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C H A P T E R O N E

The violent howls of the wind had gushed through me. A feeling of uncertainty rumbled in my stomach as I stood in front of the academy. My fingers intertwined with the gates, and I pushed it gently making a low creak sound. I had inhaled sharply before proceeding further, anxiety pervaded all.

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I settled in my seat, a doubt that assailed me. The environment was dead silent, only the subtle sounds of faint footsteps that came from the stage before me. We were all grouped into five separate ranks and as a new fresh student of the academy, I was ranked the lowest. - aka, the fifth tier.

"Attention!-"

A muffled voice spoke through the microphone, and that was when everyone looked up with immense interest.

"Students, Teachers! Welcome to Étoiles Academy!"

The lady spoke with great enthusiasm, and I immediately assumed it was the principal. The rest of the students in my tier looked almost perplexed, being shoved into a tier and expected to make your way up was all too sudden. Tiers weren't clear to us, but apparently, things change once you enter. Rumours had circulated around my hometown, mostly regarding how cruel the principal and its regulations are. But by the looks of it, it's rather ordinary, just a tad different from the rest of the academies around.

"Our beloved student council committee would now briefly give an outlook of the new year ahead."

Who I had assumed was the principal had then walked out, giving a moment to the council to arrive on stage. I didn't expect much, though I'm aware that student councils are a big thing. It's a role with great responsibility, and from what I've heard, they're the spotlight hoggers.

A silhouette of a female was reflected and almost every one of the students around me was eager at this so-called "beloved council"

The red velvet curtains then ruffled for a quick second before a female walked out, her long white hair tumbled over her shoulders and swayed in motion with every step she took. What caught me the most was her uniform, it was entirely different from the rest. Instead of the regular black uniforms given to the other tiers, she was given with a white. Her skirt, a pleated red design with thigh high stockings topped with stiletto heels. If anything she had an intimating aura, but she was attractive, to say the least.

"Bienvenue everyone, I'm student council president, Estelle Bellaire "

She had spoken, orotundly before signalling a group of students to hand out a pamphlet of some sort. I took the pamphlet and read it, starting from its front page which had 'Student Guide' printed in a black and white theme. I began to flip through it, as it told me ways I would be able to apply in the system of the school. That however referred to the tier and ranking system, and as complex, as it might sound, It wasn't too bad.

Just excel in classes, maintain a good reputation and top the rest when there happens to be a competition held by the academy. Seems pretty simple, right? Problem is, I'm not the best when it comes to academics, but other than that, I should be fine. Hopefully.

"All necessary information and events are stated in the pamphlets and would annually change automatically."

The pamphlets which were resting on the palm of my hands were now up in the air, levitating with a tint of golden spiral that caused it to twirl. It fluttered down gently, opening up to the second last page which had a current event filled in.

"The Pétillante competition would start tomorrow for the fifth tiers! But fear not, and simply accept it as an opening exam for the newcomers"

Tomorrow?

That quick? I had just arrived here?

Would I even be ready by then? That would take place in the next twenty-four hours and that's too abrupt. But judging by the crowd's reaction, I might not be the only one who felt so.

"Ah! How could I ever forget about the most crucial rule?"

Just as she was about to walk off the stage, Estelle quickly turned and took a few steps forward, her presence was now back into the visible spotlight that was being shone towards the centre of the stage.

"None of you are allowed to leave."

Her voice.

It became more firm, and that caused uneasy tension in the room. The faces of the students seated around me were mixed with the look of disbelief and predicament. I didn't understand it either, all I had remembered with the terms and conditions of entering the Academy, was solely on the fact that we weren't allowed to destroy school property and such. Where did this come up all of a sudden?

Someone who was rather bold had then raised their hand, and almost immediately, Estelle looked in their direction, her eyes glowed an unusual red. - A crimson shaded glare directed at the male, who was seated a few rows in front of me.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but that means we aren't allowed to leave for a year?"

He spoke, loud enough for her to hear as well as the rest of the students in the auditorium. I grew anxious, awaiting her response.

The female cleared her throat, her lips curled into a sly smirk once she heard him spoke. It was like she had something up her sleeves and after a brief moment of silence,

She chuckled.

A chuckle, that echoed throughout the area, sending immediate chills down my spine. A somewhat malicious laugh hinted with slight annoyance. The atmosphere shifted in a quick snap, placing more heavyweight on all of our shoulders, for not much of an explicable reason. A year would be the answer everyone would have expected to receive, but what we got in return was quite far off.

"Not one, but four. Four years of your time here, and I mean absolutely no contact with the outside." Estelle responded and that had struck a thought in me.

Four years? That was longer than I had expected, not to mention how suspicious it sounded. My intuition urged me, hinting mixed signals of this whole preparation. The preparation of the school and how it was being conveyed so poorly. From what I had remembered, one of the requirements was to be able to stay in school grounds throughout the given year.

But it didn't state how long.

"What?! This is ridiculous, it wasn't properly stated. Not to mention, no outside contact rule? That's too mu-"

"Every single one of you has agreed to the terms when you've chosen to sign it. Once you're in, you're absolutely not allowed to leave."

She interrupted him, this time her tone of voice was in a rather harsh way. It wasn't like the demeanour she had portrayed a few moments ago, but regardless, Estelle had continued to maintain a cool head. - While protest wavered on the male's lips, and for the rest of us? We felt undeniably misled, signing up for more than we can ask for. Unaware of how things would unfold from then on, a change in events would be the last thing anyone wanted...

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