First Class

The student council president stepped forward, her eyes scanning the crowd. Her voice rang out, clear and commanding, as she said, "Attention."

The room fell into immediate silence, every eye on her, every ear waiting for her words.

"Welcome to NSE Academy," she began, her voice resonating with authority. "I trust you all have prepared yourselves for the challenges ahead. Dedication, discipline, and determination will guide you through this journey. Do not squander this opportunity."

Her stern gaze seemed to pierce through the crowd, as if she could see into the very hearts of the students. Zero observed her appreciating her strong presence but remaining undeterred by her intense demeanor.

The assembly concluded with some announcements and instructions, and soon the students were bustling to their first classes.

As Zero and Mike made their way to their history class, Mike couldn't help but keep talking about the student council president. "She's something else, isn't she, Zero? Just so... in control. I wonder what she's like up close."

Zero merely nodded. In the first year at NSE Academy, there were four classes, and he and Mike had been surprisingly assigned to the same one.

They made their way to Class 1's dedicated classroom, entering a spacious, well-lit room adorned with educational posters and filled with rows of sturdy wooden desks. Large windows let in natural light, casting a pleasant glow over the space. Though the classroom could fit around 50 students, only about 30 were seated, creating a sense of openness.

Zero and Mike settled into seats in the third row, not too far from the back nor from the front.

"Think the rest of the class will be as cool as us?" Mike joked, looking around.

Zero only offered a small smile in response, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Suddenly, a cheerful voice broke through their conversation. A blond girl with a cute, friendly face approached them, saying, "Mind if I sit here?"

Mike, always the loud and friendly one, welcomed her with open arms. "Of course! Have a seat!" Zero simply nodded at her, his composed expression unchanging.

The girl introduced herself as Kayla Aaron,

"Hey, Kayla, nice to meet you!" Mike exclaimed, giving her a wide grin. "I'm Mike, and this is Zero. We're already plotting world domination, you know. Care to join our evil alliance?"

Kayla giggled, her eyes lighting up. "World domination sounds fun, but I think I'll pass this time. I'm more of a 'let's make friends and enjoy the journey' kind of person."

"Ah, I like your style," Mike replied with a chuckle. "We'll leave the world domination for another day then."

Zero leaned back slightly, observing the playful interaction between his friends. He chimed in, his voice calm and measured. "Indeed, world domination can wait. But for now, it's good to have a positive start to the year."

Kayla turned her attention to Zero, a soft smile playing on her lips. "You're right. It's important to enjoy the journey as much as the destination."

Mike, not one to miss a beat, nudged Zero playfully. "See, Zero, even Kayla agrees. You're not the only philosopher here."

Zero offered a small, almost imperceptible smile in response. "I'll remember that."

They engaged in a short, light conversation, with Mike doing most of the talking while Zero contributed occasionally with thoughtful remarks.

Their chat was interrupted when the classroom door opened, and a woman with a kind smile entered. She had an air of gentle authority about her as she moved to the front of the room.

"Attention, please," she said, her voice warm yet firm. "I am Emily Bennett, your teacher for Class 1. Welcome to NSE Academy. I'm delighted to have you all here, and I hope we will have an exciting and productive year together."

Her introduction was met with attentive faces and some nervous smiles as the students realized that a new chapter of their lives was officially underway.

Emily's announcement pulled their focus to the front of the room. Mike leaned over to Zero, whispering, "New teacher seems pretty chill, don't you think?"

Zero nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Emily as she introduced herself to the class. Kayla joined in their conversation, her voice soft and friendly. "I hope she's as nice as she seems. I get nervous around strict teachers."

"Don't worry," Mike reassured her with a wink. "We'll be your official cheerleading squad if things get tough."

Kayla giggled again, her shoulders relaxing. "Thanks, Mike. I'll keep that in mind."

Emily continued to engage with the class, her words flowing smoothly as she introduced herself. "I'm 27 years old, and I've been teaching for five years. I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you and helping you grow and excel here at NSE Academy."

The students listened attentively, eager to learn more about their new environment.

"Now, let me explain the unique system of our academy," Emily said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "NSE Academy, or Nexus School of Excellence Academy, operates on a very special structure. In the first year, there are 160 students, divided into four classes of 40 each. Your class number doesn't represent your standing; it's simply an assignment."

She paused, letting the information sink in before continuing. "During your first week, you'll be tested through both written exams and physical tests. According to your results, you'll be ranked within your class. So, if you achieve the highest score in Class 1, you'll be referred to as Class 1 Rank 1. The same goes for the other classes."

Emily's words were met with thoughtful expressions, some nods, and a few furrowed brows as students tried to grasp the concept.

One student raised his hand, introducing himself as Lucas Belmoth. "Excuse me, Miss Bennett, but what does the ranking represent? What's the point of it?"

"Ah, good question, Lucas," Emily responded, her face lighting up. "The ranking isn't just for show. It's directly tied to a points system here at the academy. Achieving a high rank earns you more points, and you can use those points to enhance your experience."

She walked over to the chalkboard, writing down some examples. "Points can be exchanged for upgrades to your dorm room, access to higher floors in the library, or participation in more advanced training exercises. Essentially, the points serve as a form of currency within the academy, incentivizing excellence and continuous improvement."

The students exchanged glances, a mix of excitement, confusion, and nervousness in their eyes. The system was indeed unique. offering tangible rewards for hard work and success.

but for those who fall behind?

Mike leaned over to Zero and Kayla, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "This is going to be so cool! I can already see myself spending my points on those training exercises. How about you, Zero?"

Zero's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he contemplated the system. He knew the ins and outs of the NSE Academy's points system from his past life. Zero knows how important those points are, 'If I can monopolize the points, I can pretty much do whatever I want in this Academy. Since I'll be staying here for more than 6 years there is no way I'm letting those points go'. Zero thought.

"It's an interesting concept," he replied, his voice cool and composed. "It certainly adds a new dimension to the academic experience."

Kayla chimed in, her eyes wide with curiosity. "I think I'll spend my points on the library access. There's so much to learn, and I love reading!"

The trio continued to chat quietly. The unique system at NSE Academy promised an engaging and dynamic year, and they were all eager to dive in and make the most of it.

Emily continued to field questions and explain the details, her warm and approachable manner putting the students at ease. The sense of community and camaraderie began to take root, setting the stage for a promising and unforgettable school year.