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Today was the day...
The students of the Gale Phantom Preparatory School woke up early and stiffly prepared for the day ahead. Despite what they might say, it was obvious that they were a little too eager and nervous for what's about to come, and it shows in their actions too.
Some students wore their uniforms the wrong way, some were so deep into their daydreaming that they were making all sorts of mistakes, and some were still yawning because they hadn't slept a wink due to their excitement.
No matter what, though, all of them were looking forward to it, and thus they can't afford to miss this day.
The only one who felt relatively normal about all of this was probably TJ, who routinely did everything as if today wasn't a special day at all. He woke up from an eight-hour-long sleep, refreshed and light thanks to the temporary cure of the Medical Saint.
He did his morning routine and walked towards the school, arriving there around the same time frame he usually arrives.
As soon as he entered the classroom, he went straight to his seat and decided to kill time by browsing some stuff online. All while occasionally listening to the droning conversations around him.
"Hey, man." He heard a faint voice next to him.
He looked over and saw Sieg, the large and bulky guy, looking a little spent and exhausted. He noticed his droopy eyes and said,
"Didn't get any sleep, huh?"
"I can't help it; I'm too excited."
"Understandable," TJ replied softly while handing him a bottle of energy drink, which the big guy accepted right away. "But don't forget Ms. Vina's words. Regulate your expectations to prevent too much disappointment."
"Aww, man! Come on, don't tell me that now. You're making me anxious." Sieg shivered slightly. "I wish I could be as calm as you."
'Be careful of what you wish for.' TJ really wanted to tell him this, but he kept silent in the end. No need to make things awkward first thing in the morning.
TJ tried to distract the nervous giant by deliberately asking him about things he's interested in. Sieg caught this attempt, not because he was perceptive but because TJ was too awkward. However, he didn't point it out; he appreciates the effort and decided to play along anyway.
And to his surprise, it actually worked. He eventually forgot about the upcoming ceremony altogether, thoroughly distracted in their discussion when he did most of the talking.
He was so absorbed into it that he missed Ms. Vina's entrance. It wasn't until she spoke to the class that he realized that it's starting.
"Good morning, Brats."
"Good morning, Ms. Vina," the class responded, completely used to the way she greeted them.
Ms. Vina didn't speak right away. Instead, she swept a glance to her students. Seeing their state, a tired sigh escaped from her lips.
"Some of you look like shit...you guys good, or what? Do you need me to send you to the clinic? Don't worry, it's fine; you can always postpone your awakening some other day."
A series of denials erupted from the class immediately. Most of the students wouldn't even go anywhere other than the venue for the awakening to prove their point.
It's clear that all of them are determined to see this day through no matter what. They have waited long enough for this day to come; they wouldn't miss it even if a calamity were to happen right now.
"Alright, okay! I get it! Calm down, you lot!" Ms. Vina exclaimed.
She waited until peace returned to the class once more before she continued:
"So, today's your Professional Awakening Ceremony," she stated. "Clearly, you're all excited and can barely wait for your turn. I understand that; I was once in the same position as you."
"However, as your class advisor, it is my responsibility to remind you for the final time: regulate your expectations. The awakening is random. What you get is what you get, no second chances."
"Some of you will be lucky. Others won't be. No matter what, though, let me remind you that what you'd get right now is 'JUST' and an archetype."
"It is not your final and unchangeable profession. It hardly is, actually. This awakening will only determine which professional category you have the most affinity with, whether that be the Combat Archetype, the Lifestyle Archetype, or both."
"This is just your starting line. Don't despair if you didn't have an affinity for your preferred profession archetype; with hard work, you'd eventually get there anyway."
"Is all of that clear to you?" Ms. Vina looked sharply at her students.
"Yes, Ms. Vina," the class chorused.
"Any questions? Violent reactions? Arguments?"
"None."
"Alright, fine. I'll take your word on it. I swear, if one of you causes a scene later, I will grab you by whicheverbody part I touch—hand, hair, or crotch, it doesn't matter—and I'll drag you all the way back here to give you a solid beating. That is not a threat; it's a promise."
The class collective shivered from her words. They all knew she was being serious because they'd seen it happen before. And nobody really wants to be her next victim.
"Okay, enough of this. Get up and go to the gymnasium. Find your area, populate it, and behave, goddamn it! Wait for your turn. I'll be watching you from a distance, so don't you even try..."
The students were already moving before she finished her threats. Only this lady can make them behave like this, and that's also the reason why she became in charge of this class.
Alas, the students are so excited about their future that they missed the fact that they don't have much time left with her.
As the rest of the students poured out of the room, one trailed behind the rest. It was none other than TJ who deliberately slowed down.
"Hm? What is it?" Ms. Vina noticed him.
"Thank you for everything, Ms. Vina. I'll do my best to remember all of the lessons you taught us."
"God damn it, brat! Don't speak as if one of us is dying or something!" Ms. Vine chopped his head in surprised outrage.
However, that hit became a gentle ruffling of his hair. Ms. Vina's eyes softened, and with a soft voice, she said,
"You're welcome. You've grown up well despite everything. I'm looking forward to your future. Now, go and follow your classmates, and don't look back."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Ms. Vina watched as TJ left the classroom. Once he was gone, she turned around and placed her hands on her waist.
The corners of her eyes burned. TJ's words, albeit spoken awkwardly and stiffly, evidently touched her greatly. It's moments like this that make all the stress and exhaustion of being a teacher worth it.
It's made even more special knowing that it's TJ who said this to her, the same kid who's been through hell.
"Whew! Damned brat! Making me emotional so early in the morning, hmph!" Ms. Vina harshly sniffed and huffed.
She took her things from the desk and made sure the classroom was all good and well before leaving and closing the door behind her.
As she walked down the hallway, she muttered, "Alright, let's see if those brats can truly listen to me. I swear, none of them better cause a ruckus or else...hmph!"
**
"TJ! Here!"
Sieg called out to him as soon as he got near the area where his class was supposed to be.
To his surprise, he wasn't alone. Sitting next to him, just on the opposite side of the dividing line, was Lily, who's also waving at him. TJ nodded to her, and as he was about to sit next to Sieg, the big guy moved to his seat.
"Here, you should sit here instead; that way you can still see her. You won't be able to if I sit in the middle."
He does have a point. Sieg was too tall, after all. TJ didn't fuss and sat in between him and close to Lily.
"Hwahwahwa! I'm so nervous, Teejay! Let me bite you!"
She did try, but she was met by TJ's solid palm pushing her away firmly.
"No. Get a hold of yourself, will you?" TJ unhesitatingly refused immediately. "You said you've outgrown that habit. Why is it back again?"
"W-well, you can bite me instead..." Sieg shyly offered with a flushed expression, making TJ look at him in disbelief.
Sieg seemingly realized that his words sounded a little too strange (creepy) just now, so he panicked and tried to explain himself.
"I—if you're really nervous, that is. I won't mind if you don't mind, you know what I mean?"
"Tempting." Lily pouted, which certainly didn't help at all because the big oaf's eyes definitely brightened at the possibility. "But your arms look like they're too tough. I'm afraid that my teeth will break if I bite you."
"Aww..." Sieg deflated a little bit.
'Bro.'
TJ sighed and decided to ignore this. He's now thinking that it might've been a mistake to sit between these two. He just hopes that the ceremony begins soon before these two start losing it completely.