The Veilwalker

After asserting his authority, he continued, "Place your wrist with your smartwatches on your desk for your first attendance. The students obeyed and quickly did as instructed. When everyone completed their actions, the holographic display that would serve as their board came alive and listed all the present students.

Instructor Horvey turned around and looked at the attendance list and noticed that everyone was present.

"Good, everyone is here. Now, I\'m not going to stand here and lecture you about the rules and regulations of the class and what I expect from my students. Your assistive AIs should already be linked to your desk. Access the files stored in there for the rules and regulations as well as your curriculum for the year.

"All the things you need to know are in there and it is up to you to familiarize yourselves with them for the rest of the week. Questions you have pertaining to what has been provided must be put in the class private channel and I will get to them. Any questions about what I just said?" he asked, stepping forward to stand closer to the front roll seats.

He briefly glanced at Alex and his friends before focusing on everyone else.

A hand rose from the back.

"Yes, introduce yourself and then proceed with your question." Horvey directed, moving through the space between the desks and heading to the back end of the class. The class size was huge, and he was not yet familiar with most of the students saved for a few. But everyone here was the cream of the crop, the ones with the highest potential.

"My name is Philip Lasmid. You mentioned getting familiar with the regulations and curriculum throughout the week. Does that mean we are not required to come to class for the rest of the week?" He posed his question. They still had three days left of this week and if they were to spend them on getting familiar with their curriculum and other things, there would be no other class sessions.

"Indeed. The files transferred to your smartwatches are not just a few pages long. You are to take your time and read through them as I nor any other instructor would go through the trouble of reminding you every time you misbehave.

If you are not already aware, the academy works on a point-based system. As there are ways to earn points, there are also ways to lose points. No one is going to inform you what you did wrong; it will simply be deducted." The instructor finished and turned around to descend to the front of the class.

"Are there any other questions?"

The class remained quiet for a few seconds implying no more questions were available. He used this as his line to end the class session for the day.

"Okay then. You are dismissed. See you the following week." He ended and made his way out.

The students began making their way out as well. Those who already had friends were already coming together while others were making new connections.

"Finally, our first day is over," Alex muttered to his friends, getting to his feet. Ross and Julia followed suit.

"So, what do we do now?" Ross questioned, observing the rowdy class as their classmates went about their way. He also noticed how most of them were casting glances in their direction. Having an idea as to why, he turned to Alex.

"Not sure, Julia?" Alex replied, turning the question to Julia. Of course, he had noticed the looks he was receiving but made no moves to suggest he was conscious of them, and he did this throughout the orientation. However, it seemed not everyone would want to leave him alone. Before Julia could give her response, a group of 6 boys approached them.

Their actions caught the attention of the class as they stopped whatever they were doing or about to go. The silent atmosphere got the attention of Alex as he turned around to face his visitors sighing briefly.

\'Here we go again. But this time, I am not just going to stand by and watch them step all over me.\' He silently thought, looking at the six boys. Even though he thought like that, he had no desire to end up fighting every time someone tried to bully him. Each boy had a serious look on their face as they observed the group, particularly Alex.

The one who seemed to be leading them was a one-horned human a few inches shorter than Ross. He had dark hair and brown eyes and just like other one-horned humans, had the build of an athlete. Among his group of friends were two other one-horned humans, two normal humans and one dark-sclera human.

"So, you\'re the miracle boy. You don\'t look like much." Commented the leading boy.

His words quickly annoyed Ross and Julia, but before they could react, Alex stopped them. He wanted to handle his own troubles. It was time he stood up for himself.

Looking directly into the eyes of the leading figure, Alex stated.

"Were you never taught to introduce yourself when you approach someone for the first time?"

The question Alex posed made Ross slightly turn his attention to Alex as this was the first time Alex was standing up for himself. Not that he couldn\'t before, but he chose not to.

\'What changed?\' Ross wondered, slightly proud of his friend. Of course, Julia was also aware of the personality Alex adopted, but she did not react as Ross did. She simply stared coldly at the boys before them.

The boy in question continued staring into the eyes of Alex for a few more seconds. Seeing as Alex was not backing down, he broke a small smile.