Sat’xahr, 4044 AOT

Alapaap Building, Class 1-D Classroom

It is the second day of classes. The day of introduction and getting first impressions from their classmates is over. Many of the freshmen students have already settled and formed their own cliques. Before class starts and in between breaks, the sight of students crowding in places with their new found friends is becoming the norm. A group of popular flashy students are cheerfully interacting by the entrance of the room. The group of sporty boys are throwing jokes at each other at the back seats. By the open window, the nerdy students are exchanging collectible cards. The powder girls are exchanging make-up tips and favorite brands in one corner. A few seats away, the academic achievers are exchanging notes and discussing amongst each other.

Some of these groups stays with each other throughout the year or until graduation. Some may break up after experiencing some conflicts and drama. Some students may find a new clique they get along with better. Some may join a different group of friends once they realize they have more in common. Some groups may merge due to a common interest.

The atmosphere it gives off looks like a normal classroom, however this is a school for reveils. Knowing that they all have power to control their mana, makes them lower their guard from each other. After all, such reason will not ostracize them from the rest of the class. Most of these teens have lived among the ubliss, in an environment where most will openly distance themselves from them. More so if their ability carries a certain level of danger and destructiveness in them. This has made some of them self-conscious when approaching new acquaintances.

For those who are still adjusting, fitting themselves to an already established group could be a little awkward. Some of these students may just drift around the class for as long as they can. They do not particularly fit in any group but they are not rejected by anyone either. They just get along with everyone, and the others does not find a reason to them push away. You can see these kinds in different groups every now and then.

Such is the situation of Eukari Gutermuth. She currently does not have a particular group to hang out with. She gets along with the group of powder girls and flashy students but she feels that she does not fully fit in with either of them.

“Hey,” Eukari called to hear seatmate while pointing at a clique of students. “Do you remember who that is?”

Her seatmate turns towards the group. There are three guys and a girl. Her eyes are naturally drawn to the guy sitting on the side of the table taking the center of the group. He is talking to his friends while wearing a kind smile. He has platinum blonde hair and sky blue eyes. He seems tall though not over six feet. He looks fit though she cannot really tell how muscular he might be with their uniform on.

“Oh, that guy.” Her tone changed with excitement. “His name is Ezekiel Fedorov. I heard that he is the third generation heir of Melody, that brand is known to make the finest and highest qualities of musical instruments. Many artists who want to pursue a musical career would want to get their hands on a custom made instrument made by that company. They built a great reputation and they are also sponsoring rising stars. I heard that he is a musical genius and he is the only child so his future is set. Also, his favorite instrument is the guitar.”

“No, no, no.” Eukari shakes her head.

“Right, isn’t he too good to be true? Because of all those qualities, he’s very popular. Also look at that killer smile, doesn’t he make your heart beat faster every time? I’ve seen a number of girls trying to get close to him every now and then but his princely aura only left them stunned.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not asking about him.” Eukari then points at the girl sitting close to him. “I want to know more about her.”

“Oh, don’t worry. It seems that they are just friends.”

“I see, I see. That’s good to hear.”

“Her name is Robin Yilgrim.” The seatmate adds. “Look at her appearance, she looks like a gangster.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Eukari’s brows furrow.

“Have you seen her left arm? It’s covered with tattoos.”

“I mean, doesn’t those tattoos make her super cool? The way they are covered and peeks out of the sleeves and collar of her uniform. It’s so badass. And that Mohawk, very stylish.”

“Eh-??”

“So her name is Robin Yilgrim.” Eukari looks at the subject of their conversion with dreamy eyes.

“You’re actually aiming for her?..”

∞×∞

Sat’xahr, 4044 AOT (next day)

Alapaap Building, Class 1-D Classroom

Eukari musters some courage to approach Ezekiel’s clique. After failing to approach them before and after the first period, she decides to take the opportunity during their recess break. She takes a couple of deep breaths before walking towards their direction. She casually takes the seat close to Robin.

“H-hello,” she greets with a stiff smile. She can feel her heart throbbing strongly in her chest. She then extends her hand. “My name is Eukari Gutermuth.”

“Um. Robin Yilgrim.” She responds while shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Eukari almost cannot hide her smile and excitement as she quickly pulls her hand back.

“Wow! You made a new friend, Robin?!” One of her friends suddenly joined in. He has ruby red hair and aqua blue eyes. “Hi, I’m Cedric Finlay.”

“Y-yes, I’m Eukari.”

He then gestured to his other friends. “This nice guy here is Ezekiel. This dull guy here is Naito.” He said while tapping the shoulder of the black haired guy with glasses.

Naito simply nodded. He does not seem to be much of a talker.

“Hello,” Ezekiel smiles. “This guy here is Tristan, he is also my roommate.”

“H-huh? Ah, yeah.” Tristan is flustered, not knowing what to say.

Eukari smiles shyly. She did not expect to suddenly be introduced to so many classmates. She feels like she is wearing a creepy smirk on her face even though that is not how it actually looks.

“It’s an honor to make your acquaintance.” She does not mean to say that but that’s what came out of her mouth regardless. “I-I mean, hehe… I have to go, the break is almost over.”

She then walks away with quick strides until she reaches outside of the classroom. She swiftly hides herself behind the wall by the door. The moment she knows that she is out of Robin’s sight, she once again takes a deep breath as if she has not been breathing this whole time. After calming herself down, she can no longer hide her smile beaming with joy. She giggles to herself like an excited child who just received a long awaited gift. Her eyes are sparkling and her cheeks flushing bright red.

“I will treasure this moment.” She says softly while clasping her hands.

“What a weird girl.” A voice suddenly echoed in her head. One that is very familiar, something that she just heard recently.

She is baffled for a moment as she realizes what she had done. Her eyes widens, she grabs her head with both of her hands while crouching down. Her face turns red with embarrassment. She is a telepath. The condition to activate her power is skin-to-skin contact with the person she wants to communicate with. She can still control what thoughts to send, but she cannot control the thoughts that are sent to her.

She screams in her head. “How could I forget the condition for my own power??? I am idiot!!!”

“Are you okay?” Suddenly Robin appears at the door and notices her crouching at the side.

“Eh-? A-ah- Y-yah! I’m fine. Hehehe…” She stands up then backs away. “I want to bury myself alive right now.”

“Is she sick?” Robin asks herself.

“I’m not sick or anything!” She quickly responds as he heart is pounding furiously. She then realizes that she just answered Robin’s thought. “Craaap-!!” She internally panics once again. “She’s going to notice that I can read minds. She’s going to think I did it on purpose. I’m sure she’s going to get mad. I dug my own grave!!!”

“You’re not sick? I see. That’s good to know.” She smiles.

“She’s not mad or anything?” Eukari is dazzled by that bright and kind smile.

She then stared at Robin’s back as she walks away. She clasps her chest while wearing a dreamy expression.

“Eukari, what are you doing here?” One of her friends passes by carrying some snacks.

“I think I might be having a heart attack.”

“Huh?? W-what?” She peeks at her expression. “I don’t really know what happened girl, but I advise you go see some sort of doctor.”