An alarm buzzed sharply, cutting through the early morning silence with an irritating, mechanical voice: "Wake up, assholes!" It repeated every second, relentless.
Akshran stirred groggily, forcing his heavy eyelids open. "The hell...?" he muttered, glancing at the clock. It blinked 5:30 AM in bold, accusatory digits.
'Who in their right mind wakes up at this hour? Oh, right—me.' The thought barely made sense as he swung his legs off the bed. Skipping a shower, he threw on his academy uniform: a crisp, fitted upper-body suit in blue and white, paired with plain black pants. Functional, uninspired, and utterly forgettable—like most things about this place.
Yawning, he shuffled out of his dorm room. The corridor lights were harsh and unwelcoming, amplifying his irritation. As he trudged forward, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
"Kevin, right?" Akshran asked without bothering to look back.
"Yup!" came Kevin's unmistakably chipper response, accompanied by an enthusiastic hop into view.
Akshran sighed inwardly. 'Am I stuck with him now?'
"You are," Kevin quipped as if reading his mind.
Akshran froze mid-step. "What?"
"Nothing." Kevin smirked, his grin annoyingly wide.
As they walked, Kevin's unrelenting enthusiasm bubbled over. "Aren't you excited?" he asked, his voice almost sing-song.
"Excited about what?" Akshran grumbled, still half-asleep.
Kevin's eyes widened in mock disbelief. "Don't tell me you don't know about the speech today!"
Akshran blinked, utterly clueless. His response wasn't words but rather the absent-minded act of digging a finger into his nose, a silent evidence to just how little he cared.
"…sigh. You see, after the first week at the academy, the first-year student council president gives a speech," explained Kevin, his voice carrying an annoying blend of smugness and casual confidence.
"Hey, Ashu, can I say something?" Kevin added, casually throwing out a nickname for Akshran.
Akshran froze mid-step, turning to glare at him. "Don't call me that again."
Kevin smirked, unbothered. "Ashuuuu," he drawled, dragging the name out like a taunt.
Akshran let out an exasperated sigh. "You know what? I don't even care anymore."
"Hey, don't fall into the pits of despair just yet. Hear me out," Kevin said, wagging a finger like a mentor with too much enthusiasm.
"Nope." Akshran didn't wait. He bolted, dashing down the hallway at full speed. His legs moved like pistons, each stride propelling him faster. The world around him blurred, the fluorescent lights streaking into lines of white and yellow. Time itself seemed to slow as he poured everything into his sprint.
Reaching the auditorium doors, Akshran skidded to a halt, panting hard. "Made it…" he thought—until he noticed someone leaning casually against the doorframe.
Kevin stood there, flipping his wrist to check a sleek, silver watch. Without even looking up, he said, "0.5 seconds. Not bad, dude."
Before Akshran could respond, Kevin reached out and patted his shoulder with a grin so smug it could've been patented.
Akshran gawked at him. 'The last time I remember, he was behind me… When did he get here?' The thought echoed in his mind, disbelief mingling with annoyance.
"Let's go inside," said Kevin, grabbing Akshran by the arm and dragging him through the auditorium doors without waiting for an answer.
Before Akshran could protest, Kevin pushed him into a seat in the very first row.
'Finally, he's gone…' Akshran thought as he sank into the chair. His irritation quickly shifted to disbelief. 'And seriously, who the hell schedules a speech at, what, five in the freaking morning?' Before long, his thoughts dissolved into the soft rhythm of his own snores.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?" a sharp, familiar voice shattered his sleep.
Akshran jolted awake, blinking blearily as he turned to see the source of the commotion. Sitting right next to him, with her arms crossed and a death glare locked on him, was none other than… drumroll... Anatolia.
Akshran barely acknowledged her. Instead, he wiped the trail of drool on his face using the sleeve of her shirt, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Without a word, he leaned back and closed his eyes again.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?" Anatolia screamed, her voice echoing through the empty auditorium.
Still half-asleep, Akshran's lips curled into a small, smug smile as he drifted off again, completely unbothered.
"First, we have the two cadets tied for Rank One! The Mysterious Village Boy, Kevin McLaren, and the Pride of the House of Red, the fiery and unstoppable Scarlet Reddddd!" bellowed the announcer, his voice electrifying the room as the crowd erupted into deafening cheers.
Kevin strode in with a confident smirk, his unzipped combat jacket revealing a fitted white shirt that emphasized his lean build. Dark pants hugged his frame, while an academy pin gleamed on his chest like a mark of authority. His tousled black hair and piercing blue eyes completed the magnetic allure of someone who demanded attention without trying.
"WOOOOO!"
"Kevin, marry me!" screamed one girl from the back.
"I'll sell my soul for you, Kevin!" shouted another, her voice breaking with desperation.
Kevin gave the crowd a small, nonchalant wave, his smirk deepening. "Hello, everyone," he said casually, his voice smooth as silk. Without another glance at the audience, he strolled across the stage and took his seat with the ease of someone completely at home in the limelight.
Then came Scarlet Red.
Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back in perfectly styled waves, gleaming like molten gold under the bright lights. Her crimson eyes burned with intensity, framed by dark lashes that only deepened their allure. She wore an outfit nearly identical to Kevin's—a fitted combat jacket and tailored pants—but her presence was entirely her own. Every step she took radiated power and poise, her movements precise and regal, like she ruled the room just by breathing.
"AAAAAAAAAAH!"
"Scarlet, step on me!"
Scarlet ignored the audience, her expression stoic. But then, as her gaze swept over the crowd, her eyes locked on Akshran. For a fleeting second, they widened, her composure faltering just slightly. Sweat beaded on her brow as if she'd seen something unexpected, but she recovered quickly, her mask of indifference snapping back into place. Without a word, she strode to her seat and sat with the same cool grace as Kevin.
"Everyone, please take your seats as we welcome the First-Year Representative and Student Council President!" the announcer boomed, his voice reverberating through the hall. "While only a first-year herself, she is the Daughter of the Southern Region's Duke—the radiant Sophia Stellar!"
The energy in the room shifted instantly, a collective gasp rippling through the audience.
Sophia stepped onto the stage, and it was as though time itself paused. Her gown was a masterpiece, an elegant ball gown of milky white fabric that shimmered like moonlight with every step she took. Her hair, the same snowy white as her dress, was tied into a high ponytail that swayed gracefully with her movements. Her almond-shaped blue eyes sparkled like rare sapphires, filled with an icy poise that demanded reverence.
"A goddess…" someone whispered, almost reverently.
"So beautiful!"
"Sophia, please marry me!"
"Goddess Sophia, can I kiss your legs?!"
The audience's cheers became a deafening roar, a wave of unrestrained admiration that seemed to shake the very walls of the auditorium. Sophia offered a small, reserved smile, her presence utterly enchanting, and gracefully took her seat.
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Akshran was slumped in his chair, snoring softly but very much awake. Beside him, Anatolia glared at him, her expression a mix of irritation and curiosity.
Her eyes darted toward his phone, which was making faint but unmistakable camera click sounds.
'What is he doing with his phone?' she thought, her brows furrowing as she tried to peek at the screen.
Akshran's faint, smug smile didn't waver as he continued his suspicious "nap," leaving Anatolia stewing in silent annoyance and confusion.
'Bastard. At least he's ugly with a punchable face,' thought Anatolia as she stole another glance at Akshran. His features were painfully average—plain black eyes that looked lifeless, raven-black hair in no discernible style, and a forgettable face that blurred into anonymity the moment you looked away.
'Imagine being annoying and ugly. At least I'm gorgeous,' she mused, flipping her hair for emphasis.
On stage, Sophia Stellar's voice rang out, clear and commanding, pulling everyone's attention back.
"I'd like to congratulate you all on being admitted to Frosborn Academy! Your presence here already sets you apart from your peers." Her words carried the perfect balance of confidence and encouragement, igniting murmurs of pride across the hall.
Sophia's radiant smile widened as she added, "This year, our academy boasts some particularly outstanding cadets—like me and, of course, all of you!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, the hall vibrating with enthusiasm.
"You are all brimming with potential, so work hard and make the most of it," Sophia continued, ending with a playful wink that sent the audience into a frenzy.
"She's adorable, isn't she?" Jeff whispered nearby, his eyes lingering on Sophia with unusual fascination.
Then, with a sudden shift in her expression, Sophia glanced toward the front row. Her smile faded as her icy blue gaze locked onto Akshran, still slumped in his seat, drooling lightly.
"Well, maybe not everyone," she muttered, her voice dripping with disdain.
'Seriously? Sleeping in the first row, right in front of the podium? What an idiot,' Sophia thought, her stare growing colder.
The weight of her gaze was enough to rouse Akshran. He stirred, groggily rubbing his eyes, completely unaware of the lecture he'd just slept through.
Sophia's icy composure faltered for a brief second as she fought the urge to scold him outright. Instead, she inhaled deeply and said, "At least apologize for disrupting the ceremony."
Akshran yawned, piecing together the situation with surprising quickness. He met her sharp glare with a casual shrug. "Well, sorry," he said, his tone nonchalant as if this sort of thing happened every day.
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "And wipe the drool." Her voice wavered with restrained annoyance, clearly trying to keep herself from saying something more biting.
Without a moment's hesitation, Akshran turned to Anatolia. He reached out and used her arm as a makeshift towel, wiping his mouth clean.
"What the hell—AGAIN?" Anatolia yelled, recoiling in disgust. Her face turned red with fury, but Akshran had already leaned back in his seat, looking as though he'd just solved all his problems.
Sophia stared at the scene in disbelief, biting her tongue as her patience thinned. 'This guy… He's hopeless.'
Anatolia's punches and slaps rained down on Akshran, leaving him red and bruised from head to toe.
"HAHAHA!" she laughed, standing triumphantly over him like a victorious warrior.
Akshran sighed, barely lifting his hand to inspect the red marks on his skin. He didn't even bother glaring at Anatolia. He simply got up, dusted himself off, and leaned lazily against the wall, his expression completely unbothered.
Sophia, who had been watching with growing irritation, decided to let it go. But Jeff, the announcer with the mic, had reached his limit. His voice boomed through the auditorium, amplified by both the mic and his indignation.
"If you're sleeping during a ceremony like this, then clearly you must think you're smarter than all of us! Smarter than every speech here—so much so that none of it matters to you!"
Jeff's words hung in the air, and the audience turned their eyes to Akshran, waiting for his reaction.
"Why not come up here and share your profound wisdom with us, then? Let us all bask in the brilliance of someone who clearly doesn't need to listen," Jeff continued, sarcasm dripping from every word.
Akshran shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"
The room fell silent as Akshran strolled up to the stage, his hands in his pockets, his posture so casual it bordered on disrespectful. The weight of a hundred stares pressed on him, but he barely seemed to notice.
When he reached the podium, he paused, glanced at the crowd, and said, "What?" His voice carried no trace of nervousness, only a faint, detached boredom.
Sophia groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're not supposed to do that, idiot. You're supposed to admit your mistake and promise to pay attention."
Akshran tilted his head, genuinely perplexed. "What mistake? Sleeping isn't against the rules, is it?"
Sophia's patience thinned as Scarlet spoke up, her tone icy. "It's called basic human decency, which you clearly lack."
Akshran turned his gaze to Scarlet, his expression neutral but his words cutting. "Have we met before? Your tone feels... unusually hostile."
Scarlet didn't dignify the question with a response, simply giving him a sharp side-eye before folding her arms.
Jeff, now thoroughly annoyed, stepped forward. "Forget it, Lady Sophia. A punk like him doesn't understand respect. Go ahead, Akshran. Grab the mic and teach us all your profound insights. You seem to think the world revolves around you, so let's hear it."
Akshran blinked slowly, as if deciding whether this conversation was even worth his time. Finally, he leaned toward the mic and asked, "How old are you, Jeff?"
Jeff frowned, thrown off. "I'm 26. Why do you ask?"
Akshran rubbed his nose with the back of his hand, his movements casual, almost lazy. "I didn't want to do this, man. But I guess if it's up to me to preserve some of this human decency you all care so much about, I'll do it."
The room held its breath, expecting an apology. Even Scarlet and Sophia leaned forward slightly, their eyes narrowing. But Akshran's next words shattered the tense silence like a hammer to glass.
"You, Jeff, are a pedophile."