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.

His fame and skill were already

brown hair. His stature resembled that of Arnold's, however,

shares quite

for John being stronger, I could've

Lastly, there was Eleonore.

short black hair and an oval-shaped face. Though she wasn't ugly, compared to the

her skills were undeniable. Especially

specialized

'That should be it...'

from them, everyone was

they were, but in general, those five people were the ones I had

following two months, exchange students will be

my thoughts was Donna's

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

were definitely on par with the

or not,

a step to the

you need me to introduce them as most of you have already met at the banquet or known

Redirecting her attention back to the exchange students, she

you guys find yourself a seat. Just

"Sure"

"Thank you"

Donna, the exchange students split into

to sit towards separate areas of the classroom, whilst

the commotion, I suddenly found two shadows cast

Leinfall twins looking in my general direction.

"May we sit here?"

"...Sure"

refuse. After all, that would be quite

just wanted to sit with Kevin and

was the one that led them around the academy, they found it easier to

green light, the twins quickly sat down. Extending his hand, the older brother introduced himself to

Nicholas Leinfall and this is

themselves to Kevin and the others, I leaned against

hell

I suddenly realized something.

the prying eyes of others turned out to be the place with the most attention

did I go

...

a shabby three-bedroom

person that came to our

lady in her mid-thirties pointed towards the TV screen standing opposite

investigation on

Besides him, a picture of youth with jet-black hair and deep blue eyes appeared. Hearing

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

the lady excitedly pointed at

to our house, wasn't

"Um, it was..."

with two plastic toy cars in his hands, Ryan looked up to his mom. Blinking innocently and looking

would be meeting someone so

had met such an outstanding figure, how could she not

she raised

—Clank! —Clank!

Ryan kept playing with his toys. Suddenly, his mom turned around and

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

so loudly, she could barely hear what

"...Okay, I'm sorry"

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

"Thank you, Ryan"

"No problem"

the living room. Turning right into his mother's bedroom, he quickly moved towards her drawer and

"This should be it..."

the page, he took his

making

...

"It's so hot..."

the blazing sun and the blue sky, enjoying the clear and warm Ashton city weather. With summer around the corner, the temperatures were

at the

"You're finally here"

five minutes, Melissa's figure appeared in the

a long white blouse coupled with matching

usually see Melissa in

to this. Sort of felt out of