A Dangerous Beginning
1792 Words
The moment I stepped through the gates of Apex Academy I knew I didn’t belong there.
The distinctive air held a special characteristic.
Heavier.
The location challenged my abilities yet I experienced the sensation because I was unable to describe it. The students around me moved between groups and solo standing yet they all shared one unifying characteristic.
Everyone possessed power.
The people possessed actual power.
I could detect their power through their walking style their eye contact with others and their complete absence of uncertainty. These individuals showed self-doubt just like wolves who do not recognize their powers. They possessed confidence and strength together with a dangerous aspect.
I represented everything which they were not.
I tightened my grip on the small bag I carried and forced myself to keep walking.
The first rule I had learned growing up taught me to conceal my inner feelings. I had learned to hide my feelings from others.
I walked to the registration hall while keeping my head up.
—
The process moved forward at an accelerated pace. The woman behind the desk rejected any further examination of my presence handing me a form without looking my way. “Name.”
“Kaiven Dorne.”
She paused for a second at my last name then looked up properly. “Ironclaw.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes remained on me until she decided to stamp the document. “Your assigned dormitory is indicated. The orientation program will begin soon. Timeliness is essential.”
“I won’t be” I replied.
She had already moved on to the next person.
I stepped away and glanced at the paper.
Dormitory Wing C. Room 17.
I exhaled slowly and folded it before heading in that direction.
The academy grounds exceeded my initial size estimates.
Stone buildings stretched across the land which connected by wide paths. Students engaged in training activities at various locations which included open areas where they practiced fighting with fast and precise movements.
I tried not to stare. But it was hard not to notice how easily they moved. How strong they looked. How different they were from me.
“Hey.”
Someone spoke behind me.
I continued walking without stopping.
“Hey I’m talking to you.”
A hand seized my shoulder.
I froze.
I turned my body at a slow pace.
Three males stood behind me. All older. All bigger.
Seniors.
“I need to know what you want” I said keeping my voice calm.
The one in front smirked. He had a scar running across his eyebrow. “You’re new.”
“Yes.”
He looked me up and down. “You don’t look like you belong here.”
I remained silent.
Another one stepped closer. “What pack are you from?”
“Ironclaw.”
That got their attention.
The first one raised a brow. “Ironclaw? That’s interesting.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Their heir is supposed to be strong” he said. “You don’t look strong.”
The group let out a few chuckles.
I felt the tension in my body rise but I kept my face calm.
“Looks can be misleading” I said.
He smiled slightly. “We’ll see.”
He shoved me before I could react. I stumbled back a step but caught myself.
“Is that it?” he asked. “That’s your balance?”
I clenched my jaw. “I’m not here for this.”
“Too bad” he said.
He moved fast.
He moved faster than I expected.
I barely managed to avoid his fist strike which came in my direction. He easily blocked my counterattack which I aimed at his side but he managed to grab my arm and twist it.
The pain shot through my body. I reacted on instinct shifting my weight and kicking at his leg.
I didn’t wait for them to attack again.
I ran away from the location. My heart pounded as I ran through the paths which I moved through with quick but unsteady steps. I could hear them following me even though I didn’t look.
Not far.
Too close.
I turned a corner quickly—
And slammed into someone.
The impact sent me stumbling and for a split second panic took over. Another attacker. I didn’t think. I reacted.
My hand shot up and I jabbed my fingers straight toward his eyes.
He didn’t even get a chance to speak. I didn’t wait to see what happened. I ran. I didn’t stop until I reached the dormitory.
I pushed the door open to enter the room and then I closed the door behind me.
The room contained complete silence.
I stood there for a moment listening. Nothing. No footsteps. No voices. I was alone.
I took my first step forward to explore the room.
The room exceeded my expectations for its size. Two beds. Two desks. The space appeared clean and everything was arranged in an orderly manner.
My eyes landed on something folded neatly on one of the beds.
A uniform. I walked closer. And then I saw it. Five marks. Five tiers. My breath caught. There was only one student in the entire academy with five tiers. I stepped back slightly.
The realization that I had just moved to share living space with the academy's highest achiever settled heavily inside my body.
A loud bell echoed across the academy.
I flinched slightly before forcing myself to move. I took one last look at the room before leaving. The hall was already filled when I arrived.
Students stood in organized ranks according to their rank. I moved toward the back blending in with the other juniors.
My eyes scanned the front. Important figures stood there. Instructors. Elders. Then I saw her. My mother. She stood among them, composed as always, her presence calm but commanding. We shared a brief moment of eye contact.
Her gaze remained on me for a short time. After that she turned her head. We shared the same distance as people who did not know each other. I swallowed. This was how it had to be. A voice broke the silence with this announcement.
“Attention.”
The audience members all became upright. The instructor who was speaking about the academy began to explain the rules and all of the expectations. I listened to him.
“The academy’s top student will begin rank assignments. Please welcome, Zevarion Kael,” the instructor announced.
Footsteps echoed through the space before applause erupted. I looked up. My heart fell. The person who stood before me was the same one I had attacked.
He stepped forward with a calm demeanor as if nothing had occurred. His expression remained peaceful whereas his eyes displayed sharpness.
Zevarion stood before everyone, his presence alone enough to silence the room. The room fell silent when he began to speak.
His voice maintained a controlled tone.
He said, “You are here because you were chosen.” The statement he made did not indicate that someone deserved to be there.
No one moved.
The people present showed no interest in your name or pack or status. “If you cannot prove yourself you will be removed.” His gaze moved across the room slowly. “You will follow the rules. You will train. And you will survive—if you can.”
His voice maintained a neutral tone.
He communicated his message with complete assurance.
He began to announce the names.
He called out each name.
The students received their rankings.
The students stepped forward to collect their marks before returning to their previous position.
I waited.
My chest felt tight.
My mind moved at high speed.
Then—
“Kaiven Dorne.”
I stepped forward.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
I stopped in front of him.
Up close, he was even more intimidating. His height and strength made him a more intimidating presence. His presence felt overwhelming.
He looked at me.
And for a brief second—
Something flickered in his eyes. Recognition. My heart pounded. He stepped closer. Too close.
His hand went up. He moved his hand toward my chest.
Panic hit instantly.
Without thinking—
I slapped him. The sound echoed through the hall. Everything went silent. I froze. All the people in the room focused their attention on me.
What did I just do?
Of course he would touch my chest, I am a man!
Think.
I said quickly, “Bug.” There was a bug.
The room fell silent Zevarion remained frozen in place without showing any response. He just looked at me. For a long second. Then he lowered his hand.
He said, “Congratulations,” in a neutral tone.
His expression remained unchanged as if no event had occurred.
I smsmiled.
After he finished marking my rank he moved on without speaking more. The ceremony continued after he marked my rank. I left the ceremony after it finished. I moved quickly, trying to leave before anyone could stop me.
“Kaiven.”
I froze.
That voice.
I turned.
My mother stood behind me.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
“You are forgetting yourself,” she said quietly.
“I didn’t mean to—”
“It does not matter what you meant,” she cut in. “What matters is what people see.”
I swallowed.
“One more mistake,” she continued, “and everything will fall apart.”
“I understand,” I said.
She maintained eye contact with me until she faced away from me. I returned to my dorm slowly. My mind was still racing. Everything had gone wrong. Everything.
I pushed the door open—
And froze. He was there. Sitting on the bed. Zevarion Kael. My roommate. His gaze lifted to meet mine. For a moment we both chose to remain silent.
Then he stood.
“You,” he said.
My chest tightened.
“Yes,” I replied.
He walked closer. He walked closer to me.
“You attacked me,” he said.
“I did those things to protect myself.” I tried to defend my actions.
His expression remained unchanged. “And the hall?”
“I received a misunderstanding about the situation.”
Silence.
He exhaled a soft breath.
“You’re either reckless or hiding something.”
“Neither,” I replied.
That response seemed to make him angry.
“Then stay out of my way,” he said.
“Take your own advice.” I retorted.
Another pause.
Then he turned and walked toward the door.
His hand rested on the door knob, he turned to look at, “If you cause problems,” he said, “you won’t last here.”
- Writer
