First Day of Class

The day passed and it was a bright morning, inside a room belonging to a large apartment block about twelve stories high, a young boy woke up.

Rising from his bed, the young man seemed to begin his routine. He left his room, went to the bathroom, went through the living room, took a bath, came out and went back to his room. After changing and packing his things, he left with a backpack that he left on the living room sofa and then went to the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, the white-haired young man took out some ingredients and began to cook something quick. The sound of cooking along with the delicious aroma caused two more people to wake up.

Emerging from two adjoining rooms two sleepy males looked at their surroundings until they saw each other.

- Liam, Renato! Hurry up! - Daniel exclaimed from the kitchen. 

Even as both young men saw each other's faces, a fatal expression of disappointment was reflected on their faces.

- Ah, that's right... we share the same apartment. - said Liam.

- Oh... classes start today..." said Renato as he looked away.

Walking both of them to the living room, they had a brief chat.

- Hey... when I first met you, I thought you were a different kind of person... but now I think you're an idiot. - commented Liam.

- Oh, yeah? ... well, you're no God's bread either, huh? - replied Renato.

When they reached the living room, they both thought the same thing.

"Why did they have to put me with these guys! ... Well, at least I know them ... useless ones, but at least it's good to know."

Finished with breakfast, it was about half an hour before their first class in the morning was due to start.

- Hey... are we going to see our seniors today? - Daniel asked.

- I guess... although they should already be in this building with us, right? - said Renato.

- ... Yes, from what we saw yesterday, this building is structured to divide us according to our academic level. Even though these facilities are for the men, I guess it will be the same for the women's building. - commented Liam.

- Yes, I feel the same way, but about the divisions ... aren't they a bit discriminating? - Daniel commented.

- No, where I come from, this is quite normal. The higher the rank, the greater the benefits. - said Renato.

- ... According to the instructor's words, the building is divided into three areas ... the first five lower floors have a capacity for 45 students that will be for those who are studying the first year of study where we will share three people in the same apartment, the four intermediate floors are for those who are studying the second year of study with 32 students who will share two per apartment; finally, the last three upper floors are occupied by the students of the third and last year in the academy ... these floors have apartments for only one person with a capacity of 21 students. - Liam explained as he finished his breakfast.

- So this system also applies to the women's building? - asked Daniel.

- Yes, I believe so.

Looking at the time, they all noticed that the small talk had taken them 10 minutes; therefore, they hurried to get ready and the two missing ones quickly ran to another building where they could see many students entering.

At the top of the building were letters that read: R Pavilion - Reformed Specialized Studies.

- Wow... there are quite a few people...?! - as Daniel commented, he noticed those uniformed students from yesterday. Looking at himself, he noticed that he didn't have uniforms like the rest.

- Don't worry ... when we passed by the other halls, nobody was wearing those uniforms ... it seems that only for this place they use it ... even so, today is our first day and look ... those who entered with us don't have one either. - Liam stated looking at the rest of the students.

As they walked along, murmurings of all sorts could be heard about the new entrants. The uniforms were white with gold trim and emblems on both the side of the chest and one of the shoulders.

The sound of the bell rang around the pavilion indicating the start of classes. Everyone rushed to get inside.

- Come on, quick, before the rock comes!

- Ah, damn it! Are you still working here?!

- When do you plan to retire?!

These and more comments were heard leaving the new students confused.

Within seconds, a footstep was heard. A shadow was seen covering a couple of admits who didn't understand what was going on.

- But what do we have here? A couple of brats who think they are so superior to the rest that they don't think they are already in their classrooms. - said a tall, corpulent and hairy man who spoke haughtily.

The two young men began to tremble.

- Now, what should I do with you? ... But what do I see, it seems that you are not the only ones? - spoke the man as he looked at the other new students who were astonished to see such a person.

All 41 entrants couldn't look away.

- I see, you must be the new entrants... How nice! I will have to explain some things to you today.- said that man as he let out a strange laugh.

Everyone's thought, seeing such muscularity and intimidating smile, was the same.

"That thing is human?!"

- First of all, don't think yourselves better than the other students! No matter what great things you learn from today; always respect others and be humble.

Everyone kept watching and listening.

- Second! Respect the rules of the academy! There may be some among you who think you are cunning enough to do crazy things inside ARET, believe that I will be the first to know what you are hiding and the consequences will be severe, you can ask your senior classmates what I mean.

Both that grim looking young man who had had a brief encounter with Liam and the rest, as well as the other young man with a twisted personality who had gone unnoticed so far listened in silence.

- Third, never be late for class! Those who think they know more than their own teachers will go through a 'test' made by myself. Even if some are more talented or knowledgeable than others, they are not much different from other people. Greater strength, speed, endurance or some special ability against a trained police force or a group of people determined to fight will result in your defeat. Don't think you are the best!

- And Fourth! It is strictly forbidden to use your skills outside the permitted areas! Anyone found breaking this rule will be immediately expelled and placed under permanent observation by the government.

Having said the rules, the man exclaimed.

- Did you all understand?

- Sir. Yes, sir. - they all answered.

- I can't hear you!

- Sir! Yes, sir!

From the classrooms, you could see how the other students laughed wistfully at such a scene.

 They all entered their classrooms with tired expressions. Liam, Renato and Daniel met Ofelia who strangely up to now had not been seen by that group.

- Ophelia?! ... Where were you? We didn't see you yesterday. - commented Daniel with surprise.

- Oh, but I was always present. - replied the young woman with a smile.

- Really? ...

Sitting Liam in one of the seats, he looked sideways at the blonde girl.

"Present? No ... I never noticed their presence as well as those other two ... It seems as if something made us forget about them ... I think we all felt the same except for ..." thought Liam referring to the two dangerous guys he had run into earlier.

Watching the young uniformed men who were hostile towards them, Liam could understand that much of their hostility was directed towards those two grim looking young men sitting in the back. It was as if they always had their glares on the two of them.

"It seems their anger is more against the two of them... I don't blame them..."

Suddenly, entered a beautiful, mature looking woman who appeared to be about 36 years old. Dressed in a white robe, she was carrying a Tablet.

The impression she gave was of an empowered and elegant woman with vast experience and confidence.

- Good morning and welcome, everyone. It seems you have already passed through the greeting of supervisor and chief instructor Alejandro Briceño; well, I won't spoil the surprise of getting to know him. - said the woman.

The students were silent.

- Well, first let's start with the introductions. I am Amanda Durand, a graduate of ARET, an active researcher of human evolution and an official Reformed for the last five years. From now on, I will be your teacher and tutor in charge of the first year students. As you can see, we have 57 students in total, of which 41 are new students and the rest are repeaters.

That news left everyone somewhat surprised, since no one had ever considered that group. The murmurings and comments were not long in coming.

- Come on, be quiet! ... We'll start with those at the back and work our way forward. Please introduce yourself, Richard. - said the teacher to the student at the back who seemed to already know him.

A young man of about 17, who seemed to have a relaxed and burlesque appearance, stood up.

At the mansion of the Duchess of Saragossa, Sofia was getting into a car in her garage.

- My lady, are you sure we should go?

- Yes, Count Beltran has already accepted my message. - replied the reddish-haired woman.

- I-I understand... We will be there by nightfall, is that okay?

- It doesn't matter.

So, the car where the Duchess was accompanied by some guards left for Madrid accompanied by two more cars.

Richard, Valente, Alexandro, Gregory, Junior, Christian, Nila, Dagiana, Fabiola, Manuel and 6 other students introduced themselves as the group of repeaters from last year. Soon each student who came from PARET began to introduce themselves.

- My name is Leandro Martinez, I am 17 years old and I was the delegate during high school.

I hope to work well with you. - introduced himself, the young man with the serious look who seemed to be the leader of the uniformed students.

- You finally made it, huh? - commented haughtily one of the young repeaters who seemed to know him.

Some of them laughed; however, the teacher silenced them.

- My name is Alexia Brown, 15 years old, nice to meet you. - said the young girl with long hair and indifferent eyes.

- I'm Carlo Beraún, I'm 16 years old and my hobby is fighting. I hope we become close. - spoke that young man with a stubborn and fresh look similar to Richard's.

After a few minutes, the next to introduce themselves in a similar way were Bairon, Remus, André, Jorge, Ariana, Yvonne, Loana and the other 8 uniformed students.

The introductions of those coming from the high school were quick and with little information. Now it was the turn of the students who had passed the extraordinary exam to present themselves.

The first to introduce himself was the one everyone least expected.

- I am Louis Leroy. My age ... maybe 18 ... that I dislike ... nothing in particular ... that I like ... having fun ... - was the introduction of that somber young man who almost killed two young men during the exam; however, it seemed that his condition seemed healthier and his appearance more remarkable.

The presentation left everyone in awe of that guy and the second one was not far behind the previous one.

- I am Luján ... Hinostroza ... I am 17 years old and I come from Aragón. Nice to meet you. - said the man who had attacked Ofelia during the exam, but this time he had a totally serious face.

Passing by the other students, both Ophelia, younger sister of the Duchess of Minerva; Anna, daughter of the Eleonor barony were received with some good interest by the rest, but more so by the two heirs of two great corporations, Wilmer Elmeric and Amélie Bernard. However, no one compared to the presence of the Infanta of Spain, Maria Teresa Von Eber. When did the second daughter of the royal family participate in this exam?

- It is worth mentioning that for identity security reasons, the princess participated in the same conditions as the others, only that she was professionally disguised so that no one would recognize her identity. - commented the teacher.

Then, a beautiful young woman of beauty comparable to that of Maria Theresa, one could even say that it was greater than hers. Her melodious voice and gentle gaze captivated everyone; however, for Daniel it only reminded him of an annoying anecdote. Yes, it was the same black-haired woman who had attacked the young albino; her name was Elizabeth Richter. 

In the end, Liam, Daniel and Renato were introduced, to whom honestly no one was interested in knowing about them, unlike the relatives and heirs of high status, or at least that was how it was for most of them.

Having finished the introductions, the teacher spoke.

- Well, now ... the course I will teach you will be Introduction to the History of the Human Being of the XXI Century. Then you will have two more courses that will be taught by other professors for today, for sure then you will do some introductory workshops like the one yesterday. I suggest that all tension and resentment originated in the entrance exam be left in oblivion and try to start off on the right foot in this phase of your life. It is not in your best interest to fight with each other. Ah, last but not least, I recommend you to come early tomorrow morning, because I will explain something very important to you... it is about the organization of the students until their graduation. Well, now let's get started, the slides and reference books will be found in ...

That day passed with some tensions, but there was nothing more relevant to tell.

Again in class, no one was late, because they did not want to meet that instructor who looked like a bear.

As everyone was seated without the teacher being present, the projector showed a picture, or rather, a kind of organization chart. Everyone was watching and trying to understand what the picture meant, except for the repeating students.

- Well, I'm sure almost everyone is curious about what this is that is shown on the board ... let's start with the classification of the students within ARET. - said the teacher as she suddenly entered the room in high spirits.