The feel of the classroom was pretty reminiscent of my old one back in the empire---similar seat arrangements, and structure and all. I had expected it to be a lot smaller since we were not in the capital, but I guess the nation treats its education seriously. If there was something that was different compared to my old classroom, it were the number of desks. Back in the empire, my classroom contained around 60 desks, so the room was pretty huge too. Not to say this classroom I'm in was small by any means, in comparison, this classroom only had 24 desks but it was certainly spacious enough that you could extend your body in any direction and not make contact with someone's else desk by accident. Strangely enough, I find fewer desks to be more pleasing on the eye and on the mind as well.

Eventually, students came in one by one, some of them in pairs, and they took their sits. As expected, all of them shot a glance on my way. Their eyes would open for a split second, then they'd say something under their breaths like "A human? Scary." or something similar. I can hear you. You know?

You'd expect someone like me, a human to get used to it by now. After all, humans are known for their adaptability which even other nations respect. Fearful even. Well, I'm definitely not adapting. To give you a better idea, an exemplary example would be any long living race. Elves can live for a very long time, around a 1000 years on average, mind-baffling when I try to think about it. However, solely because of this, their ideas are almost always conservative and behind compared to the rest of the world. Although, According to my old school teacher, elves had recently taken a notice to this flaw and started fixing it all thanks to us rapidly expanding this past half-century. My opinion about it? Nothing much. I don't really care about it nor I'd like to in the future in any way.

***

Finally, all students have taken their sits and a perfect attendance to boot in the first day. Bravo.

"Good morning class." The teacher announced.

"Good morning," the whole class responded.

"Before we start discussing about class policies and such, I would first like to congratulate you all in passing the yearly exam. Just four years left and all of you would either start working immediately after graduation or continue your studies in the Third Grade...,"

In this world, there were three grades that everyone must take before moving on to the outside world. The Three-Grade system contained: First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade. Wow. Who would have guessed. In the past, however, there was no such system in place, instead endless conflicts, bandits, wars, and a lot more cruel things ran rampant which I'm glad isn't as prevalent today. The First Grade spans from the ages of 3-6 year old, where they learn basic subjects, language skills, and etc. Next, Second Grade, spans from the ages from 6-18 years old and it covers basically everything First Grade had but with more specifics, advanced knowledge, and additionally, specialized classes. Then, Third Grade is only applied to those 18+ years of age, however, not a lot of students move to this grade as it's only useful for students wishing to take specific jobs such as government jobs or even royal knight, although that trend has died down due to changing times.

"Either way, let's move on to self-introductions." As soon as the teacher said this phrase, the environment of the room immediately turned tense. Even the teacher wore a different face.

Obviously, everyone knew this happened every year and I'd bet if another world existed, the reaction would be quite similar. But, there was something else far more important, more humiliating, and potentially life-changing rather than simply announcing our names in front to the class... We had to show our status boxes at the same time while introducing ourselves. Why? Apparently, people in the past would often lie about their status or manipulate them so that it would be higher or lower. As a result, a lot of miscommunications and problems arised from this which was understandable. So, a law was passed to ban this practice once and for all. If by chance, someone were to fake their stats and were found guilty of doing so, they would face certain consequences and us students were not exempt from this.

The teacher hadn't told us yet who would present themselves first and it's not helping this tense atmosphere at all. Suddenly, the teacher moved away from the black board and started walking at seemingly random directions. I see, he was looking for his prey. It was then we accidentally made eye contact Shit! Is it because I'm human!? Curse you! The teacher grinned slightly, and the tragedy followed.

"You're a transfer student, aren't you?" I wanted to say something back, but I couldn't move my mouth open if I tried to, "It's rare for a human to live in this nation and even more so for one to be attending school in one of the minor cities..." He stopped briefly and probably thought about asking me my situation but digressed from doing so since I would be explaining it in my introduction anyway.

"Well then, would you introduce yourself to the rest of the class?" I bolted upright. Stiff-bodied.

"Y-Yes!"

Why did it sound like I was introducing myself in the military? Cringe. After that shameful bit, I let out a breath and braced myself for the big reveal.

"Status." A box visibly appeared for everyone to look at my stats. It was also the perfect chance to prove that I was not the scary human girl you think I am. Like seriously?

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

[Status]

Name: Clementine Liliana

Level: 6/50

Age: 14

Race: Human

Date of Birth: February 3rd

Gender: Female

Height: 160 cm ]

As you can see, I'm a perfectly normal girl and not scary at all if I'm being serious here. Once they see this, they'd definitely have to shut up the next time they say words behind me now. It's getting pretty ridiculous to be honest. Can't you guys just try enduring it for a minority race here, please? However, as much I can't say I expected it, much to my dismay, nothing but belittling comments came out from my new classmate's mouth's.

"Level 6? Isn't that way too low?"

"She's weak as hell."

"Why were we even cautious of her in the first place?"

Quite a commotion had started. It's true that my level was low, probably lower than what's considered average in the world, but back in the empire, most of the people I've seen had similar levels to mine. Well, almost all of them were higher than me truth be told, but you get the point. Humans on average were low-levelled races. Still, if it wouldn't take forever to raise a level, I'd raise it up a bunch ages ago! Hmph. Looks like the commotion had started to quiet down. Ahem.

"...and so, I ended up studying up here because of family's decision to live here... I hope we all get to know each other and be friends." That's right. It's not like I wanted to study here out of my own free will. It was my parent's decision. And I couldn't change the outcome if I tried to, because who lets me live under a roof? Thanks Mom and Dad.

"Friends with a human? I'll pass... " Even as they continued making annoying comments about me, I was not that mad since if I imagined myself as some other race, I'd probably react the same way too. Still, I had to force a smile as much as I can. Remember what my mom said: "Make Friends." Just endure this for now and once they understand that humans are not all bad, I'm sure we can be great friends. No matter the difference we may have.

"Everyone. Make sure to not cause any trouble for Clementine, okay? Treat her the same as everyone else. After all we all live in the nation of Veninea where all races co-exist. That includes humans too... All right, you, you're next," he pointed at the student from opposite side from where I am.

It wasn't that great of self-introduction If I had to judge it. But I did the best I could in this situation. Ugh. I think I'm having a mild headache. On a positive note though, I can just listen and observe the rest of my classmate's introductions and watch how nervously they perform-- like watching from a vip seat.

Oh, how wrong I was.

Unbelievable. I was too stunned to think of anything else. Level 24? That was the highest level so far in the classroom, the second highest coming in at level 22. Indeed, compared to the rest of the class, I was the only one stuck in the first digits...and it made me feel so insignificant...Ha ha. If was a pebble, then everyone around me were big and tough rocks. No one would use me for anything other than for decoration. Arguably, other races always had higher levels on average. Is it supposed to make me feel better? Did it work? Heck no.

"All right, the only one left now is... oh you're not from this school aren't you?" Another transfer student other than me? Who was it?

"Yes, I transferred from the Syrune school branch." Wasn't she the only one who didn't give me that shotting glance that everyone else did?

She didn't seem that sociable. I think the word aloof suits her best according to my first impressions of her. However, she is...uhh...what you call quite unique. If appearances are a tell-tale of someone else, then she was definitely of mixed race. Two sets of different ears stuck out of her head. Her "elf" ears were not as long as full-blooded elf's and the same applies thing to her fluffy ears too. Cute. Huh? Is that a mini tail behind her? What the heck, that's hella cute!

"Can you repeat that again. I couldn't quite hear you."

"...I transferred from the Syrune school branch." She spoke in a quiet and monotonous voice.

"Mmm. The Syrune branch? Is that so. Welcome to Adis. Okay, now introduce yourself to the class."

"Yes... Status."

[Status]

Name: Jan Vaeris Irilea

Level: 5/75

Age: 14

Race: Elf/Beastman

Date of Birth: July 1st

Gender: Female

Height: 163 cm ]

...Level 5? Her?

"Hey, her level is even lower than that human girl..."

"No way, even though she is a mixed race..."

I'm shocked. And, quite clearly, the rest of the class was too. Usually, high levels doesn't necessarily correlate to intelligence, but they can aid in specific classes which requires physical movement and mental practices which I'm not that good at.... However, other races, exempting humans, had a certain unique effect where it makes levelling up a lot easier. So, seeing a mixed race with a level lower than mine was absurd. So, it begs the question: What has she been doing her entire life? Not to be rude.

"Hmm... She might have her own circumstances so everyone, treat her well," As the teacher tried to defuse the situation, I couldn't help but notice how aloof she really was. Her head was tilted downwards and ever since she stood up for her introduction. an emotionless expression always remained on her face.

"Okay. Continue."

"Hi, mynameisJanVaerisIrilea. Im14yearsold andmybirthdayisinjuly1st... That's... all." She mumbled and sat down on her chair as if she presented normally.

What... the heck was that? I couldn't even capture a single word she just said other than "hi" and "that's all."

"Alright. That concludes this class introductions."

***

A few weeks later, a short school break looms around the corner, and I still haven't made a single friend. At first, I thought things were going fine since my classmates were approaching me and took that as a good sign, but whenever I tried approaching them on my own, they just gave me a brief glance and didn't talk back to me for some reason. So, I tried asking them why there were avoiding me and the response I got was that because I was human.

This is what they exactly told me: "Clementine. We know we were quite rude to you at the beginning, and we are sorry about that, but we can't you include in our group because you are human."

Even though they said they were sorry... and yet just because I was a human, that's their response... And here I thought things were going fine...