A hand flew through the air, slamming into the back of Shynerai's head, knocking him forward but before he could retaliate, Torren grabbed his arm as Tersia moved between him and the SG.

Apologizing profusely while trying to explain that there's no need for them to spend too much time on an insubordinate freshman. The surprise on his face shifted to frustration but he couldn't give out his refusal as Tersia interrupted him once more, this time a well-placed strike the abdomen knocked the wind out of Shynerai, with Torren moving in to hold him up as he was kept occupied with his gasping.

Seeing the warped brows on Shynerai's face seemed to gratify the SG choosing to merely scoff at the group before warning him and moving to the front of the line:

"Heed the words of your compatriots, and learn to recognize the nature of how authority works"

"Sigh...carry on to your class, this will be seen as a warning for your expressive companion, the rest of you will be absolved. Now!"

Malleus ordered them to leave, with Torren dragging Erai with the help of Tersia, he suddenly stopped as Erai got to his feet, glaring past Malleus and straight at the vice president...catching the SG’s attention though for the next few moments they only exchanged fierce looks before the chef of the stall rang the bell for the next customer.

With Torren's hand on his shoulder, Erai chose to leave the cafeteria with them. Opting to follow Torren’s lead as they went into Deep City for lunch.

The group managed to make it back to campus before the break was over, with the trio entering the class, Erai once more stood in his tracks, asking for Tersia and Torren to hear him out.

"I...I know I almost got you guys in trouble. Look, no one should treat others like their lesser, just because they have power...you can't just take what you want, it's not right..."

The two of them noticed his clenched fists but moved to comfort him, choosing to leave the questions they had about his reaction for later.

Tersia apologized for the injuries but she tried to play off the actions by remarking that he should be healed from it by now, demonstrating by taping him in the same place, though Erai reacted quick enough to step back quite a bit, causing her to try her best to hold in her laughter from his fumbling.

"It's okay, guys. You were only trying to help"

After reassuring them, Erai moves to Torren asking him to walk between the two of them, hoping that Torren's demise might buy him some time, hearing the idea shocked him which left not only Tersia but Erai with a sense of relief as the group entered the class.

Seeing that Professor Reiss hadn't returned, Tersia left the two to join the group seated near the windows of the class. With Torren calling Erai out for his meanness, Erai jokingly commented that he'll call it even for the lunch he covered.

Causing Torren to shift to his regular mood, at a speed that left Erai a little concerned. As the two continued, Tersia returned to them, asking Erai if he would like to meet the rest of the class.

Erai seemed a little apprehensive but Torren's push caused the stumbling young man to take Tersia up on her offer. Seeing Vaceris amongst the group, he found his reluctance quickly replaced with curiosity.

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Joining the bustling group, Erai and Torren entered the conversation after Tersia's lead.

Finally getting to meet the rest of his classmates, he introduced himself to them, from the class captain, Ketsuiko through to Sergei and Stephen...though Torren laughingly points out that Erai and Vaceris were already acquainted as the two met eyes.

But before he could respond to Torren's comment, he found himself wrapped in Vaceris's arms. Caught by surprise, but all the more glad to see how warm she could be.

His raised hands instead moved to return the exchange, while she spoke in a tone of relief:

"I…I'm." She found herself stumbling over her words, before collecting herself.

"I'm glad you're okay. When I didn't see you during the whole Configuration test, I thought something must have happened after you were attacked. But Dr. Arturion told me that you got discharged. I wasn't sure what to think, that is...until I saw you yesterday"

"Ah...that whole thing, it's okay. I got out of the hospital as soon as I was awake. He told me that I'd be okay with some rest and a little physiotherapy"

A scowl appears on her face as she responded in a somber tone:

"If I didn't let my guard down, you wouldn't have to go through all that treatment, you wouldn't have gotten hurt...I'm sorry" With her eyes staring, while avoiding his own.

"Vaceris...Look, whether you had your guard up or not wouldn't have stopped me from doing something. It's not your fault, I made the call to fight, and I made the call to protect someone in trouble. Not you, but for me and if that choice went south, I'm the only one to blame."

Hearing his words, she looks to him, seeing himself remove his tie, then jacket and finally his shirt...

"See, it's not as bad as before. Whatever they did to us before we went through hell made sure of that.

This scar is a reminder that next time I need to be better, not just for others sake, but my own." He exclaimed after gesturing to the scar streaked across his left shoulder.

"All right everyone, Professor Reiss will be here soon, you should all get seated." Ketsuiko announced to his classmates before moving to his own desk and getting seated.

Everyone began moving to their own seats while Erai quickly got dressed…but before he makes his way to the back, Vaceris stopped him:

"Hey, Shy-Erai, thank you."

"…"

Flustered by her heartened thanks, he could only bring himself to meet her gratitude with a comically dotty smile. A response that surprised her enough that she would try and muffle her giggles as they made their way to their seats with their teacher's arrival.

The class continued with nothing of note occurring, at least until after the students returned to their class from recess. Once everyone was present, their teacher made a few important announcements, amongst them was one that he asked they should take serious note of.

He explained that they would all receive their itineraries for their classes. These schedules would have their regular classes along with "special classes", aimed at the path they would want to work towards as a Guardian.

Once he finished, he asked the class if they had already selected their paths, and they all agreed…well all aside from three. Shyenrai sat in the back with no clue as to what a "path" was.

Sitting in front of the class, Torren was trembling, with cold sweats running down his face, which seemed to annoy Stephen who was seated beside him. Scoffing at his panic, Stephen raises his hand to ask something:

"Excuse me, Professor Reiss."

"Yes, Mr. Markoldz, what is it?"

"Sir, where should those of us who still have our path applications hand them in?"

Torren's panic turned to pure relief, as he gave Stephen a thumbs up for asking. Reiss asks those with outstanding applications to hand them in before they left that day, but still Shynerai had no idea what a "path" was.

With the bell toll echoing throughout the halls, marking the end of the school day Torren approached Erai who still seemed occupied with thoughts.

It took a slight nudge to bring him out of his own head, and with that, they headed out as Torren dropped off application with Professor Reiss before they left the class.