Not everyone can shine as an individual.
Most people just exist never becoming a known person, leading their lives normally away from challenges and danger never becoming a part of history.
But even if one really did become a great person enough to write history, they are sometimes not noticed due to a criterion they have failed to meet.
And even if they do meet those criteria, and at least half of them are righteous, the other half are never a good people.
They spawn such classic stories representing the opposite sides of the coin, heads for heroic and righteous man, and tails for the villainous and wicked.
Warrior blessed by the light versus the evil necromancer.
A tale of betrayal, where the betrayed found happiness and the betrayer headed to ruin.
A revolution to overthrow the oppressive ruler.
Those stories are such examples, but often not told or becoming part of history are
A farmer who never gave up in the face of misfortune and saved his village.
The gladiator who is also a slave who fought his freedom along with his fellow slaves.
A simple soldier, becoming a knight leader, fulfilling his missions with minimal casualty.
They are too simple, the scale is not broad enough, they are not properly documented, or only passed through word of mouth, these are some of the reasons they are often not told as part of history.
They often end up as local stories, legends, myths, or sometimes urban legend, but the fact that someone talks about them and believe they happen is proof enough that they are part of this world's history.
The people of Acacia each have their own story, interconnected, and the others are a story made side by side with each other, yet each is unique and will not be told the same.
The year is now 205 of the Unified Calendar, on the modern times, history is now something to learn a lesson or an entertainment to amuse oneself from.
Life is still the same for the normal people, admiring the adventures, scholars, knights, mages, nobles, royalty, and heroes as they make major accomplishments, as they steer clear from the unordinary events those kinds of people tackle.
In the midst of such people tackling life like normal are students ready to make history.
Terra Academy, also known as Central Continents Academy, is a prestigious institution that teaches students from different races and countries and whether they are commoners or not.
It is situated in a frontline zone of the central continent that later became a neutral zone of five countries called Terra, a land full of history that tells stories of cooperation between nations and the final defense line a long time ago during the Evil God's conquest.
It is famous due to the big names that graduated from it, mainly the Heroes of the current era and the other people in various relevant industries like magic research, machinery, magi-science, and more.
But last year, the students that enrolled in the academy were more special than the past enrollees.
Some may say that is because the sons and daughters of famous big names have enrolled, but the quality of the students that have enrolled, even from common background, is just that high for them to be called special.
Diamonds in the rough, students that have the same or even more potential than the children of heroes, that is what they are called.
Some even labelled them the golden generation, but the truth that make the masses excited is that they are monsters being honed to fight monsters.
Demonic beings, devils, monsters, magical disasters, organizations seeking chaos, and behemoths, constantly threaten the order of the world.
They have a lot of expectations for these students, that even if evil and destruction cannot end, they will be able to end a lot of them.
To the other students that are only above normal in terms of abilities, these students appear to be the protagonists of this era.
The excitement didn't wane at all even after one year had passed since they had enrolled, as those students showed no sign of stopping to show the people what they were capable of.
And today, the new term is starting, and after the freshmen are welcomed by the academy's staff, school president, and principal, a mock battle between second and third years is shown to them.
A couple of freshmen, though, declined watching the mock battle, and among those is Nedi Liv.
He wanted to look more around the academy, and as he did, he happened to smell something appetizing and came to see a particular scene.
Two men, one wearing his uniform neatly, while the other loosely and is wearing a newsboy hat, one female who is busy, based on their appearance they seem to be his seniors, they are grilling meat in the open.
"I should've joined the showoff battle, this is boring." (Male student 1)
"Then you shouldn't have followed us." (Female Student)
"The fact that you didn't join because Layla didn't join is your own fault." (Male student 2)
"But if she doesn't join then who am I supposed to fight?" (Male student 1)
"There's George, Serena, Mark, and five more people." (Male student 2)
"He's supposed to join but smelled us grilling barbecue, so he ditched it instead." (Female Student > Layla)
"Indeed, I'm hungry! But why are you with her anyway?" (Male student 1)
"Me? I'm not informed that's why I'm here." (Male student 2 > Dan)
Their banter continues as Layla moves the cooked meat to the plate.
"You're supposed to be there Dan." (Layla)
"Really? Well, I already skipped it so whatever. So Kail…" (Dan)
"I know. Hey, got something to say to us? Where friendly you know." (Male student 1 > Kail)
Seeing the student named Kail call out to Nedi, he cannot help but think that he is not friendly at all, because of the wild feeling he is giving.
"No, I don't." (Nedi)
Nedi isn't really hiding from them, but they also never glanced in his direction.
"Freshmen huh, welcome to T Academy, my names Kail, second year, those two are Dan and Layla." (Kail)
"Nice to meet you, my name's Dandre, a classmate of this two." (Dan)
"Layla, nice to meet you." (Layla)
With her back still facing Nedi as she is busy grilling, Nedi cannot help but be hungry from the smell as well.
"Nice to meet you seniors, my name is Nedi. What are you all doing something like this in the middle of the day, moreover when it is the start of the new term?" (Nedi)
Looking at the table near them, there seems to be some event, a party that is going to happen.
Maybe she cooked all of the meat, Layla stood up and face Nedi still holding the plate. What greeted Nedi is a lady with good features, though that is the only thing he can say since beauty is something Nedi cannot fully comprehend.
"Ah, this? You see, this is something I planned, it is the new term after all, and I am stuck with these two idiots during the break, so I organized this little get together party for my fellow classmates. You know what since you are already here why not join?" (Layla)
"Umm… joining a party for second years as a freshmen would be a bit…" (Nedi)
"Don't be shy, it's not like we eat freshmen." (Kail)
"Kail, can you fix your way of saying things, that's the reason you scare people you know." (Dan)
"What's wrong with how I talk?" (Kail)
After taking a closer look at Kail he finally understands the wild feeling he is getting from him.
"Is Senior Kail perhaps a Beastkin?" (Nedi)
"Ye, why ask?" (Kail)
"Just a feeling." (Nedi)
Hearing those words from Nedi, Layla who is preparing the food at table cannot help but take an interest.
"He's one of those, Nedi, the rare half breeds." (Layla)
"Half? That's a first." (Nedi)
"That level of interest, what a nostalgic feeling." (Kail)
"You'll be getting a lot of those again from all the freshmen, now can you please help me, only Dan so far has helped me organize stuff, you too Nedi." (Nedi)
With a feeling that he is already part of the party a done deal, Nedi instead of further refusing, started helping around the three second years organizing their party.
His seniors tried inviting the other students passing by, but maybe because they are shy that they refuse their invitation.
They gave interesting reactions though before refusing.
And after fifteen minutes has passed.
"Oh, that's fast." (Kail)
Looking at the direction of the school's Coliseum, eight people can be seen walking to where they are.
"You three… not participating and instead leaving behind an invitation, just what is wrong with you." (Female 1)
"Oh, an unknown face, a freshman perhaps?" (Male 1)
The first to talk to them is a refined woman with long black hair, and a tall muscular man that is giving off a powerful charisma. Behind them is two men who are an inch shorter than the tall guy, and four more female that all looks beautiful with one of them wearing glasses.
Everyone also seems to give off a unique personality similar to the three seniors Nedi first met, and they are surrounded by people until the party area.
"Yo, guys, long time no see." (Kail)
"It's only a one-month break, but yeah, it does feel that way, long time no see Kail." (Female 1)
"It really is a long month." (Male 1)
"Ana, Siesta, long time no see, that tanned lines looks good on you." (Layla)
"That's because Siesta didn't apply the sunscreen properly." (Female 1 > Ana)
"Peace." (Siesta)
"How's the family visit, Chloe, Sofia, Mia?" (Layla)
"Good." (Chloe)
"Fair." (Sofia)
"Listen to this Layla, Ana, these twins are a pain to follow, I completely take back what I said before I tag along with them." (Mia)
Listening to the girls talk more about their experience during the break with interest, about swimsuit, lucky moments, and stupid but sound erotic moments, Nedi finally came back to himself and turn his attention to the boys.
"You feel little different from before Leo." (Dan)
"Oooh, so you can feel it, I did train a lot in our private garden so expect me to not lose this time Dan, Kail." (Male 1 > Leo)
"Sure, you can challenge me anytime." (Dan)
"Hehe, so, why are you looking like that, Will?" (Kail)
"You say private garden, but that's a mountain, they have a mountain for a garden." (Will)
"Really? I know Leo is rich, but they have a mountain?" (Kail)
"It's not just one mountain, right Sean." (Will)
"There's three more, in fact, one of them is that hot spring tourist spot." (Sean)
"Wha… for real? They are the owner of that? Man, I should've gone with you three. The three of us instead tackled some dungeons, a humid one, sticky one, and annoying one, it is not really a break at all." (Kail)
And the boys talked more about training, gaining muscles, mock duels, peeping, and if Ana boobs and Layla's boobs grown again, hot springs, ninjas, Beastkin maids, and other stuff.
Without even starting the party, the party seems to have already started for them.
"Ah right, let's not waste any time, let's start this party!" (Layla)
"Oooh!" (Everyone)
"And in case you ask, this is Nedi, I invited him just because." (Layla)
"Nice to meet you all seniors, my name is Nedi." (Nedi)
"I was wondering why there's a freshman here of all places since earlier, but you must be quite an adventurer to just wander around. Care to tell why you're here instead of watching the show?" (Ana)
"Well… I'm thinking of exploring the Academy to know the layout and to check out the clubs since we might need to join one and as for why I didn't watch the mock battles, it's because I can just watch it later, I guess." (Nedi)
"I see, well it's not like you're the only one that does that?" (Ana)
"From where you from?" (Dandre)
"East regions of Eleria Kingdom." (Nedi)
"Eleria Kingdom, huh. Well, you do look like from the east." (Kail)
"Well let's forget about those for now, Nedi, I'm sure you're here because you thought there's no use saying no to Layla. I'm Anastasia, call me Ana if you like." (Ana)
With a handshake from Ana as a start, the others also started introducing to themselves to Nedi.
Somehow, this weird situation happening to Nedi right now is slowly becoming normal.
They chatted as they eat, and after they finish eating, Nedi checked the time in his wristwatch, and more than two hours have already passed since he first met the seniors around him.
In fact, the amount of people wandering around and looking at them went from one which is initially Nedi himself, to a ton of people murmuring and occasionally approaching to the seniors even asking for autographs, Nedi already get that the seniors he's eating with are famous, but he wonders who they really are.
"Are you seniors famous or something?" (Nedi)
He asks to make himself feel a little more less clueless, since Nedi, even after being accepted to the Terra Academy, knows nothing at all about the school or its reputation aside from "it is very famous" his family are always saying.
"Well, I don't really know." (Layla)
"I think we're just being respected." (Dan)
"Don't care." (Kail)
"They must like that I became stronger, especially my muscles." (Leo)
"Well… I'm pretty, famous, same for Siesta." (Ana)
Nedi sensing that they are hiding something from their wry faces, started ignoring the cluelessness he's feeling.
"Sorry for the weird question." (Nedi)
"Ah right, what class are you Nedi?" (Layla)
"Class 1 – B." (Nedi)
"Ok, noted. Us are on the class 2 – S." (Layla)
"Class 2 – S, ok…" (Nedi)
S class, he only knows there are 5 classes from A to E, so S maybe means they are special.
Receiving the smile from Layla, Nedi has thought that he can't really match the older sister presence this senior is giving. Well, it is not just her, he can't seem to match any of his senior's energy at all, even the gloomy and silent looking ones like Will and Siesta.
"Will you hangout again with us if you have time?" (Layla)
At that question, the other began to look at each other, and he can't help but wonder if that is a weird question.
"Sure, it is a bit bizarre that the first ever friends I will be having since entering the Academy are second years, but I'm glad to join you guys again." (Nedi)
After chatting for another thirty more minutes, Nedi left after Layla and the others say that he should go first and that leave the wrap up of the party to them.
He exchanged phone contacts with all of them, and even though he only arrived at Terra Academy just 3 days ago, he already got a ton of new contacts.
"He really seems not know a anything isn't he." (Ana)
"Well, it is refreshing to not be admired for once, he seems like a really honest guy too." (Dan)
"I used to treat you guys like that since my hometown is in a remote town, but he said his family lives in a city right, just what kind of guy he is to be that clueless?" (Kail)
"You really did." (Mia)
Everyone smiled at that as Nedi turn his back to wave.
"Maybe he's like that because there are more important stuff that needs his attention than a group of students that just happen to achieve more than usual." (Layla)
"Not enjoying it?" (Leo)
"Not as much as you." (Layla)
"Hahaha, you should just not think too much about it, it's not like it is a bad thing." (Leo)
"Well, it not, but you lived all that your whole life Leo. Unlike us." (Mia)
"Mia should just get used to it." (Chloe)
"As sister and Leo said, for someone as smart as you, you should get used to it, for the present, and the future." (Sofia)
"Even if you say that." (Mia)
"Sorry to jump to another topic, but Layla, the three of you really are amazing, beating small dungeons during the break." (Will)
"We could've beaten it much faster if not for Dan's constant nagging." (Layla)
"Yeye, Dan does more nagging than fighting, it sometimes makes me deaf you know." (Kail)
"You must've a bad time, dealing with those two." (Sean)
"I'm used to it but do come take one of the dogs reigns sometime." (Dan)
"That's…. sorry." (Sean)
"Please help me…" (Dan)
"Well, aside from us, Ana, you look really cute when you made an appearance together with your mother again in Tv." (Layla)
"You also helped the helped the public security bureau again." (Dan)
"As expected of our honor student and future CEO." (Kail)
Receiving the words of praises from the trio, Ana only answers with a "Hmph."
"No one is around anymore." (Siesta)
"Course I am, you three may have achieve something like conquering a dungeon, but I can also do something like that, no, I already achieve something like that, and that's when I'm only 15 and we did it faster than you—" (Ana)
"Nedi is coming back." (Siesta)
"…" (Ana)
Looking quickly at where Nedi left, and seeing nothing, Ana throws a punch to Siesta, but she managed to dodge it and the shockwave it caused.
"How unladylike." (Will)
"Brutish." (Layla)
"Want some too?" (Ana)
Seeing the two giggling immediately covering their mouths, Ana again clenches her fist, and the two looked at each other, before dodging the kick that came from Ana.
Layla is taunting Ana, and Will, even though he already received a punch to the face, still teases her.
"All things considered, I can't really tell anything special from that freshman, I wonder what this girl is thinking." (Dan)
After getting kicked in her Bum, Layla still lying in the ground, answers.
"Nothing special." (Layla)
"Really? I thought for sure you befriended him like you befriended us because you saw something in him." (Kail)
"Don't make it sound like I only befriended you guys because I have hidden intentions, I clearly just want us to get along after we were all transferred to S class, we will be classmates for three more years after this, as for Nedi, I just feel like we will get involved with him more in the future." (Layla)
"Is that perhaps a divination, did you get some kind of future insight?" (Ana)
"No. Just a feeling" (Layla)
Everyone can only nod after she said those words, they too don't have much to say about Nedi, in fact based on what they came to know talking to him, they can say that he is just an honest person.
"Well, if he asks for some favors in the future, then I will probably do so, of course he needs to give one back." (Leo)
"If he does then go easy on him, after all your pretty strange in your own way." (Will)
They continued to chat even after tidying up, and Nedi who left earlier, finally came to know who the seniors are after coming back to his room.
The seniors he talked to today are amazing students that achieved a lot of things even in their first year, and after being promoted to the Special class, which can only happen if a student performs above a certain criterion, they are still continuing to perform above expectations.
"They are also beating the third and fourth years in combat."
Seeing the recording of today's mock battle, he can't help but be amazed.
Still, even if they are amazing people, he can't help but think that people are setting absurd expectations for them, for they are only human like him and everybody else.
If given the chance, he would like to be a part of their group.
In stage shows they are surely a group shining on the limelight, and the articles he reads also says the same that they are the protagonist of this generation.
But still, in Nedi's mind, it doesn't really matter if they are amazing, or the protagonist, even becoming future heroes or anything like that.
Nedi have already seen real heroes himself, several of them, that is why he still here enrolled in this prestigious academy, still living, still talking, and making friends.
Seeing the time in his clock, he turns to bed.
As he turns off the lights, silhouettes of something transparent with no definite shape began to show in the room.
And as he falls asleep, he sees a reflection of himself, his fragile young self.
And like the times he dreams of it, he always tells this version of himself.
That tomorrow still exist for both of them.