"Are you all right now? Then, Wu, you can sit... let me see, how about over there?" Xingye showed no displeasure after I pushed her hand away. Her tone grew even more eager instead.
She pointed to a spot slightly toward the back. It was at the rear of the classroom, so I could easily see everyone. Yet, others would hardly notice what I was doing. For me, it was the perfect spot.
"Hmm." I nodded slightly and walked over, unaware of the triumphant grin on Xingye's face.
"Eh, Xingye, that's so sneaky!" Just as I was about to sit, another girl beside me shot up. "Letting the new student sit next to you? That's unfair!"
What! Xingye was actually my neighbor!
I'd just placed my handbag on the desk when I instinctively grabbed it again, scanning for another seat. But Xingye squeezed over, took my bag, and tucked it into the drawer. She half-pushed, half-guided me into the chair.
Trapped in the seat, I had no choice but to accept it.
Satisfied, she nodded with a smug air. Turning to the girl, she declared, "Kali, Wu chose this herself. Don't blame me~"
"T-this... ugh, Xingye, you're just unfair!" Kali crossed her arms, shooting Xingye a resentful glare.
Caught between them, I stood awkwardly with the others, watching their squabble over my seat. All the while, I endured the suggestive stares from classmates.
My appearance had made blending in hard countless times. In spots like this, it was such a headache. (flustered)
Knock knock knock.
The iron door, closed earlier, suddenly rattled. Xingye stopped arguing with Kali instantly. Like most of the class, she peered curiously at the door, wondering who was outside.
Three seconds after the knocks faded, the door opened. A woman with light yellow hair strode in gracefully. She held a box, her eyes sweeping the room as if inspecting us.
She wore a plain white shirt, a pure black business skirt just above her hips, and skin-colored pantyhose. Her long hair was neatly styled. The look was simple yet proper—stylish but never vulgar.
Clearly, she cared deeply about her appearance.
"Everyone, return to your chosen seats. We'll start Class 136's first meeting shortly." She walked straight to the podium, set down the box, and addressed the scattered students.
"I'm your new homeroom teacher. My surname is Ye—call me Ms. Ye. But my full name? Not for now. If you want it, earn it through your performance later."
Huh? Wait! What kind of place hides a teacher's name?
This weird rule only deepened my curiosity about the academy.
Ms. Ye opened the box, pulled out a sheet of paper, and placed it on the desk. She seemed unsurprised by our sudden silence.
Every word she spoke, every gesture she made, radiated measured precision.
"You've picked a representative? Then step forward and check absences." She glanced at the empty seats—at least five—and her expression stayed utterly calm.
"Reporting, Ms. Ye. I'm Class 136's temporary rep. Only one person's missing." Xingye stood again. Her face wasn't overly serious for this first report, but it had shifted from when she welcomed me.
"Hmm. Something must've happened. We'll handle it later. Ignore it for now." Ms. Ye acted like one missing student meant nothing.
"No welcome speeches—I won't waste energy on boring formalities. I'll say this once: if you miss it, ask classmates later." Her pace quickened as she spoke. Without focus, details slipped by easily.
"You have two tasks here. First: forget everything you learned before. Find the reason yourselves. Fail, and you're useless." Only a formidable teacher like Ms. Ye could deliver such a bold line.
"Second: no matter how brilliant you were outside, at Heavenly Stand Academy, you have one goal." She turned the box toward us, revealing its contents.
"This."
