Log no.5 - First Day

Someway, somehow, I found myself in a white room, happily chatting with a talking quill—the personification of my Bia, now taking the form of someone I could actually converse with.

"So, Felix, what's your plan for this school year?" the quill asked, floating beside me.

"Probably not make the same mistakes I did the past four years. I might shoot for a perfect 90 average in my grades this time."

"That's commendable, doing well in school and all," it nodded. "But what about making friends?"

"That's part of the plan too. If I just act like a regular hardworking student, people won't be jealous. They'll treat me like anyone else. That's enough for me."

The quill poked me at my side just as the white room began to dissolve into light.

"Felix, if you really want to grow, start by understanding what you're doing for yourself. Anyway, wake up. Your alarm's been blaring for five minutes."

I snapped awake, nearly falling off my bed. My Bia, now back to its quill form, floated in front of me, tugging at my blanket.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm getting up."

I glanced at myself in the mirror, appreciating the physical transformation I'd undergone. I used to be the chubby kid who didn't care how much he ate. Now, I'd grown stronger, leaner—more prepared. I threw on my uniform, checked my phone, and sent messages to some familiar names.

Thankfully, we were classmates again. Having them around would make this whole new school transition easier.

At Puno Academy, I reunited with my childhood friends.

"Hey Felix, long time no see! Didn't expect you to come back here," Jason said, giving me a dap.

"Yeah, this school still has one of the best academic records. Coming back was a no-brainer."

Terek led the way to our new classroom, 11-Mahogany. I dropped off my bag, and we made our way to the gymnasium for the school assembly.

"Puno's changed a lot," I noted. "The high school square is properly paved now."

"Yeah, and junior high got a new building. It used to be super crowded," Jason added.

"Other than that," Terek chimed in, "school's pretty much the same. But I heard senior year has new stuff, and the student council's been cooking up interesting programs."

"Sounds like we'll be having fun this year," I said, then checked my phone. "Though I need to head to the principal's office first. Not sure why."

Jason and Terek looked at me, confused. "That's odd for a transferee."

"Yeah, tell me about it. Anyway, catch you guys later."

Inside, a woman was reading the Psytonoid Encyclopedia. Books lined the walls, and the warm lighting gave the office a scholarly charm.

"Good morning, ma'am. I'm Felix Torregosa. I was told to come here?"

She looked up from her book with a pleasant expression. "Ah, perfect timing. I've been expecting you. Please, have a seat."

I sat across from her, the plush chair creaking lightly beneath me.

"I'm Amanda Rancho, Principal of Puno Academy's High School Department. Before we get to anything else—welcome. I hope you find your time here meaningful."

"Thank you, ma'am," I nodded politely.

She folded her hands. "Now, straight to the point. Eden Corp notified us that a student—one trained to combat Psytonoids—would be enrolling. You."

That caught me off guard. "Wait, protector? No one told me that directly."

"I figured. Eden tends to be... vague. But they reached out to us through formal channels. There's a mutual interest here: we ensure a safe, nurturing school environment, and in return, you have permission to respond to localized threats—within reason."

"Within reason," I repeated, a little wary. "So what exactly are the conditions?"

"You'll be allowed to leave the campus for missions, provided you get a signed authorization slip from one of your teachers. It's not just a formality—it's for student accountability."

She slid an example slip across the table, neatly filled out with blanks for date, time, and teacher signature.

"And about Eden's confidentiality policy," she continued. "To avoid suspicion, they've assigned one of their agents to integrate into our staff. She'll be both your adviser and handler on-site."

The door opened just then, and a woman stepped inside—tall, sharp-featured, and with an energy that made my skin crawl. Instinctively, I straightened in my seat.

"This is Sophia Datahan," Amanda said. "Eden Corp's representative. She'll be your main point of contact when missions arise."

Sophia offered a distant, professional smile and nodded. "Don't mind me. Continue."

"As I was saying," Amanda resumed, "our priority is balance. You're here to study—and to contribute when necessary. But we don't want your duties compromising your education."

Something in her tone shifted—a subtle hint of doubt. Like she wasn't entirely convinced I could handle both.

I clenched my fists under the desk but kept my expression calm.

"I understand," I said. "I intend to excel both in class and in the field. I won't let either side of my responsibilities falter."

A slight hush fell in the room. Even Sophia raised a brow at my response.

Amanda gave a slow, approving nod. "That's good to hear. You have a lot of eyes on you, Felix—whether you like it or not. And expectations tied to your name."

She didn't elaborate, but I knew what she meant.

"Just make sure you take care of yourself. It's not bravery if it turns into recklessness."

Sophia added, arms crossed, "We've seen too many burn out trying to be heroes too soon. Stay sharp."

"I'll remember that," I said, meeting her gaze.

"Then we're done here," Amanda concluded. "Proceed to the gymnasium. The orientation should be starting."

I stood, bowed respectfully, and exited the office. As the door closed behind me, I faintly heard Amanda speak.

"That kid's really something."

Sophia replied in a low voice, "Well, he is his grandchild."

Amanda sighed. "Right. That damn genius."

New students were required to sit near the center of the gymnasium to be "immersed."I slid into the back row, trying to go unnoticed. No chance.

"Late on day one and sitting in the back?" said a tall guy beside me without looking. "What are you, a movie villain or the misunderstood genius transfer student?"

I blinked. "Surprise faculty meeting. Not part of the plan."

He turned slightly, smirking. "Sure, sure. 'Faculty meeting' is just what I tell people when I oversleep, too."

I raised an eyebrow. "Do you always roast people before you know their name?"

"Only when they sit in my line of sight," he said, finally facing me. "Vincent Victorino. Chronic overthinker. Occasional smartass."

"Felix Torregosa. Professional new kid. Mildly regretting where I sat."

"You'll get used to the pain."

There was a lull, but he kept glancing at me. Then—

"You're in 11-Mahogany too, right?"

"Yeah."

"Cool. We'll suffer together." He leaned back. "Just know the teachers love group projects, and I don't do well with breathing, talking organisms."

"Noted. I'll try to mute myself."

He snorted. "Too late. You've already spoken. It's over now."

After a beat, I decided to ask, "Would it bother you if your friends got jealous of your smarts… and stabbed you in the back for it?"

Vincent paused dramatically. "Oh no. I'd be thrilled. Nothing says 'healthy friendship' like academic betrayal."

I chuckled. "That's your actual answer?"

"Yep. And when that happens, I simply delete them from my contacts, burn all group photos, and erase them from my memory. Like an antivirus scan, but more satisfying."

"You're surprisingly well-practiced at this."

"High school teaches you things. Like how people suck and coffee is a love language."

I nodded. "So, you're sarcastic and secretly sentimental."

He tilted his head. "Don't push it."

We laughed.

"You're interesting."

"I try not to be, but life just keeps happening to me."

After the orientation, we made our way back to the classroom. I dropped into my seat by the window—third row from the back—and exhaled.

Vincent flopped down in front of me with a sigh. "I already miss summer vacation."

I leaned forward. "That was quick. We haven't even started."

"Exactly. This is the final boss of academic years. I'm mentally uninstalling already."

Before I could answer, someone tapped my shoulder.

I turned to see a girl holding out a familiar object.

"Hey, you dropped this," she said, handing me my stinger—cleverly disguised as a vintage quill.

"Oh—thanks," I said, a little too quickly, taking it back. I need to be more careful with this thing.

She smiled and sat down next to me. We made brief eye contact—hers was calm, confident.

"Guess we're seatmates. Treat me well this semester," she said, lightly.

I nodded. "Same to you."

Vincent glanced back with a smirk. "You blushed."

"I did not."

"You definitely did. First day and you're already in your shoujo arc."

I shot him a look, but he was clearly enjoying himself.

"By the way," he said, pointing at the quill, "what's that thing?"

"Oh, it's... an antique from my cousin. Just sentimental."

"Right," he said sarcastically. "Totally normal to bring an antique quill to school."

The classroom buzzed with idle chatter as students settled into their seats. I had just taken mine near the window when the door slid open with a mechanical click.

"Good morning, everyone."

All eyes snapped forward as Sophia Datahan stepped in, heels clicking softly against the floor. Her posture was straight, confident—commanding. You could hear a few whispers from the guys in the room.

"She's our adviser?"

"She looks like she stepped out of a magazine…"

"I think I'm in love."

I didn't join in the awe. That cold aura from earlier—it was still there, subtle but suffocating. I could feel it tightening around the room like invisible thread.

Sophia gave a slight smile. "I'll be your adviser this year. Let's start with introductions. Back row near the window—why don't you begin?"

Of course. Me.

I stood, trying to ignore all the eyes on me.

"I'm Felix Torregosa. I transferred here this semester. I like reading, staying active, and—uh—hope we all get along."

A few polite claps. Vincent gave a lazy two-finger salute.

But Sophia tilted her head. "Hmm. A little flat, don't you think?"

I blinked. "Flat?"

"Let's spice things up. How about… a demonstration of talent?" she said, eyes glinting. "Everyone's curious, after all."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes," she replied, smiling sweetly but with the warmth of a frozen lake.

The class murmured excitedly. I could already hear someone say, "Bet he's good-looking and talented."

Right. No pressure.

I scratched my neck. "Okay... I'll show you a little magic trick. I can make something appear behind me."

"Any requests?" I asked, hoping someone would make it easy.

Perez grinned. "Get me a Coke, magician."

Great. Soda from thin air. Luckily, I had a workaround.

"Sure. Come up here."

Perez walked up, curious but skeptical. I turned to the class. "I need him to say the magic words for it to work."

He shrugged. "I want Coke."

I moved behind him, shifted my stance, and—whoosh—swept his leg out gently with mine, catching him mid-fall. With my left hand, I pulled out a cold Coke bottle I had just manifested using my Bia.

"Ta-da!" I handed it to him with a grin.

The class erupted. Laughter, applause, confusion.

"Bro, what the—" Perez said, still clutching the Coke.

"Showmanship," I replied, winking.

I sat back down as whispers spread like wildfire. I could hear Sarah, the girl next to me, chuckling softly before introducing herself.

"Sarah Yap," she said confidently. "Nice to meet you all."

She glanced my way. "Impressive trick, seatmate."

"Thanks. Just some sleight of hand," I deflected.

Vincent leaned back and whispered, "So, magician and gymnast? You raising the bar for the rest of us?"

I shrugged. "Just trying to survive the spotlight."

"Careful," he added. "You're making the quiet kids nervous."

Sophia continued outlining the classroom rules, though her eyes flicked back to me more than once.

"I hope this year will be meaningful and safe for all of you," she said as she concluded. "Let's make it count."

As everyone relaxed into their seats, I found myself glancing out the window. The sky looked just a little too still.

Something was coming.

And I had to be ready.

– End –