As they entered their school, they were greeted with a strong, cool breeze that came from a machine above the doorway. It was a machine that gusts out a strong cool wind, a way to keep the temperature inside and outside the school separate. Out of the corner of his eye, there was also another machine with automatically drops out a plastic bottled drink into a small compartment.

He has seen one of them but not up close, and if he heard, it was called a “vending machine”. Such technology is only available in the military as well.

A red carpet lined the different paths where one could go, covering the white marbled floor beneath it.

Attached in the windows was stained glass art that depicts a hero slaying a nine-headed snake. The corridors were wide enough to accommodate the stream of students entering the Academy.

Adrian couldn’t believe everything new he was seeing at his school, making him slightly glad that his father enrolled him in the school despite his initial protests. While he was busy being enamored by the school’s luxuries, the pink-haired girl led him to a large board where first-year students were flocking about.

“Look! We’re in Class 1A,” The pink hair pointed to the board with 1-A’s class list. “It’s nice we met each other early, Adrian!”

“How does she know my name?” He looked at the girl with an expression that seemed to say that, and she answered, “I’m your class president. I did some research on all of my classmates so I can get along with them well!”

“H-hey!” Before Adrian could protest against that, he motioned his eyes to the class lists. There were a total of six first-year classes, each with around 20 students in total.

For Class 1-A, the names numbered up to 14, including the class president.

CLASS 1-A

Homeroom Professor: Imperium Master Shayan

Class President: Kiara Syhold

Velhold Orloc

Maria Shimyria

Adrian Valdanes

Rancent Alial

Matti Garankun

Dust Felkin

Sylphia Korro

Aph Kin

Flare

Kaval Toirbim

Gark Masadora

Maki Feister

Iris Suril

Adrian’s eyes were fixed on their homeroom teacher, particularly their teacher’s title.

Imperium Master.

There are nine ranks in Da’argard Imperium, which also determines their social status. From increasing order of magnitude: Regular, Warrior, Initiate, Mage, Summoner, Magister, Imperium Master, The Fists, The Emperor.

Imperium Masters are similar to magisters who possess the ability to summon monsters and control all four schools of elements, but they have higher authority most usually in the military. To better visualize the scope of their power, they can take out an entire platoon of mages alone.

“You’re the class president… Kiara, then?” Adrian said.

“Mm! Nice to meet you, Adrian! I hope you’ll have fun obeying my orders!” Kiara playfully laughed. “Let’s go now!”

Kiara motioned for the green-hair to follow as she lead him outside the flock of students in front of the class list board. Adrian, seeing that he had nowhere to go nor does he know where to, followed his class president outside the school.

The Opening Ceremony.

They sat on a comfortable cushioned chair with a metal frame, enough to accommodate all 137 first-year students. It was located in an outside courtyard, bordered only by a short, covered fence that Adrian could see the orange trees across it.

It was the welcoming ceremony for them as the name suggests, where the headmaster and a student representative will speak to them about their mission and goals, as well as the Academy’s vision for the students should they wish to graduate.

Or so he thought.

Instead of the headmaster or the student representative first coming up on stage, a lady who looked like she was in her 40s came up to the podium. The area silenced around Adrian as he heard a few inaudible mutters. They probably had the same question as him, “Who is this lady? Is she a teacher?”

She commanded a stern and serious expression, her gaze falling upon every student. Adrian felt an intimidating aura from her that he had to make sure not to miss every single word she’ll say.

She tapped the small device with a stand on the podium, which seemed to have the function of amplifying the volume of one’s voice.

The lady introduced herself, “Good morning, students. Welcome to Imperial Elem Academy. I am Imperium Master Avell, the head of the disciplinary committee of the Academy. Before we proceed to the program, I would like to announce the first wave of student expulsions.”

Just like that, the noise grew as everyone expressed their mixed confusion. Adrian was confused as well, and his nervousness made his heart sink in anticipation of what was about to happen.

“Student expulsions even before the start of everything in this school?” Adrian mused. “No… It must be from the moving-in period. If that’s the case, then I’m most likely safe.”

Avell continued speaking without waiting for the noise to die down.

“If you hear your name called, please walk out of this ceremony immediately. Our dormitory caretakers will handle the packing of your room for your own convenience.”

And so, the name-calling commenced.

That was when Adrian realized, his dad did not enroll him in any normal school. The most prestigious school in all of the empire? Luxuries that seem too overwhelming for a “school”? The high admission requirement of becoming a summoner or a mage before admission? The comically low graduation rate?

Imperial Elem Academy wasn’t just a school for the elites. It was a school to make the elite crawl through intense trials and hardships to see if they deserve to become a magister.

Avell finally finished saying all of the expelled students’ names. No one in Class 1-A had their names called, fortunately. “For all 24 names that I mentioned, you are free to go. You will find details of your expulsion in a brown envelope with your luggage.”

For a split second, Adrian swore he saw a wicked smile appear in the Imperium Master’s expression.

Just like that, 24 out of 137 students were expelled from the Academy before the day even started.

Before stepping off the podium, Avell welcomed those who remained. “For all the remaining students, we will now proceed with the opening ceremony. Once again, welcome to Imperial Elem Academy.”