Venu and Mika appraoched a large building off the path of the castle grounds. the night sky gave it an eerie feeling and held a sense of foreboding.

So is this it... Venu thought.

-

"Wow!" Mika exclaimed as he looked excitedly at the building. Mika rushed ahead and pushed the giant door open into the castle building.

"Hey! wait up!" Venu spoke rushing after him.

Venu stepped his foot across the doorway - he could sense there was some sort of barrier magic. Perhaps it was some sort of alarm when entering inside. Mika ignored his call probably because he didn't hear him so he followed ahead.

As they entered- there was a hall going left rand right. Some stairs led up slightly right of the entrance while a lounge was in front of them on the opposite side.

As soon as they entered they were stopped by a group of boys a little older then them. From the looks of it - they looked well off- probably raised in luxury and given an opportunity here because of their families.

A tall one who seemed to be in charge moved forward encroaching within their personal space.

"Who're you?" he spoke studying them skeptically.

Mika seemed slightly timid while Venu was put off.

Answering for them was the escort.

"These are your new classmates," the butleresque man spoke formally and expectant of what was to come.

The escort did nothing as the boy stepped forward. It was clear that the boy had some sort of authority.

"Seeing as you dont know the rules- let me make them clear," the boy spoke as he dug into Venu's space with his own face and finger on his chest, "I'm first seed."

'"Dont touch me," Venu replied as he glared at the boy and grabbed his finger as if to break it.

One of the boys from behind whispered to the other shocked- as if Venu did something he shouldn't have.

Suddenly a sense of suppression came over Venu- as if the weight of gravity had multipled and the room grew dark.

Venu felt a cold sweat but held on. Suddenly it grew less pressuring- and he soon understood- this was a 'talent' - 'pressure' and it stemmed from a sort of 'dark' magic but one which would not have been taboo- it required 'touch'. and in a moment he could sense that he was emitting the same magic as the boy had.

"well..." Venu spoke to the boy who appeared to have a slightly opened his eyes in the same terror he'd tried to emit, "That's useful."

"First seed... hm?" Venu replied in thought and then released his grip disinterested, "whatever."

The boy pulled his hand away while Venu had released his grip. Perhaps the boy was afraid- but he suddenly appeared hasty.

"Yeah, don't you forget it." he spoke as he turned away and towards his comrades and began to walk off.

The other boys followed quickly behind and looked back for a moment.

After they were out of sight, one of the boys spoke up, "why'd you let him go Manna?"

"Psh," Manna responded, "I didn't want the butler to report anything back on the first day of." he replied. "Right now they're guests of the great king. But once things settle down.. I already have some idea."

"Ooh, What are you going to do to him?"

Manna thought about it as he looked at his hand. A feeling of fear arose in him. For some reason he felt that that new kid seemed unique. If he fought directly- he was afraid he might lose his 'seed rank'. However- he also remembered that he came with someone else.

"Why don't we just make his little friend suffer on his account," he spoke as the wheels began to turn about what to do next.

---

Mika and Venu headed towards their part of the dorms following the butler.

"You were so cool!" Mika spoke to Venu as they walked together.

"Let's just keep going," Venu spoke. He was familiar with being treated badly.

---