Chapter 2 - It Soon Begins

/_\

Walking through the main yard of the grounds was quite something, he had to admit that the sculptures, ornaments, and horticulture were beautifully maintained and as perfect as one could get. Something this university strived for it seems, both in itself and from what it expects from its students.

Raylan made his way through the university, once again he'd done his research before arriving. Studying the layout and map of the university grounds preemptively to help him locate the areas he needed to find, such as the Headmasters office.

As Raylan proceeded into the lobby of the main building on campus, he couldn't help but watch those around him going about their day. From students to faculty members, everyone seemed to be going about their busy day.

Obviously, the students out-numbered the professors by a decent margin. But merely walking through the campus re-affirmed to Raylan just how special this place was. There were students at every corner, sure, but it was far different than any normal university. They simply didn't get the same massive numbers as other universities, but Aeon got the cream of the crop.

As the young man made his way to the nearest elevator he watched as the students around him all seemed off in their own world. It was actually kind of… odd, if Raylan was being honest.

"Their sole focus is securing their future here." Raylan couldn't help but think as he noted a few of the student bodies nearby.

There was one or two that caught his eye, such as a blond guy who looked like he might as well have been dressed in clothes literally made of money, despite its simple design in some places. He certainly fits in with the ambitious and probably loaded student body of this place.

Another student who, amazingly, had a baby with her stuck out like a sore thumb. The mother, at least he assumed she was the mother by how the kid was held by her, couldn't have been any older than he was, in fact, if he was judging by how stressed she seemed to be, she was likely a new student just like he was.

"Attending university as a young mother," Raylan thought as he moved on toward his destination, "Admirable." If the young man had the chance to help that poor girl out at some point, he'd offer it. He didn't get the chance to offer now because she was quick to pick up her bag before taking off with her kid in her arms.

Maybe another time.

Raylan entered the elevator, which swiftly brought him to the floor where the headmaster's office resided.

As the young man made his way down the hall he noted how there seemed to be quite a few mirrors scattered throughout the hall, and with how modern the design of the building was on the inside it made it seem like the halls stretched on for eternity.

A strange design choice in Raylan's opinion, but to each their own.

Another thing he noted was how the building was laid out. With how deep inside the building he was, it made it clear that the headmaster's office was in the very center of it. Which meant it would simply be an isolated room. No windows to the outside world, no view, just the room.

That honestly sounded more like a cell, more than it did an office.

At that moment the young student reached a set of open double doors which lead to a large, more open room, which was only divided by three doorless entryways. In the middle was a rather crisp, clean main area.

A quick glance around the room and Raylan could tell what the room was used for. It was a mix between a receptionist's office, a waiting room for students on the left-hand side, and a meeting room on the right just beyond a small glass divide.

The two adjacent rooms were empty, so no meeting or waiting students, but sat at the desk, neck-deep in their computer, was a woman. If Raylan had to guess she was likely the headmaster's personal aid and receptionist.

Pushing any other thoughts aside the young man made his way over to the receptionist.

/_\

"The headmaster sure loves his photos." Raylan couldn't help but think as he sat waiting in the headmaster's reception office just outside the headmaster's personal office. It was to be expected really, he'd been told to wait by the, rather overly-polite, receptionist to wait here whilst she'd fetch the headmaster. He was no doubt a busy man having to run such a university, and Raylan had arrived earlier than expected.

Which gave him plenty of time to examine the room around him. Obviously, he sat in the waiting area of the semi-joined rooms, but he still had a clear view of every aspect of the room from where he sat.

The first, and the most eye-catching, thing he noticed was all the pictures and photos on the walls around the doorway leading into the headmaster's office.

Of course, the photos were of the headmaster himself from various times in his life judging by how young the man looked in some of them. From photos of his numerous travels around the world during his own studies, certificates, achievements, photos of the man standing next to other prominent figures around the globe, to some when he was in the boxing ring, a famous chess match of his, or even his time in a jungle. They went on and on and yet there were no copies or duplicates, and the wall was still filled from top to bottom.

In all likelihood, these photos were here to both inspire and impress the students. Showing them what they too can achieve if they tried.

He'd heard the stories of the headmaster before, of how intelligent, kind, and considerate he was. How he often went out of his way to help students, even having paid out of his own pocket to aid a student or two who really needed help in some way. The man was a legend to many across the world. An inspiration to many young ambitious individuals.

The stories of how he set this place up, and the long road to building its reputation. He was once asked about the length of time it took for Aeon to come together and he simply replied with the classic idiom, Rome wasn't built in a day.

The people and media had gone mad with the stories of this place, and often ran rumors as hard facts about how he created Aeon. How he achieved perfection as the media had labeled it.

The headmaster was more a celebrity to those outside the university than he was a headmaster and professor. Whether or not the man cared was up for debate but there was no denying his fame.

It was at that moment the doors to the room opened revealing the man of the hour.

He was an older man, who was apparently in his mid to late forties, his hair used to be black but was beginning to gray with his age. To be fair, he wore the old man look well with how he trimmed, tidy, and proper he looked, it alongside his clean and sophisticated beard really solidified the image he portrayed. His suit completed the look even if it was more old plaid classic in design, which contrasted the modern look his university held.

Brown eyes quickly locked on to Raylan the moment he stepped into the room.

"Ah! So you must be the young man I was scheduled to meet today." The headmaster exclaimed, in a clear British accent, as he approached the door leading to his office. "My apologies for keeping you waiting, a faculty meeting kept me occupied for some time."

"It's fine, sir, I arrived earlier than expected," Raylan replied as he stood up to greet the headmaster.

The headmaster merely smiled at that. "If you're not early you're late, young man." He opened the door to his office and gestured for Raylan to enter. "Let's continue this inside."

Raylan stepped into the office, and the moment he didn't he couldn't help but furrow his brow in confusion.

The office was decorated in a very… old, classical style. But then again, it matches the headmaster. It was looked as though it would fit back into the seventies or eighties. There were, of course, a few exceptions such as the office toys that sat across his desk, the more modern picture frames that littered the walls, and the books that stocked the bookcases were mixed with more traditional-looking books. There was even a mirror hanging on the wall on the right side, big enough that three people standing side-by-side could clearly be seen in it. It perfectly reflected the office back.

But as Raylan had already figured, the office had no windows. Not even a skylight, which made the room feel smaller than it actually was. Confined and cramped like the room really was a prison cell. Not that it seemed to both the other person in the room.

The headmaster passed him by whilst he examined the room and took a seat behind his desk.

"Please, sit down so we can have a small discussion about yourself." He gestured to the seat opposite his desk with his right hand as he reached into one of the drawers with his left hand to pull out a file.

It didn't take a genius to know whose file that belonged to.

Raylan sat across from the headmaster just as he opened the file to the first page.

"Well, to begin, allow me to introduce myself." He began, "I'm sure you already know this but I am Dr. James Callows, Headmaster and founder of this university."

"Raylan Sinclair," Raylan replied in kind, "But I'm sure you also knew that."

The headmaster hummed a small laugh as he smiled at the young man's response. "An interesting choice of words to begin with, everyone else I've met with this year has always opened with it's an honor to meet you or it's a pleasure to speak with you, and so on."

"I figured I'd do something different." The young man replied cooly. Nodding his head toward the headmaster.

"A unique introduction like that certainly is different and refreshing in a way, makes you stand out amongst first impressions compared to your peers." The older man concede with a warm smile as his eyes turned down to the file in front of him. "Not that your records don't already do that."

Raylan said nothing, allowing the older man to continue.

"Valedictorian of your school, passing college and university level exams before graduation of second level, a competitive champion Maui Tai fighter five years in a row in your age brackets, and not to mention a chess champion." James read off one after the other, probably listed in that order for some reason as well, "It's an impressive record, both on the academic and athletic spectrum."

"I push myself for things that interest me, sir." He replied smoothly, unwavering in the face of praise from the older man. It was true, everything he held some interest to him in some way. Mostly because he liked to challenge himself with new things but that was neither here nor there.

"It's respectable to be a champion of anything let alone two, although I'm more a fan of the noble art of boxing myself," The man gestured to an older black and white picture on the wall of him being declared the winner of a boxing match. He smiled at the picture before turning back to Raylan. "I can respect the effort that takes, young man."

"I do what I can." Raylan nodded in acknowledgment.

"However, I did note that some information on you was unavailable to our scouts when they were researching you after we received your records," He noted with a clinical eye as he glanced up from the file to the young man in question, "We poked no further than that on the matter but I'll brave the question now. Is that anything we should be worried about? Anything that may present a problem in the future?"

"Not at all, sir," Raylan replied, his voice remaining as calm as he'd began with, "It's merely to due with… witness protection, of a sort." Raylan had suspected they'd wish to confirm his records, but to hear he was scouted by people wasn't something he'd expected.

Was that why they accepted him despite his late application? Did they find something they really liked?

"Ah, well, we'll confirm that later on but we won't pry for any details." The headmaster admitted before leaning forward slightly in his seat, "But please be assured that no harm will befall you here, we'll do what we can to look after you."

"Appreciate the show of kindness, sir."

The headmaster gave a small smile, and nod, to the young student.

"I'm sure a young man of your standing will fit in her perfectly well here, I'm certain that after this year you'll reach your true potential and come into your own before going even further than."

Raylan had to suppress the urge to roll his eyes for that one. That was so cliche to hear from the founder of the most famous university across the world. Like a rehearsed line from a speech he'd give to younger students who might one day strive to enter Aeon. Hell, the young man of your standing was just as annoying or stuck-up in Raylan's opinion.

Still, the sentiment behind it was genuine enough. Which, at the end of the day, was all that mattered in this scenario given who he was speaking to.

"Now, onto other matters." The older man continued. "As a late applicant, it's unfortunate but not at all surprising to understand that there are not enough rooms within the dorms to house you." Details Raylan was already well aware of. "With that said, we've arranged to have you housed in an apartment complex not far from here. They had a vacancy, and when asked allowed us to house you there for the length of tenure here. Funds will be sent to the apartment manager at the beginning of every month to pay for your rent but anything beyond that is something you must look after on your own."

Understandable. It wouldn't have been fair to cover the cost of any damages he might cause, or whatever other extras he might need such as new furniture and such.

"You'll be given enough of a monthly allowance for whatever supplies you might need for your lectures, whatever household supplies you might need such as food and so forth." The headmaster explained, "If you want more spending money then you'll likely have to find a part-time job, although juggling that with lessons and assignments to our standard likely won't end well but that is your decision to make."

"Understood, sir."

"Excellent," The man clasped his hands together at his rather simple response before reaching over and grabbing a sheet from within his file before handing it to the young man.

Raylan quickly took it before examining the contents.

"That is the address to the apartment you'll be staying at as well as the name and contact number of the apartment manager," The headmaster explained, even if Raylan had already surmised what the document had entailed from the address alone. There really was only one thing it could have been in his mind. "She'll be waiting for you within the main lobby of the building, she should recognize you as we have already informed her of who to keep an eye out for, but if she doesn't then simply show her your Golden Passport and she'll know right away."

Raylan nodded wordlessly as he transferred the manager's name and number into his phone. Better to have her in his contacts now, he was likely going to be seeing a lot of her in the coming years.

"Well, I believe that is everything that we needed to discuss." The headmaster concluded as he watched Raylan stash away the document he'd just given him, "Unless you have any further queries for me?"

Raylan shook his head, "None, sir."

"Grand," The older man nodded, "Then it is best we both be off, we both no doubt have places to be." With that, both parties rose from their seats but the headmaster paused to allow Raylan to leave first. "If you have any issues or concerns please inform me right away, I'll do what I can to help you along. Regardless though I'm sure we'll see each other around campus until then have a pleasant day."

With a small bow of his head, the young student turned to exit the office. Just as Raylan was about to leave through the door the headmaster had one last thing to say.

"And welcome to Aeon, Mr. Sinclair."

/_\

Raylan pulled out his phone and checked the time. All that perceived time spent getting here, the meeting itself, and he'd barely killed an hour of the day at the end of it all. And now he had to get back to his little student apartment back in the city as someone was there waiting for him.

They really should have just told him where his place of residence would be before he arrived, would have saved some real effort on his part and possibly on the apartment manager's end as well. Why drag students, who have likely flown into the country, all the way up to the university first before giving them a chance to rest and recover. Hell, some students probably made a right balls of their meeting with the headmaster due to their nerves, exhausting trips, and general lack of understanding of the area.

"Intelligence isn't an indicator for common sense, I suppose." Raylan conceded in his own mind. It really wasn't his place to judge or tell faculty how to run things. At the end of the day that was just how things were.

His phone vibrated indicating he'd just received a message, a quick glance at the notification told him who it was from. Raylan hummed but ignored it, quickly dismissing the notification and pocketing his phone.

Raylan was quick to backtrack the way he'd came, heading back toward the main gateway to the campus. He knew where he'd be going, he had an address and was told of the bus route that runs just outside that would take him to his new residence.

Just as the main gate came into view he was stopped by a voice off to his right.

"Excuse me." The feminine but accented voice spoke. If he'd had to guess he would have said she had german heritage judging by the accent alone. The young man turned to find a young woman, probably the same age as he was and likely a student here like him. She walked toward him at a brisk pace before stopping in front of him, standing quite prim and proper for what was likely a trivial matter.

Raylan was quick to take in her appearance.

She stood at roughly five-foot, seven inches. The young woman seemed to be of a relatively slender physique, her body shape isn't much to write home about as she is only slightly above average in the chest and rear-end departments. As far he could tell anyway.

She was fair-skinned but somewhat pale as well, her slightly wavy but mostly straight, dark brown hair, slightly tinted a blood-red crimson, reached down to her waist contrasted her complexion. And although her face could be that of a model, her icy blue eyes were cold but calculating in a way that a models wasn't. Her gaze made it seem like she was judging you, and harshly at that. It would honestly send shivers down the spines of lesser people.

Luckily, Raylan wasn't one of those people.

Her attire consisted of a white dress shirt, over which she wears a long, red, wool coat. Below her dress-shirt, she wears a conservative, long, black skirt that reaches down to around her ankles. Finally, she wears black ankle-length socks and simple brown shoes.

Honestly, she was one of the more noticeable people he'd seen on campus thus far. And he'd seen a blonde money bags and a young mother with her baby around here so that said a lot.

"You wouldn't happen to be a first-year student, would you?" She asked, her words sharp and clipped.

"I am, yes." Raylan swiftly replied. Better to be quick than likely annoy her by wasting time. Her eyes examined him for a singular moment that would have gone unnoticed by most.

"Good, I've volunteered to hand these out on behalf of the faculty." The young woman reached into the stack of fliers she had resting on her right arm and handed one to Raylan, who quickly took it. "There is a small celebration being held at a local hotel organized by Aeon, a welcoming party to the new students. It's so the students can socialize with other new students and have the opportunity to interact with members of the faculty and their future professors. A beneficial night for all attending."

Raylan raised an eyebrow at the explanation, glancing at the flier it gave an address and time for when the celebration and socializing were to begin. On the back, it explained the general plan for the night, and of expectations of the students. His silence gave the young woman the chance to continue.

"Attendance is not mandatory but recommended." She explained, words as crisp as ever. But her words became sharper as she spoke again, "If you are to attend remember that you are representing Aeon in the public eye. Dress and act appropriately."

"I'll act as I should at the time," Raylan replied. Did that mean he'd act good or bad? Honestly, that answer could be taken either way. All Raylan meant though was he'd act in response to how the night goes.

It seemed that his answer might not have sat well with his fellow student if the small narrowing of her eyes was anything to go by.

"If you have no further questions on the matter then I'll take my leave." The young woman turned and briskly escaped the conversation.

But not before Raylan had a chance to call after her.

"I didn't catch your name." He stated.

"I didn't give it." The young woman replied without turning around before she disappeared around the corner in the direction of the dormitories. Likely to hand out the fliers to all the students there.

"Chilly," Raylan muttered to himself as he turned back to the flier. Without another word, he folded it and it into his jacket pocket. Honestly, the thought that the most prestigious university holds an unofficial welcoming party like this was quite the bizarre concept. It felt very… normal.

And that's probably the only reason Raylan even considered going.

If the party was meant to be some purely formal meet-and-greet for the upper crust of the university then the young man would have likely skipped out on attending. That was not how he planned to live whilst he was here.

He really didn't care about making professional connections like that.

Friendships? Sure, he was all for that if any came his way, but he wasn't here to mingle with people just for a better lot in life because he happened to know the right of individuals.

But were the students of Aeon here for such things?

It seemed like the only way Raylan was gonna get an answer to that question was by attending this party and seeing what the people were made of.

Raylan couldn't help wonder what kind of people he might meet at this little celebration, he honestly cared little about the facility and professors that would turn up later, but the no-doubt colourful cast of characters that make up the student body would be an interesting bunch.

He'd already seen a few so far, who else might he meet?

It seems like Raylan's first night in the city was gonna be a lively one.

If only he knew how true that was.

/_\

It hadn't taken long for the bus to arrive, so Raylan was quickly on his way to his new provided apartment. He watched the world go by from his seat near the back of the empty bus, just mostly thinking of everything that would happen come tomorrow.

The day his year official began, the first day to his fresh start.

But at the end of the day, he knew his fresh start was likely vastly different from others that would also be attending Aeon.

Where others were attending because it was the chance of a lifetime, something that would lead them to greater places in life, to an easier lifestyle where they can safely say they made it one day. Their road might be bumpy, and not as smooth as they might have thought but with Aeon behind them, they surely couldn't lose in their mind.

Raylan's mindset about the whole thing was different.

Aeon was merely a stepping stone.

He was here to be challenged, he was here to endure the struggles and hardships his new start would provide him. Whether they be his or someone else's, he was here to face it.

And he wanted that for one simple reason.

He wanted to prove he could do it his own way, following his own code, deciding for himself how his life would go, and dealing with the problems he would no doubt face.

If there ever was a problem he couldn't deal with, he'd at very least deal with the consequences better than he did the problem.

Raylan leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Shutting out the world around him as he just allowed the sound of the bus, and the rocking it made across the road, drown out the world around him.

And just as he eased his thoughts he missed one very important thing.

A little, glowing, blue butterfly flutter up and over his head.

C2: End

Edit 1: (26/1/22) - Changed Flier girls description since a few people criticized that part. And also fixed some spelling errors.

Edit 2: (1/3/22) - Correcting spelling errors I really should have noticed before now.

Well, here's chapter two of this Persona tale.

Alright, so, I've gotten the "Hero" characters for this story as mentioned in my first edit of chapter 1. Just waiting on two of them to be finished and sent to me before I can finalize everything. There are some social link slots open but that's it so do with that as you will. Most "Hero" characters will make a descriptive appearance in the story next chapter, (hence why I'm gonna wait until I get all the necessary characters sent my way) but only one or two will make a named appearance with the MC. We'll see who shortly.

Hopefully, we'll get into the full swing of the first major arc soon. So far it's just been set-up and character introductions, but after that we'll get three-five of the main hero cast appearing relatively quickly due to how this story works. So look forward to that when it happens (which I honestly have no idea how long that will take me).

There may or may not be a few mistakes in this chapter but I'll edit them out if I spot them.

Anyway, if people have questions, ideas, or concepts about their own creations then feel free to throw them my way.

Review the story and tell me if it's up to standard. Cheers.

Man.. the scenes I have planned really make me wanna write a Yakuza Series story. That would be awesome as fuck.

Till next time then.

AlcatrazDGold - Signing off. Peace!