After eating, most of the students had already left the classroom some heading to the canteen for snacks, others wandering off for fresh air. But a few stayed behind, clustered together with desks pushed close like a mini conference.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCzzYzI0fM
Only Chelsy, Earn, Aple, Gabriel, Jason, Ar-Ar, Khimberly, Zaira, Aona, Jomarvin, and Khalen remained, their voices still lively with curiosity and excitement.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Uao3hXBHe
“I still can’t believe we’re going to The State University,” Aple said, eyes practically sparkling. “It’s, like, the top university in the region!”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw9V0vvFBc
Jason leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head. “Yeah, and we get to stay there for a few weeks. Dorm life, campus tours, new profs this is going to be epic.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKYOVdsQ8Q
“I heard they have their own media lab with broadcast equipment,” Gabriel added. “We might actually get to try it out!”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJWm80gLeO
“I just hope the food’s good,” Ar-Ar muttered, earning a round of laughter.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsag1rzZju
“Oh please, Ar, we’ll survive. I’m more worried about the workload,” said Chelsy, flipping through her notes. “I mean, what if their standards are higher?”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y40DG2KwM
“We’ll adapt,” Khalen said coolly. “Besides, we’re from Nixon. We’ll make our presence known.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQrS105bMZ
“You mean Earn will,” Jomarvin teased, nudging him. “He’ll charm the entire campus before the week ends.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrQMxGACx8
“Excuse me? It’s called confidence,” Earn replied with a dramatic hair flip. “They won’t know what hit them.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0HRMsWLNf
Khimberly smiled. “Honestly, I’m excited but nervous. What if we mess up?”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ICOSb0uWh
Zaira leaned on her arm, gazing out the window. “Or what if we’re meant to be there… like this is just the start of something way bigger?”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50tjyC3wrM
Aona stayed quiet, listening to them with a small smile. She loved moments like this laughter shared between friends, the energy of possibilities floating in the air. But underneath her calm exterior, her thoughts kept returning to that "State University"—yet somehow felt too familiar.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWUZDxsZ9i
The Students from State University. The girl and the way their eyes met.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOwAN8jcop
She shook the thought away for now and joined the conversation again.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcGasBkrHC
“We just have to make the most of it,” Aona finally said. “Whether it’s good, nerve-wracking, or totally unexpected… let’s just make sure we experience it together.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExtgll2SZD
Everyone nodded, some raising their cups or snack wrappers in a toast.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aZbSDvvei
“To adventure,” Jomarvin declared.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhasVjhdLd
“To friendship!” Zaira added with a grin.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggC6vSyQH9
“To surviving whatever this is,” Earn said dramatically.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTUq6CObYv
And with that, their laughter filled the room again, the walls echoing with the sound of friendship, youth, and the unknown journey that awaited them.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjnmM6ebIU
Just as the chatter in the room reached its peak, the classroom door opened and the principal, Ma’am Enara, stepped inside with her composed but warm expression.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8G4uN0MDt
“Good afternoon, class,” she said, and instantly the room quieted.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTkm7qK22Y
She glanced at each of them, as if memorizing their faces. “I know you’re all excited—and a little nervous—about the upcoming trip at The State University.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ7WQRt8yV
Some students exchanged shy smiles, others sat up straighter.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVQMOJfrZ4
“To make things easier for everyone, I’ve already contacted your parents and guardians,” she continued. “They’ve been properly informed about the program, the duration of the trip, your accommodations, and the transportation arrangements.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEze2yRQEb
A collective sigh of relief spread through the room.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrcJJ7YE12
“YES!” Ar-Ar whispered loudly, pumping his fist.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxAmsbieLt
Ma’am Enara chuckled softly. “There’s no need to worry. All your parents have given their permission. In fact, most of them are very proud and excited for this opportunity of yours. Everything from meals to security has been coordinated with The State University.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kt5djTxfb
Chelsy raised her hand. “Ma’am… so we don’t need to go home just to get signatures or letters?”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYiojAYTqn
“No need,” the principal confirmed. “All documents have been handled. All you have to do is prepare yourselves, pack properly, and represent Nixon with dignity.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ9BwhgFur
Earn placed a hand over his chest dramatically. “Ma’am, we were born ready.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ewfsCyQqC
The principal smiled. “I hope so. Because this program is not only for exposure, but also for building your confidence as communication students. Some of you may even be featured in their local campus broadcast.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xmFIBSfAE
Gasps and excited whispers spread across the room.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYR4tfb32M
“That will be all for now,” Ma’am Enara said. “Your departure schedule will be announced soon… so remain alert. And please, behave.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYAzkSkqYa
“Yes, Ma’am!” the class echoed.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcD0kccVE9
With a nod and a proud smile, she exited the room.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP02hrzXYk
As soon as the door clicked shut, Earn grabbed Zaira’s shoulders. “GIRL this is it. No more stressing about parents!”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSsslhdQeL
Zaira laughed. “Thank the heavens… I thought my Mama would never approve.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8y3SEttFQ
“Same,” Aple agreed with a relieved exhale. “Now I can actually enjoy this.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeGQTDkzG1
Aona listened quietly, feeling warmth in her chest. The worries she had earlier about the trip, about her parents' approval, about leaving for days faded like mist.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFUy7j26ku
Everything was set.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8vFHSKizv
Everything was too perfect.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5p9yQLYoV
Just as their laughter began to fade into casual chatter, a loud honk echoed from outside.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJOESOVJ1C
Gabriel glanced out the window, squinting. “Hey… guys. I think something’s happening.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjRTohB750
One by one, the group turned toward the windows overlooking the open court. Parked there, gleaming under the afternoon sun, were two large, brand-new buses white and silver with the emblem of The State University emblazoned on the side.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5x62QjNRh
“They’re here already?” Chelsy stood up, walking closer to get a better look.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVndnvse3G8
“No way…” Aple gasped. “They’re really giving us official transport?”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUODnZOnMoV
“Look at those buses! They look like tour buses for celebrities,” Ar-Ar added, eyes wide.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zx7Nm3YfZ
Zaira was practically bouncing. “Are we seriously going to ride those all the way to The State U?”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwnKuU21NK
“Yaaas, luxury!” Earn sang dramatically, clapping his hands. “I’m claiming the window seat.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nfSSa86zR
Jason whistled. “This is getting real.”
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws5opmIoat
Aona stood slowly, walking toward the window in silence. As the others laughed and snapped photos, she stared at the buses unease slowly crawling back into her chest.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYhpT7GJFo
It looked perfect. Too perfect.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1ejUqF9At
Her eyes narrowed slightly when she noticed someone standing beside the buses a girl with gloves and a faint glimmer of silver catching the light around her neck.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsIw8E84m2
The moon.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzsL11ZI7i
She was there again.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLx5cRhIad
Aona's grip on the window frame tightened.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87uRdUqCDZ
She stared at the emblem
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPVyEsiwkG
The emblem of D’Elvanilmest is a magnificent fusion of divine sovereignty and ancient power, forged in an age when stars still sang and dragons soared beside kings.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEMn3g3BgT
At its center rises a grand shield, divided in a radiant cross of gold and silver, each segment glowing with enchantments only readable by scholars of the old tongue. Embossed upon the shield is a sword piercing through the shield signifying that wisdom, when wielded with purpose, becomes the most unbreakable weapon. The blade, known as “Drakenveil”, pulses with a soft inner fire, bound by the oaths of the first Flamebearers.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkXrfaEeU9
Flanking the shield, not just one but two majestic dragons coil one of gold, the other of silver, representing balance between soul and mind, flame and moonlight. Their wings stretch wide, their claws curled protectively around the shield, their eyes alight with ageless knowledge. They are the Vaerynx Twins, sacred beasts born from the Veil Between Realms, entrusted to guard the sanctum of truth. Dragon form the Pillars of D’elvanilmest—Courage and Wisdom, Flame and Heart.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcg2pGqp5l
Atop the sword rests an ornate golden crown, adorned with three dragonfangs and a star-forged gem at its center. It is said to represent dominion over one's destiny and mastery of the self.
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV0g5QXwIx
Inscribed in a flowing ribbon beneath the crest, edged with Aetheric threads, is the Alerian phrase:
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgcimY3zy8
"Vareth solin tal’dura" she murmurs "let your story find it's page?" she added
15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Kj3IgOcUG
Something was beginning. And whatever it was… she had a feeling their journey wasn’t going to be just about school.
ns216.73.216.33da2
and then Add to home screen.