After a bit, Jessie propped her chin on her fist, ponytail brushing the tablecloth. "Reinhard, you're in the top ten of the Elective Rankings." Her tone was light, but her eyes narrowed playfully. "Hope you know the shock that was sent through the academy. Half the third-years nearly choked on their drinks. A first year has surpassed most third and fourth years, which is something that has never happened before."
Reinhard sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I notice. Ever since the second semester started, every hallway feels like a gauntlet. First-years stare like I'm a ghost while upperclassmen size me up like I was a new challenger."
His mind then drifted to Irene with her relentless questions about when, why, and how he received so many points. But then she got bored and went back to his Beast Spirit dreams with the same intensity. The memory tugged a faint smile to his lips.
