The next day, Richie and Anya went to Eden Academy as usual.
The school bus arrived at Eden Academy's gates, but its doors had yet to open.
The students strolling near the school gates chatted among themselves:
"Did you see what happened yesterday?"
A little girl with long blonde hair in braids chatted with a short-haired girl wearing a hat beside her.
Beside the school bus, a younger boy with short hair heard his friend complain:
"I forgot to bring my homework!"
Teacher: "If you didn't bring it, you didn't do it!"
Teacher: "Why didn't you forget yourself at home, too?"
The bus doors opened, and Anya was the first to step off. Gone was her usual old-lady-clambering-onto-a-bed routine; this time, she stepped down gracefully.
Achievement unlocked: Starlight Anya Attribute: Elegance doubled
A row of children stood opposite the bus doors. Some wore thick glasses, some had books tucked under their arms, and some pointed at Anya. All of them watched her, remarking:
"That's her, right?"
"The girl from Class Three who earned a star right after enrolling."
"Apparently, she broke the school record for the fastest star earned."
"I heard she saved someone."
After getting off the bus, Anya strolled alone down the broad avenue by the school gates, her eyes narrowed as she basked in everyone's attention, gradually losing herself in the waves of praise.
Richie was the second to get off the bus. Like Anya, he drew the other students' attention as he stepped down.
Richie had thought he would receive praise just like Anya, but instead...
"That's the guy who got four Tonitrus Bolts and one star."
"Judging by the last competition, he's pretty talented at music. Too bad he's a bad guy."
"Exactly-we'd better stay away. What if he hits us?"
"What a