One week prior to the larger student body's arrival, the first-year initiates at Shade were to gather in the main hall on the building's first of three layers. The first- and largest- layer contained the entrance, main hall (which doubled as a cafeteria and auditorium as needed), a modest indoor training hall, and a ring of classrooms. The second layer, accessible through staircases on either side of the main hall, contained the students' dorms. The initiates would move into these dorms at the end of their initiation week. At the top of the building stood the final, smallest layer. This layer, inaccessible to students, contained two main areas: A meeting room for official political purposes and staff meetings, and the headmaster's quarters. Outside the main structure of the building was a large open area used for outdoor training drills and matches, which was enclosed by a final wall that marked the end of Shade property.
The large and imposing nature of Shade Academy marked its importance to the society of Vacuo. It was built to withstand the test of time in the harsh Vacuan environment. There was no established transportation for first day students, but that didn't matter; any self-respecting Vacuan knew how to get there.
...Patchouli had to ask for directions.
Instructions for the first day of initiation were simple, as sent to the initiates on their scrolls. They were to locate their determined teammates within the main hall (based on names and pictures sent to them), and spend the rest of the evening exploring the academy and getting to know their team. It was made clear to them not to stay up too long, however; their skills in the field would be tested starting tomorrow.
As she walked into the main hall, Patchouli really hoped somebody would recognize her rather than the other way around.