NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: New Friends
The music's ethereal beauty touched something profound within Alex, resonating with his very soul. The mystical quality of Miss Donna's performance transcended mere sound, reaching heights that seemed to affect the essence of every listener present.
'It's as if the music itself is alive,' Alex mused, still wrapped in the lingering enchantment, 'yearning to be heard by all who would listen.'
Following her mesmerizing demonstration, Miss Donna detailed their semester's curriculum with practiced precision. She outlined Unit 1's focus on fundamental music theory - teaching them to decipher sheet music and understand pitch variations. This would progress into mastering proper hand positioning and chord progressions on the piano, each skill building upon the last like notes in a complex melody.
As the class time drew to a close, Miss Donna offered her parting wisdom. "I won't keep you from your evening plans," she said warmly, her voice carrying the same musical quality as her playing. "But before we part, I urge you to reflect deeply on what we've discussed today. This journey requires dedication, and if you find it isn't your calling, that's perfectly acceptable." Her understanding smile embraced the entire class.
"Have a wonderful day, and I look forward to seeing you next week," she concluded, her graceful form disappearing behind the stage.
Hearing that class is over, the students rise from their seats, ready to head out for dinner and evening activities.
Stretching his stiff muscles after sitting for so long, Alex stands from his chair. Beside him, Han also gets to his feet, rolling his shoulders.
"Man, that was long. I didn't think she'd ever stop talking," Han laments, referring to Miss Donna's tendency to ramble.
"Yeah, she really went on and on," Alex agrees, shrugging his shoulders with indifference. "Glad she said everything she did though - it helps with understanding what we'll be doing in class."
"Yeah, that's true," Han says, fidgeting slightly before gathering his courage. "Say, wanna get dinner? Unless you've got plans with your friends?" Though they'd conversed throughout class, Han still couldn't quite read Alex's demeanor. But having failed to make any friends so far, he figured it was worth taking a chance.
"Um..." Alex reflects on the class, weighing his options. "Sure, why not? My friends should be finishing their classes too, so you can join us for dinner. I'm sure they won't mind too much." His mind drifts to Professor Bain's advice about making friends, and Han's genuine nature makes the decision easier.
Besides, Alex reasons, Han could offer valuable insights into commoner life and navigating noble interactions without causing trouble. While Alfred and the library books provided guidance, firsthand experience would prove invaluable. Sometimes the best knowledge comes from those who live it daily.
"Sweet, thanks for letting me join," Han says, relief washing over his features like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"Yeah, no problem," Alex replies, leading the way toward the dining hall while sending quick messages to Randy and Max about their dinner plans. Their emblems chime back almost immediately with confirmations.
As they enter the dining hall, Alex spots his friends - but something's different. Both Randy and Max have unexpected companions, turning their usual trio into an impromptu gathering. The six of them converge at their regular table, exchanging curious glances as they size up the new additions to their group.
"Well, this is a surprise," Max chuckles, his enhanced frame shaking with genuine amusement at their synchronized social expansion.
"You could say that," Alex agrees, his transformed eyes studying the newcomers. Beside Max stands a lean figure whose darker complexion serves as canvas for a prominent facial scar - the kind of mark that speaks volumes about a life lived on society's edges. The scar cuts across his features like a story waiting to be told, lending him an air of battle-hardened experience that seems at odds with his youth.
Meanwhile, Randy appears to have acquired a shadow in the form of a petite girl. Her sharp glasses catch the dining hall's ethereal light, and her long dark hair cascades like silk around a face that radiates intellectual intensity. She hovers near Randy with the focused attention of someone who's found a kindred academic spirit.
"Who's she?" Alex points at the girl standing behind Randy.
Randy turns his head over his shoulder to look at her, pressing a hand against his forehead in evident frustration. "Look man, I know as much as you do. All I did was help her find a spot in class. She had trouble introducing herself, so I gave her time, and now she won't leave me alone—she's following me everywhere," Randy says, his exasperation clear in every word.
"I didn't mention it in my message because I figured I'd explain in person. But I didn't expect you both would bring new friends," Randy continues, gesturing at Alex's companion.
"Oh, this is Han. He's a chill dude," Alex responds. "You know, he didn't have any friends to hang with, so he wanted to join us for food."
"That's cool with me. Might as well let him join," Max chimes in. "Vincent here enjoyed sparring with me during boxing class - especially after that mean punch I threw."
"Shut up! I'm following you because I'm intrigued by that punch. I need to figure out your secret," Vincent says, his voice rising with intensity. "I studied under the great master Hirosho One Punch Man. I mastered his legendary techniques, but your punch was stronger than mine. I need to understand how this is possible."
"Ah, you're just infatuated with my good looks and amazing punching capabilities," Max teases Vincent, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "It's okay, man. You can express your true feelings."
Red rushes into Vincent's face. "Can it, Max! I don't give two squabbles what you think. I'm just here to learn how you did something that amazing." Vincent turns his head away, clearly flustered.
Alex shakes his head at Max and Vincent's goofy behavior. "Whatever, let's just get some food and talk about our day."
"Yeah man, can't wait," Max says, rubbing his stomach as he walks toward the food stand. "I've been dying for some mashed potatoes and fried chicken."
The group grabs their food and makes their way to a table. Han settles next to Alex, Vincent beside Max, and the still-unnamed girl takes her place next to Randy.
"Oh yeah, Randy," Alex says between bites, "what's the girl's name?"
"Oh, her name's Elizabeth," Randy replies, jerking his thumb toward her as he takes a bite of his chicken sandwich.
"Well, nice to meet you, Elizabeth. My name is Alex. This is Han, that's Max, that's supposedly Vincent, and you've already met Randy," Alex says with polite formality. "Hope you enjoy our company."
"Now, enough introductions—I'm curious about your guys' classes. My teacher was a bit weird," Alex says, steering the conversation forward.
"Oh man, mine was pretty good," Max exclaims enthusiastically. "The guy wanted to see what we were made of, so he paired us up—these are our groups for the rest of the semester, and he warned us not to chicken out. We did a quick spar, and let me tell you, Vincent here? He's got some combo moves. When he hits you with that 'one punch,' bro, that stuff hurts. But you know me, I'm too awesome—gave him a good smack. He knows I'm that guy, you know what I'm saying?"
Vincent just stares at Max with clear annoyance, his expression saying 'shut up, bro—they already know I lost.'
"Well, mine was really good," Randy interjects, oblivious to the tension. "Teacher explained what we'll learn over the year. She was simple to understand, so that was nice. I enjoyed it. Though Elizabeth here keeps following me, but that's fine."
Unknown to Randy, who isn't looking her way, Elizabeth's face flickers with emotion. A shadow of sadness crosses her features at his dismissive tone about her following him, but when he adds "that's fine," her expression snaps back to its usual stone-cold mask. Yet her eyes remain fixed on Randy with an unsettling intensity.
Alex shakes his head at the ridiculousness of Elizabeth's expressions. "Well, I'm glad your classes were good. Hey Han, what do you think of our teacher?"
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Han takes a moment to gather his thoughts. "Um, I like her. She's unique, but I think we'll learn a lot in her class. I mean, that demonstration she gave—I really felt like I was a bird soaring through the skies. It was incredible. I'm just not sure what to expect going forward, you know?"
"Yeah, I get what you mean," Alex nods in agreement. "Like, she explained we'll learn music theory, how to read sheets, proper hand placement on the keyboard and all that. But then she started talking about magical applications, and honestly? I'm lost there. My bloodline awakened really recently, so this is all new territory for me."
"I know exactly what you mean about sudden awakenings," Han says, absently adjusting his bright green uniform with its distinctive purple fringe—the colors marking him as a voice amplification bloodline user. "I was just working at my family's restaurant when it happened. My voice suddenly amplified, and this wizard who happened to be dining there noticed. He told me I had a special bloodline and should attend the Academy. I was hesitant, but then he paid off my family's restaurant debt and offered to cover my tuition here. You know how it goes."
"Wait, they paid for your tuition and your family's restaurant?" Alex asks, genuine surprise coloring his voice at the Academy's generosity toward a commoner like Han.
"Yeah, I was pretty shocked too," Han admits, his voice softening with gratitude. "It was a huge help to my family. But now that I'm here..." He leans in closer, lowering his voice to barely above a whisper. "It feels like more than I can handle, you know? The nobles—I'm not used to dealing with them. Back home, if we saw them, the rule was simple: keep your head down, pretend you don't exist. They own everything, they're the strongest in the world." He shifts uncomfortably, trying to lighten his tone. "You just try to stay out of their way, avoid any trouble. But you already know all this, right? You're a commoner too..." His voice trails off, sudden fear flickering across his features as he realizes Alex might be noble-born, and he could have just grievously insulted him.
Alex waves off Han's concerns with an easy gesture. "While Randy, Max, and I have last names, don't worry about it. We're kind of like bastards, you know? Not actually part of any important families." He gestures toward his two friends, then back to himself. "If anything, we're our own family."
Though his words weave a careful deception, they carry a deeper truth. In this strange world, the only real family they have is each other—three friends bound together by circumstance and survival.