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Nemesis0001 | Fantasy novel.

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After finishing their lunch, everyone returned to their classroom to stow away their lunch bags and proceeded to show Evan around the school, as he had requested.

They reconvened at the Section-A door and began their tour, with fifteen minutes of the lunch break remaining.

"Okay, shall we start the tour?" James asked, and Evan nodded with happiness, grateful to have friends to spend time with.

Their tour was about to commence when a figure approached them from behind and stopped them.

"Evan, didn't I tell you to visit me during the lunch break for pointers?" Ms. Fiona asked, hands on her hips, looking at the trio.

"Oh, hi Ms. Fiona. I was just about to explore the school with my friends here. Thank you for your offer, but they can help me now, so there's no need for you to use your precious time, which could be spent teaching other students or enjoying your own time," Evan replied, surprising his friends and Ms. Fiona, who hadn't expected such mature thoughts from him.

"Oh, okay then. I'm sure you'll catch up with the help of your friends, but if you need any assistance, come find me, okay? And aren't you two from different sections?" she said, recovering from her surprise and pointing at Evan's friends.

"Yes, my name is Rey Dragonstorm, Madam Blake. We became friends outside of school yesterday, so I'm here to help him," Rey said, bowing slightly.

"Just keep in mind not to lead him astray with anything bad, and only assist him with class studies, not exams," she said, before walking away, feeling she had taken up too much of their time.

As she distanced herself, turning a corner, the trio's reaction was one of disbelief.

"Goodness, Evan, do you realize what you've just missed?" James exclaimed as she vanished from view.

"What are you talking about?" Evan asked, utterly perplexed.

"Don't you know? Ms. Blake is considered the top beauty in our school's unofficial student rankings. Every student adores her, albeit unrequitedly, and would do anything to spend time with her, even if it's just for studying," James revealed, leaving Evan in a mix of awe and confusion.

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"Are you all mad? Dreaming about your own teacher like that, bro," Evan retorted, aware that those attempts were doomed to fail given Fiona's demeanor.

"And you think this approach with Ms. Fiona will get you anywhere? Are you two also involved in this?" he inquired, moving ahead.

"Oh no, we're not. But James here once considered proposing to her. Thankfully, he was dissuaded just in time. A rumor went around that a senior student who asked her out was expelled, and his family fell on hard times due to Ms. Blake's influential background, which is rumored to be even more prominent than James's, possibly bordering on nobility," Rey explained, as Evan tried to make sense of the fact that Fiona was no ordinary teacher.

"Hi, I told you it was just a crush. I wasn't planning to ask her out, just thinking, nothing more," James said, trying to maintain his composure.

"But you were, you even showed me the letter and had everything prepared, like a dinner and a rose bouquet receipt," Rey countered as James blushed deeply.

"It's not true, and shut up before I make you," he retorted, flexing his arm.

"Ahem... guys, shouldn't we be touring around here?" Evan interjected, attempting to divert the conversation and prevent Rey from getting hurt.

"Yes, let's go," said Rey, who was nearly punched, hurrying away with Evan and leaving James behind.

"Hey, wait for me too!" James called out, running after them.

They resumed their tour with urgency, as only ten minutes remained until the lunch break was over, visiting places like the school ground and rooftop, among others.

Meanwhile, Fiona, who had left the trio just minutes before, was striding towards a destination and finally arrived.

Standing in front of the room door, she took a deep breath, knocked, and upon receiving permission, walked inside.

She approached the desk and waited to be acknowledged.

"Sir, I need to inquire about a student," she stated, awaiting a response.

"So, you've returned. I anticipated you might come back to ask about that student, but you must understand there are things that cannot be disclosed, no matter how much one pleads. How then, do you expect me to reveal the student's identity?" he replied, swiveling in his chair.

"Sir, this student became friends with those two immediately upon entering the school, and I don't believe it's merely a coincidence," she countered, her expression one of bewilderment.

"Ms. Blake, sometimes it's best to overlook the oddities we encounter. Delving into them can cause more harm than simply keeping quiet and walking away. Otherwise, there's no returning to normalcy; it's like being stuck in quicksand, which only leads to one outcome," he explained, causing Fiona, who had more questions, to halt.

"So, you're suggesting I remain silent on this matter and take no action?" she questioned, visibly concerned.

"Yes, focus on your duties and teach the students," he instructed. Fiona nodded; her mind clouded with confusion and left the room.

Inside, the man rose from his chair and walked to the window.

This was Rick, the Principal, whom Fiona had approached to learn more about Evan.

"Evan, I've assisted you this time, but the choices you make will determine your future. I never expected you to befriend those two anomalies at our school. A fallen noble and a stubborn heir playing the part of average students—what an unusual trio," he mused, returning to his desk to resume his work.

"Jason, what an odd individual you've taken under your wing," he remarked, refocusing on his tasks.

Meanwhile, the trio made their way back to their respective classes as the break ended and the next teacher was due to arrive.

-- To be continued --