Arthur and Isla then headed to class along with the rest of the students. The crowd quickly dispersed after the end of the conflict but many kept staring at Arthur the entire time, clearly very curious about him.
The reason for that was very simple, Arthur was perhaps the weirdest S-Class they had ever seen. Unlike the other S-Class students, he didn’t have that appearance or attitude one would expect from them. He didn’t look like he was arrogant or egotistical. In fact, apart from his rather beautiful looks, Arthur appeared quite normal… Someone that shouldn’t even be on this island.
However, what made him even more intriguing was the fact he went out of his way to help someone he didn’t know. So far, the only thing these students saw from S-Classes was pure power and influence with a deep arrogance to back it up.
Many of them were taking their leisure bullying the weaker students or making sure to use their influence to get what they wanted. Everyone was terrified of S-Classes more than anything else. After all, not only would their lives be ruined on the Middle Island but also outside of it due to the immense power each one of them had.
So, the fact one of these distant figures stopped to help a nobody and even threatened to do something to the one who was bullying him was mind-blowing.
“Look at him…”
“I wonder if he’s just trying to garner attention by doing that…”
“Could be.”
“At least he helped that guy. But, I wonder who he is…”
“I have never seen him before either. Nobody knows who he is.”
“Maybe he isn’t a popular person?”
Such conversations went on all around Arthur as he passed by. The boy was naturally aware of all of that and he had one single thought.
‘I don’t really care.’ He thought to himself. ‘They can think whatever they want. As long as they don’t annoy me, I really don’t care what stuff they say about me behind my back.’
In the end, for Arthur, words were just words, they couldn’t hurt him like a sword could. If someone annoyed him, he would deal with them and move on, it was as simple as that.
“You’re becoming popular,” Isla said.
“Pfft, yeah, I sure am.” Arthur rolled his eyes. “They were just confused. I’m certain they will lose interest soon.”
“…” Isla nodded her head faintly. “Hopefully they start standing up for themselves after seeing what you did.”
“Mm, I wish that is the case. But, even if they do, the others will only up the level of bullying. Sooner or later, it will reach a level nobody wants to even imagine.” Arthur replied. His voice grew colder as he reached the last part of his sentence.
‘I have already seen some pretty extreme cases of bullying to people who resisted. I don’t want to even imagine what this particular group of people can do.’ Just trying to picture it made him shudder. It was not a pleasant idea at all. However, all Arthur could do is simply wish it does not reach that point. There was nothing else he could do.
The two entered the class and Arthur was again being stared at by all the students. At this point, he really doubted no one knew how he looked. However, he was certain many were confused since he was basically completely unknown to them.
Sitting down on his chair, he ignored the looks and simply put his device in the socket. The lesson was about to start and he didn’t want to waste time doing other things. After all, today, he was going to study with Isla so he didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of her.
‘I better listen and focus so that I don’t end up being completely lost.’ He clenched his teeth as his eyes flared with determination. ‘Today’s goal: Not to embarrass myself.’
As Arthur was igniting his motivation, Theodore walked through the door as usual. However, unlike usual, he didn’t walk to his desk and put his device in to prepare for the lesson instead stopped in front of the desk and looked at the students.
“Can you all please focus on me for a second, I have an announcement.”
Almost immediately, everyone tensed up as if they heard something terrifying. After all, every time the word ‘Announcement’ was said, there was always shocking news. That word had safely traumatized many students.
Noticing that everyone was paying attention, Theodore continued. “Tomorrow, you will have your very first test.”
“Oh…”
Gasps of surprise echoed across the entire classroom. Students started whispering amongst themselves.
‘Already, huh? Well, I guess this is to be expected.’ Arthur blinked slowly. This news didn’t come as a surprise to him. The professor had told them the tests were going to start soon so they had no reason to be shocked.
“What is the test about, professor?” One student asked.
“The subject of the test will be announced tomorrow.” He replied. “We will disclose all information when it is time.”
‘Fuck… Of course, they’re going to keep it a secret till the last minute.’ Arthur ran his hand through his hair, fighting the huge headache threatening to shake his mind.
“All I can say is be prepared and revise everything we learned so far because you will need that tomorrow. Now, let’s begin the lesson.”
Leaving the entire class tense, Theodore started the day as if nothing happened. After all, there was not a normal day on the Middle Island.
***
Several hours passed swiftly and lunchtime arrived. Arthur and Isla left the classroom and headed to the cafeteria. However, at that moment, they noticed something. empire
“Oi! Arthur! Isla!”
Looking up, Arthur’s eyes lit up when he saw familiar faces. On the other side of the corridor, Herculia, Danny, and Emmy were waiting for them.
“Guys!” Arthur rushed toward them with a wide smile on his face. “Where have you been? I was worried.”
“Haha, yeah, it is a long story, man.” Herculia laughed awkwardly as he scratched his cheek. “Anyway, how have you been?”
“Good, as usual,” Arthur replied.
“We really wished to be there yesterday. But, we really couldn’t. We’re sorry.” Emmy tried to force a smile on her face. Arthur naturally noticed that.
‘Hm?’
Then, he realized something. The looks on the trio’s faces were slightly different than usual. Apart from clear exhaustion, they had this almost sad expression permeating through their eyes.
“…” Arthur was completely speechless. He could easily notice that this wasn’t simply another small problem as Isla was describing it.
“We should go eat,” Isla said as she tapped Arthur’s shoulder, snapping him out of his daze.
“Yes, we should go eat, I’m starving.” Herculia nodded.
With that, the group turned around and started walking, only for Arthur to remain standing there, staring at the group silently.
“Arthur?” Emmy called for him.
“… Yeah, I’m coming.” He replied calmly before he chased after them.
Meanwhile, Isla herself looked at him for a moment as a small sigh leaked out of her lips. ‘He is way too perceptive for his own good, sometimes.’
A//N: Don’t forget to give the book some golden tickets for good luck! :3