Chapter 3: CHAPTER 2

As they approached the gate, some guards in black uniforms came out of an opaque terminal at the side of the gate and stopped them. They came to the driver's side and knocked on the window. The driver lowered the window.

"Could we have your ID number, registration and passphrase?"

"Here you go."

The driver handed some papers to the guard. The guard looked them over and turned around to nod at the direction of the terminal.

"Lower the barrier."

At his words, a translucent barrier appeared before the students eyes. A small gap opened up at the gate.

'Wow' was the only thing that was going through George's mind at that moment.

'I wish Mom and Dad could see this.'

George's face began to crumple after this thought.

'Why did I have to go this academy? I don't think I'll like this place.'

The bus moved forward past the barrier and the next sight George saw made him gasp in awe.

There were floating buildings. FLOATING ISLANDS!!! George had never seen anything like this. There were railways connecting the islands together. He could see a bullet train speeding along the tracks.

There were students coming out of the islands, presumably on their way to their next classes. There were even some students that were flying.

Suddenly, the bus shook a little, and George let out a small shriek. It had started to fly as well. Everyone turned to look at him and he could see their faces that practically radiated "What's with this country bumpkin?".

George wanted to sink into the ground, but sadly, no such thing would happen.

'Why am I the only one surprised?'

The students' attention was  eventually drawn away by the sound of a buzzer.

"It seems we've arrived at our destination", Professor Ecerton said. "Everyone, descend from the bus."

George stood up, along with the other students. As they descended, George noticed they were on an island that had a dome on it. There was a plaque that read ' Administrative Office'.

"Follow me," Professor Ecerton said and began to lead the way towards the dome.

The environment of the island was entrancing, to say the least. There were hedges and well kept gardens with humanoid automations keeping guard around the dome.

As they were about to enter the dome, two older students came out just in front of them.

One of them looked a bit surprised to see Professor Ecerton, then suddenly snickered.

"You got stuck with the late arrivals, Professor?"

"That's not good. Is this because of what you did?"

The other looked at the students with a kind face and a pitying gaze. He called out to them.

"As your senior, it's best if I give you some advice. "

'He seems kind', George thought. But he couldn't believe the words that came from the 'kind' face.

"If you know what's good for you, turn around and start running."

"I'm saying this for your own good. Just go to some third rate academy. I'm sure you'll fit in perfectly there."

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George and the rest of the students all looked shocked. Well, all except one. A girl who wore a hoodie with the hood up at the back of the group and had pointed ears. She had very little presence, so little that even George hadn't noticed her. But she had a calm look in her eyes, with a hint of maturity that wasn't normal for her age.

"Well then, I think it's about time we go. Professor, I hope you think before you act next time. There's no need to endanger yourself because of a G class student who's a former nobody." 

The senior students left while chuckling.

Professor Ecerton turned to the students while looking a bit pale.

"Pay no attention to what they said, they were joking. It's a common thing they do to new students. Let's keep going."

The entrance was a gate that housed a bluish-green portal that connected to the inside of the building. As they passed through, George felt a faint sense of disorientation before he saw his new surroundings.

It was a complex of pathways that crisscrossed all around the dome. There were people walking all around that made it crowded.

"Keep close if you don't want to get lost."

They began to head to their destination. George looked around curiously.

'Just like before at the train station, many people are looking at us. Why?'

There were many gazes fixated on them filled with a bit of sadness and pity, but mostly greediness.

Some of the students, especially a pudgy one, seemed to be having trouble keeping up with the group.

"We're almost there. Just bear with me a little longer."

They turned down a dark  corridor. Everything seemed a little more dreary and a bit louder.

One of the students called out.

"Professor, are we almost there? I'm getting scared."

"Don't worry, we're almost there."

They approached a door at the end of the corridor.

"That's it, we're here. If you go through this door a portal will take you the registration office."

The professor looked at them with a clouded gaze.

"Now then, it seems we've come to the end of our journey."

Professor Ecerton opened the door. A red portal was behind it.

"Enter the portal one by one, in a single file."

 After the line was made, George was at the end of the line. As they were entering one by one, George made a pledge to himself.

'Mom, Dad, I promise I'll make you proud.'

In a little while, it was his turn.

As George entered the portal, he couldn't help but look back. He saw a scene that he couldn't quite understand.

The dark light and shadow had shrouded Professor Ecerton body, creating  a figure that looked extremely evil. But no, that wasn't what made the scene so incomprehensible. It was the malicious smile on his face and the words that came out of his mouth as George felt his consciousness fading that made it so baffling.

"Have fun, you damn test subjects."

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