"TO THE ASSEMBLY AREA. NOW," the principal commanded firmly.
Fear gripped them both as they accepted their fate. The principal, his expression thunderous, marched them to the school assembly area where every student had already gathered. Ren and the girl felt the heat of embarrassment flood their faces, their shame magnified by the countless eyes watching them—students, teachers, and the principal himself.
Adding insult to injury, the principal's voice boomed through the silence, "NOW, stand there, in front of everyone."
As the clouds darken, The girl lowered her gaze, clearly mortified. Ren, however, did the opposite. He glanced around, meeting the stares directed their way. Whispers flitted through the crowd. Some students exchanged amused glances, a few boys stifling their laughter behind cupped hands.
The principal snapped, "SHUT IT. Who gave you permission to make noise?"
Silence fell like a hammer. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode toward his office, leaving them to stand there, exposed and humiliated.
Minutes dragged by. Ren cast a hesitant glance at the girl beside him. She stood stiffly, her hands clasped together, eyes still glued to the ground. Their bags had been left behind, forgotten in the chaos.
Guilt gnawed at his mind. "Maybe if she hadn't helped me, she would've made it on time..." His expression darkened, disappointment mingling with regret.
A student's hushed voice broke the quiet. "The principal finally returned with the Almighty Soulkiller, a well-made cane. Its origin is said to be from the Celestial Realm itself." Said him, dramatically.
His friend elbowed him, hissing, "BRO, SHUT UP."
The principal took his seat, and the assembly resumed as if nothing had happened. After ten agonizing minutes and a series of announcements by the Headmaster, students were dismissed back to their classes—except for Ren and the girl.
"You two, come here," the principal ordered, the cane resting in his grip. "Why were you late? You better have a valid excuse."
"We—" Ren started, but the principal cut him off.
"Excuses! More excuses!" he barked.
Confused, Ren hesitated. "B-but, Principal, you asked for the reason—"
"ENOUGH. Give me your hand. Open your palm."
Dread coiled in Ren's stomach as he slowly lifted his hand.
Out of nowhere, a soothing, motherly voice interrupted, firm yet calm. "Hold on, Mr. Principal."
The tension shifted. The Headmaster stepped forward, her presence instantly softening the suffocating atmosphere. "Why don't we hear their reasoning first? As the Principal, you must demonstrate wisdom rather than rushing to conclusions."
Shocked, the principal straightened. "Uh—Miss Headmaster?... I understand. Forgive my harshness."
The Headmaster approached them, her kind gaze landing on Ren first. "My lovely child, why were you late today?"
Ren swallowed his nerves and explained his chaotic morning—especially the cockroach incident. The Headmaster chuckled, her laughter light and genuine. Even the principal let out a small amused huff, and Ren caught the girl's fleeting smile.
"My child, no more tardiness, alright? Now, return to your class," the Headmaster said gently.
Ren nodded. "Alright... Teach..."
The Headmaster then turned to the girl. "And you, honey? Why were you late?"
The girl hesitated, lips parting slightly, struggling for words. Before she could speak, Ren stepped forward.
"Teach! I'm sorry, but she was late because of me."
The Headmaster's brows lifted. "Oh? Explain."
The girl's eyes widened at his unexpected confession.
"She would've made it on time if I hadn't asked for her help. I saw her riding a two-seat bicycle and asked for a ride, but I collapsed trying to catch up. I don't know what delayed her before, but it was mostly my fault she didn't arrive on time." He took a deep breath. "So if you have to punish someone, punish me. Please, forgive her. Without her kindness, I might not even be here yet."
A stunned silence followed. The Headmaster turned to the girl, seeking confirmation.
"Is that true, honey?"
The girl, still processing his words, nodded. "Uh—yes. That's correct."
The Headmaster smiled warmly. "In that case... Alright, both of you may return to your classes."
"Really? Thank you!" they exclaimed in unison.
As they retrieved their bags, Ren turned to wave goodbye, but the girl's friend had already come to collect her. She walked away in the opposite direction, her pace steady. Ren lingered for a moment, thinking she hadn't noticed him.
But she had. She caught his reflection in a nearby door, glancing at him briefly before her friend pulled her into conversation.
—
Standing outside his classroom, Ren hesitated. Taking a deep breath, he knocked. The teacher granted him entry, and as expected, countless eyes turned his way. The whispers began immediately.
As he made his way to his seat, a boy stuck out his leg, attempting to trip him. Ren reacted instantly, lifting his foot just in time to avoid the trap. The teacher scolded the culprit, but his friends snickered quietly. Ren ignored them, focusing instead on the lesson.
—
The bell rang. Recess. Forty minutes.
Alone in the classroom, Ren clutched his stomach. "Man... I'm starving..." His expression twisted into a goofy, exaggerated frown.
A soft, familiar whisper echoed. "Oi... psst... hey..."
Startled, he looked around before spotting a figure peeking through the back door. His eyes lit up in recognition.
"Uhh—AH! HEY, YOU GOT ME FOO—"
"SHHHHHHH!" The girl whisper-yelled, her face burning with embarrassment. "Lower your voice!"
Understanding the assignment, Ren dramatically lowered his voice. "Okay... I'm sorry..."
The girl motioned him over. Without hesitation, Ren grabbed his book and followed her. Like silent ninjas, they navigated the school's alleyways, avoiding any unwanted attention.
Behind the canteen, she gestured for him to wait before slipping away. Ren nodded and opened his book, absorbed by its contents—recent scientific breakthroughs, studies on neurons, physics, astronomy. He loved how the visuals made complex topics more digestible.
After a few minutes, she reappeared, sneaking beside the wall.....
"BAH!" she suddenly jumped out.
"EGH!" Ren flinched.
"Teehee~ Here." She handed him a small package. "It's nothing fancy. I don't have much money."
Curious, Ren unwrapped it. "FRIED CHICKEN DRUMSTICK? Wuooooo, thanks!"
She smiled at his excitement. "What're you reading?"
"Oh? This? Just some science stuff—neurons, physics, astronomy, but it's outside our syllabus."
She raised a brow. "Oh... you're into seeking things beyond? Hey, follow me to the old school library after this."
"Uh?" Ren tilted his head but shrugged. "Alright."
Few moments later, as usual, they silently walk to the destination. Avoiding any unwanted attention especially what had happened that morning.
Halfway through, the dark clouds finally let go, sending rain down to the earth as the girl explained,
"The school have 2 libraries. The old and new one. Both are still on service but the old one is harder to access since it's located backkkk there. You also can't just enter it as you like."
As they reach another corner, she elaborates,
"However, the old library contains much more information especially from old times. Yes, before the first catastrophic event happen 3 decades ago. Not the case for the new one though"
As they get closer, she says,
"Isn't it interesting why that's the case? There's so much valuable information that younglings can learn. Also, You're not from here right?"
Ren, full of question, "How'd you know? It's true that I transferred here but I never says anything about from where I am?"
As an act of respond, "It's obvious, you look a little different from the average. Besides many places on the world were inhabitable since the Catastrophic Event, so people need to find somewhere atleast safer."
"Anyway, I have a "connection" so we can access the library's content without legit reasons"
"WOAAAAA... "connection"? So cooool." Ren complimented.
"HeHe" the girl chuckled proudly.
"Here, let's just starts to walk slowly now.... WAIT" The girl startled.
Out of the blue. A very tall man in a black suit exited the library. He need to lowered his head to pass throught the doorframe.
Both of them froze, hiding as he walked past.
"That guy... what's he doing here...," she whispered.
Once the coast was clear,
"I don't remember seeing anyone like that throughout our school..." Ren responded.
"Yea.... Me too... Let's go, hurry." she replied.
Once they've entered...
They froze.
The library was empty. Completely empty.
The girl is Flabbergasted, panic set in . "WHAT?! WHEN—WHA—WHO—WHY—WHERE—Miss May?? Hello?"
Ren, confused. "Why is it so empty? And who's Miss May?"
Still in disbelief, the girl says, "I don't know... The library has always been normal for months, perhaps even years. Miss May is one of the staff that's managing thisplace."
Surprised, Ren respond, "Perhaps? Oh so you're kinda new here too?"
The Girl says, "Y- Yeah. I forgot to mention that but anyway, What happened here??"
As they searching for clues on what happened inside the library, the one used to be full of knowledge now just another emptiness vast space. They noticed a book, one and only one was left behind below a rack on the backside of the library.
After a while, they've finally recovered it.
The girl, full of curiosity, "What's this?"
As confused as the girl, Ren, "Hold on, Let me clear the dust"
Ren managed to clear out all the dust and debris that's covering the entire book.
Finally being able to see it better, Ren decided to try read the title of the book slowly,
"The Experiment of Mortal's....Ascension...Through...Seven!..."
"Huh?..."