I created my own system-Chapter 314: To my Seniors

"To my seniors,"

I remember reading how you stand up against injustice or, more to say, the discrimination you felt; even when you knew you would lose, you all still stood tall, growing stronger at every fall. I felt a great respect towards you all just by reading that. I was just a first-year who happened to bear a lot of trauma, weakened by mistake and naivety. I blame myself for something that happened in the past, but your strength inspired me. You made me believe that even at your lowest you can reach the top if you keep going."

"After knowing you were all gone, we left the academy for a reason we don't know. Strangely, even with all the problems we have, we still desire to know the reason why you all disappeared. The other seniors tried to erase you, try not to talk, and even deceive us with false information, but we never forgot; instead, we continued to believe. Your struggles, your defiance… it became our will to fight back."

"Now, we're finally strong enough to welcome you back. If you still have the strength to return, we'll be waiting."

As Klint finished reading, the room remained eerily silent.

Then, Elara clenched the letter in her hands. Her shoulders trembled as she whispered, "…somehow I am rendered speeches"

Marcus, another former student, looked away. "All this time, I thought we were abandoned."

Daniel, who was still as skeptical before, now frowned. "…do you guys think if we return, it won't be the same as before?"

Klint just smirked slightly. "Just like what the professor said to us. That's up to you. But I'll tell you one thing, I think unknowingly we contributed something we never knew would develop into something, not just as students, but as individuals who shaped what the lower class as it is now."

He took a step forward, placing his hands on the table.

"I'm not asking we make an immediate answer now, but. Instead, let's have this."

The students perked up, and then they realized that the very back of the letters contained a note and a bundle of tickets. Klint took those and showed them to his friends along with the words that the note contained.

"A party. A gathering exclusively for the lower-class students."

They blinked at him as he continued to read

"First-years, second-years, even the fifth-years. All of you—together again, if only for one night. No obligations, no pressure. Just you, your old classmates, and your former teachers."

"If, after the party, you still don't want to return, we won't push you. But at least, come and see for yourselves what's waiting for you."

The Burden of Choice and the hope of return, we will wait for your answer

Elara exchanged looks with the others. The air was thick with hesitation, but Klint knew well; he could see the yearning in their eyes.

"So, everyone, your answer?" he asked as he held the tickets.

His eyes were like hammers that forced the others to make decisions as soon as possible.

Finally, Elara let out a slow breath.

"…Alright. We'll attend."

The other students murmured in agreement.

Their former president smiled, though they couldn't see it due to their attention being elsewhere.

"Good. Then let's see each other at the academy again."

.

.

.

A night of lights enveloped the dark forest as the entire lower class from the first to the tenth year stopped whatever they were doing and came to decorate the great ballroom of the senior's dormitory.

It was indeed fitting for its name since the hall could house thousands of people with more space to spare.

"Let's put all of those over there and Braiden can lift this and put it outside"

The one who goes and orders everyone is none other than the head butler of the dormitory Brutus Von Celestio.

"Student Apollo, are you certain that they come?"

The head maid asks, feigning ignorance to her reigning excitement. Since it will be her first welcoming their supposed second-year students.

"I should recheck the rooms, oh! Perhaps I could also add more snacks in case you all might need them"

As the old lady's vigor spread across the room, those around her can't help but smile as well. It was a very warm atmosphere that made everyone excited.

"Hey, tell me something is going on, isn't it?"

Alicia asked since she could somehow feel Apollo's anxiety.

"Is it perhaps about Nero's escape don't worry I will ask Augustus about it, he will surely give me an answer"

"No is not that"

He replied while slowly massaging the bridge of his nose.

"If it isn't about that then what is bothering you?"

At first, Apollo felt conflicted but soon surrendered with a sigh.

"I'm just nervous," he mutters while stealthily hiding his flushed face.

"Wait, don't tell me what the cause of your anxiety is." Alicia covered her mouth, trying to tone down her amusement, but it was too late. Apollo could definitely see her expression.

"I am not good at communicating you know, that is why I don't know if my note had reached their hearts to come here"

Alicia couldn't help but chuckle at him; this side was different from how she usually saw him; thus, somehow, it added a cute atmosphere around them.

"To think a guy like you who isn't even afraid of fighting against the strongest sword in the world actually nervous because he couldn't convey his feelings to other people"

"Don't put it that way Alicia, my interactions are only limited to the mages of the tower and people I share trauma with"

"Oh, I supposed we are in the group of shared trauma," a voice suddenly interrupted, making the two look at the source of the voice.

"McKenzie"

"Hey, you two, I know we have lots of problems, but we need you two to concentrate and have fun, let's deal with the problems after all this is done. Okay?"

"Okay" answer simultaneously by the two.

While the senior dormitory is bustling with excitement, the same can be said for the junior or first-year dormitory.

Martha and the others were also happy to finally see the kids they used to take care of. They prepared their favorite snacks and the materials they used to read when they were still studying there.

"I should prepare some tea, the ones they usually enjoyed," Jenny happily said, remembering the days when the entire class would surround the fireplace tea at hand while slowly singing songs from their hometown. For the staff who were included in such a moment, it was the most relaxing part of serving them. The atmosphere was warm, and the music was very pleasing, even when the singer was a bit off-key. Back then, the staff didn't know that those moments would never happen again because two months after their enrolment, their class would be disbanded.

"I should also wear their gifts, what do you think?" Miss Martha said as she remembered the class gifting her something

The sound of footsteps continues to be heard, as well as joyous chatter that continues to reminisce the past. They were very expectant until the sounds of hurried steps began to attract their attention. For a moment they thought something went wrong.

"Everyone!"

Gil suddenly arrives while holding a box of chocolates. With his ragged and gasping expression, he begins to speak.

"They are here!"

He managed to say as he put the box down on the floor.

"Jerome currently entertains them. Let's be quick. They will be here in a minute.

Nadia then came out from the corner and happily said, "The tea room is all set we should take them here first before taking them to the senior's dormitory"

"Okay I will call Apollo now"

Gil replied but then Jenny interrupted him.

"It's okay I already called Alicia she should be able to tell everyone about it"

Then a few minutes went by, and a group of people went in. Fifteen teenagers with vivid memories inside this very dorm.

"Welcome back, my kids," Miss Martha tearfully said as she embraced Klint.

"We miss you too, Miss Martha," he replied, returning the hug he just received.

"Hey, wait, this isn't fair. I want a hug, too," Daniel came from behind and immediately wanted to come between the two.

"Alright, alright, you get a hug too." Klint let go of mis Martha, and Daniel immediately took the chance to hug their mother figure.

"Please to meet you again, my students." Nadia came forward with her eyes teary caused by her mixed feelings.

"Oh, come on, don't be like that, big sis. We haven't seen each other for a while now.....please... don't cry..."

One of the girls named Roxanne, sniffled as she saw familiar faces she hadn't seen for a year; unlike the rest, who remained connected with their profs and to the staff, she couldn't due to her being sent to a monastery run by one of the recognized church of the empire.

"Come now, we shouldn't cry like this. We should celebrate," Jerome tried to say, seeing how the atmosphere was turning into a tearful reunion, something he never anticipated. He just thought they would have fun like they usually do, but now things were turning into a situation where his tears were also about to fall.

Unknowingly though, outside, sixteen silhouettes hunch on the ground as they awkwardly whisper to each other.

"When are we supposed to appear now?"