September 1, 2031
Ring* Ring* Ring*
I woke up at the sound of my phone alarm ringing. I reach out to the small table beside my bed where I usually put it. It's still too early, I have 2 hours before my class. I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep.
*Minutes later
My phone rang again, albeit with a different tune.
"What is it this time." I pondered irritably.
Bleary-eyed, I took a look at my phone. I reflexively straightened my back when I saw my mom calling to check if I'm already preparing for school. The thought of getting scolded for being late for my first day woke me up like a bucket of cold water.
I immediately answered the call.
"Honey, have you already prepared for school? It's your first day at the university and I'm gonna be mad if you're late again." She inquired.
"I-I'm almost done".
Shit, my dry and croaking voice probably gave away that I had just woken up.
"Katherine Katyusha, I swear if you don’t get out of your bed this instant...." She said in a cold and intimidating voice.
How was she even so sure that I am still in bed? Her tone of voice sent chills down my spine. I instantly hopped out of my bed.
"I’m already awake! L-let’s not be too hasty mom." I said placatingly.
She sighed
"Honestly, you should grow out of your habit of staying up late at night. It’s your first day in your college and you would’ve been late if I didn’t wake you up again. I worry about you living alone in that apartment."
"I'm fine now Mom I'm old enough to handle myself. I'm gonna get ready for school now. Bye! Love ya!" I said quickly
I hung up immediately so that she would not transition her call to an hour-long scolding, which in turn would definitely make me late for my first class.
After my morning stretches, I took a quick shower to get my blood running.
After drying with a towel, I positioned myself in front of the mirror for the purpose of getting changed into my attire.
In front of me is the usual 5'⁹ tall black-haired girl I see every morning. Ocean blue pearls encased in sharp eyes, white skin due to lack of sunlight, marble-like nose, and mature looks with a fit body shape and moderate breasts.
After dressing up in my casual wear and brushing my shoulder-length black hair to look more presentable, I went to the mini kitchen in my apartment and prepared breakfast. Bacon and eggs were the obvious choice, easy to make and satisfying to eat.
I placed the meal I cooked in front of the dining table and called out in a moderately audible voice.
"T.V. on"
The television that was prompted by my voice command turned on. Technology nowadays is more convenient than ever, I thought to myself as I watch. The channel seems to be focused on news and current events and since I currently don't have anything I want to watch, I ate while listening to the newscaster's voice.
"In other news, the prize pool for the popular VR MMORPG Champions of Andartha's Andartha Cup was revealed. It has yet again surpassed the record for the highest prize pool in a single tournament in the history of e-sports. The current prize pool is a whopping 47 million dollars for the whole tournament!" The newscaster exclaimed.
"They outdid their selves again huh," I murmured
Nowadays, the rising popularity of e-sports made it comparable to normal conventional sports. It is not that unusual to see it being headlined in the news, especially those tournaments with a huge prize pool. Compared to being debated as a 'real' sport back then, it is a major improvement for gaming fans alike.
"But that has nothing to do with me... Not anymore."
After finishing my breakfast, I put the plates and utensils in the sink for me to wash later. I brushed my teeth and did my final preparations before going out the door and pressing the button on the elevator in the hallway. I reside on the 8th floor of the building so walking down would be quite tiring.
After waiting for a while, the elevator opened revealing 4 people riding it. It is a little bit cramped but what can you do, it is a busy morning after all so the majority of people go to work or school this time of the day.
"Excuse me," I said politely as I entered the elevator.
As the elevator door shut, I waited for it to arrive on the ground floor while trying my best not to yawn.
After arriving at the ground floor, I walked briskly to the exit of the high-rise apartment complex passing by the guard who voiced a quick morning greeting (to whom I nodded in acknowledgment), I sauntered into the underground station just around the corner of the street.
A part of why my parents decided to pick the apartment complex was that it was well-guarded and close to the train station on a crime-free street. They're quite overprotective I know, but every parent who cares for their child's wellbeing could be said to be the same.
There are plenty of commuters in the station due to the rush hour but thankfully it is offset by the fact that there are more than 10 payment terminals. I flashed my phone and it scanned instantly prompting a confirmation in deducting money from my account.
I don't carry any wallets since it has become obsolete nowadays due to the ease of payments using mobile wallets. It's also harder to steal your money as it needs confirmation from you when transfering money to another account.... unless of course, they cut off your finger to use it for the fingerprint lock and brutally torture you to use your voice to bypass security.
Just as I pass the terminal onto the railway, I hear the bullet train fast approaching. I rode the semi-crowded train while pondering what the first day of my college life has in store for me.
---------------------------------
After arriving at the train station stop and walking a few meters, I arrived at the front gate building of Summit Peak University whose name is plastered into its gate building in a mix of blue and gold colors. In my previous visits here for my enrollment and my entrance exam, I explored the area quite a bit.
The university has 4 main buildings. First is the one in front of me, the gate building. It mainly accommodates visiting guests and checks if the students have the proper authorization to be let in. The security team of the university is also stationed here. Second is the east building where I'm supposed to head right now for my first class. Third is the north building (Also known as the main building) which houses most of the clubs and other important facilities. Last is the west building where I also have some of my classes later.
I strolled nervously as I entered the gate building among the many students who are also heading in the same direction as me. I was promptly stopped by the scanner wherein I flashed my id card to gain entry. Inside there are plenty of security officers roaming around whom politely greeted students as they enter. I reciprocated the ones who greeted me as I headed for the east building. As I exit the gate building, I passed the beautiful park-like courtyard of the university and saw many students who are sitting on benches and relaxing under the red oak tree. I kind of envy them since I too would wish to spend my time here if I didn't have my first class to attend.
I arrived at the east building while taking in the scenery. I then slowly headed towards the classroom I am assigned to. My social anxiety started to kick in. I was nervous and a bit apprehensive as I stopped a few meters away from the door of the room. I saw other students walk inside and composed myself to do the same.
After a short while, I took a deep breath and mustered my courage as I entered the door. What greeted me inside was a large room with seats connected in a curvature elevated with each row for an easier view of the back rows. There were more than 20 students as far as I can tell and most of them just keep to themselves save for a few who probably knew each other beforehand. In the middle of it all was the teacher's podium. Behind it is a large screen as tall as me but a whole lot wider which serves as a screen blackboard. I saw an empty seat at the farthest rear corner and tried to make myself look as small as possible while silently walking past the other seats to arrive at my goal all the while ignoring the curious stares I received.
I sighed in relief as I got seated on the farthest row of the classroom. I immediately brought up my school-issued tablet and very carefully attached it to the table. The school tablet was still their property unlike my own tablet and phone so it would be very bad if I damage it. Aside from paying the fine, it would be quite embarrassing to explain my clumsiness. It fit quite well with a satisfying clink on the metallic structure for its intended purpose. As I finished my preparations, I overheard some of my classmates talking to each other.
"I heard from my sister who studies here that our professor in this class is kind and considerate." Came from a male voice.
"For real? I hope so, I'm kinda scared, to be honest. It would be a huge relief if our teachers aren't super strict. For real!" A high-pitched female voice responded.
I'd be more relieved if you could just speak normally, for real.
Though to be honest, I am also quite glad that I'm not the only one apprehensive about the class. Misery loves company, I guess.
"Have you watched the game yesterday between RG and Eclipse?" A boisterous voice said.
"Of course, you know I'm a big Zetta fan, I wouldn't miss a single one of his matches." A cheerful female voice chimed in.
Zetta..... That's a name I haven't heard for quite a while. The sudden mention of it made me do a quick look at the one talking.
As I turned to look at the source of the voice, I saw a blonde girl with a bubbly disposition. She had a pretty-looking face, more on the cute side than beautiful but pleasing to the eye nonetheless. One distinctive feature that I immediately noticed were her breast which looked like they were being constrained by her casual t-shirt and skirt wear. God they huge. Does she ever have back pain because of those?
"Hmph, I can beat that guy if we ever have a 1v1 match without set advantages." The boy said smugly.
The voice came from a lanky boy with sharp facial features and brown hair with a faded cut. He has an air of arrogance and confidence around him giving off an aura of someone who is prideful and conceited. I'm most likely wrong in my initial deduction but that is just the impression I get from looking at him. I know I'm being biased but considering his earlier statement, that is the best I can do for him.
"If you can't even win against me in a 1v1 fight, how can you expect to win against any pro? And Zetta no less?" the girl defended her idol.
"I was just holding back because you're a girl! If I got serious, you won't stand a chance." The guy bit back.
"Again with your excuses! Just admit I'm better than you!"
I get that trash-talking is a part of playing competitive games, even more so between close friends but pick the right place and the right time for Pete’s sake. You guys are garnering stares you know, I feel a second-hand embarrassment just by looking at you two.
Thankfully the professor arrived halting their bickering. No, wait! not 'thankfully', I haven't mentally prepared myself for the class yet! I blame these two for this.
Having not even the slightest idea of my internal plight, the professor confidently walked to the center.
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