Mayhem
Chapter 6. The Dark Prince: Dawn
(From the narrator's perspective)
The continent of Tautari.
Year 1727 of the Era of Awakening.
September 1. The start of the school year in the Empire of Elander.
The elite school named after Artoria Montana, located in the city of Valtor — the second largest city in the Empire of Elander — accepts only particularly gifted students. Admission here is possible only through recommendation letters from the school's own scouts, who search for talents throughout the empire's territory.
This is one of the most prestigious high schools on the entire continent of Tautari.
(From Toren's perspective)
I entered the school gymnasium, where rows of chairs had already been set up for the students. There were a lot of people.
On the wall near the entrance hung a list of students with seat assignments. I found my seat and sat down, waiting for the opening ceremony to begin.
Since I was kidnapped in the second grade of junior school, I had spent eight years studying in a closed academy for particularly powerful mages. I could have continued my studies there further, but after the ninth grade, we were given a choice: stay until the twelfth or transfer to another school.
Almost everyone chose to stay.
I chose to leave.
From childhood, we lived and studied in isolation. We were allowed home only for two weeks a year — during the New Year's holidays. We were constantly told that we were strong and obligated to protect the weak, which meant we had to become soldiers and serve for the good of the Empire of Elander.
In short, they wanted to turn us into weapons.
The thinking of those who stayed was thoroughly saturated with propaganda. For them, the Empire of Elander is the highest value, and they would carry out any government order without hesitation.
I don't blame them. They grew up in a closed environment, cut off from the outside world since childhood.
But I am a reincarnated person.
I have lived far more years than they have, and therefore this propaganda affected me much less.
However, I didn't choose this high school by accident. Even in my previous life, I dreamed of studying here, but back then I wasn't accepted.
While I was immersed in my thoughts, a girl with light hair and blue eyes sat down next to me.
I have to admit, her appearance was beautiful. Even too beautiful.
—Hi, — she started the conversation.
—Hi.
—I am Emilia Reich, — she introduced herself.
—I am Toren Hager, — I replied. —Nice to meet you.
—Likewise, — she smiled.
Her charm was too strong. Combined with her appearance and charisma, she looked like a person others could easily follow. A true leader.
—And what are you so good at? — she asked casually.
—What do you mean?
—We're both sitting in the front row, — she said, slightly surprised. —Only the best students sit here.
—Ah… well, I study pretty well.
—Ha-ha, — she laughed. —I already thought you just sat in the wrong seat.
I laughed in response. After that, an awkward silence hung between us for half a minute.
I decided to take the situation into my own hands.
—And what are you good at?
She thought for a moment.
—I have a bit of everything, — she replied.
—Got it, — I said.
We fell silent again.
—Let's exchange incords, — she suddenly suggested and took out her phone.
—Sorry? — I looked at her in surprise. —What is that?
She looked at me in surprise in return, and then smiled slightly.
—You don't know what an incord is? Interesting, — she muttered. —It's a social network. All schoolkids use it now.
—Ah, I see. I'll download it now.
—Yeah, go ahead.
I downloaded incord, and we exchanged accounts.
After the opening ceremony, Emilia and I headed to the classroom together.
—What class are you in? — I asked.
—1-A, — she replied.
—So, we're in different classes. Mine is 1-B.
—No big deal, — she said. —If anything, just write to me.
—Yeah. Then bye, — I waved.
—See you, — she waved back.
We parted ways.
I entered my classroom and sat at the desk where my name was already written.
For now, I wasn't in a hurry to get acquainted with the other students; first, I needed to understand who they were and what they were like.
After some time, a man who looked about thirty entered the class. Apparently, our homeroom teacher.
Everyone took their seats.
—Greetings to everyone. My name is Erwin Merstone, — he began. —I will be your homeroom teacher this year. I started working here this summer, so this is my first school year in this school, just like for you.
His appearance was the most ordinary: straight dark hair, brown eyes. He spoke calmly and casually, but his charisma was felt in every word.
—First, we need to choose a class president, — he continued. —Any volunteers?
For a few seconds, silence hung in the class.
Then a guy with red hair raised his hand.
—Can I?
I had seen him at the opening ceremony. Like me, he was sitting in the front row. So, he was definitely one of the best.
—Any other volunteers? — asked teacher Erwin.
No one else responded.
—Then the class president for now will be Kair, — said the teacher. —Introduce yourself.
—Hi everyone, I'm Kair Carden, — he said, smiling. —I'll try to be a good class president for you.
He spoke confidently, but without unnecessary pathos — as if this role was natural for him.
—Now we need an assistant class president, — continued teacher Erwin. —Any volunteers?
The class fell silent again.
I thought for a second… and raised my hand.
—I want to.
Honestly, this decision was spontaneous. I wasn't antisocial; I never had problems with communication. Why not try?
Erwin looked at me, then at the class.
—Any other volunteers?
The response was silence again.
—Good. Then the assistant class president will be Toren Hager, — he said.
Thus, unexpectedly even for myself, I got this role.
On the first day, we had no lessons. The whole day was testing to check our academic knowledge. In the closed academy, besides magic, we studied regular school subjects in depth. And in my previous life, I was one of the best students in my school.
So, I had no problems with the tests.
I didn't hold back and solved all the tasks. I can't say for sure, but I think I scored the maximum points.
After the testing ended, I was returning to the dormitory and noticed Emilia on the way. I decided to approach her.
—How was your first day? — I asked.
She flinched slightly.
—You scared me, — she said, smiling.
—Sorry, — I smiled back. —You're heading to the dormitory too?
—Yeah, — she nodded. —You're not local either?
—Yes, I'm from Velgard.
—Wow, so from the capital.
—And where are you from? — I asked.
—From the northern provinces, — she replied.
—Whoa… — I muttered. —From the northern provinces, you moved to one of the southernmost cities in the empire.
—I've wanted to study in this school since childhood, — she said.
I didn't immediately find a topic to continue the conversation, and for several minutes we just walked side by side in silence.
Soon we approached the dormitory and entered the same building.
—Wow, you live here too? — Emilia was surprised.
—Yeah, on the fifth floor, — I replied. —And you?
—On the seventh. If you need help — just ask.
—Good, thanks.
We entered the elevator together. On the fifth floor, I got out.
Back in my room, I exhaled in relief. The school was elite: each student was provided with a separate room with their own bathroom and a small kitchen. I had arrived here two days ago, so I already felt quite comfortable.
After half an hour of aimlessly scrolling through memes on my phone, I realized I was hungry. I was too lazy to cook, so I made myself two sandwiches with cheese and ham.
In the evening, when the sun was already setting below the horizon, I went for a walk. The school grounds were huge. Right here there was a four-story shopping center, cafes, a park, and a bunch of other things. All for the students.
In the park, I noticed Kair — our class president. He was sitting on a bench, and several guys from our class were standing around him. I decided to approach.
—Oh, it's our assistant class president, — Kair noticed me. —Your name's Toren, right?
—Yeah, hi, — I replied.
—Oh, hi, Toren, — one of the guys nearby spoke up. —You don't mind if I become assistant class president instead of you?
—Emil, — Kair interrupted him. —At least introduce yourself first.
—Ah, right. Emil Crawford, nice to meet you, — he said with a smirk.
From the first seconds, I felt an unpleasant atmosphere in this group. And Kair, apparently, was their unofficial leader.
—And why didn't you say that to the teacher right away? — I asked Emil.
—I'm too lazy to explain, — he replied reluctantly. —Just say tomorrow that you don't want to be assistant class president, and I'll take your place.
—And why don't you do it yourselves? — I replied calmly. —And, by the way… smoking in the park is prohibited, as far as I know.
Kair, who was smoking while sitting on the bench, smirked and looked at me.
—Damn, you're right, — he said and threw the cigarette on the ground. —Thanks for reminding me.
But Emil didn't even think about putting his out. He demonstratively blew smoke right in my face. Plus, he reeked strongly of alcohol.
I could never stand the smell of cigarettes. At that moment, it really pissed me off.
Apparently, my first impression of Kair was wrong. And this group — ordinary bullies.
—Emil, — said Kair, —have at least a drop of respect. This guy was sitting in the front row at the opening ceremony.
—So you're a nerd? — Emil narrowed his eyes. —You don't look like a strong mage.
—And you look like a nobody, — I replied.
Emil's buddies laughed.
—Emil, — Kair said in a serious tone, —keep yourself in check.
But in the next second, Emil's palm burst into flame. He swung to hit me.
And immediately flew several meters back.
—I see you didn't get lucky with your classmates, — came a familiar voice.
I turned around.
Behind me stood Emilia.
—Oh, Toren's girlfriend, — Kair smirked. —You already snagged such a beauty on the first day. Good job.
—Are you okay? — Emilia approached me, completely ignoring Kair.
—Yeah, thanks.
Kair clearly didn't like that, but he didn't do anything.
We had already attracted too much attention.
Kair looked around.
Apparently, he realized that too.
—Okay, guys, let's go, — said Kair, getting up from the bench.
But at that moment, Emil got to his feet. Rage boiled in his eyes. And considering he was drunk, anything could be expected from him.
He extended his hand forward, opening his palm, and a bright stream of fire burst from it.
—Emil, stop! — shouted Kair.
But it was already too late.
With one hand, I pressed Emilia to myself, and with the other — simply absorbed the flame.
The fire disappeared, as if it had never been there.
Kair, Emil, and their buddies stared at me in complete shock.
—So, you really are a mage… — Kair said quietly.
With one motion of his hand, he lifted Emil into the air.
—Let go! I'm not done yet! — he shouted.
—Enough, — replied Kair. —Sorry, Toren. I'll deal with him myself.
They left.
All this time, other students had been watching us.
—Emilia, are you okay?! — several classmates ran up to her.
—Yes, everything's fine, — she replied and looked at me. —That was cool.
—Thanks, — I replied.
We smiled at each other.
—We left you for a couple of minutes, and you already got into something. Her classmates took her away.
—See you tomorrow, — Emilia waved to me.
I waved back.
I quickly left the park. Extra attention was the last thing I needed right now.
Though… after something like that, I won't avoid attention anyway.