"HA! HA! HA! Didn't I tell you we would be classmates?" Rick chuckled heartily, patting Tatsumi on the shoulder with a wide grin.
Just a few minutes earlier, Rick and Tatsumi had been called up one after the other, seemingly destined to be in the same class.
However, there was a little surprise waiting for him.
Tatsumi sister and her 'boyfriend' were also in the class, which put Tatsumi in a difficult situation.
Not only did he have to deal with Rick and the problems that came with him, but he also had to confront with his 'family' issues.
Nah fate was playing with him !!!
To make matters more complicated, half of the students came from powerful families, while the other half had powerful commoners backgroung ....
This mix of backgrounds created an atmosphere in the class that was very, very tense.
At the slightest hint of a disagreement between the two factions, there would be a big fight.
Tatsumi couldn't help but feel that his school year was going to be anything but ordinary.
The class was already divided into two factions, and small discussions were breaking out here and there.
As he sat in the midst of this chaos, Tatsumi only wanted to study the S.A.M.S , but is seemed like a distant dream , ( Yeah a dream ..... ).
Instead, he found himself with lot of problems that were about to unfold.
In that moment, a thought crossed his mind.
( In situations like these, I need a decoy... )
( Yeah , a decoy to distract them !!!! That way, I can remain in my own corner, just like an Extra . Yes, that's what I need... hehehe. ) Tatsumi smirked, devising a plan to keep a low profile
As he contemplated this strategy, Tatsumi scanned the room, turning his head left and right in search of a suitable candidate for the role of 'decoy '
However, none seemed qualified, except for... his sister's 'boyfriend.'
( You will be the chosen one!!! ) Tatsumi thought with a mischievous grin, deciding to put him for the role.
Just as Tatsumi was contemplating his plan and considering the 'boyfriend' as a potential decoy , the classroom door swunged.
Walked in a stunning woman, her beauty so captivating that the entire class fell silent. She had long, curly red hair and a tall stature, resembling that of a model.
Tatsumi's gaze involuntarily shifted from the 'boyfriend' to the new arrival, wondering if she might be the unexpected hero he had been searching for.
However, he quickly dismissed the idea, realizing that the 'boyfriend' had more potential for the role.
After all, he had a powerful 'Noble' background? Check.
Like a lady with a commoner background ? Check.
Strong sense of justice? Check.
Influential? Check.
"Hello, everyone," she greeted with a warm smile.
"My name is Scarlett, and I'll be your head teacher. I'll be covering the general history courses ."
She continued, "During attendance, I'd like each of you to not only say 'present' but also specify your chosen field, whether you'll be pursuing the path of a pilot or a designer."
The students exchanged glances, and a murmur of conversation filled the room as they contemplated their choices.
Miss Scarlett began the roll call with "#1 Otto Klein."
Otto promptly responded with "present" and expressed his desire to become a pilot.
Tatsumi, however, couldn't help but notice the sharply contrasting expressions on the faces of the two faction leaders as they observed Otto.
Ryan, the rick , leader of the nobles' faction, wore a scowl of disapproval.
While Yang Julien, the leader of the commoners and Otto's best friend, beamed with satisfaction.
As Tatsumi observed this drama unfolding, he couldn't help but think
( NO way !!!! ... I don't even need to lift a finger, ha ha ha! )
( The ' Decoy ' is already in action !! Praise to the MECHA GOD!!! He must have heard my prayers. )
As Tatsumi was lost in thought, Rick nudged him and whispered, "Psst... it's your turn..."
Tatsumi quickly snapped out of his reverie and turned his head forward. He locked eyes with Miss Scarlett, his bright red eyes eagerly awaiting her response.
"Present, and I will follow the designer path," Tatsumi declared with determination and passion in his tone.
However, just as he thought he could make his choice quietly, Rick intervened, shouting, "No, stop, Tatsumi! We were supposed to take pilot courses together!!!"
Tatsumi shot Rick a murderous glare. However, Rick sported a smirk on his face that seemed to say, "I want to see a show."
In the academy, it wasn't explicitly stated that students couldn't pursue both paths, but it was widely known that most students who did faced bully.
Our protagonist, Tatsumi, held firm in his belief that he wouldn't be subjected to bullying for choosing both the pilot and designer paths.
However, he discovered that the designer courses were relatively short , with professors providing only limited guidance.
In these classes, the core program was on independent work and creativity. Professors would assign projects and then step back, allowing students to explore their own ideas and solutions.
This approach left students largely to their own devices, with the professors serving more as mentors and advisors.
The true test would come at the end of the year when students were expected to showcase their work and demonstrate the skills they had developed throughout the course.
However, Rick kept pushing Tatsumi to join the pilot courses, which were longer and more physically demanding—something Tatsumi didn't feel he needed at the moment.
Frustrated, Tatsumi shot Rick another deadly glare, then turned back to face Miss Scarlett.
"He's just talking nonsense," Tatsumi retorted with frustration.
But Rick persisted, saying, "So, you lied to me, but I'll keep insisting."
Tensions mounted rapidly. Rick, hailing from one of the most powerful noble families, wielded significant influence over the noble students.
They began to cast disapproving glares at Tatsumi, convinced that lying to a 'Noble' like Rick was a transgression that should not go unpunished.
On the other side, the commoner students rallied behind Tatsumi. They saw him, a fellow commoner, trying to justify his actions.
Within moments, the classroom descended into a cacophony of raised voices, passionate arguments, and emotional outbursts as students from both factions engaged in a heated dispute.
Suddenly, a chill descended, quelling the heated dispute. All heads turned toward the front of the classroom where Miss Scarlett stood. Her demeanor had shifted dramatically, from warmth to an icy aura.
In a cold tone, she declared, "So, you dare to argue during my class. In that case, there's only one way to settle this." She paused for effect and then continued, "Follow me."
The students exchanged uncertain glances, curious about what Miss Scarlett had in mind to address the growing tension in the classroom.
The class followed Miss Scarlett to a room labeled "POD Training Room." Upon entering, they were greeted by the sight of a hundred PODs, fifty on each side of the room.
Miss Scarlett explained, "We will now have a duel. The winner will become the servant of the other for one week."
Her announcement sent shockwaves through the entire class, leaving them all astounded and uncertain about the upcoming challenge.
As uncertainty gripped the classroom, Ryan, unwilling to let the challenge go unmet, defiantly shouted, "I'll participate!"
Ryan's decision served as a rallying point for the 'Noble' faction, igniting their enthusiasm, and they eagerly joined the challenge.
Witnessing the hesitation among the commoners, the nobles began to chant, "FIGHT!! FIGHT!! FIGHT!!"
Not to be outdone, the commoners, under the leadership of Yang Julien, made their choice to participate as well.
Tatsumi standing on the sidelines with Rick at his side , know that he had deliberately escalated the tension between the two factions., he couldn't help but express his apprehension.
In a hushed tone, he confided in Rick, "Rick, sometimes it's best to keep a low profile. I simply want to make it through the year without any unnecessary complications."
Rick responded with a mischievous grin, saying, "Ha ha, I can't resist a bit of drama. It's just my nature."
Tatsumi, observing both factions heading toward their respective POD turned to Rick and said, "You've caused me trouble; I want compensation."
Rick replied with a sly smile, "Cash."
Tatsumi countered, "Lot of."
Rick chuckled and said, "Then, let me have a good spectacle."
Tatsumi grinned, "Then more cash," as he headed towards the commoners' camp, while Rick made his way to the nobles.