NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Chapter Five
Chapter Tilted: The Crossroad Of Choices
The world outside that door was gone, and I had just walked into a battlefield and I will never going down or defeated.
....
As I stepped inside, my eyes were immediately drawn to the man seated behind an imposing mahogany desk. He wasn't just anyone—he was the man in charge, the one who seemingly controlled the threads of this entire academy. His salt-and-pepper hair, meticulously combed, matched the sharp precision of his tailored suit. His gaze lingered on me, dissecting every inch as though I were some sort of anomaly.
He motioned toward the chair across from him. "Please, have a seat."
The secretary, without a word, slipped out of the room, closing the door with a soft click that somehow sounded final. Now, it was just me and him, the air between us heavy with expectation.
"Welcome, Miss Armstrong, to Phoenix Academy," he began, his tone measured and deliberate, like someone who enjoyed the sound of their own voice. "I must admit, it's not every day we welcome a scholarship student into our ranks. In fact, you're the first in this institution's history."
His words might have been significant, but they barely registered. All I could think was how excruciatingly slow he was going. My mind screamed, Just get to the point already, old man! But outwardly, I nodded, feigning politeness as he continued his little speech about the academy's prestige and my "unique opportunity."
I forced a tight smile, my hands clasped in my lap, trying to will the clock to move faster. If this was a test of patience, I was failing miserably
The principal's voice carried a steady authority as he outlined the academy's curriculum. "Phoenix Academy offers ten distinct programs," he began, his words deliberate, "spanning multiple disciplines. Each student is required to enroll in at least two. However, the ambitious ones often aim for more—up to five, if they can handle it."
I couldn't help but notice the subtle challenge in his tone, as though daring me to go beyond the bare minimum. Most students, he explained, chose two programs, calling the workload intense, even overwhelming. Only a rare few ever ventured into three or more, and those who succeeded were practically revered.
As I listened, my mind raced. Two programs sounded safe, reasonable even. But safe wasn't why I was here. If this academy was my gateway to something greater, I needed to prove I had the strength to push boundaries. Maybe I'd take on more. Maybe I'd make them remember my name.
As the principal's voice trailed off, I managed a polite nod, though my thoughts were miles away. The details about the courses and programs buzzed around my head like an annoying fly. I couldn't focus—not yet. There was too much to process, too much riding on every decision I made here.
"Go back to my secretary. She'll give you the keycard to your residence," the principal said, his tone as formal as ever.
"Thank you, sir," I replied, standing and making my way toward the door.
Descending the stairs, my mind wandered back to the avalanche of information he'd just thrown at me. Programs, rules, expectations—it was like trying to drink from a fire hose. How could anyone choose something so important on the spot? I sighed, tucking the decision away for later.
When I reached the secretary, she was already holding a small envelope. "Your keycard," she said, handing it over with a faint smile.
"Thank you," I murmured, taking it carefully. The card was small and unassuming, but it felt impossibly heavy in my hand. Not because of its weight, but because of what it represented—a new chapter, a fresh start, and a thousand unknowns waiting just beyond the horizon.
For a moment, I simply stood there, staring at the card. It wasn't just a key to a room; it was the gateway to my future. With a deep breath, I tucked it into my pocket and set off to find the next piece of my story.