Chapter 15

The high school's first classroom was layout just like the middle school, nothing particularly different. At the center of the room were a big hologram terminal and teacher seat while two rows of tables with their own computers were around it.

Right now all the technology except for the artificial light was turned off and the students were encouraged to talk to each other. Ten teenagers that did not know each other were awkwardly trying to hold conversations while others were joining in before the class started.

Mat entered the classroom and ignored the unintentional stares from the people who quickly recognized him from the internet. After the one interview, he was on several others not as watched talk shows and did several articles, which were at least paid.

"Hi..."

"What's up?!" Mat responded to the boy sitting next to him.

"Do you remember me? We were going to the same school, just different classes!"

"Ohh, sorry,"

"Ah no worry...It's great to have a celebrity in the class!" he said loudly, making Mat the center of attention. However, Mat smiled backed.

"Please, it's not like that..." he said trying to ignore those gazes.

"Still, having a planet must be amazing, I might look for a similar lottery as well..."

"Good luck,"

"Thanks!" the boy said and then the awkward pause of a few seconds made him continue with the conversation.

"Do you have plans with it? Why even bother with school?"

"Ah, my parents want me to first finish high school,"

"Riiight, I guess having a planet will not take other responsibilities away," the boy nodded.

"What do you mean by a planet?" somebody from the surrounding kids asked and Mat was about to again put on a face, but thankfully the teacher entered the room.

"Everybody sit down, you will have time to get to know each other after the introduction," said the middle-aged teacher. He wore modern googles with a slick simple design, that were created with the function of the more sophisticated 3D hologram. Still, he did not use them and rather turned on the terminal that created a 3D representation of the school building. Mat computer screen lit up and he could see a smaller 3D model as well.

"I will be brief and focus on differences between high school and middle school. You should already know this, but the high school only takes three years and focuses on more practical learning. Of course, you will be still tested by the curriculum for theoretical knowledge as that is important to even do something practical, so don't think your past education was useless.

The first year will be more strict with your classes, but at the start of the second year, you will be able to pick your own classes, more specific for your talents and needs." he said with a strong harmonic voice while Mat played with the model. He rotates it around and looks for something interesting, but it was just a building.

"Before I explain the map of the school I want to tell you to all sign up for a club. There are many clubs and at the end of the year, they all compete in the club battle royal, where you present your year's worth of work to the school board and might get a recognition. The list of clubs is in the school manual...Now let me show you where the cafeteria is...

***

The teacher stayed even after he gave them free time to socialize so he could answer questions. Of course, soon the focus was on Mat again and he had to explain his planet to all of them. The barrage of questions was to be expected and he already knew how to handle it better.

"That is enough, Mat must be tired from all the people prying... let's change the topic!" the teacher cut them off with a smile and Mat smiled back at him.

"Teacher! Can we create our own club?" one girl asked.

"Not as first years, sorry. You also need more than three people and to be accepted by the board,"

"Too bad, I don't know which one to pick! Which club you have been in?"

"My high school did not have clubs like here, so I was just in a tennis club. However next week the clubs will have a presentation, so you can choose then!" the teacher waved his hand.

"Mat! What club are you going to pick?" his closest neighbor asked him,

"Not sure yet, I guess the architect club looks interesting...too bad there is no carpentry club,"

"Why not this one?" the boy asked and showed him the club with the name of Planetary exploration. Mat got sick just from the name.

"Apparently it only has four people and it is..."

"That is fine, I will for something more relaxing...you know to get the recognition with a small club would be too hard..." Mat lied and quickly found some other club.

"Like this writing club! They focus on so many types of writing!"

"Writing? Carpentry? You have quite a lot of hobbies!"

"Well, writing is my part-time job, I write articles and such..."

"You work? Ooof..."

"Thanks for the support?"