Awake within the Strangest Garden

'Third floor of the Eastern Residency Block, room…uh 221B.' He eagerly read the address of what would be his new home for the next four years after opening the page of his Notebook.

As the delivery driver from Spirit Ferries finished packing the rest of his luggage into their transport vehicle, he offered Shynerai a ride to the residency but he kindly declined. So the aid entered the vehicle and saw him off, heading off to deliver his contents as soon as possible.

Shynerai took a few moments to remember the time he spent there, his sights began by the front door and soared to the end of the windowpane on the top floor, marking the last room in the house, a sigh of relief was let out…as he ventured off with a smile.

This time he didn't have the opportunity of being late so Shynerai opted to take a cab through Deep City.

The vibrant lights and atmosphere that seemed to be beaming from every corner of the city coupled with the inviting allure of the various locations, people and entertainment hotspots that garnered more exploration were a bit too overwhelming for someone who spent most of their life in a remote village.

Though when he first made his way to the Academy the temptation of the city still permeated, Shynerai could only assume that he was too distracted to notice…that and his hair might have been in the way.

The idea causes a slight chuckle because it didn't matter, this was the true face of Deep City…and it was exhilarating.

As they made their way through the bright streets, the driver shared with Shynerai a bit of trivia on the most notable parts of the area including landmarks and the best routes for getting around.

The drive took only twenty minutes before they arrived at his destination.

"Cross Gardens Estate" Is what he read off the plaque that welcomed them in. They stopped by the security toll that guarded the entrance and exit into the location. They were easily let through after the guard had verified his ID as a Trinity Cross student with the use of his Notebook.

Shynerai found it strange that all the guard asked for was his Notebook but after the guard returned it, he offered them a map of the residence and set the driver off, he understood that the Notebook would be an essential part of his life here…gripping the small book even tighter at the thought.

The layout of the estate was true to its name.

There were four main housing blocks made up of three adjacent buildings, aside from the Southern Residency which acts as the place for student and staff recreation facilities, not to mention holding a few academic facilities such as labs, libraries, study halls, etc.

The Eastern Residency housed the male students of the Academy from Year one to Year three and the Western Residency accommodated all the female students with both housing blocks separating the various years by their respective building.

As for the Northern Residency, dwelled fourth years along with the Academy staff , being the only place on the estate with their wings for recreation built into the buildings so that they don't have to venture to the Southern Residency.

At the epicenter of the estate was the Glissaint Plaza connecting the various locations of the estate and acting as an efficient means of travel between the estate and the Academy. Between the residences lie vast gardens of differing flora.

Thanks to the map built into the Notebook, he managed to find his residence building quite easily. His room, 221B being on the third floor of the First-year building.

When he entered the room he found it was already furnished among other things, it had the boxes filled with his personal effects, something he found a bit surprising since he needed to use his Notebook to enter the room.

'This place has some strange security' Shynerai thought fancifully as he closed the door behind him before throwing himself onto his bed…now with an expression of relief brandished across his benumbed chestnut countenance.

On the following morning, the warm touch of the rising dawn had managed to peer the blinds and drew him from out his somnolent grasp:

"Oh– it's already morning." Shynerai remarked with a fatigued tone before wiping the sleep from his eyes as he tried to gather his strength.

Shock quickly crept upon him before resting as an expression of dread

"...It's the first day of school. I have to get ready or I'll be late-wait a minute, the pains gone…" Shynerai nearly panicked as he rushed out of bed and searched for his Notebook, while flexing his left arm, doing his best to stretch the limb in search of any sort of pain.

'I guess the doctor was right when he said I should take it easy…just hope I haven't lost too much movement in my arm" Staring down at his hand as he was reminded of how he had received the wound.

'…I can't afford to fall behind, I don't have that luxury.' Shynerai resolved himself as he clenched his fist before heading to his bathroom to freshen up.

A little time under an hour and he was already dressed with his white, black and gold uniform now on and making sure not to forget his Notebook, he finally set off. 

The chest he received came with three distinct uniform sets, one for daily attendance which was the standard trousers and blazer for males while the females had a skirt and blazer, with the choice of pull-over, cardigan or vest. For the males they received a unique scarf or tie while the females can don ties or ribbons. They had their personal choice for shoe ware.

The second uniform set were the combat uniforms meant for Guardian activities and the P.E training set.

To try and avoid arriving late, grabbed some lunch from the dorm-room cafeteria and skipped breakfast as he began his jog to the Academy. Since he left for his last Entrance Exam, Shynerai wanted to do all he can to try and hide from any unwanted attention from the citizens of the Deep City.

Making his way to the security toll, he tried to think of a different route that might take him to the Academy…but he was quickly snapped out of his train of thought by the security guard on duty as he was unknowingly running into the boom.

"Hey, watch it!"

"Oh…oh sorry sir, I was a little lost in thought" He answered to the guard before making his way past the boom and through the entrance, but again the guard called to him once more.

This time as Shynerai turned to ask if he wanted to see his ID, he simply motioned to him that it was alright, and instead asked if he planned on traveling the distance to the Academy on foot when he can simply use the Off-Campus Tram system, available at Plaza.

"A tram…what's that?" A nervous laugh slipped out of the guard as he asked what he was talking about.

"Huh, oh you must be one of the first years, well it's a kind of transport system that connects all of the school's off-campus facilities directly to the Academy's campus. If you head down to and past the Southern Residency, you find yourself at the Glissaint Plaza, it's there you'll find the station. Beats walking any day."

"Really, thank you, sir. I'll get going right away". 

"Kid, if we're going to keep bumping into each other, you can at least call me by my name. Just Mr Lain, no sir. I'm only twenty-nine after all".

"O-okay. You can call me Erai." A surprised Shynerai made his way to the Plaza.

When he arrived, he found several students already waiting for the next tram, following an indicator on his Notebook, he was given the travel times and where to wait for the next trip to the Academy. Signing in for his ticket he finally made his way aboard the arriving tram. Once all the students were on, the doors closed behind them and the car set off.

Shynerai only had a moment to take a seat before the sensation of the accelerating tram damn near pinned him into it, while the rest of the students in the car simply continued with their interactions without skipping a beat. The rapid flashes of the overhead tunnel lights

The trip lasted only three short minutes before coming to an easy stop at the next station. Shynerai saw the other students disembark and merely assumed that they had arrived and so he followed suit.

The students quickly got off and made their way, leaving the station in various directions to their own devices.

The Off-campus tram system had stopped by one of four Academy stations, though the one he was at happened to be the nearest one to the front gate. After he finished looking at the tram-way map hung on the wall in the station, he raced for the front gate as fast as possible…approaching the Academy he caught a glimpse of a man who looked eerily familiar.

The figure standing guard by the front gate was Professor Colt and immediately after he noticed the approaching student running for the gate, he promptly began shutting it, but Shynerai wasn't prepared to give up when he was already so close. 

Taking off his blazer, the boy's pace changed from a jog to a vicious spirit but Dr. Colt wasn't going to make this easy for him either.

Shynerai saw an opening beneath the doctor's arm and met his challenge by sliding beneath, through the closing gates and into the schoolyard…while he took a moment to catch his breath, he found his relief to be cut short as the doctor halted his stride by the grasp of his collar, when he looked back, he found a satisfied smirk on the his face.

"Hello there young man, are you aware that tardiness is unacceptable in our institution. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Sorry sir, it won't happen again" Shynerai responded with a stern expression masking a nervous smile beneath.

"No excuse is it, do you think I'll simply let this slide since it's your first offense" His smile gave out a chuckle

"Well…you'll come to make proper penance. I can assure you of that"

"But for now, hurry up to the assembly, you're already late. Your Student Representative has already begun giving their Introductory Speech for your first-year group. For your sake, DO NOT MISS IT!"

"Understood sir, I swear to make amends for my behavior" Shynerai apologized with a sincere bow after Dr Colt set him down before racing off and away from him…all the while trying to mend his frayed collar and putting on his jacket.

'Now where is everyone…this way maybe'

'Ping! The assembly is being held at the main quad located in front of the First Assembly Hall. Head west from your current location for one hundred and twenty-five meters'

"Wait what was that…my Notebook…that's n—no question for another time, I'm going to be late. It's said west right" He charged off into the direction of the path the Notebook provided.

'Ping! You have arrived at the desired destination, the First Assembly Hall'

Making to the event as the crowd of students that stood in front of him was ending their ovation welcoming the Student Representative of the First years to the stage.

"Wait...HIM?" Speaking in a sudden tone of frustration that caught the attention of those nearby before he looked past the crowd, trying to avoid their piercing glares while his gaze followed the individual that was making their way up.