These two weeks in Velmora have no doubt been the worst experience of my life. I hated it. Hated the cruelty they held in high regard, the inhumane methods they prefer, their casual disregard for human lives, their vision to turn innocent teens into monsters to further their twisted ambitions.
I hated everything they stood for.
But these two weeks seem to be the most truthful of my whole existence. Every single thing Velmora has thrown at me has only been the truth. Yes, it has been harsh, cruel and everything my home wasn't.
Still, it was more truthful than everything I ever believed. Strangely, the tears don't fall like they usually do– I have none left to shed it seems.
I can't help but not hate Velmora
Still, I don't like them.
A very complicated state of mind, indeed
No anger, no pain, no resentment.
Nothing.
Just a vacuum of emptiness.
'My whole life was a lie'. A dry chuckle leaves my mouth, I turn away from the window sighting the towering buildings in front as we drove into the main gate of the Admin Sector
The car slows to a halt into a massive driveway, where several luxurious cars sit gleaming under the morning sun.
The door opens, I step out clenching my hands to my side.
"This way, Miss Halecrest." The young man smiles leading me into the huge building.
"Miss Halecrest is here, sir." He announces, bowing deeply the moment we step into the mahogany door.
"That's all." A deep voice fills the huge space from where a huge desk occupies the center of the room. Ace smiles and leaves the room.
"Sit, Miss Halecrest." Principal Jerves gestures, finally lifting his eyes, looking away from his Computer. I sit stiffly under his sharp scrutiny. Swallowing, I hold his gaze despite the pounding in my chest and slick of sweat coating my palm as I rub them against my laps.
He looks young. Younger than I ever imagined someone with that little. Somewhere around late twenties to early thirties. His face set in stone with a frameless glass sitting on his nose as he continues his blatant scrutiny.
"Lilliana Halecrest." The principal calls sharply and I flinch as he leans into his chair, eyes set on me.
"I had quite the expectations for our first meeting." Principal Jerves starts entwining his fingers over his desk, the sharpness in his tone receding to something mellow and casual.
"We all do." Disappointment he doesn't bother to hide, settles on his face as he shakes his head slightly. I manage a smile, my eyes glistening at the meaning behind his words.
"Well, things have already come to this but it is quite a pity."
"Sylvia was such a burning star in our days and you…" He goes melancholic dripping in equal measure with the disdain in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, sir that I'm nothing like her." I blink away the tears, putting on my strongest front and I hold the mockery in his eyes.
"That's pointless." He says, snorting under his breath. He sits up, his lax demeanor shifting into a more formal one.
"Now, Miss. Halecrest." He begins, his eyes moving to his monitor.
"You are quite the attention seeker and have been subject to a few incidents compromising your mental health."
"I.."
"As you highest and primary and official over you," He interrupts sharply, narrowing his eyes from over the edge of his screen. "I would like you to have in mind that neither your self-induced afflictions nor your background will give you a leeway in the upcoming Rites."
I blink, surprised by the sudden turn of this conversation.
"I never had such in mind. I don't even want to be here!" I yell at the ridiculousness of his words.
"Do you understand, Initiate Halecrest? Principal Jerves growls, his eyes sharpening beneath his glasses in displeasure.
I nod.
"Words?" He thunders, making me stiffen in fear at the ferocious look in those nerdy looking eyes.
"Yes, Principal Jerves." Lowering my head, I say stiffly.
"Good." He claps lightly, breaking into an easy-going smile that makes me uneasy and I force a small smile out of politeness. His focus returns to the monitor and he raises his hand to send me off.
Rising, I bow slighting before turning for the door..
"While you are at it, stop trying to run, your mother would never have done that." His voice reaches me as I turn the knob.
"I will keep that in mind, Sir." I say, my voice shaking with numerous emotions I couldn't name. I shut the door too carefully, tears warming my eyes as I walk out of the building.
____________________________
"You can't keep sulking." Eave's worried voice snaps me out of my trance. I look up to the clock, it's been two hours since I returned from the Dean's office.
"You missed another class." Eave's scoldings continue and I get up from the armchair. My bones are sore from sitting in one position without moving for a long time.
"I just discovered the last sixteen years of my life didn't happen, Eave." I sigh, and she goes quiet.
"The Letter." Eave says and I nod, shaking my head to hold back the tears burning behind my eyelids.
"I understand, Eave. Please, I want to be alone today. I deserve that much, don't I?.
"You already wasted two weeks, Lilliana. This can't go on any longer. Initiation is in four weeks and you've done next to nothing in preparation."
"I know, I know. See, I'm no longer running." I raise my hands in mock surrender.
"I just want to be alone today, I won't be able to concentrate even if I attend the classes."
"I'd rather be in the library to clear my head." I pick up my phone and cards, sticking them into my pockets and head for the door.
"And maybe do some research.." I manage a small tired smile stopping at the door to take a look at the flickering sound channel overhead.
"You didn't have breakfast, get lunch at least. The Agate Cafeteria is open. All Initiates dines there, maybe you can make a few allies."
"Thanks, I'll pick some snacks on my way." I wince, shaking my head in refusal.
There's no way I'll be having lunch with a thousand pairs of eyes watching me every move.
"Just make sure you have something." Eave yells and I step out into the silent hallway, a little smile brightening my face at her poorly disguised concern.
Third Person's POV
12: 38 PM
Skyline District, Central Wing, Agate Cafeteria
In the enormous dining hall, two thousand plus Initiates dressed in mid-night blue, slate grey, and dark teal apparel of varying and distinct styles. The quiet hum of chewing and chatter fill the four walls even as the sweet aroma of dishes permeate the air.
Despite the attempt to be impartial with feeding arrangements, Initiates sit in a distinct arrangement, Externs and lower clans further down while the higher clans take up the center of the dining hall.
Regardless of the Initiates clear divide and arrogance in sitting patterns, the same meal is served to everyone and the atmosphere is harmonious as everyone makes themselves comfortable among their various cliques and friendship circles.
Near the center of the hall is a table of three. A blonde girl takes up the head of the table and two girls flank her sides.
"I never imagined it would be so expensive." One of the girls complains, huffing in annoyance.
"Bear with it, Ciara. Or would you rather look like them." The third girl snickers, gesturing at the rows of Initiates wearing bland clothes.
"Then, you won't get to sit with Beau." She continues, mockery evident in her haughty voice.
"Of course not!" Ciara panics, choking on the apple juice she just sipped.
"Crystal, you know how important being a part of Beau is to me. I can spend a few more silver coins, it's really nothing." Ciara says in a hurry, voice filled with flattery as she threw worried glances at their unattentive leader. Her smile falters as she nervously dismisses her financial constraints not to offend her new friends.
"You better don't disgrace Beauty's trust." Crystal smiles, a fierce look of warning on her face.
"Yes, yes, yes. I will keep that in mind." Ciara bows her head, apologising profusely as sweat trickles down her spine in fright.
Beauty, the person of discussion glances at them, the frown on her face deepening.
'Why are they so noisy?' She curses annoyed they had to disturb her brooding with their silly talks.
"Beau? Is something wrong?" Crystal turns to ask sensing the darkening atmosphere surrounding her.
"What can be wrong?" She snaps, voice hoarse with annoyance.
"Beauty, mind your expressions." Crystal scolds, looking around in horror. At the warning, Beauty's scowling face dissolves into a composed and relaxed one.
"What if someone saw you losing your cool?" Looking at her best friend, Ciara whispers in relief.
"Thank you." Beauty smiles, a face radiant with gratitude as she squeezes her friends hand.
"Is there something wrong with my face?" Beauty asks, her warm eyes going cold as her smiles grows wider.
Ciara flinches and focuses on her food at the question when she's caught staring.
"Nothing, Beau. What can possibly be wrong." She smiles, her eyes locked on her plate.
"Now, what's wrong? You've been brooding for days now." Crystal asks, her voice pinched with worry.
"You finally noticed." Turning her gaze away, Beauty replies the muscles in her head twitching with simmering rage. Relieved at the silverlining, Crystal urges her to go on with her eyes.
"When was the last time I was trending, Star? When?" Taking a deep breath, Beauty lets out in a pained voice, her fingers trembling with anxiety.
"1:59 PM last Friday." Ciara answers nervously from the side, glancing between both girls in confusion. Beauty looks at her with watering eyes, that say thank you making Ciara lower her gaze blushing.
"70 hours 43 minutes, Star!" She exclaims, her voice panicky and small. Alarmed, Crystal shifts closer to her, joining their fingers under the table.
"But, Beau…" Looking around with urgency, she whispers.
"The Halecrest and SK have been the cause of the change of trends for the past three days." Lowering her voice, Crystal consoles.Beauty's eyes go wide at her friend's words
"You think I'll have a problem if it was about them?" Her voice rises in anger, "It's about that…." Abruptly, she pulls her hands from Crystal's tight grasp, downing her untouched drink in one go to calm herself.
"Nevermind." She smiles, all traces of her previous discomfort gone, her face a serene picture.
By the side, Crystal looks down, stumbling with her fork at the realisation of what the issue was. Still in shock from Beauty's sudden actions, Crystal stares in shock, glaring at Ciara for answers.
Scared, she continues eating like she didn't get the message.
Ding.
A small notification resounds through the hall from every single device. The hall goes silent for a second, surprised as they pick up their phones.
Grateful for the distraction from the tension at their table, Crystal picks up her phone scrolling to figure out what new announcement has been passed. From the side, Ciara stares expectantly at Crystal munching on her chicken.
"The Mission Board is Online?" Someone in the hall says out loud, their voice shaky with disbelief and the hall goes silent, the clatter of cutleries the only audible sound.
At those words, others who were busy eating or dismissed the notification for another announcement they could visit later pick up their phone in shock.
"I thought Mission Board only comes online during or after Initiation." Eyes wide in shock, Crystal echoes the sentiment and questions of others as the hall erupts with whispers of disbelief and shock.
"The Mission Board only comes online after Initiation with only 79 exceptions coming online during Initiations in Velmora centuries of existence." Without thinking, Ciara answers, with a matter-of-fact tone as she picks up her phone.
"The Mission Board never comes online before Initiation." Beauty dismisses throwing her a pitiful look, wondering if her friend's basics were even solid. Sighing in relief about her decision to add Ciara to the group despite her descent from a lower clan.
"The Mission Board is Online." Ciara counters softly, looking up in disbelief at her new friends. How could this be? In all her years of studies and research this has never happened before. She wonders.
At her words, Beauty picks up her phone on the table, clicking on the alert to confirm for herself.
Her eyes widen at the words floating with an eerie sheen on the black background.
The Mission Board is Online
The interface changes to board with various tabs, a red dot at the bottom of the tab reading 'Limited-Time Ouests'–the only active tab as the rest were faded. The screen automatically loads to the tab to show a timer.
00: 01: 23
Beauty looks away around the hall to see everyone staring at their phone with bated breaths.
Ding
Another notification buzzes around the hall, the moment the timer goes off drawing Beauty's focus back to her phone.
Rewards
1. 10, 000 Gold coins
2. 10, 000 Reputation Points
3. A Copper-grade Wish Card
Rules
Rewards are guaranteed for getting the hint correctly and executing it safely.The more attention given to details, the higher the chances of triggering special rewards.
Deadline: 11: 13: 56
Ripples spread through the silent hall and gasps of disbelief sound out at the mouth-watering rewards. Excited whispers and conversation rise from every table as everyone try to anticipate the kind of quest that will be given. The noise fades away as the screen scrolls further.
A blank scroll unfurls and a quill appears scribbling slowly across the blank page as every Initiate present watches in awe.
"A little butterfly,
Bright, cheerful butterfly,
Flew into a garden of mantises and wasps
Fluttering its painted wings among the petals and ivy
Feeling at home.
Well, well, a warning must be served.
It needs to understand – this garden is no home.
Its wings must be clipped.
As a warning.
Then, it will understand."