3 Chapter 1.2

Alina took a deep breath before entering the open door of her classroom and saw a third of the class was already full, most students were gathered in small groups chatting. However, the moment she entered, the conversations died as all eyes fell on her.

"Is that her? The new level sixer?"

"Whoa, she's in our class?"

"I heard she awoke as a level 2 immediately! Then she became a sixer in two years, two years!"

Similar hushed whispers hummed through the classroom as Alina calmly walked to a seat in the back at the far corner, next to a window.

Class is just starting, I bet they'll take it easy on us the first day so no point being in the front. Besides, I'll have a lot less eyes on me in the back, Alina thought as she sat down, her head prompted on her arm. Her eyes moved to a specific corner for a brief moment before casually turning to gaze back out the window. The view included the outdoor sports field which was much larger than an average one. Clearly, it was used for training ESPer powers and Spellcasting.

"Hey there!"

After fifteen minutes or so, a figure pounced onto her table. With slanted brown eyes that shone brightly, and long straight hair that was raven black, a beautiful girl leaned towards Alina with her hands on the table. Alina tilted her head to get a better look at the girl in front of her.

Damn, Alina thought. With those looks and that straight bangs haircut, she'd look great in a Miko outfit.

"I'm Chiba Asami! Chiba's my last name by the way," the new girl grinned as she introduced herself, her infectious smile influencing Alina who was still daydreaming.

"I'm Alina, Alina Sage," replied Alina as she stretched her hand towards Asami, who grabbed her hand instantaneously and started shaking it rather enthusiastically.

"Oh I already know, did you know you've been crowned the new queen of our school? The Electric Queen! Pretty cool name right?" Asami shot her questions quickly, ensuring that Alina took a moment to catch up to her pace.

"Ungh. Terrible naming, why queen though?" asked Alina with a roll of her eyes as she collapsed forwards.

"That's the title given to the most popular girls in the school, meaning there are queens in all levels of our Academy. The ones most famous are the ranking queens, those with high-level abilities or talent in Spellcasting. Like you!" replied Asami in a bright manner.

"Huh, go figure, I'm a queen. Awesome," Alina answered unenthusiastically. "Speaking of which, you're not intimidated by me?"

"What do you mean?" asked a bemused Asami, her button-like nose wrinkled while her head was tilted in a cute manner, causing Alina to see literal question marks above her head.

"Well, it seems like most people are too intimidated by my level. I mean, you're the first to talk to me," Alina crossed her arms as she leaned back on her chair, her eyes meeting with the other students, who promptly looked away. She then took a good look at the girl, Asami, in front of her and realized that she was not nervous at all. Rather, she seemed curious and excited which seemed strange to Alina.

"Why would I? You look so adorable! Of course, I'd come to talk to you even if you weren't a sixer!" Asami's smile warmed Alina who couldn't help but smile back. "But… since you're here, and I'm talking to you, do you wanna give an official comment for the papers?"

"Eh?" Alina looked at Asami, her eyes widening.

"Well, I am a reporter after all!" Exclaimed Asami as she pulled a recorder that looked like a pencil from behind her and pushed it towards Alina.

"Une journaliste auto-proclamé, oui? You are more like a one-man paparazzi," a third voice cynically interrupted them from beside Alina, causing her to turn to her right and look at the newcomer.

Another beautiful girl was sitting in the chair next to Alina and her blonde hair, which was tied up into a simplistic ponytail, shone like a golden fire in the sun while her fresh ivory face was unblemished with any sort of makeup. Her face held a hint of sweetness which was overwhelmed by her seriously stoic but rather blunt expression.

"Tch, the Ice Soldier, Chimera," Asami sounded as though she were facing a boss battle in a video game and she even positioned herself into a defensive posture, her hands comically placed in front of her like a Kung Fu master. "Before you even try to arrest me, I'll let you know I was not harassing her! I even have evidence!"

"She was definitely harassing me," laughed Alina mischievously, causing Asami fall to her knees.

"How could you?!" cried Asami as she pointed at Alina with a shaking finger, her eyes revealing the heartbreak she felt from such a betrayal.

"Speaking of which, why did Asami mention you arresting her .. uh... sorry, what's your name?" Alina asked the girl with a French accent, ignoring Asami's wailing in the background.

"Michelle, an honorary member of AEM," explained Michelle in a perfunctory manner, as she casually shot an eraser at Asami's forehead, causing her to cease her complains and duck under a desk. "The Anti ESPer and Magick unit, a military division of Sanctuary."

"But you're just a high schooler…" trailed off Alina with narrowed eyes. Unbeknownst to Asami, Alina and Michelle had noticed each other as soon as the former entered the room; both realized the others strength and were secretly scrutinizing each other quietly.

"Oui, but AEM trains us from an early âge, specifically from elementary école." Michelle casually caught the recorder Asami had playfully thrown at her in revenge. "Pour une bonne raison aussi, we are enhanced with cybernetics."

As Michelle prepared to attack Asami again, a female teacher entered the classroom. The lady dressed like she was in her mid-30s, her dark hair tied in a bun while a pair of rectangular glasses covered her eyes. In a white blouse and a black skirt that complemented her fair complexion, the woman looked smart, beautiful, and strict all at once.

"Alright, take your seats, everyone. My name is Silvia Graves, and I'll be your homeroom, math, and English teacher for the year." The woman, Ms. Silvia, turned to look at each student but paused at Alina, a small smile held at the corner of her lips. "Now then, let's get straight to it. You'll be starting your wonderful class with Applied Theory in…"

Three hours later, Alina sank deeper into her chair, clutching her head. She regretted taking the first day lightly and due to being a relatively new ESPer, the only thing she understood about ESP was the 9 theoretical levels and that Spellcasting required the conversion of Psionic Aether to work. Thankfully, the next few classes were normal high school courses.

"God, you know there's something wrong with this school when you looked forward to math," Alina groaned as she shifted to a more relaxed position.

Asami, sitting in front of Alina, started laughing while Michelle had a faint smile on her face, both agreeing in their own ways over her comment.

"Hey wanna get lunch together? You too, Chimera!" Asami asked bubbly while getting up excitedly.

"Sure, why not?"

"Oui."

Both Alina and Michelle replied together before walking out with Asami. Walking down the hall while chatting, the trio noticed that everyone nearby seemed to stop and stare at one location. Mostly the boys. Especially the boys.

Alina turned to look and couldn't help but hold her breath. A stunningly gorgeous schoolgirl was walking down the hall. Her tie hung loosely around her neck while her white shirt, with rolled-up sleeves, had a few buttons that were undone. This accentuated her big bosoms, making one's eyes drawn to it. Her jacket was tied around her waist, covering her bare legs more modestly than the skirt which had been rolled up into a mini skirt. But, somehow, it ended up emphasizing her hip-swaying walk. Her brunette hair was in an updo hairstyle while her simple makeup, mascara, and lipstick, bestowed her already stunning features a more scorching look. Her jewelry and accessories seemed rather plain, but when combined together, it enhanced her stylish looks.

"Omg," spelled Asami in a whisper, entranced. "It's Emily! The most popular queen in our high! Though for a different reason, rumors are she has multiple boyfriends but still more chase after her every day."

"Tout simplement une salope," muttered Michelle disdainfully.

"Uh, what?" Asami asked, her eyes still on Emily.

"Popular to all the boys, non?" replied Michelle scathingly, a disapproving tone evident in her voice.

"Well, you're not wrong but that's not her fault. All the boys- is she looking this way?!" Asami tried explaining softly before excitedly changing her sentence halfway while Alina continued surveying Emily.

The girl in question was indeed looking at the trio, her emerald green eyes on Alina as a small smile formed on her lips. She began walking confidently towards them while the boys watched with fiery eyes and the girls looked on disdainfully.

"Hi, I'm Emily, Emily Cadwell. It's nice to meet you," Emily said positively as she held a hand towards Alina while the other was on her hips, which was cocked to one side.

Without hesitation, Alina shook her hands, surprising Michelle while Asami secretly took several photos through her phone all whilst muttering something about queens and alliances.

Had it been two years ago, Alina would've felt the same way as Michelle about Emily but, hearing what Asami said earlier made her realize there was more to Emily than what the rumors said.

Why listen to rumors and assume the worst, she thought. Better to judge a person yourself. And she seems pretty cool, but still, I'd better keep her away from that horndog. He'd hit on anything that moves, especially a gorgeous beaut like her.

Emily's eyes widened as she saw the lack of hesitation and the welcoming smile Alina had.

Good grief, that look in her eyes, they really are similar to his, thought Emily with a smile. Though it's reserved for her only, it seems.