After a while of lying in my bed, I run out of possible things to mull over. I still feel really sad, and a little angry at my inability to remember things. I can only pull up fragments of what I want to remember, but I can't get the full picture. Deciding to drop it for now and keep myself up all night thinking I go to the single window and look outside.

Before my eyes is a wonderful view. A small road runs underneath my second-story balcony but beyond that is a small beach. The sand is only about twenty meters from the road to the ocean but still enough of a beach for me. There are sparsely planted palm trees lightly swaying in the breeze and stepping out onto the balcony, from my window which turns out is a glass patio door, I feel the same gentle and cool breeze. The slightly salty scent of the ocean and the call of seabirds. My dad took me to the beach before on vacations and I always enjoy it. Maybe not getting down into the sand and swimming but the feel and experience are all I need. Although this may be due to the fact I'm from a landlocked state, and enjoying the ocean in this sense may stem from that.

I keep the door open and step inside to check something. I grab the tablet and ask it,

"Events planned today."

The tablet thinks for a moment and then pulls up a schedule. Today all that's left planned is the welcome banquet, and after that, it's free time, and the next day classes start at nine sharp. Not bad all in all. Apparently, the alarm for eight is already set without my input. Quite handy if I do say so.

I set the tablet back down and step onto the balcony once again just going to enjoy myself until its the time for the banquet. I could really go for something to eat.

Outside on the beach, I notice a group of people enjoying the sand and water. I watch them for a moment happy at their enjoyment. I then turn around and go back inside to look at my luggage. This is because I noticed a second bag aside from my main duffle.

The second bag is gray like my uniform and is also a duffle. I open it to find two extra sets of uniforms. Some athletic clothes are clearly PT uniforms with the foundation name written across. A pair of gray running shoes, and some random day-to-day clothes. I leave this and check the dresser to find a hanging dress uniform in plastic wrap. Taking it out I see it looks similar to my standard uniform, but is multiple pieces and is made of a silk-like cloth. I guess this is my dress uniform for events like tonight. Below the uniform are dress shoes and a folded note.

I pick up the note and unfold it reading,

"Mike,

I forgot some other clothing articles were required for your stay so I had them shipped directly to your dorm. I hope all is good in the dorm. The money I promised you is on your student account which can be accessed on the smartphone-like device or larger tablet. I know you are not accustomed to modern culture and especially not noble culture. I recommend just keeping your head down and not making waves until you adjust. I know that's hard, but it's better than saying something accidentally offensive and being branded negatively. I hope you will do well and give us all the data we need.

Thank you

Kassandra and Milk cow Marshall"

I fold the paper back up with a small smile on my face happy they both seem to give at least a single damn about me. I close the dresser and sit on my bed listening to the waves and birds. I have a couple of hours before the banquet. I just need to figure out what to do.

My decision-making time is interrupted by a rapid knocking on my door. The door is wood so it makes the expected hollow sound that cuts through the gentle quiet. I stand up and walk to the door opening it.

Outside before me stands a dark-haired lady. She stands shorter than me and her uniform looks odd to me. The uniform is black and almost looks like what I would describe as a maid uniform mixed with army fatigues. It's an odd look but overall not that bad looking but odd. She also has round rimless glasses on her face making her almost seem stereotypically designed. After my first look over I lock eyes and see what I can best describe as pure disdain and almost disgust. Her face is in a scowl angry at some transgression I had no idea of. I ask confused and carefully,

"How can I help you miss?"

She scoffs and replies words filled with venom while speaking in a very proper tone,

"Yes, in fact you may. I would much like you to transfer out of this building. Evenmoreso because you are an earther."

I stand there kinda baffled by the very upfront request, and the clear insult. I simply respond in a calm tone speaking as if she were mentally incapable of understanding,

"I apologize but, I did not choose my room and have no idea where to go to transfer from this building, even still I have no intention of leaving as I enjoy my room. If you want me gone, tell me the reason why and if it is good enough, I might find the motivation to try."

Her face contorts in a scowl and was seemingly trying to kill me with her glare alone. She stares me down for a moment and about then I realise she is of the Solar Empire. Her uniform over her left chest has the imperial flag on it, that explains the insult, but why is she so pissy?

After that moment she then is finished thinking of a response and then says,

"I see you are going to be difficult... I am unable and unwilling to give my true intentions which I assume will result in you becoming more difficult. I am unable to force you as I do not have the current authority or means to challenge you to a duel for your compliance, and finally I cannot use faith to persuade you as you are an earther... I am left in a bind as I cannot leave until you are gone."

I exhale sharply as a laugh and reply,

" Well, I guess you're gonna be here a while. I have no reason to leave other than your rather impolite request. I don't know how housing works at this academy, but since I feel rather uncompliant I will not go find out either. Also since when was earther made a term?"

I am surprised to see she can still add more anger and disgust to her expression but she still somehow does. I don't care for confrontation and would probably be helpful if I could, but she was kinda rude, and I refuse to help someone out who has no authority over me, and was rude.

While the staredown continues, her scowling, me smiling pleasantly, I see her left hand shift and that's when I see her draw the knife. Well, that is unexpected. First day at academy and I already have my life threatened. Already in a confrontational mood, and not thinking the straightest, or smartest I say the classic cocky line,

"What you gonna do with that? Better make your first go count, you're not gonna like what happens if I survive."

My grin is now absolutely shit-eating as for some reason I currently feel invincible. Especially after her scowl drops for a moment and I see a look of complete bewilderment and shock, and almost... fear. Before I can say anything else inflammatory I instantly realize the situation and my smile lowers and I position myself more defensively. Then just as she recovers and I see her grip tighten a female voice comes from the left down the hall,

"Genevieve! Genevieve! Genevieve! There's a real beach! Look there's the ocean! Can we go and touch it? There's so much water!"

The lady, who is apparently known as Genevieve, looks down the hall not turning her body. Her face instantly lifts to a smile, one I recognize as one of pure idolatry. What a fan would give to their favorite celebrity. Genevieve says in a very calm and proper voice,

"My lady... There is an earth dweller here..."

I hear footsteps stop in the hall just before the person comes into sight. Their voice drops and they say in a neutral quiet tone,

"Oh. I see. What is the holdup?"

Genevieve replies in the same calm voice,

"I have been unable to convince this one to leave the dormitory and find lodging elsewhere while following procedure. I was just about to begin more... forceful techniques. If that is alright?"

There is silence for a pause and Genevieve cocks her head expectantly the look of adoration on her face. Finally, the unseen person says now in a familiar-sounding regal tone at a normal volume,

"Genevieve. I understand the importance of your task and I appreciate it, but we are guests on this planet and in this academy. We cannot afford an international crisis just because of some rooming issues. I shall speak to them. Maybe then a compromise can be reached?"

Genevieve bows her head and says courtly while shooting me daggers from the corner of her eyes,

"I humbly recommend against that decision, but your word is what I shall follow."

Genevieve steps to the far side of the hallway back to the far wall knife now hidden and stares directly at me. Giving me a, "You move wrong and I'll kill you " Kind of look.

The unseen person finally steps into my view and I am immediately shocked. It's the empress! I knew I was dealing with some noble but the big wig, the big cheese, the crown! I had no idea. I could tell these dorms were nice but nice enough to house the leader of an entire space empire? No way!

Seraphina comes into view no longer glowing like up on stage which makes sense they would divinate her further for a speech. Her hair is a wonderful gold and her uniform is the same gold and purple as before but far less shimmering, and now I can see she is wearing a small crown of some sort.

She looks at me with interesting colored eyes, with a deep blue on the outside with a vibrant green center. I don't know how eye color works but I've heard being born in space and developing there can lead to interesting mutations. Maybe this is one? Her gaze is not neutral, hateful, or even kind, it's demeaning. She looks at me as if I were an insect of some sort. No disgust, just a look of superiority. I already hate this conversation before it even starts.

She speaks to me in a raised regal voice, clearly making an order or demand rather than a request,

"I am the reason why you must leave the dorm. It is for the protection and sanctity of me the divine empress. You being a non-noble, a man, a non-believer, and being from the earth, makes you a liability and an unknown factor. My personal security and maid Genevieve here has the task of keeping me safe at all costs, a most noble burden, and from that, she has decided any non-noble and noble who hasn't been screened properly are not allowed to be in the dorm. On top of this, you are also next door to me. This has many possibilities of danger and spying for state secrets. I demand that you relocate and if done in a timely manner you may be reimbursed. "

She ends her little tirade with that and I reply tired of weird space feudals already,

"I am a company pawn. They don't want anything they cant already buy. I am not a pervert and I especially don't want anyone dead. I decline your 'demand' as I have no reason to move. I can promise I won't even look in the direction of your room. "

At this point, it's a matter of pride and I resolve myself not to budge an inch. The empress stares at me for a second contemplating what to do. Her expression does not change, I guess I'm not even worth the emotion. She eventually comes to a decision and lets out a sigh and says,

"I see you will not listen to reason and I guess that is okay as I must take unreasonable action. At the moment I am unable to do anything. Enjoy your victory for now as it will not last."

With that, she walks away and Genevieve without looking my way follows her. I hear them enter the room next to me and I close my door. I check the time and see I am about an hour out from the banquet. I decide to freshen up and get dressed. I go to the bathroom in my dorm and look at myself in the mirror. I guess I look pretty trashy at the moment. I have hairs sporadically growing from my chin and my sideburns are extending pretty far down. I go grab my toiletries and pull out my razor. It's a cheap disposable one and I tidy up my facial hair. I also brush my short hair and wash my face. I then go and put on the dress uniform. It fits nicely and surprisingly isn't too warm to wear. All I can ask for from nice clothes.

After spending some time adjusting everything to the way I like my 'phone' device starts making an alarm. It's fifteen minutes away from the banquet and it tells me to follow a path it has made. I grab the phone and head out. After walking for a few minutes I reach the first hall again and follow the instructions of the device to another massive room. This one has long tables with rows of chairs. I see each chair has a placemat with names on them. Everything is in a weird order. No rhyme or reason but eventually I find my seat. I look around and see others are already seated so I slide into my chair and look down at the silverware drawer worth of utensils in front of me either side of a large plate which if I remember right is to hold your main plate as not to set food dishes on the nice tablecloth. I see all tables have a different color cloth. Mine is a purple color with very little decoration.

Eventually, people begin to trickle in as I continue to inspect my utensils trying to make sense of them. As far as I know, three prongs for salad, four for dinner, a dull knife for spreads, and a sharp knife for meat. That's about as far as I go. I have no idea what the smaller fork is for, and the tiny fork either. This is bullshit. I'll peek over at my neighbors when the time comes.

Eventually, people fill in fully and a lady stands to my left. She is dressed up in an elegant silver color dress. I know this etiquette, I stand up and pull the chair out for her and she sits wordlessly but gives me a lovely small smile. To my right appears to my horror, Genevieve, who is in a simple black dress with a white sash around the middle. I should've checked the placemats beside me. Regardless I pull the chair out for her and she sits looking at me disgustedly but without a word. I go back to my seat and sit straight. All I hope is, that I get supper, and don't make a fool of myself. Any other positive is just extra. I look at all the rest of the table and see that it is organized alternatingly with no same-gender sitting next to one another.

I look far to my right and see Seraphina sitting at the head in that direction in a golden dress, and on the left is a tall man with red hair staring right at her with a smug expression. I don't know what his deal is, nor why I am at the same table as an empress and her guard. As I begin to overthink this a voice to my left catches me off-guard,

"So you represent the Hussain foundation? What is it like being the only representative of your affiliation?"

I look to my left and the lady in silver is looking at me with the same pleasant smile. I return the smile and respond,

"Well, it is interesting. I guess it means I gotta make friends and acquaintances on my own. I don't get the free ones that come with being part of a group."

She laughs lightly and replies,

"That is an interesting take. I thought you'd say something cockier. What you said is better though, I like the optimism."

I nod and then ask,

"I don't fully know what's going on with the organization of this table. I get the alternating gender, but what's with the contents? An empress and a corporate representative at the same table? That's just odd. "

She does the same light laugh and replies,

"They really sent you without any information. I'm impressed they trust you that much. Well to the best of my knowledge this table is referred to as the 'royal' table for obvious reasons, and also because if you get a seat here it means you are coming in with an Impressive record. Only those who could be considered the best are seated here. This group here is also our homeroom and training group. Does that answer your question?"

I nod and thank her and mull over this information. I mean I am pretty good, but I'm sure to be outclassed by the new tech of this age. I guess Kassandra really does have high hopes for me. Now I really gotta keep my head down, not to do bad, and not to do extremely good. I quickly push this thought to a later time and ask the lady,

"So I think I'm the only one with my affiliation plastered on my dress clothes, so I must ask, where do you come from?"

She smiles again and replies,

"I am an Imperial citizen like many here but I am the daughter of the grand priest of the imperial faith. I am nowhere near as zealous as my father but I do find myself at top of my classes to bring glory to the empress."

I nod along internally groaning. I'm already tired of this divine BS, but thinking back I do remember the old high priest of the faith back nineteen years ago. She does look a lot like the guy. Platinum-colored hair and Emerald eyes. I can easily believe this gal is his daughter. I do wonder what her mother looks like though because the dude was old nineteen years ago. He must be ancient by now. Also, her mother must be a nice-looking lady too as the silver dress really flatters the form of this girl.

She is about to continue the conversation with something else when the lights dim and the academy president stands up at the head table with a bright spotlight illuminating her. She looks happier now and the near-empty wine bottle at her place gives the reason why. She then gives this short speech,

"Welcome new students! I hope you all are getting along at your tables. These men and women around you will be your class for the entirety of your stay here at the academy so long as you remain at the standards for the class. While you won't share exact courses with everyone, your training, and other related classes and courses will be with this group. That's all I have planned for this part...

Well anyways, any relationship is built best over dinner so please enjoy yourselves and have fun!"

She sits down and finishes her wine and the lights come back on to full. From an unseen place, waiters come around to every table and place a small plate at the top right of everyone's place with a single dinner roll. It also has a small butter pat next to it. They then bring around glasses of water for everyone and also fill a fairly large glass with deep red wine. I sit still as this happens as the other students continue talking and some bow their heads to pray. All I can think of is,

"I don't drink..."

I don't touch anything rally except the glass of water as I haven't drunk anything in a while and have steadily grown thirsty. The water disappears down my gullet quickly and nearly as soon as I set it down a waiter has already refilled it. I thank him with a nod and smile and he seems to appreciate it. As I go for my water once more the silver lady next to me speaks up,

"Wow, that is wonderful to see. You are so kind to the help around here. Even our most faithful don't do that."

I smile a bit confused. Isn't it just normal to thank someone who has done something for you. I guess my confusion is visible on my face as suddenly I hear Genevieve next to me speak disdainfully,

"It's not proper to speak in any form to the servants. Unless you are giving an order or making a request you are not supposed to talk to them. I know it's probably hard for some non-noble to understand, but in this situation, they are below you. Therefore you don't speak to them."

I nod understanding but not agreeing. I then reply,

"I get what you're saying. Thank you for explaining that, but I guess I will continue being improper as I honestly refuse to see someone as truly 'below me'. Plus when I'm thankful, I'll thank the person who helped me."

She just ignores me eating her bread in small chunks. The silver lady lets out a small laugh and I look back over to see her smiling and shaking her head. She then says amused,

"That lady Genevieve, always overly proper and prude. Don't feel bad or out of place for doing that. I think it's super kind that you do it. Solar noble culture is... well very elitist. I kinda have to agree with your reasoning. I think it's also sweet you don't believe yourself superior just because you are dining while they are serving. "

I nod showing my gratefulness towards some form of understanding and then I realize something. I ask,

" If it's not also something taboo, I seem to have missed your name and you mine. My name is Mike."

She seems taken aback and replies quickly,

" Oh my, seems I forgot to do proper introductions before speaking. My humblest apologies. My name is Eloise. Nice to meet you, Mike."

I nod with a smile.

The man on her other side begins a conversation with her and she turns to him and speaks and I find myself isolated while surrounded by people.

I decide something kinda stupid. I turn to my right and decide to try my hand at conversation. I begin with,

"Pardon me, but I'd like to say something to you. I would like to apologize for my earlier antagonism. I know you were only trying to do your job and I am making it difficult. I am not conceding my room, but I fully understand that I may have antagonized you further than what was needed."

Genevieve looks up at me like I have a screw loose and is almost offended that I would attempt conversation, but she seems to accept the conversation and replies sighing,

"As much as it pains me I do also understand your point of view on the situation. This is also made worse that you have no political ties or religious ties to the empire that would help persuade you either. I will admit that I myself should not have resorted to possible violence, as my lady said was completely improper. I will also share this information. As difficult as you are, and as much as I do dislike you for many reasons, you were nowhere near the worst one."

I nod taking this whole conversation as both parties apologizing for antagonizing the other, even if the problem isn't solved, but now I am curious. I ask,

"If I may, who was the worst? You cant say someone you were about to stab wasn't the worst and just not explain it."

Genevieve straightens her back for a second and looks to her right, then leand a bit over the table and looks both directions quickly before leaning back. She looks at the man at the opposite end of the table from the empress. I thought I had seen the peak of her nasty looks, but I guess this guy is special. She shakes her head and her expression drops to neutral before she explains in a far less formal voice than usual.

"You see that son of a bitch redhead at the far head of the table. His ability to be difficult and make me mad, makes you seem not only compliant but also helpful, and worst of all, his position of nobility is prettymuch one or two places below our beloved empress... He is the son of the prime minister."

I nod listening, honestly interested to hear more,

"We asked him and he by definition should listen to the empress and anything she says as her word is divine! What he did was at first try to throw his weight around and when the empress arrived he actually started trying to get inappropriate favors from either her or I. On top of that he began spewing nonsense about himself being her future husband and other things! It was by far the most disrespectful thing I've ever witnessed. I was steaming mad, and I will say our interaction would have been better if we had asked you before we tried to ask him to leave."

Genevieves expression at the end drops and she looks a little embarrassed and then snaps up to me, a far more neutral expression on her face,

"I honestly don't wish to explain the intricacies of nobility in the empire regardless if you can even comprehend, and also don't take me explaining you as not the worst as I find what you did okay or proper. What you did could in certain situations in the Solar Empire be considered close to treason or heresy, so it's not okay... I just think it is truly important, since you did apologize somewhat for future actions, to explain why I, which I do admit, was very antagonistic towards you. I would remain angry at your refusal to cooperate, but the empress wishes to deal with the situation herself, so I wont see you as en enemy, just a nusance."

I nod and reply,

"I guess that's the best I'm gonna get so I think I'll accept that situation."

I let out a small laugh and Genevieve begins to ignore me once more as the waiters bring a thick yellow soup of somekind. Looking over at her with her face content and neutral I realise, when she isn't trying to kill me with her stare she is pretty attractive, and it's clear she had needed to vent that story to someone. I guess me being a less than nothing nuisance means it meant nothing against her nobility to vent to me. Must be hard to be a noble lady.

I eat my soup mimicking my neighbors and still end up getting a few sideways glances when I mop up the last of the soup with my untouched roll. I guess that isn't proper. From there the banquet is nothing but sitting quietly trying to copy the noble eating habits. By dessert I am beat and when I finish and see others leaving I stand up and return to my room following the map on my device. As soon as I enter my room I take off the fancy uniform and fall backwards onto my bed and sleep off the borderline psychological torture I just endured...

As I sleep I cant help thinking about how I watched the nobles worked. It seems they all were trying to convince one another and even themselves that they are above petty things like being bothered by things, and being lesser than someone in any front. I might just be a stupid common boy, but even I in my infinite stupidity, can tell when people like that, are nearly always about to collapse in on themselves from self inflicted and social pressures. Even without as much money as them, I don't envy their positions.

"That son of a bitch redhead at the end of the table.