"Please look at your name and proceed," the announcer said to us after the instructor provided all the necessary instructions: there were many drones flying everywhere following each group.
Many parents are rooting for their sons and daughters. I felt a twinge of envy as I didn't know about my own parents in this life since I was raised in an orphanage.
"What will Mother say if she sees me now? She probably won't believe that I go to college." It was a nostalgic thought, but it was better to focus on the exam ahead.
Who is in my group?
The list was too long! I couldn't believe it. I had been searching for my name for too long, scanning through many boards just to find it listed like this.
"What are you doing?" Someone called out to me—a male student I didn't recognize. He had a thin body with a scar on his left eye.
"Looking for my name and group?" I replied to the stranger.
"You can see your name on the new bracelet; look here! This function, and here, this! What is your name?" the stranger said as if it were common knowledge for students to know this, but I was unfamiliar with these features.
He was a tech-savvy guy, so I decided to make friends with him.
"I'm Felix, from Section 1 of the first year," I told him, but he seemed shocked when I introduced myself.
What was so shocking about my name?
"You're the one that makes beautiful girls fall in love with just one look!" He pointed at me as if he had met his idol.
What an absurd conclusion! Was he unwell too? What did he mean? I was confident in my appearance, but not to that extent!
"Where did you get that false news?" I asked him. Where had he heard such things? Maybe I could add a bit more to it like I'm handsome and all... Rumors can't be stopped, but they can be manipulated.
"This is news, but it seems like you don't know the rumor among the seniors!" he said to me, looking at me as if I were an idiot. He tapped a few times on his bracelet and showed me something astonishing.
A video of me and Elina; it seemed like I was about to kiss her, but the video was cut off before it happened.
"I didn't kiss her; I whispered to her. How did you get that?" I asked him, hoping to see the full video.
It would be better to deny it for Elina's sake; perhaps it was too much for a girl to be subjected to such rumors. I only kissed her on the forehead, I'm not sure why... probably instinct.
"... "
What! Why the hell is that video? Who the heck got this video? Based on the angle, it was from Elina's wrist... better talk to her later.
*Screech* The sound of the speaker cut through, and then someone began speaking.
"Did you find your group? For those who can't find their group or whose name is not listed, check your name on your bracelet and refer to [exam->year->list]. If you can't find your name, head to the help desk," the instructor said.
"Ah, I gotta go too! Mr. Handsome," a student similar to me said. I let him go; I knew he needed to. I just nodded.
I checked my name on the bracelet. As usual, it was a first name. But for those with the same name, the surname was added.
[Charlie-3]
–Felix
-Sonia
-Ginger
-Mel
-Alisha
"Why do I feel Elina was removed from my group?" I asked the system about this list; is it really random?
When I reached the group, I was about to meet them in C-section.
"Hi," as soon as I entered, I greeted my fellow members, especially the new ones. Sonia.
"Hello, Felix! You know! That time! Thank you! I appreciated it," Ginger said, even bowing her head at me. She didn't know, but I wasn't sure if I really saved her. I thought if she died, the future would change, and no one would assist in the six-red wormhole wave.
"No, well..." I couldn't find words for such a pure-hearted woman. Ginger was really thankful, though I thought she didn't remember since we never spoke again.
"My prince, fate is guiding us to be together! So after this, let's get married." After that, annoyingly, the next person turned to me, handing over a marriage certificate. Where did you even get that from?
'Okay, I'll marry you if your boobs grow!' I wanted to say, but I couldn't. Provoking girls is very dangerous.
"..."
That's what I said—silence means a longer life; it's the best response to any question... And I shifted my attention to someone else.
"Anyway! Hello, I'm Sonia!" Sonia introduced herself. During the entrance exam, we didn't have much chance to introduce ourselves.
For formality's sake, even if we knew each other, this was the habit we had to maintain. It was the basic Avalon protocol when students became heroes, more like workers in the future.
"I am Felix," I said, trying to follow Sonia's lead. It might improve her mood, or if she hears anything negative about me, she might report it to Elina.
"I'm Mel, and I'm Felix's wife," Mel introduced herself.
"Hahaha, I am Ginger!" Ginger burst into laughter, probably at my reaction. What was so funny? How could I have a wife? I'm still a virgin. Maybe I should be a future husband, not a current one. If I end up with a wife now, or if not now, in the future, I'll be a wizard king. There's power in my virginity; it accumulates so much that in my past life, I was overpowered.
"I-I'm Alisha!" As usual, Alisha was quite shy. Initially, I thought she was strange, but after getting to know her, she turned out to be a cute girl.
"Okay, so we're done with our introductions, and since we're in the same class, we know each other."
Yeah, that's true.
But why was everyone picking up their own bag? I tilted my head in confusion. Was this necessary?
"Oh? There are many advantages if we carry more than we need," Ginger explained, scratching her cheek. When I glanced at it, it was camping equipment.
"Uhm, we're inspired by you! And I'm carrying many potions!" Alisha said.
"I have many arrows and an extra bow; I'm confident in my archery now," Mel chimed in.
That's great, Mel! You're not picking up stones anymore.
"Hmmm?" As I turned to Sonia, she didn't seem to be carrying items, but she had her staff with her.
Okay, okay! That's all.
"Then let's pick a leader!" Ginger said.
If we were to pick a leader, Sonia and Ginger would probably be the best choices.
"I choose my husband!" Mel said. What the hell? It sounded even more absurd when I heard it. Wait, who's her husband? Is it me?
"N-no, no, no!" This is bad; I don't want to be a leader.
"Uhm, um... I pick Felix as the leader!" Alisha said, her eyes darting from left to right nervously.
"Alisha too! Okay, but don't be too nervous," I reassured her. Her eyes were intimidating. She still seemed to have her own trauma; I needed to be gentle with her.
"Hmp!" Sonia remained silent.
"I think so too! Felix is the leader; there's no need to question it!" Ginger said.
"But I don't have leadership skills!" I expressed my concern. What if I let them down?
"Don't worry, I'll assist you. I have a background in leadership!" Ginger said proudly.
"Then let's go," I said, raising my hand awkwardly in the air, but it was better than doing nothing.
"Yes!" They raised their hands too.