"I look forward to learning with you all again."
A round of applause followed Ash's introduction, and while he maintained a harmless smile on his face, he was coldly analyzing the response of the class to his return.
'As expected… many of them are dissatisfied.'
Ash never expected a warm welcome, and so he wasn't particularly shaken by the pushback he received and the numerous annoyed glares that the students suppressed for the sake of their survival within and outside the Academy.
He also wasn't surprised by the support he received from two of his classmates—Seth and Elma.
'Seth would have spoken much earlier, but he knows that Ashfelt doesn't like it when he intervenes in his business, which is why he kept quiet for as long as he could.' Ash grinned to himself.
It was only because Ash never said anything in his defense, and Arius kept sending attacks his way that Seth finally spoke up and defended his brother.
'As for Elma, if she was the first to speak up against Arius, the consequences could be dire… which is why she waited for Seth to say something before she talked.'
Her words were far harsher than Seth's, but she could always hide behind him if things ever escalated beyond its current level. This could be done through various methods, but the best way was through a certain bond that couldn't be so quickly dismissed.
'I wonder if they've already started dating already…' Ash wondered to himself as he looked at Elma and Seth.
In the original storyline, the two of them had a strictly contractual dating relationship in the Academy. This was done to protect Elma, who often got into trouble for fighting against the hypocrisy of her Noble classmates—all of which caught Seth's attention.
By dating her, he shielded her under his Zephyr name, and so… anytime she said something negative to a Noble, it was like she was speaking on his behalf.
'Of course, Seth also benefited from this by gaining access to the Beta Class Students, using Elma as the bridge that connected him and them.'
After the White Death Incident was resolved, a lot of resentment was unearthed and the relationship between both Classes worsened. It was Seth who bridged the gap and kept the peace, eventually leading the entire Apprentice Stage into the path of peaceful coexistence.
'But… all of that is supposed to happen several months from now.' Ash sighed. 'Thanks to the changed timeline, a lot of things have been hurried, and I wonder if their relationship has also been affected as a result.'
He didn't know, but considering how she could speak with so much gusto, she had to have his backing already.
Or, at least, some other backing.
'Don't tell me…' Ash quickly shook his head and instantly dismissed the thought that popped into his head.
"You may have your seat, Master Ashfelt."
"Thank you, Instructor." Ash smiled, nodding at the man beside him. 'You really are going through a lot.'
He felt a tinge of pity for the Instructor since the poor man was responsible for coordinating entitled teenagers who held more power in the Academy than he did.
Any wrong move, and he could lose his job.
Maybe even his life.
'It's why he couldn't easily come to my defense, and chose to be a neutral party once Seth and Arius began their exchange.' Ash reasoned, walking past his classmates so he could reach his seat.
It was at the last row of the class, thankfully close to the window so he could peacefully reminisce while staring at the distant clouds that floated in the sky.
After finally settling into the class, the Instructor made a few announcements—which included the suspension of the Joint Training between Alpha and Beta Class Students.
This caused the sour mood of the class to vanish—at least for the time being—as many students celebrated this news.
Finally, they wouldn't have to waste their time fighting the weak Betas.
As for Ash, he had an indifferent attitude towards the news.
'I already expected this, which is why I aimed for Alpha Class during my Re-Entrance Exam.'
He didn't have to show as much as he did in the Exam, but the reason he went above and beyond was because he wanted to prove that he was undoubtedly Alpha Class material, and one reason for that—despite his intentions of not standing out—was due to this piece of news.
'If the Joint Training Sessions are suspended, I won't be able to observe Seth as much as I want to… and right now, I need to stay close to him.'
So many things had changed from the original story, but if he remained in close proximity with the protagonist of the novel and did a bit of damage control, he could salvage the situation and ensure some things were back on track.
He couldn't effectively do that if he was in Beta Class.
**********
Lectures in Alpha Class were much different from what he experienced in Beta Class, since the Instructors were far more sophisticated, and they were a lot more technical in their presentations of certain ideas.
Alpha Class was way ahead of Beta Class in the curriculum, and it wasn't even close.
This wasn't very surprising, though.
After all, unlike Beta Class Students, Alpha Class consisted of Nobles who had already recieved prior education in several topics, giving them a head start. As a result, they were able to learn and progress faster than even the best Beta Class Student.
Elma, who was fortunate enough to make it into Alpha Class, had to work extra hard in order to keep up with the fast pace of the classes and also read for longer hours so she could catch up to everything she missed while she was in Beta Class.
Unlike other Beta Class Students, she had also received a prior education—albeit informal—from her town's librarian.
That gave her an edge and allowed her to compete where most wouldn't be able to step into.
The world is filled with many unfair advantages, and unless a person possess at least one of them… they are doomed to a life of mediocrity forever. Unfortunately, these unfair advantages are usually borne out of luck and nothing more.
They can be refined through hard work and effort, but the foundation is still luck.
After all, no one works hard to be born rich or talented.
That is just life.
After classes ended for the day, Ash left the Alpha Block of the Apprentice Wing and walked towards the Beta area.
He had already spoken a little to Elma, and they agreed to hang out later. Seth also tried speaking to him, but he blew the boy off—as usual. He avoided Arius throughout the day, and he also didn't speak to any other Alpha Class Students since they were staying away from him in an attempt not to get caught in the crossfire between the Zephyr and Inkwood feud.
As a result, Ash ended up a loner… walking alone as he headed to his destination.
'Just the way I like it…' He smiled, inhaling the fragrant breeze.
Not long after he entered the Beta Area, he noticed a particular student hurriedly walking towards the Library.
It was the student he was looking for.