Chapter I: Entrance Ceremony

The cheers of the crowd reverberated around the arena. Their yells were nearly deafening. Many had gathered to see the new class of the prestigious academy, Spectral. The school had a limited acceptance rate, and was known for producing the best of the best. And I was one of those lucky few who made it. I didn’t get the benefits of some of my other peers whose parents were alumni, nor those whose Clans were affiliated with the school. I just happen to be excellent in everything I set my mind to. So, here I am, at the school of my dreams. I envisioned this moment for years, and now it’s finally here. I’ve made it.

I glanced to my left and right. There was a sea of different hair colors. Rich reds, oranges of autumn, greens of the forest, and even rarer colors like khaki. I gazed at the power within each strand of their hair, the knowledge of their abilities and prowess available at a glance.

This ain’t the boonies for sure. Every head of hair was healthy and perfectly maintained. It practically glimmered under the sunlight. I could feel it was brimming with energy. Even among all of the colors though, I only peeped one other student who had black hair. Figures. No, I should be grateful for even that, I thought.

Each of my new classmates were standing on a black cube lightly elevated from the ground in neat rows. I looked below the cubes and watched the electric blue gravity rings push against the Earth. The energy pulsed vibrantly, as a circular puff of air spread around the bottom of each cube.

Everyone was in uniform. I think the fits could have looked sick, if we didn’t have to wear every color known to man. I inwardly rolled my eyes. These people and their Color Supremacy. Despite that, of course I wore it well. I mean it’s nearly impossible for me to look bad in something when my face and body card never decline. And don’t even get me started on my hair. I may not be from an affluent family, but I know how to throw it down when it comes to hair care.

In front of me was a red head. His hair burned with shades of fire, and had deep burgundy streaked through, and was styled in braids, a mark of the Red Clan. I knew what power his red gave him. The burgundy though? No clue. Rare colors are nearly impossible to decipher unless you have that knowledge. I itched to see what he looked like from the front. Maybe a clown? I stopped myself from laughing aloud as my attention was snapped to the calling sound booming loud enough to drown the crowd.

I gazed above me. Floating in the air was a large stage. The bottom was white and shimmered with different colors of the rainbow. On top of the podium were seven seats. Six of them held the leaders of the main Clans: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Violet. Each Clan head adorned themselves in their Clan's colors, their hair matching as well. The Red Clan head looked grumpy. Fitting, I thought to myself.

The seventh seat was for the Black Clan. I knew it wouldn’t have been there if not for her. Hmm, no eighth seat, huh? Weird that the White Clan isn’t there.

I saw the shadow of a beautiful figure walk to the podium. Then, as the sun’s rays highlighted her deep brown skin, I nearly gasped. I knew she would be here, but I couldn’t help but inwardly scream and gawk.

“Welcome all!” The sound of the crowd’s cheers vanished as she continued. “Today marks the start of a new school year. Fresh blood joins us today, all of whom will be pioneers of a brighter future.”

My eyes were glued to the headmistress, the definition of beauty and grace. Intelligent and kind. I know perfection when I see her. She is my idol, and my reason for joining this school. She has black hair, rare, majestic, and mightier than mountains. Just like mine.

“Students, look to your fellow classmates. These will be the people you grow with. You earn with.” Her voice touched the crowd, it was soothing to the ear, like it could make a baby fall asleep. Yet, also commanding as though it could direct an army. She paused, the air itself seemed to hold its breath.

“And you destroy with.”

The crowd murmured at her words, and I could feel heads turning left and right near me.

“Make friends. Intermingle with those who are not of your Clan. Expand your horizons, and your horizons will expand you. I look forward to seeing you all shine. Welcome to Spectral Academy.”

The crowd erupted into cheers once more. My hands blurred in the air as I clapped as fast and as hard as I could for her. I would cheer as well, but we’re expected to be stoic and professional. Hence why I caught a few students looking at me as though I were a monkey in a maze. I ugly glared back at them, and continued clapping even after she’d seated herself.

The Red Clan leader stood in front of the podium, and suddenly I forgot how to clap. My eyebrows knitted taut as I looked at him. Dark skin, red braids that glowed with strength, and a scruffy beard to match his scruffy attitude.

“Silence.” Lingering sounds and chatter abruptly stopped. His voice was power refined. His presence felt like a tempest ready to subdue you at any second. I glared at the man above me. If you were unfortunate enough to get his ire, you might as well pack your bags and move to another galaxy, else he will hunt you down. A chill swept through the arena. I was sure any smiles on the faces around me disappeared.

“In an orderly manner you will leave by your rows, and go to your guide. You were given a number upon entering the arena. Your guide will be stationed under that number.”

I looked at my watch and double tapped it. A black holographic number 7 popped up. I turned and scanned beyond the students near the inner edges of the arena. There were people spread out with large holographic numbers hovering over their heads.

Seven… seven… ah, there you are. I thought. A woman. I couldn’t make out much else from the distance. The Red Clan leader continued, “They will lead you to your assigned zones to do orientation. Then you return. You join the crowd and watch. Today, you will witness the first battle of the year, the clash of your seniors.”

The energy of my schoolmates rose at his mention of the battle. Mine did too. I’m excited to see them. Videos are nothing compared to the real thing. He continued, “This is tradition. Watch closely, for one day, you will stand where they stand. Go.”

Row by row the students stepped off their cubes then filed uniformly towards their designated guide.

Man, I’ve never liked that guy’s tone. I thought.

“I’ve never liked that guy's tone.” A voice said.

Huh? Did I just talk out loud?

“Dude, you gotta death wish? Talkin’ like that when homeboy’s still in sight,” said a deep bronze-skinned guy with yellow hair diagonally to my left. He spoke to the red haired guy in front of me.

Wow, that’s odd. A reddie talking like that about another reddie. Especially the leader of his Clan…

It was very rare to come across in-fighting withinClans. What happens in the Clan stays in the Clan. You must appear united. Can’t ever show weakness or disharmony to other Clans, even in this more “unified” society we live in.

“What’s he gonna do? Kill me in front of all of these people?” The red-head asked.

The yellow-haired man’s mouth dropped open, stunned.

I added, “No, I think doing it in private is more his style.”

The red-head looked back at me. His eyes were cold, yet I could feel the fire within his gaze. I felt my heart pound loudly against my chest as our eyes met. He replied, “Yeah. That’s right.”

WHAT THE FUUUCCKKKKKK???? I screamed internally. My mouth agape in shock. HE’S FUCKING HOTTTTTTT???!!!

I clenched my fist to hide the rising tide of emotion within me. His skin was a deep, beautiful brown, and glowed with an orange hue in the sunlight. His lips were plump and full, his jawline sharp enough to cut a building in half. My eyes slid down, the ugly uniform couldn’t hide his muscular frame below. And he was tall! Talk about features! I was cheesing. Dear God, I have learned not to judge a book by its back cover. Thank you for this beautiful creation. Internally, I dropped to my knees and prayed, looking up toward Heaven.

He turned back around, and I cleared my throat, then looked away just as the row beside mine began walking toward their guides. Then, it was our turn. At once, each cube within my row slowly sank to the ground. I stepped off and followed the line forward, silently hoping he and I would be in the same group.