A female student walked through the hallway between the buildings of the First Year Complex. Her light footsteps carried a sense of joy, and she was carrying several notebooks.
Anna smiled as she thought of her childhood friend...and her first love, Leon. The two of them had come from a remote village on the southern edge of the Aldeno Empire to study at the most prestigious institution in the Empire.
As commoners, their struggle was immense. But thanks to their perseverance, the prayers of their parents, and the support of a few local noble patrons, they received full scholarships until they graduated.
Before class changed, someone told her that Leon wanted to speak with her alone in a flower garden at the far end of the First Year Complex. Her cheeks flushed faintly at the thought that something might happen.
"Why did Leon call me at a time like this? Don't-don't tell me! He-he's going to confess to me!?"
Anna squirmed in embarrassment while holding her cheeks; she was truly a girl in love at that moment. Her steps grew lighter, and she hurried her pace. Soon after, she arrived at the flower garden she was heading toward.
The flower garden was quite small compared to the other flower gardens at Zeris Academy, but it was still quite beautiful thanks to the colorful flowers growing there. The garden was flanked by a three-story building and several fairly dense trees, making it a rather secluded spot that few people ever visited.
Anna took a deep breath and smoothed her pale pink hair and her bangs. She entered the garden and saw a male student sitting on a bench. The boy was sitting with his back to Anna, and she began to doubt whether he was the one she was waiting for.
"Leon? Why did you call me here? The next class is about to-"
She stopped mid-sentence and gasped. There was still some distance between them, but Anna decided to turn around and try to run. Unfortunately, the three boys blocked her path.
"Hehehe, Miss Anna? Why leaving so soon? Come play with us!"
"That's right, Anna! We should talk more!"
The girl trembled in fear. It turned out all of this was a trap, and unfortunately, she was alone right now.
***
A few days had passed since the banshee incident. After being hounded by the people from the Radiant Church, Eric was finally able to return to his life as a student. Despite encountering some difficulties, the Academy eventually approved and agreed to accept their research report on the haunted mansion.
Eric was spared the threat of having to repeat the year, but he faced one more obstacle: the Final Year Exam held at the end of the year. He chose not to stress about it and simply did his best, thinking that the most important thing was to pass the exam and move up a grade.
Speaking of that incident, he reflected on his power. Psychokinesis, the esoteric and mysterious power residing within him right now, was truly powerful and useful. Or, in his case, extremely convenient.
At times, he used it in his daily life like bringing food to his mouth without touching it, pouring drinks into a glass, helping carry school supplies, and speeding up cooking by slicing ingredients with a knife.
"Hehe, I wouldn't mind keeping this ability forever, though!" he muttered, gazing up at the bright blue sky.
Eric is currently lying on the roof of a building at the far end of the First Year Complex. As for the reason, Eric wanted to skip class and spend some time on the rooftop of a building... just like the characters in the anime he'd watched.
Although it was a little different, he felt an atmosphere quite similar to that in those anime. From the rooftop, Eric can see several landmarks on the Academy grounds, even though the building he's on is only three stories tall.
He closed his eyes, relaxing and taking in the atmosphere. He propped his head up with both hands while humming pleasantly. No need to worry about classes, and he's all alone…no one to bother him. A perfect recipe for a perfect day.
That is until he heard someone yelling.
"Hehehe, Miss Anna? Why leaving so soon? Come play with us!"
"That's right, Anna! We should talk more!"
At first, he ignored the voices since it doesn't address him. Then he heard the name, Anna. The back of his head felt a sense of familiarity with that name.
"Wh-why you guys here!? Where is Leon!?"
"Hahaha! This girl is so dumb!"
"Right!? Leon isn't here, you filthy commoner!"
"Hey, she's pretty enough. I wonder what will happen if we become more intimate...hehehe!"
Eric tries ignored the banter, but those voice keep getting loud and he begin annoyed.
"St-stay away! Otherwise I-"
"What! You gonna attack us!? We are nobles you know!"
"Dumb commoner! You don't want your beloved Leon and your scholarship getting revoked right? So shut up and follow our words!"
"This is why commoners should never set foot in this Academy!"
Eric's patience snapped. His facial muscle contorted and he angrily got up and take a peek at the brats who bugging his peaceful day.
"4 males and 1 female, typical bullying about social status...Tch! This is why youngsters these days are a pain in the ass!"
He took a deep breath and immediately rebuked them. "Hey, hey! Bring your lame quarrel out of here! You brats are ruining my perfect day!"
Instantly 5 of them tilted their heads above. Anna gasped in horror after seeing the figure on the rooftop. Meanwhile the boys grinning seeing Eric's appearance.
"Eric! What a coincidence! Come join us here!"
"That's right! Let's teach this commoner some lessons!"
"I bet you also wanna beat this-"
10%
The boys are stunned while Anna keep trembling. "I'm counting on 3! Get your ass out of here, brats!"
"Eric, what are-"
"One!"
"Don't you also hate commoner-"
"Two!"
"Listen-"
"Three! You ask this for yourself!"
Eric cast his psychokinesis on the boys. He fiercely removed their belts, making their trousers sliding down. His doing instantly inciting response from those students.
"Kyaaa!" Anna screamed, covering her eyes.
"What the hel-"
"Shi-shit! my pants are-"
"You better do as I say, or you brats are gonna get naked! One...!...Two...!"
Anna and the boys immediately dispersed into different directions. Eric sighed and clicked his tongue. His peaceful day was ruined, so he decided to end his skipping class and join back the lesson.
But on the way, he was stopped by a male student wearing a unique armband who called out to him.
"Eric Ostheno." the young student called him. Eric turned his body and furrowed his brows after seeing the armband. "What is it?"
"The Student Council requested your presence. Right now."
Eric rolled his eyes hearing that.
***
Befitting their name, The Student Council is an organization that oversees the student-related affair, particularly the relationship between student, the Academy and public.
Some people often associate The Student Council with Committee Disciplinary, and they are not wrong. The only difference is Committee Disciplinary most of the time keeping watch and monitoring the well-being of students and lastly the security inside the Academy.
Eric right now inside a tall building, specifically he was on the way to the Student Council main conference room. He was amused by the notion of adults in this world giving so much preferential treatment to this Student Council and Committee Disciplinary.
The tall building is divided into two wings, the east wing is where the Committee Disciplinary Headquarter is located, while the west wing is where the Student Council resided.
Clean marble floor, automatic temperature adjustment inside the building...Eric wondered how much cost was put into this building.
After climbing some stairs, Eric and the young male student who guided him arrived at a giant double door and entered the room. The room was so spacious, and they are tiered just like any classroom in Zeris Academy.
Inside the room, there are already people waiting for him. Some of them are blatantly showing contempt and disgust and some people outright glared at him. The rest are either passive and disinterested in seeing him.
Eric sighed and boldly stepped his foot inside the battlefield.