Beginnings and Bonds

"Alright, guys. Today we have some new students joining our class. Let's get the introductions done and get into the classes," the teacher said to us, cheerfully putting up. The new students stood at the podium in the center of the class and started to introduce themselves one by one.

The teacher was someone I had known for so long. Her name was Angela, and she worked in the guild as a researcher. Due to her extended stay inside the lab, my father gave her the job to educate the students here and not to step foot inside the lab until the classes were over.

As for the new students, some of them were familiar. It was the guys who were getting bullied last week.

I think their names were Rudeus Lugh, Gorden Greyrat and Seth Bladeheart.

The other two of them were girls and with the introductions, I heard their names were Helen Rose and Evana Valen.

It was already the next week after my father and I went on an adventure into the wilderness and met the party from the central. I hoped Leyla was doing okay from the poison, as I didn't get to speak with her before leaving since she was resting.

"If I graduate from here and get into the central academy soon, maybe I would be able to meet them all again," I thought.

Not to mention, after seeing Leyla and Lucas, my father said to me to get into the Central Academy after graduating from the apprenticeship the magic guild is conducting for me and the other students here.

It's a five-year course, and according to my father, it seems like I can get the adventurer's license after turning twelve.

As I was thinking about that and listening to the class while the new students introduced themselves and took their seats in the classroom, the new girl, Evana Valen, walked towards me. She looked at the bench next to me, turned her head towards me, and pointed at the bench with a face of no emotions.

Hard to see a girl so cold.

"Huh... Ms. Valen? You can take the seat next to Ryan if you want," Ms. Angela said with a confused face while looking at Evana.

"What's with this girl?" I said to myself as I was surprised by Evana's emotionless face.

After she heard Ms. Angela, she nodded at her and took the seat near me.

"...hmm. Good then. Ryan, share your notes with Ms. Valen for today!" Ms. Angela said with an awkward smile, and I responded to her with a nod in agreement.

"So let's get back to the classes, shall we? The magical beasts' mana cores..."

Ms. Angela started the class as the students began to listen to her. I took notes of this class and shared them with Evana since her seat was much closer to me.

While doing that, I greeted her with a smile, "Hello there. My name is Ryan Dainsleif. Nice to meet you, Evana!"

"Oh. My name is Evana. No need for formalities," she replied abruptly.

Right. My coming days in this class are going to be so awkward.

...

"Alright, guys. That's it for today. Tomorrow you would probably have practical training, and I have to work in my lab, so if there's nothing much to talk about...bye!" Ms. Angela seemed to be in a hurry to get into her lab like always.

The classes for today were over, and I had to eat something for lunch before going to my training. Now that I have a dagger that my father gave me, I might as well train some new tricks.

"Ryan! Wanna get some food?" Leon walked over from the first-row seat he was sitting in and stood near me with a cheerful smile.

"Yeah, sure!" I replied as I woke up from my seat with my bag and prepared to exit the class.

"Hey, you two! Can I join you two as well?" A voice came from behind us.

It was Helen Rose, the new girl.

"Sorry. Only boys are allowed!" Leon rushed his words and refused her as soon as he saw Helen. Seems like he is afraid of her. I wonder why.

"Shut up, Leon. Don't mind him, Miss. Sure, you can join us. You are...Helen, right? My name is Ryan Dainsleif," I said and introduced myself with a smile.

"Yes, I am. I'm Helen Rose, and Leon's big sister! Don't be formal with me, Ryan!" she said with a cheeky smile as she mocked Leon.

Big sister?

"Leon, you didn't tell me you had a big sister?" I asked him curiously.

"Ryan, Helen is my cousin from my mother's side. I've known her for far too long, and she acts like my big sister just because she is two months older than me," Leon said with a sighed-irritated face.

Seems so. Helen seems to be a cheerful girl. Even when Leon says he is irritated by her, I can see his secret smile with her here.

"So you are irritated huh?" I asked Leon with a smile.

"Well...not really but, I just...yes, I'm irritated with her around!" he said with a shy smile.

"Don't worry, little brother. I'm here to hang out with the class president Ryan. Not you!" Helen said as she held my hand tightly.

Seeing these two brings back memories of my friends from my past life. After a long time, I'm feeling quite laughable with these two arguing with each other.

"Hahaha."

"Why are you laughing, man?" Leon asked with an embarrassed face.

"No no. You two are so lively I couldn't resist my laugh. Well, let's go and get some lunch!" I said after my laugh calmed down.

As we three stepped out from the classroom, little did I know, I had missed something in the class itself.

...

We all talked all the way to the cafeteria, and most of the talking was an argument between Helen and Leon.

After getting to the cafeteria, we walked towards the food suppliers to get our food.

"Oh, Ryan! Made a new friend, I see!" Richard, the man who works as the food supplier for the hour, said with a smile as he got our plates and kept the food.

"Yes, sir. Her name is Helen, and she is in my class along with Leon!" I replied to him.

"Hello there, sir. Nice to meet you!"

"Hello, young lass. Eat well and study well," he said as he gave us our food.