History and Heroes has always been written around raiders, portals and Neus. History was marked by the constant threat of Neus, monstrous entities that emerged from portals to prey on the weak. To counter this, mortals trained as Raiders, fighting to protect their communities.
The ranking system reflected their prowess:
D-rank: Low-level threats, local defense
C-rank: Capable of handling moderate dangers
B-rank: Defenders of cities and key areas
A-rank: Elite protectors
S-rank: Also known as the Ages. The strongest, tasked with combating world invaders and lesser gods – far beyond dealing with mere Neus.
As centuries passed, civilizations began to dawn on mortals. Resources gotten from raids played a part in making their fight easier. Structures were put in place, alliances were formed, schools were made. Among these ancient structures was the Rowen Academy.
...
"Thank you for taking Rowen Academy into consideration, Mr Elias."
Elias tore his eyes from the flower scenery outside the window of the academy office, back to the middle-aged man who flashed a smile at him.
He leaned back against the plush seat and blinked once.
"I am the acting principal of Rowen Academy. I am Mr Owen," the man continued. He gestured towards a young teacher standing close to him. "Ned told me about you, and I knew I must offer my greetings."
The teacher known as Ned nodded, smiling wider than Owen.
Elias barely regarded them both.
"My conditions?"
"Haha! Right!" Owen reached for the drafted contract on the table and passed it over. "Everything is written in there."
Elias flipped the pages.
"You're allowed to go outside the academy anytime you want. Ask for anything and it will be granted. Rowen Academy is your backing. Your freedom is unrestricted."
"But I can't attend another academy." Elias cut in, and flipped a page.
Owen chuckled nervously. He glanced aside, at the teacher.
Ned immediately cut in.
"Rowen is the best. It has a standing history for centuries. No other academy can amount to us. I assure you, it's not a restriction."
"Hmm.."
He laid the contract on the table.
"Pen."
Owen grabbed a pen, and handed it over to him. He signed the contract.
The principal's eyes lit up in delight.
"Thank you for signing with the Rowen Academy, Mr Elias."
"Keep things confidential." He leaned back.
Owen nodded, and retrieved the papers. He passed them over to Ned who tucked them away.
"Ned is a teacher in class one A. Your assigned class. If you want to inquire about anything, reach me through him."
Elias wasn't listening. His eyes went to the door, squinting a bit.
Silence lingered.
Both instructors turned their gaze to the door. It was silent. A pin drop would probably make more sound.
Owen's eyes returned.
"Who are you star..."
The door knob turned slowly and the door was pushed open. The instructors flinched.
Elias, however, remained still.
A familiar face stepped in.
"Mr Owen, the report for..."
He halted, eyes locked on Elias.
The new scholarship student, relaxed, unbothered, before the principal. The principal, smiling awkwardly, tensed. A teacher, low rank, yet standing beside the principal.
He smiled softly.
"Is there a problem? Mr Owen?"
Owen released the breath he didn't know he held.
"Haha! Claude, welcome."
"Welcome?" The one known as Claude raised a brow.
Owen cleared his throat. He composed himself a bit.
"The report is complete, right?"
Claude laid a file on the table. He tore his gaze back to Elias who hadn't moved a bit.
"We meet again."
The instructors exchanged glances.
"Have you both met?" Ned asked.
"Yes." Claude replied.
"No." Elias countered.
Claude chuckled softly.
"A brief glance counts as a meeting to me."
Elias tilted his head slightly.
"Cut the act."
Both instructors exchanged glances. Owen immediately cut in.
"Rivalry is essential for growth," he exclaimed. "You have already met the student council president. It's a good start."
Claude turned to the principal, his warm smile still plastered on his face.
"Actually, Mr Owen, Elias here is our newest recruited member."
The claim tore a confused reaction from Elias's face.
"I don't remember joining the test for the student council position."
"You don't need to join the test to be qualified for the position." Claude beamed so bright, you could have sworn he radiated light.
Elias almost snorted.
"I'm not joining."
"You're joining."
"I'm not joining."
"You're joining."
"Elias," Ned cut in. He stepped closer. "Joining the student council might be a good thing. Think about it: you get to skip class anytime you want."
Claude raised a brow.
"Skip class?"
"And you earn the students' respect. They won't stress your mental health that you're trying so hard to protect."
Elias narrowed his eyes, almost like he was considering it.
Owen nodded.
"You can rest all day and still get perfect grades."
"What?" Claude turned. "He's supposed to work hard for the betterment of..."
"What do you say Elias?" Owen cut him off.
Elias leaned forward into his seat. For a moment, he said nothing.
The instructors exchanged glances.
"Alright." He finally spoke. "I'll join."
"Great!" The instructors chorused.
Owen stood up and nudged Claude.
"Take him to class."
"Me?"
"Show him around later," Owen continued. "Take him to the tailoring department to have the council uniform made for him."
Claude's eyes returned to Elias with a thought in mind.
_Special treatment?_
Elias stood up and exited the office before anyone could say something else. Claude glanced back before following. He closed the door behind him, and caught up to Elias.
They both walked for a few seconds, before he spoke. His voice came cold, rid of warmth.
"Who are you?"
Elias didn't reply. His hand remained in his pocket as he strolled down the hallway.
Claude gazed aside, at him.
"I'm talking to you."
"I'm Elias. That's all you need to know."
The silence returned. Both walked side by side until they got to class.
Claude pushed the door open and walked inside. He turned around and a muffled chuckle escaped his lips. Elias sighed and bent his head, before he could fit through the door.
Both stepped into the lecture hall, the soft hum of conversation dying down as he followed Claude to the front. The female professor gestured for him to stand beside her.
"Class, this is Elias Morail. He's joining us this semester."
"Woah!!" The class chorused.
"I thought he was an instructor." Another added.
The room was a sea of curious faces. Some leaned forward, others whispered to neighbors.
"Elias, tell us about yourself."
Elias's gaze swept the room, expression unreadable under his hood. "I'm a C-rank Raider."
The silence was thick. Then a guy at the back snorted. "C-rank? Guess they're scraping the bottom."
Elias's eyes locked on him, void of emotion. The guy shifted uncomfortably.
Lyra cleared her throat. "Alright. Elias will be working to catch up. Let's make him welcome."
The class murmured, more curious than friendly.
"He even came in with the president."
"How tall is he?"
"He's not tall anymore. This is called long."
"What a waste."
Elias's eyes caught a wave from his roommate. He crossed the room in long strides and took the empty seat beside Kael.
"We both are the council's new members," Kael whispered. "Were you told?"
He simply nodded.
As Lyra began lecturing, Elias's gaze drifted out the window, blank, focused on nothing.
As seconds turned into minutes, Kael's eyes slowly drifted to him. He noticed and turned his gaze.
"What?"
"I'll be direct," Kael muttered, his voice barely audible. "Do you see a screen?"
Elias's expression shifted slightly.
"What?"
Kael's voice lowered.
"Are you an Upholder?"