1 hour later…

Damon and Leon were still sitting in their benches, thinking about all the information they had just gathered. A lot of it was just things about the school such as how it was founded, its history and that type of stuff. Dan also explained where everything was located in the school along with how their school year road map would look like.

There was a lot more general things as well. An example would be information about when you got summer break, winter break etc. Also, how many years you would stay at the school. Currently, you had to attend the academy for either 4 years, or prove you had the ability to graduate.

Damon had focused more on the school year roadmap for Class-S though. For the first part of the year, they would be training in physical combat. There was an upcoming trip that was going to happen within a month as well. For the second part, it would be magic and monster knowledge training.

Official classes were going to start tomorrow is what Dan had announced. Damon and Leon had the rest of the afternoon to do whatever they liked, and they decided to tour around the school. They visited the library, school cafeteria, and the sports clubs areas. They also explored the side sections of the training hall dedicated to different training methods for different people. There was a shooting range for long range attack types, dummies to practice hand to hand combat on, and even a gravity room for training under different levels of gravities.

***

3 PM

“Wow, this school sure is big,” said Leon.

“Yep it is.”

Damon was talking to Leon at the front gate, right before they were about to leave. School ended at 2:40 pm and the two friends were departing in different directions. Leon lived in the school dorm, so he couldn’t walk home with Damon.

“It has its own dorm as well. I’m living there, so sadly, I won’t be able to talk to you for any longer.”

“That’s ok. We’ll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow.”

Damon bid Leon farewell and walked off the school campus towards his apartment. He felt a little sad that he couldn’t talk to his new friend for longer, but he had no choice. He looked back and saw that Leon had done the same. They gave each other a smile and finally turned around and left towards their respective destinations.

What a tiresome day. I made one friend at least, but a lot more enemies…

Damon was sitting on his bed, while replaying the day inside his head. He had brought some chips from his kitchen and was munching on them. Every bite making some crunching sounds, but leaving crumbs on his bed. He did not care though, because he was too busy thinking of the consequences of making so many enemies. Especially that group of thugs that beat him up. Damon was almost 100% sure that Rachel was the one that ordered them to attack him.

When I get the chance, I’ll ask her why she did it. If it’s an unreasonable explanation… I’ll make sure to thoroughly destroy her, High Ranker or not. I’ll get rid of her lackeys too - damn bitch.

He lay down on his bed, drowsy from all the events that had unfolded throughout the day. Slowly, his consciousness drifted away and he closed his eyes. The day had finally ended.

***

January 24, 2023

Damon did everything he had done yesterday, basically his morning routine. After that, he walked towards school. He was looking forward to conversing with Leon, and finding out how an Academy actually taught their students. Would they be like any other boring high school, or would it be action packed with practice fights between students? Damon didn’t know, but he wanted to find out, so he quickened his pace in order to get to school a bit earlier..

As Damon got closer to the front gate, he could make out a figure leaning on a wall, with his backpack slung across his shoulder. Leon greeted Damon with a pat on the back and the two of them walked towards Classroom 127.

[Classroom 127]

When Damon and Leon entered, it was loud because everyone was talking to each other in excited voices. But the moment they entered, the noise level went down surprisingly quick. It was the same as blasting music at the max volume, but clicking the mute button all of a sudden. It went that quiet that fast. The whole class gave Damon piercing glares, probably still hung over on what Rachel had boldly declared yesterday.

I’ll just ignore them. If they treat me like that, they aren’t worth talking to anyways. This gives me more reason to beat that purple haired brat up when I get the chance.

“Just ignore them, they aren’t worth your time.” Leon said in an empathetic tone.

Leon had said the exact words he was thinking. Damon was a bit touched that Leon cared for him, even if it was just this once. He had finally experienced what having a real friend felt like, and he was satisfied with it.

They walked towards the benches while still receiving the glares from the other students. They sat at the farthest seats from the front, side by side. The view was to Damon’s liking even though it was a bit far away. At least, he didn’t have to look at his classmates’ hateful expressions of him.

At 7:30, the bell rang and Dan strolled in. He said in an pleasant voice,

“Good morning class! Hope you had a wonderful time touring the school yesterday!”

The class listened to Dan’s greeting with anticipation of what he was going to say next. In the briefing yesterday, he had explained something about a trip to an abandoned dragon’s cave. Everyone was eager to go, so they waited for Dan to explain the trip. Finally, after his lengthy greeting, he finally started talking about the awaited upon subject.

“So class, we will be going on a trip tomorrow~, to an abandoned dragon’s cave! Make sure to bring…”

Damon’s mind started thinking, drowning out Dan’s voice. He was excited for the trip, but he wasn’t sure if he should go or not. He had a ominous feeling that something would happen if he attended.

What if those people that Kalli told me about attack? What then?

Damon dreaded for the near future. What if he died? He’d be really mad if he died pointlessly, all because of making one wrong decision to attend an unimportant field trip.

What are the chances though? The attack will be within a month, not exactly tomorrow right? It's not like I have to atten-

His thoughts were cut short by his teacher who made an announcement that left Damon dismayed. He longer had any options left to choose from, he now only had one choice.

“Tomorrow's trip will be mandatory, please bring everything you need and make sure not to be late.”