?'s POV
I looked up at the massive high school in front of me as the shadows loomed over me, making me feel small. It was almost as if whoever built the school had won the location lottery. It's like the school itself stands at the center of the whole world.
Hope's Peak Academy. A government-funded school of privilege… It brings in the best of the best; top students from every imaginable field. They say 'If you come here and manage to graduate, you're set for life.' It's no wonder many refer to that school as the Academy of Hope…
To attend this school, you have to fulfill two requirements: One, you have to be a current high school student. And two, you must be the best at what you do. While the usual way to get enrolled is to be scouted out by the school itself, they do an annual lottery for one lucky student. Or… in my case, work on many different hobbies in hopes of getting noticed.
Oh, where are my manners? I got so carried away that I hadn't properly introduced myself. My name is Setsuna Higurashi. Because of the talents of those chosen to enroll here, the students of Hope's Peak Academy are referred to as 'Ultimates'. And all of the school's alumni are the crème de la crème of society.
To be honest, I don't even know what my 'Ultimate' talent is supposed to be. You see, everyone around me always wanted me to be one thing or another. And I always tried to make them happy… even at my expense. But no matter; I'm at the Academy of Hope, so I'll be able to find my Ultimate talent… and maybe live for myself for once.
Looking at the letter I received from the school, I reminded myself that even though the school year begins a couple of months later, it's vital to be there for a 'special' pre-orientation for all incoming students. A little strange, but… better too early than too late, right? Looking forward to this school year and with the hope in my heart that I'll be able to find my true path, I stepped forward… Only for the world to spin suddenly.
"What in the…What's going on?" I wondered to myself as I vaguely noticed someone pushing me into a vehicle before everything went black. That's how life as I know it came to an end. Looking back, I should have realized… the irony of the school's name. Hope's Peak Academy… is the Academy of Despair. A feeling that's all too familiar to me.