The next day arrived, and time seemed to drag endlessly from Kenny's perspective. He stood at the front of the school gate, his heart racing. Today, Class D and Class C would have a joint session. His elder brother Rufus, the top student in Class C, was off somewhere, likely hunting in the Beast Realm. While Rufus's absence eased Kenny's nerves slightly, his heart still thundered in his chest. The reason? He was going to see someone who had occupied his thoughts for weeks.
Rin Bashley.
Long, flowing white hair, smooth porcelain skin, and vibrant red lips, her image lingered in his mind.
"Ugh…" Kenny shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
A group of students bumped into him lightly as they passed, not bothering to apologize. They laughed and chatted as they approached the large metal gate marked Educational Sector 41, scanning their badges at the security checkpoint stationed at the entrance.
Kenny ignored them, his gaze fixed on the scanner. A memory flashed across his mind, the scanner in the Iso Shelter buzzing with the warning, "Extreme energy levels." It loomed in his thoughts like a blade. Subconsciously, he took a step back from the scanner.
"Dammit, I need to stop worrying and just walk through. I'm sure the egg's scent has left my body," he muttered, shifting his weight uneasily. He wasn't entirely convinced, though. Had the aura truly dissipated?
He adjusted the beret on his head, shielding his eyes from the glare of the rainbow sun. Before he could contemplate an alternative, Marie suddenly appeared out of nowhere like a phantom. Grabbing his hand without warning, she yanked him through the gate and into the schoolyard.
"Marieee…" Kenny dragged her name, then paused, staring at the gate in surprise. It hadn't registered anything. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, but before he could relax, Marie tugged him again, pulling him into a corner beside the gate.
She gave him a suspicious look.
"You were waiting for me," she said, though it sounded more like a question than a statement.
"That's strange. You never wait for me… Don't tell me…"
Her eyes widened, and a bright smile bloomed across her freckled face.
"You're scared to go to class and stand beside Rin alone because you might act clumsy and ruin your chance."
Kenny nearly rolled his eyes.
"Marie, you're delusional," he said, crossing his arms.
"You know that?"
Marie flicked her red hair with a smirk.
"Well, thanks for the compliment. By the way, did you hear—"
She didn't get to finish her sentence as a familiar voice interrupted, drawing their attention to the newcomer.
"Well, well, look who's hiding over there. Scared you'll get mocked for what your dad did again?"
The speaker stepped forward, dressed in the same military style school uniform that hinted at the nature of the lessons taught here. Parker crossed his arms, flanked by his friends on all sides.
"What?" Kenny raised an eyebrow, puzzled. What did Parker mean by what his dad had done? And what did that have to do with him?
Parker ignored Kenny's confusion and stepped closer, prompting Marie to step between them.
"How much power does that guy want? Does he want to tame all the beasts in the world? I wouldn't be surprised if just being around him drained all your talent. That's why you can't even perform the first move in the foundational steps," Parker sneered.
Another voice chimed in from the side, and a new group of students arrived.
"Parker, you again? Don't you get tired of comparing yourself to others?"
The newcomer's badge clearly stated: Chris, Class D. It glinted under the rainbow sun as he crossed his arms, trying to appear tough. Yet a hint of hesitation lingered in his voice, even though the group behind him outnumbered Parker's crew.
"Not everyone learns as fast as you privileged kids," Parker retorted with an amused smile. "We don't have the same opportunities."
"Oh yeah? Then what's his excuse?" Parker pointed at Kenny.
"His dad has it all, and he has access to resources we don't. I even heard his brother got him into the Beast Realm. Why isn't he performing as well as we are?"
Parker scoffed and turned to leave, his friends trailing behind.
"I don't even know why I bothered. You all belong together, the lowest students in Class C."
Kenny stood there stunned, an incredulous expression on his face. Why had Parker suddenly attacked him over his dad? What had happened? He glanced at Marie, who merely shrugged, then at Chris.
"Uh… thanks for standing up for me, man," Kenny said.
Chris gave him a kind smile.
"It's nothing. Guys like us have to stick together."
Kenny cringed slightly. Chris was the leader of the group of underprivileged and academically struggling students in Class D. He was courageous, Kenny admired that, and had mastered three moves in the foundational steps, meaning he was close to advancing to the next class. But they couldn't have been more different. Chris was three inches taller than Kenny, to start, and Kenny had to look up to meet his eyes.
Kenny offered a light smile and excused himself, his insecurities burning brighter than ever.
Educational Sector 41 was massive, bustling with students wearing berets and badges. Kenny and Marie walked through the grand halls, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors. The background murmur of voices filled the air, occasionally punctuated by laughter or whispers.
Other students who noticed Kenny pointed and whispered, or outright laughed without caring if he noticed.
"Wait… is that who I think it is? The Kianos Empire's weakest Beast Tamer."
"Yeah, that's him. His dad's a Beast King, how'd he end up with such a useless son?"
"The girl beside him isn't bad. Why's she wasting her time with a loser like him? He's probably gonna repeat the three years here. What a waste of space."
Marie tapped Kenny's shoulder occasionally, trying to comfort him. Sometimes, she'd bring up Rin, but Kenny brushed it off. Deep down, though, he was replying to every nasty comment, in his head, of course.
Oh yeah? I'm a loser? You're almost as short as me.
Or…
So what if my dad's a Beast Master? I'm about to tame a dragon, just you wait.
Still, deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were better than him. On paper, they were.
As they turned another corridor, Marie spoke again, her tone teasing.
"You know, this is your chance to impress her. You might not be good in combat, but I'm sure you can say something smart. Talk about history or something," she giggled before flipping the switch.
"Though she probably won't even be able to see you in the crowd."
Her giggles turned into hearty laughter. Kenny grimaced, his anticipation of seeing Rin slowly turning to dread. Most likely, he was going to mess up again and worsen his already tarnished reputation.
They finally arrived at the classroom, slipping quietly to the back of the row where the other students were gathered. Parker and his friends were already there, as were other intimidating students who cast them sidelong glances.
Mr. Cromwell stepped forward. He was a portly teacher with a long, curling mustache that he constantly twirled with his fingers. His military uniform strained against his bulging stomach as he spoke with a serious gaze.
"Today's exercise is simple," he announced. "It's something you all know well, something we've practiced in this educational sector since its founding. Everyone will attempt the three moves in the foundational steps."
Kenny's stomach dropped. This was the moment he'd been dreading, the moment his inadequacies would be laid bare for all to see.