The System Archivist

Snake Calendar, Year 2025

7th Day of August - Late Afternoon

Unity College of System Studies - South Wing, Faction of Scholars

Accel stepped out of the reception hall, a newfound sense of optimism lifting his spirits. The sun was dipping lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the campus as he made his way to the South Wing of the Faction of Scholars. This was where most of the newly enrolled students gathered, seeking camaraderie and a sense of belonging among like-minded peers.

Entering the South Wing, Accel noticed several groups forming, each engaged in lively discussions. Though he was nervous, he reminded himself of his goal: to find new friends in this unfamiliar environment. Spotting a smaller, quieter group of three sitting near the corner of the room, he approached them.

"Hi, is this seat taken?" Accel asked, gesturing to an empty chair.

A girl with auburn hair and a friendly smile shook her head. "Not at all! Feel free to join us. I'm Hannah Ashford."

"Thanks," Accel said, sitting down. "I'm Accel Winchester."

The other two introduced themselves as well. Lila Merritt, a soft-spoken girl with glasses, had a calming presence, while Ewan Forge, a sturdy young man with an easygoing demeanor, greeted him with a firm handshake.

"What brings you to the Faction of Scholars, Accel?" Hannah asked, leaning forward slightly.

Accel shrugged, a sheepish smile on his face. "I've always been interested in history and knowledge. Figured this faction would be the best fit for me."

"Same here," Lila chimed in. "I've always loved working with plants and learning about their properties. That's why I chose to pursue the Gardener specialization."

Hannah grinned. "I'm a Clocksmith. I've always been fascinated by how intricate mechanisms work and how they can be improved."

Ewan crossed his arms, nodding. "And I'm a Scribe. I chose it because I'm decent at writing and documenting things. Figured it'd be a practical skill to have."

Accel blinked in surprise. "Wait, so all of you have Common Tier systems?"

They nodded, and Hannah laughed. "It's not exactly something to brag about, but hey, we're making the best of it. What about you, Accel?"

He hesitated for a moment before responding. "I have the Archivist system. It's also Common Tier. Honestly, I thought I'd be the only one here with a weak system."

"You're not alone," Ewan said with a grin. "Most of us here aren't aiming to be the next big hero or anything. We just want to learn and make a difference in our own way."

Hannah leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "You know, people like us might not be flashy, but I think we've got our own strengths. The world isn't just about fighting monsters or making millions—it's also about preserving knowledge, growing food, and keeping time running smoothly."

Accel nodded, feeling more at ease. "That's a good way to look at it. Honestly, I was worried about fitting in here, but I'm glad I came to this faction."

As the group continued talking, they shared snippets of their lives. Hannah spoke about her childhood fascination with clocks and how she would dismantle and reassemble old ones her grandfather gave her. Lila shared stories of helping her grandmother in their family garden, nurturing rare plants. Ewan admitted he didn't always enjoy writing but had grown to appreciate it as a way to express himself and capture important moments.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the group had already started to feel like friends. Accel was grateful for their openness and camaraderie.

"Well," Accel said, standing up and stretching, "it's been great getting to know you all. I should probably head home and get ready for tomorrow."

"Same here," Hannah said, rising to her feet. "See you around, Accel."

"Don't be a stranger," Ewan added with a chuckle.

Lila gave him a small wave. "Good luck tomorrow."

Accel left the South Wing with a lighter heart. Despite the challenges ahead, he felt confident knowing he wasn't alone in this journey. As he made his way home, he looked forward to the new friendships and experiences awaiting him at Unity College.