Choi Chronicles

𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍
𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Finally, we reached the Great Hall, and my eyes widened as to how the scene was so familiar on my first day of school. The Great Hall in Arcanum Academy of Mystical Arts is a sight to behold, especially during the Sorting Ceremony, a pivotal event that marks the beginning of every school year. The hall itself is an architectural marvel, with towering gothic arches that seem to reach for the star-studded ceiling high above.

At the head of the room sits the staff table, elevated on a dais and adorned with a rich tapestry of colors representing each of the four AAMA houses: Ignis, Aero, Terra, and Aqua. The professors, clad in robes of bold crimson, snowy white, burnished gold, and serene blue, watch over the proceedings with a mixture of solemnity and excitement.

Stretching out from the staff table are four long house tables, each gleaming with polished wood and draped in the respective colors of its house. To the left, Igni's table shines with scarlet and gold, while Terra's exudes warmth with its hues of yellow and green. Across the hall, Aero's table boasts a sophisticated blend of white and silver, while Aqua's radiates an air of mystery and ambition in shades of blue and white.

As the students settle into their seats, their faces reflect a myriad of emotions: nervousness, curiosity, excitement, and perhaps a touch of apprehension. The air buzzes with whispered conversations and nervous laughter, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter or exclamations of wonder.

"UGH Finally!" exclaimed a high-pitched voice, snapping my attention and that of the boy beside me. The speaker had gold-blonde hair tied up in a bun with braids, adorned with traditional foreign Asian hairpins. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires, much like the boy's beside me, and her doll-like face radiated beauty.

"Please sit down, both of you," instructed another girl, identical to the blonde one.

Twins. 

We took our seats next to the twin girls, noticing their more elegant uniforms compared to mine and the other students.

Three of them stood out with sophisticated attire, far fancier than what I was used to seeing. 

Were they allowed to wear such outfits?

"What are you staring at, creep?" snapped the blonde girl, Gabriella, while her twin maintained a poker face.

"Relax, Gabriella. The poor kid probably just had a strange dream," the boy beside me intervened.

"What?!" Gabriella turned her glare towards me.  "You dared to sleep during my sister's sorting ceremony?" She clenched her fist, and I realized sitting next to her might not have been the best idea.

"I, uh—" I stuttered.

"Hey Isabella, can't you calm your sister down?" sighed another boy, sharing the same hair and eye color as the wizard beside me.

I gathered that the twin with the poker face was Isabella, while Gabriella had a snarky attitude. As for the boys, I still had no clue about their names.

"Why don't you do it, Maximilian? You're the older one," Isabella said, her poker face tinged with annoyance.

Maximilian grinned. "I would, but I don't feel like taming a soon-to-be rampaging chimpanzee."

"A CHIMPANZEE?!" Gabriella gasped, though her voice was drowned out by the chatter of the students in the great hall.

"Guys, calm down," chuckled the wizard boy beside me.

"Shut up, Seth!" they all retorted in unison.

Now I realize the wizard who strolled beside me earlier, casually chatting, acting like a friend, and now seated next to me, goes by the name Seth.

Their matching sparkling blue eyes suggest they're siblings. Their eyes are unique, like nothing I've seen before, almost like a rare treasure. Their presence is captivating. They're all dressed in fancy school uniforms, giving off an air of royalty compared to the rest of us students.

As they squabbled like any typical siblings, I sat in the middle of them, pondering how I ended up in this peculiar situation. I didn't know them, and I was certain I'd never seen them before. While there were familiar faces among the students at the table, these siblings were entirely new to me.

"Enough,"

A male voice interrupted their bickering, drawing my attention. I turned to see a blonde boy, his hair matching that of the twin girls, and those striking blue eyes. I couldn't deny it; these siblings could easily pass for models. With just that one word from him, the squabbling ceased, and I could tell he was the eldest. He appeared to be around his fifth year, making him roughly fifteen or sixteen years old.

The eldest sibling glanced at me, studying me closely.

Then, it felt like a heavy weight pressed down on me, like an invisible force field.

Breathing became difficult suddenly, as if he possessed some mystical power, though it wasn't quite like a spell.

Maybe it was just my intuition telling me he was a much stronger wizard than I was.

I swallowed hard.

In an instant, his gaze shifted away from mine.

A sudden wave of nervousness washed over me as if he could somehow sense that I didn't belong here.

I knew I had to leave quickly, without arousing any suspicion.

"I need to use the restroom," I said awkwardly, flashing a smile at the siblings seated at the table as I slowly rose from my seat.

“Dear students, esteemed colleagues, and honored guests,"

A familiar voice reverberated through the Great Hall, drawing my attention upward to see Headmaster Gideon Balthazar.

His appearance was unchanged, a tall, slender man with long silver hair and a beard flowing down to his waist. His eyes sparkled like sunlight, radiating kindness and warmth. Despite his age-lined face, Professor Balthazar retained a youthful energy, his half-moon spectacles perched on the end of his nose.

I hadn't realized I was standing until Seth pulled me back down. "Sit," he commanded, gripping my arm tightly, and I realized I couldn't excuse myself to the bathroom anymore.

"Welcome to another year at Arcanum Academy of Mystical Arts," Professor Balthazar's voice boomed, evoking a sense of familiarity that made me miss him already. "It is with great pleasure that I stand before you tonight to commence the Sorting Ceremony, a tradition as old as the school itself."

Anticipation filled the air as the students gathered in the grand hall, their attention fixed on the magnificent chalice at the center of the room. Professor Balthazar stepped forward, commanding the room's attention with his presence. With a wave of his wand, the chalice glowed brighter, illuminating the room with its radiant aura.

"Before you stands the sacred vessel of our sorting ceremony," Professor Balthazar explained. "Within its depths lies the wisdom to discern your true nature and guide you to your destined path."

With a flourish of his hand, he gestured towards the chalice, its surface shimmering with arcane energy. "First up, Abbott, Hannah!"

The young witch approached the chalice, a mix of nervousness and excitement evident in her demeanor. As she dipped her fingers into the liquid within, the room held its breath, awaiting the revelation of her house.

As the liquid settled into vibrant hues of red and gold, enveloping Abbott in a warm glow, Professor Balthazar announced, "Ignis! Welcome to the house of fire and passion, where courage and determination shall guide your path."

Abbott's face beamed with joy as she joined her new friends in the Ignis house, who welcomed her with enthusiastic cheers and applause. They were boisterous, like a roaring bonfire, and full of energy, clearly fond of festivities and mischief. Personally, I never cared much for anyone in the Ignis house... they seemed so... arrogant. It was as if they believed the whole world revolved around them, which, of course, it doesn't.

"Next in line, we have Blake, Oliver," called out Professor Balthazar, his voice carrying a mix of authority and kindness.

Blake, a young wizard, stepped forward with a curious sparkle in his eyes, tinged with a hint of nervousness. With a steady hand, he reached out to touch the liquid in the chalice, his heart racing with anticipation.

As he withdrew his hand, the liquid swirled and shifted, blending into a captivating display of colors. Settling into a gentle glow of white and silver, it enveloped Blake in a shimmering aura.

"Aero!" declared Professor Balthazar with pride, a smile lighting up his face. "Welcome to the house of air and intellect, where wisdom and independence will guide your path."

Blake's face lit up with joy as he joined us, and we all rose to our feet, applauding him warmly. Unlike the boisterous cheering of Ignis, our applause was dignified, reflecting our respect for the occasion.

"May the gods favor our sister to be sorted into this house," whispered Gabriella with a hopeful tone.

It appeared that Seth wasn't the only one concerned about their sister's Sorting Ceremony; his siblings shared the same worry.

However, I couldn't quite grasp why.

Even if she ended up in a different house, wouldn't they still be siblings?

Does being in the same house really make such a difference?

The sorting ceremony continued, each student stepping forward with a mixture of excitement and apprehension, eager to discover their place within the Arcane Academy of Mystical Arts.

"Andrea, Rodrigo," called Professor Balthazar, his voice echoing through the hall.

Andrea, a young witch, approached the chalice with determination, her eyes focused and steady. With a deep breath, she extended her hand towards the liquid, feeling excitement coursing through her.

As she withdrew her hand, the liquid danced and sparkled, its colors blending in a graceful display. With a gentle glow, it settled into a comforting mix of green and yellow, surrounding Andrea like a warm embrace.

"Terra!" announced Professor Balthazar with a smile, his voice brimming with warmth. "Welcome to the house of earth and resilience, where patience and nurturing will guide you." Of course, he felt pride for her; after all, Professor Balthazar himself hailed from Terra House in his younger days.

Andrea's face lit up with a radiant smile as she joined her new housemates, the Terra house, who greeted her with open arms and cheerful cheers. Their smiles were as bright as sunshine, and their scent was reminiscent of home-baked cookies and fresh earth. Though not as loud as the cheers of Ignis, their welcoming embrace was just as heartfelt.

"Next up, it's Fujimoto, Ren!" announced Professor Balthazar, his voice carrying a gentle but commanding tone.

Ren Fujimoto, a young wizard with a determined look, stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the shimmering chalice. With purpose, he reached out his hand towards the liquid, feeling his heart race with anticipation.

As Ren pulled back his hand, the liquid in the chalice swirled and danced with mesmerizing colors. It settled into a soothing mix of blue and white, surrounding Ren with a serene glow.

"Aqua!" proclaimed Professor Balthazar with pride, his eyes shining brightly. "Welcome to the house of water and ambition, where wit and intelligence flow freely like a mighty river."

Ren's expression burst with joy as he joined the Aqua house, greeted by cheers and applause from his new housemates who eagerly welcomed him. Their cheers were spirited, but their voices were softer, drowned out by the thunderous applause. Unlike other houses, they refrained from hugs, maintaining a certain distance. It seemed like physical closeness wasn't their preference unless specifically requested.

"In the queue next is Parker, Alejandro!" the Professor announced, his voice carrying warmth and anticipation.

Alejandro Parker, a young wizard full of determination, stepped forward, his heart racing with excitement and a touch of nervousness.

"I’M SO EXCITED!" he exclaimed, catching everyone off guard and silencing the hall. "I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT MY HOUSE ALL NIGHT!" he continued, his enthusiasm overflowing.

“Gods… that one might be a mudblood…” Seth whispered beside me. A mudblood is a term used to refer to individuals with magical abilities but born to non-magical parents. It's more like a... slur...

The Professor chuckled, "Then let's—"

"SO I THOUGHT ABOUT IT- I COULD BE IN TERRA SINCE MY AUNT SAID I AM THE NICEST BOY EVER SHE MET,

BUT THEN I COULD BE IN AERO SINCE LIKE MY NEIGHBORS OFTEN CALLED ME THE SMARTEST BOY!"

“I love his confidence~” Maximilian chuckled, his tone tinged with mockery, which made Seth and the twin girls giggle.

“ORRR MAYBE—”

The Professor interrupted by guiding his hand to the chalice before letting go. Alejandro's fingertips tingled with anticipation as he withdrew his hand, watching the liquid respond with a dazzling display of swirling colors.

With a radiant glow, it settled into vibrant hues of red and gold, wrapping Alejandro in a warm embrace.

"Ignis!" Professor Balthazar announced with a smile, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Welcome to the house of fire and passion, though I think we already knew that."

With a broad smile, Alejandro happily joined his new friends in Ignis House, where they welcomed him with loud laughter and playful cheers. It was clear to everyone in Aero House that he belonged there, which is why they chuckled disapprovingly when he confidently declared his place at our table.

"Ah, look who's here, Daphne Choi!" Professor Balthazar exclaimed, his voice echoing across the hall with a hint of excitement.

The room hushed, the earlier cheers fading into silence as Daphne's name rang out.

"There she is," Gabriella whispered, barely containing her excitement.

My gaze shifted to a dark-haired girl with a bun adorned with braids, a traditional Asian hairpin securing her hair. She moved forward, a mixture of nerves and anticipation evident in her demeanor, resembling a doll in motion with her porcelain complexion and rosy cheeks.

I watched as her siblings, along with the rest of the students, held their breath, awaiting her sorting into one of the houses. Their intense scrutiny was palpable, reflecting the anticipation in the air.

"It's obvious where she'll end up," remarked a student at our table.

"Clearly, it'll be our house," another chimed in.

"It's a given, considering she's a Choi," whispered a third.

It felt as though the Choi siblings belonged to a well-known, respected, and upper-class family.

If they were such a prominent and widespread family, why hadn't I heard of them before?

They certainly weren't part of my world…

Does this mean that I had successfully traveled to a different alternate universe where the Choi siblings existed?

With determination in her eyes, Daphne extended her hand towards the chalice, her heart racing with excitement. As she withdrew her hand, the liquid inside shimmered with an enchanting array of colors, swirling and dancing in a graceful motion.

It settled into a soothing blend of green and yellow, enveloping Daphne in a comforting embrace.

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Even Daphne's siblings wore expressions of astonishment.

Professor Balthazar appeared equally taken aback, as did the other professors seated at the table. I found myself feeling a bit confused by their reactions. Even Daphne seemed shocked and pale, as though on the verge of tears.

"Uh... T-Terra...?" Professor Balthazar's announcement was hesitant, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "W-Welcome to the house of earth and resilience, where patience and nurturing shall be your guiding stars."

I couldn't help but notice the sparkle in Daphne's eyes as she glanced towards our table, specifically at her siblings. Their initial surprise seemed to fade into something colder, tinged with embarrassment. Whispers began to fill the air in the Great Hall, particularly around our table.

"A Choi in Terra?" one student whispered incredulously.

"Seems like they've got a black sheep haha~" another student joked, prompting chuckles from those around them.

"They're not as perfect as they seem. What a joke," remarked another student with a sneer.

This was a situation I definitely didn't want to be involved in. I've never been one for attention, and I felt sorry for the little girl, who was already the talk of the school on her first day. 

Daphne cautiously approached the Terra table, her uncertainty evident. Despite their confusion, the Terra members greeted her with smiles and quiet cheers, sensing her discomfort. It was clear she didn't want to be there. Not where she was supposed to be.

Just like how I don’t belong here.