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The day of orientation arrived with a sky smeared in gold. The sun poured through the clouds like it had been waiting for this moment too. Hillstead University pulsed with purpose — banners unfurled from the towers, floating holo-graphics displayed the university crest, and the air itself buzzed with unspoken anticipation.
Formal attire had transformed the student body. Robes, suits, pressed blazers, embroidered dresses — a blend of cultures and class. The Grand Atrium was a marvel — vast as a cathedral, floors of translucent crystal, and floating lanterns that shifted color as more students entered. The ceiling pulsed with constellations, changing subtly in rhythm with the school's heartbeat.
---
Dorm D-Seven — Room 32
"Alright," Kai said, standing shirtless with two dress shirts held dramatically in each hand. "Do I go with 'dark and dangerous' or 'mysterious and moody'?"
Henry glanced up from his bed, where he was calmly buttoning a grey shirt. "You'll be late if you keep monologuing."
"That's not a vote, Henry," Kai replied, smirking. "This is fashion democracy."
"Go with navy," Henry said, adjusting his cufflinks. "Black looks like you're trying too hard."
Kai paused. "Navy it is. You've got taste, moody roommate."
Henry raised a brow but didn't respond.
Kai studied him for a beat. "You know, for a guy who speaks in single syllables, you're kind of stylish. Secret rich kid?"
"Nope," Henry said. "Just... grew up knowing how to blend in."
Kai buttoned his shirt, tugged his tie off his desk lamp, and looped it around his neck. "You know how to tie this thing?"
Henry walked over without a word, fixed it neatly, and stepped back.
Kai blinked. "Okay, that was disturbingly smooth. You sure you're not a secret butler?"
"Ready?" Henry asked instead, nodding toward the door.
Kai grinned. "Let's go fake our confidence."
Their wall terminal pinged softly.
> Orientation Seating Assigned
Kai Wilder – D36
Henry Dane – D37
Kai raised a brow. "Not bad. Guess we'll be close enough to text during the boring bits."
Henry gave a dry look. "Or pay attention."
Kai winked. "That too."
---
Dorm G-Four — Room 27
"Do I look like I'm overdressed?" Nora asked, adjusting a soft white blouse over a deep green skirt. "I feel like I'm overdressed."
Natasha, in a sharp black ensemble with metallic sleeves, didn't look up from her boots. "No one's going to remember your clothes."
"That's... not helpful."
"It's honest."
Nora stared at the mirror, then gave a soft sigh. "I guess I'm just nervous."
"Everyone is," Natasha said. "Even the ones pretending not to be."
Nora turned as her dorm terminal blinked.
> Orientation Seating Assigned
Nora Wilder – D38
"Huh," she murmured. "D38... wonder who I'm beside."
Natasha checked hers. "D48. Separate wings, apparently."
Nora hesitated. "You nervous?"
Natasha pulled on her jacket. "No. But I'm not under any illusion this is just a school welcome party."
Nora nodded. "Neither am I."
---
The Grand Atrium – 7:10 p.m.
The Grand Atrium was a masterpiece of modern arcane architecture — a domed cathedral of glass and gold that shimmered with energy veins running through its foundation. Light floated in gentle rings overhead, and a quiet hum filled the space — as if the building itself was listening.
Students filed in, dressed in every combination of elegance and effort. Some wore suits and dresses. Others wore sneakers with their blazers. Everyone carried nervous excitement like it was part of the dress code.
Kai slid into Seat D36, adjusting his jacket.
A second later, someone dropped into the seat beside him — with the weight of someone who owned whatever space he entered.
Carl Valentine.
"Ugh," Kai muttered to himself.
Carl arched a brow. "Do I smell or something?"
Kai blinked, then forced a polite grin. "No, no. You just walk like a Bond villain."
Carl gave him a sideways look. "And you dress like a best man at someone else's wedding."
They both stared forward for a moment.
"Guess we're stuck together," Kai said finally.
Carl leaned back in his seat. "Could be worse."
Across the row, Henry arrived at Seat D37 and slid in quietly. He set his journal on his lap, looked around once, and let out a silent breath.
A second later, Nora arrived at D38, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on the seat beside Henry.
"Oh," she said, a little surprised. "Hi."
Henry looked up and smiled — not the small, guarded one. A real one.
"Looks like we're seatmates."
"I was hoping I wouldn't sit next to someone who talks through the whole thing," Nora said, settling in.
"I don't talk much," Henry replied.
"I noticed," she said, smiling.
A pause.
"Your drawing," he added. "The one by your window. Was it Hillstead?"
Nora's eyes widened a little. "You saw that?"
"Yeah. It was good. Detailed."
Nora blinked. "Thanks. I didn't think anyone noticed."
"I notice things," Henry said, glancing away almost shyly.
Their shoulders weren't touching, but the air between them felt… aligned. Quiet, but not awkward.
---
A few seats down, a boy with a half-undone bow tie muttered to his seatmate.
"Marlee, if I spill something on myself, can you illusion it away?"
The girl beside him, eyes rimmed with glittering red liner, sighed. "Only if you stop sweating on my glamor field."
On the far side of the row, Leo Narin clutched a tiny projector in his palm, tweaking it as it flashed blue pulses against his chest.
A girl beside him shifted away, whispering, "What is that?"
"A portable interface stabilizer," Leo replied cheerfully. "I'm stress-testing it. If it explodes, duck."
---
Back in D36...
Kai leaned over to Carl. "So what's your tragic backstory?"
Carl didn't even blink. "My father owns several islands. My tragedy is never having to do chores."
Kai grinned. "Yeah, okay. You're kinda funny."
Carl smirked. "Don't let it ruin your image of me."
---
The hall settled as a woman took the stage — tall, confident, early forties, her short blond hair neatly tucked behind her ears. She wore a navy-blue blazer with a university crest on the lapel and walked with the composure of someone used to commanding attention.
She stepped up to the mic.
"Good evening."
Silence. Phones slipped into pockets.
"I'm Professor Jane Clark, Dean of First-Year Affairs here at Hillstead."
Her voice was clear, professional, but not cold.
"Welcome to your next four years. We hope you survive them — academically, socially, and yes, emotionally."
A ripple of laughter broke the tension.
Kai whispered, "She's good."
Carl nodded slightly. "She's definitely done this before."
Professor Clark continued. "Tonight is not about lectures. It's about expectations. Here, we expect hard work, curiosity, and respect. But we also expect you to make mistakes — and grow from them."
Henry leaned toward Nora. "So... basically, be perfect but human."
Nora smirked. "With a GPA."
Professor Clark walked slowly across the stage.
"You'll be challenged. Some of you will be homesick. Others will party too hard. Some of you will question if you belong here. You do. But that doesn't mean you'll have an easy time proving it."
Kai leaned toward Carl. "Remind me to question everything. That way I'm ahead of the game."
Carl chuckled under his breath. "If questioning counts as work, you're already top of the class."
Professor Clark gestured behind her, where a screen displayed student resources.
"Check your terminals regularly. You'll receive your club rosters, library access codes, and weekly event updates there. Attendance starts tomorrow. Don't be late — not just because we care, but because professors will literally lock the doors."
Another small wave of laughter.
"Lastly, keep your eyes open. Sometimes, your greatest lessons won't come from books, but from people sitting right next to you."
Henry glanced at Nora. "Guess you're stuck being one of my life lessons."
She tilted her head. "Just don't plagiarize my wisdom."
---
By the time the orientation wound down, students were chatting quietly again, the formality easing off.
Professor Clark stepped off stage, nodding to the event assistants who began closing the ceremony.
A smooth voice rang out over the PA:
> "This concludes tonight's welcome. First classes begin tomorrow. Dinner and refreshments are available in the quad for those interested. Dorm curfew is midnight. Let's make this year a good one."
The students began rising from their seats, voices rising with new energy.
Kai clapped Carl on the back. "You know, you're not as stuck-up as you look."
Carl smirked. "And you're slightly more tolerable than I expected."
"Aw," Kai grinned. "Don't make this weird, man."
Henry stood beside Nora, glancing up at the vaulted ceiling. "Still feels like a movie set."
She smiled, then nodded toward the exit. "Come on. Let's see if there's any decent food left."
As the students filed out into the twilight, the warm air met them like a welcome, and the lights of Hillstead blinked quietly in the distance.
Just another beginning.
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