Chapter 148 The Past - Part 6

It was the next morning.

I was gently awoken by the beeping of my alarm clock.

'What time is it...' groaned Haruto as he lethargically swiped open his phone.

5:15 am.

'Jesus Christ, why did you set your alarm clock so early—I thought I was someone who woke up early. Did you use to go to some really early sports training?'

'This is the time I always wake up.'

'Well, what do you do this early in the morning?' He asked, hardly legible due to how tired he was. He was crumpling his blanket towards his face.

My life used to be completely monitored and organised by scientists. I didn't exactly have anything I wanted to do, but my circadian rhythm had hardened to waking up at this time so I didn't really feel the desire to sleep anymore.

It was pretty much pitch black out the large window at the side of the room. There were a few small lights turned on but for the most part, you couldn't really see anything. The room was heated so I didn't feel any of the early-morning chilliness that is emblematic of waking up at this time.

'I don't really know, I guess I'll have a walk around.'

,m 'Alright, but don't act too suspicious, otherwise I'm sure you'll be taken in for some questioning for walking around so early in the morning.'

'I'll be back later.'

'See ya.' He quickly tucked himself back under the covers and went back to sleep.

I made my way outside the dormitory building. It would be a good opportunity to get used to the layout of this place.

I guess I'd go to the library or something afterwards.

Now that I had left the heated-air-conditioned building, the cool air quickly informed me that it was very early in the morning—that and the fact that it was practically pitch black. I began strolling around the courtyard in front of the dormitory building.

'—is someone there?'

I heard the deep voice of a man nearby—I decided to reply in order to appear less suspicious.

'Yeah.'

He walked over to me, and the dense thumping of his boots echoed through the silent footpath. He was wearing a large black leather jacket with a tag that said security. The school even had staff who patrolled the area at night.

'What are you doing this early in the morning?' He asked.

'This is the usual time I wake up.'

'Jeez, you elite students really are something—earlier, I saw a girl wandering around the yard as well.'

'Oh.'

'Anyways, just don't be too loud, all of the teachers are still sleeping.'

'Okay.'

Apparently, there'd been a girl who was walking around as well. I decided that I would see what she was doing. A quick detour before going to the library.

She couldn't have gone far if the security guard had just seen her so I had a quick look around. Based on Haruto's reaction, not many people should be awake at this time.

Eventually, I saw the figure of a girl. Her dark hair flowed graciously below her shoulders. She seemed to be hurrying somewhere.

I decided not to speak to her, but I did notice something that looked like a note in her hand—it was slightly crumpled with what seemed to be a pretty long paragraph of handwritten words. I only managed to get a very brief glance of its contents but I could make out a few of the sentences with a little bit of inference.

Save up as many points as you can...

The first special exam will destroy the lower classes...

Spend as few points as possible wherever you can...

I won't be able to bail you guys out during...

*

It was 7:00 am.

I decided to return to the dorm to prepare for class. I wandered around the school for too long and forgot to go to the library—oh well, I could always just go at another time.

'How was your walk?' Asked Haruto.

He had gotten up and was doing some stretches by the wall. He had already packed his bag and all of the supplies for the day.

'It was alright.'

'Well I'll be going, apparently, some people in class A organised this group meeting this morning.'

'I'll see you later then.'

No one in our class decided to organise something of the like.

I brushed my teeth in our bathroom. After a few minutes, I decided to take my leave and began making my way towards the classrooms as well. Once again, I stepped out of the large dormitory building; the fresh air brushed against my face. This time, the bright sun had also exposed itself from behind a thin layer of clouds.

On my way, I was greeted by the smiling face of a cute-looking girl. It was quite a surprise to have someone talk to me for once, especially someone who looked like her.

She walked up closer to my face.

*****

It was lunch.

I decided to go over to the cafeteria for some food.

The cafeteria had basically everything you could want, from a large number of options for different foods and a self-serve drinks station to hundreds of seats and generously wide tables. The prices of the foods were displayed on the menu which was posted on big television screens behind the counter.

This wasn't even the only place you could purchase food. There were also several cafes around the campus which sold more elegant meals.

I purchased the cheapest meal on the menu. It was a vegetable mix with rice and a side of miso soup; the total came to 350 points.

In less than a minute, the meal was prepared and I picked it up at the collection zone at the end of the counter. For the cheapest meal, it still looked decent and smelled alright—it was better than what I expected. I found a seat alone and began eating my meal. The portion was quite generous and it was enough to fill me up for the time being.

I threw out my trash and went back to the classroom for the rest of my classes.

Suddenly, I felt a vibration on my leg—my phone had received a notification.