Extra's Descent

Three days went by in a flash.

Their one week off had finally come to an end and it was already Monday.

Currently it was time for homeroom.

It was yet again, a familiar sight.

Students mingled with one another as they discussed what they had done during the break.

The entire lecture room bustled with activity. But was soon put to a hushed silence as a familiar figure emerged from the door.

All eyes fell on her as her smooth brown hair flowed freely. She was a sight for sore eyes. One of the most beautiful Professors in the Academy.

As she made her way towards the podium, Vanessa settled the documents in her hand and placed them on a nearby table.

Her hazel eyes turned to scan each poor student's anxious faces.

That was because everyone was well aware of what today entailed.

Their preliminary exam results would finally be distributed. A tense silence gripped the room.

But the silence was then broken as Vanessa's voice echoed in the air.

"Firstly, I'd like to congratulate these three students for making it into the top three performers of the recent exam."

She extended her hand and clicked on the white circular device on the podium.

Click—

All of a sudden, a blue hologram frame materialized itself behind her.

On it displayed a familiar face. One that Brandon knew all too well.

[Brandon Locke]

[Score: 800/800]

[Placed: 1st]

Brandon's eyes widened at the sight. But soon contorted it back to his usual expression.

It was expected.

If he didn't get a perfect score, then his skill was a load of bull.

Technically it wasn't cheating.

He still had to read the books after all, but with the assistance of [Accelerated Cognition].

Right, it wasn't cheating.

'Of course not.'

Definitely.

"Woah, a perfect score? That's crazy…"

"He's not just strong and handsome, he's smart!"

"I'm so jealous…."

Brandon's face twitched hearing the comments of his fellow classmates.

"Congrats."

Raven's voice reached him from the side.

Turning his head to look at him, he returned the gesture.

"You too."

"Thanks."

After all…

[Raven Blackheart]

[Score: 799/800]

[Placed: 2nd]

One mistake.

"Haa…"

Raven could only sigh at his blunder.

"...It was because I ran out of time."

"It's just prelims. You might top midterms."

Brandon then turned back and his eyes met with a familiar dark-crimson gaze.

Pursing his lips, he flashed her a nonchalant smile.

"Congrats to you too."

Rachel smiled back at him.

"A perfect score is crazy though. I don't think I can compete with that."

Her shoulders slumped down.

[Rachel Asami]

[Score: 772/800]

[Placed: 4th]

And for the rest of their friends…

[Sarah Aurae]

[Score: 797/800]

[Placed: 3rd]

.

[Amy Ashfield]

[Score: 745/800]

[Placed: 5th]

.

[Claire Victoria]

[Score: 688/800]

[Placed: 11th]

.

[Reinhard Van]

[Score: 578/800]

[Placed: 220th]

.

.

"Damn it, my allowance is gonna get cut off because of this!"

"Haa… Should have studied harder."

"I wish I was as smart as Brandon…"

The students continued to voice out their frustrations, while some would actively praise the top scorer.

'I did not cheat.'

Brandon kept telling himself that.

'Nope.'

Definitely not.

The room was once again silenced as Vanessa clapped her hands. Clap! Clap! Immediately gathering everyone's attention.

"The Foundation Festival is right around the corner. All of you will be given the right to suggest the events you would like to happen during the festival and the events you plan on participating in."

Brandon was well aware of the possible events that would happen.

After all, it was one the perks he had for being the Student Council President's younger brother.

Belle was the type to discuss her duties with him.

"Each class will have their own booths. You will all work together in doing so. There will be a ranking held for the class that accumulates the most income. I'd like for someone to step up as the Leader."

"..."

As soon as the word 'leader' left her mouth, for some reason…

"Uh?"

All eyes fell on Brandon.

Since when had he become such a figure for the class to immediately see him as the leader?

Sure he was ranked first in every category.

But that didn't mean he had the qualities fitting for a leader.

In the first place, he was quite the introvert. He had zero experiences in leading a class as well.

Someone like Raven would qualify better than him.

"Brandon, come here."

His fears were soon realized as Vanessa instructed him to step into the podium.

"Can I refuse…?"

"No."

What the hell?

There's no getting out of it.

He then stood up hesitantly and walked down the flight of stairs. Stepping into the podium, he looked at each and every one of his classmate's faces.

"..."

His social anxiety started acting up.

Sure, he had met several important figures, even meeting with a CEO once.

But he was only able to compose himself after some preparations.

An abrupt impromptu act in front of fifty people wasn't his forte.

Which was what dictated his next course of action.

'Fuck it…'

[Accelerated Cognition]

And just like that, the fog within his mind started to clear.

His social anxiety had instantly drowned out, replaced by the speeding of his thoughts.

Composing himself and straightening his posture, he leaned his hand down on the podium.

"Since all of you nominated me as the leader without considering my feelings, then I don't want to hear any complaints about the way I'll be handling things."

All eyes fell on him as they listened to each and every word that left his mouth.

"Firstly, I need volunteers to be my assistants. If any of you could step forward, then it would speed up the process."

There was a hint of hesitation from the students' eyes. They turned to look at each other, and it seemed like none of them planned on stepping forward.

Thump!

But that was until a familiar figure stood up without any hesitation.

Brandon smiled at that. He had already expected Raven to volunteer. He was a teacher's pet after all. He couldn't miss an opportunity to contribute to his class.

And Raven's gesture sparked the motion, and the hesitation was all cleared up.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Several figures stood up from their positions and walked towards the podium.

Brandon's gaze fell on Rachel who was still seated and seemed to turn away from his gaze.

As Rachel whistled to herself, Brandon could feel like he heard her mutter, 'Damn it', before standing up.

Thump!

Just like that, Brandon had managed to gather six volunteers to assist him in managing the class.

At the end of it all, it was decided that Raven would be his right hand, while Reinhard was his left.

The rest were assigned to be officers and would help lead and assist the class.

—Rachel Asami.

—Cyrus Rosewill.

—Zayn Westwood.

—Kathlyn Venice.

These were the names that would serve as Class A's officers for the Foundation Festival.

*

After they were dismissed from the homeroom session, there was a two hour vacancy for their next lecture.

But currently, Brandon couldn't spare the time to relax.

Today was scheduled for his first meeting with the disciplinary committee.

He was initially informed that he would be tested first. But for some reason, it was canceled and he was immediately accepted as a member.

The requirements to join the disciplinary committee would be a recommendation from the student council, and to be ranked significantly higher than average for their respective years.

Currently, he was the only first year student who was part of the committee.

He had tried to bring Raven along, but when he proposed the idea to Belle, it seemed like the committee was already full.

Arriving at his destination a familiar figure greeted his sight.

Unlike back in the Imperial Army banquet, her golden locks flowed freely down her shoulders.

Her flawless face was clear of any blemishes, with a hint of small makeup to highlight her beauty, and Brandon could smell the pleasant smell of lavender perfume wafting in the air.

Lip gloss served to moisten her lips, and her azure eyes instantly met his gaze.

She was a prim and proper beauty. Even Brandon could admit that Amelia was in fact beautiful.

She couldn't be measured by his previous world's standards. Most of the beauties in his world would be put to shame if they stood next to Amelia.

Noticing his arrival, Amelia's soft voice reached his ears.

"You're here."

"Yes."

"The others aren't here yet."

She then opened the door for him.

"We can wait for them inside."

"Sure."

Brandon nodded and the two entered the disciplinary committee office.