INSIGNIAS: THE REGALIS

Six students silently stared at the board in a classroom hall. The silence was deafening and heavy. The sound of the ticking of the clock competed with the loudness of their heartbeats. Each of them knew the purpose of their meeting and the tense atmosphere was eating them every second. They occupied the first three rows of chairs but no one sat beside anyone. Their Luxian uniforms were new and pressed for the occasion. A second seemed like eternity as the students waited for what’s to come.

A girl with straight long dark brown hair couldn’t stop herself from glancing at her companions. She looked relieved to see that it wasn’t just her who was restless and scared. Some of her companions’ whole bodies were tense. Some looked unfazed but they couldn’t hide the cold sweat rolling down their foreheads. Glancing at the huge door, she wondered what was taking them so long. Despite her fears, Margarette Whitemoore was eager to know and start. This year was nothing compared to her first years in the academy. The increasing fear grew with her anticipation and excitement for adventure. She couldn’t deny that she loved the outside world compared to the protection of the Lux Signifer Academy, the premier school of Concordians in Arconien. Only when she noticed a boy with black hair sitting near the door that she noticed she was grinning. His silver-coloured eyes looked at her as if she was crazy. Before she could give him a reaction, the door opened, making everyone turn toward it.

The academy pin twinkled on the man’s grey suit. The students silently watched the Luxian professor as he walked confidently toward the dais in front of the long white board. When he faced them, the students became more tense despite the smile plastered on his face. Only when he turned that Margarette noticed how young the professor was. She figured that he was in his early 20s unlike most of the professors in the Academy. His smile reached his ears, relieving Margarette of some of her nerves.

“Good Morning, students. I am Darius Granstire, an elemental teacher in Tempus Locus department,” he started.

“You are here because you are assigned together for your junior mission,” he stated excitedly. Margarette tried to hide her excitement but she couldn’t help grinning.

“But this is nothing compared to everything you experienced.” His smile fell with her own. He started talking about the mission, never smiling again. His presentation was brief and straightforward, including the risks they might encounter. Margarette slowly felt the reality sink in. We might actually die there… Glancing at her companions, she realized that she wasn’t the only one thinking about the possibility.

“That’s all,” the professor said, “Do you have any question?”

“Is it possible to die in this mission?” Margarette bit her lower lip. He asked. It was the black-haired boy who stared at her earlier.

“We can die anywhere anytime,” the professor said with a smile, making Margarette’s eyes widen.

“I will go now. Start getting to know each other and planning with your group.” Without waiting for the students’ response, he exited the classroom leaving them speechless and confused. Margarette reminded herself that the professors in the first and second years were a lot nicer.

“Did that just happen?” the girl with black hair asked with wide eyes staring at the door.

“Yes,” the boy behind her replied.

“He was only scaring us,” another boy replied. “Don’t think too much about it.” The girl in front of him with light brown hair turned to face him.

“My older sister actually told me how strict the teachers are in junior and senior.” The four started debating about her statement that Margarette felt left out. She wasn’t the only one. The boy who stared at her earlier didn’t seem to want to interact with anybody. He was stubbornly staring at the board.

“Oh we are sorry,” the girl with black hair exclaimed making Margarette look at her. “Let’s introduce ourselves first.”

“I agree,” the other girl with chestnut-colored hair replied. “We are a team now.” Margarette chest warmed.

“I’m Catherine from Scrobis Department. Call me Cathy,” the girl with black hair said with a smile as she looked between Margarette and the black-haired boy who was still staring at the board, ignoring them.

“Silver.” The girl with chestnut coloured hair stood and shook Margarette’s hand because she was the closest to her. “Also from Scrobis Department. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“My name is Arthur.” The boy behind him had beautiful blue eyes. “From Ventus Department.”

“Let’s get along.” The other boy had the most charming smile she had ever seen. “Call me Eliot, from Metallium Division.”

“I’m Margarette from Aqua Department.” She hoped she could get along with everyone. Silver gasped.

“There’s only a few Water elemental users in the academy,” she whispered. Margarette gave a shy smile.

“He didn’t introduce himself,” Arthur pointed out, glancing at the black-haired boy. Margarette turned to him, waiting for him to speak. He had his arms crossed against his chest while still staring at the board.

“Theodore,” he said, disinterested, “Fulgur.” An awkward silence followed.

“Since that’s settled. Let’s start planning.” It was Arthur who broke the silence. He seemed to like leading people. Margarette took a seat beside Silver. Catherine stood up and chose to accompany Eliot behind them. Theodore looked unwilling to sit near them but he finally gave in. He sat two chairs away from Margarette which made her frown.

The students started talking and planning their mission which most of them thought will be one of their greatest adventures yet.