I would've preferred to end this fast, but I was careless.
These people had families, and I forgot to specify to Remy to invite those, I would've had to meet one by one.
Something was clearly wrong, and it turns out to be trusting my guardian and my mother to handle things. I ended up with over 600 people in my house and more money spent that I care to tell people.
I felt like cutting it off...
Shaking so many sweaty palms were just disgusting, and why the hell are they sweating so much?... and if you know you're a sweaty muppet, then offer a fist bump
Clever thinking like that would save their business, but alas, they're just sweaty muppets.
What was unexpected, I mean the whole thing was, but I did end up seeing a lot of potential future classmates.
All my fears become reality, I was willing to give the benefit of the doubt since they were closely watched and possibly forced by their parents to be polite.
Still, if they are all this stuffy and artificial, then my school life is going to be lonely.
Plus, it wasn't lost on me how all this looked. Rich nobility arrived and immediately throws a lavish party for the city's elite alone.
God, it sounded so obnoxious and cliche.
This couldn't have started out worse unless I managed to choke on the hors' d'oeuvres. God, how I hate pretentious stuff like that .. I mean, was there something wrong with the word appetizers?
I found myself on the balcony, overlooking the city, and my eyes were drawn to ASUNA up in heavens.
Its purple colour blended perfectly with the night's sky, except for the absence of stars it was almost invisible, but it was there, and one day, it would rip.
Monsters of unimaginable numbers will swarm these lands, these fine people inside enjoying themselves will turn into food, and the lands of my ancestors will be drowned in a never-ending nightmare
I was shook from my thoughts by a girl, they introduced her but nothing came to mind. I didn't even try. I just acknowledged her presence and turned my eyes back to the sky.
She walked up beside me and looked up herself.
We stood there, I don't even know how long .. I took a better look at her, red dress, she was almost my height, slender body with straight long black hair and glasses covering her eyes from my stolen gaze.
She looked lost in her own thoughts. I appreciated her silence and enjoyed the night air and her presence.
Soon, she turned to me and smiled, then left without saying a word, drawing my gaze to her swaying hips and those long legs.
I kind of wished, she'd tell her name before leaving.
——
The night ended, but I never saw the girl again.
I didn't sleep well. Those flashing images returned, and as usual, I awakened before could make out any of them.
Almost choked on the water at my table, her smiling face in the literal sense .. almost killed me. I can't believe my choking prophecy was almost self fulfilled.
I kept wishing she would at least tell me her name or some of those convenient name tags you see sometime in movies.
Donkey, you could've said something to her but decided to play stargazer for 20 minutes.
Thinking back, she looked like someone who wanted to be alone. She just didn't want to be rude and ask me to leave my own balcony.
Maybe if she said anything, it would just shatter our moment, and she'd become obnoxious to me like the rest.
Her white pupils told me I might see her tomorrow.
I'll be starting school in 6 hours, I need to try and catch some sleep, so I prayed and emptied my mind from both nightmares and cute girls, finally falling asleep.
——
I woke up refreshed and optimistic. Went and greeted the maids and got some pointers from Remy.
" You must prepare your self for a little culture shock, Japanese people though changed some in the last century, they are still traditional and keep ancient customs, they take very seriously Young Lord, ignoring them or refuse to adhere to them will cause friction. " he said.
I ate some cereal and tried to keep up.
" Remy, as much as I appreciate your advice .. I'll be fine. If I don't destroy anything today, I'll take it as a win. Just need to act polite and all .. you know, humbled and everything. Piece of cake. "
My uniform arrived before I even entered the house. The colours were white on blue and a reverse colour to mix it up, I guess. It looked ok and somewhat matched my hair.
" Need me to walk you, young Lord? " asked Remy, standing up.
" Yes, Remy, but only if I can hold your hands as we cross the street... No, I don't need you to take me. If you get bored, I heard this country is chuck full and filled with entertainment, so go find them. Similarly .. I don't need to be picked up either. I'll see you later. "
I made my way outside and double-checked if I weren't followed, then took my time getting there.
It was quite literally walking distance from my house, I saw kids in similar uniforms to mine ahead of me, leisurely walking and talking to one another.
I did think about it yesterday, but it hit me again now that these people probably knew each other their entire lifes.
Would I'll be more at ease in the capital? Probably, but I'm neck deep now, so it's pointless to ponder it.
On my way, there were a few who noticed me, I remembered some of their faces from last night, some slightly bowed their head in acknowledgment, the rest just looked a blend of nervous and excited.
No one walked up to me, and I spent the rest of it lost in my own thoughts, not paying attention to my surroundings.
Walking inside the school caused a freak phenomenon the people parted like the red sea as I walked in the hall.
I wanted to ask them where the headmaster's office, but not a single one, kept eye contact long enough to start a conversation.
Some, I saw notice the stillness and silence of others, take one look at me and turned straight around and went the other direction.
I expected this, but still, it felt like I'm sucking the fun out of high school for all these little shits and, by extension, myself.
I needed an adult who at least looked at me.
All these kids are just staring .. I wanted to quicken my pace but felt it would show weakness.
For just a second, I thought about how it would feel, to just erase this all.
What would it change? I'd still walk in solitude, and at least this growing irritation in my heart would be gone.
I finally noticed someone older, a red-haired lady looking in her 30s, with a kind smile greeting other children she knew.
I walked up when she got free, and the surrounding whispers were getting louder as more students flooded the hall from outside.
" Excuse me ma'am, I'm looking for the headmasters office... a Mr Isherwell. " I said, reading it off my phone.
" I see .. is there something I can help with? You see, the headmaster is busy being the first day of school. " she said, giving me a knowing smile. " My name is Honoka Miura, and I'm the guidance counsellor. Nice to meet you. "
Miss guidance counsellor offered her hand. She was so natural and bubbly.
I could totally see her as a GC.
Most of all, I felt relieved she's talking to me like a normal person.
I handed her the letter Remy gave me way back on the plane, it was sent by Mr Isherwell it also told me that, coming here? .. Was planned for me ages ago.
She looked confused by my actions, but that gentle smile never left her face.
" I been told to head straight to his office. On my arrival, my guardian called ahead this morning. " I said, offering some explanation.
I waited for her to finish the letter.
The reaction was dramatic, and it killed my slightly improved mood. Also, the kids started pulling up, looking like some followed me and now just waiting for what's next, like a freaking sitcom.
" Ohh I .. I'm terribly sorry for being so informal. Welcome to Kingsom Lifesc umm..high school, it's truly an honor, my Lord Avesta. "
She bowed, "Ugh God .. The constant buzzing of other students whispering just a few feet behind me was already giving me a headache.
" Please, Miss umm.. There's no need, I'm here as a student. Please treat me as such. "
What's the hell is her name again? I'll was never good with them.
I made sure the last part was loud enough for those behind me to hear.
" Yes, yes, of course, let me take you to the headmasters office, I'm sure he's waiting even as we speak. Shall we? " she asked frozen, bent over.
Stop bowing .. if she didn't understand my words just now, there's a good chance it meant nothing for the rest.
I just smiled and nodded to her to show the way.
Funny enough, the office was about half a minute walk. She could've just pointed her hand.
She walked straight past a woman, who looked like an assistant of sort. She was ready to stop her, but noticed me walking a little ways behind her, sat back down, recognised me from one look, apparently.
With a little knock, she stepped in and held the door for me, looked inexplicably happy to have done so.
" Professor Isherwell, may I introduce Lord Stivanstin Avesta, our new student. " she said, walking ahead of me.
Among 100s of others, but .. whatever. It's fine.
I shoot her a grateful little head bob anyway, then .. she bowed again.
Headmaster Max Isherwell, the Flame of Moira. He looked well for a man in his 60s, shoulder-length black hair, and clean shaven.
Remy told me about him in advance. He is a local evolved and a bit of a celebrity.
Having his own hot sauce brand and maybe other spice mixes? I can't remember, but I do remember thinking he leaned heavily on his fire element, I mean... hot sauce? Really?
Which was delicious. He must be making serious bread.
" My Lord, I been told by Mr Bennett just about an hour ago that you only start tomorrow, we were going to meet you at the entrance, there was talk of local TV crews..." he said with a slight disappointment.
Ohh shit...Thank you Remy.
" Oh yes, I changed my mind, sorry for the inconvenience it caused. It's my pleasure, Professor Isherwell, and please call me Stivanstin. Thank you for having me. "
" The pleasure is all mine. Welcome to Kingsom Academy for Evolved. If there's anything at all I could do for you or your family, please don't hesitate to see me straight away. My doors are always open for students. "
He sounded syrupy, and I did catch his hidden meanings as well, loud and clear. Your door will always be open for my family.
" I will headmaster, both me and my family appreciate it. "
Might as well use him if the need arrive.
I couldn't escape being shown around, they walked me about for more than an hour, I missed my first class, and on their break the students saw me walking with the headmaster and some reason the guidance counselor was still there.
I felt like, I'm showing them around, the two of them being half a step behind me at all times.
" Now let us continue to the sports facilities. Shall we? " asked Isherwell, pointing the way.
I'm done.
" If you don't mind, I will finish the tour later and join my class .. now. "
My words were polite, but I felt tired from these two. If they can't control themselves, how can they expect teenagers to do it?
" A-Absolutely .. ohh look at the time. Miss Miura, please take Lord Avesta to his class. It's 1-A. " he said, turning towards her.
" It will be my pleasure, my Lord? "
" Yes, thank you for your time. It was an honour to meet Moira's Flame in person. " I said with a smile .. that quickly died.
I have never seen a man in his 60s blush, and I'll do everything in my powers to never see such a sight ever again.
Miss Miura .. something .. took me to my class, fishing for a conversation, but I wasn't in the mood to entertain people with chit-chat.
"...and this is your class. As guidance counselor, we will see each other eventually, but as with all students, I'm always available. " she said.
" I appreciate it, and I will keep that in mind. "
" Now let me just tell your home room teacher about the reason for your absence, and I'll be on my way. "
Walking in behind her, I took my first look at the people, whom for better or worse .. I'll spend the next four 4 years with.