Welcome Program - Part 1

January 7, 3068

"Remember, my happiness is you. So, stay happy."

'I'm not sure if I will ever be able to, Zenith.'

Razak opened his eyes and looked at the clock on the nightstand. As usual, it was 5:59.

He's been having that dream for years now, but not even once had he felt irritated by it.

At first, it triggered some of his painful memories. But now, after all these years, it felt somewhat soothing because it prevented him from forgetting the memories of the only person who cared for him.

"Total sleep time: 4 hours and 48 minutes. Sir, I recommend sleeping more."

"It's okay. Sam, prepare my coffee and breakfast. I will come down soon."

"It will be ready sir. Your school uniform is in the closet."

Sam was the name of the building interaction program that operated Razak's house. It could control all the house-bots and appliances. Considering the fact that all the appliances and the house itself needs to be built to suit the program, it was something only wealthy people could afford.

After getting ready, Razak went downstairs where the breakfast was already served by the house-bots. He sat at the table and as he was eating, a notification of a new text message appeared in his watch.

He clicked on the message and the content on it was:

"It's been a while, brother. Congratulations on passing the entrance exams. Father wanted to congratulate you in person, so could you come to the villa tonight? Let's talk the rest over dinner.

-Alice."

After reading the content, he just replied with one of the fast phrases which was: "Okay, I will be there."

"Sam, send the car to pick me up after school."

"It will be there, sir."

After finishing the breakfast, he headed out. The streets were as quiet as ever since at this day and age, people were rarely seen walking outside for no reason. And even if they had a reason, most would prefer using a car instead of walking.

After walking for a while, he reached the Eastern Academy, the school where he would be studying for the next three years.

Eastern Academy was once a military facility operated by the Ongaku clan. In its years of functioning, it was successfully able to produce many war heroes who fought bravely for the national defense.

After the end of the war, it was changed into a government facility to train young magicians in the art of magic. The educational system changed drastically, but despite all that, this facility was able to maintain its dignity by producing remarkable magicians.

"Excuse me. Are you a freshman at the academy too?"

Razak, who was looking at the clock on the main building, turned around. There, a black-haired girl dressed in the academy uniform was standing with a worried expression on her face.

'Those red eyes — Ito clan,' he thought. Red eyes were the magical trait observed in the members of the Ito clan. The crimson eyes that the girl had was only observed in the prodigies born once every few generations. But despite knowing that, he showed no reaction and replied casually.

"Yes."

The girl sighed in relief, a small smile appearing on her face.

"Thank god! It's almost time for the program to start, but I am not sure where the hall is. If you are going there, could you take me with you?"

Most men, at this point, would have been captivated by that smile and replied affirmatively but...

"I could. But you should have been able to see the sign there."

Razak pointed towards the right side of the Academy's main building where there was a board pointing towards the hall.

Her eyes widened when she saw the sign. She facepalmed as she said, "It was there the whole time?" In a low voice. In a way it looked like she was trying to hide her face in embarrassment.

"I am heading there, so you can come with me if you want."

"Thanks. I am Yasumi by the way."

"Razak."

Both of them started walking towards the hall which was just past the garden on the right side of the main building.

"That name, are you not from this province?"

"No, I am from the Western Province."

When they arrived at the hall, most of the seats were already occupied. But since the program was only about to start, it hadn't been too late.

"Oh, look. Isn't that the princess of the Ito clan?"

"Yeah, but who's that guy with her?"

"Maybe her brother."

"No man, all her brothers are younger than her."

Similar gossips started when people saw them entering the hall together. But Razak just ignored them and walked to the second last row where there were some empty seats. Yasumi followed him and they both took seats next to each other.

"I'm sorry. You had to hear all that because of me."

Her tone as her words were apologetic, and she looked a little down as she was saying that.

"I don't mind. You are rather popular, I see."

"Yes, to the point where it makes me feel like I'm carrying a huge burden on my shoulders."

"Well, you could always ignore them."

Yasumi's eyes widened when she heard such a casual reply. Razak too knew very well that things weren't that simple. But there was no way to escape reality — the best thing one could do in this case was just ignoring them.

"But-"

"Miss Yasumi."

Their conversation was interrupted by a white-haired young man. The man came closer to where they were sitting after calling Yasumi's name.

"It has been a while. I am sorry to hear about your father. Is there any news on the matter?"

Yasumi looked surprised to see him there. She glanced around and there were many eyes focused on them. So, in order to avoid drawing more attention, she was acting as casual as she could.

"Thank you, Sir Arasi. But could we discuss that matter later, and a bit more privately?"

It was only then that he realized the atmosphere around him.

"Oh, sorry. But I told you that you could call me Souta."

Yasumi smiled brightly as she replied, "But I am used to calling you Sir Arasi."

'That smile,' Razak thought. It was a smile that he was awfully familiar with — a fake smile. But it was only Razak who was familiar with such smiles. For Souta, who had no idea about that, it was the best thing in the world.

Souta fell for her at first sight when they met a few years ago. For him, she was an unrivaled beauty. Everything about her, from her appearance to etiquette, was perfection. And it wasn't just him, most of the youth who had ever met her, or even seen her from far, felt the same. It wasn't just males either, the females too couldn't help but admire that peerless beauty of hers.

He could no longer insist on that topic after watching that smile of hers. Instead, he turned towards Razak.

"Hey, can you sit somewhere else?"

There wasn't a hint of politeness in those words, and the direct tone at which it was said made it sound plain rude. In short, it was a pure display of arrogance.