'I can't concentrate at all.'

Azrael's mind was too silent. He sat in on one of his lectures as usual but only this time it was different. He was not focused at all. Not because of any noise or disturbances or pressure or anything that would make one unable to concentrate. He was in a state where he could study perfectly.

He had dark circles under his eyes due to a lack of sleep.

Only one thing was missing.

The voice in his head. It went missing a few days ago. He was so happy when it disappeared but his current state stated otherwise. He had never noticed how slowly the time seemed to pass by and the whole lecture became nothing but a pit of boredom to him.

"Azrael. Hello. Earth to Az." A student said while waving his hand at Azrael. "What has gotten you spacing out the past few days?"

"Ah? Oh...Nothing. Just something on my mind." 'Quite the opposite actually.' He thought.

"What were you saying again, Alexander?" asked Azrael.

"Now you listen? I was talking about the school event approaching. It is almost spring. We are having a test very soon but you don't seem all that concerned. It is concerning since you are out of it during the lessons as well."

"I will be alright. I mean, when have you seen me worry about a test?" Azrael shrugged as he responded.

"...." The handsome young man seated opposite him was speechless. This was because this fact was true. However, he couldn't help but worry for Azrael this time.

Azrael was the top student in the class. It would raise an issue if he suddenly went down his grade. Azrael was no bookworm. He never studied before a test so it wasn't much of an issue if he had enough knowledge. This time, however, his state of mind seemed to be affected. It would surely cause a problem.

"Well. Look. this time you are acting differently than then. It is worrying." Alexander said with a serious tone.

"I know. I will figure things out soon." Azrael, not having anything to refute his friend, could only humble himself.

"Anyway, let's get something to eat. It's lunchtime." Alexander said as he gestured towards the class exit with his thumb.

Azrael got up from his seat and they made their way to the cafeteria.

Alexander was his best friend. They grew up together. Their mothers were very close so that outcome was unavoidable. Alexander was the opposite of Azrael. He was more outgoing and social. He was all smiles with everyone and he knew almost all the students in the school. In this case, he was popular.

Especially with his above-average good looks, he was very popular among the girls. Alexander has night black spiky and curled hair. He had heterochromia iridium of black and blue eyes. His skin was tanned but not dark.

He was a trend on the hunks list on social media. He got many confessions, but for some reason, he never dated anyone after the first girl he did date.

The three of them later became good friends and she joined the circle. It happened too naturally it was unusual. Azrael didn't have any objections to this. If it was a friend of Alexander's, it was his friend.

Rumors were going around the school that he was still in love with the girl. Azrael being close to Alexander knew this was not the case. However, on the reason Alexander didn't date again, he had no idea.

Later they became really good friends over the past years.

They sat at one of the tables and talked more about the topic Alex was going on and on about. He looked excited about it. Azrael just listened as he went on and on about the festival. Alexander is the vice leader of the creative arts entertainment and theater club he was participating in the event with his group. His chatter was mostly about the splendidness of his performance from that day.

In the hallway, a girl with shoulder-length auburn hair and bright green eyes, and few freckles made her way to the cafeteria. She was humming a sweet rhythm as she made her quick strides. She was wearing a bright uniform comprised of a navy strap skirt, a white shirt, and black thigh-stay-high stockings.

She looked cute in her uniform and all boys and girls stared as she passed by. She was beautiful. The top beauty of the school. Her curvy body with a full bosom, wide hips and thick thighs only made her more enchantingly seductive. Her innocent face was too much of a contrast to her sinful body but they seemed to fit perfectly.

Once she was at the cafeteria she set her eyes directly on Azrael and Alexander. She thus ignored all the rest as they were of no significance to her. She smiled brightly and walked over. She took a seat beside Alexander and faced Azrael.

Her eyes shinned very brightly.

Cough! Cough!

Alexander faked a cough bringing back her rationality. She took a breath and opened her mouth.

"Hello, again guys." She greets them and continued. "What were you talking about in my absence."

"The festival," Azrael responded. He wasn't looking at her but at what was going on in the cafeteria room

"Azrael!" She raises her voice just a little catching Azrael's attention. He stared her in the eyes making her flustered.

"Yes, Freya." His cold deep voice was like music to her ears. She loved listening to it thus she found every possible way to make Azrael talk more but to no avail.

"What about the festival?" She asked more clearly.

Azrael eyed Alexander from the corner and sent an unspoken message.

'Please explain what you were talking about.'

"Well. I was telling Azrael what my club will be hosting on the festival day. Much more than that I was explaining the information we got from the student council....."

Freya listened quietly while a pout was seen on her lovely face. Even then she was still stunningly beautiful.

She was holding on pretty well since her usual character was very explosive to any provocation or discontent. She voiced her feelings and put action behind them. She was the last person one would want to get on the bad side of. One of the major reasons as to why, despite being so stunning, no one dared to look for trouble with her.

"Are you feeling better? Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No Freya. I will handle it. Don't worry." Azrael said seeing she was genuinely very concerned.

His voice wasn't any different from his usual cold tone however this touched Freya as she smile back at him and nodded in response. She suddenly became very docile and quiet as she stared at Azrael.

"We should order something. We came for lunch after all." Alexander broke the looming silence.

"What will everyone have?" She said and pressed a button on the table. A screen rose from the table and displayed a menu list of different meals. She quickly set in her meal of choice and looked at the rest.

"The usual," Azrael responded.

"Me too," Alexander said as well.

"Of what?" Freya raised an eyebrow.

"My usual." Alexander clarified.

They quickly ate and got back to talking.

"So what do you need the student council information for? Aren't you in the student council?" Freya asked. She was very curious given her earnest eyes.

Azrael remained silent for a while but she waited.

"I simply want to know how you view things from your perspective. It helps to know what we do right at which times." He responded.

"Ohhh. That is smart. I thought you just didn't get to know the decisions they were making?"

"Hahaha. How could that be? Azrael is like, the most competent council member I know of. He is probably involved in the major decisions."

"Azrael stares at his friends go back to arguing as they usually did. His mind was partly occupied by something else. He felt irritated deep down but no one realized since he was usually quiet and cold.

After lunch, they parted ways and headed to their respective afternoon classes. When the lessons were over Azrael went to the student council room where they held a meeting. The main topics of the agenda weren't much of different compared to the previous meeting. It just made it so that every council member was aware of what they needed to do. A reminder.

It was boring in Azrael's view. He didn't like going to these meetings but it could not be helped. It was his duty as a class representative for the second year. He was chosen against his will but didn't turn it down for it came with its benefits. Better treatment in school. Quick access to information. And mostly a added good record to his graduate degree.

After the meeting, he walked through the silent halls. He looked ahead at the long pathway that seemed endless of no for the exit at the opposite end. The school still held the air of life despite being empty. On the plain wall hung a line of countless paintings of famous historical art pieces. The school stood as one of the best and most fancy in the region.

The echoing was in tune with his steady steps. He held a few documents in his hand and a laptop bag over his shoulder. He walked out to find a serene night outside. The stars were high in the sky. He turned to his right toward his dorm. The passed a path lined with trees evenly arranged and a few lights illuminating his path.

He took deep breaths of the fresh air that was made possible after the invention of the mega ventilator invented in recent years. It saved the Earth's quickly declining climate changes. Thus the inventor was named a worldwide hero. He truly was. His name was never revealed to the public for fear that people would take advantage of him.

The stone pavement was very clean as well as the green garden off the pavement. This was because of the tirelessly working bots in the school. They facilitated the cleaning and maintenance of everything. They were also handy helpers in many situations.

Most things in the school were run mechanically. They were significant to every student's comfort in school as every person's convenience.

Living in the current generation where technology had developed was so much more convenient. Things got done faster thus discovery was even faster.

Grrrrruuuu!

A strange sound sounded behind Azrael. It was more of a growling whisper. A very light sound but due to the silence in the area he could hear it. Latter were soft sounds of light footsteps. He turned around to find an empty path behind him. No souls in sight.

Ssshhhh!

He turned toward the bushes to catch a passing glimpse of a shadow. He couldn't make out what the shadow was of. Azrael squinted his eyes to focus on the spot. After some time a small black cat appeared from the bushes. He made eye contact with the cat not surprised.

'I must have become too sensitive lately.'

This was definitely, not how an average normal human should have reacted. He was especially alone in the dead of the night with no other signs of life around. Thus the normal reaction should have been to escape. Humans feared the unknown.

However, Azrael was different. He only acted normal when there were others around. Else where he had no sense of emotions. There were very few exemptions to this. Those were his family and close friends.

He thought more about the shadows but made nothing of it. It wasn't important and it didn't concern him for it wasn't his responsibility. This was the security personal duty.

If it posed no harm to him then it didn't matter.

Authors note:// Please let me know your thoughts about the introduction to the novel. Ideas are welcomed as well.