CH-12 Joining the campus[End]

"So, This is Apex campus." I uttered as I stood before the splendid gates of the campus, a great degree in the institution's formal regalia.

I get dressed in a crisp white shirt, complemented by a faint azure blazer, a prudent choice given the frigid temperatures that exist in Arcadia City.

My combo was augmented by a sky-blue skirt that finished just above my knees, paired with ebony-hued long socks that reached a similar length from foot.

A vibrant crimson necktie, immaculately knotted, served as the final combination to my academic attire.

"Move!" A voice as cold as an arctic tundra pierced the air.

I swiveled around, only to be met with the icy glares of a group of boys and girls, their eyes staring into me like ice picks.

Geez, keep those peepers away from me before I plug them out.

The ringleader, a red-haired, red-eyed specimen with a face that could only be described as average; He was clearly the one who had uttered those frosty words.

Four lackeys flanked him, two girls and two boy, like a court jokers entourage attending to their arrogant king.

Don't tell me we've got a classic case of 'young master' syndrome on our hands?

Ah yes, the young masters - those spoiled little lordlings who strut around like they own the place. Tangling with their ilk is like getting a wad of chewing gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe.

You can try to shake it off, but that sticky situation will keep clinging to you until you've learned your lesson the hard way to beat them.

I want to maintain an inconspicuous presence, camouflage my realms, which recently I set into the first stage of the fusion realm. Ostentation was not my proclivity... almost.

'Let's disregard these impudent miscreants, who have merely attained the second stage of the fusion realms.' I mused.

The crux of the matter was that every neophyte at this institution had, at the very least, unlocked the first stage of fusion realms.

Rather than circumventing the issue, I stride into the campus grounds.

With nine minutes surviving until the ceremony, I deemed it prudent to have a small journey on a leisurely perambulation through the garden.

"Oye." Before I could progress further, a hand firmly grasped my shoulder, punctually an instinctive reaction within me to deftly flip the assailant over.

… Though I still managed to rein in this impulse through my force of will.

'Ahh... these fucking fictional novel scene!' I shouted internally, Turn around, only to find one of the young masters' servile attendants squinted at me with a contemptuous gaze, as though I were mere refuse.

"How dare you ignore our sentence? We commanded you to move from our path and not to go inside, child. You had no affiliation with the noble. There is no place for people like you." Sneered the individual whose grip still was upon my shoulder.

...Hah haha~~ Seriously? Are you fucking kidding me? Did this brat called me child? Is this some sort of novel?

Or did the writers just have fanciful dreams of this kind of world? I've had a few wild dreams myself, let me tell you some other day.

Contrary to what one might imagine, I had no intention of retaliating; There's no sense in stirring up a hornet's nest, is there?

"Oh, good morning, Teacher!" I exclaimed playfully, glancing towards the 'Young Master' and his entourages' behind.

They all flinched, skittishly turning around, as the one who had been clutched my shoulder released it and followed their line of sight.

Lol... what a bunch of idiots to fall for such an obvious ruse. I slipped away from their presence, quickening my pace as I went. I hadn't the faintest idea what they might do next.

One thing was sure, though – a small sight was about to happens, but as for when?

Your guess is as good as mine... Until that clash, let's just bide our time and wait to knock a few teeth loose of their, shall we?

[Master, only two minutes left until the commencement ceremony.] Harriet hastily told me.

"Okay!" With a slight nod, I walked towards the hall, my steps purposeful.

Having been provided with a map due to the expansive nature of the campus grounds, I had committed its all routes to memory.

***

I was seated in the front row, surrounded by a multitude of new students, their numbers reaching a maximum of two thousand as the ceremony started.

A handsome gentleman, clad in black attire, stood upon the stage behind the lectern, his presence commanding our collective attention.

"Greetings, dear students," he spoke into the microphone, his voice echod throughout the hall.

"I, Ben Stark, the principal of this esteemed campus, have a warm welcome to you all as your journey at Apex Academy."

Ben's words were met with a swell of cheers and applause, and he waved his hands like an idol basking in the adulation of their admirers.

"Thank you, Principal!"

"Oh my god, he is so handsome!"

"I want to marry him!"

"Bed me, daddy!" A few shameless girls cried out with unabashed desire.

"..." I was speechless! Was this... sexual harassment the poor principal was being submit to?

Closing my eyes, I tuned out the principal's lecture, finding his words about as stimulating as watching paint dry; Very boring.

If anything of wrong were to transpire, I trusted Harriet to keep me wake.

***

"...And now, let's invite our esteemed student, Amelia Harper, who achieved a memorable feat of securing the first rank in the entrance examination!" The principal's voice boomed, finally piquing my interest enough to open one eyelid and identify this acclaimed academic titan.

Harriet, bless her soul, had secured a respectable 17th rank without even breaking a sweat; A mere parlor trick, really.

Using a smidgen of knowledge from my previous life, she effortlessly vaulted into the upper echelons of the rankings. Boom, 17th place secured, just like that.

Once the person in name was in the stage… I don't know why but my cheeks were… heating up.