For the first few seconds, nobody really moved as they were still taking everything in. After all, what they heard during that ceremony was simply a lot. The major thing was naturally the new update, but also meeting The Founder and learning about their classes was huge too.
“So… We can leave now?”
“… I think so…”
“Uh, yeah, the schedule says we’re going to start our first lesson in 10 minutes.”
Slowly, the students started standing up and walking out of the theatre while inspecting their maps to find the location of their classes.
“We should go too,” Isla said as she slowly stood up.
“Mmm…” While still staring at the closed stage, Arthur hummed.
“Arthur?” Isla called his name again.
“Hm? Oh yeah, I’m coming.” After giving it one last glance, the boy stood up and walked after Isla.
At the entrance, they found Herculia, Danny, and Emmy waiting for them.
“Dammit, we were separated!” Herculia exclaimed as he clenched his fists.
“Hey, at least we are all in Class S! I’m glad that is the case!” Emmy said.
“…”
The only one who seemed rather devastated by the results was Danny who remained silent. He was staring at the table with a frown.
“Is there a way for me to change classes?”
“Hm? Did you say something, Danny?” Herculia asked him.
“Ehem, no. I’m just blabbering nonsense.” Danny closed the device with a sigh. ‘Why did that bastard end up in the same class as Isla… Tsk! I hate that!’
Seeing the two standing next to each other made him feel really annoyed. But, there was really nothing he could do about it.
‘Dammit, I shouldn’t be focusing on this. But it’s on my mind the entire time.’
Even though Arthur seemed like he had zero interest in Isla romantically, it didn’t mean that would be the case forever. Danny wasn’t stupid and he knew that Isla has countless admirers from every corner of the world. With her unimaginable beauty and status, any sane man would want her unless they’re completely crazy.
‘I thought I already had enough bastards to worry about. But… This idiot doesn’t seem like he cares for now. That’s good.’ He mused.
“Well, I guess we should get going. The classes will start soon.” Arthur commented as he walked through the door. “Hmm, the map says that we’re all in the same section on the fifth floor right above us.”
“This map is so goddamn complicated. I know I’m gonna get lost soon.” Herculia.
“Just use the navigation feature and you should be fine.”
As the group talked, they moved out of the theatre toward the stairs and started climbing them. The floor above them had the lowest class of them all, the D-Class section which was basically a long hall that stretched for at least a few hundred meters. It had the same design as the floors beneath, and it had the same theme.
Then, they moved to the floor above it which was the Class C section. The students on that floor looked a little less miserable than the ones on the lower floor but not by much.
The B and A sections were gradually better than the ones beneath them. The design and halls were the same but Arthur and the others noticed something.
“Am I imagining things does each floor feel… better than the one beneath it?” Danny asked as he stopped mid-stairs.
“…”
Everyone stared at him and then at the floor they were at. They have indeed felt it too. It was a very subtle feeling, but nonetheless very much there. The higher they went, the more comfortable they felt. They didn’t know if it was the atmosphere or simply their imagination but they were feeling a little more invigorated and energetic than before.
“Did they add something into the air we’re breathing?” Emmy sniffed a few times to make sure. But, there was really nothing she could notice.
“…” Arthur looked around him, feeling a little confused yet also curious. “Something is definitely happening.”
Students passed them as they moved up the floors, unaware of this weird feeling.
‘They aren’t aware of this… It’s… Is it even there?’
“Let’s move. We are blocking the way.” Isla said.
“But, what about…”
“We can all feel it, but they don’t. Or they’re simply too occupied to do so. We will figure out what it is sooner or later.” Isla added.
The group nodded faintly. She had a point. Whatever that was, they will figure it out at some point. There was no point in standing there. Not to mention that the feeling was quite positive.
So, they resumed their walking, until they finally reached the last floor.
“The view from here is…” Arthur stopped again and looked through the giant glass windows. This was simply a magnificent place, and no amount of sightseeing could give it justice. On the third floor, there were considerably fewer students than the floors beneath.
However, every single student there stood out like a sore thumb. Nobody entered the classes yet as they explored the place. Seeing Arthur and the others arrive, they glanced at them.
“Isn’t that…”
“…”
Almost instantly, the students recognized Isla and the others. After all, everyone there was from the upper echelons of society and they had met before at weddings, funerals, and parties.
Without saying a single word, the group moved onto the floor.
“I think it’s here where we will separate. My class is right there.” Danny said.
“I should be moving too. Let’s go, Herculia.” Emmy said as she grabbed Herculia’s arm and dragged him.
“Go on, big man. Good luck.” Arthur tapped his friend’s shoulder as he turned to Isla. “We should go too.”
The girl nodded her head. “The Class S-2 is over there.” When she stared at their destination, she noticed several people standing outside in a circle talking to each other. ‘Are those?’
Before she could even recognize those people, they got close enough for the group to notice their presence. Looking up, they turned around and made eye contact with Isla.
“… *Sigh*…” The girl exhaled a small breath that Arthur noticed.
“Are you ok, Is-”
“It’s actually Miss Isla!”
Before he could even finish the sentence, the students standing in front of them called for Isla with excited looks on their faces. Then, they quickly grouped around her.
“I’m happy to see you here.”
“I didn’t believe my eyes when I saw your name on the list.”
“It’s an honor for me to share the same class with you.”
All of them, girls and boys surrounded Isla from all angles as they talked to her excitedly. All these students looked very wealthy and good-looking yet when they saw Isla, they became almost like fans seeing their celebrity crush.
‘Wow… Talk about influence. She has endless aura.’ Arthur thought to himself with a smile. At that moment, Arthur noticed the rather difficult expression on his friend’s face. He even could swear that she glanced at him asking for help.
‘Yet, I guess even Isla isn’t immune to this kind of situation.’ He laughed inwardly. ‘I should probably help her before she gets angry.’
Since Arthur didn’t know any of these people, he wasn’t nervous around them at all.
“Hey now, if you would excuse us, we just arrived and we want to go inside.” Arthur clapped his hands as he stepped next to Isla.
“Huh?”
“Hm?”
Arthur heard the bewildered sounds of the students as they finally noticed his presence for the first time.
“Who are you?”
“I didn’t notice him at all.”
‘You shouldn’t say that loudly, bastard.’ Arthur felt a vein about to pop in his head. But, he took a deep breath and said.
“I’m her friend.” He said.
“… WHAT?!!”
A//N: Don’t forget to give the book some golden tickets for good luck! :3
