First day & roommates
"Welcome to the CloudHaven Sect." Elder Remi calmly announced but to these youths, it was like thunder going off inside their heads.
They actually made it to one of the best sects not only on their continent but the entire world.
As they flew closer to the city, Elder Remi explained some of the general information about the sect.
"The sect is divided into 3 areas. Outer Haven, Inner Haven, Core Haven. As Outer Haven disciples you are only allowed in the Outer Haven area unless formally invited by someone from Inner Haven or Core Haven areas. As new disciples, you will spend your first 2 years attending CloudHaven School and only once you graduate from the school will you be a TRUE Outer Haven disciple. School is compulsory and trust me when I say this, the CloudHaven School is one of the main reasons why our sect is ranked so high compared to others."
The youths nodded in understanding. Even though they were still young and hot-headed not one of them underestimated the power of knowledge and experience.
The 16 colossal Rocs landed on the edge of the city in what seemed to be some kind of port but for aerial beasts. A wide variety of beasts could be seen going in and out of the port with their masters mounted on top of them. Different types of Rocs, large birds, wyverns and many more amazing creatures that many of these youths have only read about but never seen before.
"This is the Cloud stables where most Disciples and Elders keep their beast mounts. You can either tame your own beast or purchase mounts from the Cloud Bestiary, although it will cost you a hefty amount. The Outer Haven disciples who helped with the entrance exam may take their leave and collect your Cloud points at the Missions Hall."
The 15 Outer Haven Disciples did not wait around and directly made their way to the Mission Hall. Olivia glanced over the crowd of students, trying to spot a specific someone and due to his height, it was easy to spot him. She knew that Vasari could not see her so she did not wave goodbye or anything like that but she swore that she would see him soon.
The youths followed behind Elder Remi while taking in the new sights around them. They did not walk long until they arrived in front of a building with over 10 floors and a signboard that read "Cloud Admin" above the building's entrance.
Elder Remi did not need to explain the purpose of this building since it was pretty self-explanatory if you just read the front sign. Elder Remi unceremoniously entered the building followed behind by 350 young men and women.
The first floor of the building was just a huge open lobby with some sleek designed desks, couches and chairs giving the lobby a modern and classy design.
"Ah, Elder Remi you arrived a bit earlier than expected but that is fine." A charming middle-aged woman greeted Elder Remi with a warm smile on her face.
Elder Remi slightly bowed in greeting, "Elder Senna. It is good to see you again. These youngsters are the new disciples of our CloudHaven Sect"
Elder Senna scanned the group of talented youngsters with a neutral look on her face. Her gaze lingered on some youngsters longer than others before she began her annual duties.
"I see that there are a few popular figures in this year's group. First off I would like to congratulate you on passing the entrance exam, secondly, I am about to give you all your sect badges that are used to identify yourselves within the sect. Make sure not to lose this badge or you would have to pay a large fine." Elder Senna explained and waved her hand in front of her before 350 badges shaped like a cloud appeared floating mid-air.
"To activate your badges all you need to do is send some of your Qi into it. It will automatically take in your basic information."
A badge landed in the outstretched hands of Vasari before he sent some of his Qi into it.
[Vasari - Age 16 - Outer Haven Student]
"Thirdly in your badge, there is a small subspace, barely large enough to hold a basket that mortals use for picnic dates. Anyway, in your subspace, you should find your sect robes, the robes will automatically adjust to fit you perfectly so no need to worry about the size and 50 cloud points for you to spend on whatever you want. There is also a map that leads to your residence where you will be staying for your first 2 years while you attend the CloudHaven School. You will be staying with 3 of your fellow peers to help you settle in... and don't worry, girls and boys will be assigned to separate residences. In 7 days you must all meet up at the CloudHaven School, which is also highlighted on your map, at 8 am sharp."
Elder Senna also ran through the basic rules of the sect before dismissing all of them.
The youths all left the Cloud Admin building eager to check out their new city and living spaces.
"This group is certainly the most talented compared to the previous few years.", Elder Senna comments while tucking a few strands of her sunset orange hair behind her ear.
Elder Remi sneakily stole a few glances at the beautiful visage of Elder Senna before agreeing with her comment.
"That is true. While there are a few that stand above the others, the standard in general is quite impressive. You should especially pay attention to the tall blind boy, he scored 95% in the Mana aptitude test."
Elder Senna's eyes widened for a brief moment before returning to its usual neutral look. She switched her gaze to the tall boy with broad shoulders and long flowing midnight black hair cascading down his back to below his buttocks.
Elder Senna sighed and ruefully shook her head when she realized that Vasari was truly blind and felt that such a talent was unfortunately wasted.
"Sigh...Truly unfortunate, that boy will struggle in a sect like ours without his vision, even more so since his talent is so amazing, jealousy will sprout in the hearts of others quickly if it has not already done so."
"Anyway, it is none of our business what happens to that boy now. We are not his guardians." Elder Remi firmly stated before making his way towards the exit. "Oh and Elder Senna, have you thought about my proposal yet?"
Elder Remi turned around with a hopeful expression only to see the usual neutral expression of Elder Senna turn cold. Seeing this, he knew the answer and wasted no time in leaving the building, circulating the Mana in his body before using his fastest movement technique to escape, leaving a small tornado where he stood previously.
-----
The group of 350 youths split with many going their own way to explore Outer Haven, while the majority of the group stayed together and made their way towards their residences since it had been a while since they felt the comfort of a real bed and some privacy.
Vasari was amongst the larger group as he followed silently behind the group. The new members soon found out just how massive the Outer Haven was since even after walking for 2 straight hours, they still were yet to reach their destinations.
It was only after walking for another 30 minutes did the first 4 youths find their new home that looked like a simple 1 story house with 4 bedrooms, a kitchen, a lounge and bathrooms in each room.
It had the number '1' engraved onto the front door and the next 87 houses looked similar to it except for different colour paint used on the outer walls or the roofs of the houses.
"It seems that one house will only have two people living in it. Ahh, I hope it's me." A girl with long wavy blonde hair murmured with hope after doing some math and finding the problem.
The girl did not end up in that house.
Vasari took out his map from his sect token before opening it up and 'looked' at it. He ran his hand across the entirety of the map and after noticing that there was no braille he sighed and turned to the person who had been walking beside him ever since they left the admin building.
"Excuse me miss, can you please tell me what number my residence is?"
The girl next to him was surprised by his sudden question but quickly regained herself and looked at his map before answering his question.
"You are assigned to student residence 69."
"Thank you miss and by the way, you have a really beautiful voice, it's very charming." Vasari smiled at the girl before continuing to make his way to his new house.
The girl stopped walking and her ears reddened slightly but were hidden by her reddish-brown hair.
"Talia, are you ok?"
A concerned voice came from a few metres in front of Talia and without even looking at who asked she already knew who it was who spoke.
"Hmm just taking in my new surroundings," Talia spoke without much emotion causing the owner of the concerned voice to smile wryly at her attitude.
"I guess it is very different to the style of houses that we are used to seeing in the kingdom," Alex says but all he got in response was a hum in agreement and nothing more.
Although frustrated by her distant attitude Alex was still smitten with Talia and she is the reason that he works so hard just to earn the acknowledgement of her father, the King of the Timore Kingdom. Although Talia's father did not accept his engagement request, he did not deny it either, so Alex was at least 70% confident of marrying Talia in the future.
-----
Vasari finally arrived outside of house 69 which was painted pale blue and the roof was tiled by what looked like bricks but was much more durable and heavier.
As soon as Vasari opened the wooden door, 2 boys arguing could be heard coming from further inside.
"What the hell are you doing inside my house you lanky fuck! Get your ass outside!"
"Obviously we've been assigned to the same house you oversized pig! Maybe you should start using your fat-infested brain for a change."
"Call me a pig again and I'll use you as a walking stick!"
"What are you going to do? Attack me with your obesity?"
Both the young men were getting ready for war when calm and steady footsteps entered their ears seemingly cutting through all of the insults and noise the two boys were making.
The third boy, minding his own business by reading a book, lifted his eyes to see who their 4th roommate was.
The tall lanky boy and the short fat boy felt a weird pressure weighing their bodies down. As if on instinct their heads slightly lowered and even the boy reading his book could feel this pressure although less than the other two.
This was the first time feeling this type of pressure that not even those mighty elders emitted. It was scary and domineering, majestic and imperial, tyrannical and oppressive.
"Hi, I'm Vasari. It's nice to meet you."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"It is considered rude not to introduce yourselves to your new roommate you know." Keeping his usual light smile on his face he tried to ease the tension in the room.
"Hello, I am Hassan, the son of a simple family in the Timore Kingdom." The boy reading the book stood up before greeting Vasari. Hassan was around 165cm tall, short green hair evenly cut with bangs covering his forehead and one of his pale green eyes. He was good looking but because of his introverted personality, he was easily overlooked by many.
Vasari smiled and nodded in his direction. Hassan exhaled a breath of air before sitting back down and continuing to read his book.
The next one to introduce themself was the tall lanky boy with a spear strapped to his back.
"My name is Asher, son of one of the wealthiest traders in the Timore Kingdom."
The chubby boy went straight after.
"I am Timo, the second son of the leader of the best mercenary group in the Timore Kingdom."
"Well, it is nice to meet all of you. Which room is mine?"
Timo and Asher both pointed to the same door which was at the end of the hall.
Vasari could not help but chuckle as he could imagine their actions since it was not the first time this has happened.
"I'm blind." Vasari points to his blindfold causing the two boys to chuckle awkwardly before escorting him to his room like well-trained bell boys.
-----
Laying on the single-size bed in his new room Vasari groans in satisfaction as his body sinks into the softest mattress he has ever felt.
He removed the only clothes he owned which were a pair of black tracksuit pants, an oversized white t-shirt, black underpants and a pair of sandals.
Vasari lay nude leaving the only part of his divine-like body covered, his eyes, with a piece of thin cloth tied around his head.
Vasari did not bother removing it as there was no need to. He fell asleep soon after laying down only to wake up early the next morning.