Michael had imagined the seminary would feel holy—quiet, peaceful, certain. Instead, as he stood at the iron gate with a suitcase in one hand and a letter of admission in the other, all he felt was the heavy weight of doubt pressing against his chest.
The compound of the seminary was larger than Michael expected.
Tall mango trees lined the gravel road leading toward the chapel, their leaves rustling softly in the afternoon breeze. Somewhere in the distance, a bell rang slowly—deep and echoing across the compound.
Groups of seminarians walked past him wearing black cassocks, some laughing, some carrying thick books under their arms.
They looked like they belonged here.
Michael wasn't sure he did.
He adjusted his grip on the suitcase and stepped through the gate.
Seven years that would decide whether he became a priest—or something else entirely.
He took a slow breath and started walking.
The compound was busy with activity.
Some seminarians were heading toward the chapel. Others sat under the trees reading or talking.
Everyone seemed to know where they were going.
Michael didn't.
He pulled the folded paper from his pocket again.
"Report to the administration office for registration"
That sounded simply enough.
Except he had absolutely no idea where the administration office was.
He walked past a long building with white walls and red roofing. Then another.
Still nothing that looked like an office.
After ten more minutes of wandering, Michael finally stopped near the football field.
Great, he thought.
First day and already lost.
On the field, a group of seminarians were finishing a football match.
One of them kicked the ball toward the goal before laughing and wiping sweat from his forehead,pushing back the short curls that kept falling into his eyes. Up close, Michael noticed he was taller than most of the seminarians around them, his easy smile making the sharp lines of his face soften.
Lucas.
He had been in the seminary for years—first minor seminary, then major.
To him, this place felt almost like home.
He noticed the stranger immediately.
New seminarians were easy to recognize.
They always looked the same—confused, nervous, carrying too many bags.
But something about this one was different.
The boy stood alone near the path, holding a suitcase and looking around as if trying to solve a puzzle.
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
Definitely new.
He jogged off the field.
Michael turned the corner of the path at the same moment Lucas did.
They nearly collided.
Michael stepped back quickly.
"Sorry—"
He stopped when he realized the other boy was smiling.
Not the polite smile people give strangers.
This one was relaxed. Amused.
Lucas glanced at the suitcase, then at Michael's face.
Lucas studied him for a moment. Michael was slightly shorter than him, with a lean frame and a calm, serious face. His dark eyes seemed thoughtful, almost distant, like he was always thinking about something deeper.
"You look like someone who just realized this place is bigger than it looked on the brochure."
Michael blinked.
"I… what?"
Lucas chuckled.
"First day, right?"
Michael hesitated, then nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas extended his hand casually.
"Lucas."
Michael shook it.
"Michael."
Lucas studied him for a second.
Michael looked serious—almost too serious.
Neatly dressed. Straight posture. Careful words.
Definitely the type who followed rules.
Lucas grinned.
"So," he said, "which building are you trying to find?"
"The administration office."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"And you ended up here?"
Michael looked around at the football field.
"…Apparently."
Lucas laughed.
"Come on."
Before Michael could protest, Lucas grabbed one of his bags.
"Before the rector thinks you got scared and ran away."
Michael followed him down the path.
As they walked, Lucas talked easily.
"Don't worry, everyone gets lost on their first day."
Michael nodded politely.
"You've been here a long time?" he asked.
"Since minor seminary."
Michael glanced at him, surprised.
"That's… a long time."
Lucas shrugged.
"You get used to it."
He pointed ahead.
"That building there—library."
Then to another.
"Dormitories."
Finally he gestured toward a tall structure with stained-glass windows.
"And that's the chapel. The most important building here."
Michael stared at it for a moment.
The sunlight filtered through the colored glass, casting soft patterns on the ground.
For a second, the place felt peaceful again.
As they continued walking, Lucas glanced sideways at Michael.
Most new seminarians were nervous.
But Michael wasn't just nervous.
He looked… thoughtful.
Almost like he carried something heavy inside his mind.
Lucas watched him quietly for a moment.
Then Michael spoke.
"Do you ever wonder if you made the right decision?"
Lucas blinked.
That wasn't the kind of question people asked on their first day.
He looked at Michael again—really looked this time.
There was something in his eyes.
Something honest.
Something vulnerable.
Lucas felt a strange flicker of curiosity.
Interesting, he thought.
They finally reached the administration office.
Lucas set the suitcase down.
"Here we are."
Michael nodded.
"Thank you."
Lucas shrugged casually.
"You'll survive."
He turned to leave, then glanced back.
"See you around… Michael."
Michael watched him walk away toward the football field.
For some reason, the seminary didn't feel quite as overwhelming anymore.
And Lucas, halfway across the courtyard, found himself glancing back once too.
For no reason he could explain.