The Selena Rose Academy

Today was the first day of the new year at the Selena Rose Academy, 32 new students had successfully gone through the application and interview process. As they were told, students headed into the main hall to receive a few words from the headmaster, he wasn’t much for speeches, but he figured it’d be easier on the students if they had a bit of an idea of what things were gonna be like here. The tall, tiger shifter stepped up to the stage and cleared his throat “Welcome, students. As you’re aware, this is the Selena Rose Academy, now don’t let the name throw you off. This school isn’t gonna be easy, your spirit will be broken and there will be times that giving up might be your best option, but if you have the courage and resolve to do it, these next four years will go by smoothly.” He started, keeping a serious look on his face, though his voice sounded quite joyful.


For nearly an hour, Benjamin’s speech involved rules, cheesy words of encouragement, and went over what the purpose of the school was; to train others in the art of combat. “...if you work hard and put in all of your effort into it, this school will be no trouble. Now, that my speech is over, I expect to meet you at the Battlegrounds. There you will show me a taste of what you can do and why you should stay here. You won’t be fighting anyone yet, you’ll just show me your skills and you’ll tell me a little bit about yourself. This will also determine which division you’ll be apart of, after everyone has been tested, you’ll be put into teams. Be aware that these teams are randomized, so you may be group with people from other divisions. Now, I’m aware of what you might be wondering.” Benjamin paused for a moment, taking a moment to catch his breath.


“You’re probably asking yourself ‘what’s the point of having divisions if we’re gonna be grouped with people outside our division?’, well that’s an excellent question. I believe it’s good for development to be surrounded by people with different combat styles. The people in the Knights division are training to become guards or soldiers, but there’s no harm in picking up some survival skills from your Chiefs teammate or some medicinal skills from you Royals teammate, and so on. Anyways, be at the Battlegrounds in one hour. Take the time here to get to know each other, as these people may very well be your teammates.” He stepped away from the microphone, waving. “That’ll be all!” He shouted before heading off once again. Silas and Jeremiah, two close friends. They had met during one of Silas’ visits to Betelgeuse and had journey together for a little while before deciding to enroll in the academy.


The two stayed behind for a little while, going around and meeting everyone they could find, becoming good friends with a pair of twins, two snake shifters named Alexandria and Maribelle, these two were adventurers themselves, but they wish to learn how to control their magic just a bit nicer. They had decided to do a bit of socializing themselves. Cain and his younger sister, Elizabeth were a priest and priestess respectively, while they didn’t care much for combat, they figured learning more about magic could quite useful for their development as followers of Lady Axelia, and if they could net a few new followers, that would make their stay so much nicer. They took a few moments to meet with a few people before deciding it was time to head off towards the Battlegrounds. As time went by, several other students began heading out towards the Battlegrounds, joining Cain and Elizabeth on the benches surrounding one of the battlefields. Standing in the center of the field was Benjamin and two other instructors, Crystal; a mercenary from Canis Majoris and Jacob, a former guard from Betelgeuse. They now awaited for everyone to arrive before getting the show on the road.

Ren listened to speech already, taking some notes inwardly, you know just if he needed some template when he was introducing himself to other students, although it was too long well maybe headmaster is better in fighting than giving public speeches, yeap probably that's it, Black-haired male decided to stay behind. he meet few new face's, having nice conversation and getting to know with someone was certainly refreshing, Adult followed the crowd which headed off towards Battlegrounds, he took the place next to Jeremiah and Silas "Hello, my name's Ren Hyouken pleased to met'cha" one could think that enthusiasm emanated from him.

Arriving at the main hall, Arizona and Hunter had slightly different reactions to being at a new place. Arizona was excited to start this new adventure, hopefully without anyone judging her this time because of her gender or place of birth, while Hunter was rather nervous. He had signed up to stay with Arizona, especially since they had just started dating a few weeks prior, but he was still nervous about being in such a new place.

Noticing that Hunter seemed rather nervous, Arizona took a hold of his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Hunter cracked a small smile and gently returned the squeeze, Arizona's presence having a soothing effect on him. With that, the two quietly listened to the speech, holding hands the whole time. Once the speech was over, Arizona turned to Hunter with a grin. "Well, what do you think we should do first? Talk to people or go to the Battlegrounds?" she asked excitedly.

Hunter thought for a few moments before responding "Maybe we should head to the Battlegrounds... better to be early than late." Arizona nodded in understanding and the two began to head off towards the Battlegrounds, talking, joking, and flirting.

Silas smiled as the man greeted them, "It's a pleasure, the name's Silas and the other one is Jeremiah." Before they could say anything else, the headmaster spoke up again. "Here, this'll determine what division you'll be with. Show us what you're made of... and if you disappoint, you'll be back in Betelgeuse." Benjamin warned, slamming the head of his weapon into the ground. "First up, Allen. Come and show off your stuff." He started, that serious expression never once leaving his face. "Arizona, followed by Hunter, Cain, and Elizabeth will be next."

Ren smiled back before he heard headmaster voice "Well it seems like it's my turn wish me luck." Exchanging last words he ran before leaping from higher point, then landing on arena ground, he steeped forward stopping few meters from Benjamin, acting according to the mood that was set, he didn't showed, goofy smiles, nor winks or stealing glance, he was serious, Ren put on two fire proof gloves on his hands.

"Before you start... tell me a little about yourself. Why should we keep you? How are you gonna convince me not to send you back to the mainland, hmm?" Benjamin rose an eyebrow. The other instructors with him used a special form of earth and cosmic magic, while they couldn't create life, they were able to make strange pieces of rock float up. "Afterwards, you'll show me how you well you can fight. If you can knock three of the five stones down in a minute, you'll pass, otherwise you'll be in Betelgeuse by the evening."

Ren took the thoughtful pose "Hmm, I'm Ren Hyouken, I've younger brother and sister, my father's adventurer while my mother was a mage, I like hot climate and fluffy creatures, I dislike Ice cream and syringes" he said shuddering at last one.
"As for why you should keep me the reason is. I'm going to become a teacher whenever in this academy or not, I'm going to have students which I could redirect here, more pleased people here means you would be far more famous and you would have far more power, practically win-win situation and if they learnt that I studied here after being impressed with my skill then you will have people banging in the doors begging you to invite them, so that's it" Ren reasoned in calm albeit strict voice.

"You seem to misunderstand the purpose of this academy. Fame means very little here, we're looking for only those who have the courage to better themselves. Besides, I've only taken on instructors whom I've met during my travels prior to the opening of the school." Benjamin paused, sighing a little. "I hope that you realize that at any moment while at this school, you could drop dead, you could be sent to war and you will fight with the Betelgeuse army, regardless of national origin. Do you understand that?"

Ren frowned, there was that aspect , school which sends it's students to war, he would say it's foolish, but in the world where teens go on adventure in wilds with various monstrosities that could kill any person who lets guard down "I may not understand that now, though I can see that world won't hold me by hand, so if I have to I will make the path on my own, even if it will be steep and upward." his eyes didn't waver, they showed certainty as he was dead set on the goal.

"The world is gonna beat you down, it's gonna keep beating you down and it's never gonna let up. In this world, words mean nothing if you can't back them up with steel." Benjamin responded before using his hammer to get the stones in motion around Ren. "Now, show me what you've got, boy. Show me that you have what it takes to survive here." The stones began flying around Ren in a very erratic motion, though they weren't very fast, they would take a bit of patience to hit.

((Sorry for late reply, it was foul replying after such a long time))

Ren glanced at them, they resembled him one of attractions in amusement park. 'I've one minute to hit, that's plenty of time' he smirked as he closed his eyes, clasping his hands as if he was praying, red hue covering his body appeared shortly after as he gathered the energy from surrounding which slowly got absorbed by his body, he was gathering it for avout 30 seconds..'That should be enough energy' smile crept on his face as he opened his lids, his fist set ablaze, he punched five times sending fire blast, which completely obliterated the stones.

While the display from Ren was impressive, the expressions on Benjamin, Crystal, and Jacob's faces remained unimpressed. "You did well, now get back in line. Your team and division will be determined soon." The headmaster stated. "Arizona Dent. Now, it's time for you to convince us to keep you here. Do you think you have what it takes, little girl?" Benjamin asked, his tone remained stern and serious. "Afterwards, it'll be Hunter's turn."

Ren nodded, smiling under nose and absorbing his red aura, he glanced at the public which seemed to be in awe, he thought they would think of it as passable but it seemed to made them impressed with his performance, he stepped towards white line and stood there waiting for other contestant to join him, while he waited for arizona to step down and make notes on her and other contestants, since they will be working together and basic knowledge of their capabilities would help in future when working with them.

((So sorry for not responding to this earlier ))

Arizona grinned excitedly when the headmaster said it was her turn. She grimaced a bit at being called 'little girl', though she tried not to let it show. She nodded in response to the question. She decided to introduce herself. "My name's Arizona and I'm an adventurer. My goal here is to be able to hone my skills enough so that I may be able to travel wherever my heart desires. I'm also hoping that I could find a way to end the civil war going on in my home country of Krita."

((You're alright, honey ))

In response to what Arizona said, Benjamin grinned. "That's exactly the answer I've been looking for... we're not preparing you to be famous or rich or anything like that. We're trying to make you stronger for reasons like you just said. I wonder if the world will turn in your favor, girl. I for one, would love to see Krita change. I hope you can back those words up with steel... or whatever you use." Much like with Ren, Benjamin used his warhammer to send the rocks flying around Arizona. "Let's see if you have the strength to change Krita, and perhaps you'll be an example to the rest of the whelps here."

((Shoot! This got buried in my notifications and I totally forgot about it! Sorry again ))

Arizona smiled at what Benjamin said, glad he seemed to approve of her ambitions and reasons for wanting to join the academy. She patiently waited for him to send the rocks flying around her before going into action. She patiently waited for a good opening before sending kicks flying towards the rocks and knocking them down. It took nearly the full minute, but she did manage to get three of them down. It seemed she did have some potential, though she did have room for improvement.

((You're fine, honey. There's no rush here. ))

"You've got plenty to learn, girl... but, that's what we're here for." Benjamin nodded his approval. "Hunter, get up here. You're next, little shifter." He ordered, slamming the hammer into the ground. "I can smell the blood of the wolf in you, let's see if you're as brave or as tough as the wolf... or perhaps you might be a coward, that is certainly a possible." Crystal and Jacob grinned, eager to see what's up next. "This is certainly a promising bunch of whelps... perhaps Majoria will be in good hands."

Arizona grinned happily when Benjamin nodded his approval. That grin remained on her face as she stepped down, though it fell slightly when Benjamin called Hunter 'little shifter'. She was obviously confused by this point, not knowing her boyfriend wasn't human. As she passed him while she stepped down and he stepped up, Arizona whispered "Did he just call you a shifter...? A wolf shifter...?" Hunter sighed a bit in defeat and hesitantly nodded before whispering "Yeah... can we talk about this later, though...?" in response. Arizona quietly nodded in response and the two finished passing each other, their exchange having lasted only a couple moments.

Benjamin's gaze hardened a bit, "What's the problem, little shifter? You're not ashamed of what you are, are you?" He asked curiously, "If so, well... you better get over it quickly. I can assure that your kind is most welcome here, we've got numerous shifters as both students and instructors, I'm one of the many shifters residing in the academy. Crystal and Jacob here are hybrids themselves." He sighed, motioning for his instructors to get the next test ready for Hunter.