"As you may know, the rift can spread its influence onto animals aswell as people making it adapt to us as if it were a living organism, thus we, the delvers, came up with a way to counter it which is..."
My head was barely supported by my palm as i tried not to fall asleep during yet again another lecture from professor Anvil.
Although he was nicer and and not as strict as other professors, he loved to give long and informative speeches about how rift functions and the dangers it possesses.
I can't really blame him for that due to his place of origin.
The boring lectures although came from one ear through another, still made some impact on us.
The way he described how terrifying that place was, made us unable to focus on anything else except his explanations.
He came from H. Corp. Located on the 5th layer of the rift.
He said that it was almost three times hottee than here, he was probably exagerating.
I haven't really figured out why i even needed to attend this academy.
Sure i could learn some things about this world but i could do the same using libraries or asking god.
'he doesn't show himself though'
The last time i saw him was after the entrance exam so him teaching me was not an option.
- Tap.
Im not much of a smart guy too to be fair, i could barely graduate from college and had to work a minimum wage job while some drunkards spent most of their time making my life harder.
That really makes me wonder what made god choose a person who is as big of a failure as me.
- Tap
Just how much is this goddamn class going to last, just let me go and get some sleep.
- Tap
'Sigh'
"What do you want?"
I asked without turning around because i sadly knew who this person was that has tried to gain my attention.
Macro, stopping his annoying behavious leaned back on his seat and casually spoke.
"Do you have some free time?"
Without giving it much thought i reluctantly answered.
"Yeah."
"Great, il be waiting for you at the cafeteria."
Before i could speak, the bell rang and everyone has started to pack up leaving me there looking at Marcos empty seat.
'bastard' i muttered before leaving the classroom.
*
Due to the sheer size of the UOA (United Order Academy) it was bound to have a lot of workers aswell as students living and working under its protection.
Meal's are one of the most important things for ones growth as they contain various helpfull vitamin aswell as needed nutriens for training and overall functioning of said people.
That's why the cafeteria had to be split into various different sections so that ones meal matched their diet.
I hadnt spent much time here because the food could be delivered to the room by Samson and i preffered less crowded spaces.
Although i still was curious for what reason would i be called to meet him.
'I hope it's not useless.'
If he called me here for the sole reason of socializing then i would love to crush his nose or maybe kick him in the crotch.. well maybe not.
As i looked around the cafeteria i already started my head hurting due to the sheer amount of people.
It was somehow louder than outside with how much people chatted with each other instead of enjoying their food.
- Bump!
'Ugh' i let out a small groan as someone pushed me aside.
It was way too crowded.
As i was about to give up and go back to the garden i saw a pale hald stretched upwards as Marco waved at me while some people that sat next to him stared at me.
Slowly making my way to their table i took notice of who the people he ate with were.
'prestige class'
They were one of the people who got into the prestige class just like me who paid no attention to memorizing who they were.
- Thud.
I threw my tray on the table without trying to be nice to him.
He, clearly accustomed to my attitude towards him, started to introduce me.
"This is the person i was talking about, meet Vlad."
"Greetings." A guy stretched out his hand towards me which i shook with a simple nod.
'if im not mistaken then his name should be Zephyr'
Ranked 6th in the prestige class he was way stronger than me.
Even with a simple handshake i could feel my hand almost get crushed by him.
He was also a person who i liked even though i had never talked to him and thats because...
"It's good to meet you, you may call me sir Zephyr."
He thinks hes a knight.
Maybe it's also due to the fact that he can stand toe to toe with the ice twins.
I noticed that he reffered to himself as 'sir' and that he carried his sheath all the time.
He couldn't really bring a sword due to the safety regulations but i'm not sure if it even mattered for him.
'Wait.. he was telling them about me?'
Managing to wiggle my hand out of his grip, i stared at Marco in confusion.
We spent close to no time together and he was talking to others about what kind of person i am?
All things ive done to him is being.. well, an asshole.
That's why it piqued my curiousity albeit barely.
What would he tell them about me?
- Cough
The person next to Marco faked a cough as if trying to gain some attention.
Finally looking at her, i couldn't recognize who she was at first.
Her eyes locked onto me as she didn't even try to hide her hostility towards me.
"Do you have any decency to atleast show some respect?!"
Spatting these words i finally remembered who she was.
She spoke to me a few days ago asking about some political things which i ignored alongside her.
Her face was as red as a tomato after i simply brushed her off as she started to scream at me about manners and priviledge.
'what was it that she introduced herself as.. uh..'
"What's your name again?"
I asked not reading the situation in the slightest while her fist slammed on the table.
"How do you even forget that?! It's Ash! I told you already!" As if noticing what she had done she clicked her tongue to not cause any further commotion. "Everyones staring now, can't even mind their own bisness."
Her words followed the scraping of few chairs, her outburst gathered some looks but it wasn't anything important enough to actually start eavesdropping.
"Marc, you had to have a reason to bring this.. guy here." She turned to him.
He, unbothered by the atmosphere said something which i couldn't understand.
"I'm planning to visit a friend so i needed a group to get permission."
Licking his fingers from whatever he was eating he added. "Oh and don't worry, i will compensate you for it."
"I already told you i'm in."
"I believe we had discussed the contents of your proposal."
Hearing others positive answers i was left even more dumbfounded.
Even from the very beggining i sat here i could tell that they were in a good relationship with each other.
But to make a number 6th and.. a girl? Agree to something so stupid in just less than a week is absurd to me.
It would have taken me weeks, maybe even months to open up to someone and he already started to gain others favor.
Now, i was stuck between those three.
My hate to him isn't really that big, he just pisses me off with his weird way of always asking things.
I've been also seen quite alot around him which would make me someone he knows or atleast look like it.
Although i wanted to decline his offer.
The way the other two looked at me almost seemed as though i had no choice in this, which is why..
"Fine." I squeezed out these words as he let out his usual stupid smile.
"Great, then we can get to work now." As if on que, all three of them stood up as i, sat there confused.
- Grab
A crushing force has descended upom my shoulders as i flinched and saw Zephyr looking at me with his big eyebrows.
"Take your tray and let's go."
'What?!? Where!?' I wanted to say but the fear of him doing something made me keep my mouth shut as i unwillingly stood up looking at my still full tray which i had no time to even touch.
'my food..'