Chapter 2 – The Hall
As Link walked towards the main hall in his casual clothes, not wanting to be picked out or receive much attention. The Master Hand had written him a message prior that he could re-do his first year at the academy. Link of course accepted without a second of hesitation. The prior year while he did get to have a day here or there at the academy it was usually filled with interviews and papers. While he wished he could have spent more time at the academy, he certainly didn't want to allow anything to happen to his home country. After reading the letter one final time he folded it up and placed it back within his pocket. All around him bussed with excitement and reunion.
While he still had around half an hour till he needed to be seated in the hall he just roamed and looked for any sign of a familiar face. How more than anything he wished he knew someone at the academy that he could hang out with. But he supposed that was the point of orientation week.
If only there were people he knew here already, well that was a lie because there were defiantly some he knew. Also the rumours that Ness was attending this year had reached his ears.
"You mean the Ness that was in the tournaments? He's going to be in our year?" said a student
"I heard that he and some other kid from his place made it through." Replied a second student
"Well of course he would pass the exam, I mean he's been in tournaments" stated a third
If they knew that a second tournament player would be joining there year he was sure they would be talking to him. But of course they didn't so he just walked past.
Wiping his 'failed' previous attempt at school clean he strode towards the hall. The great oak doors open enough that more excited chatter could be heard through. People excited about the classes and training that they would undergo, while others talking about their home country and its beauty. It appeared as if most people already knew at least two or three people. Some looked like they actually knew people from the upper class, Link could only assume that they were from the same country.
Link looked around and spotted a set of unclaimed seats. Slumping down on a chair near the edge of the room, Link began to question himself.
"Is it really alright that I leave Hyrule? If someone attacks I won't hear until it's too late…" Thoughts trailed onwards and questions in his mind kept popping up until he was disrupted but a young tanned boy. From first look he didn't appear to look much older than himself.
"Umm… Excuse me, but are these seats taken?" He asked indicating to the seats next to Link
Link shook his head and went to stand up.
"Oh no, you don't have to move. Oh sorry, where are my manners? I'm Shulk, nice to meet you!" Shulk said assuring him it was ok to stay.
"Ah… I'm Link, as to you" Link replied in a husked voice.
"Link huh, strange name, say do you know anyone here?" Shulk continued
Link shook his head, but stopped and slowed "Well that may not be true. I know of people here, but not personally."
In the meantime people had flowed into the hall and taken their seats. Once all students were in the hall the doors slid closed and the lights turned off. Questioning whispers came from all parts of the hall, even the second years, it seemed that this was out of the ordinary. Only once all the whispers came to an end did something happen. A quiet counting.
"Three"
"Two"
"One"
Followed by a loud click of the finger, suddenly a spotlight on the stage came flooding on. Standing, or rather floating, in the centre was the headmaster of the school, the Master Hand. A quick gasping of the sudden events left students in awe on who was in the light.