Archeion Eden Vanguard Advanced Academy

I arrived, and we slowly parked close to the sidewalk. The car was average enough for a working-class citizen to own. Seated at the back, my gaze ahead, Sota sat close to the other door, gazing through the window. The driver's seat held a woman in her forties, with a curvaceous silhouette, staring through the rearview mirror and shooting me an icy glare that pierced my heart. 

Everything was perfect until it went downhill.

"This is your final destination. Having heard unspoken news of this school, I highly doubt you'll survive. As for my biological son." 

The way she said the words final destination seems to hold something I couldn't put a finger on.

Her gaze flickered to Sato.

"Son, my expectations are high for you. Your best is what I expect, nothing else."

It was fine. Hearing this wasn't out of the norm. I sighed internally as I slightly grasped the depths of her words.

Sato and I, opening the door simultaneously, stepped out of the vehicle. WHAM! 

Closing the door at the same time as we made our way past the car. Sato was ahead, strolling to the gate with pace in his stride. 

The gate was huge, like those gates from movies that opened to reveal a huge castle inside. 

I began my stride, taking my first step to-

"Oi"

Her eyes were mirroring the same icy glare she had given me earlier as we made mutual eye contact. 

"Don't Come Back. Your Not wanted anymore."

Ouch. If it were a regular kid, Tears would have started appearing in their eyes immediately. My fists clenched, my head bowed, as I calmed my inner turmoil with a few slow breaths.

 I raised my head, peering into her gaze, and gave her a small nod. I remained still for a moment. 

I'm just taking a moment to consider her words. Please wait. What did she mean by those words? 

Making a swift turn. Questions began to flood my mind, hoping she would hear me out. 

"What did you mean-" 

My eyes widened, seeing her car race down the street from where we came, going further and further away as my words didn't reach her. 

What did I ever do to make her ever say those words?

I huffed a breath of air as I exhaled, slowly pushing the internal questions aside. 

Gazing ahead, I viewed students entering the gate wearing the same uniform as I was wearing. I took a stop as I wondered about Sato's whereabouts as he entered inside along with the flood of students.

Taking a deep breath, relaxing my posture, and making my way to the gate among the rest.

 In my stroll, an imprint inside the stone walls caught my eye. Which was written in big bold letters. 

AEVAA.

Hmm, I wonder what the meaning of those is. 

My gaze flickered to the stone wall on the opposite side, viewing a different imprint, which was in bold letters, as the last wall.

Archeion Eden Vanguard Advanced Academy. 

Wow, nice name.

Take a slow, deep breath. Fresh beginnings, huh.

A slight smile twists the corner of my lips as I pass the gate. My stride appeared more confident, reaching the behind a crowd of students. Due to my height, I could see the front, although I wasn't the tallest.

At the front, five long grey colored stone walls stood before us. Each holding letters of each class in alphabetical order, and the assigned names of students to those specific classes below them. 

The letter A was the first. B, being the second, C was the third, D, the fourth, and E was the last one.

E? wait a second. What was E doing there? Wasn't this supposed to be a typical school?
I thought as I shrugged it off. 

My gaze landed on the crowd in front of me, and soon later one was steadily forming behind me, which was leading to me getting sandwiched.

A few female and male students huddle together, helping each other find their names among the long lists of names under each class, while other students stand by themselves searching for their names.

Some of them were bewildered by the new letter class extension, which was the "E" class, because it stood out the most. Upset and worried murmurs spread from among the students, hoping not to be among the E class students. 

Observing the expansiveness of the congregation, denying getting sandwiched, I quickly squeezed through the large number of students, making my way to the front.

Bumping shoulders, squeezing through small spaces between students. Moving through, the subtle breeze blew some girl's hair in my face as I removed it from my view, expending all my energy to the front while trying not to cause an uproar. 

Reaching almost to the front with a few students in front of me, I hauled my steps as I took the moment to breathe. Wiping a thin layer of sweat from my forehead, my gaze narrowed at the slim, narrow walls which held the classes and the names of their assigned students.  

My eyes scanned each class and the names below as it came to an abrupt stop. 

Class E. Cody Agati.

My gaze widened at the information in front of me. 

Huh, class E. me?

The breeze kissed my cheeks as I viewed the dilemma in front of me. I sighed as I slightly lowered my head, accepting my realization that I was a part of that class now. 

Well....

My head bobbed slightly in a nod, shrugging nonchalantly in acceptance. I calmly stroll past the narrow, slim walls. Brimming to a sudden halt, a young woman stepped in front of me, her smile wide and bright, picking away my gloominess. 

Her frame was slightly Tall with curly pink hair reaching her shoulders. Groomed in a neat and proper attire, which was visually different. The uniform was like ours, the underclassmen, but it had some more detailed features, which meant they were above us. Their uniform consists of Gold military buttons in a straight line, crossed gold stripes on their sleeves, and they wear white gloves, which is presumed royalty. The females wore black bow ties, and the males wore regular black ties, her big eyes screaming innocence. 

Gazing at their uniform for a moment, not a spec of dust, everything was neatly kept. Nothing appeared loose or indifferent. Seems it was the school's policy standard, I guess. 

A Gold colored paper was tucked gently in her hands, suddenly pushing it into my hand. 

"Here, this is a brochure of your class. It wasn't a hassle finding you within the stacks of class E students' class brochures".

Wasn't a hassle, eh? No wonder.  Her words came off like an insult. 

My gaze flickered to the brochure in my grasp, scanning its contents, catching a profile picture of myself, and other faces and names. 

Seems this was probably from the admission interview. 

The lines on the brochure blurred for a moment, letters swimming as a faint chill crawled up my back.

I lowered the paper. The air felt heavier now, the quiet hum of voices folding into the walls.

Two upperclassmen sat at the nearby table. One slouched lazily, fingertips brushing through stacks of brochures, flipping pages slower than the ticking clock behind him. Every so often, he’d pass one to the pink-haired girl beside him without even looking up.

The other didn’t sit. His arms were folded, eyes cutting across the crowd of first-years like a teacher marking mistakes. When his gaze swept over me, I forgot to breathe for a second.

My gaze broke from the upperclassmen and found what my nerves had been warning me about all along.

Another upperclassman, tall and muscular enough to crush a small student. Her gaze sharpened, enough to cut through chunks of wood. Her chiseled jawline framed her face, her silhouette bulk but slender within her uniform. Hair tied in a ponytail, which escaped behind her back, calm on foot, piercing at me as if staring into someone's soul.

It felt like being dissected alive.

Her features blend smoothly with her supple skin as if she came straight out of a Korean manhwa as one of those gorgeous female characters. She leaned on the table, peering sharply at me as if she could cut through me with her gaze. 

Cutting my gaze to the brochure, reading through the contents, I realized the ends were soaked with sweat. 

Your pathway to absolute greatness.
Huh?
Absolute greatness? Sounds cliché. 

My lips spread into a faint smile, which I didn't register. 

"Thank you very much." 

My smile twitched into a bright grin, and I nodded calmly in appreciation to the seemingly kind pink-haired upperclassmen. 

Returning my appreciation, her smile spreads warmly with a pleasant touch to it. 

"Welcome to the Archeion Eden Vanguard Academy. Head up ahead where your fellow underclassmen is going, that is, if you don't want to miss anything school-critical."

"Thank you very much."

Giving her a final nod as I turned up ahead following the horde of freshmen. In my stride, considering the pink-haired upperclassmen's behavior, which seemed sort of coerced or rather genuine, which perplexed me slightly.

"Enjoy your time here!"

Once again, her bright persona emits its warmth. Calling out to me, waving with a bright smile.

Shrugging my shoulders in slow motion, not pressing her personality further, turning slightly, and returning a wave as I turned on my heel to my destination.  

My feet calmly graced the stoned floor as I strolled ahead, following the stead of the many first years which filled the area heading towards the same destination I was going. 

My gaze rose to the clouds, watching them sail slowly across the sky, wishing I could just be a part of that. 

Nearing my destination, my eyes landed on a large towering hall, making two of them that could probably reach the Eiffel Tower's height. Strolling along, an underclassman stepped a few feet beside me, holding her bag in front of her, matching my pace. My gaze narrowed at the hall entrance, not giving the person beside me much thought, as I observed the measurements, which seemed to be wide, half of Noah's ark, which I've seen on the internet. 

The building seemed like a mammoth, towering over an ant. The window glowed brightly, the sun pierced its glass interiors, which showed the colors that bring roman catholic church windows to mind.  

Slowing my pace, taking the moment to look at the doors, which seemed gigantic, which opened, giving a wide entrance. As I took a last glance, I blended into the crowd of first-year students.

The students stood in the centre, energetic giggles and chatter enveloped the area as the students corresponded together. My gaze widened slightly; my whispers were nowhere to be found within the noise, which contrasted with the boisterous energy of the congregation. Scanning around for a quiet spot within reach, anywhere to breathe, but silence didn't live in this building. My feet stayed rooted, heavy as if it was buried beneath the floor. 

Poor me.

Taking a deep breath as I settle, bearing the noise of the spirited students.  

A moment after, an elderly man gently made his way to the podium, who seemed to be in his late seventies, wearing a dark colored robe. He stood calmly behind the podium, his gaze steel as furnaced iron cutting down across the crowd of first-years like a teacher marking incorrect questions on test papers.   

"Welcome. First years, to Archeion Eden Vanguard Advanced Academy"

For a moment, sudden silence grasped the air as the lips of laughter and chatter were hushed into sealed lips. Registering the elderly figure at the front as the congregation holds its silence. 

"For 29 years of this great institute has nurtured talents and individuals to achieve great heights and taken bold steps in making our students achieve their individual goals and dreams. As our school motto aligns with our ways of raising fresh minds into flawless, upstanding individuals of society. I adhere to you, first-year students. Take advantage of every opportunity given and enjoy your years chasing your dreams here. As your Headmaster, I wish you good luck and my sincere prayers. Thank you." 

That was a very optimistic, lengthy speech. 

Applause erupts in the air as the headmaster makes his way down. 

A moment after, a young woman stepped up, her steps graceful and measured, her expression betrayed nothing of her feelings. Reaching the podium, her gaze grew icy as if she could crystallize all of the students, sending chills down their spines. Her posture was upright, gazing down at the congregation as they held their breath in silence; no one dared to make any muffled sound nor utter a whisper, waiting for the upperclassmen to speak. 

The silence stood like thick Fog in the atmosphere. Some students began slightly shuffling while others fidgeted nervously, and a few remained calm. Unfazed, which I was among. A faint smirk curled my lips slightly as she began her speech. 

"greetings. First years. My name is Reika Saionji, your student council president, and the one who will govern over you for these two remaining years. As your student council president, the school expects mutual respect and proper ethical relations among you all as first years.  As for maturity, I suppose you all are adult enough to know what you should be doing..."

During her speech, I stared blankly, my gaze narrowed into space as I heard nothing of the last part.

 After her speech, she stepped down from the podium with calm grace as she strode out of the building. 

She seems rough for a student council president, although it seems like the norm of things around here.  A bit edgy, I'd say. 

After some more speeches from different upperclassmen students, we were sent to our classes. 

The brochure held crumpled within my palm as I calmly strode to my destination. Opening the paper folds, reading the contents, the brochure's contents had the students' general information along with their profile picture and their classmates' names and pictures, with the school's motto and its sponsorships. The school rules were printed at the back, while dormitories and many other facilities were included in a map of the whole island on the campus. 

A map? an island? That's exclusive. Wait, how did we even get here if it was an island? Wait.

My train of thought paused as I recalled that we drove on a bridge coming here, which took an hour and 30 minutes. 

Stretching the brochure wide open, eyes scanning the different sections on the paper, which had many venues for adventure. 

Very exclusive. All in one institution. This was not your typical school for educational learning. 

While I crawl on my way, my gaze flickers across the profile photos of the faces which was under class E section, scanning the faces of my classmates, taking in their names. Slightly. 

Maybe I could make a friend? Or two. Sort of. 

Gazing at my picture among my other classmates with their names below, with the words class E, which was typed in bold, that tops the page as its title. Taking in their faces for a final moment as my gaze lands on one, attached to a face that commanded my heart to beat twice faster. My gaze narrowed at the picture as if to bore through it. For a moment, a heat spreads through my veins, my heart fluttering at the face more as it would burst. The paper ends crumpled - crushed, my thumbs pressed at its ends, my skin heated as if it was melted butter, flipping the page unconsciously, my lashes flutter into a perplexed stare. 

Valor credits? Was this another sponsor of the school? Or something integrated by the school? 

My expression mimicking my internal perplexion, grasping the contents, my eyes slide down, reaching the end of the paper. My brain is going haywire, a sigh drawn from my lips, closing the paper brochure.  

 Shaking my head slightly, fixated on my destination, my steps measured gracing the floor with purpose as the wall interiors pass behind me, steps slightly echoing softly, passing other students, my sight set in front, paying no mind to my surroundings, straddling calmly to a new class.   

 Striding in the hallway, my gaze raised above the doorway, the large banner print in bold. Class E. A faint smile twists the corner of my lips. 

From my perspective, the width of the doorway was wide enough to fit two plus-sized persons, while the height of the doorway was approximately as tall as a basketball player, about 6 feet, 5 inches. A lolicon could only dream of reaching it. A smile twists the corner of my lips into a broad grin, imagining a lolicon fathomed by the unreachable height. Stifling a snicker, I make my way inside. 

A calm smile was displayed on my lips, which lightened my expression. My gaze scanned for my name among a few empty desks while some new stares bore at me in their seats. Eventually, I found my way to the back. Wait. The back, really? Unexpected.

Stroding across the room at the back, reaching the left corner of the room, my gaze caught a name which was glued to the top of my desk, taking a moment to examine the name and the letters on the name tag, which was placed on top of the desk - Cody Agati.

I stared blankly at the desk as I sighed deeply.

 Why didn't I get a middle seat or the front seat? Well, it was the norm that the studious and the well-behaved would sit at the front while the rebels and misfits would sit at the back. 

My knee slightly nudged the desk, which was unmovable. Steel furniture, it seems. 

I nod silently, taking my seat, letting out a short breath as a subtle breeze kisses my cheek through the window beside me, which was at my left. My lashes flutter closed. 

Accepting my dilemma with a calm sigh, I cleared my head. 

Ah, what nice weather.  Students came in quietly, taking their seats while some continued searching for their names, and the room held its peaceful quietness. A faint smirk appeared on my lips, not enough to be seen. My elbow on the desk, resting my cheek against the back of my hand. 

Moments after, something uncertain entered my territory, disturbing my serene calmness.

Suddenly, Fingertips started ploughing at my scalp, running through my woolly black hair, tugging it curiously. 

My eyebrow raised slightly. What was happening in my scalp? It's not like I was unhygienic, for hygiene was a serious daily forte in my daily life.

Raising my head slightly, my view seizing one - two - three hands digging into my hair, massaging it.  

Suddenly, my cheek stretches from a small, gentle tug. 

My gaze flared wide open - bewildered, but my smile grew tolerable. 

Four girls wearing the same uniform as me, blocking my view of the classroom as my gaze met one of them. Her gaze peering into mine while being seated in front of me, curiosity gleamed bright within her gaze. 

Her legs were crossed, and she had a small figure of a short figure. Her hair was short and ruffled, somewhat resembling a tired bedhead. Darting a slightly tired gaze at me, her expression was devoid of emotion as she gently pulled my cheek. On my right, the other girl was massaging my scalp, while the girl on my left twirled my small afro with her fingers, their skirts dancing slightly with their subtle movements.

"What are you all doing to me?"

Immediately, I became the centre of attention, attracting the opposite gender. I didn't really think of myself as attractive, but about the same age or older, and resorting to such notions as this was quite surprising and perplexing. 

My fingers grasped their hands as I gently nudged them away. The girl in front hauled back as if her hand was burned by fire.

"Your hair is different, among the majority of students in this class," the one on my left said.

"You're unique. Sort of," the one in front of me murmurs. Her voice was light, barely above a whisper.

"You're cute. I think darker tones are in my list of boys I like," the one on the right said with a small smile, which didn't reach her eyes.

What did she mean by that statement? Typically, men with attractive features could easily catch the female gaze. For one, I didn't recognize myself as beautiful or unattractive. I'd say I'm in the middle. Neutral and pleasant. 

My eyebrow cocks up abruptly, my smile faint, amused. My expression was a contrast to their ambiguity, returning a nonchalant shrug as I stood up. 

"Thanks for the sudden interest, but don't you think your approach was impolite?" 

I got up, making my way away from the girl's claws as they stared at my back, glaring daggers and frowning in their expression, but the girl with the ruffled bedhead remained aloof and unreadable. 

Eh. I shrugged slightly as I thought nothing of their motives. Taking a deep breath, as I sighed softly, raising my gaze, which caught track of the face I saw in the class brochure. Making her way in my direction, holding her bag in front of her with a calm, small smile. 

Isn't she the one? She's the beauty I saw in the class brochure, right? I thought. My mind is conjuring up thoughts as it shifts to overdrive, overriding my processing functions.  I quickly averted my eyes to the side. 

Taking in another breath, a deeper one this time. Slowly exhaling, which ends in a small cough from my eyes, involuntarily meet hers. 

My heart bubbles once more, my temperature slightly heated. My heart suddenly feels as if it has stopped. 

She's the one. No mistake.

My eyes sparkle, as if looking at a night sky, holding her gaze as if our eyes remained locked on each other for a moment. 

For an instant, a soft melody plays within my head, which I recognize mentally, which makes my heart flutter even more. My stare widened slightly, grasping her every detail. 

A small giggle disrupts my mental image; her smile grew pleasantly, waving at me. Drawing near.  Too close. Only a step between us. 

"May I take my seat, please?" 

Her warm tone woke me back to the real world. My heart is racing steadily. Leaning against a chair which was neatly tucked under a desk which had a name, which wasn't mine. 

My lashes fluttered twice, realizing my situation. As she gestures towards her chair, which I feel comfortable leaning on. 

"S-sorry"

My heart beating like a loudspeaker in my chest, I internally gasped as I flinched to the side, giving her way.

Taking her final step, she took her seat within her chair. Her posture was normal, but. Elegant in my eyes, wherever she appeared in my sight. 

"Hey there, I have a suggestion. It'll take a minute if you mind."

My ears perked up to her voice, which emits a graceful and calm charm that entangles my heartstrings. 

"Yes, anything," I said. 

The girls from before watched on, two of them whispering to one another in hushed voices, while the ruffled hair girl stood silent, seated, watching with slightly weary eyes. 

Noticing the silent incursion, I shrugged my shoulders slightly, unbothered by it, as my eyes remained on the dark pink, tall hair which flowed straight down her back and stopped at the middle. Her uniform, covered by a lavender colored sweater. Her hair covered one of her eyes because of its long length, which ended at her shoulders. My heart races on, gazing at her appearance and her choice of words. 

"May we exchange contact for future interactions?"

Her head tilted slightly, waiting patiently, her expression unfazed.  

Future interactions? Dating. Marriage. Children. 

I gasped internally, my hand quickly reaching for my- wait, I didn't own a phone. Oh my Gosh, how could I forget?

My fingers were rubbing my cheek sheepishly, hiding my embarrassment, trying to maintain my usual calm. 

"Sorry, I don't  yet own-" 

As I began to speak, she immediately cut me off. 

"My apologies, it seems I forgot to mention that my phone was confiscated at the entrance." 

"Mind if I write you my number instead?" she asked.

"Alright, fine by me," I replied. 

Her pen dances across a small piece of paper which she took from her uniform which she took from her uniform pocket. She wrote with a fluid motion as she handed the piece of paper to me.

"Here. Mind giving me yours?" she said as she smiled softly, remaining patient, while gazing at me, although I couldn't put a finger on it, her eyes seemed slightly off.  

"Write it down, please listen closely". I said, while a cheesy grin spread on my lips. 

"825-"

"825?"

She looked up at me from the paper, patiently waiting to write the other number. My gaze widened slightly as it seemed like my memory had paused. Although I didn't own a phone yet, I did have a number, which I didn't really use for some reason, but trying to recall it was rather difficult.

Did I really forget my number? It can't be, my only chance at getting closer to my future wife. It absolutely cannot be.
 
"I-I..."

I began to stutter nervously.

"It's okay." 

She giggled and nodded at me calmly. Her gaze was unwavering with her unflinching smile. 

"Here, take mine, and whenever you get the chance, text me. Is that okay?"

She stood there, calm, holding eye contact, while I whimpered in embarrassment.  

Suddenly, her hand squeezes my shoulder gently. My gaze lidded at the touch, a warm sensation spreading through my chest. My lidded gaze met hers, which stayed fixed. Her pupils stayed still, staring into mine as if staring into my soul. Her expression unwavered.  

A jolt of electricity sparked within me. Fight or flight? - Eh. 

I leaned softly, comfortably, into her touch. My gaze remained lidded. 

Her smile spreads faintly, which never reached her eyes. Her pupils remained still, burning into mines. 

I began questioning myself internally, pondering her movements. What did they mean? Was she being analytic? Nah. Pish posh, this is my future wife, the rose of my heart, the sparkle of my eyes, I'm the stamen to her pistil, and together we make a beautiful flower with our love.

That sounded quite cheesy or silly, I thought. 

A loud gasp echoed in the room, bringing me back to reality as small, excited feminine squeals filled the room as a tall male with a masculine figure walked into the room. Almost half the class gave him their full attention. Mostly girls. He calmly straddled, his bangs bouncing with every step he took, his gaze scanning the desk while ignoring the squeals, while not sparing any of us a glance as he stopped and dropped his bag on the desk, and took his seat. His expression had a deadpan look.

His skin was pale white, while his hair was black and had a velvety texture to it, which bounces. His appearance, with his tall height, mirrors that of a Korean manhwa character, with a slight build. 

A girl who sat close to him whispered something to herself and leaned in her chair in his direction. Ogling at him indirectly. 

Well damn, first appearance, and he's unaware of his magnetism. 

Two of the girls who invaded my privacy from before surrounded him like a moth to a flame, otherwise of the girl with the ruffled hair and tired eyes. Well, she's just staring. Her back slightly hunched over, arms folded under her, with a near to medium-sized chest.

"Taking all the waifus, huh?"

A voice muttered softly as my head turned to its source. A male student, sitting at the right side of the room, is folding his arms with a twisted expression. 

Waifus? Isn't that the term otaku use to label fictional characters of the opposite gender? Or women of their type?

A loud laughter erupts in the room, which grabs everyone's attention. His hand was beating his desk, trying to maintain his amusement, turning towards the students who had spilled the waifu slur. 

"Cmon now, Jealous are you? Labeling women waifus. Do you have any women for yourself?"

 His laughter settled into a bright grin as he leaned back and crossed his legs in his seat, snickering to himself.

Everyone, alarmed by his boisterous laughter, stood in silence. The otaku male student grew agitated, gritting his teeth. 

"Stop talking like you know anything about people." 

"Losing your cool over a trivial question? A man referring to women as waifus is purely immature."

The otaku student stood from his chair, his hands folded into fists, ready to throw them at the enemy. Making his way over to the student who mocked him. 

"Who do you think you're calling immature?"

His eyes glared at the grinning male student, who seemed calm.

"Oh, did I push a button?" 

He glanced at the otaku student, his grin never leaving his lips. 

 A vein seemingly showed on the otaku student's forehead, unable to hold his composure, his body shook with heated breaths.

The class watches with bated breath, as if everyone was glued in their seats, unmoved. No one seems to intervene. 

"Are you going to keep being a postman or do what you came by to do?" 

Was there going to be a showdown? I wondered who was going to win.

"Hey, calm down."

A dark skin male student stepped into the room. Holding his bag strap as he strides to the students who were the centre of attention in the class. 

A Tall, dark skinned male student stepped into the room. Holding his bag strap as he strode to the students who were the centre of attention in the class

He immediately made his way between the two male students.

Finally, things can calm down. Although I planned to escape the catastrophe by walking out of the class. 

Making up my mind, I marched in another row, between rows of students, as I calmly, with swift precision, walked out of the room. However, most students' eyes remained on the dispute, a few stares followed me while I snuck out of the room without sound. 

I would rather not hear any more of it. It wasn't because I wanted to see a fight or hear the grounded counseling words of another male student. 

 I took a deep breath as I exhaled softly, strolling the hallways, passing students giggling and whispering in conversations. 

To be young. It's quite nice. Very. 

A peaceful smile made its way on my lips as I made my way to wherever my feet took me. However, no teacher showed, which meant they'll be late or they won't show at all. 

What did you expect to happen in a class full of low-grade freshmen students with no teacher?

The lights dim slightly as it returns with a soft glow, brightening up the hallway a little. But what sense is there for a school to make bulbs burn bright in daylight? Either the officials are idiots or they have no sense of the value of money. 

I made my way into a small hallway as my eyes blared wide open, my breath stuck in my throat. 

Oh Gosh. The school had this, too? 

A huge stadium. But half of what you see on television is watching the World Cup. It had chairs like what you'd see inside a football stadium, but this was a school setting, so there was a track and field track around it, which looked like it was untouched due to its spotless appearance, and a football field in the middle with grassy interiors. With chairs surrounding the stadium as I stood above it, gazing down at them at the sky.

My my what a view.

The breeze hitting my face, as I took in the atmosphere, gently sniffing the air in....an exhale. 

haaah. Refreshing.

"...."

"Enjoying the scene?"

Huh? Did someone follow me, or just happen to be here, just like I did for the view? I thought I was the only one here to bear this to myself.

Slightly turning. To the source of the voice, a lone female underclassman, a freshman, appeared behind me, leaning against the hallway wall - her smile unnerving, narrowing her piercing gaze at me. 

Instantly, the breeze felt chilly, as silence dipped in the environment, the wind grew still, feeling a tight sensation in my chest, and I immediately adjusted my breathing. As if standing still, pretending not to notice her domineering aura.  

"Weren't you smiling a while ago?" she said.  

"Smiling? Are you sure you haven't mistaken seeing something which you didn't see? I presume it was dust that blew by my face in which brought such a conclusion," I replied. 

"My inquiry still stands," she proclaimed. 

Leaning calmly against the wall. Her smirk twisted into a frown, which complemented her glare. 

"Hey"

"Hm, what is it?" I said.

She remained quiet for a moment. Her gaze was

Still on me. Was she piecing her words together, or is she blatantly staring at me? Or maybe that's what she wants me to think? Wait, how the heck should I know? Lol.

I thought as our eyes never broke contact. 

"Can I ask another question, if you mind?"

"Pray tell," my tone was below a whisper.

Her gaze was unwavering, sharp enough to cut concrete. 

"not one but two"

Two? Considering it, a teacher might have reached the classroom by now, maybe wondering why there's only one empty desk and heir in the class. If so be the case, I don't have much time to answer all her questions. 

"Alright. What is it?" 

"Do you think the dictator always wins?"

Huh? I expected a better question for a girl of her appearance. I expected a teasing question like 'which class are you from? Or do you have a girlfriend?' or something related to the norm of things. 

"Um, well-"

Before I could answer, she doubled down on the second question. 

"Does Dictatorship lead to fatal oppression?" she asked. 

"....well-"

Before I could utter a word, the bell rang soundly across the hallways of the school. Loud enough to deafen anyone who stood near it.

"Tch," she exclaimed, her expression slightly unapproving, then sighed, pushing herself off from the wall. 

"You didn't even answer one."  

Obviously, Captain obvious, the bell alarmed the peace out of me, which was unprecedented. Plus, you didn't even give the chance to answer the first question.

"My apologies, the bell rang."

"Shitty timing," she said, her tone slightly frustrated and aggressive as if she would curse.
 
She glared and walked off through the hallway with a sour expression and disappeared. 

Bad timing, I guess. I sighed softly as silence filled the space once again. Well time for me to return as well, to my class that is. 

Pondering it, her sour expression was quite amusing. It was as if a wrinkled elderly lady was given a sour patch candy to eat, and her face contorted into the sour expression the girl gave before she went off. 

.....

I walked in, reaching the doorway. All seats were filled except mine. Some students conversing with each other glance in my direction and go back to their conversation, while others stare. I glance towards the whiteboard, expecting the teacher to be seated or behind the wooden podium, giving a speech, but to my surprise, the space was empty.  

My gaze returned to my now classmates as some of them had already formed groups, chatting amongst one another. 

Striding to my desk as I took my seat, I appeared aloof as my deskmate raised her gaze from what she was doing, taking in my appearance silently.

A moment after, A woman walked in, her steps graceful, her frame voluptuous, which was a contrast to her demeanor. Cool and expressionless. Detached. Her clothes frame her curves perfectly. 

In no time, silence tuned down the prattling as the air seemed to still. The students' lips sealed as their attention shifted to the tall woman at the front of the room. I gazed to the side, taking in my deskmate's empty expression. Unfazed, gazing to the front. 

Was everyone aura farming today? The wind blew through the window, gracing my skin, which grew frigid instantly, sending chills down my spine. 

The woman remained quiet, calm, and poised. Her tall statue commanded attention, towering slightly over the students. 

Her Gaze sharply scanned the class, like they weren't just looking at the students but through them. 

Her heel clicked against the polished floor with every step she took, measured. Slow as if commanding the air to give way. 

Aura farming, huh? I thought.

Her figure matured. Not the kind to draw attention by force, but how she carried herself. 

"Good Morning, Class 1 E."

She didn't raise her voice. She didn't need to. 

The silence grew serene, beads of sweat appearing on the foreheads of some students. However, others gulped nervously. 

She stood behind the podium. Her gaze grew unnerved as it hung over the class. Double the tension. Double the suffocation.

"I am Professor Irena Virellia. For the four years of your school life here, I will remain as your homeroom teacher and your science teacher."

Her heels clicked softly as she disappeared behind her desk, pulling the drawer open with a gentle motion. 

She took out two white boxes, lifting each with both hands, which seemed somewhat heavy. The drawer closed with a soft hum as she locked it with a key. 

Who knows where that key would've come from? Or how long were those boxes inside there?
She reached into the box and pulled out a selection of smartphones. Taking a handful in each hand, she strolled between the rows of students, placing a phone on each desk. I was the last person to receive mine.

I took a moment to look at what was on my desk. The phone was silver and placed face down on each desk, bearing bold black words with our names on the back.

The professor strode back to the front where she had come from. 

Holding up a phone with her left hand as she began speaking. 

What was this? Teaching us how to use phones now? Although I wasn't one to talk because I didn't own one as I do now, however, I believed most of the other students probably already owned a phone. This thought came as I believed phones were only used to make calls. 

"This is your personal phone, which was given by the school."

The professor said, her tone almost robotic and matter-of-fact. 

"As of before, those of you who brought your personal phones to school have had them confiscated. For confidential reasons."

Confidential reasons? First, she holds up the phone and begins talking like those characters in simulators, giving game tutorials, and now hiding things from us?

"Your names are imprinted on the back of your phones. In any case, you've misplaced it, there are no guarantees that you will be handed another one."

"Your school ID is built within the device, and you have permission to exchange contacts with anyone you choose." 

 Taking a momentary glance at my classmates, some covering their mouths, hiding their exhaustion, while small tears appear at few of them eyelids revealing tiredness and boredom, while the rest stare at her as if they were staring in space. I couldn't tell if they were actively listening or not. 

Professor Virellia's eyes darted across the room as she began strolling the rows of students as she spoke.

As she strides across the room, moving between the rows of students, something unusual happens. Students begin to subtly shift in their seats; others dart their gazes around as if trying to identify the culprit. Some hold their heads down, covering their noses, while a few remain composed and unfazed.

"What's that smell?"

A student murmured, ensuring that his words did not reach the professor's ears. Struggling to contain the stench, his expression grew slightly pale. Meanwhile, another student beside him remained calm, yet her peculiarities hinted at her true feelings, which was unusual for her. 

I shifted my gaze, and the young woman beside me covered her nose with a white handkerchief. Her eyes held resentment, ready to cut the perpetrator in half.  

"Did the teacher farted?" she said softly, her tone soft enough below a whisper that my ears picked up.

I sighed softly as I hid my amusement, calmly enduring in serenity.

I pondered quietly, considering her question, which she asked herself. If the teacher passed gas, it would be a natural occurrence, or she's a blatant menace to her students. Worst if she didn't fart and held it in, wouldn't it be worse? Either stomach pains or probably bad gas or diarrhea, which could probably be unprincipled and would end up in the doctor's office due to constipation. 

I guess...

The professor, noticing the students' quiet uproar, fanned the air as she reached the front of the class. Cutting her gaze at us as if she could bore through us.

Her tone was calm as she spoke, her robotic tone replaced with casual detachment.  

The class held its silence. If a pen dropped, it would be a huge disturbance. No one made a move as if they were tongue-tied and glued to their seat. 

For a moment, the professor sighed softly. Her expression broke for a slight moment, then she regained her deadpan look.

It was for a brief moment, but I didn't know if I was the only one who caught that.

The class held its silence, the male student with the boisterous laugh from before smiled, as if any minute he would burst into another loud, derisive laughter like the one he had before, as he stood there containing his amusement. 

But considering it. Was he the culprit who farted? If he were, his behaviour explained it. But. Who knows.

"Please. Detest from such immature behaviour. For all your young adults nearing the end of their teenage years. I presumed you were all principled students." 

The professor said, her tone holding calm detestment, as she took her last fan as if the stench continued to reek near her nostrils.

What did she expect? Although eventually her lecture would go through the ears of the students. 

As the professor took a moment to compose herself as she began to speak, once again.

Well, as she spoke, something unexpected was dropped, more deadlier than the fart incident.