The freshmen were gathered up and gossiping in the college backyard. Eiffel looked very thoughtful.
"Hey, Eiffel? What are you thinking? Are you tensed or something?", asked Twinkle. Eiffel wasn't answering.
"Hey, Dude. Cheer up. What happened? Share with us.", said Irene.
Eiffel said, "That guy."
Irene asked, "What guy?"
Eiffel said, "On the stairs with those guys calling us funny names."
Twinkle asked, "What about them?"
Irene said, "Ignore it. These are college stuff. They make fun of the newbies. It's normal."
Twinkle said, "Besides, you are the one who told us to ignore them in the first place. Why are you so thinking hard?"
Eiffel said, "No, that's not what I meant. Did you see the guy in the middle? *the one that called him Rooster* He looked so familiar. Like I've seen him somewhere before."
Irene was confused, "You mean that cool hair guy? Um... No, what about you Twinkle?"
Twinkle looked lost as well, "I only glanced at them a little before you told us to ignore them. So... What about you, Grate?" and they got scared looking at Grate who looked seriously tensed.
Irene asked, "Hey, man? You alright?"
Twinkle asked, "What happened?"
Eiffel asked, "...Hey? Are You in there, buddy?"
Grate nervously said, "...I met Taki earlier today. And we saw something very unpleasant."
Twinkle asked, "...what did you see?"
Grate said, "...remember those Hunting Party guys we made fun of?"
Eiffel asked, "Last night?"
Grate said, "Yeah... You weren't there with us, Eiffel. Earlier today I was on the road on the way to the college. Then I saw a people gathering and Taki in there as well. I approached them. Then I saw... They are dead. All of them."
Twinkle was shocked, "Those Hunting Party officers?"
Grate said, "Yes. And they had those marks on their neck. It’s like in the stories."
Irene said, "Come to think of it, they mentioned the Vampires and Demons roaming at night. We heard all those rumors, right? But we took it as a joke."
A female teacher showed up in the front and said on a mic, "Freshmen, kindly please line up in 5 different rows.", the freshmen did so.
"My name is Catherina Willington. I'll be your class teacher.", the teacher continued. As she was speaking, Eiffel got distracted when he spotted a very nice-looking and very beautiful girl in a different row. As if he got lost in her. She was so charming and dazzling in the sunlight, it would catch anyone's eyes and steal anyone's heart.
"I hope you all will be great assistants of mine, helping me out, and in turn, I'm looking forward to helping you in any way you need, I'll be there for you. I wish you all best of luck. And now, please give a warm welcome to the President of Astorion; Professor Lugar Heidenberg!", Catherina concluded her speech by welcoming the professor. An intimidating man in a suit appeared. Everyone clapped their hands while Eiffel kept looking at the girl as he clapped as well.
The professor spoke up, "Good Morning, my fellow new Astorionians. Welcome to Astorion. I'm Professor Lugar Heidenberg. Nice to meet you all... When Professors Dunlop Hemisphere and Ohana Mercedes founded this college in 1636, they visioned that everyone can become who they want to be. The college used to be called H&M back in the day."
"When does this tour get interesting?", Grate mumbled.
"Say what?", Irene asked him softly.
"It just seems so weird that you would spend all these times talking about some dead dudes when you could tell us where to find liquor and where the best parties are.", Grate whispered to her.
"Alcohol is strictly forbidden on campus grounds.", Twinkle answered him.
"Define campus grounds.", Grate told them.
"This is campus grounds. Where you live and study.", Twinkle said.
"They really should put that in the brochure. I feel cheated. Don't you guys feel cheated? What about you, Eiffel? Don't you feel cheated?", Grate asked them, but there was no response from Eiffel. Grate looked at Eiffel who has gotten completely lost in the girl he kept looking at.
"Much like the students before you and the students to come, you'll learn to love it here at Astorion! So, see each day as a new opportunity and study hard to fulfill your dreams... Now, students. For your orientation and instructions on who will take it from here, allow me to introduce you all to the Heart and Soul of Astorion, please give a warm welcome to the vice president; Miss Diantha Braganza!", Professor Lugar concluded his speech by introducing his wife to the freshmen. A hot teacher arrived and the eyes of everyone turned into hearts and the boys started to cheer and whistle for her. The girls clapped for her and Eiffel clapped as well as he still kept looking at her, not getting distracted from the hot teacher. Lugar and Catherina left the stage for her and went back inside.
The boys were in love at first sight with Diantha as they were chitchatting:
-Oh My God!
-Look at that!
-My life is complete!
-I would never bunk classes ever in my life if she was my class teacher!
-what a hot shot!
-If she was my homework, I'd definitely do her!
Diantha winked at the freshmen and said on the mic, "Thank you for all that.", then noticed Eiffel wasn't paying attention to her but to some other girl. She got irritated and started testing the mic,
"Testing! 1! 2! 3! 4!", a noise distortion echoed around the college. Eiffel got distracted and finally looked at the teacher.
"Huh? What did I miss?", Eiffel was confused.
"Eiffel, you devil. Man will be man and Eiffel will be Eiffel.", said Grate.
"What? What did I do wrong?", Eiffel was still confused.
Diantha yelled at Eiffel, "Hey! If you make any more noise or talk or disturb others, I will make you stand in the girl's row! Got it?" Everyone laughed and cheered for Diantha. The girl looked at Eiffel for some time and then took her eyes off him and looked to the front.
Eiffel was ashamed, but smiled because she looked at him and thought,
"Koi no Yokan... An extraordinary sense upon first meeting someone, that you will one day... Gosh, I have no chance."
Diantha said, "Now, let's walk."
Then as they were walking, Diantha was showing the college around to the new students who were following her lead. Football field where seniors were playing on it, a basketball court, statues of Dunlop Hemisphere and Ohana Mercedes, and a big bell.
Twinkle asked her friends, "So, are you guys looking to pledge?"
Grate asked, "pledge what?"
Twinkle said, "On this campus, they have four fraternities and one sorority. The rest of the students live in co-ed dorms. Eiffel, are you listening?"
Eiffel was answering his friends and sometimes looking at the girl, "Yeah, go on."
Grate said, "Don't get lost, man"
Twinkle said, "Listen to this, it's important. Do you see that house over there? If you are a bodybuilder and workout a lot then you should pledge to that fraternity called 'Muscleverse'."
Eiffel said, "I don't think bodybuilding is my thing."
They walked past another mansion.
Twinkle said, "If you are filthy rich then you should pledge the rich club 'MMM'. Money Matters Most. The name of the president of MMM is Trojan Barker. Every year his family donates a lot of money to Astorion. It's always a big deal to the local newspaper."
Eiffel said, "I don't think I could pledge on that because you know where I live. Besides, I'm here to study."
Twinkle said, "Then if you are into education a lot and hungry for knowledge gaining then you should pledge to the library group called B&B. Books and Beans."
Eiffel said, "Interesting."
Twinkle continued, "B&B doesn't have a house. They just hang around the library most of the time."
Eiffel said, "I'm here to study, but na. That doesn't mean I would just hang around in the library for the rest of my college career. I'm here to chill and relax as well."
Twinkle said, "Then that frat would be most suitable for you. A house called 'Masquerade'. They've been around for a couple of years and their name goes hand in hand with their personalities."
Eiffel said, "That's a huge mansion though." Twinkle said, "Yeah, I've no clue how they can afford that place. You'll have to ask them about it. You can pledge the Masquerade if you are into parties and chills a lot."
Eiffel said, "Na, I am not here to pledge. I enjoy my own company."
Twinkle showed them a sorority called Queendom.
Eiffel said, "I don't think I can pledge here."
Twinkle said, "I'm thinking of pledging in here. What about you, Irene?"
Irene asked, "Wait a minute. How do you know all these?"
Twinkle said, "Oh, well. You have to research the campus where you will spend four years of your life. That's what I did. I paid a visit before the orientation."
Irene turned angrily, "Hey! When did you do that? You could've told me. I'd have joined you." Twinkle laughed it off.
Diantha leads the students inside the campus.
"In this building, you'll find each lecture hall and classroom, there are maps on the wall if you ever get lost. And this college is filled with helpful students. Our campus security is always vigilant and close by to help you if you need it.", Diantha showed the insides of the campus, the library, the gym, and then the cafeteria, "Here is the campus cafeteria. Most students come here to buy their lunch or afternoon snack. And this is the end of our tour. Thank you all for your cooperation. You can have your lunch in here." Diantha left the cafeteria. Then everyone picked up their food from the stuff and had their seats. Eiffel had his food at last and he was looking for a table. He looked at his friends who made new friends and were having lunch together.
"Looks like they've made new friends. That's good for them. Students already seem to be bonding. I hate this. I'm not good at initiating chats with new people.", Eiffel thought.
Then he looked around. Most senior students were there having their food and staring down Eiffel. Then he spotted the girl having food all alone by herself in the corner. Eiffel tried to make a move and get closer, but at the last second, he changed his mind and had a seat alone at another table. Then he started eating his food.
All of a sudden, a girl and a guy stormed into the cafeteria and they were arguing about something. The guy was a big bodybuilder and the girl was a pretty-looking chick. The guy was scolding her, "If you ever do this again, I swear I'll kill you!"
The girl yelled at him, "You're gonna hit me? A woman? What a way to prove yourself that you are a man, Rocky!" then the guy shoved her who tripped over a chair and fell in front of Eiffel. Eiffel looked around, there was an awkward silence and everybody was minding their own business having their lunch. The girl was hurt and trying to get up, then she had an eye to eye contact with Eiffel. The guy came in and grabbed her by the hair. Eiffel stood up for her by slapping the guy's hand. The guy let go of her.
The guy said, "This doesn't concern you."
Eiffel shoved him and replied, "You should start concerning me now."
The guy asked her, "Is he another new one for you, Maria? Good job. You've finally found someone with guts other than me."
The girl urged, "I've never met him before I swear, Rocky."
The guy stood silent for a while and then he laughed, smirked at Eiffel then said, "Welcome to Astorion, Iron Kid. I promise you this isn't the end between you and me.", then he left the cafeteria.
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