With August, a new year started at Black University. Hundreds of students, both new and old, flooded the halls. With such a prestigious school, the students came from across the globe, in spite of the location in the midwestern United States. Most students were not there for classes this day, but were getting ready, finding new dorm assignments, help to shadow students, or simply socialize.

Signs were plastered on the walls, pointing out new student orientation, which was, as could be expected, in the auditorium. By around 10 AM, the hall was filled up, over a thousand students taking seats and chatting. The atmosphere was claustrophobic, and the echoed chatter nearly deafening. Still, when a woman in her late twenties came up to the mic stand and spoke up, it did seem to quiet down.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming today," she spoke. "If you would all settle down a little, I have a few short words to give before the Dean of Students comes out for his talks." As she spoke, she flipped over some papers and adjusted her glasses. "First off, I would like to thank you all for taking the time to join our institution. We have the highest expectations for each and every one of you. After the Dean's speech, special invitees are to remain in the auditorium for a special presentation, and the rest of you are welcome to a Gala celebrating the new school year." With that, she placed her papers into a folder, then took off her glasses. "Now then, I'd like you all to welcome the Dean of Students, Martin Hughe, to the stage."

There was a round of applause as a man who appeared to be in his early fifties approached the podium. Even though he was older, he appeared to be in shape that would put young athletes to shame. He raised a hand and nodded to settle the applause, then spoke up. "You're all too kind," he spoke in a mild and calming tone. "It is always refreshing to see so many new young faces joining these hallowed halls. As my assistant said before, thank you all for joining Black University. I know that it is going to be a great year for all of you..."

From there, the man droned on about the facilities and help that would be availible to students, as well as about upcoming events, though there was nothing much of interest, in the end of things.

"Again, thank you all for your time, and I look forward to seeing the success of each and every one of you here." He said, triggering another round of applause. "Now then, please enjoy food and drink provided, and as said before, I'd like special invitees to remain here for some followup consultation."

As the dean said that, the room began to clear, leaving only around twenty students within the hall.

Among those students was Ethan Yurievich, who, while being one of the special invitees mentioned, was not still in his seat for that reason. No, he was in it because he'd fallen asleep in his chair. Even if he were awake, he would doubtless not be much more attentive than he was already. That was, of course, because he had absolutely no idea why he was even at the University. For now, though, he slept with a light snore.

Going to a university was lame so far. Nothing but speeches and seeing the campus. Still, it was all free. Kacey wandered around until she found a flyer telling all the new students to go to the auditorium. That should be easy enough to find, she thought. She ripped the paper off the wall, taking it with her as she went. Maybe it was some kind of ticket that you needed to find and bring to the meeting. So she walked, watching the other students filter into what she assumed was the auditorium -without the flyer. Kacey quickly balled up the paper and tossed it into the nearest trash can. She stuck her hands into her pockets and moved to a seat. Even though it wasn't interesting, she mostly stayed awake to see who all were specially invited besides herself.

There weren't many, just barely twenty kids remained. Unfortunately, the student who had been sitting next to her was lightly snoring, having fallen asleep earlier on in the speech. She didn't hold back when she kicked him trying to wake him up. Why would he fall asleep now? He probably knew that only invited students were allowed in here right now. The invitation promised a challenge, it promised answers. She wasn't getting kicked out if the person sitting next to her fell asleep and stayed for a meeting that he wasn't supposed to see.

Grace having really no place to go and no real plans in life had thought "What the Hell I can waste a year seeing if I'm a University girl" when the offer to attend BIU had come.
She'd just been freed of the social system lack luster parenting and was seeking some meaning in her life.

When she'd arrived at the school she'd brought with her a plethora of carpet bag luggage and her strange fashion sense. Some thought her a Goth chick but that wasn't the case because beyond appearing to dress as they she had no real love of the embracing the nihilistic or most of the music for that matter which was enjoyed by the same.

She had found a seat in the auditorium for what was sure to be the orientation speech and obligatory welcome and when Dean of Students, Martin Hughe took the podium she wasn't disappointed.. She sat like all those around her at the rear of the hall till the speech was finished and before she heard them ask that all students such as she stay after for a special form of scholastic indoctrination she sighed lamenting her singling out for special treatment.

She saw as those around her looked at her like they always did since she could remember wondering why she was special. This of course was slightly different than her public school days and didn't concern her economic or parental lack, at least she hoped so.

Soon she was all alone in the rear of the auditorium and wondered if she move closer on her own decision or simply wait to be asked to do so.

She decided to wait an see because moving now would assure that everyone focused on her without reason where as waiting would do so at someone else's request and effect the perception of her differently.

Shiro was slightly overwhelmed with the university that her parents had dumped her in. She had already smashed three chairs, Shiro really needed to control her temper sometime. But her damn parents needed to let Shiro make her own choices. She sighed calming down dusting off he skirt she rearranged it slightly than walked into the auditorium. There were alot of people here too many people. Too many faces for Shiro to register all at once she clenched her fist her nails digging into the flesh in the palms of he hands drawing blood. She was snapped out of her inner battle by a student knocking into her. She turned to face the student face to face. "Watch where you're going idiot!"

The student raised their hands in front of them and backed of slightly as Shiro turned on her heels and made her way to her seat. She sat through the speeches in silence looking over everyone in the crowd. Shiro didn't expect to see anyone she recognised as she only remembered the faces of people she deemed worthy for space in her head. As the students filed out she wondered what the Dean had to say to them.

Alexander hadn't wasted much time in his room on arrival at the university, dumping off a duffel bag of clothes that he had managed to gather up before heading off for whatever passed for an orientation day at this place. He couldn't really say much of what he expected, this was not at the top of his experience list, to put it simply. It didn't take him terribly long to reach the main building, the various flyers and stands pointing out, clearly, where he needed to go for the new student initiation. He wasn't first nor last, which was just the perfect place for him to wait and be. He planted his hands into his pockets as he walked down towards an open seat, chuckling at the near fight between some royally pissed sounding chick and some poor sod, making an off comment as he walked on. "Day 1, a fight nearly breaks out for no obvious reason. I might like this place after all."

Taking his seat, he pulled a pair of thin, wire frame glasses out and pulled them on. They weren't strictly necessary, he could live and function without them fine, but they sharpened his vision back to perfect 20 20 rather than the slight near sightedness that he dealt with on a daily basis. But he liked them, so he wore them. That, and he could never afford to have to replace them, so they had stayed by his side for far longer than any other part of his personal affects. Kicking the side thoughts to the curb as the speech giving began from a youngish woman who mentioned special invitees to remain behind. Great, not even a day in and he was already getting pulled aside for additional instruction. He was certain this didn't mean anything good, so as the Dean of Students, fancy bloody title that, came up and droned on and on about facilities, standards, and such, he spaced out.

It was boring, other than the useful nuggets of where everything was, and he sat there, arms crossed, waiting for the old guy to shut up and finish so he could figure out what was going on already. Sure enough, the old guy wrapped up and finished with another reminder for the special invitees to wait behind for another earful of crap. This left what looked like a little under two dozen people, including some sod getting kicked out of a good days sleep and the feisty girl. He glanced around behind him, a token few people back there, some odder fashion senses hid out back there it seemed. He leaned back in his chair, content with his knowledge of the room for now, kicking his legs up, with hands linked behind his head, and stretched out, relaxing and waiting for whatever was up next. Hopefully it proved more interesting than before, and wasn't just some 'Your special, don't abuse it' cautionary speech. Maybe why he got picked up for this place, it was way above his place from before, that was for sure. At the very least, he would pay more attention now than before.

Kazuki's first morning at Black University wasn't very eventful. He arrived on the train, dropped off his things in his room and then went to the orientation which was in the auditorium. Though even if he wasn't sure there were about four thousand flyers plastered all over the place, perhaps they had problems with students skipping orientation in the past? Most likely. He arrived in the auditorium in timely manner, after all that was the prudent course of action.

After about a half hour and the hall was mostly filled, a woman gave a speech, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Mainly information about the first day, though the fact that the special invitees are to remain caused Kazuki to raise an eyebrow. He was one of those wasn't he? After all he never applied to this school, they contacted him. Oh well, he'd stick around just to be sure, though he wasn't sure how he felt about being a 'special invitee'. A flash of annoyance rippled through him as he briefly considered the possibility that his parents had something to do with that.

From there the Dean of Students came to the podium, a remarkably well fit man by the looks of him. He gave a standard orientation, in other words a show and tell mostly. A chance to display all of the shiny stuff and the things that students could use. After the speech and after most had cleared the hall, what remained was himself and what he'd guess was about 20 people. And they ranged from lazy judging from the young man asleep in his chair, to violent by the girl about to kick the crap out of said lazy man. Kazuki studied everyone in the room closely, unable to find a common denominator just by looking, a shame. It would have been interesting to know that before the 'special presentation'. And so, the only Kazuki could do was wait patiently for whatever it was they had in store.

Ramon carried his bags to his room, dropped them off and headed to the cafeteria. On his way he thought, Today is going to be the start of a new day. Less friends, less popularity, more focus on getting my Doctorate. I'll try and make new friends today, if my track record is right, should be a synch. He arrived at the cafeteria seeing the woman giving her short speech. He sat down near the middle of the a random section of the auditorium and pulled out his note book ready for the Dean to give his standard orientation. As the Dean spoke, Ramon began to take notes of anything that might be useful, but was slightly taken aback when he was told to stay in the auditorium with the unknown number of people who were also specially invited. Putting away his notebook he noticed the variety of people attending the university.

Ramon picked up his pen and began twirling it in hand, it rotated on his palm seemingly endlessly, it's metal reflecting the light of the auditorium. As he viewed this he wondered if there would be any clubs to attend at the school for Martial arts, and if it did, what would the competition be like? He sat there waiting for the new presentation to begin wondering if he should get up and talk to the new specially selected students. After a moment he got up and walked to a girl sitting in the back, Grace. Sat down next to her and said, " Hi, I'm Ramon, what's your name?"

"Gha, what!?" Ethan exclaimed, having been woken by the sudden kick to the ribs. He rubbed his side with a frown. "Why's everyone always so touchy?" He mumbled to himself, apparently already off on some sort of tangent. "Parents make me go to some school, now people are hitting me... Don't even know why I'm here..." He groaned, looking at the person who had kicked him.

"Huh... Well, I'm just going to go somewhere else..." He said, seeing her face. And she looks like a psychopath... He thought to himself, deciding to pop over to someone else. "Hey babe," he said to Shiro out of nowhere. "You have any idea what's going on?" He asked her. "Where'd everyone go, anyway?"

Grace opens her little purse and retrieved a little zip lock baggie inside filled with a special mixture dried banana an apple slices combined with finely chopped pieces of Bhut Jolokia, Datil and Rocoto peppers.
She loved the way the snack mix she made herself tasted though most people sampling it would often cry or even scream in pain and make a mad search for water. They actually thought water would relieve their pain and Grace loved the look of betrayal they gave it when they were proven wrong.

She watched as the strange scene of the sleeping male and the feisty girl played out but her attention was less on them than on the Dean. She was curious about his style and thought she'd watch his emotional reaction to the outburst that carried clearly in the near empty auditorium.

Nice going. You've managed to wake him, but wasn't there a better way? Yeah, but I had to, what if he's not supposed to be here? Hopefully the Dean won't be too mad. She'd been making a scene, and people were starting to stare. She sunk further into her seat. "First day, and you're already a psychopath… way to go." She muttered to herself, almost imitating the kid she'd woken with such force. Maybe the dean would ignore that, and carry on whatever he was going to do.

Instead of keep direct eye contact with anyone or look at the dean, she fiddled with her tie. She'd hoped that everyone would be more… formally dressed. No one here was, and now she just looked like a fool. She thought that schools had a uniform or something, but also wanted to put her best foot forward. Too bad she'd managed to somehow trip and stuff the whole thing into her mouth.

Shiro turned her head slowly to the Ethan. Grinding her teeth she took three deep breaths, reining in her anger she looked up at him smiling sweetly. "I know about as much as you do. I would like to know more but sadly I cannot see into the future, if I could I would probably avoid this conversation ever happening in the first place." Shiro turned back to face the Dean, than turned back to face Ethan. "Almost forgot, call me babe again and I'll hurt you in places you never knew could be hurt!" She said these last words with deadly seriousness.

Shiro would not be an image to be ogled at by the boys of this university, she was no whore and would happily break any guys hand which dared to touch her. Regaining her composure she turned back to the Dean and listen. Bored already by his dull tone.

Ramon realized that he wasn't notice, and stood up thinking to himself Heh, first day and I'm already being ignored, sweet! I'm not going to be a super popular kid anymore, but I think that some people here are... Odd. Ramon moved back to his seat and looked at the girl who just lost her mind, Shiro, threatening to break some punklike child's hand for being inappropriate towards her. While it may have been an overreaction, it was probably the right call and needed to be done. But he wasn't sure. He turned back to the stage listening more to the speech quietly and attentively jotting down anything of importance. As he did this his mind wandered back to the final day of training at his dojo. Students leaving the dojo for college have the honor of facing the master himself.

One thing ran through his mind at that moment. I'm going to win this fight, no matter what, I'll keep trying as hard as I can. When the bell rung there was a moment of intense stillness. No one, absolutely nothing was moving. It was as if the dojo itself held its breath in anticipation, the star pupil against his master would be a legendary fight. At that moment the master leapt forward lightning fast, entering with a skipping snap kick. Ramon pivoted off to side ever so slightly allowing the kick to move past him. While still in motion from the snap kick the master pivoted on his left foot reaching out his hands, grasping the back of Ramon's neck and pulling him forward for a knee strike. However Ramon had been expecting this and shot his arms down in an x shaped pattern, absorbing the force of the blow. He then trapped the pit of his masters knee and lifted upwards pulling him off balance. However, being the master he was, he put Ramon in a guillotine chocke hold and leaned back, pulling them both to the ground, with Ramon at a seemingly horrible disadvantage. Ramon allowed the choke hold continue, because he had tucked in his chin, preventing his trachea from being cut off from its precious supply of air. He then pushed forward with both legs and rolled upwards, loosening the grip around his neck. Seeing how his master was open, he delivered a swift jab to the floating ribs, loos ing the grip even further as to the fact of being able to pull free of the grip. They both stood up facing each other, and began readying themselves for another spurt of combat.

Much to his disappointment, the pissed chick seemed to calm down and remove a good source of entertainment. Granted, a fight breaking out would kind of dampen the special meeting that the Dean and company had planned for the special invitees, so Alex guessed it was more good than bad that the fight had not broken out after all, and had quieted down. The guy promptly went and got himself a death threat, calling some girl a babe, which got him chuckling as he threw his two cents, figuratively of course, into the mess. "Man, your zero and two, might want to cut your losses before someone decides to actually pop you one. As for you, lass, right interesting threat you spat out there. Good show, all of you."

Alex had an easy grin on his face, not moving from his spot as he pretty much mouthed off at the people that he had no idea who they were, at all really, which was never a smart idea, but he wasn't necessarily the smartest person at times. Besides, he was killing time until someone took over and started making speeches at them again, and he had to sit there and listen to something that he hoped would be more interesting, or at the very least relevant. Adjusting his glasses, he kept an ear open for the dean while looking in their direction, half hoping that someone would spark off again.

Grace continued to happily munch away at her snack as she observed what had become quite the interesting floor show.

"Maybe Collage life won't be so boring an academic after all?" She thought to herself

She was happy with her chosen position in the back of the auditorium as it reminded her of the Red Baron's primary theory of combat. Lay back in a good point of observation and watch the opening engagements then chose your target in the confusion.

Not that she planed to engage the others in their conflict but her seat did mean if she were forced to she had the advantage of position.

Growing up in the turmoil of the foster care system had taught Grace the value of assessing all social situations before committing to and action. She was gathering Intel if you will on all those she now knew to be considered the same as she was. She would need this to help her decide who she could and shouldn't take as an ally as the group broke off into cliques.

Sure her unusual mode of dress would make her acceptance a bit difficult in some of the cliques but she knew that even there she could use it as her charm, every group needed the odd girl an she knew how to exploit that angle..

"Woah, feisty," Ethan laughed. "Relax, I'm just tryin' to figure out where everyone went," he said. "You know, I've got something that'd do you a ton of good," he said, putting his arms on the back of the chair next to her. "I mean, 'm I the only one who has no idea why I'm here? I mean, I didn't even try in school and some big uni wants to give me a free learning. Kinda weird, don't you think?" He was apparently completely lost to the hostility, compared to the girl who'd woken him, if only because the threatening girl didn't look like a soldier or escaped convict.

Kazuki silently observed the goings on from the back of the auditorium, taking notes on his fellow students. Still unable to find a common denominator. Still no clue as to why 20 or so students who have nearly nothing in common. Still he was wracking his brain until the incredibly moronic one said something interesting. He was just invited, no application or anything, in fact he said he was something of a dropout. That was a connection, Kazuki was just invited himself without any rhyme or reason, sure he had good grades but he was far from a remarkable student.

hmm, so then it is entirely possible that every student here was specifically invited out of the blue without any application at all. The question then becomes why? Why gather so many people who have nearly nothing in common at all? Just from a cursory glance the only person he even had a chance of having something in common with was the girl who seemed to be doing the same as him, hanging in the back and studying. He adjusted his tie and waited, as that was the only thing he really could do.

Breathe in, 1...2...3.... breathe out.... 1....2....3...

Alexandra took in her breath and released it slowly, just like Dr. Higgins had taught her. The exercise was only vaguely working. It was so stifling among all these people, and she just wanted to get away. But, orientation problems. Way too many people. For now, she slumped a little in her chair and let her hair fall around her face for comfort.

She was glad when most of the students left the orientation, save for the special invitees. That was her status, the letter had come to her by way of Dr. Higgins, her shrink. He was the only one who didn't call her crazy when she talked about the dreams. He didn't seem to want to give her details, but when her parents heard of the full ride she wasn't left with a choice but to go. There seemed to be a lot of negative energy in the room now, some students seemed to be bothering others. She kept to herself in her seat, though she watched goings-ons through her hair curtain. Maybe she should leave before this gets started, pretend she wasn't a "special invitee" and just go to class and skip the honors society crap... Jesus she'd been a C student, how honorific could this even be? What, was this some kind of idiot outreach program? She began to resent Dr. Higgins at that thought.

F*ck my life. she thought to herself, rubbing her drowsy eyes. The other "special invitees" were nitpicking each other and some were rather aggressive. What, did they all get shipped in straight from juvie?? She was starting to get up and leave like a normal student when the speaker began again, finally. She slumped back down in her seat reluctantly.

Yet again Shiro was forced to turn to face Ethan. "First you call me babe and now you call me feisty?! Are you seriously incapable of keeping stupid things in your head instead of saying them out loud. But I guess I can humour you this once. As I said before I know about as much as you, I have no idea why us all specifically have been singled out for this talk. If I knew I probably wouldn't be sitting here talking to you right now." Shiro Crossed her arms and stared back at the Dean.

"Relax, just callin' things how I see em. You seem a lot more interesting than Granola girl over there eating the red trail mix or the girl in the back who's hyperventilatin'," Ethan said with a smile. "And you're not the scary lookin' lass who kicked me awake," he pointed out. "Besides, strong chicks are pretty cool by me." He said with a grin. He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a flash from the stage. "What... The hell?" He asked, looking at the source of the flash.

"Now then," spoke the dean, who was suddenly holding a giant scythe in one hand. "I believe it is time to explain why you are all here." After the flash, the man appeared to be someone completely different. He had a fearful presence that simply wasn't there before. "As some of you may be aware, you are not here based on academic merit alone." He explained, heaving the scythe to rest it on his shoulder. "Each and every one of you in this room has a gift, the potential to use something known as 'Sight'. Some of you," he looked right at Alexandra and Grace. "May already be somewhat aware of the gift, though have not refined it. The rest of you have lived unaware of the gifts and potential that you were born with. Now then, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Martin Hughe, I am the Dean of Students at Black University, and am the one who can be known as the forty-eighth Grim Reaper."

"Seems a bit showy..." Ethan mumbled, staring at the display.

"Now then, the reason you are all here is because of your gifts. The purpose for which you are receiving an education here is to train you to become my assistants as Reapers. However, just because your room, board, and tuition here are covered, do NOT expect this to be an easy ride. You will each be put through rigors that will test your minds, bodies, and souls to the limits, and even then, some of you will not make it through the program. You will still be given the free tuition, however, you will still be expected to finish a degree if that is the case. On that note, each of you is to find a secondary degree within the University, just in case of this eventuality." He then hefted the scythe, pointing the end of it at Ramon. "Ramon Othane," he spoke. "Come down to the stage. I'd like to go over a small demonstration."

"... Huh..." Ethan mumbled. "You as confused as I am here?" He asked Shiro.

Ramon stood up. As he did he felt like a ball had dropped in his stomach and was pulling him down. Te fact that a scythe had appeared in the Dean's hand was one thing, but the way he held it was another. It was so natural, he was at a resting position, but it was up and ready invade he were to be attacked. The Dean knew exactly what he was doing, and was, as at least Ramon could see, an expert with his blade. Ramon approached the stage, thoughts flashing through his mind. What does he want me to do? Will I have to fight him, will I have a sword? God this is insane. I've got butterflies everywhere and I haven't even spoken to him yet. Tensly, Ramon walked onto the stage and stood next to the Dean, putting on a fake smile and greeting him friendly and wholeheartedly. If he's a grim reaper, why doesn't he look the part? Am I going to get reaped?!? This is so confusing! the tight feeling in Ramon's stomach intensified tenfold as he prepared for whatever might come and said, "So Headmaster Hughe, how may I be of assistance?"