Unusual activity
In the middle of the crowd, an ordinary-looking Senior student stood there. Although he was surrounded by many people who seemed to idolize him, the expression on his face seemed more confused than happy.
Garry had no idea what was going on. Yesterday before his match, he suddenly lost consciousness.
The last thing he remembered was preparing for his match when suddenly his vision darkened.
When he woke up, he was next to the M4 Warlord and surrounded by his companions who seemed to be happy for him. Garry gawked. According to them, the fight he showed was very impressive. And if it wasn't for the awakening of the opponent, he would have won for sure. Even Commander Guren was very impressed with the fight he showed.
However, there was a problem. He didn't remember everything that happened before that or after he passed out.
"Aha-ha…"
Garry laughed dryly. This was the best he could do in his current situation.
It was either someone had taken his place that time or maybe he awakened a unique ability. This thought played in his mind all night.
If it was the latter, his future would be bright. But if it was the former, he at least wanted to figure out who they were and what was their motive for doing that.
For now, the first thing he needed to do was to get a video copy of yesterday's mock battle, especially his match.
As he was pondering what to do, he suddenly heard the people around him muttering.
"Hey hey look, isn't that the freak student?"
One of the cadets pointed in the direction where a young male cadet was walking. One by one, they looked at where that person was pointing.
When they saw the person he mentioned, one of them replied to him.
"Uhm, yeah, that's him. I heard he's in the D-class and everyone was saying that he has no mana."
"R-Really?"
"That's what I heard."
"So, that guy is trash, unlike Senior Garry?"
"Yep."
Eww.
Cross noticed those people were looking at him in a not-friendly look.
Out of curiosity, Garry also looked in his direction. He saw a cadet who he believed was younger than him. Garry noticed that he was also looking in his direction. Because of that, their eyes met inevitably.
Weird. He couldn't feel any oscillation of mana in him. Wait! So that person indeed has no mana? Garry looked shocked. What a pity to be born like that. He thought.
Despite coming from a poor family, Garry was still glad that he was gifted with mana. And after arduous training, he successfully joined the Elite Class. But even with that, Garry still endured the prejudice he got from those people from higher families. So, Garry could sympathize with him a little.
For sure he would receive the same discrimination as him or even more because he was a no mana person, or a freak in other people's vocabulary.
By the way, how did someone like him get into the academy? Garry wondered. As far as he knows, it has never happened that a person without mana has entered the academy.
Since he was wearing a cadet uniform like them, it meant that he was not a guest here but a trainee like them.
"I heard that guy knows the Head Instructor."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Right, I also heard it."
"That might be the reason why he was allowed to enter here."
Hearing that, Garry narrowed his eyes. So that's why he was able to enter here? Scum. Garry thought.
He didn't like people who look down on poor people. But he hated those people who were not fair. If it was true that that person used his connection to get into the academy and not because of his skill and hard work, then he was no different from a scum person.
"Hm. I wonder why."
"Really?"
"Uhm, I didn't do anything to stand out, so I don't think that's the reason."
After saying that, a military officer stepped forward.
"Alright, everyone! Please gather around!"
An officer shouted in a snappy voice.
The people that were gathering around Garry broke immediately and everyone went to their respective groups.
Cross looked around. Since it was his first time here, he had no idea where to go. While glancing, he heard someone calling out his name.
"Hey! Cross!"
Cross looked in the direction of the voice. When he saw the person who was calling him, Cross looked skeptical to believe whether that person was really calling him or not. Besides, did they know each other? Of course not, they didn't even share a single conversation ever since.
Seeing him standing like a mob, "What are you dawdling? Come here!" She said while looking in his direction.
To make sure that she really was calling out to him and not another person who had the same name as him, he looked left and right and to his back. But, Cross didn't find anyone around him.
Eh? She's really calling me.
Cross thought in surprise.
"Me?" He pointed to himself as he stepped towards her.
"Yes yes. Come here. Here is where the year-1 cadets are gathering."
Uh, I see. Cross said in mind and quickened his steps forward. Looking at her, he remembered her face. She was that person in the cafeteria the other day who was picking a fight with Cai Lyn. He also recalled her name.
Arriving in front of her, "You're Noir, right? If I'm not mistaken."
"Wow. How did you know my name?" Noir looked surprised.
"Someone just told me."
Noir squinted her eyes. She remembered he was with two girls at that time.
"Uh, is that so, then that's fine", she grinned.
Well. What's important is that this person knows someone so influential like the Head Instructor. This person is probably not ordinary. Noir thought so. It was also the reason why she wanted to befriend him.
Cross was surprised that Noir called him.
"Thank you by the way", he said.
"Uh, don't mention it. Since we're working together from now on, helping each other like this is just a natural thing to do, no?" She winked at him while saying that.
Cross blinked his eyes. He wasn't sure if he understood her or not about working together, but aren't they just going to train together with everyone here? Cross doubted.
He replied, "I see."
"Hehe."
Suddenly, she had a suspicious grin on her face.
"…"
"Now everyone! Listen up!"
Everyone looked at the owner of the voice. A person in a military outfit was standing in front of everyone.
"My name is Officer Sander, your training instructor today! Today we will be having a sprinting activity. But it's not the usual sprinting activity you had. This time, the loser will get punishment while the winner will get additional points!"