The bus silently went on its way as everyone chose to keep to themselves for most of the trip. In particular, Chrome didn't interact with the one sitting beside him, nor the trouble source behind him. Considering that his counterpart's memories still made it hard to preserve his original line of thoughts, getting into Alter Chrome's character was somewhat dangerous for him…
While Alter Chrome's reality didn't seem to differ that much from that of a classic weak to strong protagonist, transitioning from being useless to overpowered under the mixed support and oppression of cliches, Chrome didn't want to get caught up with the flow. Since this life was now handed down to him, he would live in his own way!
Briefly talking with Alice and exchanging a few words with the awkward Bryce were just necessary tasks to Chrome's process of blending in, not to mention that being friendly with them could be of help later. However, he had to stop at that if he didn't want to get absorbed into Alter Chrome's style of life.
Just accepting all hardships while digging down using nothing but his bare hands only to find some self-satisfaction in Alice's support just didn't sit right with Chrome.
He acknowledged his counterpart's suffering, but these mental problems weren't his to deal with, nor did he require Alice's sympathetic help. Having skipped into the true start of the story, Chrome believed that he only needed the time to give it his all to live an earnest life. Naturally, the support he could get from the Extra Academy would be of great help, but his new double life wouldn't stop at that!
'I need to slowly forget his personality traits and focus more on the memories, especially…'
On one hand, Chrome respected his Alter's undeniable effort, but on the other hand, he denied his methods and even more so denied his attitude of laying low. His memories, however…
'No, let's just forget about that part for now.'
"We are here," Just as Chrome's thoughts came to a decisive conclusion, Link announced their arrival as he left his seat.
"Finally, we get to find out whether our very own Ordinary was lying or not," Having recovered from his shock, Krig grinned at the calm Chrome, not showing any actual care for the result.
"Silence, Krig. Just focus on your own results instead."
"Ok, Teach…"
No one seemed to care about Krig's bickering as they orderly left the bus. Even Fred himself seemed to hold in his irritation, walking out a grim expression.
A large white building showing no signs of age appeared in front of them before the bus drove off to park. Under Link's lead, the seven students made their way inside.
The main doors were pushable black glass ones, but once they stepped in, their path was blocked by another makeshift gate supervised by two guards dressed in more white.
"Identify yourself."
"Future High's seeded candidates, I'm their supervising teacher," Link introduced their group, taking out a white card and stretching his hand forward.
"Identity… Confirmed. You can go in." Taking out a special lens, the guard looked at the card with scrutiny, before politely moving to the side after giving the card back.
The gate opened up, giving the familiar beep associated with scanning as the eight made it into a long corridor ending with a wide metallic door that was already opened with people inside!
"Oho, Future High is finally here." The first to react to their entrance was a white-haired man who appeared to be the oldest of the crowd, causing the nine students surrounding him to look at Chrome and the others in curiosity as he stroked his long but silky beard.
"Sorry for being late, Crow," Link apologized to the old man with a respectful nod.
"No worries, no worries. It's fine, young Link, now that your group is here, let us get on with the examination," Crow nodded in acknowledgment, eyes still closed.
The students weren't enough to fill the large metallic hall, but they were divided into three small crowds. Crow's group was larger than that of Link, but they still lost in quantity to the third group headed by a young black-haired teacher who brought along 15 students!
"Humph, some people just have no discipline," the black-haired teacher spoke with visible annoyance, trying to pin some fault on Link.
"I already said that it's fine Jack, don't make me repeat my words," Crow's eyelids parted slightly, revealing a hint of his pressuring white pupils. He only glanced in Jack's direction, but everyone felt like they were pierced through…
"Hm." Receiving Crow's sharp gaze, Jack turned his head away without trying to retort.
"Good. Little Claire, go and call for the examiner." Crow lightly patted one of his students on the back, his calm countenance returning to its serenity…
"I see that our long-awaited guests have all joined up," in no time, words could be heard from the corner that Crow's student had disappeared into, accompanied by an aged man who kept his hands behind his back
"Long time no see." A smile formed on Crow's face as soon as he caught sight of the head full of gray hair."
"Ah, it's really nice to see you again, old man. Hahaha…" Imitating Crow, the aged man stroked his short colorful beard with a mischievous laugh.
"You are not that much younger. Isn't that right, dear old class-" Crow's sharp eyes revealed themselves again.
"It's jokes, all jokes my friend! Haha… Follow me, everyone, we ought to start the examination already," The Examiner quickly dismissed the subject, gesturing for the three groups to follow him towards the empty wall. Taking out a small remote from who knows where, the wall's metal plates separated as he clicked on one of its buttons.
'This is more like it.'
The only one to be slightly surprised by the scene unfolding in front of them was Chrome who was personally witnessing something like this for the first time. Before he knew it, he found himself in a room full of various machines.
"This is the room dedicated for the conduction of the seeded candidates' first test, the Physical Aspect Room!" The aged man smiled at the looks in the students' eyes, announcing the start of the Admission Examination!