{Elira}
~**^**~
WEDNESDAY.
The auditorium buzzed like a hive, as hundreds of students filed into rows, their voices tumbling over one another in curiosity and nerves.
My friends and I squeezed into seats near the middle, with Nari craning her neck as if she expected the ceiling to give hints.
"This better not be boring," she muttered. "I skipped extra dessert for this."
Juniper smirked. "Tragic. Truly noble of you."
I was too nervous to laugh. Just then, the murmur of voices faded as the Vice Chancellor stepped onto the stage, her robes swishing, commanding silence effortlessly.
The glass box of coloured cards sat at the edge of the platform, gleaming faintly under the lights.
"Students of ESA," she began, her voice smooth, carrying easily across the packed hall. "As you know, in honour of Founder's Day, each of you has drawn a card. Today, you will finally learn what those colours mean."
A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd, but as for me, my stomach tightened.
