Obligatory Duty (Undergoing Revisions)

Chapter 26: First and Last Day of School

"Argghh, why must school be so early..." I grumbled half-heartedly, lying on my desk.

The background babble of overly cheerful students, sunlight shining through the windows, hard, uncomfortable desk, everything and anything was just building up my bubbling annoyance.

The first day of school hath come upon us and what could a good child like me do but attend? Heheheh, if I say that out loud, that lousy officer Flint would vehemently refute it. Oh, by the way, if you're thinking where is Rin, she is in one corner of the class, talking with her other friends. As expected, she sure mixes in well. 

"Oiii... Orpheus! You're here early!" Kael exclaimed, slamming the sliding door open, with the ever so calm Itsuo following behind.

"Too freaking noisy, shut up!" Itsuo snapped.

From there, they would burst into an argument. Typical everyday kind of arguments.

Back then, after I woke up, the nurse mentioned that everyone was knocked out completely cold and that only two people passed the test. I was so confused on how classes were going to unfold with only two students and the special cases students who pass automatically like Rin. But they organized a retest and obviously, with their physical fitness Kael and Itsuo passed with flying colors.

"Hahh... I wonder who would be our homeroom teacher? I really hope it's not someone strict." I sighed, sitting in the back of the class with Kael and Itsuo. (At first, Kael, obviously wanted to sit in front, but with Itsuo and I voting the back, he followed us.)

"Well, for me I would prefer a young female teacher," Kael commented dreamily, earning a smack at the back of the head from Itsuo.

Out of the sudden, Kael got up, declaring that he needed to go to the bathroom. Stepping out of the classroom for a moment, he slammed the sliding door open again, pale as a ghost.

I commented, "That was fast." While Itsuo shouted at him to keep it down.

Dashing to us, he stuttered in a low voice, "T-t-there's a body in the toilet..."

After looking at him incredulously, Itsuo and I exchanged a look of disbelief, trying to work out how he arrived at that misunderstanding.

With frustration clear in his voice, Kael huffed indignantly and beckoned us to follow him. Reluctantly, Itsuo and I followed.

Pushing the door open, the toilet was windowless, dark with illumination coming only from the ajar door and single spasmodically flickering light bulb. In the darkness, the red graffiti sprawled upon the walls appeared as blood. It was dilapidated, with paint peeling and cracks meandering all over the walls.

The perfect setting for a horror story, such a thought crept persistently into my head as I fervently pushed it away, trying not to get terrified.

Bending down slowly, it was clearly visible. To all three of us, meaning it is not a hallucination, unless all three of us are hallucinating the same thing, which is unlikely. In the first place, hallucinations only occur when a human was pushed to their limits. While all of us are quite wide awake, thanks to the creepy setting.

Peeking out of the bottom of a cubicle wall, was a leg. It was dressed in the grey military uniform. Shivering from head to toe, we dashed out. Heart racing a million mile per minute, I broke into a cold sweat.

In harsh tones, Kaen indignantly whispered to us, "See, I told you so, there's a body in the toilet."

"Wait, wait, that does not just mean he is dead, maybe he is asleep or something." Itsuo rambled on, breaking his composure as well.

"Let's try asking? Kaen, you go." I suggested in a low voice.

"Wait, why me!" He grumbled.

"You found it, it's your responsibility." Itsuo seriously replied.

With me completely agreeing with Itsuo, Kaen hesitantly called out.

"Are you ok? Do you need any help in there?"

A muffled, depressing reply cried out, "Yes... ... I'm fine... ..."

Relieved, I heaved a sigh, the person's not dead.

We got out of the toilet, and head back to class. Midway, Itsuo halted to a stop.

Turning to him, Kael asked "Itsuo? What's up?"

Looking straight at us, he uttered in a grim tone.

"What happens if that person is trying to commit suicide?"

Immediately, Kaen burst out laughing, instantly dismissing the idea.

"No wait, that is certainly plausible, he sounded pretty down," I replied.

"Huh, you too, Orpheus? Someone considering suicide? Well, I guess that's not really uncommon." Kael said, starting to worry as well. "So, what should we do? Ask the general office for help?"

"No, we should wait first, confirm the situation, if it's actually not, it'll be really embarrassing." flustered, Itsuo interjected, as we head back to the toilet door.

"But I really don't want the person's death to be my fault if he is considering suicide. I mean if I can stop it from happening, but didn't, my conscience wouldn't be able to take it." Kael whispered.

"So, should Kael ask again?" I asked.

"Hey, why me again? You guys go this time."

Debating furiously right in front of the male toilet, not knowing what to do, the cursed door opened. A man in his thirties stumbled out. With an unkempt stubble and tousled ash-grey hair, disheveled uniform and loose shoelaces, he was a complete mess. His pale complexion and stumbling gait suggested he's not well. He pushed his slipping steel grey uniquely shaped spectacles frame up while covering his mouth as he doubled over. The glasses were flat and rimless at the top while triangular at the bottom.

"Ughh... I knew I shouldn't have drunk so much last night. But she was so cute, I couldn't resist..."

Trembling, Itsuo snapped. Mercilessly, he kicked him in the gut.

"What the hell! All our worry was just wasted on a freaking drunkard! Give us back our emotions and time!"

Kael flustered, looking back and forth between the man and Itsuo, wanting to take Itsuo's side but also felt that Itsuo was too harsh.

"Come on, Kael, let's go, leave that useless drunkard there!"

Back in class, an hour late from the starting time, the sliding door opened. Lo and behold, the person coming in was that drunkard.

"Hello. My name is Stehlen. I will be your homeroom teacher for the next year or so. Nice to meet you." He began, rubbing his eyes and yawning sleepily.

Hellenistic Republic Academy

"We are proud to announce that Helen Kyrios have graduated with the best scores in the entire history of our prestigious school. As such it is only fitting for her to give the valedictorian speech. Without further ado, Helen Kyrios."

A thunderous applaud roared in the outdoor venue. The perfect weather, sunny but not too hot, windy but not too strong, not a dark cloud in sight, everyone in high spirits creating an electric atmosphere. They filled their stomachs, sated their thirst, all ready to give their fullest attention.

Maybe she was just lucky. Probably not. Her ability [Perfect Setting] definitely have a hand to play with this.

Creating the perfect situation for her to perform her best every time. Coupled with her innate talents, no one can take advantage of the situation better than her. She was literally invincible in a sense.

Therefore, she delivered, delivered an eloquent moving speech capable of snatching every human's hearts.

Deep down, she wanted to state criticising remarks on the country's pacifism, but she knew that the old fools would not like that at all. Be patient, the time will come, just be patient. She consoled herself.

This is a good day, the day I graduate school, I will make sure that it would be included in the world history. The day I begin my conquest.