"OK, what the hell?" asked Alexandria, as she combed her hair the next morning.

She was wearing the new navy blue skirt-suit from The Feminine Professional, and after a good night's sleep, her senses were more aware of the fact that the blazer wasn't riding up with her arms.

The blouse felt light, smooth and cool against her skin.

The pantyhose, while tight, felt far more comfortable than the regular nylon ones she normally wore.

In fact, the most uncomfortable and restrictive items, was now her bra.

"OK, I guess this is worth it," she mumbled.

"Finally realized have you?" asked Adelaide, who was standing in the doorway of her bedroom, with a smug smile.

"OK, they feel better for now. Let's see if they pass the day of work test," said Alexandria, refusing to give Adelaide the satisfaction of being right about The Feminine Professional.

"If you say so. Now come on, I've got my orientation, and Axel said he'll drive you to work," said Adelaide.

"And how am I supposed to come back? I'm perfectly happy driving my Corolla, unlike you and your newfound obsession with status symbols," said Alexandria, turning away from the mirror, and picking up her purse.

"Fine, be that way," said Adelaide, and sauntered off to the front door.

---

"Ready to go?" asked Axel, as Adelaide walked across the parking lot towards him.

"Yup. Mom isn't coming with us," said Adelaide, getting into the front passenger seat.

"OK, here we go," said Axel, starting up the Stormkreuzer.

The engine rumbled to life, and he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Hey Cousin Axel, since it's just the two of us, how about you show me what this thing can really do?" asked Adelaide.

With a chuckle, Axel floored the throttle, and the Stormkreuzer rocketed forward with an intoxicating roar from its V8 engine.

"Oh yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about!" said Adelaide, as the outside turned into a blur.

They reached St. Ignatius Academy in record time, and Axel slowly drove through the security checkpoint at the large castle-like gate, and into the main campus.

"OK, I'll see you in a bit," he said, and Adelaide got out of the car.

---

Adelaide knocked on the door of the guidance counselor's office.

"Come in," called Fr. Abel's voice from within.

With a deep breath, Adelaide, pushed open the door and entered the office.

The office was large, and lined with bookshelves filled with text books.

At the far end, sat Fr. Abel behind a large rosewood desk, a pair of plush leather swivel chairs were in front of him.

He rose and gestured for Adelaide to sit down.

Adelaide sat down, and clasped her hands in her lap, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.

"Relax, you've got in, no need to be nervous. I'm Fr. Abel, the guidance counselor," said Fr. Abel with a gentle smile.

"Adelaide Albrecht, Father," said Adelaide, visibly relaxing and shaking Fr. Abel's hand.

"A few quick things to go over. First, we take hazing and bullying very seriously here at St. Ignatius. There are cameras everywhere, so don't bother trying to hide. Next, discipline and the uniform code are not up for debate, and no amount of money will bend the rules. You slip up too many times, and you're out. With me so far?" asked Fr. Abel.

"Y-yes, Father," said Adelaide, trying not to gulp.

"Now, here is your student ID card. This is your key to basically everything, and it also functions as a debit card that you can use at the school's stores. Keep your grades up, and you qualify for a monthly stipend, get a demerit, and you get fined. If you're out of funds in this card's account, the fine hits the account of the parent or guardian who pays your tuition. So be careful, OK?" he said, handing her a black plastic NFC smart card.

"OK," said Adelaide, taking the card with slightly trembling fingers.

"Onto more pleasant topics, the school offers a completely safe environment for you to explore your intellectual capabilities, so be sure to use them. We have the best library, excellent extracurricular programs, and a host of both academic and athletic clubs. So don't be shy to explore those. Any questions so far?" asked Fr. Abel.

"Yes, about the equestrian program. Why do I have to bring my own horse? The school already has horses right?" asked Adelaide.

"Yes, the school maintains horses for its mounted security officers, but you can't use those for the equestrian club. Equestrian dressage instruction works on both you and the horse, so you need your own horse to learn the ropes with you. Unfortunately, horses are not like cars or motorcycles. They are intelligent animals that have their own feelings when it comes to the person riding them," said Fr. Abel.

"Hmm, can I still sign up now and bring a horse later? I really want to get into the program, but I don't have a horse. And can I keep the horse here at school? I'm staying in an apartment with my mom, so I don't have space," said Adelaide.

"Of course you can sign up for it, and you can attend the classes where you train without the horse, but you'll need to get one soon, or you won't be able to progress. And yes, we offer a stabling service, but that costs you extra," said Fr. Abel, handing her a tablet with the sign-up form displayed.

"I'll get my father on board with it," said Adelaide, signing up for the equestrian dressage program on the tablet.

"Another thing. Since the semester has already started, you'll need to attend catch-up classes of three extra hours each day over your first week here. So make appropriate arrangements," said Fr. Abel.

"OK, I can work that out," said Adelaide.

"Well, I guess that covers everything. You can get your uniform now. Your official joining of the seventh grade class starts on Monday," said Fr. Abel.

"Thank you, Father," said Adelaide, getting up.

---

Adelaide vibrated with excitement as she walked towards the school outfitters.

"This place is awesome!" she whispered.

She took a moment to compose herself, and then entered the outfitters shop.

"Holy shit. You guys have body scanners like The Feminine Professional!" exclaimed Adelaide, as she saw the scanning stations in the outfitters shop.

"Well, The Feminine Professional and Thompson's Suiting are the school's uniform suppliers," chuckled the salesgirl, a beautiful blond, wearing an adult-sized version of the female uniform, with a large gold badge pinned to her lapel that bore her name - Sophia.

"Oh I see. Well, then I'm in good hands. I was dreading that I'd be stuck in cheap-ass polyester for the entire day" chuckled Adelaide.

"Well, you won't. How about we get you fitted?" asked Sophia.

"Please," said Adelaide, stepping into the scanner.

Sophia activated the scanner, and Adelaide's measurements flashed on the screen. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Perfect or loose fit to grow into?" asked Sophia.

"Perfect fit," said Adelaide.

"Got it. How many sets would you like?" asked Sophia, setting up a uniform set of the blazer, blouse and skirt on the alteration station.

"I think 5 should suffice for now," said Adelaide, watching mesmerized as the robotic alteration station adjusted the skirt hemline, the blouse darts, and the princess seams on the blazer.

"OK, here is one set. Try it on so that we can make adjustments," said Sophia, handing her the altered uniform set.

Adelaide grabbed the set and eagerly headed for the changing room.

She emerged a minute later.

"OK, this looks great, and it feels perfect. No need for more adjustments," she said.

"OK. Wait 15 minutes, and I'll have the full compliment ready," said Sophia, putting four more sets on the robotic alteration stations.

"How much of this stuff has been automated?" asked Adelaide, watching the alteration robots work.

"Pretty much everything. There are a few items that need human intervention, but it is a robot-fest for the most part. Can get a bit lonely with just me and the robots though," said Sophia with a chuckle as she went into the back of the shop.

"I suppose so," said Adelaide, as Sophia returned with a box.

"Here, the shoes in your size," said Sophia, handing the box to Adelaide.

Adelaide opened the box and surveyed the sleek black leather pumps with the small 4 cm kitten stiletto heels.

"A little underwhelming," she said with a pout.

"I suppose, but it is the uniform," said Sophia with a shrug.

"Why haven't students petitioned for higher heels?" asked Adelaide.

"Most find even the kitten heel a bit much. Although, you could do that. The administration might be strict, but they are fair," said Sophia, packing the freshly altered uniforms into a bag for Adelaide.

"OK, thanks, Sophia," said Adelaide, taking the bag from Sophia.

"Tap your ID card on the scanner, the uniform costs will automatically be deducted," said Sophia, holding a POS machine out to Adelaide.

Adelaide tapped her card, and the machine beeped.

"All done, have a good term ahead," said Sophia.

"Thanks, Sophia," said Adelaide, and left the outfitters shop.