Chapter 2: Class 12-E

After a mysterious encounter at the gates of Cross Academy, Leonard, the reluctant Prince of Orlando, finds himself in the company of the cheerful Head Master. Uncomfortable with the recent reveal of his royal identity, Leonard contemplates the Head Master's reassurances. As they proceed to Leonard's class, he muses on the hope that the academy will treat him differently than others who emphasise his princely status. Unaware of the challenges awaiting him, Leonard steps into the enigmatic world of Cross Academy, where mysteries unfold in the shadows of grandeur.

The imposing castle loomed over Leonard as he followed the Head Master through the eerily silent campus. The air was thick with an unspoken tension, and Leonard couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Leonard couldn't resist questioning the unusual stillness. "Sir, is it always this quiet inside the campus? Or is it something else?" His words hung in the air, echoing through the deserted pathways.

The Head Master glanced around cautiously before responding, "It's just not normal here. 'She' doesn't like it when the place gets rowdy." Leonard's mind raced with confusion. 'She'? Why did the Head Master wear such a troubled expression at the mention of this mysterious 'she'?

Before Leonard could delve deeper into his thoughts, the Head Master briskly changed the subject, leading him to the next block. "Moving on to the next block, this one will be where you will be staying and studying for the next two years."

"Okay, sir," Leonard replied, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of his stomach.

"If you find any problem, you can tell me," the Head Master offered, his words laden with an unspoken gravity that only fueled Leonard's curiosity.

As they approached the entrance of Block 12, a captivating sight unfolded before Leonard. A lady in her early twenties, donned in a traditional kimono, stood with an air of grace. The entrance, adorned with a grand archway teeming with irises, resembled a scene from a fairy tale.

"Greetings, Head Master. Is there anything I can help you with?" the lady in the kimono spoke, her voice as enchanting as the castle surroundings.

The Head Master introduced Leonard, "Nothing much. The young man here will be attending classes in 12-E from today on. So, I thought it would be best if I showed him to the right place."

The lady bowed slightly and introduced herself, "My name is Ms. Miwa. I am the person in charge of Block 12. Nice to meet you." Leonard couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty and mystique of Ms. Miwa and the academy that seemed to hold secrets within its walls.

Leonard stood there, a sense of anticipation filling the air as he exchanged pleasantries with Ms. Miwa. "I am Leonard. Nice to meet you too," he said with a polite smile, trying to hide the curiosity bubbling within him.

The Head Master handed over the responsibility, saying, "Then I will leave him in your care, Ms. Miwa." Leonard felt a shift in dynamics, a transfer of guardianship from the stern Head Master to the enigmatic Ms. Miwa.

"Shall we have a little tour around the block, Leonard?" Ms. Miwa proposed, her voice holding an inviting warmth. "Sure, Ms. Miwa," Leonard replied, ready to unravel the mysteries hidden within the academy.

As they strolled along the pavement, Leonard couldn't help but notice the vibrant display of exotic flowers. Initially dismissing them as mere luxuries, he soon realized their medicinal value upon closer inspection. The academy, it seemed, held secrets not just in its walls but in its flora.

The revelation didn't stop there. A mini 5-star hotel disguised as a canteen and a world-class hospital masked as a nurse's office left Leonard bewildered. A shop stocked with everything one could possibly need, from branded clothes to cosmetics, added another layer of peculiarity. Despite their old-fashioned exteriors, these facilities were equipped with cutting-edge technology.

The tour reached its conclusion just before lunch, marked by a snack break. Ms. Miwa guided Leonard to his classroom, an enormous space resembling a grand auditorium with 50 seats. As he entered, he noticed a few girls, indifferent to his arrival. Ms. Miwa introduced him, but the girls remained uninterested, as if the comings and goings of newcomers were of no consequence.

A girl sitting near the front offered Leonard a handbook and a mini-map, her indifference contrasting with her helpful gesture. Puzzled by the absence of boys and the vacant seats, Leonard wondered about the secrets shrouded in the academy's ambiance.

With the day coming to an end, Leonard contemplated his new life at the academy. The question lingered: would the mysterious prince survive in this peculiar and enigmatic environment? The answer awaited, hidden within the unfolding chapters of Leonard's journey in this extraordinary institution.