I place my schedule, along with the written elective I chose, to Mr. Abrams's desk. From a distance I hear the bristling of a broom, rhythmically swaying back and forth in the hallway.

  A distance I subconsciously pay attention to, as per my training. It grew closer and closer - then it stops. the noise comes to a halt outside of my room.

  "Hohoh, to see a class sheet turned in early, what a dutiful student you are."

  My blood froze. I can hear his voice emanating from right beside my ear now. But...how?! Superspeed? Obviously not!

  Had it been superspeed then I would've still heard his footsteps as an after-thought even now! It would've trailed his speed, but my heightened senses would still pick up on his bodyweight shifting and pressing, or the shifting of his clothes as he prepares, I would have heard something!

  "What's wrong? You seem lost in thought? Well, A school IS the perfect place for getting lost in your own thoughts. Plenty of teachers to ask for help!"

  "How... did you do that, just now?"

  "Hm? How did I do what~ Hohoho~"

  ...Look at this guy, pretending not to know. He might be a teleporter, like Mr. Abrams. Big bro Aeron taught me to always check the time if I feel something is wrong with a situation's speed, or sense of it. Still, I wasn't keeping track of the time prior to now. Dammit, I...Haah.

  I let out a sigh and bow respectfully, before realizing that everyone already left without me. And I don't know where to go to have my 'lunch'.

  "Uhm, excuse me, sir..."

  "Mr. Reeds. That's the name I go by, and what I'm accustomed to students calling me."

  Could you...uh, guide me to something called a 'cafeteria'? I am supposed to have my lunch period there, but I don't know where that is.

  "Hm, Mr. Abrams, tsk. To leave behind a student like this. You sure are quite the teacher. Well, it's not surprising you don't know, there is no cafeteria in this building. In order to eat lunch, you have to share the Cafeteria for students training to be heroes. I DID warn the conflicts of forcing non-combatant students and sidekick students to share meals with the hero trainees, but alas. Nobody listens to the janitor."

  What a funny guy. His points are valid, but he doesn't seem to command respect from his fellow teachers by the looks of things.

  "I would assume their reasoning is something like; '... To foster friendly relations between the three dorms...' or the like?

  "Hoho, spot on! That was essentially their reasoning, though there was also something about suppressing the alienation of the two dorms by the hero trainees so they do not become too pretentious and believe they are above mingling with those weaker than them."

  Well, I have little knowledge about how the chain of command at this school operates. I can only do my best and observe quietly for a time.

  "...That reminds me, boy. I saw the elective you chose. PHOS is...a surprising pick. Do you really understand how much danger you'll be in an environment mostly controlled by the realist faction with students that can barely control their gifts?"

  His gaze tells me he knows more than his words hint. I should note him down to observe later, but for now my answer remains the same.

  "I... feel I must observe these so-called 'Hero Aspirants' a little closer than I'm currently allowed. To see if they're truly worthy of the mantles that they yearn to wear."

  "..."

  HIs footsteps came to a halt. A woman with a vicious glare awaiting by the Hero wing's front gate. Before I knew it, we had already arrived. This confirms to me, that it seems whatever is strange about him has little to do with super speed. At least, not directly, since very little time has passed from the classroom conversation to now.

  "MR. REEDS! It isn't enough that you have been caught REED-HANDED shirking your newly assigned janitorial duties, but to drag-!"

  "I'm sorry, miss! I got lost after filling out my elective and turning it in. I couldn't catcch up with my homeroom teacher and had to beg this man for directions!"

  "...The name's Ms. Ivory. Well, if that's the case then you are excused, Mr. Reeds. go back to... whatever it is that you're doing."

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Being 12 was a good thing, when one has to convince others to go easy on them, or their acquaintances. I can feel the venomous air surrounding her turn stale and awkward, before she dismisses Mr. Reeds. He never speaks a word towards her. Only smiles and offers a light bow my way, before leaving. Strange man.

  "Don't think you're off the hook either, young man. Filling your electives out to the point you lose sight of your homeroom teacher...and for that matter! Which lame-brained excuse for a homeroom teacher abandons one of their-!"

  "Mr. Abrams."

  This venomous-tongued teacher was right in her words though. How dare he leave me! Would it have killed him to wait just a handful of minutes for me to select my elective?!

  "Oh. O-Oh, w-well he is indeed the teacher that know best. There is no way he would truly have left you behind, unless you deserved to miss lunch, I suppose."

  ...?

  The air turned awkward following her backpedaling response. Was she that scared of my homeroom teacher, or something? Was his rank among the top 10 heroes so daunting? Well, I gave her a distrusting stink-eye, as she just earned herself a spot on my list, together with Rise. Oh, and Elijah, too!

  "Hahaha! Look at that loser!"

  "Pfft, why did she attend an academy for heroes again?"

  "Lay off her guys, you call this behaving like heroes?!"

  A loud cackle of students bickering and laughing grew as we closed in on the slightly ajar cafeteria doors.

  "It seems things have already started. Piece of advice, if you want to survive in this academy, You'd best mind your place here."

  Ms. Ivory carries on in the opposite direction, the raucus in the cafeteria room not the least bit interesting her. I pushed open the doors and saw a familiar face, or rather: a 'pair' of faces.

  The behemoth of a non-combatant, Ophelia, was on her knees, hunkered over Ian, the shortest boy in our class, who was covering his head and shaking. Standing over the two was a muscled male wearing a particularly colored Hero trainee uniform. Their uniforms are blue and gold, with the shades of blue and gold deepening as you advance in academy years. SIlver and Red represented the sidekick academy uniforms, and our were black and white. That's why it is plain as day for antyone watching to realize that a hero academy student is currently spilling several plates worth of food over two non-combatants. Both of my classmates had food on them, though she had noticeably much more. I'd say... 75-25. 75% of the students surrounding us were either genuinely enjoying the scene, or at least pretending they enjoyed it to go along with the crowd. Grumblings from the remaining 25% largely went ignored, and they didn't seem too keen on standing up to stop this mess either.

  These animals are supposed to become heroes? And adults just...'okay' this? I... admittedly was shaken. What do I do?

  What should I do? I came here to be ordinary, was this behavior...ordinary? Is it 'right' of me to...no.

  Didn't I first and foremost, vow to change? But... but what do I...

  It seems like the other non-combatants aren't around, or I can't see them. I think I can see Oliviera recording the scene on her phone with a horrified expression.

  Then the bully speaks.

  "Oops~ my hands slipped. But seriously, what did you expect? Rejects entering the school as non-combatants? You think that's FAIR on us, who worked our asses off to pass that tough exam, only to find you folk being given free passes? Haha! If you can't even handle something like this *spills another tray* then you're better off going home. Right now, otherwise, I may be forced to take this up a notch. Hey! Somebody go get me another tra-"

  *Splat*

  Before he can finish his sentence, a tray smashes into his face from the side closest to the door. I couldn't help it. With other students so eager to offer their trays, I just took one and threw it at him. After all, I did vow I would try and live without regrets anymore.

  The room grew silent, as laughter turned into chilled gasps of disbelief. I walked over to Ophelia with my hand outstretched, smiling.

  "Here, take my hand and get up."

  The silent stares watched my hand receive a reciprocated outstretch, before...

  Her absurd strength pulled me down rather than me helping her stand on her feet.

  Now the silence was filled with an awkward air. My face reddened, embarrassed. I completely forgot I have a suppression patch that weakens me, but even so I should still be above average. Boman drew the line there, refusing to make me as fragile as a foal, which is how he often referred to ordinary humans. For me to still be yanked down by her...I couldn't help but laugh. This seemed to settle the air around Ian and she, as they also laughed at my blunder.

  "Noel, you..."

  Ian wanted to nervously warn me, but was clearly too late as the same brute bullying them raised me by my uniform's neck. This is the second time today.

  "Alright, fucker, you don't seem to get what's going on here. This is your ONLY warning to go home. We don't wanna hurt you during our exams, and we certainly want our learning experienced getting ruined by fools who'd only serve as liabilities. So after the pounding I give ya, remember that this was for your own benef-"

  "Do that and you'll be expelled."

  Funny, I know teachers are watching, but remaining silent, only observing. My eyes lock with one of them, who freezes in fright. Most likely not expecting to have been seen from their inconspicuous location. Were these teachers part of this 'realist faction' I keep hearing of?

  "Ha...Haha! Do you see anyone here to expel me?! Are these defected so brainrotted or-"

  His fist hangs in the air, fuming but cautious. He looks around, not seeing anyone. If he truly did cause a ruckus, they'd probably protect him with words like 'it was a joke that went too far'. And if pushed, then he may become their scapegoat, I presume.

  But not if I call them out.

  "I see 7 teachers, but there's probably 12, watching us? I can point them out right now, you know?"

  "My hand points to one, then another then another, all looking distressed as the students nearest them didn't even notice their presence. Now things will have to change. I don't know what sort of political stunt was being played here, but to go so far against two students who can't even defend themselves, if they were planning on controlling the narrative that excuses such behavior while stepping in only before things become irreversible, well, such a narrative will have to change.

  "I wonder what such TEACHERS think about all of you guys ganging up on two students?! Also."

  My hand points to Oliviera, who, like a clumsy chipmunk who was just caught dipping their hand in another's stash of nuts, freezes still.

  "Uhh...O-Oh my leechums...wh-what is THIS doing in my hand...hahaha...haha...ha........... I... I'm sorry!"

  The brute drops me to the floor and charges at her, red-faced. He doesn't seem to care about the teachers or me, anymore, though he does throw me to the ground rather harshly.

  Hmph, an ordinary 12 year old would have dislocated wrists by now. Thankfully, I feel Ophelia help me to my feet, literally by picking my up and placing me on my feet.

  "Turn that off right NOW and delete what you recorded you little fat piece of-!!!"

  "I-I....I'm not recording anything! I swear!"

  "AS IF I'LL BELIEVE-"

  "YAAAHH! NOOO!"

  A teacher, the first I pointed out, knew they could no longer allow things to go on, as now their reputation was directly on the line. They disappear and reappear with a puff of smoke and easily lock the brute in place.

  "Harvey, still. Also, non-combatant girl. I will be confiscating your phone and reviewing the recorded footage with the school board, pending-"

  "I-I didn't record anything! This is..."

  "Haah. Look, kid. Nobody believes that sort of-"

  "This is totally NOT a recording because... because it's b-being shown, live!"

  "...Eh?"