The sky was a stunning blue. The sun was shining brightly, without heat, as the day had only just begun.
Puffy white clouds made beautiful shapes across the sky.
Yesu tried making out what each shape looked like as she rode a bicycle along the silent tarred road.
The trees on both sides of the road blocked her view occasionally, casting shadows.
Yesu reached a small bridge and finally got a good look at the sky as she rode along.
"Octopus… puppy… marshmallow…" She identified the clouds one after the other. "...pizza?"
A car zood past.
The wind blew in her face.
She looked the other way and caught sight of her reflection in the lake.
For a split second, she thought she was looking at soone else.
The maid had cut her layered hair short, and she had said nothing.
Now her hair was trimd evenly, fringes neatly arranged.
The black uniform she had been given, already tailored to her exact size, was made from quality material.
It had co with a small gold plate pinned to the left side of the shirt, with her na on it. But Yesu had taken off the plate and kept it aside.
The uniform design itself was exquisite.
At the right side of the shirt was the logo of a silver winged dragon, stitched flawlessly into the material.
Three white stripes hung on her collar and at the edges of her sleeves.
The skirt underneath was pleated, stopping a few inches above her knees. Yesu didn't care much for it as she was already used to pants that were allowed at her old school.
Old school.
She returned her gaze to the road, thinking about what Millie would say if she saw her now.
The leather shoes she was wearing were spotless. The backpack slung over her shoulders was brand new.
Even the bicycle she was riding looked posh.
Yesu had been surprised earlier when she had reported her 'presentable' self to Arrow and he had just gestured toward a bicycle in the wide hallway.
"I'm riding myself?" Yesu had asked, eyes wide.
"I don't do tight security." Arrow had said with slight strain, like speaking was a chore.
Then he went into his office, erging again almost imdiately.
He handed Yesu a map.
"Find your own way."
Then turned and headed back to his office.
Yesu had stared briefly at the map, at the distance between the two dotted spots.
"And if I run away?" She suddenly asked.
Arrow had paused.
"From what I heard, you're intelligent enough not to do that." He said without looking back.
And then left.
Yesu took the map from the front basket of the bike where she had kept it, and peered into it again.
Almost there.
She glanced at the wristwatch the maid had given to her.
"Mr Arrow always keeps to ti." She had said.
It was already eight o'clock.
"So much for not being late," Yesu muttered, quickening the pace. Going as fast as she could.
***
Yesu saw the massive signboard first.
WELCO TO ECHELON ACADEMY
She brought the bicycle to a halt as she arrived.
And stared.
The enormous gate before Yesu was built from elegantly welded steel bars that allowed a full view into the academy grounds, and at its center, the image of a silver-winged dragon had been painstakingly forged into the talwork itself.
Beyond the gate, Echelon Academy revealed itself through the forest like a city made from glass and light.
Massive structures towered between the trees, their sleek reflective surfaces catching the morning sun in brilliant flashes of silver and blue.
Entire sections of the academy seed almost transparent, connected by elevated glass walkways that stretched above courtyards and flowing water features below.
The architecture was elegant rather than decorative. Sharp lines. Towering panels. Polished black steel framing enormous walls of glass.
The silver-winged dragon appeared everywhere, engraved into pillars, embossed onto banners.
Even surrounded by nature, the academy carried an overwhelming sense of authority.
Less like a school and more like the headquarters of people important enough to shape the future of the South itself.
Yesu walked slowly, moving the bike along, till she was directly in front of the gate.
"Hey, you…" Soone called out.
An elderly security man on the other side advanced towards the gate.
"Good morning." Yesu greeted.
"Why are you outside on a weekday?" The security man asked, then glanced at his watch. "And at this hour."
"I'm kind of… new."
It sounded ridiculous. Even Yesu knew.
"New?" The man exclaid, incredulous. Then waved a hand dismissively.
"Co on kid, you can do better than that. Co up with another lie, quickly."
Yesu tilted her head, thinking of the best way to explain her situation.
"I… just… got… transferred. Here."
"What?" The security man was even more confused, and disappointed. "Seriously, kid. I just gave you a second chance. Is that all you've got?"
Yesu sighed.
"All I've got. Unfortunately."
The man looked her over. "You're toast."
Sothing screeched noisily.
The man dipped a hand into his pocket and brought out a walkie-talkie.
"Quigley at Post One." He said.
"Over."
The walkie-talkie clicked.
"Let the girl in." A voice ordered from the other end.
The security man returned the device to his pocket and disappeared into a small building nearby.
The gates opened slowly.
Yesu passed between them and stopped near the small building.
The gates were closing.
The whole place was quiet. There was not a single person outside.
The security man ca out, took the bicycle from Yesu, walked in the direction of the small building and took a bend.
Yesu's gaze followed him till he was out of sight.
"Kaelitha."
Yesu looked forward.
A woman of average height dressed in a modest suit and heels with dollish red rimd glasses framing her eyes stood with both arms behind her back.
The expression she wore was icy cold.
"You are late."
Her speech was curt.
Over the past few weeks, Yesu had encountered nurous
rigid personalities but none had been able to make her feel apprehensive.
Until now.
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