Klak! Klak!
The classroom was terribly silent, the only sound being that of Aaron's feet walking towards his seat.
Even as he sat down, everyone stayed completely silent as his residual aura seemed to be oppressive for students of their level.
'This bastard.' Ryan thought, but quickly calmed himself.
'No this is good.' He thought as he looked back at David who was still glaring daggers at Aaron who now sat calmly at his desk.
'Afterall, no point getting riled up and getting in trouble because of 'David Raventia'. There's absolutely no point in that.' He concluded, as the rage building up from both David and Aaron seemed to simmer down.
He turned around and sat back on his seat before plugging in his earphones.
David however, just stood there glaring daggers at Aaron as his tightly clenched fists seemed to be bleeding a bit.
'Ah!' Ryan exclaimed inwardly as he suddenly came to a realisation.
[
G.A.I.A asked him.
'He probably just realised it. Or perhaps he knew it all along but didn't want to accept it. Aaron is stronger him. Much, much stronger.' Ryan replied.
[
'Yeah. From a normal perspective, he shouldn't be surprised that Aaron is stronger. But I think he's surprised by how much stronger he is.
I mean think about it. He's a snot-nosed prince–'
[
G.A.I.A cut in, in a snickering tone.
The veins on Ryan's forehead twitched in annoyance, hearing this, as an annoyed twitching smile formed on his face before he continued.
'Yes, just like me. And just like me, he would've grown up thinking he's the best out there. That no one's stronger than him amongst his age group.
So even when the rankings were first announced and he was third, he probably thought the difference in strength wouldn't be much.
But reality was harsh. And it was proven in yesterday's bout with Aaron. When he one-sidedly whooped my ass, he confirmed it. And now he's confirming it again.' Ryan explained.
[
'Yeah. A brutal one. Both for him...' Ryan said, as he looked down at his clenched fist. '...and me.' He added.
He was about to continue playing music, when the door slid open and a man who looked to be in his early thirties walked in.
He had long black hair that flowed freely to his back, beautiful pitch black eyes, and had a quite moderate physique.
His whole posture itself screamed power. As he walked in, the whole class tensed up as the residual pressure from his aura froze them up.
'As expected of an S-rank. He's quite powerful.' Ryan commented inwardly.
[
G.A.I.A questioned.
'Well, if this were a normal high school, he'd be our homeroom teacher. His name's Mark Anderson.' Ryan answered.
[] G.A.I.A asked again, though it was more of a statement than a question.
'Yeah. In the entire academy, the only ones stronger than him would probably be the headmaster and the vice headmaster, and very likely, Leo.'
[
That was all G.A.I.A said in response as it fell silent.
"Attention!" The man, Mark, yelled in a commanding tone.
In response, the students all stood up from where they sat, as they immediately saluted, their right hand on their head and left behind their back.
It was the standard salute of the federal military. Lower ranked soldiers would salute the higher ranked ones like that.
As such,with the students in the academy basically being the future soldiers of humanity, and a lot of the professors at the academy being either active or retired members of I.R.O.N, it had become something of a tradition for this salute to be used as a greeting.
"At ease cadets." Mark announced in a calmer voice this time.
At his words, the students all dropped their salute, yet none sat yet. They were yet to receive permission for that.
Mark had a little smile on his face at the sight as he signalled them to sit.
"You may take your seats now."
"Thank you sir!!" They all chorused in unison as they all sat down.
"First things first..." Mark said, as he walked toward the sliding doors of the class and locked it. "...Roll call." He said, as he walked back toward the front of the class as he dropped his things on what looked to be a desk.
He then picked up an iPad from among his things as he fiddled with it for a moment.
"Alright, you know the drill. Respond when your name is called. ONLY when your name is called." He said, emphasizing the last part.
"Yes sir!" The students responded in unison again.
"Good. Now.... Let's start..."
"Rank 001... Aaron Creswell."
"Sir!" Aaron responded.
"Rank 003... David Raventia."
"Sir." David grumbled from his seat.
"Rank 00..."
And so he continued the roll call just like that, with each student responding upon being called upon.
"Rank 092... Ryan Von Ainsworth." And finally he got to Ryan's name.
"Sir!" Ryan responded, standing up to indicate his presence before taking his seat.
As he was doing so, he noticed that everyone in the classroom were looking at him from the corner of their eyes, disbelief on their faces.
Even Mark looked shocked for a moment before he immediately composed himself.
"Anyway... next." Mark called the next student.
[
'Well, they're probably surprised I actually responded.' Ryan answered it's question as he was fiddling about with his phone.
[
'Shut up.' Ryan grumbled inwardly.
Mark continued the roll call. He called about ten more students before he put down his iPad.
"And that concludes roll call. Anyone who wasn't present for it..." He paused and looked outside the door where a couple students stood looking through the showglass on the door.
"...is on toilet duty." He announced.
'Thay doesn't sound so bad.' Ryan thought. He wasn't the only one who thought so, as a look of relief seemed to wash over the late students' faces until they heard...
"The Men's toilet." Mark clarified.
"Eh?"
And suddenly the look of relief was immediately dowsed in dread.