As the evening settled over Rising Star
Academy, the first-year students gathered in the grand hall for supper. The
hall was an enormous room with high, vaulted ceilings adorned with banners
representing each element. Long tables stretched across the hall, laden with
food that looked more like a feast than a simple meal. The atmosphere was
lively, with students of all years laughing and talking as they filled their
plates.
Lifu, Tia, and Tumo found a spot at one of the tables near the centre of the hall. The food was even more varied and abundant than Lifu had imagined—roasted meats, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and an assortment of fruits and sweets that made his mouth water. Despite his exhaustion from the day’s training, Lifu’s spirits were lifted by the sight of the food and the camaraderie of his fellow students.
“This place is amazing!” Tumo exclaimed as he piled his plate high with food. “I think I could get used to this.”
Tia nodded, her sharp teeth flashing in a grin as she bit into a piece of roasted chicken. “They sure know how to treat their students. I guess they want to make sure we’re well-fed before they put us through the wringer tomorrow.”
Lifu smiled and started to fill his own plate, his thoughts still swirling from the day’s events. He couldn’t help but glance around the hall, taking in the sight of the older students who seemed so confident and at ease. They moved in groups, their uniforms marked with different colours to indicate their year and rank. It was clear that there was a strong sense of hierarchy at the academy, with the upperclassmen holding a certain authority over the younger students.
As they settled in to eat, the first-years began to chat among themselves, sharing stories of their hometowns and discussing the day’s training. The mood was light and friendly, with everyone eager to make new friends and find their place in this new environment.
But the peaceful atmosphere didn’t last long.
As Lifu was reaching for a piece of bread, he felt a shadow fall over him. He looked up to see a tall, broad-shouldered student standing at the edge of their table, flanked by two others who wore identical smirks. The older student’s uniform was marked with the insignia of a second-year, and the badge on his chest indicated that he was already ranked as a Warrior Elite, a title that carried significant weight at the academy.
“So, you’re the big-shot first-year with the dual affinity,” the second-year student sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “Lifu, was it? Quite the name for someone who grew up in the sticks.”
The hall seemed to grow quieter as nearby students turned to watch the interaction, sensing the tension in the air. Lifu felt a flush of anger rise in his chest, but before he could respond, Tumo was already on his feet, his ears twitching with irritation.
“Hey, back off!” Tumo snapped, his tail lashing behind him. “Lifu’s done nothing to you. What’s your problem?”
The second-year student’s smirk widened as he glanced at Tumo, clearly unimpressed. “My problem is that this academy is supposed to be for the best of the best. And I don’t see how some farm boy with a fancy light show is going to live up to that.”
Tia stood up as well, her fiery eyes narrowing as she stepped up beside Tumo. “You’ve got a lot of nerve coming over here just to pick a fight with a first-year. Jealous much?”
The second-year’s grin faded slightly, replaced with a look of irritation. “Jealous? Of him? Don’t make me laugh. Just because he’s got a dual affinity doesn’t mean he’s going to amount to anything. You need skill, discipline, and experience—none of which he’s got.”
Lifu felt the weight of the words, a mix of anger and doubt swirling inside him. He wanted to stand up for himself, to prove that he belonged here just as much as anyone else, but the second-year’s words had hit a nerve. The truth was, he didn’t have the experience or the training that these older students had. All he had was raw potential, and potential alone wasn’t enough to earn their respect.
Tumo’s fur bristled, and Tia clenched her fists, but before either of them could say anything else, a new voice cut through the tension.
“That’s enough, Thabo.”
The second-year student—Thabo—turned to see a prefect approaching, his expression stern. The prefect was a third-year, his uniform adorned with several badges that marked him as one of the top students in the academy. He was tall and imposing, with an air of authority that immediately silenced the hall.
“You know the rules,” the prefect continued, his voice calm but firm. “First-years are to be left alone during their first month. It’s an adjustment period, and they need time to acclimate without being harassed by older students.”
Thabo scowled but didn’t argue. The prefect’s authority was absolute, and challenging him would only lead to trouble. “Fine,” Thabo muttered, shooting Lifu one last disdainful look. “But don’t think this is over, farm boy. You’re not going to last long here if you keep hiding behind your friends.”
With that, Thabo and his goons turned and walked away, leaving the hall buzzing with whispers and speculative glances.
“Thanks,” he said quietly, looking up at the prefect. “I appreciate it.”
The prefect gave him a brief nod. “Don’t let them get to you. Everyone’s got something to prove here, and some people think that tearing others down is the way to do it. Just focus on your training, and let your actions speak for themselves.”
With that, the prefect walked away, leaving Lifu to process what had just happened. Tumo and Tia sat back down, their expressions still angry but tempered by relief.
“Those jerks,” Tumo muttered, his tail flicking irritably. “I’d like to see them try that again.”
Tia shook her head, her fiery spirit undiminished. “Don’t worry about them, Lifu. They’re just trying to get under your skin because they’re threatened by you. You’ve got something they don’t, and they know it.”
Lifu managed a small smile, grateful for their support. “Thanks, you two. I’m lucky to have friends like you.”
The rest of the meal passed without further incident, but the encounter with Thabo lingered in Lifu’s mind. It was a harsh reminder that the academy wasn’t just about training and learning; it was also a place where competition and rivalry thrived. He would need to stay strong, not just in his abilities, but in his resolve to prove that he belonged.
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