NOTE 6

She could feel their gazes.

The others had already introduced themselves, and she was the last. The wonder, the amusement, the fascination, the awe, the admiration, the amazement, the surprise and even the unpleasant one, she could feel it from the very moment she walked into the classroom. Without the need for mind-reading powers, she knew exactly the contents of their heads and what question would bombard her.

But none of them had red hair. Thanks to school rules, it seems everyone had their natural hair colour. By looking at their information boxes as they introduced themselves in front of the class, she could confirm that hardly any of her classmate had dyed their hair.

“Alright! With that, the introduction session is over.” She gestured Alanka to sit down and walked to the whiteboard in front of class. “From now on, those who in this class are a team, a family. As you’ve all probably heard, the team works like a cog in a machine. You are there to complement each other, to help each other.”

Asih continue her speech on the importance of teamwork and group cohesiveness. She included several examples in the form of parables to illustrate her point. Everything she says is easy to understand and digest. Like a machine, she knows what words have to be said.

Before long, the speech was over, but she did not return to her desk. She stood there, opening her eyes slowly but stopped before it fully opened.

“But this class is not your average class,” said Asih. “There are only thirteen students in this class and these students gathered based on their abilities, their talents.” She walked back to her desk, heads down. “I want you to be the best. I NEED you to be the best. This country needs THE BEST from you.”

In that instant Alanka felt a sense of tightness, as if a heavy mallet had just slammed into her chest.

“And that’s the sole reason why you’re in this class,” said Asih as she sank into her chair. “Now, is there any question?”

“No, Ma’am!” shout everyone.

“What about you, Maidengard?”

“Nothing,” said Alanka.

“Alright, let’s continue then. Next is… The class president.” She immediately sighed. “Well, I know how it’s going to end. But as formality, does anyone want to run for class president? If you want, please rise your hands.”

“I have a proposition,” exclaimed one of the students as she raised her hand.

Alanka glanced at the girl. She sat in the second row on the left corner of the classroom, two desks away in front of where she sat. Unlike Thia, the girl was average height, with slender and graceful figure. Although many thought her hair was black, but it was more like a blue, a deep, dark, and cold ocean blue.

Dianka Tirtasukma, that is her name.

“Oh? Let’s hear it,” said Asih.

“The importance of a class president in the classroom is undeniable. He or she will lead, represent, and be responsible for everything the class does. These three things cannot and should not be separated, and a class president must have all three,” said Dianka. Every word that comes out of her is carefully chosen. “But I think the election by voting will significantly reduce the possibility of a more suitable candidate being elected.”

“And your suggestion is?”

“I recommend that we should holding some kind of test or something that uphold those three values.”

“A test you say.”

“If I may, instructor.” Another student joined in. This time it was young man with a big, burly body. As he stood up, he looked more like a giant. “Although I think most of us knew that Miss Alanka would become class president as soon as she walked through that door. But I do believe we could discover more suitable candidate for it.”

Kertanegara, that is his name.

“So, you also agree there should be a test?”

“Yes, but not just any test. It’s a mock battle.”

Alanka could feel the change of atmosphere in the classroom. Their attention now on the young man, on the words that just spewed out of his mouth. She could feel it, and it felt wild. It’s hungry for the possibilities that could come from a simple word as mock battle. And part of that feeling was somehow directed at her.

“Do you think… We can have a mock battle on the first day of school?”

“If I can be honest, as instructor of this class, I presume you have more authority and leeway than other teacher. Besides, it’s the best interest of this class to have a perfect class president,” said Kertanegara in a somewhat reassuring tone. “With all these good reasons we had, I believe you can get the permission for it. And Dianka—”

“Don’t worry. I don’t mind,” said Dianka.

“Glad to hear.”

With a gesture of her hand, Asih ordered those two to sit back. Folding her arms across her chest, she sighed. “But only those who want to become class president. Too many of you are not good either, after all, it takes too many times.

The other students seemed to agree with that.

“So, let’s get rid of those who have no intention to becoming one. Raise your hand!”

Four students. Apart from Dianka and Kertanegara, the other two were another male and female student who raised their hands, looking confident. The female student turned her head toward Alanka and in that instant she witnessed how quickly a person could change one expression into another.

“Y-You didn’t raise your hand!?” shouted the female student.

Karangka is her name.

“I see no reason to do so.”

“But it’s a test! You should have raised your hand!”

“I can’t.”

“But—”

“You are exactly the same as you are before, if not more oblivious.” Asih tried to hold herself back from smiling. “You know, everyone more or less expects you to be the class president by now. But they seem to take it more seriously than I do.”

Alanka stood up and bowed. “Forgive me for I could not live up to your expectation. But I don’t think that I deserved to be the one who had to lead you all.”

“Are you sure?” asked Kertanegara.

Alanka nodded. “But, since this exam seem to assume that I’m also taking the exam, then I’ll do it too. At least, if you can make sure that I won’t be the class president.”

“Wait, does that mean!?” exclaimed Karangka.

She nodded again.

Karangka smacked her desk and drummed her feet. “Let’s go and get the permission for the mock battle!”