Volume 6 First Glance
I followed Quint back through the school. It felt like I was lost in a maze though I had someone to guide me through it. Since we were somewhat in a rush, something told me that I would not remember the path there.
"Our next class is right around the corner," Quint told me, almost breathless with how far we had been traveling to get to our next class.
We passed by a clock, and I took a glance at it to see what the time was. It read 11:58, which I assumed was two minutes before we needed to be in class.
We rushed around the corner to a hallway of rooms. Quint searched the area, quickly turning his head around to check the room numbers.
"Ah!" He pointed towards the room that read 319.
We quickly made our way into the classroom. Most of the students were already ready for the next lesson to start. We both scanned the room for seats, possibly next to each other but to no avail.
"Well, looks like we might have to do it solo for this class," he told me.
Though it was only one class, I felt disappointed I wasn't going to sit next to my new friend, mostly because I didn't have a clue how long each class was. The questions continued to pile up as the two of us separated and went to the seats that were several tables apart.
"I wonder where the teacher is," I thought to myself, noticing how the students were eagerly waiting for the class to start.
I looked over to where Quint was, but it seemed like he was off in his own world. Even if I tried to wave him down, he wouldn't see me; I was behind him to the room's side.
Ten minutes passed, and still no sign of the teacher. The students began to speak amongst each other, most speculating about the teacher’s whereabouts. Sitting on the chair, getting bored, I started to fiddle with my b00k.
Other than bringing up the materials for the class, it also had an arrangement of different things I could do with it—bring up various files for storing, similar to the computer I had at home; though from the looks of it, I could store a lot more on it. It also appeared as though I could also go onto the internet with it; I hadn't been able to since I had no Wi-Fi. I continued to fiddle with the device, browsing its wonders.
Just as I was about to get used to most of the things I could do with the b00k, someone burst through the door.
"I am so sorry, students. I got held up in a meeting," he said hoarsely.
I looked up from my b00k to see that our teacher was one of the people I had met earlier today—the one who looked different from the group, the one with the tie and long black curly hair.
He put the files he had in his hands on the desk. Messy and disorganized, some of the papers even fell on the floor.
"Oh geez, again, I apologize for my tardiness, students," he said, getting the papers from the floor.
"I don't get it." I thought to myself. "How come the students aren't making a big deal? Is it because it's time for class? Is this guy even a Vanguard?"
"Alright. Students, please get your b00ks out and—" The teacher looked up from his papers. "Oh, I see you already have them out."
He seemed very nervous; either that or he was just so unorganized it caused his actions scattered.
"Some of you may know me, but for those who don't, I am Zahair King. You can call me Mr. King or just Zahair if that's comfortable with you," he continued. "Now, history, which is what this class is, is one of humankind's most important aspects. Without learning about it, we shall inevitably repeat it. With that being said, can someone tell me what year people started to gain abilities?" He looked at the class. Some of the students were slouched, and others were just on their b00ks, not really doing anything.
"Well, that was actually a trick question. Although it was recorded in history that users were alive back when recording current events first started, it isn't known how long abilities have been on earth," he stated.
No one said anything. Everyone looked uninterested in the course, but I found it intriguing. I wanted to learn more about the world and its surroundings.
The teacher continued to talk about the history of our country, Freila. Before the Fall, some wars took place in our country as well as other countries across the waters. Other than the wars, Mr. King explained that our country was a leading pioneer in developing the b00k, the medical field, and many others. I already knew a little more than half of what he was conveying from either Grandpa or the books I had read on the subject.
Despite the exciting topics brought up, I couldn't understand why such wars occurred. Hearing about so many people dying made my stomach churn.
"Before we move on, does anyone have any questions?" Mr. King looked around the room. "No? Well, our next topic of discussion is the Freilan War of C22. This war marked the first battle to have taken place among our own in several hundred years. It erupted due to the tension between the country's western and eastern sides fighting for resources. What's also to note is that—" He stopped mid-sentence as a student raised their hand.
"Instead of this boring stuff we can read online, can you tell us about the Heavenly Virtues? You're part of them, aren't you?" a student said condescendingly.
The students became lively at the thought of learning more about the Vanguards.
"Now, students, that's not what this class—" Mr. King was interrupted again by another student.
"Yeah, we want to hear about what they are like!" the student said.
More and more students started to chime in. Each time Mr. King tried to speak, he was cut off by other questions about the Vanguards. The room was drowned by most of the students talking over each other.
"Students!" Mr. King raised his voice, but it was still but a whisper compared to the noise the students were making.
He audibly sighed and then closed his eyes. He squinted his eyes; it looked like he was concentrating on something as he started to look flushed. Sweat began to develop on his face. I didn't know what he was doing, but I noticed that the room was getting quieter. It wasn't much, but I could tell something was causing their voices to become audibly lower. Soon enough, the students noticed that even though they were speaking normally, their voice's volume wasn't going out as strongly as they thought it would.
"Is this because of Mr. King? Is he actually a user?" I thought to myself.
It looked like Mr. King was struggling with what I had assumed was his doing. He let out a big exhale of air. He had to hold himself up with one hand on the desk.
"Now... if I have your attention, students," he stated. "As much as I would like to tell you about the Vanguards, I am afraid that our curriculum is much more important."
Sighs of disappointment echoed from the students. I could tell Mr. King didn't want to upset his class, but he had to give that tough love I hear about now and then.
"I know you're upset, but trust me. When you are older, you will be thankful I taught you history. Remember, class, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Just as he finished saying that, the bell rang. "I guess that will be it for today's lesson, students. I will see you all tomorrow to continue our discussion on the Freila War of C22!"
The students got up from their chairs, picked up their things, and left the classroom. I met up with Quint, and the both of us headed out.
The next few classes were nothing out of the ordinary. One was mathematics; another was about physics and the world's sciences.
"That was the last class of the day," Quint told me as we got up from our seats.
"Well, that wasn't so bad. Though the fact we had lunch so early was kind of weird," I told him; we technically only had one class, which was homeroom, and went to lunch afterward.
We continued to walk through the hallways. I was taking everything in, coming to a sensation that hopefully, the school year would be better than how it had started. I didn't want that feeling to return after today; that nervous, shaky feeling I got was still fresh in my mind, like it had never left despite being out of that situation for a couple of hours. I didn't know if I was taking everything to get a feel of the place and fit in or be on the lookout for that girl who had assaulted me at lunch.
"Yeah, the reason why we had lunch so early today is to let the students get adjusted to the school. They know that the first day is always the hardest but most exciting. They let us eat early so we don't burn out quickly. At least, that's what I assume," Quint informed me.
I could kind of see how that would work for us, so I just let myself believe it without a second thought. As we walked to the entrance, I thought about the man who had been killed right in front of me, knowing I would have to pass that spot eventually on the way home. Shivers were sent down my back, and I grew anxious.
Quint must have noticed my reaction. "Hey, you alright? You're looking a little pale. Do you need to go to the nurse's office?"
I didn't dare to tell him what I had seen this morning, afraid that he might think I was weak or something.
"You dummy, he just told you at lunch that you're able to tell him anything. How come you can't tell him this one thing?" the voice in my head yelled out.
"No... I'm fine. Probably just tired after today."
Quint chuckled. "Yeah, I know that feeling all too well. Trust me, you'll get used to it in no time," he reassured me as we reached the front entrance. "Hey, I gotta hit the bus before it leaves. It was really nice meeting you, and I'll see you tomorrow!"
I didn't want him to go, though. Quint felt like someone who would keep me safe from people like Luna, the students who saw me this morning and made fun of me, and especially the ones I had seen in the forest where the man was killed.
"Y-yeah, see you tomorrow." With that, we parted ways.
Volume 6 - End
Edited by: Katepopa (Fiverr)
