The hallway of Riverside High buzzed with footsteps and chatter as new students made their way to their assigned classrooms. Valz walked calmly, one hand in his blazer pocket, until he reached the door marked Class I-II. He pushed it open without expression.
The room was bright and modern—single desks lined neatly, a smart digital board at the front, and large windows along the side overlooking the green school gardens.
One student was already there.
"BROOO!" Ruck's loud voice rang out as he waved frantically. The boy with a messy undercut grinned wide. "Sit here, man! Seat by the window's free!"
Valz glanced his way, sighed softly, and walked over to the desk beside him.
"Destiny, bro!" Ruck clapped his shoulder. "Rank 37 and Rank 9 in the same row! We're gonna be the ultimate duo!"
"…I don't remember signing up as a duo," Valz replied flatly.
Ruck pretended to clutch his chest. "Ouch, cold as ice! But it's fine. I'll still be your loudest, most loyal friend!"
A couple of students chuckled at their exchange.
Moments later, the door opened again. Ellice stepped in, her tied brown hair swaying gently.
The moment her eyes landed on Valz, her face flushed. She quickly hurried to an empty seat a few rows away.
"Isn't that Ellice, Rank 11?"
"She's gorgeous…"
"They say she's an Analyzer. No wonder she has that elegant vibe."
Valz glanced briefly in her direction before turning back to stare out the window.
The door creaked once more. A tall girl with flowing dark blue hair entered with calm steps.
Her serious expression and strong presence silenced the room for a moment. Claire.
"That's Claire… Rank 2."
"A Manifestor. No wonder her aura feels so sharp."
Claire's gaze lingered on Valz briefly before she took her seat, her eyes cold but clearly evaluating.
Ruck leaned close to Valz, lowering his voice yet still grinning. "Bro, we hit the jackpot. Two angels in our class!" His grin twisted into something stranger. "But I don't know which to choose… Ellice—calm, gentle, gorgeous… or Claire—aggressive, elegant, totally dominant…"
His face flushed red, his breathing heavy like a raging bull. "AAARGH! They're too perfect!"
Valz only shook his head and sighed.
From the far corner, a boy with glasses who had been seated since the start muttered dryly, "Creep." That was Brans—quiet, composed, unimpressed.
The bell rang. A young man in a gray suit walked in, his sharp eyes immediately commanding silence.
"Quiet." His deep voice froze the room. "I am Sir Geryn, your homeroom teacher. Class I-II is one of the three elite classes of this year's intake. Starting today, you will study together… and compete to remain here."
Some students stiffened, others looked eager.
"Now," he continued, "we must select a class president and vice president. Since you don't know each other yet, the candidates will be drawn from the top three ranks in this class: Claire, Valz, and Ellice. Step forward."
The three of them stood at the front. Claire walked firmly, Ellice hesitated nervously, Valz remained cool and expressionless.
Suddenly, Ruck shot up with tears comically streaming down his face. "This is the hardest choice of my life! Valz—you're my first friend here! But… Ellice is so kind and cute… Claire is fierce and elegant… ARGH, WHY IS LIFE SO CRUEL?!"
He dramatically ogled the two girls with shameless eyes. The whole class erupted in laughter. Some sneered, "Pervert!"
"What?! I'M SERIOUS!" Ruck barked back, red-faced.
"Quiet." Sir Geryn's sharp tone snapped the room back to order. The vote began.
The results: Claire 4 votes, Valz 3, Ellice 3.
"Claire is the class president," Sir Geryn announced. "We'll now vote for vice president."
Before it could begin, Valz raised his hand. "Give it to Ellice." His tone was flat, yet firm.
The class stirred instantly. Girls whispered in awe, some squealing softly.
"He's so cool…"
"That aloof vibe—ugh, perfect."
Ellice's face turned crimson, her heart racing, while Claire narrowed her eyes at Valz. A Buffer in the top 9… strange.
A knock came at the door. A gentle female voice followed. "Excuse me, Sir Geryn, may I come in?"
"Oh, I nearly forgot. Enter," he replied.
The door opened, and in walked a girl with effortless grace—Maryl. Her wavy light brown hair shimmered in the light, her figure slender yet striking, her smile radiant like an idol. The class instantly buzzed.
Beside her stood a tall, serious-looking young man—Axton, her partner and fellow second-year.
"I'm Maryl, and this is Axton. We'll be guiding you for the orientation tour today," she said warmly.
Ruck's nose burst with blood. "THAT'S HER!" he hissed toward Valz, pointing frantically. Valz simply turned his face away, pretending not to see.
Maryl stepped closer, concern in her eyes. "Are you alright? A sudden nosebleed like that…"
"I-I'm fine… just… hot in here," Ruck stammered, shoving tissues into his nostrils. The class roared with laughter.
Brans exhaled through his nose, muttering, "Idiot."
Maryl's eyes briefly flicked toward Valz, lingering for a heartbeat with quiet curiosity, before she returned her attention to the group.
Sir Geryn clapped once. "Enough. Today, no lessons. Instead, you'll have a school orientation, led by Maryl and Axton. Afterward, you may go home."
The students rose and followed their senior guides. They were led through Riverside's modern halls—gleaming science labs filled with high-tech instruments, soundproof music studios, an indoor sports dome, and the expansive extracurricular building buzzing with club banners.
By the time the tour ended and they returned to their classroom, the day was nearly over.
Maryl smiled. "That concludes today's orientation. Classes begin tomorrow. Rest well."
Axton gave a curt nod. "Be prepared."
The students dispersed, chatter filling the halls once again. Ruck still dabbed his nose with tissues, Ellice hurried off with her face pink, Claire strode silently, Brans adjusted his glasses, and Valz… slid his hands into his pockets, walking out calm and unreadable.
The first day at Riverside High had only just begun—yet it already promised chaos.