Saga of Atlantis

"One of them was an unknown man, and the other was from the ancient Thorja family—One of the heirs that was competing for head position."

"Oye," I elbowed the girl sitting beside me, calling her attention.

"What?" Fatima asked, looking at me, while Emily, who was sitting beside her, also glanced over.

"Wake me up after this is over," I replied as I placed my head on the desk, closing my eyes.

"Come on, Eden," Fatima whispered, nudging me gently. "You can’t fall asleep in class again."

"Nobody cares," I grumbled in response, shifting in my seat but making no attempt to open my eyes.

"You’ve been sleeping since the first class," she whispered again, elbowing my side. "Seriously, why do you even come to school? you are sleeping in the class even after a week’s holiday."

I gently opened my eyes, and for a fleeting moment, they met with Emily’s before she quickly averted her gaze away from me.

"On the single day, ten percent of the Sunfra kingdom was destroyed, and that place is still like that even after all these years," Sophia’s voice continued in the background as I once again closed my eyes.

’Edda.’

[Yes?]

’You are recording everything, right?’

[Yes]

’Good, I can top the exams without studying. What else does a student want from his life?’

[But—]

’Yeah, I know it’s wrong, but again, it’s wrong if people know about it.’

[At least try to be more attentive in class.]

’Again, who fucking cares?’

"....And that’s what happened; that’s how the war between the ancient families started," Sophia finished her words. I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the drowsiness that clouded my mind as I sat straight.

Ringgg!!!

"Well, that’s it for today," Sophia announced, her voice drawing my attention again. "Eden Morton, you lost ten academic points for not paying attention in class."

[Looks like someone cares.]

’.....’

Well, my academic points are in the minus, so it’s not like it’s hurting me.

’....’

No... That’s a bad mindset.

The rest of the class began to stir as Sophia left, some students packing their belongings, others already engaged in quiet conversations.

I glanced at Fatima, who shot me an exasperated look before shaking her head, "You are a lost cause, Eden."

’look’s like Aron left the class before.’ I thought as I didn’t find his group in the class.

"Let’s go eat something," I said as I stood up, stretching my body and flexing my muscles.

"Yeah, I am starving as well," Fatima mumbled as she glanced at Emily. "You are awfully quiet, Emily. Did something happen?"

"N-no, nothing happened," Emily replied, shaking her head and glancing at me.

"Did something happen between you guys?" Fatima asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Yeah, I met her mother," I replied, shrugging my shoulders.

"Wait, seriously?" Fatima asked before turning to Emily. "How could you let him meet your mother before me?"

"Well, he asked suddenly," Emily whispered softly as Fatima shook her head.

"Let’s go, guys," I said as the class emptied out, walking out with both of them.

As we walked through the corridor, I also glanced at Aeloria, who was talking with Angelina as they walked in front of us. Despite her looking at me a few times, she didn’t say anything to me in the end.

"So, how was she?" Fatima asked, breaking the silence as we made our way towards the cafeteria.

"Her mother?" I replied, unsure until she nodded her head. "Well, she was beautiful and interesting to talk to."

Fatima raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in her expression. "Interesting how?"

"Eden." Before I could reply, Emily called my name, making me look at her. "Don’t you dare say what you talked with her."

Ah... Right, I asked something that I maybe shouldn’t have. But then again, it was important.

I shifted my gaze away from her, keeping my mouth shut.

Fatima looked at both of us, her expression thoughtful. "Well, I’m sure Emily can fill me in on all the details later, right Emily?"

Emily nodded hesitantly before glaring at me, her face turning red.

Well... Good luck, Emily. I prayed that Fatima wouldn’t tease her too much.

As we reached the cafeteria, I quickly spotted a guy whom I hadn’t seen in a while.

"Breg!" I called out to him, making him look at me.

"Bro!" He smiled widely, walking towards me with open arms.

"No homo," I joked, grabbing him by the face before sidestepping him, almost causing him to stumble into Fatima.

"Hello, idiot," Fatima greeted him with a smile before stepping back.

"Hello," Breg greeted her back before turning to me.

"Hey, have you seen Nora?" He asked, and I nodded before pointing towards Aron’s group.

"Let me call her over here," he said to me before running off towards Nora.

"I am ordering four plates for us," I said as I walked towards the counter.

"Wait, why four?" Emily asked, grabbing my wrist.

"She isn’t coming," I replied with a slight smile, removing her hand before heading to the counter.

True to my words, when I returned to the table where Emily and Fatima were sitting, Breg still hadn’t come back.

"So... How is your fiancée?" I asked Fatima, trying to make conversation as we waited for our food.

"Better than yours, Eden," she replied with a wide smile.

"..."

I shouldn’t have asked that.

"Anyway... Guys, don’t you think we should do something about them?" Emily asked, glancing towards Breg and Nora, who were whispering among themselves, almost as if arguing.

"Let them be," I replied, quickly changing the topic. "Anyway, have you guys decided which academic organization you’re going to join?"

"Not sure about that," Fatima replied, shaking her head, prompting me to look at Emily.

"I’m not sure... What about you?" Emily asked.

"I will stick with the disciplinary committee," I replied, scanning the cafeteria.

"Because of?" Fatima asked, playfully smiling at me. "Let me guess, because of a girl, right?"

I chuckled in reply as Breg silently walked back towards us and took his seat.

"So, mister boyfriend," Fatima teased, seizing the opportunity, "why can’t I see miss girlfriend with you?"

Breg looked up, meeting her gaze before he ignored her again and turned to me.

"Bro," he said, glancing at Fatima, "what’s her name again?"

"Pfft, cough... cough," I quickly tried to hide my laugh with a cough as I noticed the dumbfounded look on Fatima’s face.

"Fatima," Emily replied instead of me, as I trembled softly, trying my best not to laugh out loud.

"Yeah, Miss Fatima," Breg looked back at her, smiling slightly. "She has friends, and she wants to spend time with them, that’s all."

I patted his shoulders a few times as he sat down with a hunched back.

Bang.

But of course, how could we have a peaceful time in this place?

I glanced back as I heard a loud voice, sensing a fight about to break out in the cafeteria.