III: Duty

Before I knew it, homeroom is over. It felt to me that time went by faster than the speed of light or at least to me. Although there were many important details, like the student council. Normally the members of the student council are voted by the students and whoever wins one of the positions (These are, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Public Relations Officer, Muse, and Escort) they chose to run for, gets the seat in that position till the next election. With that in mind, they have the authority over the students and be the symbol of student authority within the school. But in the case of Enceburg University, it's different. The President is the head of the student council though, but things change when we get to the 2nd rank in the university authority. This one should be Secretary, but they have three equal ranks called "Gents". A rank that only three students can get, and those students represent the three classes, The Common, The Mid, And Prestigious. And there is no escort, only the Disciplinary Committee, a committee tasked with taking disciplinary actions on students who caused trouble in or out the campus grounds(when outside campus problem comes up, they are required to cooperate with authorities if that situation comes to a bad point). But mostly they deal with bad things students cause and take care of it using disciplinary action or worse it can be reported to the higher-ups and get expelled.

So far it's all I can remember from what was discussed by the professor, plus it's one of the things that piqued my interest. Like I can think of a scenario where what if the student council had full control of the school, but that's another thing for next time. I don't want my head to be filled with anxiety-making thoughts.

After packing up the things I headed out for the door, then David, the dude from earlier invited me if I could go to lunch with him:

" Yo! Kaden, wanna go to the cafeteria together? I mean might as well explore that place with someone right? so we don't get lost easily. Kinda... anyways you in?"

And I was like, that's the first time someone invited me, and I thought to myself, I've never really made friends with anyone so might as well do it before I graduate from university without any friends. All my life, either I pushed people or ignored them, and now maybe this is a chance for a change, maybe its time for me to be someone unbothered or stuck in their past, this is probably one of the ways to overcome that and maybe having friends could change my life for once. So I decided to join David and accept his invite:

"You know what? I'm in, I'm down to see and explore the cafeteria... I kinda said that in a way like I'm exploring a dungeon or a quest area. If you get what I mean."

David burst into laughter and says:

"HAHAHAHAHA! MAN! I didn't know you had good taste in games."

"C'mon let's go and venture into the cafeteria! and maybe try out every food choice!"

He said it as we walk out of the classroom and then putting his arm around my shoulder. Then we talked about many things along the way and I realized were gonna be the best of friends.

We finally reached the cafeteria, and as we entered it was what you'd expect from a prestigious university. Tons of students storming the food section, while others find seats. Seats that separate the 3 classes and it is obvious the prestigious class has the better-looking seats.

"WOW! NOW THAT'S A PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITY! Look at the food Kaden! the seats! the waiters! damn, this is one of a heck cafeteria."

Said David who gave a surprising reaction

"Yeah, you're right! This place is great! so now what?"

And of course, there enters my introverted side, pretending to question what's next when I just wanna go somewhere and read a novel. But to be true it is a nice cafeteria but:

"Yeah it's nice David but don't you notice something?"

David gave me a confused face and asked why:

"Why do you mean? Is there anything? cause I don't see it."

Before I said anything I looked around analyzed everything that I can see and made sure to check any hidden details, Then finally I told David what I noticed:

"You know-how this cafeteria building is built circularly, and the arrangement of the tables, like the outer tables sits the common students, the mid-class on the inner, and the prestigious students sit in the middle with a big space separating them from the other classes. It's almost as if you are looking at a pyramid but as a circle whereas the center symbolizes power and control, which is mostly the prestigious students has, and they are treated like the higher-ups and respected. Then the mid-class in the inner section just next to the space separating the other two classes from the prestigious class. It's making it look like the middle class is the ones equally treated as prestigious but at the same time common. Finally, the common class is in the outer rows, in the edges of the circle. They always get last for lunch, always behind. It's like we common class students are being treated as low lives and making it look like will always be a type of people on the low level."

David's response was:

"I mean sure yeah were divided and all but were just people, where all the same its just different perspectives of other people and how they want other people to see what they see. So don't go overthinking some small details, don't let it get to you."

David said that with a smile, it's making me think that he's not the worry-type-kinda-person. He's just positive. But I remember before I enrolled at the university, I've heard many stories and rumors of common class students committing suicide, arson, getting arrested for robbery, and many more. I looked it all up but many news articles only wrote "They were all just rumors!" and it's giving me a feeling that this place is hiding secrets among its students, but it's a mystery for another time.

*Stomach growling!

"Ehh! uhm! wanna go get lunch?"

I said it in a quick time then remembered I only had coffee for breakfast because I was gonna be late. So I asked David if we can go in line for lunch right away then he giggles and says we should go already:

"Yeah! we should! cmon! you look like you only had coffee for breakfast and I'm also starving. Let's go before the good stuff runs out!"

"OKAY! Alright, stop dragging me!"

And with that, it took us 12 minutes to get our turn and still get some good food. As we head to find a table, I got separated from David, I look around but I only see tons of students going around, eating and having conversations. I couldn't familiarize David with everyone even with my glasses on. I moved forward and instead searched for open seats, maybe in that way David might be also looking for me. So if I see him I'll just wave at that dude since he's tall and he'll probably notice it is me, waving like an idiot amongst the crowd.

20 minutes pass and there is no sign of David, I already finished my food, and before putting back the plate I still waited, look around, then I just decided to go and maybe leave and see if I can still meet him:

"Maybe it's best just to go and maybe I can find him somewhere on the campus"

Picking up the plates and my stuff I head to the plate disposal area and along the way, I felt someone tapped my back, and looking behind I see a familiar face:

"Took you long enough to find me, I even finished the plate and got bored waiting for you, David!"

"Sorry man, the otaku dudes invited me to their table, and I couldn't just turn them down since they are one of the people I am familiar with. Again I apologize for ditching you, Kaden!"

He said that as he bows for asks to be forgiven. But I didn't take it into heart, I understand, there are times where you can't have the time to be with the same people and you will have to choose which person will you spend your time with? and other than that I'm not mad. Though it's not always easy to tell if that person is lying or not but in Davids's case, he doesn't look like someone who always lies.

Now that is finished might as well go to the library to clear my mind or maybe to the University Park to get some fresh air. I'd like to go alone for now. So I told David what I wanna do next:

"Hey! David, there's something I gotta do. So... I kinda gotta go! is it alright? I mean it looks like you got people waiting for you?"

David look behind him and he realized that he also has something to do. The otaku dudes he was with were waiting for him, calling for his name waving. Then he replied:

"Yeah looks like the both of us got stuff to do, I mean you do you while I chill with them. Anyways catch ya later Kaden!"

"Later David!"

I waved as he leave among the otakus. But I remembered still holding the plate and I rushed to put it at the plate's disposal like I was supposed to. After putting it in I hear a loud crash in the distance, as I look back I see students gather in the cafeteria entrance. Usually, I don't want myself to get involved with such situations but maybe a peek wouldn't be bad. Just an In and Out peek.

I walk towards the crowd, they started screaming and shouting and I had a bad feeling about it. Pushing myself through the crowd until I realized it was a bad feeling. In front of me were common class students being humiliated by Mid-Class and Prestigious-Class students. Scattered lunch was on the floor. Bruises among that poor Common-Class students. I knew I had to do something about this, I just can't let them get bullied and humiliated in front of many. I need to decide quickly before this situation gets even worse. I looked around and I see a fellow student next to me holding a "Shinai" ( Japanese sword typically made of bamboo and used for kendo competitions, practices, and other martial arts) but if I do it I'll break my promise of using Kendo in self-defense. Arghh!!! there's no time to think, and as I decided, one of them grabbed a long metal bar and he spins it around almost like he's flexing that he knows "Bōjutsu" ( staff technique, way of fighting using a long stick called a Bō) and this seems like beating them up and humiliation is not enough for his entertainment.

In a moment he walked up and aimed at someone threatening them and saying the words:

"This is what happens when you don't respect a Gent! you will be punished and we'll teach you a lesson!"

It may look like it was over but not until he turned around and then I realized, IT WAS NOT OVER FOR THEM!!! So I just went in grabbed the Shinai and tried to block the attack since he was aiming at a girl.

The silence broke in amongst the spectators, The promise I wish to uphold, now broken and even by trying to talk it out, will not work, and I can't just walk this one out. I just got myself some trouble I am trying to avoid.

He asked why did I interfere with his "Entertainment" even my name:

"Looks like another loser want's to join his weak friends! TELL ME WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TO MEDDLE WITH MY ENTERTAINMENT!!!"

"Oh my god just shut the hell up, ENTERTAINMENT MY ASS!!! You're just one of the people who use their skill, influence, and power to be dominant to those below you."

Ye, ah I'm screwed with what I said, but I'm willing to fight if I'm going down.

"DARING ARE WE? IN THAT CASE, I'LL JUST USE YOU AS AN EXAMPLE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T RESPECT THE GENT!!!"

"Feel free to try, I'm ready!"

I didn't need to show off, this is already too much attention, I need to finish this fast.

After taunting him he immediately engaged, bringing a huge blow which I blocked. I used the opportunity to break his attack, let his met bar come in while I back out, went to his left side rushed behind him, and attacked it since it was open and he just lost his guard. My attack felt like it was a mistake, so I reposition to defend myself, and damn I was right. The next thing I know, I'm being spammed by a full-on assault.

"YOU THINK YOU'RE SLICK HUH? YOU THINK YOU'RE FUCKING SLICK!!! I'LL SHOW YOU NO MERCY!"

"I'm not slick, I AM KADEN!!!"

And for the next minute, Kaden blocked all the incoming attacks at him, holding his ground, going defensive and he didn't show any signs of giving up to his enemy. He was willing to teach him a lesson.

*The Shinai starts to crack

Kaden in his mind:

"Damn!!! I just need to wear him out, it doesn't look like he knows. I just need more time until that very moment!"

"WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING? ARE YOU SCARED TO LOSE AND HUMILIATE YOURSELF IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!!! NOW YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TRY TO BE A HERO!!!

Kaden:

" True I'm no hero, I'm just wasting your time!"

"SHUT UP!!!!!!"

He tries to hit me again one more time, but this time, it's my turn.

After wearing him out, I bet he won't be able to block strong attacks, and since he needs the stamina to defend, it'll be just useless, after all, he just wasted it all too carelessly attacking me while I read his moves and looked for a possible opening after wearing him out. Then I dropped my guard and positioned myself for a full-force attack. Before I do he said:

"LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE GOT TIRED DEFENDING!"

"Nope, It's you!"

To Be Continued...