Lyle went into the academic building and into his basic math class. The class packed full when Lyle stepped into the room. The chairs were built like stairs and the long benches and tables can seat ten students each. He tried to look for any of his friends and failed to find them so Lyle sat on the first empty seat he found in the middle of the room. There seemed to be more students than Lyle had ever seen in a classroom. There were fifteen steps and on each step there stood four long benches and tables.

This class must be open for the normal students as well. Lyle knew the school welcomed both cultivators and mortals but he didn’t realize the mortals would have varying ages. Lyle could see a balding man behind a boy with his voice yet to break. The majority of the students had beards or facial hair, but Lyle could still see people his age or near his age sitting and preparing for the class. So occupied thinking about the rumor Terry said to him, Lyle belatedly realized he needed ink, paper, and quill or brush to take notes in class. Before he could get out, The teacher arrived.

“Settle down class, we are about to begin.” The teacher talked as soon as he reached the podium in the front and center of the classroom. Behind him stood a wall made of black material.

“As the first day of class, we will not be discussing anything and just go over the lessons we still do this year. I see we have students who have not brought out their writing material. Next meeting, please bring them. We will be meeting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays every week…” The teacher continued talking about his class. Lyle tried to pay attention and he did so with a modicum of success but his mind still wandered over to Irnel and the rumor of the missing kids. Did Nel know about it? Why didn’t he tell Lyle if that was the case? These questions plagued Lyle all throughout the class.

The teacher dismissed them after the 4th-afternoon bell had rung. Lyle got up and walked towards his next class, Cultivator’s History on the same building. Lyle traversed the maze that was the academic building and entered the room for his Cultivator’s History. Lyle opened the door and waited for his vision to adjust to the sunlight. Lyle could see people of all ages seated around the lecture hall, ranging from 12-year-olds to old men and women in their late 40s.

Lyle found a seat quickly in the front of the room, on the first row in the middle, perfect for learning. As the 4th bell rang, an old woman with brown leathery skin and graying hair walked into the class and behind the podium. Words popped up on the board behind the brown-eyed woman. She looked at the class for a fraction of a bell, each person being watched like a hawk. When Lyle got his turn, he looked at the strict eyes and with all his will managed to look at her head-on.

Before anyone could react, chalk started flying in all directions hitting many people, Lyle excluded. “Everyone that was hit by chalk has two choices. Either take this class seriously or drop out. When at the beginning of the next week you still are not serious I will kick you out of my class. Is that understood?”

The old lady continued. “Let me make this clear: I run this class and anyone who complains will answer to me. Go ahead and try. I dare you to go tell your mommy or daddy what happened, see if the name Lisa Smith ring any bells. History is not an easy subject and especially Cultivator History. You will learn a lot from the lessons that I will teach but it will not be easy. So if any of you want to leave now would be the time.”

Lyle watched, at first, no one was moving nor making any noise, then the first student, Lyle recognized him as a fellow new freshman and then he was followed by other people, most of them his age but some of the older people left too. Lyle saw that all of the students who left had a white mark on their forehead. The class thinned, almost a quarter of the students left but not all of those who had a white mark left.

Lisa snorted. “Cowards, couldn’t even take a little criticism. Now I will assume that those that are left are ready for the class. We will meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the 4-5th bell. Bring writing materials and don’t be late. That is all, you are dismissed.”

Lyle, deciding to have an early dinner, went into the cafeteria in his light clothing, the late afternoon air meeting his skin and making him shiver. The bustle of the cafeteria hit Lyle as he walked towards the line for the food. When Lyle saw the blonde cook was serving food, he decided to talk to him before eating. He approached the counter and waved at the man.

The man looked at him and nodded. “I see that you have been eating well, yes? That is good as the training will only get harder for new students.”

“Yeah thanks, the food here is really good. Hey, have you heard about the rumors?”

The cook nodded, his face scrunched up. “Many rumors are spilled in the kitchen yes?”

Lyle made an o-face. He forgot that there was more than one thing happening at the same time and that since starting in the school, he had not been privy to the news outside. “Oh yeah. I mean the one where the homeless are going missing. Do you know anything about it?”

The cook looked at his right and left, then made a gesture with his hands for coming closer. Lyle leaned in. “I have not heard much but the news is sad, no? The homeless are still people and they’re being taken is not a good sign. What I do know is that people are not caring for that but they should. If someone is taking the homeless it is only a matter of time before the kids and other people are taken too.”

The cook has a point, Lyle conceded with a bow. “Yes but I’m more worried about what’s happening to the ones that are already gone, is there any news?”

“Hm. Nobodies have shown up, yes? Let’s just hope that this is a good sign.” The cook waved a hand as if to vanish the gloomy atmosphere. “Let’s talk about food, yes? What would you like?”

Lyle smiled, thinking about the food there. “Whatever you want to recommend sir!”

Lyle walked towards the library to borrow a few books. This was not said during the class but it never hurt to be prepared. He entered the room and his shoulders sagged as the room’s hot air chased the cold evening weather. Lyle stood there welcoming the change in temperature.

“Come in and close the door, you’re letting the hot air out!” Lyle was jolted out of his relaxed state and quickly followed the voice. Lyle looked towards the counter beside the entrance of the library to see an old man sternly watching him.

“Good, now do what you must in silence.” The librarian turned and walked away going into his seat and began reading the book that was previously on his chair. Lyle mumbled an apology and went on to find the books he wanted.

Luckily the sections of the library and the shelves were labeled, making Lyle’s job easier. He found the books quickly but not before meeting his roommate Nel at the Variant zoology section. Lyle waved at Nel and approached as did Irnel.

Lyle was the first to talk, making sure that his voice was low. “Hey, how were your classes?”

As Nel’s lips turned upwards, Lyle couldn’t help but resist staring at them. He quickly looked at his eyes. “The knives lesson’s teacher was so cool, he was all ‘Knives are deadly and must not be underestimated.’ and then he went on to demonstrate how to use knives! He was all shing shing and then he was like dancing a deadly dance, one move and you’re dead!”

Nel’s smile and enthusiasm spread towards Lyle. “I wish my day was as good as yours, we just had a short meeting before being dismissed.”

“Then you should have taken up knives, it’s so cool! Maybe you can still change classes.”

“Nah, I like math and history. By the way…”

Lyle and Nel talked silently all the way to the counter where they checked out the books. After going back to the shelves and picking up the right books, courtesy of the librarian, Lyle and Nel walked towards the sunset and into their room.

No one was there yet. Lyle decided that this was the best time to talk about Nel and the missing people. “Hey, I have to ask you something.”

Nel tilted her head to the side. “What is it?”

“Did you hear the news?”

“Dude, what news, there are like a gazillion things happening right now.”

“The one about homeless people.”

The conversation cut, Nel stopped reacting for a second, his smile freezing. Suddenly his hand clenched and his face contorted, his eyebrows furrowing and his eyes blazing. “Yeah, I heard.”

“Hey, Nel. Are you okay?”

“No darn it! I’m not! What would you do if your family was taken one by one? Those people, the people call the trash of society. Every single one of them was my family. Would you be okay if nobody cared if your family suddenly disappeared?”

“No, wait, I didn’t mean it that wa-”

“Of course you don’t. I’m just so angry. I tried to ask for help and all I got was a shrug and a sneer. It hurts when nobody cares about your loved ones.” Nel’s face was suddenly wet, tears running from his eyes. “Darn it. I wish I could do something and not be here. But this is my only clue and-”

Lyle suddenly knew what to do and hugged Nel, rocking him back and forth just like what he did with his brother when he was hurt or when he fell of spot last month. “Shh, shh. There there. It will be alright. The city will not let this go on. I’m sure they’re doing their best to find the culprits right now.”

Nel just held on to Lyle and tightened his fist. He buried his head in his chest and let out a shout, a cry of pure anguish. Lyle continued what he did, rocking them both. After a while, Nel fell asleep and Lyle led him to his bed. He lied down on his and thought, sleep becoming elusive to him. His slender friend was hurting and he doesn’t know what to do so he just thought of the things he might be able to do until sleep finally gave him a reprieve.

Lyle woke up to the sixth bell and began searching for Nel. Lyle saw the bed was made and empty. Lyle decided not to worry about him for now and just took a bath. He prepared his clothes and towel then went to the bath he shared with his roommates.

After dressing himself, Lyle went out to eat breakfast. He did his morning routine numb and unable to concentrate, even the food was less tasty than yesterday despite the food being the same.

With the eighth bell finally ringing, Lyle headed to the courtyard. There he saw Nel already stretching. He decided to approach him and saw that Nel’s movements became faster.

Lyle waved at him. “Um, hi! About what happened yesterday-”

Nel decided to cut in. “What happened? Nothing happened. Nope, nothing happened. I didn’t cry like a baby no siree.”

Lyle laughed at Nel’s response. “Really? The strong and witty Nel came up with that response?”

Nel’s face reddened, stopping his stretching and facing Lyle head-on. “What about it huh? Do you think I’m weak now? Huh!”

Lyle looked at his olive-skinned friend and considered teasing him. “No, I actually think you’re strong. I would never know what I would do if my brother went missing.”

“Yeah, of course, I’m strong. I lived in the streets darn it! Now! Let’s warm up maggot!” Nel tried to copy their coach but failed and both looked at each other before laughing, the awkwardness finally dispelled.