Paladin's Path

"Good Afternoon!" a stern voice from a senior student standing on a stage in a large hall within the school building reverberated across the room. The student was tall and had a well toned physique, short length grey hair that is combed backwards and piercing silver eyes.

"Many of you already know of me but for the first years that have joined us today, my name is Arian Wyatt." his tone held indifference and to many people in the room they could assume that this guy was someone who was at the top of the food chain within this school.

Theon looked around the room letting his eyes skimming over his own classmates and looked at the second and third years that were gathered here for the rookie of the year awards. A lot of them seemed strong he guessed but he really had no way to tell, none of them held the same presence as the one standing up on the stage right now.

They all just looked at him in admiration.

There was only one that looked towards the man on stage with apprehension and melancholy painting their face. Not a second or third year but instead one of his own classmates instead.

Bell. She seemed lost in her own world, since she was of average height and amongst a crowd she wasn't seen by many around her. She seemed so different from how she was in class.

"But we are not here for me today." Theon was broken out of his thoughts from the cold voice that spoke out again, again he was reminded of the looks of admiration that people had on their faces and he couldn't tell why, Arian Wyatt had such an aloof tone that he couldn't find any way people would look at someone like that with even the slightest affection.

"Today we are here to congratulate the 'rookie of the year' for the new second year class." there were claps and cheers throughout the hall as more staff had started to filter in and stand by the edge of the stage. "This recognition is not only an accolade but also a testament to hard work, dedication and a relentless pursuit of excellence. To our honoured recipient I extend my own personal congratulations as the previous first year 'Rookie."

More claps went on as Arian gave a short cough into the microphone to quiet down the crowd.

"Your accomplishments will serve as an inspiration to us all and a reminder of what can be achieved through hard perseverance and skill. Please give your applause to Second year Milo Nadir." his voice had changed its tone only barely as he announced the name of the supposed rookie.

Quickly making his way onto the stage was a tanned boy with southern European features and stood only a few inches smaller than the third year students.

Rounds of applause as well as cheers of praise went around the school hall, mainly from the people in his year.

The microphone let out a shrill sound as he touched it a little too harshly while clipping the silver falcon shaped lapel he was given while his new uniform blazer was wrapped around his shoulders.

There was a difference in his blazer that Theon believed was common for people who had won the award and that was that the blazer that they are given has an outline of a black falcon bird that is stitched onto the back of it.

"Thank you everybody." From his first words to his stance and even the way he moved onto the stage Theon seen the stark difference between Milo and Arian.

While Arian held a more cold and mature way of speaking Milo still held onto some boyish charm that seemed to not stay attached to the natural progression of life that most people had.

Theon heard a slight stifle of laughter from beside him and only remembered that he had walked into the halls with someone.

"What's funny?" Theon asked Jon with pure intrigue.

Jon barely glanced at Theon and kept looking up at the stage.

"Its just funny how different the two are. Basically the figurehead of the third years is some stone cold brick wall, while the one for second year seems like a child who's excited with his new toy."

'So we basically thought the same thing.'

"I agree, and it makes me wonder who will make it for our year."

Jon shrugged his shoulders not responding. Jon still had the stick of his lollipop in his mouth, a lollipop that he had finished just as he had walked into the school he just kept on playing with the stick and biting on it.

Jon ignored the rookie's speech while looking at the staff that had made their way in and gotten onto the stage with practiced proficiency that went unnoticed by other first years in the crowd that whispered believing that they had always been there.

"Hey, what do you think of some of those staff members?" Jon asked while looking toward one woman with bright golden locks and pale skin who had just got to her seat as she shook the hands of the students on stage.

"Well, some of them will probably be out private teachers for the 3 man teams that we'll be in. And they all seem quite capable."

"Duh." Jon responded to Theon's response. "I would suspect them to be strong, they've been at this long enough to be accepted here. I doubt they'd just let anyone here cause they can use their powers well."

True, so that would mean that there are many different criteria for both students and mentors to fit.

Theon looked at some of them that were on stage now all seated, his eyes stopped on one particular figure.

A man with neatly cut and styled auburn coloured hair. His eyes even though they looked closed were kept behind a nice pair of glasses. His mouth formed a sly smirk that seemed to emanate a sly fox.

Theon didn't keep his eyes on him because of his appearance though, he didn't know why but there was a great sense of familiarity when he looked at the man. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't remember, even worse, the more he tried to think of where he may have seen such a smug face his head started to hurt.

It was pounding, like the beat of a drum, against his skull and he was staring to feel drowsy and was seeing double, visions of a past that he kept controlled were spinning around his mind and-

"Theo." a harsh grip on his arm had pulled him out of it. A harsh grip he felt like pulling away from and instantly tearing apart.

"Theo." Again he heard his name being uttered in a hushed whisper and looked at the concerned face of the boy.

"Jon." he didn't know what to say, he didn't even know what had happened to him, it wasn't something he had ever felt before. "What's wrong?"

"Great try at deflecting you idiot, it looked like you were having some panic attack." he said still in a quiet whisper making sure no one around us could hear.

"Oh no, I'm fine." Theon tried his best to reassure both Jon and himself.

"Yeah, well wipe the sweat off your face first." Theon done as advised and looked back at Jon who had only been watching the speech conclude.

'Good.' Theon thought, he didn't want to answer any more questions he didn't have the answers to, and he is thankful for Jon seemingly understanding that.

Looking back onto the stage to the schools new 'Rookie of the year' he silently listened to the speech absentmindedly.

"...I just wanted to finish this off by saying something to the first years who have decided to show up..." while Milo spoke with a wide and infectious grin the third year on stage stayed impassive and intense. "Some of you may already know the weight of expectations and others will be sure to come to understand it soon. Remember the time you spend here is what you make of it. The opportunities and challenges are both vast, make sure you embrace them and learn from them, let them shape you into stronger individuals."

After that both students stepped off the stage to a large round of applause while a lady stepped up to the mic. She was tall and had bright golden hair and a smirk on her face.

Her smile showed off her dimples and her walk to the microphone showed off her figure as she strode, all in all she was a beautiful woman with yellow pupils to match her golden hair.

As the room quieted down for her Theon noticed that they all seemed to be slightly pressured by her presence.

"Hello students and for the newcomers I am the overseer for this program in this location. Basically the principal." Theon was slowly understanding why people acted different toward her. While her personality seemed open and friendly like Milo's it was also similar in a hidden coldness akin to Arian.

"My name is Juniper Fay. And you can address me as principal Juniper or principal Fay I don't really mind."

Leading and controlling a crowd seemed so natural to her, but Theon knew that there must be something else, a greater reason as to why she would be an overseer of a large group of powered people that could potentially become a threat in an instant.

Theon didn't believe this just because it was her, he thought that as it was something he had learned over the years -partly because of Victor-. It can't only be because of her being a person many respect, just looking at the teachers Theon could see that they clearly valued her. Not even one of them made any attempt to speak over her or make any gestures to the students, they just kept their heads facing the ground and waited for her to finish talking.

The answer was screaming at Theon and from the curious look on Jon's face he was sure he had figured it out too.

Her ability. Whatever her power was, whether it be granted when she had awakened her Od or maybe even some way to greatly influence the clear powerhouses behind her, for now anyway there was nothing to go on so all Theon could do was listen.

"For the new first years brace yourselves because the program moves at a very quick and competitive pace, so you should not slack off on your duties."

'Tell that to Arte.' Theon thought back on the boy who rested his head on his arms on his desk when he first walked into his class.

"Strive for excellence not for recognition. Seek strength, not for power but the responsibility that comes with it."

A good message that if taken to heart would create people who never view themselves as better than the other because of the power they held. In this world there were many paladin that used their position to make themselves a brand that is there to make tons of money.

It was understandable and not even looked down on anymore but some of the older folk still have some reservations on it.

Theon felt a tug on his arm and noticed Jon pulling him out of the halls.

"Do you normally just lose focus. That's not very good for a future paladin!"

Theon looked around to see that other people within the halls started dispersing. He didn't even notice that principal Juniper's speech was done and she was making her way out through another door with the rest of her staff.

"My bad." Jon waved off the response.

"You're a little dull."

Theon didn't deny it but just shrugged his shoulders. There was just so much going on with so many things to plan for the near future.

As Theon and Jon were walking and passing few students from all years Jon was giving Theon odd looks. It was only when they reached a certain distance and there weren't many people around that he spoke out to him.

"So what was going on with you back there?" Jon's asked with concern flickering in his eyes.

Theon didn't want to answer, partly because he didn't know and another reason being that he didn't want to explain the strange feeling he had when he looked at one of the staff members on the stage, and lastly, he just didn't want to start speaking on a moment that made him lose control to someone he may be in competition with.

"It was nothing I swear, just a little overwhelmed in that stuffy room." Theon made sure to start pulling at his uniform acting like it was a pseudo-fan to show his previous discomfort and now nonchalance to the situation.

Jon had stayed quiet and just stared in Theon's Amber eyes. Theon stared back at Jon's orange ones intensely.

Theon knew what Jon was doing, looking for a lie. He was trying to intimidate him, too bad for him Theon was too well trained to succumb to something like this. Especially from what he believes to be a generic student at this stage anyway.

But while staring into the well of summer orange he noticed that Jon's eyes had a ring in his pupil that was of a darker shade of his natural eye colour.

'Weird, maybe its just a weird trait.'

"Okay, well at least your better now. It would have been weird if you happened to just feint on the first day of school." Theon could tell that it was a fake reassurance but he was also sensing something that seemed like anger or maybe it was disappointment, Jon was good at masking it.

But Theon was used to seeing and feeling such negative emotions.

He guessed that Jon realized that it was just a topic he was not going to get Theon to speak on it so he let it go.

"Well we're at the dorms now so I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Jon waved at Theon as he ran to the elevator as it was closing closely slipping in before Theon could even give him a response.

'That probably could have went better.'

Theon just waited for the next elevator that was on its way down to get to the third floor of the building to his room.

_______

The rooms were extremely well built and designed with enough space for more than one to live in. All equipped with basic living standards like a kitchen, bathroom and of course a bedroom.

It was a little hard for Theon to digest, getting rooms to themselves. He had thought that they were going to be in a roommate situation, he was glad that weren't the current scenario though. Theon greatly appreciated his privacy and alone time so this was much better.

Theon plopped his bag down by the corner of his bed, a normal sized bed that could be found in every room.

He walked around lightly making no sound but was surprised that when he tried to make some sound there was practically none.

'That's odd.' Naturally his footsteps were silent anyway which had happened naturally over the years.

Theon walked over to the walls of his room and stood there in silence for a few odd seconds. He was searching for something, 'That's even weirder.'

Theon could hear nothing.

He knew that the rooms had some separation but if he strained his superior hearing he could usually hear what was in the next room even with the separation.

A little space in between shouldn't matter, there wasn't even a sound of people that may be walking past or air flowing in which was harder for him to notice anyway.

'Something else is at play here then.'

Something to do with Od he assumed. Other than gaining powers which is unique to the individual there were also some universal things that everybody could do so Theon believed that one of those principals was what may be going on now.

He let it be since it was tied to the entire building so it was obviously put here not to be messed with. There was probably more small stuff like that going on throughout the school that he would run into, he would just have to wait and see.

______

It was incredibly normal. Theon had no clue what normal was when it pertained to school since he had never been and received a more private learning, he was just gauging what other people in his class were saying in these past few days.

It was obnoxiously more normal than they felt it was supposed to be as well as feeling unnaturally bare. The classes are the same, the teachers keep their standard professionalism and answer all the questions asked to them that they can.

The teachers seemed way to familiar with the level of excitement that some of the students were showing toward what type of paladin training they would receive. They go through the same questions every year they don't even need to prepare any answers.

But other than the warmup exercises we've been put through to test our fitness the school was incredibly normal. The lunches were free and tasted good, the campus and everything surrounding it was extravagant and well-maintained. It all seemed too good to be true.

The atmosphere in the room however was not like any the previous two days. Today we would actually be doing something more conducive to paladin training. Something that we would be marked and assessed on so people were excited.

Excited to finally show off their powers or just see what everyone else can do and see who their future challengers were.

Even the deep scowl that had become a signature look for Corbin seemed to lighten a little at the prospect.

And speaking of Corbin, Theon noticed that he wasn't just a mindless big mouth but he actually was quite smart and from what he was gathering from the boy he wasn't just a basic smart but instead quickly picked up on a lot of things quickly or at least forced himself to.

If he looked to be struggling on one topic he would come in the next day with it memorized and even key details on the new topic neatly noted in his notebook.

Corbin was certainly one of the more dedicated students and took things serious.

Since he had those qualities Theon wondered why there was so much hostility directed toward him when he wasn't looking. And that hostility was coming from one student who was sat in the back of the class in the right corner. The same one Theon had caught giving Corbin those same hateful stares.

After a day he learned his name was Lugh O'Hara. Lugh was a lot like Theon in the regard that he didn't really put himself in the forefront of anything and stayed quiet, he was tall and walked with a confident gait.

Well Theon could tell that the confidence was just an act, *he was trying at least.*

If he had to guess Lugh was truly a more soft hearted and shy boy that was just trying to fit into a new role that he never really had in the past. *Fake it till you make it.*

And the animosity would obviously be from some past they may have had together that Corbin clearly doesn't recall.

Mr. Adams was teaching the class for a second time today. It was Latin, a subject that would be beneficial to at least read as a paladin. Class was just about to end when the teacher announced.

"Now for your next class you will have me again..." groans were growing from the few, Mr. Adams was not hated but Theon believed that this reaction was just something basic that all students would give off with any teacher. "... But its because I am your homeroom teacher and have to supervise you in your official training."

And suddenly those groans turned to excitement.

"I won't be the only teacher there of course, but never mind that. You will be tasked with a few tasks before the main event by the end of the class. So get changed and meet again at the main training buildings where you will be guided to your next destination."

_______

15 Students were all gathered in a grand hall with high arched ceilings and smooth, metallic walls. Soft ambient lighting illuminate the space. Large holographic screens were displayed on some walls with the faces of the teachers that would be overseeing the students today.

Theon was impressed by the display in the room.

One of the holographic screens displayed the name Caleb Adams, their teacher that they have been used to already since the beginning. And the next was an image of a lady that they were not used to, someone that Theon was sure he hadn't even seen around the campus.

It was then that Theon realized he had never spotted that one teacher that gave him a slight panic back during the rookie of the year announcement.

Theon knows that these people are not full-time teachers though, other than Principal Fay and he assumed a small percentage of them, the majority here are just volunteers aiding the program. In the end of the day, they are still full-time Paladins with other priorities.

So in his mind it was more appropriate to just call them Sub-ins or mentors.

The mentor on display was a beautiful woman with wheat coloured hair that was long with a part of it being tied in a braided bun. Her light brown coloured hair matching the colour of her eyes which had a distant and cold look to them.

Her name was Robyn Wilson.

There was a hum of sliding automatic doors that had just opened revealing the woman on screen.

Theon was suspecting some of the boys in the class to react in an obnoxious and overly leering way but it seemed he was wrong. Some were more sophisticated than that and others were either uncaring or too nervous to act out in such a way so would do so more subtly.

Her gait was controlled and confident, not in an arrogant way but more so confidence in herself. But when Theon looked at her face he couldn't find that at all.

Just like her picture on display Robyn Wilson had such a detached look, seeing it in person was much different though.

It was almost like she was a robot, her demeanour was serious and stern. If someone stared too long at that cold emotionless look for far too long there was an element of fear that erupted in oneself.

'Would people feel safe if she were the paladin who showed up on the scene?'

"Ms Wilson, Thank you for joining us today." Mr. Adams welcomed her as she got in and she delivered a swift nod before giving a short and simple reply of her own.

"Thank you for having me. I hope I can be of use to the class." Even the way she spoke, it didn't seem like she cared.

It felt like she didn't even want to be here but there wasn't anything but her monotonous voice.

She probably cared somewhat and maybe was unable to show it, that was Theon's presumption.

Jon came over quietly as usual and whispered lowly to Theon.

"Look at Ms Robot..." Jon snickered at his own joke and Theon couldn't help but give a small smirk which immediately faded away when both Ms Wilson and Mr Adams looked over to the two boys.

'Now how did they hear that?' The two didn't stare too long probably because they didn't want much attention to appear away from them.

But as soon as the two stared Theon noticed how tense Jon had gotten. He doubted he was scared and instead was probably just surprised.

Both Theon and Jon were far near the back, farthest from the two teachers blocked off by multiple students in the class. So being heard was most likely due to whatever their powers may be.

Theon could hear from that far but that was simply due to his superior senses.

"Students." Mr Adams called out to the students that were all dressed in their training gear, consisting of an all black tracksuit that also came with a black T-shirt that can be worn instead of the shirt.

Just like the common uniform the tracksuit was of high grade quality that wouldn't tear easily under the duress of basic slicing equipment and it was stretchy and honestly extremely comfortable to wear and easy to move in.

"I will now go through what you will be doing in todays drills." There was an upbeat tone wafting through the air of the class. "For the first trials today it will be a simple Maze."

There was now intrigue in the class mixed with disappointment, that disappointment only grew more after the next words let out of Mr. Adams mouth.

"And you cannot use your powers." The moans of frustration only grew louder which caused the teacher to stomp on the ground to create a massive bang as well as some impressive rumbling with the force of his stomp.

"Just cause you can't use your powers doesn't mean you can't not use your Od."

That didn't uplift people any more so than he thought but he still kept a warm smile on his face.

But then again Theon could understand some people's frustration. Manipulation of Od could be hard for some people as it was something that was almost vast in potential.

At its basic form all it can do is enhance everything about you, so speed, strength and durability can be maxed out but that also depends on the efficiency you have and that is only something one can have with experience as well as talent.

"Quick quiz question." A clap broke the class into a silence. "Juno. Explain what Od is to the class please."

Juno was a girl with beautiful long pale blonde hair and bright purple eyes that seemed to thirst for knowledge. She was a girl that was always composed and stuck with a book in her hand and never tried too hard to interact but was always welcome to a conversation with someone.

"Od, well its a paranormal energy that is basically the life force of all living beings and is controlled through intense emotions. It can be found in nature, living beings and even objects."

Perfect answer which was also reiterated by the mentors in class. Juno spoke clearly and a steady tone like she usually did.

But yeah, Od was essentially life force that everyone is born with. Although not everyone can use it as it is only awakened through intense traumatic situations that will trigger the phenomena within someone to be able to see and use it.

"So anyway students, we will be doing this drill for the rest of the day until the three groups have successfully completed their task."

Theon had a thought that seemed to be vocalized by the class tyrant.

"Why make it seem so hard to get through a fuckin maze."

"Language Corbin!" there were quiet chuckles throughout the room and a sigh of disappointment from the teachers.

"Continuing on, you will first be going at the test without the use of your powers and then you will be going through another test being able to use your powers. And you will figure out what test it is after the first one."

'Probably just for observation.'

"Don't ask why, it is just being done. And remember to do your best as it will reflect on you rankings as well overall scores for the end of year."

Rankings?

There was some bewilderment within the class but some people didn't want to show it in case that it could have meant that they weren't listening in some of the prior classes.

Much to everyone's pleasure, Robin threw her hand up to ask.

"Sir, I don't think you ever spoke about class rankings before."

Mr. Adams had a grim smile as he shut his eyes closed in embarrassment.

"I guess I forgot. But its pretty self-explanatory anyway, based on your results - that being physical tests like these as well as written tests in the classroom- you will all be ranked and evaluated. And that will go on until you graduate from the program."

The next one to speak was a shocker since he had been quiet and pretty aloof since the start of the year.

"Are we able to know the criteria on how we will be judged on these please?" the voice came out of a hushed yawn that was then like a moan that carried itself through the room.

All faces turned to the boy who spoke, Arte Graham. The dark haired youth that failed to pay attention no matter what class he was in and would instead try to fall asleep. Minus all of that, the question was still valid and the students were expecting an answer.

"There will be no answer to that question." the cold and monotonous voice didn't come from the teacher that the students were already familiar with, instead it came from the brown haired woman to his side.

Her tone of voice seemed to be enough shut all further interest in the questionings train of thought.

'The silence is really awkward.'

"Lets get started already!"

Speaking out of turn again but breaking the awkward silence, Corbin shouted out for class to start moving again, this thankfully got a short laugh from Mr. Adams who chose not to reprimand him this time.

"Yes lets start." Mr. Adams brought out a remote and pressed a button and now everyone in the room looked toward another hologram now.

On the holographic screen were the names of all the students in the classroom. It was the groups that the students would be stuck with.

Theon looked at the group he was in and seemed content. But he did seem to notice that there was the slight chance that there would be conflict within the group, Corbin Monet and Lugh O'Hara would be part of the same group as his.

Lugh seemed to have some problem with Corbin that he hadn't spoken out about yet.

'But then again, having Corbin in any group could be a point of conflict no matter where you dropped him.'