Fee entered the building through its broad oaken doors. Scattered throughout the halls were teachers and other faculty, reminding students to head to their advisory classes. 221, her schedule read. Chalphy, room 221.

It was on the second floor, of course, and she managed to find it easily enough. Fee saw an empty desk near the back of the classroom and gratefully made her way to it.

From the next desk over, a girl with silver hair smiled in her direction. "Hey there. You're new, right?"

"Umm," Fee stammered nervously. "Y-yeah..."

"Cool. My name is Tine. How about you?"

"Fee," she managed.

A girl a few desks away saw the two chatting and came over. "Tine, didja meet someone new?"

She nodded at the brunette. "Linda, this is Fee. Fee, meet Linda. She's my cousin," Tine said with a grin. The two didn't look particularly related, but Fee decided to take their word for it.

"So, where do you come from?" Linda asked curiously.

Fee felt her face turning red, but answered nonetheless. "I-I transferred from Silesse High."

Tine cast her new acquaintance a quizzical look. "Transferring to a private school for your final year? That's weird. Although I suppose if you moved here from out of state..."

A reluctant sigh passed Fee's lips. "Yeah..." she agreed.

"Cheer up," Linda chimed. "I think you'll like it here. Tine and I can show you around a bit, if you'd like."

"Really?" she asked, feeling relieved. "I... I think I'd like that very much."

Before they could continue, the bell chimed, announcing the start of class. Their advisory teacher, who'd been chatting with other faculty in the hallway, casually made his way into the classroom. "Good morning, class. As you all know, my name is Mr. Chalphy. Since this is our third year of this, I'm sure you already know the drill..." He picked up his class roster and quickly scanned through it. "Mm? Ah, it seems we've got a new student with us." Casting his brown eyes about the class, his gaze finally settled on Fee. "Ms. Edda, is it? Care to introduce yourself to class? Everyone else already knows each other."

The entire class turned her way, and Fee felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She stood up and gave them a wooden wave. "L-like he said, I'm Fee Edda. Nice to meet you, everyone." With that, she quickly returned to her seat.

Mr. Chalphy smiled pleasantly at her. "Thank you, Miss Edda. If you have any questions, we'll be glad to help you out as needed." Then, addressing the rest of class, "Now, with that all cleared up, we'll be heading to the auditorium shortly. The principle, Mr. Velthomer, has some words of wisdom to share with you." He glanced to the schedule on his desk. "In about ten minutes, it looks like. Until then, you are free to socialize. Hopefully I don't need to remind you seniors to maintain your inside voices." And with that, their teacher took a seat at his desk and began working at his computer.

Fee's classmates were—either genuinely or feigningly—interested in getting to know her. It wasn't a large class by most measures, roughly twenty students in all. Still, the sheer volume of attention from her classmates within those ten minutes soon had her feeling overwhelmed. The room's loudspeaker cut on, interrupting the chatter: "All senior classes, at this time please head to the auditorium."

Mr. Chalphy led them from the classroom, and to the balcony of the auditorium. They each took a seat, and to her relief, Fee found herself sat between her new friends Tine and Linda. A mantle of excited chatter dressed the auditorium from end to end as classmates rejoined for the first time since summer break.

Eventually, though, a tall man strode onto the stage. He wore his scarlet hair cropped short, and moved with an air of nobility. Without using a microphone, his voice cut through the din of the auditorium, demanding silence. "Welcome back to Belhalla Secondary, Crusaders. For those new to our school, I'm our principle, Mr. Velthomer. Fates willing, this will be your last year with us. Now, I'm well aware that most all of you are familiar with our school policies by now. However, since we've a few new faces among us, I'll touch upon them briefly."

He cast his dark eyes across the student body as he continued. "As a private school, we do have a dress code. Students not meeting the uniform requirements will be sent home forthwith. Apparel is important at your age, and I understand how chafing the idea of a uniform can be. However, our dress code is important as it prevents disruptions and helps preserve our students' modesty. The very same as last year, as most of you already know."

"As for attendance, use your brain. If you cut class, you will be found out. Your guardians will be notified, and you'll more than likely earn your way into in-school suspension. It's not fun for us, it's not fun for you, so just don't do it."

"Regarding drugs and other substances: again, use your brain. This goes for the school day proper as well as school-sanctioned events. Students found under the influence of a drug or otherwise inappropriate substance can and may well face immediate expulsion. We have a zero-tolerance policy here at Belhalla Secondary, and that means we expect you to stay drug-free."

"I think our other policies may stand as they are written in this year's school planner. Otherwise, you will listen to any faculty requests—that's nonnegotiable. Defiance of teachers or administration will also likely land you an in-school suspension."

"Now you know I could go on all day about our policies," Mr. Velthomer continued wryly. "Fortunately for you all, I won't. Teachers, go ahead and lead your classes back to your rooms. Since this is the third year for most of you, we have no tour planned. And, as is our first-day tradition, we will release you seniors early today. New students, feel free to ask your advisory teacher or your classmates to show you around. Just be mindful not to disrupt the advisory classes still in session. With that, I hope to see you all bright and early tomorrow, ready to learn. Thank you," he concluded with a bow.

Mr. Chalphy led his advisory back to their room, and Fee's classmates immediately gathered up their things and began to leave. A few stragglers stayed behind to chat, Tine and Linda among them.

Soon enough, Fee was approached by the two cousins. "Hey Fee, we were planning on going to the mall," chimed Tine. "A new cafe opened there, we were going to go check out their bubble tea. Want to come with? It'll be our treat."

"Ehh," she flashed them a rueful smile. "Sorry, but I can't. Maybe another time?"

Linda made a sour face, then shrugged dismissively. "Your loss. Shall we go, Tine?"

Her cousin nodded, and the two left.

Fee sighed, trying not to feel so overwhelmed. In truth, there had been nothing stopping her from going with her new acquaintances. Nothing except social anxiety, at least. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, by which time the rest of the students had left.

Mr. Chalphy cast her a bespectacled glance from behind his desk, amused. "Still here, Miss Edda? Did you need me to show you around campus before you leave?"

His voice brought the girl back from her woolgathering. She glanced up to her teacher, faintly alarmed. "O-oh," she stammered. "No, Mr. Chalphy, b-but thank you anyway. I need to be heading home."

The teacher nodded silently in response. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. You are in my history class, correct?"

Fee tried to imagine her schedule, failed, and ending up rummaging through her bag to check it. "Senior history. Chalphy, room 221," she read aloud.

"Indeed," he said with a pleasant smile. "Stay cool on the way home, Miss Edda. It's quite hot today."

She nodded absently, then turned to go home.