Chapter 12 - An Array of Colours and Faces

"Hey Rolo! I heard the transfer student was seen early this morning."

A blonde haired young man turns back to look behind his chair and sees one of his classmates, Tansol walking towards him.

Tansol was a first year student in the Highlights class. He was smart but cocky but was very chummy with those he calls friends, including Rolo. He was short for a guy but it didn't bother him and he had short chestnut brown hair and matching brown eyes.

"Oh, is that so?" Rolo responds sounding excited to learn more.

"Yeah, I heard she was seen coming to the school at eight, probably had to chat with Suzuki." 

The reason the blonde haired boy called Rolo was so interested in her was because the Highlights only had nine people in them, three of which were girls, one of which was already taken. Why this is relevant becomes clear when it's learned that Rolo's previous girlfriend was broken up with last week, and his previous ex before that just a couple ago too. 

It wasn't because he was a flirt, he was good at getting girls to like him at first but sticking with them after the first date was more difficult but that was less their problem and more him being easily getting bored. Although he was a clutz and less athletic than his classmates he had a good face, naturally good clear skin and pillow soft yellow locks that crown his head. 

"You know," a different voice said, "I heard that she is a rich girl and her daddy is a big investor helping out with the Polaratus."

The voice was Tenha's, sitting across the classroom on her phone, texting away. She was a star student with a hobby for rumours with neon blue hair wrapped in two long pigtails that were spiky at the tips and were fuzzy at the bands. She was pretty and wore slightly heavy makeup and had a voice that sounded like it was made for gossip.

Rolo looked over to Tenha, "Do you know if she is single?"

"Heh, wouldn't you like to know." Tenha looked at her phone as she continued to text away. "I'll find out."

The Highlight's homeroom is a spacious place, due to the lack of students, though that is on purpose. The academy prides itself on rewarding merit and does so with its students. Not only was this classroom on the top floor, it was next to the toilets, had a view of the island and all of its seats were cushioned and designed to cool the sitter. 

Besides the three students already here, there was Burrus in the back. A mess of long black hair and an ever downturned head that matched his gloomy heart. His voice was a whisper and his presence the same as he kept to himself and mostly focused on his phone and what he was doing on it.

Sitting besides him was Panoi, a girl in striped purple and black stockings with highlights in her short bob haircut. Though she was playing music through her headphones, the volume at which they were played made it clear she was listening to the same kind of music that her style was inspired by, electric guitars and punk drum solos all. She was writing sheet music in her notebook and shook her head to the sound of each beat, completely absorbed in her own world.

Last in line for this trio of desks in the back, was a tall thin girl with soft fuzzy pastel brown hair and gentle emerald eyes, clean soft skin and a soft smile to compliment. She had many charms around her wrists and fingers and had a ribbon to tie her hair in a large pony tail that she wrapped around her to her chest. She turned to Burrus and asked him, past Panoi, a question in the gentlest voice.

"Burrus, have you been sleeping well? Your eyes have seemed so heavy lately."

Burrus turned his head away and whispered out shakily, "I-I a-a-am fine."

Burrus was a shy young man, not because he was easily intimidated but because he just found it hard to communicate with other people. That doesn't mean he doesn't want to though so he is often found hovering around other people like a shadow, eager to participate but difficult to join.

"He's fine Yume!" interrupted Panoi, "He's always like that, shouldn't worry yourself over what he's doing."

Yume, the gentle girl, responded, "No, we should be looking out for each other and assuring we are all well as fellow classmates and role models for the rest of the student body."

"Sure, sure. You do you." Panoi returned to her music and switched songs to something more pop rock focused.

Yume continued to talk to Burrus, who was remaining quiet and stand-offish, meanwhile the last three students entered the classroom. One was a young man with a straight back and was physically fit. He had fiery red hair brushed in a bush and was chatting away to another student, tall and stoic with hair cut short and black. He had an unemotive face as opposed to the expressive redhead.

"Aw you should've seen it Suto! Daybreak was right there and he took down that villain with ease. Pretty sure he didn't even break a sweat!" he comments with the enthusiasm of a puppy chasing a stick.

The stoic guy responded in a still voice, "So I hear."

"By the way, I think I saw the new girl there as well. The villain was holding a girl I'd never seen before hostage before Daybreak arrived." he adds, the three gossiping students picking up that conversation immediately.

"You saw her Shinji?" Tansol asked.

"Yeah!" the red head nods eagerly.

Shinji was the guy you would always see in conversation, rarely alone and seemingly outgoing in every way imaginable. Suto on the other hand would rarely ever approach another person besides Shinji who was his best friend.

"How'd she look?" Rolo follows up with.

"I don't know. She looked a bit shaken but she seemed alright." he replies.

"No I mean.."

As the five talk, Suto gets brushed past by a boy with messy green hair. He was stocky and had his hands in his pockets as he walked; tall but not taller than Suto but was more muscled and rough looking. He had a sour look and had a walk that made you want to cross the street.

"Quit blocking the door dead eyes." he says as he stomps past him to his desk. 

Suto pays no mind but he does find himself slighted by him, he was about to speak, but didn't need to as Shinji calls after him. 

"You could've just been patient Zannos." Shinji said, not in an aggressive way but as if he was trying to encourage the green haired guy.

Zannos scoffed as he sat down on his chair roughly, "Why should I bother when I can just push my way through."

Shinji was about to continue before Tenha stops him, "No point reasoning with a guy like that Shinji."

"She's right," says Tansol, "a jerk like him doesn't deserve your time."

Shinji felt frustrated. He had been trying to build a rapport with Zannos like he has with most of everyone else in the class. He was elected as the Highlights Class Rep and as such it is his duty to encourage cooperation and teamwork in his class, but no matter what, Zannos always causes strife.

At this point I wonder if it's intentional. No. I can't give up yet! I will reach you yet! the boy thought.

Steeling his determination, Shinji sits next to Tenha with Suto sitting next to him. "Do you know what her power is Tenha?" asks Shinji.

"No, couldn't find it anywhere, might not be that flashy like yours or mine." she answers whilst scrolling through her phone.

"Well what is known about her skills?" asks Tansol.

"They said she looks very dainty, like a princess, so probably more of a ranged kind of guy?" she guessed.

Rolo turns to the back of the classroom where Yume, Panoi and Burrus were, "Hey Yume! Can you see her?"

Yume looked slightly disappointed at Rolo's request, "I have told you I only use my power when there is dan-"

"Danger requiring its use, yeah yeah, but surely you can make an exception?" the blonde haired boy asks eagerly.

Rolo looked at Yume with the most earnest eyes that he could pull off. Yume sighed before she relinquished. Placing her hand over her eyes she focuses for a moment before seeing what she is looking for. 

"She is talking to Professor Suzuki in his office. It seems they are about to leave." she utters.

"Right time to get ready." Rolo takes his seat next to the only empty seat in the room between himself and Yume.

Panoi speaks up, "You know she is only here for a month or two?"

"No worries then!" says Rolo, "That's plenty of time to get acquainted!"

"And forgotten and then moved on from?" the girl shot.

"No, she's different. I can feel it." the boy professes.

The girl almost rolled her eyes if it wasn't cut short by their professor entering the room.

As Rolo sits back straight on his chair, all of the remaining students not sitting go to their desks and sit down. Conversations die down and everyone waits to hear from their homeroom teacher on this new student. He makes a short instruction for everyone to be accommodating and friendly with their new classmate and asks for the transfer student to enter the school.

Walking in was a relatively small girl in her teens with long brown hair tied in a tight straight ponytail down her back. Her pale complexion was striking as most of the class was tanned in some way which was made all the more noticeable with her emerald irises which leaned on the darker side of green. 

Her posture was straight and her composure was definitely like that of someone sophisticated, her clothes although the same were almost like they came from the magazine that advertised them with how pristine and clean they looked. 

Though she wasn't the best looking person in the school, she indeed was pretty and could look better if she put in the effort. As she spoke, her voice was an accent that wasn't recognised but made her seem even more sophisticated with her enunciation and precision of her language.

"My name is Dahlia Novitin. I am the daughter of Tsumi and Lemon Novitin. I hope sincerely that over the next few weeks I am here in this exchange, I can learn a lot from all of you and build new relationships as well." she says with a small bow, her hands clasped together tightly.

"That was a wonderful introduction, Dahlia. You can seat yourself over there behind Rolo." Professor Suzuki instructs.

Dahlia sits down in her chair behind her desk. The desks were quite wide especially for this large room. They had drawers and outlets for laptops to connect to while the chairs themselves were very comfortable with soft cushions. The temperature in the room was good compared to the outside heat that was now starting to climb.

All in all this was very different from her old academy. She thought it was the height of luxury but here it is in a whole different league. Suzuki makes some announcements including that the sign ups for the Polaratus are up although everyone in the Highlights class must sign up. 

Unlike other traditional powered schools, those in this classroom are only here due to their merits and as such should they lose them, they will leave the classroom and be moved to a different one. As such the Polaratus was more of a defence of their title as Polaris' best rather than a way to advance. Of course the only exception is Dahlia, who is here only temporarily.

As soon as Suzuki finishes, the bell rings and he goes to collect the papers for today as he teaches first class. The brown haired girl sat behind the blonde, who immediately spun around to chat.

"So is it true what they said?" he asks.

"What is true?" Dahlia replies, unsure and slightly surprised at someone immediately talking to her.

"That you're as much a princess in truth as you are in looks." he states with a smile.

Ah. Dahlia thought. Though not many people her age ever approached Dahlia back in Pilin's academy, what little student to student interaction she did get was mostly by people attempting to court, mostly in an attempt to be a part of a noble family like the McDernon's. Of course Dahlia never cared for that kind of shallow compliments as she always got the impression that was being preyed on due to her loneliness.

"I am not that of royalty. I am the daughter of Tsumi and Lemon Novitin. I am not looking for a relationship if that is your intent." she shuts down, knowing full well that even if she did want to pursue a relationship, it would only end with heartbreak for her.

"Oh don't need to be so stiff. I'm sure after a while you'll warm up to us, you'll be eager to chat." intentionally misconstruing the word 'relationship' as meaning friendship.

"Enough Rolo." Yume interjected. "I am sorry Dahlia. My name is Yume Harthkin, Rolo here can't seem to wait a second before he makes a pass at you." The girl sat behind Dahlia and gave a sweet smile with a slight nod of her head.

"Yume," Rolo whined, "why are you being so mean. I was just introducing myself to Dahlia here and wanted to know more about her."

"Hi Dahlia!" called Shinji, "My name is Shinji Yunata, I am the Class Representative for the Highlights."

"Class representative?" asks Dahlia.

"Oh, guess your school doesn't have one, I represent and speak for the class as well as act as leader for us." he quickly describes.

"I see." she understood.

"So if I may ask…" Shinji continues, "...what is your power?"

He sounded very excited to hear it and Dahlia does explain it to him only making him ask more questions and desiring to know more. It is cut short however by Suzuki beginning the lesson, forcing them back to their seats before they would be shouted at.

Over the course of the day, Dahlia has four classes, three in the morning, a lunch period, then an afternoon class that is normally physically focused. Suzuki taught all of the classes as a few teachers were down with a flu that has been running over the school the last few weeks.

As Dahlia had expected, the lessons were definitely much more advanced than those in her academy and could almost taste the words she's eaten when she acted so confident back at the Deadbolt but it isn't too long that she is confused before she starts to grasp and compare some things she doesn't know with things from back home.

- - -

Once at lunch, the class leaves to go to the cafeteria where Dahlia is watched by many students. The total number of students for the academy seemed to be a couple hundred of ages ranging from sixteen to nineteen. As Dahlia opens her bag to claim her lunch, she is sat next to by Tenha and Panoi.

"So. Where is your other school?" asked Tenha, absently texting away on her phone.

"It is called Hilar and it is in Bronson." Dahlia lied with ease.

Dahlia recites what she was told in the meeting to mask her identity. As she answers each of Tenha's questions with excellent detail Tenha goes to her phone and begins to send some messages.

"Might I ask why you are so curious about me?" Dahlia questions, turning her head more to Yume.

"She's just like that," says Panoi, "She's constantly looking to know the most about people. I, on the other hand, want to know more about your taste in music."

"Ah well, I enjoy concertos and opera with my particular favourite instrument being the cello." 

"Woah, very sophisticated tastes. I personally like something more electronic but don't mind something classical once in a while."

Talking more about music, Dahlia was offered a listen of Panoi's songs and was almost snapped by the cultural whiplash of hearing death metal that made her think she was listening to some demonic chant. The two keep talking about music before Tenha finishes her typing and turns back to Dahlia to ask her another question. 

"So Dahlia, will you be entering the Polaratus?" Tenha asks.

"I have not thought about it. I would prefer just to focus on studying and assuring that I don't lag behind in my studies." the girl states.

"Is that subject to change?" she follows up with.

Dahlia thought about it some more. Though Lemon was adamant against it, Dahlia felt like it might be a missed opportunity to use her power in a safe but competitive setting. 

"Possibly."

"Cool." she said before turning back to her phone.

As lunch went on, surrounded by these new acquaintances, Dahlia couldn't help but feel an itchy thought that distracts her the second nobody's talking to her. One of fear and anxiety as she wondered just how long it would be until she spends her days eating alone like she did in the Pilin.

For her this scene was just like how things were back in Pilin during her first week. People all around her, wanting to be friends with the daughter of a count, were interested in how sophisticated she was and proper but it wasn't too long before they just… drifted away.

- - -

Once lunch had ended, Dahlia's next and final class for the day was going to the track outside to exercise both their bodies and their powers. After getting changed into the exercise uniform of the school, a black and yellow tracksuit, she headed to the track. It was here that she would meet again with Suzuki who is accompanied by a very fit older woman called Coach Letty. It seems the two professors worked in tandem, with Letty focusing on physical fitness while Suzuki helped with learning more about their powers and refining them.

After a few laps around the track, Dahlia noticed the differences in physical strength between everyone. First and foremost, Zannos was the most fit, running around the track several times over and lapping Dahlia twice before he finished. He is then followed (far behind) by Shinji and Suto.

After that most of everyone else had a normal amount of stamina with the one lagging behind being Rolo and Dahlia the two who seemed to struggle to keep up. 

At the end of the five lap run, Dahlia was exhausted along with most everyone else but she took it harder as she wasn't used to this whereas everyone else seemed to be familiar with this exercise. Rolo on the other hand was on the floor drowning himself with his water bottle, he had opened his eyes to see Dahlia looking at him where he immediately shot up.

"I was up late last night and I had a hard time sleeping so I wasn't at my best today." he tried to excuse.

Panoi interjects, "Are you up late every night then since you were like this yesterday and every day since day one?"

"Hey! I just have low blood sugar so I get tired easily!" he shouts.

"Heh, sure."

As Rolo continued to argue with Panoi, Dahlia looked towards the academy. The track was out the back and the view from behind the academy was even more intimidating than the front as the back hasn't been lit by the sun so looking inside, Dahlia can see the classrooms and the students, some occasionally looking out at the track and at them.

"It's a lot isn't it?" Yume utters as she strides up to Dahlia and stands next to her. "I was intimidated too at first but you get used to it. It's the expectations that's more suffocating."

"Expectations?" Dahlia turns to look at the fuzzy haired girl.

"Mmm." she hums, "The academy is all about doing your best, and makes sure that when you do your best, everyone knows it. It also means everyone knows when you're at your worst."

"I've never had to deal with these kinds of expectations." Dahlia admits.

"Are you saying you're quite good with your studies?" Yume questions.

"Well yes, but I have already learnt stuff today that I'd never imagined back home." Dahlia thinks over whether or not she can keep up with those in this world. While it is one thing to be a top student in the Pilin Academy, it was hard to reach that top position in the first place. Studying came naturally to Dahlia, yes, but it only came that way because she never had anything else.

"It has been difficult. Even for someone with a power like mine." Yume comments after a moment of silence, seemingly getting that Dahlia is thinking a lot. "But even when it gets too much, there are always friends that can help us when things get too complicated and we need a moment to rethink."

That was something Dahlia unfortunately had to live without. It hadn't been a month when she started school back home that all of the hellos and greetings were exhausted and everyone had gone and found their little groups, leaving Dahlia as an outsider. It wasn't as if she didn't try, she did, she really did but no matter what she always felt like that everyone looked at her like she was a surprise. Like the fact she was there was a shock.

Once everyone finishes their break, Letty calls out to everyone and talks about their recent health check and information, telling them how they are doing and commenting on how Dahlia needs to improve on her stamina. Once she is done, Suzuki takes over and starts his part of the lesson.

"Today, coming up to the Polaratus, we will be training your powers for combat." the man said.

Everyone seemed excited by the thought but Dahlia felt concerned. 

"It will be starting off with a simple quick draw. Whoever gets the first strike first wins. We will start off with Shinji and Suto." 

As the two boys both stood about fifty feet away from each other, Suzuki stood between them whilst everyone else sat on the bleachers in the shade. 

Shinji calls out to Suto, "Sorry about this Suto, it seems Suzuki wants you to try and overcome your weakness."

Suto gets into a combative stance as he replies to Shinji, "It is fine. It won't be an issue for me."

As the two enter a stance, Dahlia couldn't help but feel uneasy. Just how big is the gap between her and the rest of her peers here. Can she keep up or will she flounder like Rolo did during the run? She will have to find out.