Aria: “Let me go first! I-”

Noel: “I'll start. My name is Noel Tyler. My age is 12 and I have been home-schooled my entire life. Having come from far away, I've begun enjoying myself here, in Herotopia. Thanks for accepting me and also, it is very nice to meet all of you!”

While Aria pouted in a corner due to getting cut off and losing the chance to introduce herself, Noel was receiving some pretty ruthless stares.

Next came the questioning.

Oliviera: “Why you got two first names?”

Noel: “...Tyler is not my first Name.”

Oliviera: “Hmmm....You said 'Noel', but, isn't that a girls name?”

Noel: “Pa-Pardon?”

Oliviera: “...Yeah.... Yeah! Noel! That's for girls, and the boy version is pronounced like 'N-ohl' or something-”

Ian: “You're thinking of 'Noelle' the female equivalent. Originally, Noël was, is, and always has been, the male counterpart for 'Noelle'. It has recently, in modern times, been used as a unisex name. Also, there IS a variation of Noel that's pronounced as 'N-ohl' like you mentioned, but that was originally brought about by a mispronunciation... like, a MASSIVE one by English speakers in places like Australia, England and the states.

Due to the huge number of people mispronouncing it, Noel pronounced as 'Nole' became an actual name in its own right and further, English speaking people unanimously began agreeing that the 'Nole' pronunciation was the real version for a male Noel to be called – but that's just ignorance, arrogance, or a mix of both. Either the original Noel, The variation that spells it with the 'ë' in it(although the only difference this one has is that it stands out when writing), or the one pronounced as 'Nole': they're all good names in their own rights.”

Oliviera: “...”

Noel: “Thanks... I... didn't know any of that. My mother's name was 'Noelle' so... I think she named me after her. Honestly though... I don't care if I'm called Noël or Nole... spell it either way, with an accent over the 'e' or not, if you wish to. The way I see it, they're all referring to the same name, MY name: Noel.”

Ian: “Heheh, I'm French, so...I've already learned about certain pronunciation differences. The English pronunciation and French pronunciation for Noel confused people so I believe they 'migrated' the accented 'e' in English to differentiate the two, but it's just stupid. When you pronounce Noel by dragging the 'L' before the 'e' in sound, then you should just spell it the way it sounds, as Nole, Knoll or as Knole, instead of demanding it to be the correct spelling for guy Noels.

If you pronounce Noel as No-El, by dragging out the E first, then spell it that way! Spell it as Noel, then, or for girls, they have the second actually feminine option, 'Noelle' like you're, uh... mom. If you pronounce it with an invisible 'W' like Noh-Wel(think of towel) or 'Noh-well' like you're saying no to a well, then just spell it as Nowel or Nowell. If you just wanna say: 'Fuck the rules, I'll pronounce it however I want and still spell it Noel', then do that too! There's no need to bully others over a name.”

Aria: “The spelling 'Noël' is French, but Spanish speaking countries say No-el a lot also, not really the 'Nole' version. The normal 'Noel' pronounced as 'No-el' is really popular in places where Santa Clause was introduced as 'Papa Noel' I heard.”

Noel: “Well, thanks for all of that... information! Haha.”

Oliviera: “...You talk too plubbing much you stupid nerd!”

Ian: “...”

Mr. Abrams: “Oliviera. Stop. That's NOT how you speak to someone, just for correcting you. Ian, drop the subject already. It's a slightly controversial topic that doesn't need an answer. Especially when the name-bearer says himself to pronounce his name however you feel comfortable, either No-el or Nole.”

…

Aly: “...So you're 12, huh?”

Noel: “Yeah.”

Aly: “Didn't you ever think it would get dangerous for you here? There could be a villain attack, or bullying by villains disguised as heroes. Or even bullying by others who wanna be heroes but are just plain selfish, prideful and weird...”

…

For a second, Noel felt like laughing.

Him? Bullied? Maybe if they wanted to end up as cripples.

.

.

Then, he recalled his status and role in this school. In order to not stand out, he had Boman not only hide his slip from Aeron before delivering it to Father, but pretend to act as a true fatherly figure by forging his Father's signature on various documents. That way, it looks like Boman is a caretaker who came from out of the country after picking the homeless boy up during his travels and adopting him.

Of course, Noel didn't like the idea of Boman hanging around school to pick him up either, so he had Boman explain in a letter to the school that he can no longer take care of Noel, so he would be sending the school fees payment up front for the next 5 years and hope that the child can remain safe in Herotopia. He further gave an excuse along the lines of 'since I can no longer care for him and don't wish for Noel to see me pass away.'

Basically, Noel had Boman look like a kind and gentle Foster parent that secretly abandoned him inside of the school dorms after paying for the full 5 years' worth of tuition, due to his failing health. He then requested Boman to 'ask' the school to let him know 'when the time is right' that Boman had 'passed away', thereby cementing his scheme of losing his connection to Boman while the school is too busy trying to assign him a temporary caretaker thereafter to nitpick at his lie.

All so that absolutely zero traces could be made back to his obviously strange and highly dysfunctional family.

{While it isn't foolproof, at least there shouldn't be anybody capable of linking me to Aeron here. Even if they see my fighting skills: aside from that teacher who somehow caught me and Aeron talking: no one else should think of there being a link! Even for Ophelia, she hasn't seen me fight before, only release a little killing intent toward her attackers.

Phew, I've gotta be more careful!}

Shifting his gears a bit, the young twelve year old immediately put on the best puppy dog eyes he could, only adding to them a hint of childish curiosity. Yes, the same ones that even the cynical and Steel - hearted Seiran praised as being difficult to endure for the common adult.

Noel: “Am I supposed to put my guard up around a bunch of heroes?”

Boom.

For a moment, Alyandrea and Oliviera felt like big sisters, a desire, no an instinctual impulse to protect the youngest cub of this soon to be targeted pack.

Oliviera: “You... You moron! Coming into this school unprepared... with... with that weak mindset!! They'll... they'll...! Those ferocious kids will EAT YOU ALIVE!”

Alyandrea: “I agree. Be careful, this school isn't as “kind” as you would think, being a learning institution for heroes. Even when they save you: it's generally to make themselves look good. NOT because they have your best interest at heart. Remember, although they're future heroes... they're also human beings who desperately crave for that recognition by real life, genuine superheroes.”

Wayne: “Haha... he's 12.. I barely got in and he, a 12 year old managed to make it...Err...I – I mean, welcome Noel! It's so nice of you to grace us with your genius. Despite being only a short 12 year old, I do hope you'll fit right in, and that we'll get along with each other.”

Noel: “....Thanks, I think.”

Elijah: “Welcome, Noel. Don't let the girls spook you. A majority of students wouldn't bother wasting their time on someone as young and powerless as we all are. At most, a few from the realist faction will harass you a bit to try and scare you, or better yet all of us, into dropping out.”

Aria: “But why?”

Elijah: “Because We-”

Ian: “That's because, Aria, the school's major faction, the realists, see us as a potential hazardous threat to their learning. Having to worry about saving civilian lives all of the time, 24/7 takes certain teachers' attention away from those that may become heroes in the future. Not only that, but some kids want to test our mettle: to see if we really would like to attend their school as helpless Demoiselles and Damoiseaux, thereby putting our very own lives at risk for their training.”

Oliviera: “Don't you worry about a thing Noel! Like a mother lion protecting its cubs, I will protect you!”

Alyandrea: “...”

Oliviera: “Oh, and you, mega shortie. What the plub is a... a... a damwasuth or whatever you said?”

Ian: “...Mmm, I'm not telling you now... and I AM NOT A MEGA SHORTIE!"

Oliviera: “You kinda are. I meant no offense, by the way. Just facts...”

Ian: “Well, I don't know what the frick a 'DAMWASUTH-BLEH” is, but Damoiseaux is plural for Damoiseau, which is the male equivalent for the term Demoiselle, which is where the word 'damsel' in the term 'damsel in distress' often used a whole lot to describe a victim in danger, originates from.”

Rise: “...I don't like that look in your eyes. It seems fake.”

Ian: "Who's eyes?"

Oliviera: "It can't be mine. That's an impossible conclusion."

Mr. Abrams: “Okay next per-”

Noel: “Before anybody points it out my height is perfectly average for my age!”

Brennan: “...”

Mr. Abrams: “-son. Ahem. Next person for class introductions, please make it a quick one.”

Aria: “Okay, this time it's me for real.

…

.

.

.

….My – my name is... Aria. I'm 13 and a half.”

Elijah: “Welcome Aria. It's a pleasure to begin getting to know you as this new semester places us all inside the same learning environment, non-combatant class 3 – C. My name is Elijah Abiko, But feel free to just call me Elijah. Let's all get along-”

Oliviera: “Okay Eli! Heehee~”

Rise: “'Eli', huh...?”

Alyandrea: “Welcome Aria. I didn't get to say it sooner before somebody rushed their introduction..”

Elijah: ”....I guess Eli works too, but nobody ever calls me that. And I'm sorry, Alyandrea, for rushing my introduction. To be honest, this whole thing makes me nervous. Too many people out there know me.”

---