Chapter 20: ONION?

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By the time I stepped out of the staff room, the hallways were bustling with students.

Break time had officially started.

I stood still for a moment, watching the sea of students moving in different directions.

A few stole glances at me, whispering among themselves.

I could tell why.

Silver hair in a school full of mostly dark-haired students? That was bound to attract attention.

A blank, unreadable face that made it seem like I was either lost or about to kill someone? That definitely didn't help.

An unfamiliar presence in a place where transfers were practically unheard of? Yeah, that sealed the deal.

I had unintentionally become the mysterious new guy..

I cringed.

I smacked my head. My 8 grade syndrome was acting up but.

And honestly?

I was fine with that.

So long as no one bothered me, I could spend my time here quietly, unnoticed, and most importantly—without unnecessary drama.

With no particular destination in mind, I simply did what any clueless person in an unfamiliar place would do—I followed the crowd.

If a large majority of students were heading in one direction, that meant it was important, and in this case, it led me to a spacious cafeteria inside the building.

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Stepping inside, I took a moment to absorb my surroundings.

The cafeteria was huge, with a sleek, futuristic design that reminded me more of a military mess hall than a school dining area. Long rows of self-serve stations lined one side of the hall, displaying various meal options through glowing digital menus. Students tapped their merit cards on scanners to make purchases, and automated dispensers neatly packed their trays with food.

One particular board near the entrance caught my eye. It was large and metallic, its screen shifting through different lists, some showing meal rotations, others displaying club announcements. But the section that caught my attention the most?

The student name list.

I glanced at the rows of names, and at the very bottom, highlighted in faint blue as if it had been added recently, was a single unfamiliar entry.

Orien.

I blinked.

Huh.

They had already registered me?

Well, that was convenient.

I turned away from the board and made my way toward the food stations, skimming the menu with a practical eye.

As expected, some of the fancier meals cost a ridiculous amount of merit points, which made my decision very simple—I chose the cheapest option available.

A plate of stir-fried noodles with some suspicious-looking synthetic protein cubes.

Price? 4 merit points.

Worth it? Probably not, but I wasn't about to waste money. I'll spend it all in the end of the school day.....if I had any left by that time perhaps.

After grabbing my tray, I found an empty table near the corner and sat down, ready to finally enjoy my first meal in this place.

That is, until a loud, overly energetic voice shattered my peace.

"HEY! HEY! HEY!"

I sighed deeply.

I already knew who it was..

How would i not

...I can't forget that voice it had practically drilled inside my skull.

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Before I could even take my first bite, a blur of movement appeared in my peripheral vision, and within seconds, someone had dropped a tray across from me with all the enthusiasm of a puppy finding its lost owner.

Don't worry I only said the tray the food was on the table neat and tidy. (No waste of food had occurred)

Looking up, I was met with the grinning face of none other than Quinn Lawrenceburg.

Again.

The same self-proclaimed noble best friend from the ruin expedition.

His dark brown hair was slightly messy, and his uniform looked like it had been thrown on with only minimal effort, giving him the appearance of someone who cared about appearances but not enough to actually maintain them properly.

"Found you!" he said triumphantly.

I stared at him for a long second.

Then, without missing a beat, I replied, "…You could have just not found me."

I don't know why but Quinn personality make others hard to not notice him.

Quinn, completely unfazed by my obvious lack of enthusiasm, grinned wider.

"And I have a name, don't call me hey"

Then—

"WAIT. WHAT?!"

I blinked, unimpressed.

"…What?"

"You—YOU HAD A NAME THIS WHOLE TIME?!"

"Yes?"

Quinn smacked his forehead in disbelief.

"YOU NEVER TOLD ME!"

"I thought you knew."

"I JUST FOUND OUT!"

We stared at each other in silence.

Then, after a few more seconds, Quinn dramatically collapsed onto the table, groaning loudly.

"All this time, I was calling you 'Hey'!"

I shrugged.

"You still do."

Quinn let out a long, exaggerated wail.

"You should have told me sooner, man!"

I rolled my eyes.

"Not my fault you never asked."

"So we are in the same class?!!!" Quinn lunged in surprise. He had seen a new name on the name list a some time ago he had doubted that it was him but his mind got occupied as he saw. The guy he met at the expedition a day ago.

I tilled my head as if asking about what he was saying sometimes its hard for me to follow his words....I mean almost all the time.

"Your in the class 4c right??? Then buddy I am also in that same class!!! But you won't see some other students who you saw in that expedition as they were from another class who applied for the field training. Anwya it cost merit points by the way."

I was a little surprised. It also cost merits to go on filed traing ?

I asked tye questions in my mind to him. I lacked those knowledge.

"Hmm ya. But exactly it was because a teacher lead the team. It would be much safer and without a guardian junior Academy stusnt can't venture on their own in ruins. Most havnt even awakened. So it may be dangerous."

I nodded it was true. I kinda laughed in my head. I was the lucky one to get thwon into a ruin. I thought sarcastically.

But a question came in my mind agian.

"But wasn't there was a emergency and students were taken back?"

"Buddy your talkative today! That fist time you didn't even opened you mouth. And about your question, we got half the merit points back so ya no much complaints. Simple"

As the conversation died down. Wesrated eating. I was a little to talkative today. It's hard to say but I think I accepted him as a friend.

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I got a friend...a friend.....noble...

Hehehehehehe...I calmed my self down this was not a behavior of a gentle man. I thought to my self.

Quinn from the side: ahhh??

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After finishing our meal, Quinn and I made our way toward the training grounds behind the main academic building.

The place was gigantic, with sprawling open fields, towering obstacle courses, and various combat rings lined up for sparring practice.

At the center of it all stood a man built like a fortress.

His skin was tanned, his muscles thicker than my entire torso, and his voice boomed like thunder.

He had the grin of a war veteran and the energy of an excited gym trainer.

His presence alone screamed "You will suffer under my training, and I will enjoy it."

This was undoubtedly the physical training teacher.

His deep, commanding voice erupted across the training ground.

"LISTEN UP, MAGGOTS!"

The students immediately stood straighter.

His eyes swept across us before stopping on me.

"WE GOT A NEW TRANSFER STUDENT TODAY!"

I internally cringed.

"ONION ! GET UP HERE AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF!"

Some students muffle their laughter after hearing the name.

I was a little embarrassed but till now my skin had became thick so.With a sigh, I calmly stepped forward, keeping my face neutral. Teacher had misspelled my name but he would ignore it for now.

I peeked at him secretly.

Nope. I can't pick a fight with that titan.

Anway his name was already declared onion at least he could correct it.

"…Orien."

Silence.

Then—

The teacher grinned wider.

"SHORT. SIMPLE. I LIKE IT!"

He clapped his hands together, his voice full of dangerous excitement. Not noticing that the name he said before was wrong.

"NOW, LET'S GET WARMED UP!"

I sighed again.

At least that was over quickly.

Or so I thought.

Because then, someone walked up to me.

And immediately, I knew.

This was going to be a problem.

I knew it from the face. That face, expression.

It was same as Darren.

That person who led me to that cliff an I end up in the ruin...but hehe I am kinda grate full.

My dream of going out of that small orphanage was sucsesfull.

Thanks Darren. I thought in my heart. It was a pure thank you.

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Far away at the orphanage.

AcchooooooooOooOO!!!!

Darren wiped his nose with his hand.

"Huh? Did i caught a cold"

"DARREN! WHERE ARE YOUR TOUGHTS? Tell me where is orien! The last time he was seen with your group"

The orphanage director shouted. If a kid died at the orphanage out of the blue. It would complecate him.

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To be continued♡♡