Eric stood with the rest of the new students.
They were a silent nervous herd before a pack of predators.
The upperclassn 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 ford 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.
It cut through the tense silence of the dormitory courtyard. "You are currently ignorant of the real rules and regulations of this Academy. You know nothing. Therefore it is our job as your seniors as the students who have been here longer to enlighten you. We will help you understand the true laws that govern this institution the ones that really matter."
He paused for a mont letting his words sink in. He wanted them to feel their own ignorance their own weakness.
He then glanced at the other three representatives who had stepped forward with him. It was a silent signal for the next one to speak.
The student with the bright yellow band on his uniform a stockier individual with a confident almost arrogant smirk took the cue. He stepped forward a little.
"In truth," he said his voice laced with a condescending amusent a feeling that he was much better than them "we are more than just your seniors. We are your guides. We also serve as a... lifeline for you here. If you wish to survive in this place let alone thrive and beco strong within the walls of this Academy you will have to follow certain... unwritten rules. Rules you won’t find in any official handbook."
Next the representative from the blue-banded group a student with a more scholarly refined appearance stepped forward.
He looked like a thinker more than a fighter. "And those unwritten rules are as follows," he stated. His tone was cool and analytical as if he was explaining a simple fact of nature.
"First you must join one of our four groups. This is not optional. Second you will show absolute and unquestioning respect to all of your upperclassn especially those within your chosen group."
Finally the student from the group with the dark black bands added his piece.
He had a more nacing brooding presence than the others.
He looked dangerous. His voice was a low dangerous grumble a sound that made you feel uneasy.
"And most importantly," he said his eyes scanning the crowd of nervous first-years
"if you obey us if you follow our guidance and our orders you will be safe within this Academy. And you will excel you will beco stronger. You will be protected by your group from other students and from other troubles."
The first student the one with the red band then spoke again. His voice took on a harder edge a more threatening tone.
"And if you don’t follow these rules," he said a thin cruel smile touching his lips
"if you disobey or show disrespect you will be punished. And the teachers the professors of this Academy... they won’t be able to do anything to help you. They will not interfere in these matters. If you think this is so kind of a joke so silly school ga you are sorely mistaken. This is very serious."
A wave of unease and a real palpable fear rippled through the crowd of first-year students. They exchanged nervous frightened glances with each other.
This was not the welco they had expected.
This was not how they thought their first day at the famous United Academy would be.
This was an ultimatum a demand with a clear threat. They were being forced into sothing they didn’t understand.
The red-banded student who was clearly enjoying the effect of his words his control over the new students continued. He looked very pleased with himself.
"Now," he commanded his voice loud again
"one by one all of you new students will step forward. You will introduce yourselves. You will tell us your na and where you are from. After your introduction any of the four groups here that is interested in you that sees potential in you will make their interest known. They will give you a sign."
The student with the yellow band then added a final chilling warning a caveat.
"And if you refuse to choose a group that has shown interest in you," he said his smirk widening into a grin
"or if no group chooses you at all... then your next four years at this Academy will be exceedingly... painful. It will be a very difficult ti for you. And for whatever happens to you we will not be held responsible. It will be your own fault." The threat was clear.
It hung heavy and suffocating in the air of the courtyard.
This wasn’t an invitation to join a friendly club.
This was a system of forced allegiances a power play. It was designed to subjugate the new arrivals to control them from the very mont they set foot in the dormitory.
The upperclassn were establishing their dominance their power over the newcors.
Eric and the other first-years were trapped. They had to play this dangerous ga whether they wanted to or not. Their life at the Academy depended on it.
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[Hey everyone!
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AlphaBoss]
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