They proceeded to walk down the umbrella. They haven't walked like this for a long time, in their school uniforms. They used to run around the school. They came to a halt as Sascha began to mature into a lady. Eldric would rush back when Sascha told him to. They've grown up strolling together.

"Your father truly has a skilled hands-on umbrella," Sascha observed.

"Yes, he is," Eldric said. "Aida has been in rehabilitation about eight months, I believe, isn't she? Her hair has become rather long."

"She is slimming down. She had been losing herself since she smelled the white powders."

"Because she met someone who was not worth losing. What more can love to do to us?"

"It drives us to go blind. It  destroys us. You better stay out of it. My sister has witnessed a great lot."

"She truly did," Eldric said. "But, she also requires love to heal."

When school approached, Sacha passed him. A mike sound reached Eldric. They eventually stopped for a moment at the bridge. The site of nine deaths, the bloodstains of which could still be seen in certain places. Eldric could hear the wails piercing his earlobes as they approached the bridge.

A sudden trumpet blast appeared to greet them. Eldric followed Sascha as she hurried to catch up with her class in the line.

"Hey, hermit boy, I believe you skipped this line!" Dieter smirked. Every kid in the same line shared his smirk. Eldric was embarrassed as well. He swiftly entered the class nine row.

"Ooh! You showed up!" Evert returned his gaze to his. "I thought you'd quit school again after that quarrel with Mr. Hass."

"What are you talking about? I argued with Mr. Hass." Eldric was irritated.

"Yeah, you did," Evert said as he continued to adjust his spectacles. "So what's up with that expression? Did you overlook that?"

The microphone sound reverberated, making it difficult to hear what someone said in two feet. "Well, actually, I couldn't listen to it fully," Eldric said loudly to persuade himself of his deception. "You must be a student in class nine."

"I am, yeah," Evert admitted that he had forgotten. "Yet it was bold enough to speak up. I despise the same things you do. I hate the geopolitics he teaches as well." Evert turned forward.

Mr. Frank took his place in front of the audience. He had promised a modest crest to individuals who had performed heroic roles in the bridge tragedy. Eldric stayed behind, watching his erstwhile classmates get the crest. As Mr. Frack stuck the crest on Dieter's shirt, he flattened his chest. When Sascha received her crest, she couldn't stop crying. She mumbled as she approached her classmates "I didn't weep; only a bit of dust got into my eyes. I, for one, do not cry." Yet, there was one student in the audience who was the most animated. Sophie leapt the entire distance. Mr. Frank smiled heartily as he handed out the crest.

Everyone applauded and walked to their classrooms. Eldric just came in. He had his language during this time of year, exactly like last year, but he didn't enjoy the time this year. As he passed his upper class, he felt a bit uneasy. Sascha was seated in the front line, directly close to Dieter. Elvert placed his suitcase on the seat reserved for Eldric. He sat in the very back corner.

"Danke." Eldric expressed his appreciation.

Eldric began to lose interest in the lesson he had learnt only a year before as the session advanced. During class, he rested his chin on his palm and gazed down the street. Teachers would poke him or simply stare at him from time to time. At the very least, Eldric didn't bother going anyplace, and they preferred to wait for the next exam. The outcome would speak for itself.

Eldric took Evert to the courtyard during his lunch break.

"You appeared to be absolutely lost in every lesson. I thought you enjoyed mathematics, and Mr. Volk knows how we feel about it." Evert had eaten his bread. Eldric sat under the tree, his jacket covering him.

"He was well aware from the start that I liked to sleep in his classroom." Eldric went on.

Evert locked his concentration on him, who was half sleeping. Eldric concealed the sun by covering his face with his blue clothing.

"Umm… If you don't mind, may I ask you a question?" Evert paused.

"hmm"

"It's not clear why you sleep in maths class and Mr. Volk stares at you anytime you close your eyes. The truth is that you know more about mathematics than he does. In fact, you know more than a tenth grader."

Eldric remained silent. He opened his eyes to the blue sunshine beneath the jacket.