The Author's POV

"Alright, everyone please be quiet"

—Clank!

Suddenly the doors of the classroom opened up, and Donna entered. Her crisp voice traveled through everyone's ears.

Instantly the classroom quieted down.

Putting her hands on the podium, she solemnly looked at everyone present.

"Okay, have you all received the message? The one about the mourning ceremony for tomorrow?"

[Announcement to all students, due to what happened yesterday at the banquet, Wednesday, from the times 8:00 P.M - 9:00 P.M the academy has decided to...]

Turning my wrist slightly, I pressed on the foremost notification. I quickly skimmed through the long text.

'I see...'

Despite what happened yesterday, classes resumed as usual.

Originally there should've been a week break, but because the incident was handled so cleanly and swiftly, there was no break.

Regarding the fallen professors and students, a mourning ceremony would be held tomorrow night.

That was what the current announcement was about.

"As most of you have been informed, there have been 31 confirmed deaths from yesterday's accident. 15 of which were our very own academy professors"

"I'd like for you all to attend tomorrow as a form of respect for those that have sacrificed their lives for you. It's the least you could do..."

Donna's face was solemn. Even if she was used to death, such announcements were never easy.

Especially since some of the people that died were people that she had talked to as recently as yesterday.

It truly was depressing.

"...enough of that for now"

Finished with all of the depressing stuff, Donna's tone became lighter. Brushing her hair to the side, she checked her watch.

"Alright, with that out of the way it is now time that I introduced you to your new classmates. They should be here soon..."

—Knock! —Knock!

Right on cue, the doors of the classroom opened and around twenty youths came in. They all wore different uniforms.

Instantly the classroom became noisy. Sitting next to me, Kevin's eyes squinted.

"It's that guy"

"Who?"

Curious, Emma turned around and looked at Kevin. With his eyes narrowed, Kevin softly said.

"Aaron"

"You've met him?"

Emma's brows raised.

She had met Aaron a couple of times in the past. She had the worst impression of him.

To think that Kevin went through a similar situation as her.

"Yes, at the banquet. He came at me from out of nowhere. If I don't remember wrong, he said something along the lines of 'you're only so-so' or something of the sorts..."

"That does indeed sound like him. I've had a similar situation happen to me..."

Whilst Emma and Kevin were busy talking, I stared at the incoming students. My eyes instantly paused on a certain few individuals.

Five to be exact.

The Leinfall twins, John Berson, Eleonore Grey, and the man in question, Aaron Rhinestone.

The strongest first years of each respective academy.

Nothing much needed to be said about the Leinfall twins. With their platinum blonde hair, they were easily recognizable. Moreover, their flawless teamwork was what made them so famous.

The same went for Aaron.

black hair and deep blue eyes. His fame and skill were already documented for

on the other hand had a sturdy build with short brown hair. His stature resembled that

he shares quite a lot of

a shield. If not for John being stronger, I could've easily have mistaken the duo

Lastly, there was Eleonore.

wasn't ugly, compared to the likes of Amanda, Melissa, and

her skills were undeniable. Especially since she was a

specialized

'That should be it...'

from them, everyone was pretty much

in general, those five people

following two months, exchange

out of my thoughts was Donna's

next to her. Sensing the air of confidence and aura coming from certain individuals, Donna

par with the student at the

of the fact that they were from the Lock or not, it

step to the

you have already met at the banquet

brief introduction, Donna stopped. Redirecting her

guys find yourself a seat. Just sit

"Sure"

"Thank you"

the exchange students split into many

areas of the classroom, whilst others sat

I suddenly found two shadows cast

in my general

"May we sit here?"

"...Sure"

refuse. After all, that would be

to sit with Kevin

the academy, they found

the green light, the twins quickly sat down. Extending

to meet you, my name is Nicholas Leinfall and

Kevin and the others, I leaned against the table and

the hell is

I suddenly realized something.

seat far from the prying eyes of others turned out

did I go

...

a shabby three-bedroom

the person that came to our door

a lady in her mid-thirties pointed towards

up the investigation

with jet-black hair and deep blue eyes appeared. Hearing what the anchor had to say about him, the lady looked quite

like he was quite a talented youth. To think that he was from the Lock, no wonder he

towards her son, the lady excitedly pointed

it was him that come to our house, wasn't it? I'm

"Um, it was..."

toy cars in his hands, Ryan looked up to his mom. Blinking innocently and

that we would be meeting someone so important! I can't

excited. She had met such

she raised

—Clank! —Clank!

with his toys. Suddenly, his mom

why don't you go play with the toys in mom's

could barely hear what they were

"...Okay, I'm sorry"

he was doing, Ryan lowered his head. Taking his toys, he obeyed his

"Thank you, Ryan"

"No problem"

mother's bedroom, he quickly moved towards her drawer and opened it. Without hesitation, he took out a large file

"This should be it..."

page, he took his

making the right

...

"It's so hot..."

the blue sky, enjoying the clear and warm Ashton city weather.

waiting at the

"You're finally here"

waiting for approximately five minutes, Melissa's figure appeared in

a long white blouse coupled with matching black pants,

it, I usually see Melissa in either a lab

used to this. Sort of felt out of