Class D [1]

Khalil stood near the towering gates of the Celestial Arcane Academy, his head low as embarrassment prickled at him. The grand iron gates, adorned with intricate runes and carvings, loomed over him like silent judges of his tardiness. Worse, he wasn't alone.

Three other students were lined up beside him in similar disgrace, though they all seemed to handle the situation far differently than he did.

The gatekeeper, a gruff-looking man with sharp eyes and a permanent scowl, sat atop his bond—a massive bear-like beast with sleek black fur and silver streaks running down its back. The creature's piercing gaze swept over the four of them as if it too was disappointed.

Khalil sighed inwardly, his shame deepening. "Twenty minutes late on the first day," he thought. "What a stellar way to start my new academy life."

His companions in punishment, however, didn't seem nearly as fazed.

To his left, a girl with twin white ponytails yawned loudly, her hand covering her mouth lazily. Her bond, a small, winged snake coiled snugly around her shoulders, was already fast asleep, its tiny chest rising and falling in rhythm.

Next to her was a boy with messy red hair, his fiery eyes practically glowing with mischief. His posture was casual, hands in his pockets, and his bond—a wolf-like creature with crimson streaks in its fur—stood beside him with a weary expression. It growled low, clearly reluctant to participate in whatever chaotic plans its tamer might be cooking up.

Finally, on Khalil's right, there was a timid-looking boy with delicate features and a trembling frame. His knees wobbled as if they might give out at any moment. His bond, an orange cat-like beast with sleek fur and sharp, intelligent eyes, sat by his feet, its tail flicking in irritation.

"You need to grow up, kid," the cat beast muttered, its voice surprisingly deep and full of exasperation. Khalil's eyes widened slightly at the remark. He thought he'd seen this beast in one of the videos, though the memory was faint. Could it be this boy was an important character? 

The gatekeeper's voice broke the awkward silence, gruff and commanding.

"Listen up, all of you." His gaze swept over the group, lingering for a moment on each of them. "This is your first and last warning. The academy doesn't tolerate tardiness, laziness, or outright disregard for rules. Consider this a freebie. Next time, there will be consequences."

Khalil nodded quickly, his posture stiff. The trembling boy let out a tiny squeak, and the mischief-filled redhead smirked as if daring the gatekeeper to do something. The girl with the ponytails simply yawned again, looking like she might fall asleep where she stood.

The bear beast let out a low rumble as if punctuating the gatekeeper's warning.

"Now, get out of my sight and join the others before I change my mind," the gatekeeper barked.

Relieved, Khalil followed the group as they entered the academy grounds, his mind racing.

He couldn't help but observe the trio ahead of him. The girl was practically dragging her feet, the redhead was striding confidently as though he owned the place, and the timid boy stuck close to the group like his life depended on it. Khalil trailed behind them, shaking his head. "What a strange bunch," he thought.

The path led them toward the grand hall, a massive, dome-like structure at the center of the academy grounds. Khalil barely had time to take in the breathtaking scenery—the immaculate gardens, sparkling fountains, and towering spires—before the red-haired boy motioned for them to hurry.

"Come on, slowpoke," the boy called out, his grin as mischievous as ever.

The group slipped into the hall, finding seats in the last empty row near the back. Khalil settled into his seat just as the principal's deep, commanding voice echoed through the hall, signaling the opening ceremony was already in full swing.

The grand hall was filled with students and faculty, their bonds resting beside them or perched on their shoulders. The air buzzed with excitement and magic, and the atmosphere felt almost electric.

Khalil straightened in his seat, eager to absorb everything. The red-haired boy, however, leaned back casually, his feet constantly tapping the chair in front of him, while the girl with the white ponytails leaned against the armrest, her winged snake bond now snoozing again.

Despite the distractions from his row-mates, Khalil focused on the speeches. The ceremony wasn't at all like the ones in his previous world. The topics covered were fascinating—introductions to the faculty, an overview of the academy's history, the importance of bonds in the world, and the trials that awaited them as new students.

He listened intently, noting down every useful detail in his mind.

By the time the principal delivered his closing speech, Khalil also started to feel sleepy. It seems the lack of sleep was catching up.

As the hall erupted into applause at the principal's ending speech, Khalil let out a small sigh of relief. The three-hour ceremony had felt surprisingly engaging, perhaps because of his new perspective or the thrill of being in this world.

As the applause began to die down, the principal gestured toward the stage. Several assistants stepped forward, each carrying a wooden box filled with shimmering tokens. The tokens, engraved with magical glyphs that glowed faintly, looked like something straight out of a game.

One by one, the freshman lined up to receive their tokens. Khalil, seated near the back, waited for his turn. The red-haired boy had already darted off, clearly eager to see what was on his token, while the white-haired girl yawned again, muttering something about wishing for a nap instead of the ceremony. The timid boy hesitated for a moment, clutching his bond close, before joining the line.

When Khalil finally stepped up to the assistant distributing the tokens, the man handed him one with a curt nod. The token was cool to the touch and fit perfectly in Khalil's palm. It shimmered as he held it up, the engraved glyphs rearranging themselves to display his personal details:

"Class D."