CH 2: Building Eight, Floor Three

"Class dismissed."

Raia stretched out his limbs before finally heading towards the exit of the class. After two different periods and an earful of lectures, he felt as though he would drop dead asleep.

"Watch it, commoner"

Raia felt his body pushed as he grazed the side of a familar boy. He grumbled a half spoken apology before moving forward.

"To believe they still let the likes of you come here."

Raia paused.

Benjamin Stoll was the son of a baron and made it his responsibility to target Raia in Epíthesi. After all, in the empire, only the elite were given access to education. They needed it more than anyone else for aristocratic society. What would a commoner do with textbooks or lectures? Fold laundry? Deliver newspapers? Benjamin simply could not allow it.

"Why don't you go ahead and die already? Everyone is waiting for your low presence to leave the Academy anyway."

Raia clenched his fist, reminding himself to remain calm for the Magnolia Manor. He couldn't act up or Meda would face the consequences.

"Well? Are you going to do it? Or should I kill you myself?" Benjamin smirked, pushing the boy, "It's not like anyone would care about the death of a commoner."

With all the resilience in his body, Raia passed Benjamin in silence. Oh he dreamed of the day where he could finally give Benjamin a serving of the treatment he had undergone. But no matter what, he had to stay calm.

Andromeda perked as she saw Raia leave his class. She stood beside the door, waiting patiently. Raia put on a grin and forced himself to repress the anger building up inside his chest. There was no reason to be angry when Meda was there.

"Raia!" she waved him over, "How was Math?"

"It would've been better if you were there, I barely understand basic addition let alone Algebra. "

"Should I fail Advanced Calc II so we can be together again?" she teased, "I would much rather have all my classes with you."

"No way" Raia poked her forehead, "The duchy doesn't want a dumb duchess that can't do advanced calculus."

She pouted. Raia still could not understand why the duke would place his entire household in Meda's hands when she could have such a childish side.

"You can still be smart without taking calculus," she mumbled.

"I don't know Meda, I wouldn't work for a lady who can't do math!"

"Not like I'll give you a choice," Meda clung to his arm, "You have to work with my forever!"

"I don't really have anywhere else to go anyway."

Andromeda smiled and handed Raia a bag of food, a lunch that she requested the maids to prepare for him every day. Raia hated school but the five star lunch meals made up for some of his daily torment. He could never afford this type of stuff alone.

"The garden! Mirelia and Oliver should be eating there by now."

"You think they already there? Class just ended."

"Of course they would be. You know how those two are."

Mirelia Verlice and Oliver Miller were the first and second ranked third years at Epíthesi. Every semester, they constantly ranked at the top of the class. Yet despite their prestigious and noble backgrounds, they never looked down on Raia.

For that reason alone, Raia considered them to be a rare breed of noble and they were his only friends at the academy.

Raia and Andromeda arrived at a lush garden covered in rose bushes that opened up to a water fountain in the middle. Infront of the fountain sat two figures, enjoying a sip of tea at a table.

"Lady Magnolia! Raia!" Mirelia called. Andromeda rushed to over to the girl while Raia slowly followed - waving his arm in the air behind her.

"You seem depressed," a blond haired boy joked as Raia finally sat beside him, "Are the professors on you about the exams again?"

"You already know Oliver," Raia huffed, "so why bother asking?"

"Hey, I know you actually tried to study this time. I saw you in the library."

"Shut up idiot!" Raia hushed him, "Can't you keep your big mouth shut?"

"I'm not the idiot here."

Oliver laughed, pushing a frustrated Raia lightly. The two were the type to argue nonstop but consider eachother bestfriends.

"Calm down you two," a stern voice called out, "Use your mouths to eat instead of talking. You're too loud."

"Aw come on Mirelia! Isn't it cute to see them argue?"

"Lady Magnolia you are far too lenient on them," Mirelia frowned her vibrant blue eyes,"You too Oliver! Don't tease Raia. I'm sure he has heard enough from everyone today."

"Thank you Lady Mirelia," Raia scratched his head in embarrassment, "I deserve it though. I'm bringing the whole academy down with my scores."

"You sure are" the blond remarked.

"Shut it four-eyes," Raia shoved a sandwich in Oliver's mouth, "Just shut it and eat, okay?"

The group burst into laughter as Raia choked Oliver with a sandwich. Mirelia chuckled, gracefully taking a sip of her tea while Meda wiped her tears from laughing.

With a sudden ding, the bell for lunch rang and disappointment fell over the four. Raia and Oliver groaned in unison.

"Don't we have the next class together today?" Mirelia clapped her hands to ease the mood, "History with Professor Kang."

"Professor Kang?" Raia tilted his head back, "That chick is insane. I swear she's missing a few screws."

"She's a bit off but at least we have one class together," Meda sighed.

"Thankfully only one class."

"Do you want to choke on another sandwich Oliver?"

Oliver raised his hands in defense, shaking his head furiously.

Again, Andromeda and Raia burst into laughter while Mirerlia sighed before dragging the group to their next class. Her hands grabbed each member with force. They had a long walk after all.

Professor Kang's class was the farthest room from the center of the campus; building eight, third floor of the Epíthesi Academy