RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
"This is her photo when she was still in her second year of college here."
The staff member's gaze kept flicking between me and the princess in the picture.
"You know… you actually look a lot like her," she said with a smile. But the moment her eyes dropped to my badge, that smile vanished. Her eyes widened. "Y-you're—"
I didn't let her finish.
"Thank you," I said, turning on my heel and leaving.
I drew in several deep breaths, eyes falling shut for a moment. As I walked, I scanned my surroundings. A few students glanced at me, whispered to one another, and then immediately averted their eyes when I caught them looking.
I don't even know how to describe what I feel—anger, relief, confusion, even a strange hint of joy. I finally have some clarity about what is happening to me, but at the same time, my thoughts are a tangled mess.
I want to see them. Speak to them. No more riddles. No more games.
"Rhein, I thought you were going to wait for me there?" Forelody landed lightly on my shoulder, her voice chipper. "I already told Allie to bring a jacket. We've got half an hour before class starts—enough time to eat."
I nodded, giving her a teasing look. "You're going to eat an apple again, aren't you?"
"Of course!"
"You should've been named Apple. You even look like one."
Instead of being offended, she laughed.
I stole a discreet glance at her. Was this why she hesitated to tell me about my mnarill yesterday—because she is part of this secret, too? I shook my head at the thought. Hopefully not.
I no longer knew who I can trust. It feels like everyone around me is hiding something.
After we ate, we went straight to the classroom. Kate and the others weren't in the cafeteria earlier, so Forelody and I had eaten alone at our usual table.
"Yes!"
"Exciting!"
"I'm so nervous!"
"Who do you think I'll get to battle?"
"I hope I'm chosen for the ranking!"
"Me too!"
"Our SC president is so handsome! I hope I get picked so I can see him in the office every day—maybe even talk to him! Oh my gosh!"
"Bro, I bet I'll make it to the Top Eight!"
I frowned in curiosity. Every classroom we passed was buzzing with the same excitement, students crowding near their blackboards. I peeked through the crack of a half-open door—only to see them staring at something unusual.
"Why are they all acting like they've never seen one before?" Forelody muttered.
"Exactly what I was thinking," I replied. "We're here."
"Bye! See you later!" she said, flying off.
Our classroom was no different—everyone clustered near the front, except Allie, who sat quietly at her desk, and the JAZA group chatting in their corner.
Justin caught my eye and smirked—like a devil up to no good. He'd better not be planning to mess with me right now. With everything else weighing on me, I wasn't in the mood.
As soon as I sat down, Allie spoke. "Sorry for what I did last night. I just… I don't like seeing my friends cry. I ruined your phone without thinking because every time you looked at it, you ended up crying. I noticed that even back when you were staying at our place." Her eyes stayed forward, but the sadness in her voice was clear.
"It's fine. I understand. I'm sorry, too. I was just shocked last night, so I yelled."
"Here's your jacket." She handed it to me, and I immediately stuffed it into my bag.
"You asked me to get it, and you're just going to put it away?" she said, her voice cooling again. I frowned. I really wished she'd put more emotion into her voice all the time.
"What?"
"Nothing. I'm just not cold anymore, so I put it away. I don't want to sweat. But thank you."
The noise from the front drew my attention.
"What are they crowding around for?"
"I don't know. I kind of want to see, but I don't feel like pushing in."
I stood, slipping between the students until I could see over their heads. Floating above the desk was a single white sheet of paper.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PRINCIPAL AND THE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Selection for the Top 8 Students or Student Council members will be held on Friday afternoon in the main gymnasium.
Good luck to all senior high school students!
We all went back to our seats as the teacher walked in. He wrote something in huge letters on the whiteboard, then left.
CLASSES FOR THIS WEEK ARE CANCELLED STARTING TODAY.
SEE YOU ON MONDAY!
The students erupted into cheers, streaming out of the room. Allie and I exchanged a clueless look—we have no idea what this "selection" is about.
"Beauties!" Andrew called from the doorway. The JAZA boys were packed and ready to go. "Not planning to leave yet?"
Allie and I glanced at each other, then stood and grabbed our things. I approached them, and she followed.
"What kind of selection are they talking about?" I asked. "We're new here. We have no idea."
Andrew opened his mouth, but Justin beat him to it, that same smirk on his face.
"Duel."
JUSTIN'S POINT OF VIEW
The moment I stepped out of the room, I ditched my friends—they were used to me disappearing and reappearing out of nowhere. With a quick teleport, I landed inside Dylan's office. He was bent over a notebook, scribbling away, while his partner lounged on a drawer, munching chips.
I have a bad feeling about him. Something told me he is planning to pit me against the princess. She doesn't even know how to fully control her mnarill yet—barely had a grasp on what she can do. If I fight her, I can injure her.
"Damn you, Dylan." His partner flinched at my outburst, but Dylan kept writing. "Don't set me up with her."
He smiled. "Why? Scared?"
"Of course not. You know she barely understands her own mnarill."
Finally, he looked up. "Try her, Justin. I'm sure you'll be surprised."
I froze. "You're really going to make us fight?"
He nodded.
"No. Change it."
"I've already given the list to Principal Oak," he uttered with a shrug, his grin widening. "Dead end."
"You're such a bastard, Dylan." I glared at him, but he only laughed. I exhaled sharply. Fine—I need to hold back.