part-3

“I made it.”

John's heart raced with excitement as he stepped into the Main Hall at

precisely 8:30 a.m., the designated time for the general student assembly to

commence. As he gazed eagerly at the sea of identically dressed students in

their black blazers, blue ties, and shiny golden badges, he couldn't help but

feel a little nervous.

Despite the number of people present, the hall was completely silent, giving

off an intimidating and elite ambiance that slightly unnerved him.

As he made his way toward his assigned line, John couldn't help but admire

the immaculate appearance of his peers. They all looked elegant and

sophisticated, with their new uniforms and shiny shoes.

With the aid of signs that indicated where each group should stand, he

easily found his classmates huddled together in a tight group. However,

even without the indicators, he was confident he wouldn't have had any

trouble.

"Ah! That boy…" John's eyes caught sight of the boy with red hair, the

same one he had seen near the gate not too long ago. However, they were in

different lines.

"I guess we won't be in the same class, after all."

Still, that didn’t faze John in the slightest. Just as he joined the line of about twenty students, a middle-aged man

stepped onto the stage and greeted everyone in a clear and confident voice.

"I am Charles Richardson, the founder and Principal of this school. It

brings me great pleasure to see you all gathered here for the start of a new

term, and I sincerely hope you have an enjoyable stay in this institute."

John watched everything—the way the principal's dark gray suit firmly

clung to his lean body, and even how his luxurious shoes were firmly

planted on the ground—with a smile on his face. However, his excitement

didn't stem from those things.

This was the first time John had ever heard an address like this in person. It

was his first time standing in line for a general assembly, the first time he

was attending an actual school.

The fact that he was right there was enough to make his heart race

uncontrollably.

“I see…” He spoke in a barely audible tone, watching as the man on the

podium continued.

“This academic institute accepts only three hundred and ninety

students per academic session and only fifty for High School. And so, I

would like to commend the new students for their grit and determination.

Amongst the millions who strived to get in, only you fifty have been

chosen.”

It sounded exaggerated, but it wasn’t. This wasn’t just your ordinary school,

after all.

“However, be reminded that this is only the beginning. As you already

know, getting in is one thing, but advancing to the next class is another ball

game entirely.”

It took four years to get through High School. Depending on their

performance, it was most likely that many of these students would not be

present by graduation.

"You have seen the prospectus and calendar, I’m sure. You undoubtedly

understand the busy year that awaits you. There will be a total of four terms

per session, each with two weeks of vacation in between. Each term will

have ten weeks of activity—tests, and examinations included." Of course, the students were also told about how—for their summer break,

exclusively—six weeks were allocated, rather than the regular two weeks.

Needless to say, of the fifty-two weeks in a year, they would be spending

forty in High School.

A truly demanding and competitive environment.

“You must strive to be the best, to be exceptional in your various fields.

I expect nothing less from the geniuses of this generation.”

This was an academy with an acceptance rate of less than 0.1 percent of

applicants. A truly prestigious and extremely exclusive environment where

only the best thrived and the dregs were left behind.

John smiled. He knew all of this.

That was precisely why he had chosen to come here. It was his ideal

environment, filled with the best minds humanity could offer from all over

the globe.

It was the best High School in the world.

“Welcome once again to The Richardson Elite Academy. I do hope you

have a wonderful time.” ______________________________________ "Hey, everyone! I'm Matthias Archibald, your homeroom teacher for

this year."

With that simple introduction, the classroom came alive as an ordinary-

looking man stood before them, dressed casually in a white t-shirt and black

trousers. Appearances could be deceiving, yet the students couldn't resist

being captivated by his confident smile and handsome face.

The classroom was arranged with precision, desks were neatly organized in

five rows and five columns. Each seat was perfectly comfortable and the

tables were fixed to the floor. No arguments or disputes would mar the first

day of school; where they sat now would be their designated seat for the

entire year.

"Welcome to Grade 9, Class B! Although technically, you're all freshmen

in high school," Mr. Matthias said in a relaxed and friendly tone that made

it seem like he had known them forever.

Teachers at elite schools were expected to be formal and rigid, but here was

Mr. Archibald, defying those stereotypes. He was downright chill with

everyone, and it was refreshing

"Since most of you are new here, let me explain a few things. Pay close

attention," he said, and the students eagerly complied.

"As you know, only fifty students are accepted into our prestigious high

school every year. Of those fifty, only twenty-five make it to Year 1. Age

doesn't matter in this citadel of learning; your acceptance and class

placement are based solely on your abilities, and so is your advancement to

the next class."

Silence filled the room, exactly the reaction Mr. Archibald had hoped for.

But he had more to share.

"You must have noticed the vastness of our campus and the comfort of

your dorms if you're staying in one. Our high school compound is a

collection of numerous buildings serving various purposes. The Main Hall,

where we were earlier, hosts general assemblies. Lectures take place in the

Central Building, which includes this very classroom."

Guided here after the assembly, the students had already glimpsed the

wonders Mr. Archibald described. But it was reassuring to have someone explain and solidify their experiences.

"Besides the Central Building, we have a range of facilities on this

campus. Sports fields and courts, buildings dedicated to arts, music, crafts,

and more. This school embraces and supports all your talents and abilities,

whatever they may be. It's an all-inclusive place."

One couldn't help but wonder how much funds had gone into establishing

such a remarkable school. How much would tuition cost? How many could

afford such an incredible opportunity? But here's the most amazing part—

they didn't have to pay a dime!

"You're all here because of your abilities, nothing more. This academy

has generous sponsors, and our stakeholders provide abundant financial

support to ensure you receive the best education.” The excitement radiating

from Mr. Matthias's smile was infectious, filling the students' hearts with

immense joy.

Truly, this was a paradise they had stepped into.

Yes, it was a given that they had to put in the work, but as long as they did

all that, they were guaranteed an amazing time. Besides, they were

geniuses, weren’t they?

"Guess what? Each one of you will receive an allowance! Your Student

Identification Cards can also be used as a currency across the campus,

giving you access to all the facilities. And here's a little extra motivation—

the top five performers in each class will receive bonuses. But don't worry,

we'll start assessing that when the time is right. Just thought you should

know," Mr. Matthias revealed, adding another layer of excitement to the

mix.

The atmosphere in the classroom was electrifying. The students not only

loved what Mr. Matthias said but also how he said it. Whispers of

excitement filled the air, painting a vibrant and lively picture.

Mr. Matthias didn't try to quiet the enthusiastic chuckles and murmurs. He

knew teenagers would be teenagers, especially on their first day of high

school. So, he simply smiled, paused, and after a moment, continued.

He delved into all the amazing things the academy had to offer. The best

academics, state-of-the-art facilities for every course, highly qualified and specialized staff, an amazing and safe environment, healthy competition,

strict but beneficial rules, the dedicated student council, and the freedom to

explore a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Everything was presented in a concise yet compelling manner, drawing

positive remarks from the students. Even the list of do's and don'ts felt

reasonable. Who wouldn't agree that cheating, stalking, or loitering had no

place in a well-ordered society?

It all fit together seamlessly, creating a tapestry of possibilities that left the

students brimming with excitement and anticipation.

______________________________________

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