Unclassified; Zero and Still Standing

Monday mornings were always lively at Echelon. Students returned to school feeling refreshed for the new week

The parking lot was filled as usual.

Yesu got out of Arrow's car the second it came to a stop.

She closed the door and began walking away.

Then she heard him turn off the car engine.

She looked back.

He was also getting out of the vehicle.

Yesu frowned and continued on her way.

***

Class 11-D was bustling with regular student activities when Yesu walked in.

Students leaned over desks, telling stories about the Trials.

Some were students from other junior classes, exchanging laughs and experiences.

A group of girls were braiding each other's hair and sharing the latest gossip.

Farida was among them, laughing and being herself with no inhibitions.

Yesu walked down the aisle to her seat at the back.

She saw Soraya quietly reading a textbook, jotting down a thing or two.

Her eyes shifted upwards as Yesu passed by.

Then she was back to the book.

Isaiah was immersed in a broken digital wristwatch he was fixing. There were many others like it on his desk.

Grover still had on his sling.

And so did James.

Reggie was demonstrating to some 11-C boys how he had conquered Patricia of 11-B on Day One.

He said he was very sure he had increased in Rank.

Carrots was taking an early morning nap. Her red hair covered most of her face.

Yesu got to her desk. She set her bag down and sat.

Her eyes drifted to the seat across from hers.

Empty.

***

The class had settled down a bit when Miss Heaven walked in.

Many students immediately began pretending to study.

Miss Heaven stopped in front of the class, hands behind her back. Her eyes swept across the room behind her red-rimmed glasses.

A hush fell over the room.

Yesu was dozing off.

The crossword puzzle she had been using to pass time lay untouched on her desk.

"Good morning, class."

Yesu immediately jerked awake.

Miss Heaven brought a hand from behind her back.

In it was a brown envelope.

The class went still in anticipation.

Yesu glanced around, not understanding what it meant.

Miss Heaven opened the envelope and produced a clean sheet from within. Her eyes moved over it for a moment.

The students were at the edge of their seats.

Then she gave a small snort.

Uncertainty filled the room.

Miss Heaven lifted her eyes from the sheet.

"The total aggregate for your performance at the Mid-semester Trials is..."

Hearts pounded.

"Zero."

The word landed like a bomb.

The class remained silent for a moment.

Then—

"WHAT?!" Reggie shouted, springing to his feet.

"Zero." Miss Heaven repeated.

The reality of it finally settled in.

The whole class erupted at once. Questions. Complaints. Murmurs.

The room suddenly sounded like a beehive.

It lasted for over a minute.

Then Miss Heaven raised a hand and silence returned, although it was reluctant.

"All your class points were deducted." She said.

Soraya got to her feet.

"Permit me to ask," she said politely, "but why a full deduction? Or any deduction?"

Her voice remained calm but her expression was hard and her fists clenched.

The whole class looked at her.

Miss Heaven wasn't affected.

"The reason for the deduction is simple." She looked around the room. "Your class opted out of the last Directive without even trying."

Her eyes swept across them again, full displeasure.

"Echelon Academy does not encourage cowardice. Let this serve as a lesson to you all."

Before anyone could respond, Miss Heaven placed the paper and envelope on her desk.

"Soraya."

Soraya's head remained bowed. Her fists tightened further.

Miss Heaven continued.

"Your class shall receive a notification soon enough. You are to lead them to the examining halls where Rank Update Tests will be carried out."

Soraya could barely nod.

Most students had lowered their heads as well.

Miss Heaven wasn't bothered. Her eyes found Yesu at the back of the room.

She was staring absentmindedly at the field outside.

Miss Heaven frowned.

"Kaelitha."

Yesu turned her head back to the class.

"You are to report to the Principal with immediate effect."

Every head turned toward Yesu.

The Principal's office immediately after Trials.

This couldn't be good.

***

Professor Wakefield was going through the accumulated Trial aggregate points of all the classes when a knock came on the door.

Yesu walked in a moment later.

"Good morning." She greeted.

Professor Wakefield looked up from the sheets on his desk.

"Morning." He replied.

Then he gestured toward the sofas before his desk.

"Take a seat."

Yesu sat.

Professor Wakefield closed all the files before him and gave her his full attention.

"Your guardian paid me a visit this morning." He began.

Yesu already knew where this was going.

"So far," Professor Wakefield continued, "you haven't been much trouble. And I'll admit, I'm impressed."

He folded his hands together.

"It was in this good faith that I assured Mr Arrow of your behaviour."

A brief pause.

"But the fact that you've been slacking off lessons and extracurricular activities cannot be overlooked. Henceforth, if you are reported to have skipped any activity..."

His gaze sharpened.

"...you shall be severely punished."

Yesu said nothing.

Professor Wakefield opened the files again.

Then paused.

"Rank Updates are currently ongoing."

He looked back at her.

"You are to report to the Vice Principal's office. He'll take you where you need to go."

***

Yesu followed Mr Wallace across the Academy grounds.

Students were already filing into the examination halls.

The halls were gigantic.

She had often wondered what they were for whenever she walked past them.

There were four halls in total arranged in a rectangle.

One for each Class.

Physical.

Elemental.

Mental.

Advanced.

Yesu frowned. One Class was missing.

"Mr Vice Principal?"

Mr Wallace glanced at her. His brows rose quizzically.

"Mr Vice Principal?" He echoed with amusement. "That's a new one."

Yesu laughed softly.

"I don't know your name." She admitted. "What is it?"

Mr Wallace smiled.

"I think you should stick with Mr Vice Principal."

Yesu smiled back.

"Okay, Mr Vice Principal." Then she gestured toward the halls. "There are only four buildings instead of five. What about Rare Class?"

Mr Wallace looked toward the students disappearing into their respective halls.

"Rare Class is..." He searched for the right word. "...rare."

He shook his head.

"We can't have a massive building in school just for a handful of students."

Yesu thought about it. It did make sense.

They continued walking. Past the halls. Past several other buildings.

"So where are they going to be evaluated then?" she asked suddenly.

Mr Wallace glanced sideways at her.

"I think you should be more concerned about yourself. We've already passed the halls. Aren't you curious where I'm taking you?"

They were already at the parking lot.

Mr Wallace stopped.

Yesu looked around.

A bus sat nearby with its engine idling quietly.

"Go." Mr Wallace said, nodding toward it.

Yesu looked at the bus. Another field trip?

"I didn't bring anything." She said.

Mr Wallace almost laughed.

"You won't need anything."

Yesu stared at the bus for another moment.

"Okay."

She sighed and walked over.

Mr Wallace watched her go.

***

Yesu stepped into the bus.

Several pairs of eyes met hers.

There were only four students who sat far apart from one another.

One was from Ava's class, 10-C.

Yesu recognized him immediately as Ava was always talking about his behaviour.

The second was Quinn.

She frowned the moment Yesu stepped into the bus.

On seeing the familiar face, Yesu smiled politely in return.

The remaining two faces were also familiar but they wiped the smile off her face.

Apollo.

And Mahirah.

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