"So how does the Opening Ceremony thingy even happen?"
I threw my question out in the open, not asking a single person but rather the whole group.
"Now that I think about it. You didn't attend it the previous year too, right?" Micheal chirped.
I just sunk deeper into my comfortable leather chair as I softly nodded to whatever was being said.
"Yeah, you missed it twice in a row. What a shame." Karen spoke up as she sipped Flamingo's Luxurious tea.
We were all sat comfortably around our usual table in Flamingo. The table had some cookies and sandwiches, and a tray containing five tea. I held my glass of cold chocolate shake in my hand and slurped it from the straw as the conversation progressed to another topic.
Flamingo was the most luxurious cafe on Sectarian High's campus ground. As long as you had enough gold in your pocket, you could have a fancy afternoon tea to a raging party in here. Although the only person to ever throw such a party is just me.
After all, the place is a bit too expensive. I can tell from experience that the cost of such a party is well above the amount of gold a commoner ever sees in his entire life. A few years ago, I couldn't even imagine such lavishness from me.
With that in mind, I must say I had adjusted quite well to the luxurious lifestyle of a royal in the past year.
Talking about what happened the past year, the group had also arrived on a similar topic and talked nostalgically.
"It's been a whole year, huh? Time sure flies right?" Micheal spoke with a dreamy look.
"It felt like a long time for me with all those boring lectures, though. At least I hope they have teach something more interesting this year." Siesta spoke bluntly and a bit offbeat, as usual.
The second-year for us all was going to begin soon. The start of the new year was going to begin from this day forth. Even though the topic came up on a nonchalant note, there was no doubt that everyone here was excited about it, even me.
"We are finally going to be officially entering the world of Mana arts. You know, my Dad told me that it's only from here on that we are going to learn some actual Mana art. He also said it's gonna get way harder from now on." Charles proclaimed enthusiastically.
Well, well, if one of the board members of this school was saying that, then it must be true. Although if that is what the school higher up thinks, what the fuck were we being taught last year?
Charles was actually the third son, and all his brothers had all been through Sectarian High, so he definitely has more knowledge about this school than an average person. A fact he proudly reminds us about every other day.
Perhaps Siesta could compete with Charles on that aspect but I can't say exactly how much Seista knows about this school. Cause although they are cousins, Sects work in a very different way than Clans. You see, Charles and Siesta do come from the same Brown Sect. One of the Allied Sects that have made the Sectarian High. And they also do share the same surname and call each other cousins, Siesta comes from a different lineage than Charles. So they are not blood-related.
Another weird fact Charles has talked often about.
Anyways, right now Charles seemed to be absolutely stocked about proving himself. And finally getting some attention and appreciation from his daddy!
I didn't care much about that particular part(working harder), but overall I was pretty excited for this year. Nonetheless, I still couldn't help make a face at Charles getting so excited over the prospect of being a hard worker. And Karen and Maria, who were sitting opposite me, started giggling seeing that, prompting Charles to have a go at me.
"Well, what plans do you have, Sephtis? Aiming for the top like always?"
Charles's voice was dripping with sarcasm, but I just beamed a smile at him.
"Perhaps. After all, I did succeed and scored the top in our Literature class."
"That is the most useless subject in the whole school. You know, my dad even told me he was thinking of getting rid of it. What will you then, Sephtis? You know I am just saying this as a friend, if you don't focus properly, you are going to struggle in your career, and believe me, you will start regretting it later. Like seriously, have you ever actually thought about what you are going to do in the future?"
As I kept smiling along, Charles kept piling more and more stuff on me.
Goodness Gracious Charles, you almost managed to sound concerned there. If only you weren't giving me such a condescending look then your performance wouldn't have fallen short.
But seriously that is the dumbest thing I have heard today. I knew he had some interesting theories concerning my status in the Agustine family but I guess now he has properly started believing in them and started thinking of them as facts.
If not for that, who in their right mind would think of an Agustine struggling in Zelda?
Charles still seemed to be waiting in anticipation for my answer when someone else answered for me.
"What, haven't you heard about it? He will work in the whorehouse, probably try and find his mum."
And coming in with the burn is Micheal!!!
Maria almost choked on her tea with that one. I would say I laughed the hardest at that one besides Charles. Even the stoic Seista was giggling hard and, Once again, it was the usual scene where laughter brought this group together. After a bit more chit-chat, I stood up since I was the first one to finish my drink and went to the counter.
I took my time giving it back for cleaning until finally, Micheal hurried over to me while carrying his cup. He looked around and then put his hand on my shoulder as he quietly spoke.
"Sorry, about that I just-"
"Man, I have told you for about a year now, it's alright. I don't care." I quickly cut off his apology. Micheal nodded as he placed his cup in the cleaning tray on the counter.
Well, I suppose the only improvement with this awkward routine was that Micheal had grown accustomed to it. Enough to at least not continue with his apology and put his hand around my shoulder as we walked back towards the table.
"You are a really nice guy, Sephtis. You are going to do great!"
Not you too, Micheal. I don't really need consolation for my supposed struggles in the future.
I guess people do just believe what they want to believe. Cause believing that my status as someone from the Agustine clan is only a temporary one, probably makes them feel some sense of superiority. It also does allow them to be this frank to me, so it is much like a blessing in disguise.
Welp, it is my actions that have brought some undesirable consequences, so no one is to be really blamed.
I smoothly moved away my shoulder from his arm and casually remarked,
"Yeah, You are a nice person too."
And I truly meant it.
Micheal was a nice person but not a cool one. The unfortunate thing was that he tried too hard to be one.
******
"So, what's going on with you guys?" Charles started off the conversation after we had split off with girls after Flamingos. The girls had many things to set up in their dorm room, so they left as soon as they were done eating. And we, the boys, decided that unpacking can wait until later and just decided to take a walk.
"Ahh, you know, just the usual. Tough work, women and all. Didn't even get time to rest." I spoke the truth from the bottom of my heart and got completely ignored by the other two gentlemen.
"What about you, Micheal? Did something interesting?" Charles completely focused his attention on the person standing to the left of him.
Completely ignoring yours truly standing to the right of him.
I must say, if it weren't for the fact that I didn't care, I would've felt a bit left out.
"Wel...Uhm... My grandfather gifted Maria and me some of the Mana Art scrolls from his collection." Micheal spoke after frowning his eyebrows for a minute of intense thinking.
"Really, what kind?" Charles asked.
"Some simple body enhancement ones, Haven't properly read through all of them yet."
"Ahhhh, No offense, but I got to say those are the most trashy ones. Like, Why would you bother learning about body enhancement Mana Arts when you can just build up your body doing work out? Should have asked something better from your Grandpa, to be honest." Charles spoke with an air of wisdom around him.
Micheal nodded along with what was being said and just weakly chuckled.
"Yeah, I think he just wants me to get down the basics first."
"Most likely. Plus, you do look like you could use some body enhancement," Charles spoke, laughing at his own joke. Not alone though, Micheal and me joined soon afterward.
"Bruh, You and Sephtis are just too skinny. You gotta build up your body if you hope to ever get a chance with a girl." Charles delivered what he thought to be the cold hard truth to Micheal with a face full of seriousness.
"Don't worry, the skinny gang doesn't need no women!" I spat out with mock arrogance.
Once again, the group of three burst into laughter as we continued walking, talking further about the girls, mostly about the ones older than us. Cause apparently, Charles's older brother, who had recently graduated from Sectarian High, was hanging out with some beautiful fourth-year girls, and Charles had some spicy inside info about them now.
"Bro, You won't believe the outfit, this chick wore on the beach."
Intellectual talk like this went back and forth until Micheal got tired and excused himself to the boy's dorm. Micheal left with a small goodbye and me and Charles continued walking for some time.
"Sephtis, You ever heard about FTT?"
So, debates were held, promises were made, and eventually, we also parted ways. Charles went to the dorm and I went to my residency.
****
When night fell, I was still wide awake pacing around my house.
The past year had started out with pain, confusion, panic and excitement. And then a long draught of any of such emotions from me.
The life here was anything like I had ever experienced before. Here in Sectarian High, with the prestigious identity of Agustine, I had lived a life I couldn't even comprehend before.
For those who had known me for most my life, the greator part of the past year, would definitely just feel like a fever dream.
But, of course, I had adapted as I had wanted.
This was a life of wealth comfort. A life filled with plain pleasures and opportunities to live a happy normal life. It was all such....
Bullshit!
"Hehehehe, Ahhh, I am feeling restless."
Feeling myself get worked up for no reason, I decided to lean to the window and gaze out into the night.
The moon hung up in the sky, looking as small as my fist, with occasional dark clouds drifting past it diminishing its beauty. I just stared at the scenery as I pushed all thoughts away from my mind.
Soon, I was just staring at the moon with no idea of how much time had passed. Of course I could turn around and look at the table clock to see what time it was but I remained stubbornly still. Refusing to budge an inch as I continued on staring.
And then, when I was certain by looking at the sky that midnight had passed I heaved a small sigh from the bottom of my heart.
Well, that was a great fifteenth birthday. Truly, a good start to this eventful year.