It was a clear, crisp morning when the first-year students were summoned to the Great Hall. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as they filed in, the massive chamber echoing with murmurs of over a hundred voices.
Lifu, Tia, Tumo and Leila found seats together near the middle of the hall. It wasn’t long before the prefects began to take their places on the stage, signalling that the assembly was about to begin.
At the centre of the group stood a tall, imposing figure with sharp features and a commanding presence—Khaeda, the head prefect. Her eyes swept over the gathered first-years, and the murmurs gradually died down as she prepared to speak.
“Welcome, first years,” Khaeda began, her voice resonating through the hall with a calm authority. “You have survived your first month at Rising Star—a feat in itself. But surviving is not enough. You came here to become the best, and that means pushing yourselves beyond what you thought possible.”
“Today, we are here to introduce you to two of the most important aspects of your life at this academy—two systems that will define your progress and determine your standing among your peers. The Placement Chart and the Battle Chart.”
The hall fell into an attentive silence as the students listened, their curiosity piqued.
“The Placement Chart,” Khaeda explained, “is a system that ranks students strictly according to their year. For you, that means Year One. Throughout the year, you will earn points based on your achievements—completing missions, excelling in your studies, and so on. Your rank will influence many aspects of your time at the academy, including access to resources, privileges, and opportunities.”
Khaeda’s sharp eyes swept over the crowd, emphasising the importance of her next words. “The Placement Chart is mandatory. Every student is ranked, and your progress will be monitored closely. This is not a competition you can opt out of.”
Lifu exchanged a glance with his friends, all of them understanding the gravity of what was being said. The Placement Chart would impact their entire experience at the academy, shaping their opportunities and benefits.
“But the Placement Chart is not the only way to prove yourself,” Khaeda continued, a faint smile playing on her lips. “For those of you who wish to test your skills more directly, there is the Battle Chart.”
A ripple of excitement ran through the hall at the mention of the Battle Chart. Lifu could feel the energy in the room shift as the first-years began to understand what this meant.
“The Battle Chart,” Khaeda said, “is for those who wish to show their prowess through combat. It is a ranking system open to all students, regardless of year. You can challenge your peers to duels, and if you are victorious, you will gain points and climb the chart. The higher your opponent is ranked, the more points you can earn. A draw will earn you a single point, a win three points, and if you defeat someone ranked at least ten spots higher than you, you will earn 5 points.”
Khaeda’s smile widened slightly as she continued, her tone taking on a more challenging edge. “But it doesn’t end there. Once you enter the top one hundred, the stakes become even higher. You will be eligible for monthly rewards—rewards that grow more significant the higher you climb. If you defeat someone in the top one hundred, you automatically take their spot.”
Lifu’s heart raced at the prospect. The Battle Chart was a chance to prove yourself in the most direct way possible. But it was also clear that the higher you climbed, the more challenging it would become. The idea of competing for a place in the top one hundred was exhilarating, but it also meant that the risks would increase exponentially.
“The Battle Chart is voluntary,” Khaeda emphasized. “You do not have to participate if you do not wish to. But those who seek glory, will find their place here. However, be warned—once you enter the top one hundred, you become a target. Others will come for your spot, and you must be ready to defend it.”
Tia leaned over to Lifu, her eyes wide with excitement. “Can you imagine? If we get into the one hundred, we could start earning rewards—real rewards. And the chance to fight against the best…”
Lifu nodded, feeling the same surge of excitement. The Battle Chart was an opportunity unlike any other, but it was also a challenge that would demand everything they had.
Khaeda’s voice drew their attention back as she continued. “In addition to the ranking systems, there is another important aspect of life at the academy that you must be aware of—the clubs. You now have access to join one or more clubs, each of which has its own goals and benefits. These clubs are not just extracurricular activities, they are integral to your growth as students and as future leaders.”
Another prefect, a tall boy with dark hair and a serious expression, stepped forward to elaborate. “The clubs at the academy are diverse, catering to a wide range of interests and skills. Whether you are a fighter, a mage, a strategist, or have a passion for a particular field, there is a club for you. Some of the most popular include the Fighters Club, where students can hone their combat skills; the Sorcery Club, which focuses on advanced magical studies; the Tamers Club, where students work with and train magical creatures.”
He paused, letting the information sink in before continuing. “Joining a club can offer you many advantages—access to specialised training, mentorship, and opportunities to participate in exclusive events. The club you join will influence your path at the academy and possibly beyond, so it’s important to find the one that aligns with your goals.”
Khaeda stepped forward again, her authoritative presence drawing everyone’s attention back to her. “There are already booths set-up in the academy grounds, for today and the rest of the week, you are encouraged to visit each one and acquire information. Some of you may be approached by club representatives, based on your performances thus far. We advise you not to take this lightly and accept blindly, the clubs are another chance for you to show your potential and begin forging your legacy.”
Khaeda stared out at the first-years and smiled. “The Battle Chart, the Placement Chart, and the clubs—these are all tools that will help you on your journey. Use them wisely, and push yourselves beyond your limits!”
With that, the assembly was dismissed, and the hall erupted into excited chatter as the first-years processed everything they had just learned.
“So, what do you guys think?” Tia asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Are we going to go for the Battle Chart? I mean, we’ve already proven we can handle ourselves in a fight. This could be our chance to really make a name for ourselves.”
Lifu nodded eagerly. “Definitely. I mean, it’s not like we’re going to just sit back and let everyone else have all the fun.”
Leila, always the voice of reason, spoke up with a more measured tone. “It’s a great opportunity, but we need to be smart about it. The competition will be fierce, especially as we get higher up on the chart. We’ll need to train even harder if we want to stand a chance. There’s no need to rush into it.”
Lifu nodded in agreement, his thoughts already turning to strategy. “Leila’s right. We have to approach this carefully. The Battle Chart is going to be tough, but if we work hard and keep improving, we can do it. And the Placement Chart… that’s something we can’t ignore either. We need to stay on top of both if we want to succeed here.”
The group fell into a thoughtful silence as they walked, each of them considering what the future might hold for them at Rising Star Academy. The introduction of the ranking systems had added a new layer of pressure, but it also brought with it the promise of greater rewards and recognition. It was clear that from this point forward, every decision, every action, would have a direct impact on their standing within the academy.
As they exited the Great Hall and made their way across the academy grounds, the crisp morning air filled with the scent of autumn leaves, Lifu couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The stakes were higher now, but so were the opportunities. They had already proven themselves capable in the initial tests, but this was an entirely different kind of challenge—one that would require them to balance their training, their studies, and their ambitions.
***
Lifu glanced at each of his friends, considering their strengths and personalities. “I think we should each pick a club that suits our strengths. We’ve got a good mix of skills between us, so we might not all end up in the same club. But that could work to our advantage—we could gather more resources and knowledge that way.”
Tumo agreed with Lifu’s point. “That makes sense. We’ll cover more ground if we diversify a bit. Let’s take some time to check out the different clubs and see what they offer. We don’t have to rush the decision, but we should definitely be on the lookout for opportunities.”
As they reached a crossroads in the academy grounds, where the paths diverged toward the different dormitories and training areas, they paused to consider their next steps.
“I think we should split up for now,” Lifu suggested. “Let’s each do some research on the clubs that interest us, and maybe talk to some of the older students to get their insights. We can meet up later and compare notes.”
“Good idea,” Tia said. “I’m definitely interested in checking out the Fighters Club. I want to see what kind of training they offer and who’s in charge.”
“I’ll look into the Sorcery Club,” Leila said. “They’re supposed to have some of the best magical resources in the academy. It could be a great opportunity to deepen my knowledge of magic—and maybe pick up some new techniques.”
Tumo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’m not sure yet which club I want to join, but I’ll head over to the Tamer Club. It could be interesting to learn more about working with mythical creatures.”
Lifu nodded, thinking over his own options. “I’ll check out a few different clubs and see what catches my interest. We’ll regroup later and decide how we want to move forward.”
With their plan in place, the group split up, each heading off in different directions to explore the academy’s offerings. Lifu made his way toward the central courtyard, where club representatives had set up booths and displays to attract new members. The courtyard was bustling with activity, students milling about as they checked out the various clubs and talked to the older students who were running them.
Lifu wandered through the rows of booths, taking in the wide variety of clubs available. There were clubs dedicated to combat, magic, strategy, alchemy, beast taming, and more—each offering unique benefits and opportunities. The sheer number of options was overwhelming, but Lifu knew that choosing the right club could make a significant difference in his development at the academy.
As he moved through the crowd, a booth near the centre of the courtyard caught his eye. The banner above it read “Explorers Club,” and the booth was manned by a tall, lanky student with a wide grin and a map spread out in front of him.
Curious, Lifu approached the booth. “What’s the Explorers Club all about?” he asked.
The student’s grin widened as he rolled up the map and leaned forward. “Ah, the Explorers Club is for those who seek adventure and discovery! We’re all about exploring the uncharted territories around the academy—and beyond. We go on expeditions to find hidden treasures, ancient ruins, and rare resources.”
Lifu was intrigued. The idea of exploring the unknown and discovering hidden places appealed to him, especially since it would require a combination of combat, strategy, and teamwork.
“What kind of resources do you have?” Lifu asked, curious to know more.
The student tapped the rolled-up map with a knowing smile. “We’ve got access to some of the best maps and information in the academy. We also have specialised training in navigation, survival, and resource management. You keep what you find, as long as it’s not priceless. And of course, there’s the thrill of discovery—if you’re the first to find something valuable, it could really boost your reputation.”
Lifu considered the possibilities. The Explorers Club wasn’t focused solely on combat, but it offered a chance to develop a wide range of skills and gain valuable experience in different environments. Plus, it seemed like a club that could provide unique opportunities outside of the traditional paths.
“Thanks for the info,” Lifu said, nodding to the student. “I’ll think about it.”
The student gave him a friendly salute. “No rush! The club’s open to anyone with a spirit of adventure.”
As Lifu continued to explore the courtyard, he took note of other clubs that caught his interest. The Alchemy Club promised advanced studies in potion-making and magical concoctions, while the Strategy Club focused on honing tactical and strategic thinking, offering simulations and scenarios to test students’ minds. Each club had its own appeal, and Lifu found himself torn between several options.
After spending some time talking to different representatives and gathering information, Lifu decided it was time to regroup with his friends. They had agreed to meet up at the training grounds to share what they had learned and make some decisions.
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