章 27: Class D [2]
"Class D..."
__________
Celestial Nexus Academy - Student Token
Name: Kalem
Class: D (Common Class)
Rank: Unranked
Bond: Aqualisk
Current Class: Taming Basics, Room 7, Building 4.
________
Khalil's lips twitched into a small smile as he read over the details. Class D—the most basic and common class at the academy. To many, it might seem like an insult, but Khalil felt a sense of relief. It was exactly what he had asked for.
"Perfect," he thought to himself, slipping the token into his uniform's pocket. "I'm not here to coast on luck or jump into the deep end without preparation. Starting from the bottom and rising to the top with my own strength... that's the way it should be."
The memories of his talk with the principal came flooding back. The principal told him he would put him in either class S or class A but he refused politely after giving it a thought.
He had requested the lowest class deliberately, knowing that he lacked the knowledge, power, and experience of others who had likely spent their entire lives or at least a year preparing for this academy.
Skipping ahead might have been tempting, but the risks outweighed the rewards. Besides, it would also help in hiding his identity as the tamer of the Guardian of Light, after all, who would suspect a student from class D, right?
"Besides," Khalil thought as he watched the red-haired boy flashing his token with pride, "the challenge is part of our lives."
______ ___ _
After leaving the Grand Hall, Khalil tapped the back of the token lightly, and a faint, glowing line projected from it like a miniature holographic map. The intricate layout of the Academy unfolded before him, the route to his classroom highlighted in a soft, shimmering blue.
"Building 4, Room 7," he muttered to himself, glancing around to get his bearings.
As he started walking, he couldn't help but notice that his "rulebreaker companions" were heading in the same general direction. The mischievous red-haired boy was far ahead, practically running with an uncontainable energy that matched his bond's quick, darting movements. The timid boy was also ahead, clutching his token nervously and glancing around as though expecting someone to stop him at any moment.
Khalil sighed and shook his head. "What an interesting start," he thought. They were probably in the same class given the direction they were walking.
Then his gaze drifted behind him. About twenty meters back, the girl with the white twin ponytails was dragging her feet, looking more disoriented than ever. Her winged snake, now awake, flicked its tiny tongue and seemed to nudge her cheek occasionally, but she didn't pick up the pace.
Khalil paused, glancing ahead and then back at her. A sense of guilt prickled at him. Letting out a resigned sigh, he turned around and walked back toward her.
"Hey! You're going to fall asleep standing, at this rate," he called out, raising his voice slightly to catch her attention.
The girl flinched, startled. Her winged snake uncoiled and flared its tiny wings, its golden eyes narrowing warily at him. "Who are you?" the girl asked, her voice low and cautious, as though she had forgotten they had been standing together outside the gate not too long ago.
Khalil chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Didn't you see me back at the gate? I'm Kalem." He gestured at her and added with a light smirk, "You know, the guy who was late with you? You didn't forget already, did you?"
The girl blinked, clearly not expecting the question. She hesitated, looking him over with suspicion before muttering, "Raine. My name's Raine."
"Nice to meet you, Raine," Khalil said, offering a smile. "You're headed to Class D too, right?"
She paused again, almost as if debating whether to answer, but then gave a small nod. "Yeah."
"Well, let's go together, then. We can't afford to be late again." He gave her a pointed look and added teasingly, "Unless you want to listen to another lecture?"
Raine frowned slightly, her pale blue eyes narrowing, but after another pause, she sighed and nodded. "Fine."
Khalil gestured for her to follow and fell into step beside her. She still looked wary, her winged snake coiled tightly around her shoulders like a silent guardian, its watchful eyes darting to him every few seconds.
The walk to Building 4 was uneventful but gave Khalil a chance to observe the academy grounds more closely. Towering spires rose in the distance, their shimmering runes reflecting the morning sunlight. Lush gardens lined the pathways, with flowers of all shapes and colors blooming vibrantly. Fountains carved with magical sigils sprayed streams of water that seemed to defy gravity, twisting and spiraling in mesmerizing patterns.
"You're pretty quiet," Khalil remarked, glancing at Raine as they turned a corner. "Not much of a talker, huh?"
Raine shrugged. "Don't see the point."
Khalil chuckled softly. "Fair enough."
As they approached Building 4, the number of students milling about began to thin. By the time they reached Room 7, the hallways were mostly empty, save for a few stragglers hurrying to their destinations.
The classroom itself was modest compared to the grandeur of the academy grounds. Rows of wooden desks were neatly arranged, each with a small, glowing glyph etched into the corner to identify it as academy property. A large blackboard dominated the front of the room, and a faint hum of energy could be felt in the air, likely from the wards woven into the walls.
Khalil and Raine stepped inside, drawing a few glances from the students already seated. To his mild surprise, both the timid boy and the red-haired troublemaker were already there.
The timid boy was seated near the back, fidgeting nervously as his bond, the orange cat-like creature, glared at him in exasperation. Meanwhile, the red-haired boy had claimed a seat near the middle and was already leaning back casually, chatting animatedly with another student.
Khalil turned to Raine. "Where do you want to sit?"
Raine scanned the room briefly before gesturing to an empty pair of seats near the back, away from the others. Khalil followed her to the desks and settled in beside her.
As he adjusted his seat, he glanced at the red-haired boy, who caught his eye and flashed him a cheeky grin. Khalil threw back a small smile of his own. This group might be a little chaotic, but something about it felt... interesting.
Just as Khalil was settling in, the door opened again, and a figure, likely their instructor strode in—a tall, wiry man with sharp features and piercing green eyes. His bond, a sleek, panther-like beast with glowing white markings, padded silently beside him, its gaze sweeping over the students with an air of quiet authority.
Mathis stopped at the front of the room, hands clasped behind his back, and let the silence stretch, his gaze cold and unyielding. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm yet laced with disdain, each word cutting like a blade.
"So," he began, voice low but commanding, "this is Class D. The bottom of the barrel. The scraps."
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