Ahiro had spent most of the night practicing attenuation techniques. He woke up early in the morning, as usual, to get ready for his physical training class. The night's training had left him physically exhausted, but his determination was unwavering.
As he entered the training area, he couldn't help but notice Melvin's absence. Usually, Melvin was already there, either playfully teasing Ahiro about being late or exchanging playful banter with Emily. A sense of unease settled in Ahiro's chest as he looked around the training area.
After the class, he headed to the cafeteria, still no sign of Melvin. Emily was already at their regular table, sipping on her morning tea and flipping through a book. She looked up and smiled when Ahiro approached, but her smile faded when she saw the concern etched on his face.
"Where's Melvin?" Ahiro asked, taking a seat next to Emily.
Emily frowned and looked around as if expecting Melvin to pop up at any moment. "I don't know, Ahiro. I thought he would be coming with you after physical class. He's never late for breakfast. This is strange."
Ahiro nodded, his worry growing. He knew Melvin was not the type to miss their regular morning routines. He clicked on his band and called Melvin, but after a few minutes, there was no reply from the other side. Emily also tried calling but she also didn't receive any reply.
The tension was only increasing the conversation Ahiro had yesterday night was swirling inside his mind. Finally, the device buzzed, and both Ahiro and Emily leaned in eagerly.
Emily read the message aloud: "Sorry, can't make it today. On sick leave. Will meet you both in the evening."
A collective sigh of relief washed over them. Ahiro and Emily exchanged relieved glances, knowing that Melvin was okay, albeit not feeling well.
With the tension out Ahiro and Emily made their way to the general studies class. The teacher walked into the room and standing on the podium and turning on the holo-board he began his address to the students.
"It has been a week and all of you must have attended many classes and taken time to explore various facilities of the campus. So you may be aware by now that many of the facilities in our academy require points to access," the teacher began, his voice calm but authoritative. "Some of these facilities include private rooms, advanced training modules, specialized equipment, and much more."
Ahiro listened intently because, during his previous visit to the library, he had noticed that some private rooms within the library were equipped with advanced training modules, allowing students to watch practice videos and engage in hands-on training.
However, accessing those rooms required points, and Ahiro currently had very few. This is what he hoped to address with the information the teacher was going to provide.
The teacher continued, "To maintain a fair system, points are earned through various means. This includes your academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities, and, of course, your performance in the AGS assessments."
The teacher elaborated further, "In the first year, the primary source of points is your academic performance. As you progress, there will be opportunities for extracurricular activities and competitions. The second year will introduce a variety of methods to earn points, and the third year is predominantly focused on missions, where you can earn substantial points while gaining practical experience."
"And the first opportunity for you to earn points is here, there will be a small test, or I should say mock battle in 6 weeks from now, I am telling you now so all of you can be sufficiently prepared, the test will be explained in detail later on but would mainly focus on your own growth so you would need to be prepared" the teacher announced showing the banner of mock battle and a countdown to the day. " This concluded the announcements so let us begin the class."
Ahiro's interest was piqued. He understood the importance of missions in a world where awakened powers were vital, and the prospect of earning points while gaining real-world experience was intriguing.
After the general studies class, Ahiro headed to the library.
With a renewed sense of purpose, he looked for resources to earn points. He knew he had a long journey ahead, one filled with challenges, secrets, and a need for self-improvement.
As Ahiro started exploring various options, he thought about his own awakening and what he might discover about it. There was so much he didn't know, but with each day that passed, he was determined to grow stronger and uncover the mysteries hidden within the Neo-Metropolis Academy.
Ahiro and Emily walked down the dormitory hall to Melvin's room, concern etched across their faces. The previous day, Melvin had suddenly gone missing from their activities, and they couldn't help but worry.
Upon entering Melvin's room, they found him lying on his bed, looking unusually pale and weak. His face was a stark contrast to his usual vibrant self.
Ahiro, with deep concern in his eyes, asked, "Melvin, what's wrong? You don't look well at all."
Emily, her voice trembling, added, "Yes, Melvin, you really should go to the academy's medical center. This doesn't seem like a common illness."
Melvin managed to smile weakly in response, his condition seemingly serious but his spirit intact. "Guys, I'm fine, really. It's just a minor issue. I'm sure I overate something during the night. My appetite was off at yesterday's dinner, and I guess it didn't agree with me."
Ahiro wasn't entirely convinced, but he knew Melvin well enough to understand that he could sometimes downplay a situation, trying not to worry his friends. "Are you sure, Melvin? Food poisoning can be pretty severe."
"Yeah," Emily added, "I heard some cases can get quite dangerous. We really should call the medical center, just to be safe."
Melvin chuckled softly and, despite his pale face, there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "You guys worry too much. I appreciate it, really. But I promise it's nothing serious. I'll just rest here, and I'll be back on my feet in no time. You go ahead with your training and classes."
Ahiro nodded reluctantly, still concerned but respecting Melvin's decision. "Alright, if you're sure. But if you feel worse, don't hesitate to call for help."
Emily added, "And if you need anything, just give us a shout, okay? We're here for you."
Melvin gave them another weak smile and a reassuring nod. "Thanks, guys. I'm lucky to have friends like you. Now, go on and do your thing. Don't worry about me. I'll be right as rain in no time."
Reluctantly, Ahiro and Emily left Melvin's room.
As Ahiro and Emily left the room, Melvin quietly groaned, trying hard not to shout. He shifted his gaze to the side of his ribs where a patched-up cut ran along his stomach. The blood had seeped through the makeshift bandage, though he had attempted to tend to it himself. He quitely got up trying to keep the pain to himself and opened up the drawer where he had kept the bandages, and caried on to stich himself up again.