four students secretly spread the gossip, "Xavier pissed his pants!"
The gossip spread like wildfire. Students kept their distance from Xavier, and even when he sat down in class, the students around him got up and moved away.
After the lecture ended, a group of new students approached Xavier. "We need to talk to you about something," one of them said, their expression serious. They led him outside, away from the crowd, where no people and camera were around.
Xavier asked, "What do you want to talk about?"
They simply stared at him, inspecting him as if he were an exhibit.
"What do you—" Xavier began, but before he could finish, a hard punch landed on his face. He almost lost consciousness for a second. Confused and in pain, he was punched in the stomach next. The group ganged up on him, beating him relentlessly. Even after Xavier fell unconscious, they continued their assault.
A passerby student saw the commotion and called for help. The attackers quickly fled, leaving Xavier battered and bruised on the ground. He was rushed to the academy hospital, the school day already over.
Xavier lay in the hospital bed, feeling a profound sadness. He had never experienced anything like this in his life. In the village, everyone was kind and respectful. No one ever raised a voice, let alone a hand, against another. But here, he had been beaten for a reason he didn't even understand.
As he left the academy grounds, he spotted a familiar car at the gate. It was his four "friends." They rolled down the window and called out to him.
"Xavier, hop in!" Lucas said, his voice friendly.
Xavier hesitated, reluctant to get in.
"Come on, we were just messing around about the payment part. Don't worry about it," Ethan added, trying to reassure him.
Xavier reluctantly got into the car. On the way, Lucas asked, "What happened to you, Xavier? You look pretty beat up."
Xavier recounted the events, his voice trembling with emotion. The four of them listened, their expressions a mix of shock and concern.
"We'll find out who did this to you, Xavier. Don't worry," Lucas promised, his voice firm.
They dropped Xavier off at the Nexus Tower. As they drove away, Lucas turned to the others. "Alright, give me your share of the money I paid to those guys to beat Xavier up."
Xavier had fallen asleep right after reaching his apartment, exhausted from the day's events. He woke up the next morning, the sunlight filtering through the small window of the room. As he got dressed and wore the academy's uniform for the first time, he glanced in the mirror. He felt something—a mix of pride and uncertainty. He couldn't quite understand it, but he knew it was significant.
As he turned away from the mirror, his eyes caught a $20 bill near the altar of the goddess. Beside it was a small pouch. He picked up the bill and opened the pouch to find some packed food.
'Eamon must have come home while I was sleeping and left before I woke up,' he realized. He recalled Eamon mentioning that he worked 20 hours a day, and a pang of guilt washed over him.
Xavier quickly ate the food and headed to the academy, determined to make the most of his day. He decided to take a different class this time, eager to explore his options. As the lecture began, he recognized a few students who had just entered the class. They were the same ones who had beaten him yesterday.
A surge of anger and fear coursed through him. Without hesitation, he stood up and called out, "Professor, these students beat me up yesterday!"
The classroom fell silent, all eyes turning to Xavier and then to the accused students. The professor, a stern-looking man with a no-nonsense demeanor, raised an eyebrow. "Is this true?"
The students tried to deny it, shaking their heads vigorously. "No, Professor, he's lying!" one of them protested.
But then, another student stood up. It was the passerby who had saved Xavier yesterday. "I saw it happen," he said firmly. "They ganged up on him and beat him until he passed out."
The professor's expression darkened. "Come with me," he ordered the accused students, his voice stern. He led them out of the classroom, the door slamming shut behind them.
The next day, a different professor stood at the front of the class. Rumors spread quickly—the previous professor had fallen ill and was on indefinite leave. Surprisingly, the student who had given testimony in Xavier's favor was also absent, reportedly on indefinite sick leave.
Later that day, as Xavier walked through the halls, he felt a sudden, rough grip on his arm. The students who had beaten him before dragged him to the same spot, their faces twisted in malice.
"You shouldn't have ratted us out," one of them growled, landing the first punch.
Xavier tried to defend himself, but he was no match for their combined strength. He was about to pass out when a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Stop!"
It was Lucas and the others. Xavier's heart leapt with relief. 'They're here to help me,' he thought, a smile spreading across his face. He rushed toward them, pleading, "Lucas, help me—"
But before he could finish, Lucas kicked him hard in the stomach. Xavier crumpled to the ground, pain exploding through his body. Confusion and betrayal washed over him as Lucas and the rest began beating him, their fists and feet raining down on him mercilessly. The students from before joined in, their laughter echoing in his ears.
"You stole my spot, you fucking village rat!" Lucas yelled, his voice filled with rage. "I was the topper! I was supposed to be the best! You think you can just come here and take that from me?"
Xavier tried to speak, to plead for mercy, but the words were lost in the barrage of blows. He felt his consciousness slipping away, the world fading to black as the beating continued.
Finally, they stopped, satisfied with their brutal assault. Xavier lay on the ground, unmoving, his body a mess of bruises and pain. He had passed out, unaware of the world around him.
Xavier regained consciousness, the academy hours had ended, and he was still lying in the same spot. No one had come to help him. A few passersby glanced his way, but none approached or offered assistance. He struggled to his feet, every movement sending waves of pain through his body.
'Why would Lucas and the others beat me up? Weren't they friends? Why are they suddenly acting like this?' The questions swirled in his mind, a mix of confusion and betrayal.
The concept of bullying and betreyal didn't exist for Xavier.
He made his way to a professor's office, his steps slow and labored. He informed the professor about everything that had happened. The professor listened, his expression impassive. "I'll take care of it," he said dismissively. "You should go home and rest."
Xavier nodded, feeling a sense of defeat. He returned to his apartment, his body aching from the bruises. As he lay, tears streamed down his face. He missed the quiet, peaceful life of the village.
'Why did Father send me to a place like this?' he wondered, his heart heavy with longing.