"Liam"
"Uhhh…"
"Liam."
"Five more minutes…"
"LIAM EVANS, WAKE UP THIS INSTANT!"
I opened my eyes thanks to the scream that completely destroyed my beautiful dream.
I'll miss you, Sugar City...
The first thing I see is my sister's angry face.
I wish this was a dream.
Well... maybe...
"Is this a nightmare?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"It will be if you don't get up right now. You're going to be late for the academy if you don't hurry. Mom already made breakfast," my sister said, arms crossed.
In a flash, I jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom to get ready.
The academy... they'd been talking about it to me ever since I was little. When I asked what it was for, Mom and Dad said I'd learn lots of things there.
I never really understood what they meant. My parents and sisters already taught me how to read, write, and do math at home.
It was a bit later, when I saw my sister and Brother Ethan making lights with their hands, that I asked what that was. They told me it was mana, and that I'd learn to use it once I turned ten and went to the academy.
And finally, that day came.
I got dressed fast, ate breakfast even faster, and said goodbye to Mom, Dad, and Uncle James after learning that my siblings were the ones taking me.
Well… technically, Ethan isn't my brother. He's my sister's boyfriend.
They told me that means they have a relationship kind of like Mom and Dad's.
But Ethan's here almost all the time, he plays with me a lot, and he's nicer than my sister.
So...
Ethan is my brother.
It was so exciting. For the first time ever, I was going to Nexington, the most important city in all of Nexus. That's where Avalon is, the Evans academy.
The chauffeur drove us from our house to the entrance of Nexington. Since we heard through the comm device that there was traffic today, Brother Ethan decided it was better if we got dropped off at the city gates, since the academy was only about forty minutes away on foot.
Forty minutes...
But oh well, at least I'd get a better look at the city.
And...
It was amazing.
I'd seen it in videos before, but seeing it live was so much better.
The buildings were massive, like they were trying to touch the sky. The streets were huge, and there were thousands of people walking everywhere.
There were all sorts of vehicles, in every shape and size. Just like in the movies!
There were screens and holograms everywhere advertising businesses, products, and TV shows.
So cool!
I wanted to stay and look at everything, but my annoying big sister had me by the hand and wouldn't let me stray off the path.
Without thinking, I made a face of annoyance.
She noticed…
"What's wrong with you?" she asked in a threatening tone.
"Nothing," I said quickly, lowering my head and walking a little faster.
"He's probably nervous. First time away from home and first day of the academy," said Brother Ethan.
"Oh, really?" my sister said, her expression softening.
Thank you, Brother Ethan. That's why you're my favorite.
"Yeah… a little," I said, putting on a sad face (totally fake).
"I see… Look, the academy's not bad. It's a place designed especially for Evans kids between the ages of ten and seventeen. So, you'll be in a class with kids your own age," my sister explained.
"You'll also learn how the internal structure of the clan works," Ethan added.
"And most importantly... you'll learn to use mana and how to fight. That's the best part!" my sister said, with a scary smile on her face...
We walked a bit further until Brother Ethan said.
"Looks like we're getting close."
In the distance, I saw a building smaller than the others. It looked completely different from everything else, like the final boss castle in a video game.
So cool!
After a few more minutes of walking, I realized it was in a part of the city far away from the other buildings and businesses.
It was surrounded by a huge garden, way bigger than the one at our house.
Super cool.
But before we could enter, we had to pass through these gigantic gates guarded by two soldiers. Just like in video games.
"Name," one of them said in a deep voice as we arrived.
"Liam Evans," my sister answered.
The guard checked a list in his hand, then nodded to the man beside him. Suddenly, the giant doors swung open.
"Enter," he said.
"Liam, this is where Ethan and I leave you. Remember, your class is 1-B. Don't get into too much trouble, or I'll come back and kick your butt," my sister said, staring me down.
"Look who's talking," Ethan muttered beside her.
"Shut up," my sister snapped, a vein popping on her forehead.
Brother Ethan is so brave... I want to be like him when I grow up.
"Sis, will you pick me up after the academy today?" I asked.
"No, Liam. Ethan and I have a mission. We'll be gone for a few days."
Oh....
"Okay. Good luck to both of you."
"Thanks. You too," my sister said, with a soft smile I hardly ever see.
I waved goodbye one last time and finally walked in.
I followed a path of white stones through the garden. After a while, I saw a big courtyard where a bunch of students of different ages were standing in lines.
At the front of each line was an adult with a hologram behind them showing letters and numbers. I looked until I saw one that said 1-B. There were several kids my size there.
That must be my class.
The teacher looked pretty young. She had blonde hair, honey-colored eyes, and was about as tall as Mom, though something about her gaze reminded me a little of Uncle James.
I stood at the end of the line.
The principal came out and started talking… boring stuff.
He just welcomed us. Nothing important. (I didn't really listen.)
The teacher led us to the classroom.
It was big... but kind of empty.
There was a huge window overlooking the garden that lit up the whole room. The chairs looked super comfy, and each one had a desk.
There were twelve. Same number as us students.
Looking closer, I noticed each desk had a name written in the corner.
Everyone started looking for theirs.
When I found mine, I sat down. Just like I thought, super comfy.
The teacher stood in front of us, next to the board.
"Students, lift the compartment under your desk," she said in a firm tone.
I immediately reached under my desk to find it.
When I got it open, the first thing I saw was a neatly folded uniform inside a bag with my name on it.
A few seconds later, the teacher spoke again.
"That's the academy uniform. If it ever gets torn or damaged, you can request a new one. It's tradition for students to receive them in the classroom on their first day."
"Please put on the vest over your current shirt and check if your name and class are correct," she instructed.
When I opened the bag, there was a long-sleeved black shirt and black pants. The vest was also black, with red and gold accents.
I liked it. It looked nice.
On the left side, right over the heart, there was a golden dragon crest. On the right, my name and class in golden letters.
I put on the vest like the teacher said. It fit perfectly. The crest sat right over my heart.
Now that I think about it... Mom measured me a few days ago. Maybe it was for this?
"Students, it looks like everything's in order and everyone's present. So we'll begin our first class."
"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Amelia Evans, Rank 1 member, and I'll be your teacher for the year."
"In this first class, I'll explain how the academy works, where you'll spend the next seven years. And above all, I'll explain how mana works and what it can do."
"I know that, since you're all children of clan members and mana users, you probably already know some of what I'll say. But not everything, because training a child in mana before the age of ten and before they start at the academy is not recommended. And I'll explain why in a moment," the teacher said.
Oh... so that's why Mom , Dad and my siblings never explained much about mana.
"Well then, without further delay… let's begin the lesson."