YEAR 12,625 K.H
The warm rays of sunshine blessed the lands of the state of Zelda of the Central Region of the Empire. One such auspicious place, being basked in the blessings of the Almighty Sun God, was one bench sitting on the property of Sectarian High. On which sat the person most precious to me; Myself.
It was 8 am. The date was the first of January. So the winter should still be rampant. But as usual, the fickle weather of the Central Region managed to deliver a clear and bright sky. I, as a personal fan of winter, didn't feel too pleased with this development. But since the cold winds were still blowing so, at least it wasn't hot and humid, I shall let it go this once. In a way, it might just be the perfect weather suited for me to be sitting out in the open. Just mindlessly tapping my feet against the ground to the rhythm of the song that I could barely make out from here. Although it didn't matter if I could properly hear the song or not, I already knew the lyrics well enough to sing along with just the rhythm alone.
I mean, The National Anthem is pretty darn popular, alright. Like I swear, if people could, they would just play it instead of a rooster call to wake them every morning. Right now, though, they weren't playing it to wake anyone up. It was just the Opening Ceremony.
And it was because of the Opening Ceremony that this path, which is usually bustling with people, is currently deserted. All the students should be gathered in the assembly hall with the teachers watching over them. All of them standing absolutely still as the female musicians on the stage praised the land, the sun, and the so-called 'Kings' followed by some digs on the old emperor. Thankfully it was ending soon, I almost dozed off while waiting for it to end.
As I gradually rose myself from my half-asleep state, I thought back to the first-year students I had spotted when I was out and about dragging my feet at around 7. Some of the faces were dejected, some were prideful. After having spent a year in this high school I could clearly understand the reason behind their varied emotions.
There are three sections in each school year, all students were divided based on how well they had performed at the Entrance Exam, the combat-oriented one, and the written exam combined. And those two tests decided if you were the cream of the top in A section, the average man in B, or the barely adequate C.
Some students felt discontent with this division, mainly those from class B. With their talks revolving around unfairness and discrimination. Frankly, I could see no wrong in how things were.
If an incompetent student was placed alongside competent ones, he would just be an eyesore. If a competent student was placed alongside the incompetent ones, he would only become overconfident and would start to slack off.
For growth competition was vital, that is the basic premise upon which almost every institution in Empire is made.
But there was no way a talented person would compete with a failure, everyone competes with those around their level, and hence, they gradually improve at their own pace.Or maybe something along those lines, I don't know what the fuck I am talking about!? I come from the countryside after all.
That's what I always say to my classmates in class-B, who have all grown up in the Central Region, whenever this seemingly unavoidable topic comes up.
''Long Live The Empire!" I pumped my fist in the air, trying to energize myself. Far away, in the main hall where the Opening Ceremony was being held, the same chant was resounding. Personally speaking, I was more than happy with my position in class B. Plus I was ranked in the sweet spot of 13th in my class. Just the right rank to be part of the upper ranking, among the forty students in class, while also not being challenged for that said ranking.
And I also got along, or at least if I had to, could get along well with people from across any class. I don't look down upon those from Class-C, so they had no qualms with me. And Class-A students didn't look down upon me as much as they did on the Class-C students. So it was good. And speaking of Class-A students, there was one approaching me right now.
"Skipping the Opening Ceremony? Are you trying to become a full-fledged delinquent from this year onwards, Mr.Agustine?"
A sharp voice came from about ten steps away from my bench.
"Not really, it's just that the Opening Ceremony is just sort of a welcome to the first years, a second-year like me doesn't need to be there" I answered sincerely.
The red ruby-like eyes narrowed at my statement.
"Even the fourth-year students attend the opening ceremony." The figure crossed her hands over her chest.
"That's not a valid argument, just because they showed up doesn't mean that I have to. And it's not like they need us, the headmaster just does a long speech and then there is the prayer and then the National Anthem. The first-year students have a reason to be there. Because they get shown to their new classes. But all the senior students just have to head back to their dorms afterward. There isn't much point to the senior students being there." I spoke so with a shrug. I wasn't too much of a fan of continuing this topic any longer, so I changed the subject.
"Anyways, the gong for the end of the Opening Ceremony sounded just under a minute ago. How are you out and about so fast?*Fake Gasp* Don't tell me! Is this a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black?"
She did come from the general direction of the school building but there were other paths intertwined with this one, so my accusation wasn't entirely unfounded. But the girl, in response, looked at me like I had grown a second head.
"To think you would be so presumptuous, as to dare suggest that I did something as lowly as a crime that you, yourself, committed. I do say Mr.Agustine, you sure hide a brazen nature under that act of shamelessness of yours."
Welp, that got me the reply I deserved.
After all, the person standing in front of me was Erina Royalte. Ranked 1st in Class-A, she was undoubtedly the person holding the top position among the second-year students. And her identity alone placed her at the top of the food chain, in the whole school. Cause, you see, she was from one of the Ten Royal Families. One of the only two students in this whole school, that had a royal background.
By the way, Royalte wasn't a surname belonging to any particular royal family. Royalte was an alias that people from the royal family took whenever they underwent a trial or for any other reason that needs them to hide their identity. Honestly, I saw no point in taking up an alias that screams your background. But then again, I suppose even if they were to hide their identity, the pride of the royalty wouldn't allow them to be treated like a peasant.
Having said all that, her status also made her unapproachable. In fact, one of her admirers even said and I quote, "The Almighty Sun, Himself has blessed her with his color,
Eons worth of time it must have taken him, to make her like no other.
What a blasphemous act it must be, for a mere mortal to dare touch her."
What a horrendous crime committed in the name of poetry!
And all this still comes from the better half of her admirers.
Anyways the bottom line here is, She is a very popular loner. So it does make sense for her to not dilly-dally, but still..... She came from the main hall to the path leading to the campus in under a minute. What did she do, run out of the damn place?
"Merely curious, how did you end up here so fast?" I asked with a shrug. To be honest, I wasn't interested. I just wanted to divert the conversation so she wouldn't continue nagging me. Erina looked away from my face towards the path she had come from. With her intense gaze locked far away, she started speaking.
"There was a lack of manpower among the teacher. So I was helping them with an errand. I wasn't like you, who didn't even bother showing up. I was just gone for the latter half of it."
Yeah, Yeah, nobody cares. I couldn't say that to her, though, not even as a joke. We weren't that close. I had known her for a whole year now. But the times we have actually interacted could be counted on my fingers, not including the winter trip.
She seemed to like rebuking me every so often and seemed to look down upon my very being. Saying words like, "Is this how a person from the Royal Family supposed to act?" Considering all that, it was somewhat funny that she was still the student who addressed me most respectfully.
"I heard that among the first-year students there was one named Agustine. I suppose you know of this matter, Mr.Agustine?" Although not posing it as a question, Erina's eyes still seemed to be inquiring something from me.
But...eh...is she making idle conversation?
"Yeah. Although, any member of the Royal Family would know more about such matters than a bastard from the Agustine Family."
Not bothering with the reaction of Erina, I jumped up from the bench arching my back as I stretched my hands before lightly waving at her as I started going toward the path she had come from. Receiving a curt nod in response, we started heading out in opposite directions.
I thought I would be able to escape but I hadn't even taken my tenth step when a hand fell on my left shoulder. Then it slid around my neck as I felt a pressing weight on my shoulders. The person responsible meant business and quickly brought his face right next to my ear.
"Sephtis, my man! Long time no see. What were you doing back there? Trying out your chances with Erina?" A voice too close to my ear spoke in a friendly tone with a smile on its face. But I could see the hideous face of jealousy hidden beneath.
These were the other half of Erina Royalties Admirers. These fuckers didn't write poems, and as thankful for that as I am, It somehow makes them way worse than the other half. They were the 'pursuers'. These people would kiss the ground she walked upon and then follow it.
But that was really not what I was concerned with right now.
Goddamit Jack! She is one of the Gifted Royals! She has heightened senses, She can still hear us! At least wait until she is out of earshot! In fact, I even heard a disgusted snort come from her direction when you mentioned her name!
"Yups, fruitless as expected. *sigh*Got my heart shattered into pieces back there." I spoke dejectedly. One grunt of disbelief and anger reached my ears, but I ignored it
."Hahaha, No worries, my man. This guy here can line up chicks in front of you if you want." Jack said with hearty laughter. Since he still had his hand across my shoulder, his face was still very close to me. I could feel the spit flying from his mouth. Not something I was comfortable with.
Jack was a big dude. A head taller than me and with a bulky figure. He was in the same year as me, but he was from class-A, like Aliana. Ranked as high as second in his class. And I was in class-B, so we seldom went out of our way to interact. Plus, considering the fact that Jack didn't like me, I wouldn't call us friends.
"Ah, Lucky you, man. In class-A, they at least have some good-looking girls. Everyone sucks in class-B."
Although I spoke mostly to soothe his ego, there was some truth to my words.
"I hear you, man. Class B and C are full of peasants, a Royalty like you shouldn't even bother looking at them." Jack said, nodding to himself. He came from one of the well off clans and never failed to mention it every so often. Not in front of me, though.
And then he went and tugged on my hair that I had tied together by a black thread. That tug pulled me back and forced me to a stop. Initially, after Jack had decided to jump on me, we were moving forward very slowly, and with that, we came to a halt.
"Maybe the chicks from other class would flock around you if you cut your hair short and build some muscle and finally start looking like a Man!" Jack finally took his hands off my shoulder and chuckled to himself as he stood his full height and stared down at me.
I brought my hand up and dramatically flipped my hair that had come undone. Tilting my neck slightly back with that motion, I spoke with a smirk,
"This is part of my charm, Jack. What would a boy like you understand?"
Jack stopped chuckling for a second before doubling over while clutching his stomach in laughter. I, too, laughed loudly alongside him. Now almost all the hostility in Jack had dissipated. And with nothing else to talk about, we quickly bid farewell.
**************
"See, rather than holding a steady rank, It is more important to have a proper rival. No matter if the rank keeps changing. So what if mine dropped? It is more important to continue competing to hone your skills." Charles explained to the group.
Micheal, walking at the furthest back, nodded with a solemn expression on his face. The girls didn't seem that interested in the topic. Maria, Micheal's sister, was talking to her friend Karen. They were the ones walking at the head of the group, a bit behind them was Charles's cousin, Siesta, and right beside her was Charles.
As for me? I was back at my spot near the bench after having taken an annoying detour to make sure that Jack was gone for good. But right now I wasn't sitting on the bench like before. Rather, I was hiding near the bushes behind the bench. Waiting for the group of five to approach nearer to my location.
"You know, funny thing, Sephtis didn't come. I bet he-" Micheal started but, it was too late. Because before his joke could land, they reached my bench.
"DID SOMEBODY SAY MY NAME!!?" I shouted in a deep voice as I leaped out from the bush, across the bench, and landed right in front of Karen. Earning a surprisingly girlish squeal of surprise. Micheal choked on his sentence and was soon having one of his coughing fit.
"What is wrong with you!?!"The words which questioned my sanity were spat out by none other than the person standing closest to me, Karen.
This was followed by the sound of Maria chuckling, followed further by a comment from the non-impressed Charles."You living in the bushes, now? That's an upgrade."
Not letting the sudden laughter from the surrounding subside I replied back.
"I don't know about that, man. The whorehouse had a pretty luxurious bed."
Beaming a smile at them I looked over each of them. Charles was chuckling while shaking his head. His cousin, Siesta, was uncharacteristically giggling along with Maria. Karen didn't look too impressed and huffed in irritation. My eyes went to Micheal, who was hunched over with his hands on his knees, his shoulders shaking. Hadn't met the man for some weeks, but he was still the same.
Good, Good, that's perfect.
"You just had to pop out like that, huh?" Karen after being ignored for some time, angrily sent a chop of her hand headed towards my stomach. I dodged by stepping back, smiling as I answered, "Yups." I turned my back towards her as I started heading forward. Karen still tried to exact some vengeance, but I safely jumped aside and fell to the back of the group to walk beside Micheal.
"You overslept, didn't you?" Micheal spoke somewhat bitterly, and all I could do in response was shrug.
"Well, you gotta buckle up that act of yours. We are sophomores now. We also have to show the freshers around the ropes from next week." Charles spoke from a few steps ahead of us.
He walked with his head held high, looking far ahead as if he could just pear at what the future holds for him. Glorious as he imagines it to be, he was from class-B. So even if he does go around 'teaching' the first-year student. He might end up embarrassing himself.
Although with his decent looks and trimmed blond hair, it wasn't like he was a sorry sight. And if you were to compare him with this group of ours, what with half being girls and me and Micheal looking skinny and a few centimeters shorter than him. By the way, Me and Micheal were the same height. Although he firmly believes himself to be a bit taller and also accounting for the 'quirkiness' of both of us, Charles was the most masculine of the group and often declared himself the leader.
Not caring about Charles imparting his advice upon everyone like always, I turned to Micheal who was dragging his feet beside me.
"I am starving, wanna go to the Flamingo's or we walking till the end of the Empire?"Micheal was visibly relieved at my proposal, glad to finally go somewhere where he could sit and breathe in peace. He looked ahead at his twin sister Maria who somehow immediately understood and then we were off to the poshest cafe on this campus. I must say, I have adjusted quite well to the life of money this past year.
By the way, Maria was the one with the most say in this group, the hierarchal social ranking of this group was quite straightforward. Charles often even openly discussed it, only around boys though. And it goes something like this: Maria Urada would be placed at first and Karen Louinski at second since they were both from class-A. Then at third would come Charles Brown, Ranked 4th in class-B. Followed by Siesta Brown, Ranked 7th in class B.
There was also the variable, Micheal Urada, who was Ranked 1st in class-B. On top of being the twin brother of Maria, he could've had a lot of say. Could've even gotten the top spot if he wished for it, but he was too socially awkward and most of the time just went with the flow.
As for me? Well, even ranking me in the first place would be a pointless task.