Shihab’s New School -Md Mahmudur Rahman

Shihab’s heart thudded in his chest as he stood before the towering gates of Dream Learning Academy (DLA), his new school. It was nothing like his small, familiar neighborhood school back in Al-Qadim. This was a sprawling campus with futuristic buildings, tall trees, and even a pond shimmering in the distance. But what really struck him was the buzz. Dream Learning Academy wasn’t just a school—it was alive.
He gripped the straps of his backpack and took a deep breath. His mother’s words from this morning echoed in his head: “Be yourself, Shihab. You’ll find your place.”
“New kid, huh?” A voice startled him. He turned to see a wiry boy with glasses that seemed too big for his face. “I’m Mahin. You’re standing in front of the gates like they’re going to eat you.”
Shihab chuckled nervously. “Uh, yeah. I’m Shihab. First day.”
“Welcome to the madhouse.” Mahin grinned and waved him in. “Come on, let me show you around before the bell rings.”

A World Like No Other
As they walked, Shihab was awestruck. The science block had massive holographic models of planets spinning in the air. The sports field was alive with students practicing hoverball—yes, hoverball, where players darted around on levitating platforms. Mahin pointed out the different clubs: a robotics group programming spider-like bots, a music room where someone played a violin glowing with electric strings, and a debate club that seemed more like a dramatic play rehearsal.
“This place is… incredible,” Shihab whispered.
“It’s a lot,” Mahin admitted. “But you’ll get used to it. Just watch out for the Hunters.”
“The Hunters?”

Mahin’s face darkened. “I’ll explain later. Let’s get to class.”
An Unexpected Start
Shihab’s first class was history, but history at DLA wasn’t about reading textbooks. The teacher activated an immersive simulation. Suddenly, the entire room transformed into a medieval bazaar. Students walked among holographic merchants, listened to their stories, and even participated in trades.
“This is amazing!” Shihab exclaimed as he bartered for a virtual sack of spices.
“Careful,” Mahin muttered beside him. “Not everything in these sims is fake.”
“What do you mean?” Shihab asked, but before Mahin could answer, the teacher announced the simulation’s end, and the classroom returned to normal.
The rest of the day was equally surreal. In literature, they analyzed poetry written by AI. In mathematics, students solved puzzles that lit up an interactive board. But Shihab couldn’t shake Mahin’s warning about the Hunters.

The Mystery Deepens
During lunch, Shihab asked Mahin about the Hunters. They were sitting under a tree near the pond, which Shihab had discovered wasn’t just decorative—it housed bioluminescent fish that glowed in patterns.
“They’re a group of students,” Mahin said in a low voice, glancing around. “They think the school has… secrets. Weird stuff happens here, and they’re determined to find out why.”
“What kind of weird stuff?” Shihab leaned on.
“Disappearing items, strange messages on the walls, people claiming to see things that shouldn’t be there. The Hunters think there’s a hidden layer to DLA.”
Shihab felt a chill. “And do you believe them?”
“I don’t know,” Mahin admitted. “But I stay out of their way. They’re… intense.”

A New Discovery
That evening, as Shihab was heading to the library to finish his homework, he saw something strange. A group of students wearing dark jackets slipped into a restricted hallway near the science block. Curious, Shihab followed at a distance.
The hallway was dimly lit, and the students disappeared behind a door marked STAFF ONLY. Shihab hesitated. His instincts told him to turn back, but his curiosity burned brighter. He crept closer and pushed the door slightly open.
Inside was a room unlike anything he’d ever seen. The walls were lined with screens displaying streams of data. In the center was a glowing orb suspended in mid-air, pulsating with light.
“What are you doing here?” a voice snapped.
Shihab whirled around to see a girl about his age, her arms crossed and eyes glaring. She had curly hair tied back and wore one of the dark jackets.
“I—I was just curious,” Shihab stammered.
The girl sighed. “Great. Another nosy newbie.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room, shutting the door behind him.

The Hunters
The other students turned to look at him, their faces a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
“This is Shihab,” the girl announced. “Found him snooping outside.”
“I wasn’t snooping!” Shihab protested. “I just… followed you. What is this place?”
A boy with spiky hair smirked. “Welcome to the Hunters’ den. And that—” he pointed to the glowing orb, “—is the heart of the mystery.”
The girl, who introduced herself as Lina, explained. “We think this orb is connected to everything strange that happens at DLA. We’re trying to figure out what it is and why it’s here.”
Shihab stared at the orb, mesmerized. “It’s… beautiful.”
“It’s also dangerous,” Lina warned. “We think it’s why some students have reported blackouts or memory lapses.”
“Then why mess with it?” Shihab asked.
“Because knowledge is power,” the spiky-haired boy replied.

A Dangerous Adventure
Over the next few weeks, Shihab found himself drawn into the Hunters’ world. They were a mix of tech geniuses, thrill-seekers, and conspiracy theorists. Shihab, with his knack for solving puzzles, quickly became an asset.
One night, the Hunters decided to conduct an experiment. They had discovered that the orb emitted patterns of light that corresponded to symbols in ancient texts. Shihab helped decode one of the patterns, which led to a hidden passage beneath the library.
As they descended, Shihab’s heart raced. The air grew colder, and the walls were covered in glowing inscriptions. At the end of the passage, they found a chamber filled with strange artifacts.
“This proves it,” Lina whispered. “The school is hiding something massive.”
But before they could investigate further, the orb’s glow intensified. The ground shook, and a booming voice echoed through the chamber:
“You are not authorized to be here.”

The Revelation
The Hunters scrambled to escape as the chamber began to collapse. Back at the surface, they were met by the headmaster, who looked unusually calm despite the chaos.
“You’ve discovered the truth,” he said, his voice grave. “DLA is more than a school. It’s a testing ground for advanced technology, designed to prepare humanity for the future. The orb is an experimental AI that monitors and enhances learning. But it’s not without its risks.”
“Why keep it a secret?” Lina demanded.
“Because not everyone is ready for the responsibility,” the headmaster replied. “And now, neither are you. But you’ve proven yourselves resourceful. Perhaps there’s a place for you in this project after all.”

A New Chapter
In the weeks that followed, Shihab and the Hunters became part of a secret team tasked with studying the orb and its mysteries. Dream Learning Academy (DLA) transformed in Shihab’s eyes—not just a school, but a place of endless possibilities.
For the first time, Shihab felt like he truly belonged. And as he stood with his new friends, staring at the glowing orb, he knew this was just the beginning of their adventure. n