As Leila decided not to mind about things for the future, she definitely saw what Harvey said to be strange. Their classmates are struggling.
Unlike them who are nonchalant and talking about life and all, the other children in the class are having different faces of struggling. Somehow the trio is having a sense of deja vu with how strange things are.
Indeed the class 1B is having a hard time the moment they stepped into the room. At first they only thought the place is a little stuffy, but as minutes passed by it's obvious that things are more serious than they think it is.
They are all trying to look normal and unaffected by whatever had been making them feel to fall down the floor like hapless stringless mannequins.
They made some bustle, getting to know about their classmates and all, but their facial expressions are turning worse by a second. And finally they ought to shut up all together to spend their energy on themselves. They refused to fall behind the rest of the class.
One way or another some competitive students take this chance to measure potential rivals for the top class. With gritting teeth they survey everyone and take note of the ones who stood out. And the ones that are seemingly unaffected were the trio whose first impression was not as good as they like it.
The sight of them talking and sharing skinship, was a tear in their eyes. They are asking why they are not in the same situation as them. Why are they fine while they are not?
But how could they know? The three had been subjected to an even more challenging pressure than this when they were younger.
The daycare class of Leila and co. are sure not to be mediocre this type of test. Even in the mix of high specs students, they will not necessarily be the worst on that grouping. Early exposure does wonders. They might not remember the contents of that unprecedented aptitude test, their body instinctively adjusted normally to the familiar event. It already knew what to do in things like this.
Class 1B's summon class is conducting a test to see what level they can take in this subject. To the trio it is still not enough to actually make them experience hardship, to them the current level of pressure is still alike to a pressure less area. They were still very young when something like this had happened, and it's undeniable that they are not fresh tender children as they were before. They are all growing, and they are more stronger as they age. So it's not surprising for them not to be affected.
Finley was a very competitive person. He was used to being the numero uno. And maybe among the forcefully elected officers, he was the only one happy with it. For what he wanted, he is very willing to do anything to keep things at his pace.
He was among the competitive students who kept an eye to everyone. With his decisive actions he is no way dumb, he did passed the hard exams to be admitted to the school. This is an evaluation to see if they are suitable for the subject. He is definitely doing his best to be the best in this class.
But the sight of the trio who opposed him, made him feel even vicious and angry at them. How dare they be more outstanding as he? On what qualification?
The boy is not reconciled to be lesser than others. He is the best of the best! If he's not, what should he be? It was all that he lived for his short life.
He gave them an angered glare, promising to put them to their place sooner or later. He after all had an official position to make them suffer while not making it seem he's being deliberate. And even if they find troubles with him regarding his actions, it will make him look more pleasing to the eyes of his other classmates.
Harvey and Leila naturally know the fixed glares on them. They shielded Khelly from those not-so-nice gazes. As much as possible they opt to make her know last to let things be more convenient. It will also make her not feel too left out with whatever plans they will brew.
"Hey, aren't their expressions a little familiar?" Harvey said with a dry chuckle. He really does not want to remember that unfortunate day ever again. But here again he is once again subjected to this thing again with the same blue eyed pair.
"Now that you mention it. I remember seeing that the first time we talked and fought." Khelly said as she had a weird expression on her face. "What rotten luck we have."
"Indeed what rotten luck we have." Harvey said agreeing on the sentiment. "But hey isn't this an opportunity to settle the thing from before?"
"What settlement?" Leila said confusingly, she have no knowledge of whatever they are talking about. She remembered everything well, but she had no memory about this thing Harvey and Khelly are connoting.
"Now that you mention it. This is an opportunity." Khelly said as she remembered the one of the many reasons why she and Harvey were always at odds. She said to Leila that this is just between the two of them, and it's better to let them be with the matters regarding it.
"Once and for all I will win this time!" Two thought as they decided to use the least energy possible to last longer than the other. They are unreconciled to their draw before! This time, one of them must be the winner in this test!
The two were strangely serious about it and Leila thought that it's better she really stayed away from it. Whatever it may be she respects the two's wishes. Only when things are going overboard would she mediate between them.
If Leila really wanted to learn anything, she had the ability to do so. But she knew to respect others' privacy. And besides she doesn't want to know things that are not really beneficial and useful to her. It's a waste of time and effort if she uses her ability on useless info gathering.
So she let them be. She's letting them have their fun. It's good for them to bond like this after all.
Since she knew that the two would now be in a state where they are unlikely to answer her, Leila took the opportunity to give a task to mana. To locate their missing teacher.
Being subjected to the uncomfortable heavy feeling, the former goddess is once again not so pleased with the attitude for the people of this world. They are all toxic in a way more poisonous way compared to the chaotic Reilas in her vision after her death.
At least in that prediction, it's reasonable that they are all like that because the power plays that the ungrateful gods do behind the screen. They are simply helpless on the matter.
Here, she does get the idea of why, but she really doesn't like how it was implemented. Many lives are lost in their plays with or without any knowledge.
She didn't like the cycle formed by the hungry greed of power. That they are all doing their best to create a monster out of their selves. Was it because this world is so peaceful that the people in power prefer to abuse their authority to entertain themselves? Humans are really a puzzle.
A few moments later, the Mana conveyed to her that their teacher was next door. The man was observing them and writing notes as it was shown to her in an image only visible only to her. Only because she saw the hard-working attitude of the other that her bad impressions towards the other is improved.
But she once again fell into her thoughts. She doesn't want to stand out as much as she already is. They are already considered odd in their age group, so she cannot just pretend to be weaker because the situation calls for it.
With how things are now, she should place herself in the top five or three this time. She decided to just follow the rhythm of her friends. They are pretty much seen as a group that goes through things together, because of some misjudged judgement on the minds of their children. So she only needs to do her best not to take a place higher than the two.
"What to do~?" Leila thought with a cheery feeling. Throughout the years she fell in love with the play she is always making. Back then in Reilas she didn't have the luxury to actually play around like this.
Now that another opportunity presented before her, she will make use of it to make a little petty revenge too. Nobody touches what's hers without paying a price after all. She has to teach the boy a lesson, even if it's not known to be her doing.
Though she is feeling a little complex. The class president was a good seedling with a twisted mind, he's tenacious too. She just can't let his potential go to waste because of her anger. That's not good for everyone one way or another.
"~let's do that!" Leila said as she instructed the Mana to increase the pressure applied to the class president at least ⅛ of whatever pressure he's subjected to.
That way, although beneficial in the long run it will also teach the boy that there are mountains after mountains. She aims to make him recognize that he's not really special and that everything should go with his wimps. If he refuses to acknowledge that, she will do something more for a later date.
And of course she will make things a little fair for everyone. The current test is very unfair to the others. She and her friends had some advantage over others and she placed an increase on their president. So to balance it out, she also applied an increase to her and her company. It was half of the current pressure that the rest is feeling.
She can't have the gap too wide, so an illusion is needed to maintain a sense of competition. Having an attainable goal is good, but if the hurdle is too high instead of inspiration it will make the aspiring ones to be in despair due to helplessness. Leila also needs a shield to her abnormality, so she can't have them give up on themselves on the slightest things.
Leila was not worried that someone will notice it nor she is afraid that someone will know of her manipulation. The mana does things meticulously, and will naturally mask her involvement to them, not that they can talk about it to someone. But the thing is, she can make it happen.
Without hesitation she promptly implemented her plans. Now she's looking forward to seeing the end of this test.
Editing Progress: 19/42
Edited 1/5/21 13:43