"This might be the worst batch that we will handle."
Professor McCall said with her crumpled face. Hatred obvious in her eyes as she looked at the files that is currently scattered on the table.
"You always say that, McCall."
Professor Ginnie retorted and rolled her eyes. It was obvious with her reaction that she's been expecting the latter to say her lines.
The bickering ladies was ignored by the other professors as they skim through the files on the table.
The atmosphere inside the meeting is as dark as it can get as they skim through each and every files. Sighs were let out with every minute and the supposed to be calming tea that they have doesn't seem to sit well in their stomachs.
This skimming and sighing situation continued for half an hour before they sort out everything.
"Well, we've been through worse."
Professor Minerva laughed mockingly and waved the five profiles in her hand. Buckley and Teresa smiled upon seeing the files she's currently waving.
"Among 416 freshers, we have five who remarkably noticed the hole in our pie."
"That sounds a little weird but that is correct." Buckley replied with an awkward smile.
"Aside from the original five, we have twelve that are committing to their individual trainings. Twenty four students are also doing their research alone in the library."
"Just from this statistics, we can actually say that this batch is not that worse than we thought... Second to the last at the very least."
Everyone nodded in agreement as they assessed the current data that they procured within the past week.
This time, they looked at the blackboard with a hint of excitement in their face. There are seven phrases currently written in it and the bold title above.
"Finally! Phase 1 shall commence!"
--------
Chris looked disdainfully at the humongous castle that he's currently staying. Sitting leisurely in a branch is the still annoying Edzel Wayne who kept bothering him up until today.
He just let the latter blabber on his own while he paint his mind a blank canvas. Empty of any thoughts and distractions blocked from his mental endeavour.
Wind bristled past the place and Edzel abruptly stopped talking as he inhaled the fresh and filling air.
The leaves created a serene music as they brushed each other. His hair following the flow, dancing and hovering swerving in the air.
'He emptied his mind.' Edzel snickered and closed his eyes.
Two stunning figures almost akin to perfect human sculpture almost blinded the passing girls. Their face getting flushed with hint of rosiness as they looked at the picturesque scene.
Few moments later, Chris opened his eyes slowly while his ears twitching from eavesdropping.
"Have you heard? There's currently a posted mission available for us in the Mission Hall!"
"Yeah, I've seen it! It's more like an advertisement flier instead of a mission though."
"Sisters, let's go ghost hunting!"
"Kyaaah! I'm scared of ghost Sister Margie"
"Let's go! Let's also bring that stupid board I found in the library."
Chris furrowed his brows and lowered the sensitivity of his hearing. He wasn't that surprised that there's something going on in the campus specially that the professors are looking for ways to interest the mass.
"Have you seen it too?" He looked towards the relaxed Edzel whose now gnawing wildly sundried beef jerky.
"Yeah, here's a copy if you're interested." He pulled out a folded brown parchment and threw it casually towards Chris.
Chris snatched it in the air and unfolded the parchment only to see a stupid promotion about the school grounds.
[Mission: 7 Wonders of Charm Academia
Target: Available for Freshers
Reward: 10,000 CP
Location: ???
Details: Charm Academia has been founded for almost 100 years and there are still mysteries that's still unsolved until today.
Task: Uncover at least 1 of the 7 mysteries and submit a file report. Reward will be provided upon completion of task!]
"What a stupid strategy." Chris commented and crumpled the parchment nonchalantly.
Edzel laughed as he heard Chris' honest critique. He took was thinking so when he found the stupid post in the Mission Board. The only difference is that he doesn't have the courage to openly criticise the strategy of the academy.
He was even tagging along together with the bickering duo when he first found the post.
"Should we join in with the fun?" Edzel asked with mischievous smile on his face.
"Up to you." Chris shook his head and stood up. "Just don't drag me with your plans."
"You're such a kill joy!" Edzel smiled more sinisterly before vanishing completely from the tree branch.
With their small interactions, Chris was certain that Edzel is someone who likes to create trouble and manipulate from behind the scenes.
Unlike him who likes to gather information for his next steps and future plans, the latter gathers information for his schemes and tricks that will stir trouble for others.
'I'll observe for now.'
Just as he was about to leave, he heard someone stepping out of the forestry. Her light green hair dancing with the wind and her sharp superior eyes directly pointing at Chris' direction.
"Where's that fucker?"
Her sharp voice and pissed expression is as clear as sky. Chris cursed his troublesome company in his mind before shrugging emotionlessly.
The latter snickered in annoyance before her expression shifted into a timid one. She fixed her slightly tilted monocle then ran towards somewhere.
Chris did not focus on the weird shifts of the latters demeanor and walked towards the castle with deadpan expression.
He casually strolled mindlessly, inspecting and listening from every different angles and corner.
Eventually, he gathered enough intel to narrow down the area where he will observe and inspect.
"Seems like you're joining the fun."
Edzel suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Giving off his most charming smile exuding his hidden wickedness. Chris sighed and cursed in his mind.
Oblivious about the curses, Edzel playfully walked closer towards Chris. He even have the gall to spin joyously as if he's done something fulfilling.
"Oh my, I thought it's mysterious not until an explosion of curses attacked us!" He used his falsetto tone and acted coquettishly.
It was very obvious that the latter is elated very much that it made him even skip instead of walking normally.
Chris stopped on his tracks and looked seriously towards the smiling idiot in front of him.
"By the way, Miss Loose Screws is looking for you." He mutrered
Edzel's smile vanished completely before he had a realization in his head. He let out a small exasperated laugh before he suddenly blipped out.
Chris once again shook his head and decided to go to his room instead. He was thinking of going to the library but set aside his thoughts due to a certain someone.
"I'm surrounded with mentally challenged folks." With that, he changed his path and walked towarss the dormitory.
Unknown to others, there's someone in the dark, finalizing their plans while letting our murmurs of worship.
"Lord of the dark take this apostle into your kingdom and show mercy. I shall offer to you every thing... Even if it cost my life or others."