I created my own system-Chapter 316: Thank you

"Thank you," he said; his words were filled with sincerity.

The moon, along with its gentle light, landed again in their faces, but the previous anxious faces were replaced by smiles that surprised the seniors. All of the first years were looking at their seniors as if they could see their very core as if they knew them very well.

"Your words became our hope. Thank you, seniors" Keith smiled, his face devoid of any worry. Then simultaneously, Apollo and his friends bow towards their idols, their seniors, and their unknown heroes that help them continue to hope. Despite not knowing who they were, they felt connected; with just mere pieces of words as their bridge, they built more than just trust but also faith.

Klint was speechless. Suddenly, within his heart, he felt a sensation that left him to tears; maybe he was happy, satisfied, perhaps even grateful, but then again, he could not understand what he was feeling. All he was sure of was that he badly wanted to hug them.

Without another word, the second years gently led the first years inside the tea room, where the warm scent of brewed tea and the flickering candles softened their minds. Mismatched mugs were placed on the table, most of them chipped, some hand-painted with names—remnants of memories from its previous owners, the dorm once more full of laughter and tears.

They settled around the fireplace like a mismatched family finally reunited. The seniors took their seats with more attention to their juniors, while Apollo and his friends were no longer awkward.

A few more moments and the conversation finally flowed naturally. The boys from Apollo's class were very active in joking around while the girls would just followed through with their jokes, wanting to support them even when the jokes were lame.

Klint was happy, though he never anticipated that their first meeting would make them attached to their juniors.

Later, with teacups empty and the warmth of the fire making their nerves melt, the second years guided the first years around the dormitory. They pretended that it was Apollo's class's first time on the campus, and they were touring them around. It was a bit funny, but everyone enjoyed the little entertainment they were doing.

They walked them through halls lined with old photographs, paper stars still dangling from last year's festival, and even chalk markings on the walls — inside jokes no one dared erase.

"It's still here"

Indigo mumbled as he saw all the paper cranes he had hung across the boy's hallway.

"Oh, we didn't remove them, and since none of your juniors seem to mind, we let it. Everything you made where you put them," Miss Martha said, knowing the second years were shocked to see that even their drawings on the walls were all their remaining still as if waiting for them.

"Wow," This time, it was Gemini who felt amazed since the library they used to go to study was still the same as before.

"It didn't change"

It is familiar like it never changed and remained still from the moment they left.

The wave of nostalgia washed through the class. Seeing their reaction, Apolo and his friends decided to halt their mini-tour and let their seniors reminisce. Once they are done, the stroll continues.

"That's where Nadia broke a broom over Gil's back," Joshua laughed, pointing to a dent in the wall.

"Hey, I told you not to tell anyone that!" Gil groaned, but the memory had them all laughing.

"I remember that, Nadia was scared because a cockroach was flying around"

"Yeah she was so afraid she began using a broomstick to kill it but instead of hitting that insects she hit me instead "

Nadia was embarrassed to remember it, while Jenny silently laughed at her co-worker's situation.

"Wait how did the wall dented if it was Gil was the one who got hit?" McKenzie asked, curious, but Apollo knew he just wanted to tease Gil.

"I actually knew why," Elara butt in, causing Gil to shout, wanting to stop the cheeky students from digging more.

Then, from the dormitory, the second year decided to go to that place.

"Hmmm... I guess this is our stop," Miss Martha jokingly said as she halted with the other staff as if she were already at the place where the others were heading.

"We will be back"

Klint said with a smile causing the old maid to sniff.

"Yes, please do return," she replied.

As soon as they turned their back on her and went past the gate, their fleeting back suddenly overlapped with their back a year ago. The time they left with their backs hunched and weakened. Though this time of the year, their disappearing silhouettes weren't as lonely as before.

.....

In the place where students rarely come, a foggy forest surrounded by stories of ghosts and haunting legends. The Melandis step into the haunted forest of Aster Academy. To outsiders, it was just an old, moss-covered step surrounded by overgrown trees and quiet winds. But to the Lower Class, underneath this scary forest is a sacred, secret place, their hiding place, and refugee, where every surviving first year carved their names into a wall. It was their silent declaration of perseverance. For them, it was proof they endured. The haunted forest is covered with mysteries and stories that pull people away; however, contrary to the rumors and hearsay, a group of students can be seen walking along the hazy place. Though instead of screaming, you can hear laughter until they suddenly run in a hurry due to a certain headless ghost. They immediately disappeared, and even their voices were devoured by the evening breeze.

Underneath the Melandis step, a beautiful shrine resides, abandoned but filled with life.

"Ah, I miss this," Klint couldn't help but say.

Like before, they walk along the path, reminiscing and guiding Apollo's class with their stories. Then, from the seemingly endless path, a single building can be seen waiting for them. They knew immediately what the place was.

Klint unconsciously runs, followed by his classmates; Apollo and his classmates just look at them silently, letting them do whatever eases their feelings.

As soon as he entered, Klint looked through the walls and the shelves; running his fingers on its surface, he felt the carvings he and his classmates left behind. For some reason, he felt emotional. It wasn't just nostalgia but an emotion he could not describe well up to his chest, causing a burning feeling. He gasped, trying to reign over it, but soon, like a dam, it gushed out, and tears started flowing. Even with tears on his face, he continued looking through their favorite library. Then, among the books lies their diary, the one they use to communicate to the next lower class, hoping their words will reach them.

"It really reaches them," he mutters as he puts the bundle of letters written by Apollo's class with their written diary. The book and the letter were tied together hoping the next lower class were able to read it and help them pass.

Back in the path, in a certain area, there was usually the spot where a bonfire was being lit, and like a tradition, Apollo's class did the same and followed that method as well. The fire was crackling while the mood became heavier but somehow felt more free, more heartfelt. The juniors sat on the floor, some hugging pillows, others leaning on one another, while the seniors stayed seated near the fire as if they were trying to embrace the warmth.

Alicia finally broke the silence. "Can I ask something?"

The seniors nodded.

"Why did you write those letters…?"

Elara exchanged looks with her friends. It was Joshua who finally answered.

"At first, it was because we were scared we'd be forgotten and that all our efforts wouldn't be recognized just like what happened to us, but more importantly, we don't want the next first years to experience a hasher situation than what happened to us. Somehow those letters and diaries were prayers we never got to say and wishes that never came true"

His words dropped like stones in a quiet pond.

"When our class disbanded, it was like losing everything, our friends, our purpose. Writing those notes helped us remember who we were."

"They saved us," Andrew added softly. "And we didn't know if anyone would ever read them… but we hoped."

Agnes looked down. "You wrote... 'Even if they break us, they can't unwrite what we've done.' I memorized that line."

"Whenever I wanted to give up… I read that sentence over and over again. It reminded me why I had to keep going." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Aaron, normally composed, lowered his head. "I think we all did the same… those letters weren't just messages. They became our hope."

Apollo silently looked at everyone then he couldn't help but sigh.

"Then shall we go there?"

"There?" For a moment, his friends thought he meant to go to the dormitory of the seniors.

"Let's see the wall"

The others were confused since they had just gone into the library where that wall could be found.

But then Apollo's gaze remained still at his senior as if pleading.