The Author's POV

[Lock, class A-25, Friday 4:45 P.M.]

Sitting in my usual seat, I listened attentively to the class lecture.

Or at least I tried...

Despite the fact that two weeks had passed since the Hollberg incident, the classroom's atmosphere wasn't as lively as it was back before the incident.

Glancing at the classroom, I could see why...

Almost a quarter of the students that used to sit around me were now gone.

Despite not knowing many people, I found out, a couple of days after the incident, that Evan and Cassandra were part of the people that had died during the incident.

...the same two people that were part of my group.

In spite of the fact that I didn't know them that well, the fact that two people I was acquainted with had died went to show how tragic those events were.

Literally, anyone could've died that night...

"Alright, that marks the end of the lecture"

Snapping me out my thought was the engineering professor's charming voice. Just like before, throughout the whole time I had stayed in the lock, she was the only professor that didn't pay special attention to lineage or rank.

Whenever I asked her questions regarding the lecture she would always patiently and calmly explain what I didn't understand.

Therefore, although I didn't necessarily understand what she was teaching, I didn't hate this class.

Right after the lecture ended and the professor left the classroom, everyone remained seated.

That was because we still had to have our end-of-week tutor time. This was a small session we had every Friday and it was where Donna, our tutor, would spend the last remaining fifteen minutes of the day to share any announcements that have been made by the school.

-Clank!

Right on cue, entering the classroom, Donna made her way towards the podium. Walking, as though the wind was blowing, each of her steps caused a thin purple undulation of magic power to spread across the classroom.

Instantly the whole room fell silent. The pressure that emanated from her body caused everyone to stop whatever they were doing.

It was evident that she wasn't in the best of moods, and everyone could feel it.

Arriving in front of the podium, Donna staked a few papers on the table before clicking her tongue and dismissing them.

Sighing, Donna looked at the classroom and spoke.

"Alright, as most of you can probably tell, I'm not in the best of moods"

Raising two fingers she said

"I have two announcements for you guys today..."

"One, there will be a rank readjustment, and that wi'”"

Right after she finished the first half of her sentence before she could continue speaking, disrupting her speech were whispers that resounded throughout the whole classroom.

"...rank readjustments?"

"It isn't even the midterms..."

"What's going on?"

-Smack!

"Quiet!"

the classroom. As if a strong

hair I spent two minutes styling this morning

...great

seconds after smacking

some of you are confused as to why your ranks are being readjusted...the answer is simple. It's

we have to

Donna's eyes swept through

wait for me to finish announcing the new

-Nod

everyone could only helplessly nod their

of

here are the

Donna quickly read through a long

still

still rank

.

.

.

rank and is now

.

.

.

up five ranks from 739

.

.

.

a slight frown appeared on Donna's brows. It was so subtle that only by paying

total of 200 ranks and is

were announced, I felt multiple eyes

With what had happened in Hollberg, I had

I had now caught the interest of a few important individuals. Though I

the fact that my rank rising by 200 ranks may have contributed to

...

Donna finally announcing my name, the rank adjustment came to an end. Following that, she cleared her voice and once again spoke. Though her voice was sweet, her tone

after long and arduous hours of talk, the higher-ups have finally have come to a unanimous decision to send the first years on

anyone could celebrate, Donna instantly poured cold

be mid-term exams so more than a holiday this is a short break

sighs resounded throughout the classroom as the

out of all the people here I was probably the

months, I

two exams. The theoretical and the

worried about the physical exam since if I had to judge my strength, I was currently in the top 100. Maybe top

matter. My goal was to one day reach the top 10. Being top 100 didn't

I was most

I tried to study, I barely got any

had to learn, I had to go back and relearn things that were taught back when I was supposed to be

enough time to study for the courses let alone study middle school

the problem for a bit longer,

experienced procrastinator, I was used to leaving problems till near

end of the announcements. I hope to see

lost everyone's attention, Donna could only conclude tutor time ahead of

her stuff, she soon left the

-Clank!

started packing up my stuff. Today was the last day I stayed in the

finally time

them. Be it for

in my previous

couldn't say I disliked