Chapter 3

"Have you heard about the freshman who knocked ten people down during their P.E class, yesterday?"

"What? Is that true?"

"Of course it is! Everyone saw it with their own eyes! The freshman was very strong and not only that, he defeated the instructor too!"

"Shit, you don't tell!"

"I'm not lying! You can ask anyone around and they'll tell you the same thing!"

"I've heard about it too! Apparently the freshman who did that was so strong that he entered the academy by knocking the headmaster down!"

"So cool! What's his name? Let's go see him!"

"His name is—"

"Close the window, Mr. Grahamsz, the noise is making my head ache early in the morning."

"Yes, Young Master." The butler pulled the blinds down and pushed a button near the window. In just a few seconds, silence reigned inside the office of the headmaster.

A young grumpy man in his thirties, the headmaster was forced to take over the job of being the main figure of the school because his grandfather told him to do so. He left his own company from another country and went back to where he grew up just to take care of teenage grimy boys. Everyday of his life was a reminder of the path he was forced to choose, so it is inevitable that his daily make-up routine is anger, hate, and bitterness. However, he is an outstanding young man, a genius, and already has a lot of achievements even before and after he became a student. 

He maintains a habit of wearing suits each working day, in different styles, looking more regal, like a young monarch on the edge of madness. His shoes are always shiny and his hands have never seen the light of the day. Literally. In his defense, this would make him more mysterious and unapproachable, a best way to acquire dominance. However, since the headmaster covered his hands, a rumor spread that his hands are the smoothest and silkiest hands to exist in the world. It was also added that according to the legend of their family, one descendant in their line will be gifted the divine hands of a god to bring justice to the world and punish evil-doers. And he was the prophecy.

The rumor spread so strong that a lot of bachelorette came knocking on his door to offer a marriage proposal. The only words he could say after knowing the truth of the matter was, “Utter bullshit!”. After that, he lectured everyone in the school for a full afternoon until all the students’ ears fell off their heads. Not only that, their final exams were pushed in advance. Overall, it was proven that hell is there when the headmaster strikes at you.

But also, he’s a man with taste. Although this man today is in his second degree of sour mood. He reached for his cabled telephone on his right side and started dialing.

A few rings and somebody at the end of the line picked up the call.

The office was silent, save for the smallest movements that echo through the corners of the room. 

“Benedict.” The headmaster’s voice was full of poison as he gritted his teeth to lash out at the person he called.

There was a mumble in the background but it was unclear. 

“Hah! Is it bad for me to ask how you’re doing?... Obviously, you’re having a good time while I’m all alone to fend for myself…. What?...Can I not call just to talk about gossip with you?...” 

The butler slowly moved to the far end of the room and prepared tea. When he saw the Young Master, he noticed the man roll his eyes a few times. He immediately bowed his head while the Master raised his hand as a gesture of appreciation for the tea. 

With his elegant gloved hands, the headmaster calmly raised the teacup and sipped.

“Your son has caused a big disturbance in my school. I suggest you find a nicer way to restrain him as my resources are limited to how much I can protect him.” 

There was silence.

Followed by a laughter so hard it was heard by the butler. The laughing continued for a long time and the headmaster got pissed that he decided to slam the phone and just end the call.

“Master.”

The butler initially thought that the headmaster would smash things but he was caught in surprise when the young man just sighed and rubbed his temple. 

“Was that about the matter mentioned by Sir Daniel yesterday?” The butler asked. 

As the headmaster, of course there is nothing going on in the school that he doesn’t know about. Things that happen beyond his control are factors that piss him off the most. 

“That bastard’s son has beaten my staff black and blue.” His mouth twitched in annoyance after remembering an ugly scene. “And Daniel was the happiest loser while talking to me about the boy. He was sputtering things while smiling despite his bruises. It took me a long while to heal his wounds.” He looked at his gloved hands.

“Are you planning to expel him?”

“No. I may be annoyed with Benedict but his child has a big potential. Can you make sure to keep watch on them?” He drummed his fingers while looking expectantly at his butler. The butler, whose job was to assist his master until death, felt a surge of happiness. 

With a genuine smile, he bowed and said, “On your command, Master.”

With nothing else to say, the headmaster adjusted the name plate on his desk. 

Aloysius Wolfgang von Rochester, Headmaster.

**********

The door opened and Ponjie came inside the class with a stack of papers in his hands. Without a word, he began distributing the papers. Fruto, who followed him behind, offered to help him with the other half. Ponjie didn’t argue.

“That teacher is a savage. He actually made me go into his office early in the morning to talk about the lesson. Am I a co-teacher or something?” Ponjie complained while mocking. Fruto almost laughed, but considering the effort of the guy to clean their room and wake up early, he decided to comfort him.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.” He managed to say, although a bit dry. The last of the papers were allocated neatly on the back row. They returned to their seats and waited for the teacher to come.

“What do you mean I’ll be fine? I think I’m going to die already. He’s treating me as his slave.” 

“...”

“Wait…Do you mean that…”

“That…???”

“That I’ll be fine because you’ll be with me along the way? Carrying and lifting burdens with me, conquering the world?” Ponjie asked Fruto with a silly smile. Fruto’s face instantly blackened.

“Hell no! Besides, shouldn’t you say that to a girl?”

“There are no girls here! Even the clinic is operated by a man! You’re my friend! It’s normal to be with me until the end. Won’t you be with me, huh? Huh? Fruto? Hey. Don’t sleep. I promise I’ll help you with anything related to Math.”

“Fine. And stop saying shit, it sounds so weird.” Fruto rolled his eyes and did not pay attention to Ponjie anymore. Meanwhile, Ponjie just looked happy and proud for successfully trying to trick his friend using the cutesy strategy that his mother would always use on him. 

So that’s really effective! The fool thought loudly in his mind. 

The two of them did not pay attention to the rumors flying around the school. It did not even go past their ears. They were busy minding what they currently have in their hands. Their ignorance about how big connections can be did not save them from future troubles at all. The competing institutions of the academy have heard about it already, and no matter how ridiculous it sounded, they weren’t interested in cracking the truth. 

Lunch came and all the students rushed to the cafeteria. On the way there, most boys were staring blatantly at Fruto and Ponjie. But it only proved that the two are as oblivious as ever as they did not notice anything and they were occupied talking about their subjects.

“I thought we were in a Chemistry Class earlier, but in fact it was Alchemy and Modern Science! What was that? Is it a branch of Chemistry that we didn’t know about?” Ponjie bugged Fruto for answers. 

“You’re a mouthful today.”

“I’m always talking because you make sense as a person. Why, do you want me to shut up?”

Fruto shook his head. “No, actually I am curious too. But I'm not the right person to ask since I also know nothing. At first, I thought it was about chemistry, like mixing compounds through formulas. But there was more than that. Have you noticed?”

“Yes! Exactly! Was it magic?”

“Pfft.”

“Are you laughing? Don’t laugh! Anything is possible in the world! I even believe in monsters.”

“What kind of bedtime stories did you read when you’re young?”

“Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Princess and the Frog–” Ponjie immediately stopped and blushed. Fruto did not expect it either. His face started to have a shade of red from preventing himself from laughing. 

Fruto knew that Ponjie has a strong bond with his mother. Even when sleeping, he would call his mom. Truly a spoiled brat. Out of respect for his mom, who probably read all those fancy things to his son, Fruto did not comment.

“I-im serious.” Ponjie cleared his throat. 

“I know.” Fruto nodded, his expression going back to normal. After a while, when they were seated on a table, he suggested, “Maybe we should ask someone?”

Ponjie chewed quickly, “Who?” and he looked around. The people who kept staring at them got scared with the glare Ponjie gave. They misunderstood it and thought that the two people eventually got mad for the unwanted attention. They all bowed their heads and looked away.

“???? I don’t think anyone here wants to.”

“You’re doing it the wrong way.” Fruto gently stood up and went to the opposite table to talk to a schoolmate. But, the guy started trembling and ran the moment Fruto came.

Fruto narrowed his eyes and felt something was unusual. He looked around, and he caught so many people staring at him. 

He got nervous. 

He doesn’t like attention. And he hasn’t done anything wrong. What’s going on? He went back to the table and Ponjie also noticed and became bothered. He leaned and whispered, “What’s their deal?”

“I don’t know. Did you do something bad?”

“What?!” Ponjie looked offended. “I stuck to you like glue, how can I have the chance to do evil? Can’t you just beat them up? You’re strong, aren’t you?”

“...How about I beat you up instead. Speak! Are you telling the truth?” Fruto kicked Ponjie on the shin.

“Ow!” Ponjie raised his hands and swore, “It wasn’t really me. Pinky swear. My highest form of promise."

Fruto’s mouth twitched. Even his promises are pinky swear! Shouldn’t it be, ‘a man’s word of honor?’

He was about to speak again when someone approached them and sat beside Ponjie. 

“Hello.”

“Hi/Hi.” Both of them responded warily. The two callous young men, who were deemed evil and tyrants, got vigilant toward a Senior. 

The senior, however, just thought of them as two kittens that got frightened so it started scratching and biting.

“I know you! You’re the guy who talked to us the other day!” Ponjie pointed his fingers at the guy in front of him. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Roy. It’s nice to meet you.” Roy offered his hands to shake, but the boys did not take it. They only stared at him curiously. Roy didn't mind it so he just smiled and decided to break the ice.

“Well, I came here just to really greet you guys. I overheard your conversation so I thought that maybe I can help you with the questions you have in mind. Since, you know, I am ahead of you.”

Fruto blinked a few times and was the first to tear his vigilance. He said with gratitude, “Thank you, Senior. I’m glad you did because nobody wants to talk to us.” 

Roy waved his hands, “You can just call me Roy. Of course no one will come near the both of you! You guys are notorious now!”

“Huh?” Ponjie reacted, “What do you mean by that, Roy?” 

Roy smiled helplessly after hearing the arrogant tone of Ponjie. He decided to let it pass and teach his junior later when he needs someone to play basketball with. His broad shoulders shrugged, “Your names are famous now. Everyone saw the fight between you and Sir Daniel.” He directed his statement at Fruto. “What are your names?”

“Fruto.”

“Ponjie.”

“Pfft–” Roy wasn’t able to release his laugh because Fruto and Ponjie immediately sent him glares. He gulped and opened his water bottle before speaking. “Sorry, sorry, I almost sneezed.”

Roy fanned himself before continuing, “Didn’t you hear? About the rumors?” 

Fruto only frowned and Ponjie tapped his foot impatiently.

“Apparently, you, P-Ponjie, is a Math genius that soared high to heavens and was the first ranked in the country. It says that you are an undefeatable champion that got bored and went to train here in this academy rather than becoming a future scientist. And F-Fruto, on the other hand, was so powerful that he got powers given by the Tiger God when he was a baby, got secluded from the world to hide from evil forces, and eventually entered this academy through defeating the headmaster in a 1V1 battle. The two of you joined hands together to train and do something big in the future.”

There was silence for five seconds before Fruto and Ponjie got goosebumps from the cringiest rumor they have ever heard. Is this what the professionals in the entertainment industry felt when they read tattled fabrication about them?

“Who spread it? What undefeatable? I'm not a direct descendant of Einstein! ” Ponjie was annoyed now. He bit on his food to relieve the sudden stress.

“No one knows. Anyway, just let it go. Rumors will die down soon. And you’re not the only one here who has experienced it. The headmaster got it worse than you guys.” 

Roy started telling the story about the rumors of the headmaster and he even laughed in between. Fruto and Ponjie couldn’t understand him since they have never met the headmaster in person. But they got the gist of it. It was only rumors, and if they do not find it harmful, they can just let it pass. They also have the choice to report it to the guidance office and catch the culprit. 

But Fruto and Ponjie decided not to. It was definitely a waste of time. They couldn’t care less about what others say or do.

“No way. They can believe what they want to believe. As long as it is not damaging me or my friend, I’m okay with it. Besides, I live for myself. Not for somebody else.” Ponjie declared.

“But Roy, you mentioned training. Aren’t we here to just study? What training are you referring to?” Fruto asked. Among all things he heard, this was the keypoint that he had grasped. It was a feeling that something big about the purpose why they were sent here lies in what the academy expects them to do and to be. 

Roy laughed, “Of course it is to train us to become strong! After all this is a special academy, you know? Those who have the abilities are trained to be a part of the Elite Task Force of the country! This institution is a highly competitive one! You will not be able to graduate unless you are one of the best and are eligible to become an Elite Official!”

“Special academy?”

“Yes. We are allied with the entirety of the national police. We go beyond what the police can’t do because they are bound by laws. And laws sometimes contradict each other. Therefore, our abilities come in handy as they allow us to play a special role in delivering justice. But not all people who have abilities are innately strong. They need to be trained. That is one of the reasons why this academy was founded. You have encountered the barrier, right? This barrier protects both inside and outside from colliding with each other. If normal citizens knew about us, there would be an imbalance. You guys have abilities, but there is also a threat to that. Sir London, for example, is an Elite Officer. He specializes in protecting new batches of students that will enter the academy.”

“What? That old scarred fart!?” Ponjie blurted out

In a hurry, Roy clarified. “Sir London is very strong. Long ago, there was an incident in the school and the students needed rescue. The Elites cannot enter because of the barrier, and the massacre was going on already inside. Very scary right? Sir London, with his bare hands, smashed the barrier exerting full force and none of the criminals who sneaked inside were able to survive.”

Ponjie was entranced with the information, so his perspective about the old man changed. A little. “He’s really that strong?”

“Yes. So, be a good student and pay him respect.” Roy reminded them. 

"Oh. You really can't judge a person. Even if that person looked like he just came from rehab." Ponjie added. Roy didn't know what Sir London would do if he heard that.

Fruto just nodded while processing the news. Anyway, he wasn’t the one who had beef with Sir London.

Roy went on, “So, that is why, to avoid overwhelming the students, they will have the easier subjects during their first year here. You guys will have the foundation subjects that will form the core of your strengths and cover the lapses of your weaknesses. In the succeeding years, you will go to a lot of missions that will test your skills and hone you as the perfect Elite. So I am telling you to enjoy your freshman days. Next year will surely be hell for you.”

Once he was finished talking, Roy munched on his food. Ponjie and Fruto did the same, since the afternoon classes will start soon. When they headed out of the cafeteria, Roy suddenly asked, “By the way, what are your abilities?” 

“I’m a Math genius.” 

“I can fight well.”

Roy stared at them carefully before chuckling. “Don’t joke with me. I mean, your abilities.”

The boys just stared at him without talking. Roy took it as a lack of trust so he wanted to demonstrate. “You guys know what I’m talking about but you’re pretending not to, huh? It’s fine, everyone has their own secret. Keeping your abilities a secret can also mean protection. But my ability grants me the power to manipulate gravity.” Roy raised his hands and pointed it toward the grass on their feet. With a flick of his hands, Fruto and Ponjie fell on the ground with a soft thump. 

“What the hell, man!” Ponjie complained, “And to think that I was warming up to you!” 

Roy only laughed and waved them goodbye. 

Ponjie and Fruto helped each other stand up and dust the dirt off their uniforms. 

“Fruto, did you see what he did?”

“Yeah.”

“He did magic, right?”

“I think he pushed us. I just felt a strong force leaving my body.”

“Hmph. I knew it! What an odd guy. Next time I see him, I'll punch him. Our abilities are better. We can do math and fight well. How is being a prankster going to help him become an Elite?”

Ponjie snickered and Fruto nodded. The senior they met is also a weird one. Roy is not credible at all.