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!"

on the podium, a small shockwave swept through the classroom. As if a strong gust of wind had appeared, everyone was pushed back onto their

her action, the hair I spent two minutes styling this morning was now

...great

after smacking the podium, Donna

are being readjusted...the answer is simple.

for worse, we have to readjust your ranking according

the podium, Donna's eyes swept through the classroom before

wait for me to finish announcing the

-Nod

Donna's piercing stare, everyone could only helplessly nod their

trace of a

here are

onto her tablet, Donna quickly read through a long list

still

still rank

.

.

.

up a rank and

.

.

.

moves up five ranks

.

.

.

Donna's brows. It was so subtle that only by paying close attention

Ren Dover moves up a total of 200 ranks

name and rank were announced, I felt multiple eyes staring

to keep a stoic face. With what had happened in

was no use denying the fact that I had now caught the interest of a few important individuals.

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

...

that, she cleared her voice

due to recent unfortunate events, after long and arduous hours of talk, the higher-ups have finally have come to a unanimous decision to

could celebrate, Donna instantly poured cold water

yet. After you return, there will be mid-term exams so more than a holiday this is a

the classroom as the students all

all the people here I was probably the one that was the

months, I hadn't had time to

of two exams.

my strength, I was currently in the top 100. Maybe top 50 if I fought with my life on the

My goal was to one day reach the top 10. Being top

was most worried about was the theoretical

I barely got any of the concepts they

I was totally hopeless, it's just that for some of the stuff I had to learn, I had to go back and relearn things that were taught back when I

had enough time to study for the courses let alone

problem for a bit longer, I just threw it at the

used to leaving problems till

this is the end of the announcements. I hope to see

she had already lost everyone's attention, Donna could only conclude tutor

she soon

-Clank!

my stuff. Today was the last day I stayed in the lock for

finally time to

I would always get messages from them. Be it for normal stuff or nagging. They would always make sure to text

back in

couldn't say I disliked