Hako adjusted his posture, clearing his throat like a seasoned lecturer.
"So, you do know Heichil's a big place, right? Urachii is one of its major towns and SINKE's home base. Naturally, it's also one of the major rule-makers around here."
Zen nodded slowly, absorbing each word.
"Right now, Heichil's governed by a bunch of gangs in the area," Hako said with a shrug. "Well, that's why there's such a 'cool' law forbidding no one besides Sinilites from using the color black exist in the first place."
Zen raised a brow.
No wonder.
"Basically, in this place, money is the law, and fists are the rules. You'll get it more once you actually live here."
Hako gave a proud grin and gestured outside the window.
"But don't worry, we don't do lawless brawls anymore. Now it's all legal and regulated. That's why the city looks so peaceful — law and order, baby."
We do it legally now.
But maybe let's not scare the newbie yet.
Zen looked out the window, watching the neat buildings and quiet streets pass by. It really did look like any normal city.
"Hako, are you from here?"
"Nuh-uh. Born and raised in Dron City. But man, I love everything about being a Sinilite."
Hako smiles proudly, just thinking about putting on the black uniform made Hako practically feel his aura points increase.
Well, Zen could tell — this guy was seriously passionate.
Hako crossed his legs dramatically, like he was about to start hosting a quiz show.
"So, do you know why Heichil is closed off from the outside world?"
"Because it's dangerous…" Zen started, then shut his mouth with knowledge. "... Why?"
Hako grinned, clearly pleased.
"Because the government could no longer control its progress."
His tone turned serious for once.
"When they abandoned this land, they thought it would rot and collapse. But it didn't. It adapted and rebuilt. Now, we've got our own rules and regulations. Something out of their control already."
He gave Zen a sideways glance, eyes scanning from head to toe.
"But since you were recruited... you—"
Hako leaned in, scrutinizing Zen like an unsolved piece of puzzle. "Are you strong?"
Umm...
Zen instinctively leaned away from the intense gaze.
Then, he nodded.
"I think so..."
He'd never really thought about it before.
But Zen had never lost a fight since he could remember. Even when neighborhood kids ganged up on him, he always walked away without a scratch.
Hako narrowed his eyes.
This guy...
Up until now, this guy had been fidgeting and anxious with every word. But only when he answered just now, his eyes were calm.
Zen gave a small, shy smile.
"I might not be extremely strong, but I know how to win a fight."
Hako sat back, interested.
"Then I suppose you already know, you're not here just to sit in a classroom and study, right?"
"I don't know what I have to do, but, Um... I mean, it's still a school... right?"
Right...
Zen swallowed.
Why did Hako suddenly have that creepy smile on his face?
.
.
.
Wait... I can't breathe.
Zen gasped for air, struggling to catch up with Hako.
"Zen! Hurry up! We're probably late!"
Hako finally stopped, waiting at the top of the hill with a grin on his face.
Zen hunched over, hands on his knees, panting.
"Whose idea was it... to run eight kilometers... instead of just taking the bus?"
His legs were giving out.
Hako, on the other hand, was still jogging in place, brimming with energy. He pointed toward the massive structure ahead.
"We're here! Just a few more steps!"
As they approached the entrance, Zen could only stare in awe.
The towering building shimmered under the sun, its reflective surfaces gleaming like glass. The intricate carvings on the archways, the grandeur of the gates were something he didn't expect.
Damn... is that a diamond in that statue's eye?
Probably not.
In a daze, Zen trailed behind Hako.
Hako squirmed at the sight, inhaling deeply like a sommelier sniffing fine wine.
"Doesn't the air smell different, Zen?! We're finally at SINKE. My heart's about to pounce out of my chest, what do I do?!"
Zen sniffed. "...It smells the same to me."
"Ohh! There it is!" Hako suddenly dashed ahead. "Come on! They already posted the class lists!"
Oh.
A long row of neatly pasted white sheets stretched across the notice board, filled with names arranged under various class labels.
Zen stood beside Hako as they scanned for theirs.
"Zen, do you think we'll be in the same class? I'd even be fine with B-class... just don't separate me, man," Hako muttered, eyes darting across the list. "Oh, and guess what? We can move out of the rental today and into the dorms!"
Zen perked up at that.
Thank god.
Spending 50 Rei for just one night had nearly broken his spirit.
Sharing the cost with Hako helped, but still, that's 50 Rei! That could cover a whole month for a small family.
Then, his eyes landed on a name. "I found it."
"Yay! What are the odds! Let me see—"
Hako immediately squished in to read the list with him.
"Hako Lisson... Zen Ekindrel..."
Then, his grin froze mid-bloom.
"Class Z?!"
.
.
.
Zen walked down the hallway with Hako trailing behind, dragging his feet like a wilted rose in mourning.
"I ran up the mountains every night and day," Hako muttered, having a dramatic breakdown. "Did hundreds of boxing drills, kicked until my legs gave out, and even prayed to the holy goddess Amedette for a thousand days at the sacred shrine — just to end up in Z class!"
Zen listened silently, thinking to himself, so that's what a mental breakdown looks like in real time.
Honestly, he didn't care that much about the class. It's just a letter, right?
The hallway stretched quiet and empty, only one more corner to turn.
That must be their classroom.
"Hey, Hako, cheer up. We're here."
Come on, where did all that earlier excitement go?
Hako took the time to glance up between his tragic monologue.
"Zen, you don't get it, do you? Class Z is the lowest-ranked class. The class of hell."