The carriage arrived at the academy, and no, it wasn't anything like the ordinary academy Cheryl had seen before. It was definitely something a person of Cheryl's nature would call different.
"Welcome to the academy," the guards at the gate greeted, briefly opening the curtains of the carriage to take a look at the individuals inside.
"Please have a welcomed stay," he said before closing the curtains and giving a gesture for the rider to carry on.
They advanced inside the spacious Expanse of the academy, pulling to a stop close to large building.
The rider came down and opened the curtains for them.
"You may descend my Lord," he gestured, placing on knees to the ground as a sign of reverence.
Arcturus was the first to descend the carriage before the rest followed, the twins, then Cheryl.
Just as Cheryl's leg set foot on the academy grounds, he felt little compared to what stood before him.
It was a large building, with two pointed tips, one was a cross and the other was a sword, large door like windows covered in glass, golden pillars, and a fifteen foot silver door.
The path to the entrance was covered with blue interlocks, woven together beautifully to create a giant flower when seen from above.
"Wow, so this is the academy." Cheryl mouthed, amazed by the scenery in front of him.
"This is not the academy. This is the appraisal house. It's where you decide your faith, in society, and at the academy." the rider explained to Cheryl before taking his leave.
'Where I decided my faith huh,' he thought, staring at the large building.
He finally looked forward and noticed the others had already gone ahead of him, leaving him behind without informing him.
He ran over and caught up to them before they made it inside.
"Welcome to the appraisal house, Sir Arcturus Bellingham. It's an honour to see you again after so long." A man with grey eyes and white beards stepped forward as they stepped into the room.
He wore a tailored navy blue suit that made his bold frame stand out. He wore rectangular glasses on his nose, and his black hair was unusually thick black despite his white beards.
"Indeed it has been, Gerald." Arcturus said with a smile and a raised hand.
They both exchanged handshakes as they went forward through the corridors to the main room.
They continued exchanging pleasantries until they entered the main room, their forms and composure changed, almost immediately.
"Well, good luck with the appraisal of your kids. I have to stand by mine during his." He said with a smile before he left.
The room wasn't as big as he had expected. It was like the size of a football pitch, except it was a bit bigger than it, with everyone busy with whatever they came to do.
"So many people came to get appraised," he murmured to himself, glancing at each person.
"Come over here, kids," Arcturus called out, moving ahead of them.
The twins hurried up and caught up to him, following closely by his side while Cheryl just stuck to the rear, admiring the whole area.
Shiny chandeliers dangled from each large square, the size of a whole basketball pitch. The door like windows were set high and low, and the floor was beautiful, covered with marbles that glittered from the blue Aurivon light.
'This place is amazing! I wonder how they academy must look like.' He smiled with a glint in his eyes.
They arrived at a desk, occupied by a youthful woman in her early twenties. She wore red circular glasses that complimented her round face and red lips.
She raised her head at their arrival, and her blue eyes caught his attention with its glow.
"Welcome to the appraisal house, which we also call the academy for some reason." She chuckled with a smile that reached her eyes.
'She's quite cheerful,' he admired, a feeling he never had the opportunity to have.
"What must I do for you today." She asked, still wearing the bright smile he had earlier.
"I'm here for their appraisal, if you can get straight to the registration." Arcturus said, going straight to the point.
"Alright," she pulled out a big book, despite there being a computer.
"What are their names?," she asked, clicking the pen she found in her drawer.
"Alec Bellingham, Aria Bellingham and.." he turned around to make sure Cheryl was still with them.
"And Cheryl Bellingham."
"Okay, just give me a minute to write that down." She murmured as the pen flickered on the pages, ink flowing with each swipe.
After a short period, she was done. Then she turned to the computer and typed down the names aswell before she turned to Arcturus and asked further questions, which he answered them all.
"You may now proceed to the appraisal chamber." She smiled, pointing them toward a red door at the other end of the room.
"Thank you." Cheryl said to her unintentionally.
Her eyes widened at his words, then with a composed face, she answered.
"It was my pleasure."
He went on with his family, leaving behind a stunned female behind the desk.
'Why did she glow up like that?' He thought to himself as they made it to the appraisal chamber.
The appraisal chamber was a well lit room, with the whole room set up with seats like a movie theatre and a single man standing in the middle.
There was a line of individuals just like the twins and himself, waiting to be appraised while the rest sat down on these seats and listened to the classes of the appraised victim.
'So, everyone who gets appraised, their classes get announced?. Oh this is bad.' He started feeling nervous.
"Alright twins, head over there and wait your turn. And do well to make daddy proud, okay?." Arcturus whispered to the twins.
Then he stood upright and glanced at Cheryl, who had already started feeling nervous.
"I shouldn't have to say the same to you, you know what you have to do." He explained before walking off.
Cheryl nodded, then took the twins to the line that will decide the three of their fates.