CHAPTER 34: GATHERING OF FIRST YEARS

If not for Aoi, they probably would’ve spent the better part of the afternoon searching Erythros’ vast tower.

The tower in fact was not a tower, but a large and very tall hollow pillar erected at the west side of the island, amidst the forest and very close to the mountain chains at that side of the island. The pillar had had its space enormously expanded by similar but stronger and more numerous runes as that of yesterday’s tent.

The trio consulted their wristbands which runes glowed in red but provided what they needed nevertheless. After showing a large holographic "I" and putting a minuscule but bright red "6" at the top left of itself –which Xenon figured out to be his school year and ranking respectively– the black wristband produced a holographic interface which hovered about half an inch over their wrist and was trimmed in complex, almost unnoticeable runes at the sides and edges.

The hologram itself was bright red, while the text and other things were in black, so it took them a while to navigate it properly, but when they did figure it out they dashed in the way of the cafeteria, consulting the maps in black and red that hovered above their wrists.

On getting to their destination, they found they were not the only ones who had been hungry. The cafeteria was half full with students, first years mostly, and they were all seated around the largest rectangular table closest to the left wall.

The three boys went over to the large counter at the far end of the cafeteria to grab their lunches. The three were provided food for free from the limited choices available, and were handed a note each as they left for the gathering of first years.

"So we get free rations every morning and night, every day of the week, except three is an event where we get there square meals free... and of course we are free to purchase anything to our liking from the kitchen at the right side of the cafeteria which provides a wider range of options." Aoi summarised.

"Well, that’s not a problem... except for the fact that the free meals barely have any seafood dishes." Xenon commented.

"Well, that what the paid ones are for, isn’t it?" Jason replied, earning a frown from Xenon.

They sat down together at the lower end of the rectangular table where there were less students. Jason sat to Aoi’s left and Xenon to his right as both Jason and Xenon were sure the other will try to sabotage their meal.

"How many of us are in Erythros?" Aoi asked halfway through their lunch. Xenon shrugged and Jason said an almost indecipherable "I don’t know." As he chewed on a large slice of fruit.

"Erythros got the most of the first years, forty two of us, and three of the top ten no less." A boy sporting green hair, constantly colour-changing irises and about as tall as Xenon replied.

"I am Juan, Juan Marino" He was five empty seats away from Xenon. "The closest the the top ten over here." He continued, raising up his left arm to show the number "15" in red on his wristband. "And the one who gathered all the first years to this table. Thought it would be good if we got to know each other, wouldn’t it?"

"Yeah." Jason replied over a mouthful and Xenon nodded weakly, his mouth also full.

"How many of us are here, in the cafeteria?" Aoi asked.

"Well, everyone except four people, which included you three had gathered here about 20 minutes ago. But now, only one of the first years is yet to join us here." Juan replied.

"And who might that be?" Aoi asked again.

"A girl that goes by Regina." Juan edged his head closer to the trio and said in a whisper. "I think she’s demi human."

Jason choked, but managed to forcefully swallow the food in his mouth before bursting into a fit of violent coughs.

"How did you know?" Xenon asked.

"Well, her name, I got it from the first dude who got put in Erythros and decided to jot the names of others in his house. Her condition however, I heard that from people who paid attention to her match back at Ruach, and from those who got a close up view of her yesterday night." Juan replied in hush tones.

"Why are you saying "her condition" like she’s got a disease?" Xenon asked almost furiously.

Juan just simply stared at him, his expression changing from embarrassment to shock, he picked up a wooden cup just in front of him and gulped his contents.

"Well, putting that matter aside, have you tried to contact her? To tell her to come here to the cafeteria?" Aoi asked Juan. "It’s not like we’re going to bite her or something, I don’t see the reason for her to hide." He added before Xenon could say what was on his mind.

"Yeah, I tried, but she’s not roommates with anybody no matter who I ask, it seems she’s been assigned a private room and no one knows where it is." Juan replied.

"Maybe it’s been made to move around, or to be hidden from everyone except the owner." Jason said in almost a whisper, his eyes and face red from coughing violently.

Juan simply shrugged before picking up a metal spoon and tapping it against the metal tray he had his lunch on. Everyone turned to him, attracted by the clinking sound of metal against metal, most of them staring at both Xenon and Aoi’s heads before turning their gaze away quickly back to Juan.

Once every first year was now paying attention to him, he started.

"Good afternoon everyone, nice meeting you all. I have been informed by a senior that we are to be in the hall at the top of the tower by eight tomorrow morning where will be receiving our class schedules, anyone who sees Regina before tomorrow should kindly inform her." Juan said.

"That was one of the reasons I called us to gather here. The other however, is to get to know each other, so please, do not hesitate." Juan added before leaving the table to hand in the tray and cutlery he dined with.

The table exploded in conversation as everyone tried to talk to everyone. After politely responding to anyone who cornered them with greetings, the trio sneaked out of the cafeteria.

"What do you say we explore the island?" Xenon suggested and both Aoi and Jason agreed immediately.

They walked out of the enormous pillar –Erythros’ tower– and went to the far end of the island, coming to a stop at the first large body of rock they encountered.

"They call these mountain chains? More like very big and tall rock chains." Jason said after they walked away from the rock they encountered in order to get a clear view of the mountains, which turned out be a chain of large rocks, barely higher than a hill.

"What does it matter what it’s called." Xenon, who never saw eye to eye with Jason replied. "Hey, Aoi, can you show us that thing you did back at the arena, with the large black hand?" Xenon asked, trying to hide his curiosity.

"No, not now I can’t, it’s kinda complicated." Aoi replied apologetically.

"Oh, okay." Xenon replied disappointed.

"Let’s go back into the island, this place is quiet and boring, there should be lots of sights to see in the heart of Askesis and even at that beach we arrived from." Jason said walking back into the bushes and they followed, walking back past the pillar and out of the forest into the crowded majority of Askesis’ island, and some sights did they see.