The gates swung open automatically as bells rang at the eight o'clock mark. There were only a few other students who also seemed to be early birds. Of course not to the extreme that Dahlia was but nonetheless they were all early before the homeroom class would begin.
According to what Tsumi had told Dahlia on the way up, he is likely to have a meeting in the building all day so they are unlikely to see each other, so she shouldn't expect to find him until after the end of the day. As she stepped onto the school grounds, it indeed was even more impressive up close than it was from afar.
It was a gorgeous mansion-like building made of the same brick as their house but only grander with pillars, arches and lavish gardens filled with tropical plants and bushes. Besides the noticed material, Dahlia could see some parts of the building were reinforced with steel and screws, likely due to the nature of its study.
Once Dahlia entered though, she could feel a slight tension in her surroundings. Many of the students didn't recognise her, the school year already being two months in, and either because of cautiousness or curiosity they watched her. Typically, one would assume that there is something off with their appearance, their mannerisms or something else to do with their appeal but Dahlia knew what these eyes were, and what they were searching for in her appearance.
They're unsure of what to make of me.
Though Dahlia didn't have much social interactions with other students in Pilin, she did have one thing she noticed. Whilst they never reached out to Dahlia, they would acknowledge she's there. Not in the, 'Hello Dahlia!' kind of way but in the, 'There's that girl' kind of way. It was never malicious nor friendly but just, observing; like she's an interesting object to look at.
Not that Dahlia was attractive enough to think that. Maybe if she had her full team of maids back home she could but all in all she was mostly plain to look at which only led her to further believe her dark gift is the cause of the bewilderment.
Whilst she walked, Dahlia made sure to maintain her posture, her composure reinforced and her manners flawless. Though she couldn't see the eyes that watch her, she can feel them grow even more curious at her all of the sudden. She doesn't let that push her out of her concentration though.
Maintaining this flawless mask, she enters through the front door of the Polaris International Academy proper and proceeds to wait for her day to begin.
- - -
Tsumi had finished drinking some coffee he was enjoying at the same cafe the trio were at yesterday, watching students migrate towards the academy and vehicles go to and from the docks that they were at yesterday.
Paying heed to the passersby he had been wondering what it is that the academy is hiding. He had noticed that in the pamphlet, it mentioned all of the facilities one would expect in a top of the line, world renowned academy. So what was it he was suspicious of?
The hill the academy is on. It's artificial.
The hill of the academy was huge and one may assume it was created by a superpowered ability but Tsumi checked to see and he could find no record nor any mention in this world's internet or gossip. He even discussed it with some elderly on his way to the cafe and they seemed to believe it was natural.
According to his research, Polaris Academy was here before the surrounding city was built so there would be no one but those in the academy who could know its creation. It seems Tsumi's theory about the hill being artificial likely rings true but whether it is cosmetic or has a deeper purpose, he'll have to find out.
A part of what he took with him, he prepared a bunch of scanners that use radar and electromagnetic signals to look for caves or hidden rooms. He has already set one but he needs to set up two more, one on top of the school and one just outside it.
Bell chimes, it is the eight thirty bell, heard all the way from the academy, reminding students that it is almost the start of the day. Tsumi needs to move too as he gets up and begins walking towards the school as well, a business suitcase in tow.
- - -
Dahlia entered the fourth floor of the academy and was shown to the office of Professor Suzuki. Entering the room, and the whole school itself, was a mix between modern and Spanish eclectic. Old light beige architecture and interior wood panelling accompanied by electrical outlets, avant-garde lighting and top of the line, sleek chrome-plated laptops is a common sight that clashes throughout the mansion.
Dahlia stopped outside of the office and took a seat in a chair to wait. The professor wasn't in at this time but would be any moment. Whilst she sat around, she noticed a small argument not too far from where she was between two students. They were a bit away and it was clear they were trying to be discreet but Dahlia could hear their conversation well despite it or at least what was being felt.
"Do you have your answer?" one of the students, a girl, asks the other.
"Sorry Hana, I'm going to have to turn you down…" the boy, now noticed to have blond hair, responded.
What are they talking about?
"...I don't think we're a good match." he continued.
Oh. I had forgotten.
In the academy Dahlia had gone to, it was rare for things such as confessions of love to be done openly. Usually it was because of modesty but also because more often than not, when one confessed it was normally with the intent of entering an affair. With nobility comes obligations and for most young nobles they either have their future marriage prospects limited or already set before they leave the womb. Dahlia is fortunate however that her parents never saw marriage as a business transaction.
Nevertheless, even with that a confession of love would always be done privately and not off to the side in a school corridor minutes before home room begins.
The female student cried at the news and ran off whilst the boy sighed and turned to go to class. He stops however once he notices Dahlia. He smiles easily despite what he just went through and starts walking towards the girl.
"Sorry you had to see that. Didn't want to but she was very clingy." the boy apologised.
The boy was quite good looking, with a symmetrical face and a well shaped nose. His blonde hair just tickled the back of his pierced left ear and his blue eyes would've made anyone understand why they'd become clingy.
"It would've been better if you had made it more private." Dahlia responded.
"Yeah well," the boy scratched the back of his head, "Didn't really have a lot of opportunities to do so until now."
Dahlia turned away from the boy and resumed sitting up straight, holding her hands on her knees.
"So, what's your name?" the boy asks.
"Dahlia McD- Novitin."
"Rolo Debore, but no need for formalities with me." the boy, now Rolo turned to look at the door to Suzuki's office, "Are you waiting for Suzuki? Did you get in trouble for something?"
"No I had not." Dahlia replied, offended slightly.
"Right, well I need to get to my class now but it was nice meeting you Dahlia!" the boy waved goodbye to her and Dahlia cordially waved back, though she still felt slighted by the boy's assumption.
Eventually after a few minutes more, the white haired man arrived and showed Dahlia into his office.
Entering Suzuki's office, it was spacious but lacked much identity, exempting a colourful bee plush sitting on a cabinet with the Polaris Academy's insignia on it. Suzuki is already at his desk and greets Dahlia as she enters.
"Hello Miss. Novitin, it is nice to see you again. Was your first night on Polaris pleasant?" he asks, setting down a pen and reaching his hand out to her.
Dahlia seats herself on a chair in front of the desk and shakes the man's hand.
"Yes, it was Professor. I have never been somewhere so hot however."
"Ah yes. The Polarisian sunshine can be hard to get used to, especially as we enter summer. You'll get used to it by the end of the week. Outside of that, how was the trip to the academy? I know some students lament the climb."
"It was a pleasant walk. The view was especially breathtaking."
As Dahlia recited her experience, Suzuki claimed some books from his cabinets and set them out on the desk.
"That is fantastic to hear. It is quite incredible. I have the books here you will be studying for your time here at the academy." he says, motioning to the books he placed down.
She accepts them and observes them. Some were health and fitness, others were about international law and others were all about learning about technology, cultures and mathematics. A hefty amount for what should be just a couple months.
"Would I have to go through all of these textbooks before my departure?"
"Oh, no. These textbooks are meant to be multi-year use. Now let me ask you what exactly is your ability? Your father has given me a description of it but how do you view it?" the teacher inquires.
"Well." Dahlia said nervously, "It allows me to produce and attack with giant dark tentacles coming from my back."
Whilst she spoke, Suzuki wrote down what she said, seemingly word for word. "Can you be more descriptive? How well can you manipulate them?"
"Not very, at least in terms of strength. I have.. struggled to hold back my strength when using them."
"I see." Suzuki flipped a page and continued, "And what is the strength of your tentacles?"
Dahlia recalls back to her short training on the Deadbolt. Alice had asked Dahlia to attack a steel box to see just how much force the tentacles have.
"They are strong enough to penetrate steel and can carry very heavy weights but crushes them in the process." she recalls accurately.
Suzuki immediately follows up the response, "And how long can you use these tentacles for?" leaning in slightly.
"I can use them in a short burst of about four or seven times before I almost pass out." she also accurately recalls.
"Physically or mentally?"
"Both."
Suzuki continued to ask Dahlia about her powers and she continued to tell what she knows about the tentacles and its limits before he finishes.
"Right then. Certainly your ability is quite different from most. Certainly a powerful superpower and one that I haven't seen in my years as a teacher but I have worked with more complicated powers before."
He finished his writing and closed his book and put it away into his desk. He stands up and steps around his desk to Dahlia who stands as well.
"Thank you Dahlia, I will inform your physical education teachers on your abilities and they can work on how they can fit it into their lessons. In the meantime, would you like to see your new classmates?"
As he was about to show her out and to the classroom Dahlia stopped him to ask one question. "If you don't mind my asking, why was I accepted into the Highlights class exactly?"
"Ah. Well, your test scores for one were perfect and the way your father had informed me of your achievements were certainly going to guarantee you a place in the top class."
Ok Dahlia thought. Dahlia was already aware that Tsumi had messed with her grades and tampered with the entrance tests. She knows she shouldn't think about it much but if she wants to blend in then she should try to be as close to how those tests portray her as possible. She asks Suzuki for a copy of that test and he happily obliges, chuffed at how studious the girl was.
I will read this later and find out what 'I' know.
As the two walk towards the classroom, students from other classes pass by, rushing to their homeroom as it is only seconds from the nine o'clock bell ringing. They reach a double door, leading into a classroom. Suzuki enters first, telling Dahlia to wait until he calls her in.
Looking into the classroom, Suzuki stands at his podium and calls out to the class to quiet and hear what he has to say. Some excitement as it seems they are already aware of a new student. All of this makes Dahlia nervous but not intimidated, she can do this. She can manage this.
Suzuki calls out to Dahlia and looks at her and beckons her in and as Dahlia steps foot into the classroom, it is time for her first day.