[Ren's POV]
A wave of unease pulled me out of a restless sleep. My eyes snapped open. Shadows pressed in, and the darkness felt cold on my skin. I sat up, the rough sheets scratching my hands.
The air was heavy with a damp, earthy smell that clung to my clothes and made me shiver. It almost felt like the room was breathing with me.
Someone tapped my shoulder, and I jumped. I turned, heart pounding, and saw a young girl. Shadows hid her face, but her gentle smile stood out, bringing a comfort that didn't belong in this place.
She took my hand and pulled me up from the bed. For a moment, everything felt strange. My legs seemed shorter, my view lower. Was I a child again?
Still confused, I followed her, almost tripping as she led me to the door. Her grip was gentle, but I couldn't pull away.
We stepped into a dark hallway. I watched the girl's back, noticing how her long black hair moved as she walked. Sometimes, a strand brushed my cheek, reminding me I wasn't alone here.
We stopped in front of an old metal door. The girl looked back and gave me a reassuring smile before opening it. Warm, golden light filled the room, revealing five kids about my age sitting in a circle on the floor.
Their quiet talking stopped as we entered, and I felt their eyes on me. The kids looked at us with mild curiosity as the girl led me to an empty spot in their circle. She held my hand a bit longer, giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go. In the light, I finally saw her face, soft, familiar, but somehow distant.
A strong wave of nostalgia washed over me. One of the boys reached out and opened a box, and a faint melody began to play. My body froze as the familiar tune left me in a daze.
As I looked up, the kids' faces grew clearer, almost as if a picture were coming into focus. I started to smile too, feeling the warmth fill the room.
'When was the last time I felt like this...'Before I could make sense of what I was feeling, the melody stopped.
I tried to speak, but the girl stopped me and took my hands. She smiled, then gently pushed me back, and everything went dark.
When I opened my eyes, I was back in my room. Sunlight hit my face, making me squint, and I sat up with a groan.
I touched my face and felt a tear drop onto the bedsheet. Looking at the teardrops in my palm, I clenched my fists and sighed. Sometimes, even the best memories are better left behind. Still, life keeps moving forward, whether I want it to or not.
[Few Hours Later]
I listened to the lecture absentmindedly. My mind was still focused on the nightmare that appeared out of the blue. Before I knew it, the pencil in my hand moved on its own as I subconsciously sketched the girl from my dream.
"Are you alright? What are you drawing?" Snapping out of my thoughts, I glanced to the left and saw McGillis watching me.
I coughed awkwardly, quickly closed my notebook, and gave a wry smile. "It's nothing... I just have a lot on my mind."
"I see... You should get some rest," he said, pointing at my tired eyes. "It might help clear your thoughts."
He smiled and gestured at Gaelio sitting next to us. Gaelio's lips were set in a calm, steady smile as he faced the blackboard. We could hear faint whispers from the girls nearby, and if I didn't know better, Gaelio looked just like a prince studying hard.
I frowned and tugged on the arm supporting his head. Gaelio's eyes snapped open. "Huh, who?" "Ah, Ren..." he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Is something wrong?"
"You should focus on the class," McGillis scolded. "Sleeping during a lecture isn't proper."
"Hahhhh," Gaelio said, waving his hand. "Don't worry about it. Ren, let me borrow your notes for a bit."
Before I could react, Gaelio grabbed the book from my hands. Instead of notes, he found my drawing and looked at me with a smirk. "Who's this, Ren? Don't tell me you've been daydreaming about some girl this whole time?" he teased, and my face turned red.
"Besides, don't you think she's a little too young for you?"
"Give it back..." I growled, trying to control my anger and embarrassment. "Or God forbid, I might punch another one of the Seven Stars..."
Gaelio chuckled and handed the notebook back as if nothing had happened, then started copying McGillis's notes.
I stared at the girl's image, pushing down the sadness that rose in my chest, and sighed. It happened so long ago, but it still haunts me sometimes.
Memories... They really are annoying.
"Anyway, there's an assembly after this. I hope you haven't forgotten," McGillis reminded me.
I let out a small sound of surprise."Do you know what it's about?" I asked, but McGillis shook his head, looking serious.
His eyes narrowed, and I could tell he was frustrated at not knowing. An assembly...I frowned as the strange feeling in my chest stayed with me for the rest of class.
When the lecture ended, we quickly made our way to the assembly hall. The students filed into the huge auditorium and found their seats. I sat next to McGillis, staring at the stage and trying to figure out the feeling I'd had earlier.
Before I could find an answer, the crowd fell silent. We all turned as Carta walked calmly onto the stage. It was normal for the Student Council President to speak, but the three of us noticed her expression was unusually grim.
"Students, faculty and honoured guests, thank you for gathering today. Völundr Academy has always been a place where discipline, character and excellence are nurtured in the next generation. With our learning, we strive to distinguish ourselves and continue to carve a path of justice under Gjallarhorn's name like our ancestors centuries ago."
During the usual formal introduction, I felt Carta's eyes shift to me, and we stared at each other across the crowd. Her brows furrowed, and her lips pressed into a complicated frown. But her face quickly returned to normal, and she went on with a forced professional smile.
"However, while we all follow the same path, some of us are less fortunate and don't have the same opportunities as other students. This is why it's Völundr's duty to help the ones in need, and I'm honoured to announce a new program made possible through the support of House Fareed."
"The Vanguard Advancement Program has been established to provide the students with the training they need, allowing them to showcase their capabilities and direct preparation to serve Gjallarhorn."
"Those chosen will receive an immediate scholarship, and they will be expected to uphold the highest standards of honour, responsibility and duty."
"The students who will participate in this program are as follows," Carta said calmly, and I felt my heart drop.
"Luca Verdan. Selene Maris. Darius Holt. Kael Voss and... Ren Ordis... Please join me in congratulating them on this achievement and wishing them success in the path ahead."
Formal applause filled the auditorium. But as everyone clapped, the three of us just sat there in shock, unable to process what was happening.
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