Chapter 333 Familiar Faces
?"You read the news?"
"Yupp, just did."
"What'd you think? Is it true or ..?"
"Who knows? Who cares."
"If it's true, then who do you think did it?"
"How would I know? Maybe it's their enemy or any idiot rival or some stupid suitor of the girls around them - the staff are still investigating this matter so maybe we'll know soon."
Rebecca and Rio kept talking about the public notice shared by the elder, while following the crowd towards the auditorium hall where everyone was called to gather by the student council.
The reason for this was probably to address what happened last night, to say the same stupid things like don't discriminate, don't spread any rumors or hate, or form a group to bully anyone or cause any other drama that might ruin the reputation of Zenith etc etc.
Rio had no interest in listening to all this bs but since from today all the seniors could freely interact with the first year students, he had a hunch that a few of his old buddies would surely keep an eye out for him and would want to give him a warm welcome.
The least he could do after making everyone wait two whole years, was say hello to their face, after all, who knows which one of them might jump high on his list to be killed and then disappear from this world.
'Finally the fun begins.' He said, walking into the grand auditorium filled with students from all the first year students of Zenith. While at the stage some staff members and a few high members of the student council and discipline committee stood straight.
Elizabeth Heartwell
Alfred Von Schott
Heirchal Nidhan
Orcsty
Drona Stark
Yeshua Joseph
Millie Mahrendar
BruckSin Tak
Fat piggy Pandya
Norphieus Main
Myenta
And so many more… .. .
'Ohh I'm gonna enjoy their misery.' Rio said as the images of few people came to his mind, fueling the embers of hatred he's been keeping buried in his heart.
Unlike when he first watched Lisa at the entrance ceremony and lost control, his emotions were calmer now. At Least calmer enough to not cause any damage to anyone around him.
"You fine?" Rebecca asked, watching as the shadows around her seemed to be trembling, causing the movement of their bodies a little harder. But since they were just sitting in place, not many around her seemed to notice.
"Perfect." Rio said and slapped a mana restraining bracelet on his hand to stop this little leak of emotions.
"Good morning everyone." A young staff member dressed in the normal suit and a purple academy cloak on top came on to the podium and started his speech.
'Ryuk' Rio thought, looking at the familiar man for the first time after coming back.
Ryuk VenDike , a grade two academy professor associated with teaching classes to the second year students and handling the affairs of the library ground floor.
Someone whom Rio befriended and formed a business relationship with when he first joined the academy.
In return for all the help the professor could provide him at that time, Rio promised to help him get a promotion and an admission and protection guarantee to his talentless brother, Ryusuke in Zenith.
Both the feats were considered hard for a lot of people, but he did it nonetheless.
With the scandalous retirement of an old professor, Ryuk got his new promotion three years ago. And after Rio got back, with a little bit of backdoor donations and blackmail, there came an admission letter for his little brother too.
He was the one who cleaned up the mess a few days ago when Amelia picked a fight with the fourth years.
Obviously it cost Rio a special death magic skill, but whatever. No one's doing free labor.
Ryuk was never mentioned in the story and it was only chance that Rio found him and managed to befriend. Simply because the man wasn't an idiot. Ryuk was smart, extremely so, as even after coming from a commoner family without any background and support, he managed to get himself to the position he was.
Though not totally trustworthy, as he wasn't a slave but a partner. But that's why they both liked to keep eyes on each other's movements and weaknesses. Trying to get even more benefits from the other.
Rio turned Ryusuke's room partners into his slaves, to keep better control over this chip called 'little brother' and Ryuk just kept eyes on Amelia and Rebecca, every now and then.
"Be careful, someone from your old classmates wants to do something with you."
Rio remembered the message he got from this guy and couldn't help but smile to himself again. 'Wonder which lamb has outlived its life and is begging for death.' He thought and smirked to himself.
"If any of you has any clue regarding the incident that happened last night, please inform any of the other staff or council members for that matter. If you'd like to remain anonymous to others, you can also send a message to the Hall of Justice privately. Your help and support are necessary to make Zenith a better place for everyone.
That's all from me." Ryuk said and turned around, as the sound of a bell rang out, echoing everywhere in a loud but calm tone, and soon the doors of the grand auditorium were opened and students started appearing from all the doors.
North side, which was the main entrance, where Rio and other first years were sitting around. On the right side of them, through a big door, second year students arrived and sat down. While from the left side came the third year students who also joined the seats.
The fourth year students were little in numbers (since half of them died in the dungeon event) so most of them were still outside working and checking on the preparations of every other event and their safety measures. Few who came, just stood in the back and kept watching everything with little interest.
Once everyone entered and sat upon their chairs, Ryuk left the stage to Lisa and backed away. While Lisa started yet another boring speech which was just explaining the changes that would take place after this party today.
About how seniors could meet and train with first year students. If permissible, go on missions together and even form a party.
About how first year students could join the various extracurricular clubs and groups made by their seniors. Or what role clubs could play in the overall performance of a student at end year tournaments.
What rules and time tables were modified to go for classes, training rooms, libraries or the other public spaces etc etc.
And finally she came to the topic of what kind of events they had planned for today. Instead of explaining it bit by bit like she did yesterday, she just gave a short summary of games and events organized and their timing and rewarding patterns.
Like how there will be a mass lunch for all the academy together at noon. Or the dance party at evening and beauty pagent at night followed by the final flying lantern and light show at midnight.
Tomorrow will be a holiday from classes as they requested it very much so. But only for theories, training classes for every batch at evening would still follow the same routine.
Alcohol of any kind after yesterday's incident was removed from the party, so that caused a lot of students to boooo and feel sad. After all, many missed the chance to try free quality booze.
It was just a long fucking speech that might have put half the academy to sleep, if only, the one saying it wasn't pretty enough to keep their focus locked onto her.
Like seriously, the boys couldn't take their eyes off of her. Some nearly drooling from their mouths as she walked over the stage and explained everything gracefully.
"Enjoy the party." Lisa said and clapped her hand as the big golden balloon hanging above at the center of auditorium burst open in golden wafers and the sound of music started playing.
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