Tak... Tak... Tak...
Edele is writing on the blackboard with chalk. The students are also writing—copying the lessons on the blackboard. The classroom atmosphere is conducive, the ideal environment for every teacher.
Some students write only because of the teacher's command,
Some students write while pondering the lesson,
Some students write while asking about unclear letters or lessons,
Some students don't write at all,
Moreover,
There are students who don't pay attention to the lesson at all, namely Poetica.
She is currently observing the empty seat in front that should be occupied by someone—Rozer.
Since the last time he left the class because Teacher Edele took strict action and expelled Rozer from the class. It was a reasonable action for a teacher to be respected by the students, giving punishment with the aim of providing moral lessons for the students to introspect.
But this is going too far; Rozer hasn't returned. There should be some leniency for a punishment.
Poetica currently has no intention of writing and chooses to play with her two red ponytails while thinking about it all and speculating if there might be another reason why Rozer hasn't been called back to class. Looking out the window, perhaps someone she's thinking about is passing by another corner of the academy with other students she currently sees.
From her right side, Waify pokes her back while calling her name several times, "Poetica..." she whispers, making the daydreaming person turn around to meet Waify's worried face.
"What's wrong, Waify?"
"Are you worried about Rozer?"
"...A little..."
"Why hasn't he come back to school?"
"I don't know..."
"Could it be that he was expelled from school because of that incident?"
Bam!
Poetica stands up and slams her desk due to high emotional pressure and shouts spontaneously,
"That's impossible!"
It grabs the attention of all the students, especially Edele—warning Poetica to calm down and follow the lesson like the other students. Before sitting back down, Poetica apologizes and continues her conversation with Waify in a lower tone not to attract attention again,
"That's impossible, right?"
"I just heard from rumors, if Rozer was expelled from school after that incident. Does it make sense? He hasn't attended school for a month."
Cyka adds, "I heard that too, but why was he expelled when he was not guilty of that incident?"
"How about asking the teacher?" Waify suggests.
"Don't!"
Waify stands up, raising her right arm and asking clearly, "Question... Miss Edele,"
"Wait..." Poetica mutters.
Edele stops her activity, turns around to look at Waify in the corner of the class, and says to proceed with the question,
"Teacher, I ask, why has Rozer never come back to the class?"
It's a question that Edele currently doesn't want to hear because it's not related to the lesson. However, as a teacher, Edele will answer her students' concerns,
"About Rozer? All of students must already know about the incident a month ago on the knight field involving Rozer and some seniors. Therefore, they received punishment from the headmaster. Regrettably, I have to say Rozer will not come to this class again."
The classroom atmosphere instantly changes to chaos; all students object to the school's decision to punish Rozer.
"Why? Isn't Rozer innocent?"
"That's too cruel."
"Why did this happen?!"
"Unbelievable!"
Edele claps her hands several times to get the attention of all students and orders them to be quiet so she can continue her speech,
"Everyone, please be quiet!
This is the best decision for both Rozer and the school,
I hope all students accept this decision and do not get involved with Rozer anymore. He is different from our level, and, above all, do not worry about him; worry more about yourselves.
Do you all understand? Worry about yourselves—your future, Let's continue the lesson."
With low tones and expressions, the students answer yes before continuing the lesson.
Indeed, it's better to worry about oneself than others.
Poetica realizes that, but it's strange—this shouldn't have happened and decides to find out more details outside the class during lunch break.
She walks with Waify and Cyka towards the place where the incident happened after Rozer left the class because he said something disrespectful to Edele. Near the academy's canteen not far from the knight field.
***
One month ago,
"Welcome to the royal academy! The school of freedom!"
"The school that values all knowledge, isn't it?"
Aleta takes Rozer around the academy to introduce the new friend to Rozer. They are people popular among all students from the elementary academy to the vocational academy.
"Meet the top student of the wizard and knight vocational academy, besides being smart, they also enjoy helping friends learn!"
On the wizard field in front of them, Espen and Geeraard are discussing a report for the collaboration of wizard and knight students.
Geeraard, the top student of the knight vocational academy, "Why are you two together right now?"
Espen, the top student of the wizard vocational academy, "Aleta, don't poison Rozer with your behavior of often skipping classes! Quickly take him back to class!"
Aleta leaves with Rozer without commenting; they are now heading north past the elementary academy building and a park.
"In this place, there is the top student of the science academy who chooses to study alone. You can find him here at any time."
Barend, the top student of the science vocational academy, is studying on the third floor of the library. On his table, there are three stacks of books that he has scheduled to read today,
"What can I help you with, Aleta, Rozer?"
Aleta, who forcibly pulls Rozer's hand, goes again without a word.
In the middle of the path outside the library, Rozer stops his steps and says, "Why are you introducing them again? I already know them."
"There is a student who just wants to be alone but is famous throughout the academy," Aleta says, pointing to Rozer, "And there is also an alchemy magic expert." she adds, pointing to herself proudly and pulling Rozer's hand again to continue their journey.
They go to a room next to the teacher's building.
"The president of all students, he is the student who regulates student discipline. He also manages the budget for extracurricular needs."
In the student council room, there are several people busy with their own affairs, recording and compiling reports from field studies to other activities related to students.
The most striking is someone sitting on the table, crossing his legs while reading paper reports,
Leoonard, a blond-haired student with sharp blue eyes, the student organization president, in other words, he is the student representative, "Aleta, you dare to come here, have you prepared the financial report from the alchemy magic laboratory?"
"Let's escape!"
Aleta and Rozer leave before Leoonard chases them.
"Escape artist student. He often skips school from here to go with teleportation magic."
In the east corner of the academy, next to the knight and wizard vocational academy buildings, one student activating teleportation magic is seen while putting his index finger in front of his lips
, looking at Aleta and Rozer.
After that, they see several other students who are also no less conspicuous, such as
singer,
dancer,
chess player,
Blacksmith forge,
the most beautiful woman in the entire academy,
a male student from the wizard vocational academy who hates school and chooses to play a small harp alone in the garden,
Stalker,
A student from the middle school who is often late for school; running from the east gate passing by Rozer and Aleta.
"Those are some students that I find interesting, what do you think? Is there someone you want to be close friends with?" Aleta suggests.
Rozer and Aleta are currently walking in the hallway north towards the school cafeteria.
"Maybe?"
"Or have you chosen me with the realm of darkness?"
"I don't know..."
"Come on, let's do something fun!"
"No, thanks," mumbles Rozer with a smile.
"Come on..."
"I don't want to..."
"Ehhh.... It's so cold,"
In front of them, a middle school student carrying a tray of food in the cafeteria stumbles due to someone's foot. As a result, his food spills on the floor and also on the light blue robe of a student.
"Hey!! Look at your behavior, my robe is now dirty!"
Aleta informs Rozer about the person who is screaming because his clothes were stained with food, Levi. A student from the knight vocational academy with black hair and brown eyes. His height is average for someone his age. He is also the leader of a faction in the academy known for being arrogant, consisting of about half of the knight academy, in contrast to Geeraard's faction, which is known for being obedient and kind.
The middle school student is now bowing while apologizing to him for dirtying his white robe.
But Levi does not accept that apology; then he and his friends beat the kid together. Hitting, stepping on the helpless kid lying on the floor crying and groaning in pain, and finally, they spit on the kid with the light blue robe. They laugh contentedly and leave the kid.
"What are you looking at, kid?" Levi asks Rozer in front of the cafeteria.
"Why did you beat him? Didn't he already apologize?"
Aleta is confused about how to phrase it so that Rozer is not involved with Levi, but it's too late.
Levi grabs Rozer's collar, "What did you say? Do you not have any manners towards your senior?" he says in a shrill tone.
Levi's face, close to Rozer's face, clearly shows that he is very red due to anger.
"He is that kid, the new kid rumored to have beaten Geeraard." says a student behind Levi.
"So that's it," Levi pushes Rozer's body, "This is because Geeraard is too soft on this kid, making him arrogant towards his seniors."
"Then what?" says Rozer.
Levi's forehead wrinkles, "I heard you're quite good. This is perfect; I'm not satisfied with just beating that kid. How about we fight over there?" he says, pointing to the knight field next to him.
"Alright, I don't mind. I will give the same pain as the kid you beat."
"Rozer?" Aleta cries with a worried face.
"I'll be fine, Aleta,"
"Even calling me Senior Aleta without an honorific, as a senior, I will teach you an unforgettable lesson about respecting your seniors."
They all follow Rozer and Levi to the knight field. Even people who are resting in the cafeteria are curious about the upcoming fight.