Summit City (New Seoul) of Central Korea, Year 3,342 of the Post-War Era.
In front of a massive gate engraved with the Summit Academy's emblem depicting a central crest intricately designed to represent the school's values and the established social order, a variety of crowds was bidding their farewell to the respective students under their thorough care.
Some were fortunate enough to be escorted by their own affectionate and beloved parents. Some were assisted by their families' respective butlers, denoting a societal status higher than mere lowlifes. However, amidst these spectacles, every attention was eventually drawn to a very few students that could be counted with one hand.
It was not only the students—both old and new—but every other's eyes were caught by these certain figures, whose identities were known not only within the premises of the academy or throughout the country… but of the whole world.
"Holy shit! T-That's Yura Alperion and Yuri Belserion of this year's Class 3-A!"
"What's with their otherworldly beauty?! Damn! I wonder if they have a boyfriend or something."
"Cut it out. There's a higher chance of a war happening than either of them to fall in love with the likes of us."
In this academy possessing its own government, Yura Alperion, and Yuri Belserion were among the ones who possessed the authority to establish rules and regulations according to their liking.
Yes, even if some of such rules bypassed the common morality known to humankind.
Gaining the amount of attention they were used to, Yura Alperion and Yuri Belserion put genuine smiles on their countenance before stopping their tracks to stand in front of the entrance guarded by five to six distinguished and well-trained guards.
The former, who was the Student Council President, tapped a multifunctional earpiece behind her ear before addressing the flood of students entering the wide, brown-red gate, "Go straight to the Alpha Gymnasium for the Welcoming Ceremony!"
After the reminder that reverberated throughout the academy's entrance due to an advanced technology that transferred Yura's voice to the guardhouse's amplifier for announcements via AI, as one of its common functions, she snorted and whispered to Yuri, "What are you even doing here? Shouldn't you go to the designated gymnasium?"
Hearing the question, something that the latter anticipated, Yuri casually responded, "I am waiting for someone."
Yura scoffed, "I am waiting for someone too. Isn't it the Student Council President's job to assist our newly transferred students especially if they are admitted through the scholarship provided by the Alperion Foundation?"
"I'm the Class President of Class 3-A, Yura. Don't you think that also gives me the right to wait for them? Also, isn't it quite funny? The other scholars, as well as the council members, are already waiting in the gymnasium yet you're still here." Yuri grinned.
"Heh. Is that so? There's still time before the welcoming ceremony, so suit yourself." Yura returned the mischievous smile. Only the two of them seemed to feel the tension as imaginary lightning sizzled between them.
After some time, four distinguished students arrived, two female and two male.
They were donning the Summit Academy's standard uniform. For the male student, it's a black shirt under an arm and a black striped white coat. This coat had a high collar and was worn over black pants. It's engraved with the academy's emblem depicting a central crest, a pair of wide wings, a massive mountain summit atop, laurel wreaths on both sides, forest and trees, and a star with the "A" symbol.
On the other hand, for the female student, it's a long white dress with a high collar and black trim, over which a green jacket with black accents was worn. This jacket was intricately designed with the academy's distinctive emblem on the left shoulder. Coupled with this top was a black belt, dark leggings, along with black shoes.
Seeing Yura and Yuri personally approach these four students, the others among the gradually decreasing crowd couldn't help but mumble, "Who are they?"
"I haven't seen them these past two years..."
"Idiots! They're the ones who passed the scholarship of the Alperion Foundation. I've read it on the academy's official website."
Disregarding the unintentionally garnered attention, Yura readdressed everyone, "There are ten minutes left before the Welcoming Ceremony! Summit Credits will be deducted if you are late!"
Hearing the three words "summit credit" and "deducted", the students, who chose to stay just to take a glance at these two renowned figures for a second longer, disappeared almost instantly.
"Shall we?" Yura then gestured for the four distinct students to move forward, symbolizing the beginning of the academic year filled with uncertainties.
***
Alpha Gymnasium
The entire student body, which consists of around more than 1,900 students—from first to fourth year—found themselves within the wide, glimmering, and smooth, light brown-floored gymnasium.
On the stage where a massive theater-like crimson veil with the delicately engraved Summit Academy's crest was hanging, a female student stood.
She possessed a bun-styled jet-black hair. She donned a pair of platinum-rimmed eyeglasses over her shimmering, gleeful yet fierce ruby eyes. Her skin was fair and unblemished, devoid of any signs of wounds and impurities.
This particular student proceeded to open her mouth, letting out her soft, dreamy voice, "The Welcoming Ceremony for the Academic Year 3,342 to 3,343 will now begin!
"Let us welcome the Student Council led by the heir of the Alperion Foundation, Yura Alperion!"
Alperion Foundation was one of the Seven World Corporations.
This corporation was widely known for pioneering the world's advanced technology in the field of Electronics and Portal Technology, which was founded roughly 300 years ago, a few years after the civilization was still struggling to recover from the devastating series of resource wars that eventually led to World War VI.
A woman of elegance, with a cold yet inexplicably calm atmosphere, entered the stage.
She had wavy, long platinum hair and amethyst eyes. Her skin was incomprehensibly flawless and pale as though not a single dirt ever touched her pure body.
Behind her, several figures also known in society followed suit with proud expressions and evident confidence in their demeanor alone.
They were the Student Council, consisting of famous individuals with their own respectable image; nobles of the current society; rule-makers of the Summit Academy; and the government itself.
Appearing on the stage one by one, the crowd of students, even those who had already seen and interacted with them for the past two years, screamed with cheers along with thunderous claps.
"Is that really Airi?! The world idol who debuted at sixteen and instantly gained fame throughout the world?!"
"Nah! That's a goddess right there!"
"I can't believe I can see them from here. If this is a dream, don't wake me up!"
The rows of first-year students who personally saw these famous identities for the first time had their mouths agape. It was as though they were passively and magically being lured toward their own innocent fantasies.
Sauntering forward, with her long platinum hair cascading, Yura took the platform from the Student Council Secretary.
With her alluring lips in front of the microphone, she then formally addressed the students, "Good morning, everyone. I am Yura Alperion. Here we are to mark the beginning of the school year. I hope for a fruitful and peaceful year filled with laughter and unforgettable memories! With this being said, I believe the banquet next week will become your stepping stone in making connections and building up your circle of friends!"
After some time of informing everyone about the Summit's Rule Book and other significant matters related to the academy, Yura's gaze landed on a row of students sitting in front before proceeding to introduce these specific students who met the requirements and passed the scholarship.
"Now, now! Let us welcome the honorable scholars this year! Give them a round of applause!"
Clap!
Several fortunate students, from first to fourth year, gently raised their bodies. They then walked up to the stage amidst the welcoming noise, lined up themselves, and bowed at the same time.
Just like that, the torch of the new beginning was set ablaze.
***
Homeroom of Class 3-A, 5th Floor of the Summit Tower.
Bang!
"Keu-ak!"
A male student's back hit the rows of secured, sturdy, and steel-made student lockers situated at the rear of the classroom.
This student grimaced in pain, his hands on his abdomen after a blow was dealt to it through a swift, unhesitant kick.
"Seriously, scholars are utter delusional who think they achieved something in society." The student named Cain spoke coldly, his golden eyes staring down the curling scholar, one among the four students who were personally escorted by Yura and Yuri.
"Can you repeat what you said earlier? Friends? You want to be friends with us...? Huh?!"
Cain crouched down before his right fist caved in the scholar's face painted with incredulity and horror; it was evident that this individual had never expected just what kind of school he was admitted into.
The seemingly incessant punches continued without an ounce of mercy.
"How can I be friends with a filthy commoner like you?! Answer me!"
Pak!
"Keuk! S-s-sorry… I-I didn't know my place." One of the four scholars, whose name was Leo, mustered the courage to speak. "P-please, stop."
Cain glanced around, seeing several students laughing upon hearing Leo's pleading voice. The former then smiled devilishly, "Ha… Hahaha! Look at this trash, truly acting a befitting commoner who knows nothing but beg for mercy."
Pausing for two seconds, he added, "But I don't want to."
At that moment, Cain raised his dominant fist and was about to strike Leo again, whose face was already marked with bruises, when a hand grabbed his wrist.
"Didn't you hear him? He told you to stop."
"Who?!" Cain looked beside him, where a male student with a stoic demeanor was standing.
His hair was short and black, and his eyes were a pair of amethyst, just like Yura's. His skin was fair and somewhat had roughness on it, something that could depict a person experiencing a rough life.
"How dare this another trash of a scholar!"
Cain slapped off this student's hand before standing up to face him. With the former's posture slightly taller than this student, he said in frustration, "Are you a damn martyr, huh? Were you jealous because I haven't chosen you as the first trash to be thrown in the garbage?"
Some of the bystanders cackled while Cain intermittently pushed him with his right index finger.
"My name's Aeon. May I ask you to refrain from calling me-"
Pak!
Cain's right hand connected to Aeon's left cheek, sending the latter to the ground, disrupting a few chairs in order.
Bang!
It was at that moment that a female student, whose seat was beside Aeon in the back rows of the classroom, slammed the thick Summit's Rule Book on her desk.
Standing up, she strongly said, "If you are going to fight like animals, get on with it but out of my sight! You immature bastards."
Dissimilar to Cain's previous reaction, he couldn't help but fall silent.
After a moment or two, he responded as though he was a gentle, tamed dog, "Ah, I guess we've taken our games quite too far. I apologize for disturbing you, Miss Akareon."
She was one of the two daughters of Grand Marshal Akareon, one of the most important figures in the current world—Yuridika Akareon.
"Huh? A show of tough love during the first day of school? That's a rare sight." A familiar, recognized voice echoed within the perimeters of the classroom.
Yura Alperion and Yuri Belserion just finished wrapping up the result of the Welcoming Ceremony; they were along with two famous figures, who were also members of the Student Council.
Their gazes landed on the back rows of the seats, seeing Leo recovering, as well as Aeon caressing his left cheek.
"Sigh, I think this year will become inexplicably pleasant," Yura applauded, her lips arched. However, for some reason, a few pairs of eyes were exuding cold.
***
The first day of the class ended without arduous schoolwork.
Ding!
Rubbing gently his left cheek due to lingering pain, Aeon, while treading towards his personal dormitory room, which was provided for every student, received a text message from an unknown number on his academy-exclusive cellphone.
[ I miss you, Oppa! Ah, by the way, I saw you earlier, what happened? Did Cain do that? Should I kill him? :) ]