Mark could feel the gaze of his classmates boring into him as the graceful student took her seat beside his. He looked outside the window into the clear view of the long slopes of green hills far away, his exterior appeared composed but within was a like a storm.
He didn’t know whether to be excited, nervous, or both at the same time. Wait, how was he going to even introduce himself as the classmate sitting beside her as a neighbor?!
But he could only pray that he wouldn’t perspire enough than he already was.
Hermione remained silent for a while before turning to him with a knowing look on her face that made his heart like a hammer.
’Why is she giving that kind of look over to me? Have I appeared as a subject to a new bully?!’ Mark could only muse to himself in anxiety as he noticed her from his peripheral vision true the corner of his eyes.
Kai could only squint his eyes viciously when he stared at Mark’s direction. His fists were clenched tight as his chest twisted. He couldn’t believe that the new beauty was over Mark which appeared as an abomination to his eyes; she was meant to be with a match like him!
Mia could only raise an eyebrow when she saw the new girl lean closer toward Mark whose attention was elsewhere.
"Hello... hello, I love your hair. It’s nice with your eyes," Hermione whispered close enough to reach Mark’s ear who froze for a second, before slowly turning to her with shock on his face.
He was so dumbfounded by this compliment from someone like her. He had been in turmoil to at least talk first as her seat neighbor, but right now he was just flabbergasted!
He scratched the back of his head with a chuckle. "Whoa, okay thanks. You look pretty with your own eyes. They fit your hair nicely, too."
Herimione smiled merrily that made Mark’s heart flutter. She might be from one of the most famous families in the region that gave many pride and defiance, but her persona had spoken differently.
"What’s your name?"
"It’s Mark Moulow, but I prefer you’d just call me Mark."
"Fair enough, okay." Hermione agreed.
Olivia stretched her fitting skirt as she walked over to the lectern where some heavy stakes of books waited. She opened one of them before looking at her students.
"Today’s class would focus on the types and classes of summons. A summon that comes with two variants is a dual, while those that come with three or more are polymers. Now there are..."
***
Later at the cafeteria where students enjoyed their meal on different tables for the break time, Mark waited among the standing line with a platter to receive his own share of meal from the counter when someone came toward him.
He turned to see Max walk over to him with an annoyed expression on his face, and his fist ready.
’Man, can’t these people just learn to control their emotions by attending to anger management? It’s not really that hard, seriously.’ Mark merely sighed with resignation, though his face still appeared composed.
Max was moving toward Mark, and the next moment he wasn’t there, only for the bastard to appear beside him with a launching punch that sent him over to the ivory-white tiled wall with a rough roll.
Mark coughed drily with hands on his throat. This scene made some people look with gasps of shock and surprise on their faces.
"You think that you can just get away with what you have done, huh?!" Max roared as he came forward for another attack.
Mark lifted himself off the floor, only to receive a strike from the same person’s kick that sent him to roll over the floor before stopping with friction.
Pain flared over his body but he endured, had endured enough over his previous year in here as a potential target by many to have a stronger body defense.
Mark sat up and leaned against the nearest wall that was cool to his body. His teeth gritted at the sight of Max who was even much furious from his own presence as he came to him for a third round.
The moment they were about to meet in contact, something flashed at them and the next moment, Mark saw Herimione blocking him, while Max was restrained by Kai who was struggling to hold him.
"Is this how you guys treat your fellow in this place?! I’m glad to welcome mine if it’s allowed." Herimione scowled as she supported a weak Mark on his feet.
"Our apologies for such inconveniences. But you should be reconsidering to be with him, if you really know who he is him," Kai said.
"Yes, I do. Now excuse me." Herimione’s dismissive response made Kai’s eyes narrow with surprise. But she turned with Mark and left for an empty table at a corner where two meals already waited.
He had just been overshadowed in front of an inferior when trying to help him from getting hurt further. He hated that feeling of dismissive closure to his own superior presence that he wouldn’t tolerate, but this was the school ground.
Mai smirked with satisfaction from where she sat with the others when she saw the unbelievable look on Kai’s face. She really felt that he deserved it, but it wasn’t enough.
"Where you hurt? Damnit, I should’ve been up early not to allow this on the first place," Hermione sighed.
Mark exhaled and responded with a weak nod.
Hermione propped her elbow on the table with entwined fingers as she studied Mark. "Your face always look like that, even after this."
"Why? Because I always appear calm despite everyone that disliked it, even if I’m in hell." Mark said with low voice.
Hermione stared at him for a while before twirling her spoon. "Your mood doesn’t look bright."
Mark dragged his plate closer. "Yeah, you got me. It’s because of today’s the last and final that I’ll try my best shot in getting a summon. My hope’s whining, but do you believe in me."
"Um, maybe of course." Hermione pursed her lips. "It’s not that bad to start from this age, you might get something good, maybe."
Mark chuckled slightly.
"Well, I’ve been meaning to ask if you have an angel as your summon."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Um, no. Why did you asked?"
"It’s because you look like one before my eyes," Mark smiled, though he still felt pains of the previous attack that stung his whole body.
A pink hue of blush appeared at Hermione’s cheeks before she hid them by looking away. But Mark already caught it with a smooth smile.
"Excuse me," Hermione rose up and left the table with her meal and cutleries untouched.
***
By the time of the summoners ceremony had commenced, those of the late-awakening freshmen were instructed to assemble in the Great Hall of Amstral High for which they would proceed on their fateful event.
Mark was also to be involved among them in this ceremony and he wouldn’t want to be late to come. Or he would miss it.
Some surroundings of the school enviroment were decorated with ornamental and colorful materials that gleamed under the sunlight that shone everywhere.
Many students leaned against the classroom windows to witness the event that would cast a legend or cruel truth. Some others used this time to sleep, converse or even use their phones.
But Hermione in particular waited in an excluded place alone, it was as though anticipating something that might occur.
She caressed the head of a little cat with ginger furs and a kite-like bushy tail. It purred with softness as it nozzled her bosom.
"This is it I guess, Crookshanks. Let’s see," She muttered to the little kitty-cat.
When Mark had entered the hall that had glass transparent ceiling with a vast and beautiful interior, he joined into the gathered crowd of freshmen at the back position as they remained for the start of the ceremony.
At the side of the wide pentagon-shaped podium on the indoor plaza, was a giant projector-like machine that was operated by a man with thick dark beard.
The murmuring noise of the freshmen was cut short as the headmaster and his personal assistant stepped over to the podium with a device on her hand.
"Welcome, everyone and congratulations for reaching this stage of life that wasn’t easy for many to endure," Williams said as he scanned the entire crowd. "Without any further ado, we’ll commence straight to the point, so you all know the drill if you hear your name, come forward."
He looked into the parcel script that he held with narrowing eyes. "Okay, first person is..." he raised an eyebrow as he lifted his gaze over to the crowd, only to find the particular person with auburn hair in Amstral school jacket at the back.
"Mark Moulow..."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the Chapter, and please don’t forget to support with powerstones and adding to your library.
This is my first shot, so if you find any inconveniences here or there, knock me in.