(http://tindeck.com/image/mvmt/stats.png) (http://tindeck.com/listen/mvmt)
That huge school building rose on a prime plot of real estate in the very center of the city, as if it was the center of the world itself.
Aspiring to gather and cultivate high school students excelling in their academic fields, it is a super-exclusive academy, officially recognized by the government.
General opinion is that graduating this school equals achieving success in life.
It is a school with several hundred years of history, legendary for sending top promising talents into every professional field time after time.
Its stated goal is to raise the nation's future "hope" that will bear the country's future on their shoulders. Accordingly, some people call this remarkable place the "Academy of Hope".
To be accepted as a student, there are two qualifications:
"You must be currently enrolled at a high school"
"You must super-excel at your field of expertise"
The school doesn't advertise for new students. To be accepted one must be scouted and invited by the school itself.
And so, at the front gate of that amazing academy,
(http://i39.tinypic.com/zwjins.jpg)
I stood
Let's start with an introduction, shall we? My name Is Ellenore or you can just call me Ellie.
(http://i43.tinypic.com/2uifcsx.jpg)
My appearance, as you can see, is just your regular average high school student.
Inside is just the same...
My personality, my skills, my school record. There is nothing special about them.
I don't have any special hobbies or anything abnormal..
If you ask about my favorite pop stars, my favorite comics, my favorite music or my favorite movies,
They're always the things that come out top in popularity rankings. It's the same for most other things as well.
Your average teenage girl. That's me. Even this introduction reflects this, but If I have to name something, I was good at playing volleyball at
the school before this, most certainly not the best though.
(http://i39.tinypic.com/zwjins.jpg)
There's a reason such a normal kid currently stands in front of an abnormal school like Randomgs Academy.dont kill me
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) Hmm.
As expected, I was overwhelmed by Randomgs Academy extraordinary presence.
There's a good reason for such a reaction. To help you understand, let me explain about yesterday evening's school entrance preparation.
The students chosen by Randomgs Academy truly are super-top in their respective fields, and there's so much speculation about them that someone created a special thread on a certain Internet bulletin board.
For example, the girl admitted into Randomgs Academy as an "Idol" is the leader of a nationally adored idol group; a famous high school girl.
The guy admitted as a "Football Player" is one of the country's champion high-school team. An exceptional talent noticed even by the professional teams.
Topping all that, The girl admitted as a "Hair Stylist" is a popular model who appeared on the cover of many magazines, overflowing with charisma and capturing the hearts of high school girls everywhere.
In addition there was a Skateboarder, Doctor, Musician, Therapist, Woodworker, Freelance Assassin, Police officer, Gunsmith, Martial Arts Student, Artist, and so on. Nothing but spectacular people who make me fully realize my own shortcomings.
I'm like a sheep that strayed into a lion's den.
...but there is also something that puzzles me.
No matter how much I search, there is no information about some kids on the list.
One of those is me, of course. An unexceptional kid with no skills.
But what about the others who don't come up in searches?
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) Is there someone else in my position right now?
Thinking that, I managed to gather some courage.
But leaving that behind, I guess the problem is...
Why was a normal high school student like me chosen to be among such spectacular members.
The reason for that was explained in the acceptance letter that arrived from Randomgs Academy.
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"This year, we decided to accept one student chosen by lottery from among the country's regular high school students."
"As a result, we invite you to attend our school as a person of "good luck"."
In other words, they made it very clear the only reason I can attend the school is simple luck.
Honestly, I should have just rejected the offer.
But after hearing that graduating the school equals success in life, there was no way I could do that.
(http://i39.tinypic.com/zwjins.jpg)
But when all is said and done, as I stood there in front of the actual school, I couldn't help fearing I made a big mistake after all.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) *sigh* I guess I can't just stand here
As I whispered those words to myself, I took a look at the acceptance letter I held in my hand.
"New students are to gather at the entrance hall 8am"
There is still some time to pass until then…
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) Guess I should go in now,
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) Let's.. get this over with
With overblown determination you wouldn't think is needed going into a school for the first time, I stepped toward the entrance hall.
(http://i43.tinypic.com/zx5tsw.jpg)
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) Huh.. there's no one here..
I looked up at the magnificent wall clock that hang in the hall. The time was 7:10am.
The gathering is at 8. Still 50 minutes left.
It makes sense there's no one here yet…
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) Geez, I was afraid I was too early
There was still plenty of time until the gathering time. Waiting in the hall isn't a very exciting thing to do...
That's it - I should go ahead and explore the school for a while. It will ease my nerves.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) Shouldn't be a problem, after all, I can't just wait here
I'll just pass the time wandering around.
With that light feeling, I took my first step inside Randomgs Academy.
It was a moment overflowing with the hope of starting a new school life...
...or at least, it should have been.
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(http://i42.tinypic.com/2lb72d.jpg) What the..!?
But when I entered the building.. , my vision started to blur. It was as if the world turned into jelly, swirling around.
Round and round and round and round, slowly fading out...
And the next moment,
(http://i39.tinypic.com/ofd6dg.png)
I was out cold.
That's when it started
An end to ordinary life.
At that moment, I should have realized.
It wasn't super good luck that brought me to Randomgs Academy...
It was super bad luck…
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2wndb39.jpg)
PROLOGUE : WELCOME BACK TO DESPAIR ACCADEMY