The Peculiars’ Tale

Translated by: whosays25 

Edited by: seiji96

/10/ Rank 40

It’s difficult to squeeze yourself inside the train. But it’s amusing that many people still fight and push each other just to enter. Inside the train, not everyone could be given good privileges. Not everyone could take their seat. It’s unfair, like the society.

Whenever the train come, open, close and go, no one could stop it already. It means, the run is continuous. If you won’t run for it, you’d be left behind. The first to come will be first to arrive. In this era, if you fall, the people were no longer that compa.s.sionate to stop and give you attention and help. You have to learn to stand on your two feet. The one who will fall behind, will be left behind.

“Approaching next station, please check your belongings before leaving the train. Thank you.”

When I arrived at Station 6, a black car stopped in front of me and its tinted window opened.

“Good morning, Miss Jillianne.” It’s Albert. He smiled and invited me inside the vehicle. I accepted his invitation and then we arrived at White Knights in silence. When I exited the car, Albert also did so and then he called me,  “Miss Jillianne,” I paused. “Dr. Richard wishes for you to – “

“I don’t want to go.” 

“But it’s your father’s wish.”

“Tell him I have no plans to go there.”

“Miss Jillianne, iha, even if it’s today. Please follow your father’s intention. It’s been long since you went home.” 

I exhaled some air. “I’ll think about it.” 

Albert smiled and said, “They prepared to host a dinner party for Sat.u.r.day. You should attend, Miss Jillianne.” I nodded and said my thanks. Before I entered the huge gate of the academy I waited for Albert to leave first.

Now, all the students next to me were in a hurry. I wonder what’s going on.

“Good morning, Morie!” Someone push me in surprise that’s why I almost kissed the ground.

Who else could it be? It’s Aya.

“Hehe. I’m really sorry.” She accompanied me while walking. “Uwaah, it’s been long since the last time we walked together. I’m so happy!”  She hooked her arm around mine. Aya noticed how shocked I am to what she had done.

“OMG! We’re going to be late! Aya suddenly run and because our arms link together, I let her pulled me along. Aya’s always like this, she’s always friendly to everyone. She’s always hyper, and it seems that she has nothing to worry about life. Sometimes it’s just  annoying and irritating.

“Excuse me! Excuse me! People, let us through!” It’s hard to walk the hallway because the students are always crowding there. But it enabled me to free myself from her. “Excuse me – Ah! Ouch!” Aya tripped in front of so many people. I went to her and then helped her stand up.

“Thank you, Morie.” She said while smiling.

There are still many loitering students and I think I knew what they are crowding for.

“Oh my, the results were already posted.” Aya exclaimed beside me.

The rankings per section for the exams last day was actually being shown at the announcement monitors.

2-B

Rank 1 – Lord Ireneo III 

He will still be the lord of the cla.s.s.

Rank 2 – Penelope Cruz 

“Morie, that’s your name!” Aya pointed out.

Rank 10 – Jillianne Morie

“How great! The top ten rankers were not changed.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Ireneo is still rank 1.”

“Nothing changed.” Someone said from my right side. It’s Morris. “It means, the system will not change.” Then he glanced at me, “You should always do your best, like before. I don’t want you to fall from your rank.” Morris turned his back at me then he walked away.

I smirked. Seriously? Even he is worried about that stupid ranking? For me it’s just a big farce. I can’t understand why they are taking it as a big deal.

Rank 40 – Stephen Yue

“Congrats! Man, you’re at Rank 40 again!” My cla.s.smates circled around Yue. One of them wrapped his arm around his shoulder while the others are hitting him at his head. “Study if you have time.” Then they laughed.

School caste system. What determine your rank are your scores. The lowest is the most pitiful. On the other hand, the top ten students have some privileges not available to others. For example is on how we can use the special locker in the room. Also, we received more respect from our cla.s.smates. From this, Miss Karen’s concept which she gave us was used. “In this country, out of fifty people, only three will be happy.”

Yue is still the last ranker. It means, he’s still the second cla.s.s representative, or should I say, cla.s.s slave. Second representative is the opposite of first representative. Mr. First is the one holding the controls, while Mr. Second is the follower of Mr First.

To make the explanation easy, Rank 40 is h.e.l.l.

“A re-test will be held this day.”

“What?!”

“Re-test?!”

Miss  Karen’s announcement about the re-test made many violent reactions this morning.

“It was announced by the princ.i.p.al. Many answer keys were lost at the printing office so the management wants a re-test. Since it can’t be confirmed if it’s lost, stolen or what, they decided to have this re-test to make sure no cheating will happen. 

Right, this is the chance, this re – test.

“It means, you still have a chance to change your scores. It may go up or down and depending on it; your place in the rankings will be changed. Right after the exam, there will be a one-hour rest and then the new results will be posted at the announcement monitors. 

Even though everyone is frustrated, Miss Karen distributed the papers and she gave us only an hour to answer. They are all in a hurry to fill it up. On the other hand, I’m just staring at my paper for several minutes. I picked my pen. This is the chance. I no longer care about what would happen.

“Morie!” Aya looked to be out of breath when she came inside the room. “Morie!”

“Hey, chicken lady! You’re shouting as if there’s a fire!” Tadeo, who was behind her, reprimanded.

“Tadeo, can you not interfere?!” She didn’t let me reply because she pulled outside. “You have to see this, Morie!” It’s vacant period so it’s fine to go out the room. I keep my mouth shut and let Aya take me somewhere, though I already know what she wants to show me.

“Look!”

2 – B

Rank 1 – Lord Ireneo III 

Rank 2 – Penelope Cruz 

…..

Rank 10 – Celine Ingrid

“You’re no longer rank 10th, Morie!” Aya shouted in panic.

I know.

…….

Rank 39 – Stephen Yue 

Rank 40 – Jillianne Morie

“WHAT HAPPENED? MORIE? WHY ARE YOU AT RANK 40?”

The other students averted their eyes to us. They were also surprised about the result. However, I remained calm, and emotionless. I’m just staring at the announcement monitor.

“Students! Please return at your respective cla.s.srooms.”

I succeeded.

Before I was able to enter my homeroom, Ireneo was waiting outside.

“Well, h.e.l.lo, Miss Rank forty.” He smiled.

“Hi, Mister Rank One.”

Starting this grading period, I’m the newest rank forty. Because I did it on purpose.

 ****