"Good morning, everyone," Miss Brooks said, her voice smooth, commanding, and laced with a warmth that had every student sitting a little straighter in their chairs.
"Good morning, Miss Brooks!" the class chimed back in unison, though it was painfully obvious that the boys drowned out the girls.
Noah's voice was among the loudest of all.
This was his favorite part of the day since entering the academy and discovering miss Brooks was his homeroom teacher.
Sure, her vast... wisdom was unmatched, but there was something about her presence that elevated even the most mundane lectures.
She turned away briefly to fumble with the electronic board, pressing a button to bring it to life.
For a split second, Noah—and everyone else—got a reminder that it wasn't just her wisdom that was vast as she turned.
When she turned back, she smiled and said. "Welcome, once again," she began, her tone bright yet measured. "Though we've met each other here last week, ever since the recruitment phase was completed, I can't help but feel we're all still strangers in some ways. So let me say this again—I'm truly excited to have you all in my class. And I hope you feel the same."
The class murmured in polite acknowledgment, some nodding earnestly.
"But onto bigger things." Her tone shifted slightly, gaining an edge of seriousness. "You are lucky. Lucky to have been handpicked to join this academy."
Noah almost scoffed aloud but stopped himself, settling for an inward mutter. 'Luck? Sure. Luck's for addicted gamblers. This wasn't about luck—it never was. The world needed people like us. Well… most of us, anyway. Protocol's protocol, I guess.'
Miss Brooks continued, her voice pitching higher. "As I mentioned last week, I've served before. I've seen what the world beyond these walls is truly like. And let me tell you, it is not kind."
Noah found himself nodding. For a moment, he was struck by the thought of Miss Brooks in the field—out there, facing the horrors of their world.
How could someone so beautiful, so… perfect ever have to endure such hardships? He had a hard time believing she served wuth all that "load" on her.
If anything, it should have been people like him doing the work. He'd gladly lay his life—and the lives of his comrades—on the line to spare her from such things.
However, what truly impressed him was that she had made it through intact. Still whole, with all her limbs in place. That wasn't a small feat, not when facing those monsters.
Miss Brooks' voice brought him back to the present. "You all know why you're here. The war effort demands nothing less than our best. It's about taking back our planet—every inch of it—and sending the oppressors back to where they came from."
Noah clenched his fists, his heart pounding. For all her beauty, Miss Brooks was no fragile flower. She had walked through the fire, and now she stood before them, a beacon of what they were fighting for.
Miss Brooks clasped her hands together, her piercing gaze sweeping across the room. "We owe it," she said, her voice resolute, "to everyone who has sacrificed their lives in this war. Every fallen soldier, every family torn apart—they gave everything to ensure there's still a future worth fighting for."
The room was silent, her words sinking deep into the hearts of the students.
"We owe it to those who can't fight," she continued, her voice softening. "To the old, to the young, to the innocent civilians who depend on us to be their shield. And most importantly"—her tone sharpened—"to those on the ark. The vanguard of our species. The ones leading the charge, paving the way forward."
She paused, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and determination. "To the Supreme General," she declared, her voice filled with reverence. "The person who has dedicated their entire existence to this cause. We owe nothing less than our best. And to honor that, you must train harder, push past every limitation, and break through every obstacle."
Her words resonated, each syllable striking like a hammer. "Together, we will bring an end to the Harbingers. Together, we will reclaim our world."
Noah, sitting in the back, felt a lump form in his throat. For all his inner cynicism, even he couldn't deny the magnetic power of her words. Miss Brooks wasn't just a teacher—she was a warrior. And somehow, that made every sacrifice seem just a little more worth it.
A girl seated near the middle of the classroom raised her hand timidly. She had short brown hair that framed her face neatly, a slim petite figure. To simply put, she had a rather unremarkable "Personality" compared to some of the flashier female presence in the room.
She was however beautiful in her own right.
"Yes?" Miss Brooks acknowledged her with a small nod, her gaze softening slightly.
The girl stood, smoothing out her red blazer nervously. "I'm Fiona," she said, her voice steady despite the pressure of everyone's eyes. "Second generation telekinetic." She glanced around the room briefly before continuing. "I think I speak on behalf of everyone here when I say... we admire you, Miss Brooks. Your experience and everything you've achieved—it's something we all hope to match someday."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the classroom.
Fiona hesitated, then took a deep breath. "But, um, I think the question on everyone's minds—at least, it's the one on mine—is... What did it feel like? Facing a Harbinger one-on-one?"
Everyone at the mention of the Harbingers were suddenly hooked, and Fiona pressed on, her voice firmer. "There's a rumor that your platoon faced off against a Ravager—a three-crown Harbinger—and you were the only one who made it out alive."
A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned to Miss Brooks.
Miss Brooks tilted her head slightly, a smile tugging at her lips, revealing a dazzling set of teeth that could've sold toothpaste. "Well," she began, her voice carrying a teasing lilt, "I see you've all done your assignments on me. Background checks on your homeroom teacher—very sneaky."
A chuckle rippled through the classroom, though it was tinged with nervousness.
Her smile lingered, but her eyes sharpened slightly. "I'll tell you one thing, though." She leaned against her desk, her tone dropping like she was about to reveal the world's best kept secret.
"I don't remember."
"..."