A Few Days Later...
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Michael & Jeanne School Class
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(Michael's POV)
"Mickey, do you know these answers ?"
I looked over at Jeanne, who was staring at her math worksheet with her looking at them as if having the thousand death yard stare.
Horrified looking at the questions she's facing.
I glanced at the questions she was facing.
And what is causing Jeanne to asked me for those answer. And the math questions she was facing being.... Multiplication,and two to three digit numbers.
Ahh yes Second grade/ CE 1 mathematics.
Some of the basics of math, before the days of the more future horrifying math.
Not to mention since we just started going back to school and being a new school year,for now there's no lesson about decimals, percentage yet.
Which even as a scientist it was a bit of bullshit for me sometimes. Since while I'm good at answering them i can't easily remember the formula.
So whenever I have a test particularly math/physics i somewhat struggle if the process is too complicated.
Good thing i have a perfect memory now.
Which thanks to that i still remember things when i was a child back in my past life about my abilities.
Even in my past life i was always in the top 10 in my class all the way at the end of high school. So with the perfect memories it'll helped me more, particularly in exams.
"Third one is 36," I said quietly, keeping my voice low so the teacher wouldn't notice.
"Fourth one is 120."
"Fifth one is 90."
Jeanne scribbled them down, nodding seriously. "Thanks!"
She went back to working through the rest, occasionally glancing at me for confirmation,if she's right or not.
As she was answering them with her also answering some of the math questions, without asking me.
That brings something up, Jeanne is actually not bad at math, since she was able to answer some of them.
She just doesn't like it.
Which i can understand, since math is not everyone strong suit.
While i was waiting, i was looking around the classroom. It was quiet, orderly, and thankfully air conditioned. I was genuinely grateful for that every single day.
Since In my past life, the school I attended didn't have AC for years. (The Power Grid near my school can't stand it,so we were unable to put multiple AC)
The weather were genuinely miserable.
Sitting in a classroom during a hot weather was feeling like you were slowly being roasted like a pig on top of a fire pit.
I do NOT miss that.
This school had it running perfectly, maintaining a comfortable temperature regardless of what was happening outside.
Bless whoever made that decision.
The school here in itself was an international private institution which explained the AC, not to mention it having a smaller class size, meaning a smaller amount of students,and better facilities.
Mom and Dad had enrolled us here from the beginning. With them stating
"We want you to have a good foundation,for you considering things." Mom had said.
"Also the public school near us has a mold problem,and not to mention the many other problems that was discovered, like that-" Dad had added.
But before dad could explained more.
Mom had given him a look.
"What? It's true." Dad replied to Mom with a confused face.
It was really funny.
Speaking about school, let's talk about the school system, well specifically this french world school system thing.
I genuinely appreciated about this French school system, or at least this version of it was particularly the hours.
School finished at 2:30 PM.
Yes 2:30 PM.
In my past world's France, school days could stretch considerably longer depending on the level. At most going home at 4.
But here? Done by late afternoon.
Which means afternoons are free.
So that's mean I'm able to do things i like,
That is magic training, sword training,and reading books and watching videos.
For whatever I want.
I also like to talk about the school uniform.
I then looked down at my uniform.
My school uniform consists of a navy blue blazer, white shirt, black tie, dark trousers, simple black shoes.
It was very comfy, practical, and fine.
Jeanne meanwhile wore the female version same navy blazer, white shirt, black tie but a plaid skirt navy blue or well dark trouser.
She actually complained about the skirt on the first day.
"Why do girls have to wear skirts? I want trousers!" Jeanne complained, while puffing her cheek.
So for awhile she was wearing the skirt,but thankfully she was able to wear trousers, though Jeanne sometimes wear the skirt,if it's necessary.
Though I could see it in her eyes every morning when she got dressed, her dislike on it. She hasn't forgotten about it, she really is sometimes petty, though that's like a pot calling the kettle back. ( I know for a fact I'm really petty as well.)
Jeanne did asked me once on my opinion of her wearing a skirt or trouser. With myself replying I don't mind if she's wearing a skirt or trousers. As long as she's comfortable with it.
Ok moving on, next about is academic.
As expected I was one of the best in class.
Obviously.
I was a reincarnated adult with the complete knowledge base of a previous life, supplemented by my scientific live.
Against a classroom of seven-year-olds.
It wasn't exactly a fair contest.
My scores,or grade in the France system where it's rating is from 1-10,or 1-20.
I consistently landed in the 16-19 range out of 20.
Which in the French grading system essentially meant near-perfect.
The teachers liked me a lot. Due to my attitude and discipline, as well as my intelligence.
It is sometimes embarrassing, but manageable.
I was also popular with my classmates, which was expected but made sense when I thought about it.
I don't really complained or act arrogant,and do help people with their work.
And I'm Jeanne's best friend, which apparently confers social credibility by association, considering Jeanne is a popular person due to her enthusiasm,and her charm,she's really popular with the others.
Jeanne herself scored around 14-17 out of 20, solidly above average, perfectly respectable.
While she was above average in terms of intelligence,she truly excelled was sports.
Since she could outrun virtually every student in our year, boys included.
Well most boys.
There were a few exceptions, like me being one of them, thanks to my training and my technique when running,and it is just enough to keep up,and beat the other kids.
And beating the few other naturally athletic kids who could keep pace.
But Jeanne was exceptional.
Fast, strong, and energetic in ways that made the PE teacher visibly excited.
As if finding some gold in some lump of silver.
With her literally being recommended about maybe joining sports competition in the future.
Though Jeanne said she'd think about it,
Which for obvious reasons meant she was waiting to see if it would interfere with sword training. Since she definitely prioritising her sword training .
Overall Me and Jeanne are somewhat unstoppable in class.
Well...nearly,since there's also someone in our class who could actually challenge me academically.
But That's a story for another time.
...
I soon finished helping Jeanne with the last few problems just as the teacher called for attention at the front of the room.
Jeanne tucked her worksheet away, very much relieved.
"What would I do without you, Mikey." she said under her breath, smiling.
"Struggle in class." I replied to her compliment.
She elbowed me.
Ow
Her elbows are surprisingly sharp,and i don't know why.
"YOU.. I would NOT struggle," she muttered. "I can do it...on my own... It's .. just... Will take longer for me to finish."
"Sure... You will..." I replied in a sarcastic voice.
I proceeded to receive another elbow to my side from Jeanne. While she was glaring at me in annoyance.
I faced forward, suppressing a smile, it was definitely painful.
But it was...so worth it.
-------------------
Cantine - Break time
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Currently Me, Jeanne, and practically nearly every student were now heading to the school canteen.
While heading there, Jeanne turn her head towards me.
" I can't wait for our school meal today !, what do you think today school meal will be ?! " Jeanne soon asked me, with her excitedness returning after math class.
" I don't know, but it's probably be tasty as usual." I said while licking my lip.
Since France school meal, i gotta say is really good, compared to some school like American school meal.
I mean come on mystery meat everyone?Food that look like for american prisoners?
Or ultra processed food ?
Though i am technically scrapping the bottom of the barrel, if we're talking about US school meal. Since the company who make the school meal in the US, ironically/coincidentally also make the food for American prison.
Though that information pretty much, make it clear why US meal are bad.
Meanwhile We soon arrive at the school canteen and begin Heading to our table.
On the table,there was multiple ceramic plates,and metal utensils,as well as several baskets of slice baguettes and pitchers full of water.
In France, it is prohibited for us to bring lunchbox,and for all french students to eat the food the school serve.
Though there's also another option since the break is a long one,we could actually go home during lunch if a parent signed some paperwork for it, but me and Jeanne didn't mind eating at school,so we didn't asked mom and dad to have us go back home during lunch break.
Also the way my school, that is also likely the way other schools serve their meals,is similar to as if being served at a restaurant.
Where the staff will brought out the meal.
And then served us the perfect portion,and you can asked for more, considering they highly courage us to asked for more.
As we arrive at our table,Jeanne soon wrapped her arms around me from behind.
"Math was SO hard," she declared,
pressing her cheek against the top of my head.
Yeah, as you can see that Jeanne is somewhat taller than me.
Well slightly, maybe a few cm taller.
But I don't really mind about it.
Since it ain't a bad thing, if she's taller than me. Not to mention the fact I don't really care about my height, compared to some other people.
Though I'll probably be taller then Jeanne when we reached middle school.
"It wasn't that hard." I said flatly.
"It was VERY hard." she insisted.
"Jeanne. It was simple math."
"It was still hard."
"They were only two and three digits number with the fact it's–." Before i could finished what i said, Jeanne cut me off.
"But it was still hard Mikey." Jeanne replied while complaining.
I sighed, hearing what she said.
And begin shaking my head.
"You know you should have listened to the teacher during the lesson you know, if you did you probably and could have done it without my help."
Hearing what i said, she reached around and pinched my cheek.
"Ow!–Jeanne!!" I hold my cheeek that she pinched.
"Stop being so smart," she said cheerfully, releasing my cheek. "It's annoying sometimes."
"That's not something you can tell someone to stop doing you know."
"I just did."
Impeccable logic.
Truly.
" But that's still doesn't work."
Jeanne proceeded to pinched my cheek again for my rebuttal.
...
Soon me and Jeanne sat on our chair.
As the others sit on their chair as well.
The staff of the cantein begin arriving and begin serving us our meal. With the first being the salad, the salad for today was homemade lentil salad.
For information it's a salad that is built around cooked lentils that is usually green or French lentils, which hold their shape. (obviously the main ingredient considering the salad name).
It is tossed with cut crisp vegetables like cucumber,tomato,red onion,bay leaf,red bell pepper,and with some fresh herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette,is then mixed to make a beautiful looking salad. They also sometimes add feta cheese to this salad.
The mixing of different ingredients creates an interesting flavours that would somewhat wake your tastebuds when eating it.
After the staff served the salad,the main dish was served, that is being roast beef, potatoes, baked tomatoes with herbs.
Meanwhile they then also brought out the cheese course with a variety of cheese like brie, camembert,and a few other varieties.
For dessert it was praline tart,and some fruits.
---
After the staff served the food,everyone proceeded to begin eating the meal.
I then took a bite,and after tasting it.
I was very much was enjoying the meal, same for Jeanne and the other around us.
While eating our classmates were doing their own thing, with some just eating, some were talking in small groups about whatever seven year olds talked about.
though i then felt a gaze at me.
I glanced around casually.
Across the canteen, a girl sat at her table with some of the other kids.
While the other kids was eating and engaging with eachother.
She was staring at me, while sitting very precisely, eating the food with an elegant and very proper manner .
Which her face was neutral, while looking at me but for some reason i feel like she was annoyed with me....
Oh yeah for information the girl's name is Claire Voltaire. One of my classmates at my class, and actually the person who i mentioned that can somewhat compete with me,of course she didn't beat me.
She had long neat silver hair, she's actually pretty smart, considering her age and she would often answer or asked the teacher during class.
Our eyes soon met for a moment.
As Claire then pretended to not stared at me, and went back to eating.
I paused seeing that.
"Mikey?" Jeanne soon asked me, causing me to popped out of my train of thoughts.
"Mm?"
"We're you staring at something ?"
"Just thinking."
Jeanne followed my gaze across the classroom, then looked back at me.
"Oh, her?" she said casually. "Yeah i noticed her always looking over here."
"Any idea why?" I asked.
Jeanne shrugged, eating another forkful of my salad completely without shame.
"Nope. But she looks annoyed."
"Yeah."
"Maybe she doesn't like you."
"Yeah i guess,but why is that." I asked Jeanne,but i think i know why she might look annoyed towards me.
" Maybe she's annoyed that you keep getting the highest score, so she likely hates you." Jeanne replied while enjoying her meal.
...
Well Jeanne Idea make sense, since that was my thought. But her hating me is a bit a stretch.
But overall yeah it's probably what caused Claire to i guess dislike me.
Since as i mentioned I'm always first in class and often praised by the teacher.
It probably definitely bothers her.
Though i hope it's not because of her parents pressuring her.
I looked back across the room.
With Claire continue to eat her food, with her very deliberately not looking at me.
Yeah,that's probably it.
...
While eating Jeanne had then migrated some of the roasted meat from my lunch into her own possession. Without shame. Even if she had her owned.
As she then took a bite of it.
With her happily munching away. I looked at Jeanne with a glare but she pretends to not noticed it.
I ate what remained of my lunch which to note still looks so full. Considering the amount i and Jeanne had asked by the cafeteria staff.
Originally when me and Jeanne first asked for the portion to be a lot,and even asked for second,the staff originally was a bit skeptical,not to mention they were very much concerned that me and Jeanne wouldn't be able to finished them, and waste food.
But after some time the cafeteria staff realised, both of me and Jeanne have massive appetite,with one of them muttered on our parents being both lucky for having kids who eats everything, with one muttering.
" I wished my kid would eat his veggies, like Michael and Jeanne. Oh how annoying it is sometimes to have him eat his vegetables."
I feel bad for the kid, who's mom is comparing me and Jeanne to him.
Poor you buddy.
Though considering some of my classmates had not much interest in the vegetables does say a lot, about kid's tastebud.
But hey they're lost, since they're definitely missing it, since damn the salad is so good, and so delicious.
I immediately took another bite.
Not to mention the baguette with butter.
It's amazing.
As i was eating, while also taking a bite from Jeanne salad, which she didn't fight back considering she did stole some of my food.
" Oh yeah Mikey what should we do after lunch ?" Jeanne asked between her bites.
I paused then thought for a moment.
While checking on what we could do
"I don't know,do you have something in mind ?" I asked looking at Jeanne.
Jeanne, paused for a moment while scratching her head.
" Ooh! What about hopscotch!? We haven't played that for awhile,and i saw that the new tile for the hopscotch is now bigger!" She replied excitedly.
" Sure"
" Yes!!!"
As Jeanne hugged me from the side,of course it did cause some of my classmates to look at us,but things then when back to normal.
---------
Later...
---------
After lunch, Me and Jeanne arrived at the playground, considering the classroom is locked during this time.
As me and Jeanne are at the playground.
Across the playground, I noticed Claire sitting on a nearby tree,continue to watching me with her neutral face. But she was also holding a book.
She caught me looking, and her eyes narrowed slightly, then she went to reading her book.
" Mikey let's go!!!" Jeanne replied as she rushed by me.
I followed her, glancing one more time at Claire.
Then i chase after Jeanne.
Who was now a bit far from me.
-------------------
Afterschool - 2:37 PM
-------------------
School finished at 2:30 PM.
As currently Me and Jeanne and I were walking heading to the main school yard.
While holding hand as usual. ( I know how diabolical)
We were basically two peas in a pod.
That was how most of our classmates described us at this point.
And honestly? Not inaccurate.
I mean We did nearly everything together.
Same desk, considering our desks are next to eachother.
We went to the same lunch spot, and we always eat together.
Not to mention the fact my mom or Jeanne mom would often drive us or pick us up at school.
The only times we were reliably separated were when teachers specifically assigned us to different groups,which happened occasionally, usually because the teachers had noticed that putting us together meant Jeanne would spent the entire activity talking to me instead of engaging with the task that was given.
When that happened, Jeanne would get frustrated, but she never did anything about it though. But since it was temporary,so she would accept it, though grudgingly sometimes.
Ok moving on...
Class after lunch was good.
Well Okayish.
The content itself was interesting enough...
We were learning about Découverte du Monde or basically Discovering the World, that is a subject mix of history,geography, and basic science are all lumped together.
During the class,i had answered some of the questions,when the teacher asked us,which Claire also had answered,and me and Claire basically got into a race.
And i gotta say she's competitive.
Very competitive.
It was fun.
Back to the Present....
Mom's car soon pulled up.
The window rolled down as Mom greeted us.
"Hello, you two!"
"Hi, Mom," I said.
"Hi, auntie!" Jeanne greeted mom.
I moved toward the car and opened the door.
"MICKY!"
Something suddenly launched itself at me from inside the car.
It was Lavinia.
As she wrapped her arms around me, nearly knocking me backward, burying her face against my shoulder.
"Hi," I said, steadying myself. "You're enthusiastic."
"I missed you," she said simply, like that explained everything.
I patted her head. "School was atleast six hours, Lavi."
"But it was still six hours."
I couldn't really argue with that.
She finally released me and I climbed into the car, Jeanne following.
The reason Lavinia was already in the car is simple, Her school finished is the same like ours,2:30 PM,and was located only five minutes away, but considering that Mom had developed a routine: pick up Lavinia first, then swing around to our school.
Jeanne buckled herself in beside me, immediately launching into a detailed recap of the day for Lavinia's benefit.
"and then Mikey helped me during math class -"
"Jeanne asked me to helped her because she was struggling" I clarified.
"Same thing," Jeanne replied while punching my shoulder lightly.
" then after that during discovering the world class it was...SO boring except for when Mikey answered everything while competiting against one of our female classmates."
Lavinia's eyes moved to me immediately, when Jeanne mentioned about Claire.
"What girl?" she asked, while looking at me happily.
"A classmate," I said. "...Well more like a rival,but we're not close or anything not to mention we never had talked to one another nothing that serious. Jeanne can confirmed it right Jeanne."
" Yup" Jeanne confirmed it to Lavi
Lavinia hearing that studied my face for a moment.
Then nodded slowly.
Though i have a feeling that's not her full thought, considering lavi sometime really communicates a lot with just a look.
Grandma and mom influence again, probably.
"How was your day, Lavi?" I asked, redirecting.
She settled back,"It was very fun,but now that your also here, it's even better now." Lavi replied,who then proceeded to hugged me.
As Jeanne also immediately hugged me who clearly don't want to lose against Lavi.
Meanwhile Mom glanced in the rear view mirror with an expression that was trying very hard to be neutral and not quite succeeding, considering i can see her smiling, and she finds this entire situation very amusing, obviously she does.
The car moved through familiar streets toward home, as I leaned my head back against the seat. Since i was a bit tired.
Though not physically, since training had made my body fairly resilient, so increasing my stamina. Overall I'm only tired mentally.
Though it's still a long day considering there's some homework though mostly on memorizing something ,so i could do it later at night,and i really need to read it once.
But for now I'm more focused on doing more magic raining this afternoon.
I soon then closed my eyes for a moment.
As Lavinia had settled against my left side.
Jeanne was leaning on my right, already half tired, the after-school energy crash hitting her hard,but that's very much a normal thing for her, considering i sometimes have gotten the energy crash,but her energy will probably return when we arrived back at home.
...
Now you might be wondering about Lavinia and Jeanne's relationship at this point.
Good question.
It's good, and i meant it, Lavi and Jeanne have gotten used to eachother presence.
With them genuinely friendly and supportive with eachother.
Though they still compete,as you had witnessed, with them also occasionally cooperating with eachother like informing eachother on what happened.
But overall they are still trying to compete on who can spend more time with me.
Which both probably knew what they were doing. And i do have some worriedness about it,but that's problem from my future self, he'll probably have a plan ready for it.
---
A few minutes later....
---
The car soon arrived back at my house.
As mom parked the car, I climbed out of the car, and begin stretching.
As the front door opened before we'd even reached it.
Dad was standing in the doorway.
With a wine glass in hand, and a sword on his hip
It's 2:57 PM.
He's been home all the time.
And as usual he has a wine glass on one of his hand.
"Just in time," he said, grinning.
I blinked. "For what?"
Then I saw Jeanne dad standing behind him....also with a sword.
...
Oh right, today.
Sword training starts today, well for me.
Jeanne had already started training months ago, considering her dad Gerald had begun teaching her early, given that she'd received the sword as a birthday gift.
So she had a head start.
But considering my magical enhancement and physical conditioning,not to mention my adult mind. I could probably catch up.
"Are you ready?" Dad asked, looking at me specifically.
"Give me five minutes to change," I said.
He nodded, satisfied.
Then I heard it.
"Michael!"
I turned my head to the direction of the person that called me.
Grandpa Edgar appeared coming around the side of the house from the backyard, looking solid as usual and happy yet somehow looking neutral. But besides him there was also someone else.
"Nonno!"
Nonno aka mom's dad stood with his arms crossed, sharp eyes warm when they landed on me.
Which his appearance meant this sword training was more formal than I'd realized.
"Nipote," Nonno said to me stepping forward and gripping my shoulder firmly.
"You're late."
"School finished at 2:30," I said.
"Then it's the government fault for making you late." But he was almost smiling. "Are you ready to begin?"
"After I change."
He nodded approvingly. "Bene."
Meanwhile, Lavinia had also been intercepted by someone, before she even reached the door.
It was Grandma Vivienne appeared who immediately drew Lavinia into a warm hug.
"How was school?" she asked.
"Good," Lavinia said, hugging her back.
Vivienne made a sound that might have been "thats good. "
"And your magic exercises this morning?"
"Completed before school."
"Good girl."
Lavinia smiled, hearing what Vivienne said as they headed inside together, to continue Lavinia studies on magic.
I looked at the assembled group that is in the backyard.
Dad, Jeanne dad aka Gerald, Grandpa Edgar,and Nonno Antonio.
Four men with three of them holding swords
While one was holding a glass of wine.
And yes obviously it's dad who's holding wine.
He was going to train me while holding wine, wasn't he.
He absolutely going to isn't he.
...
Jeanne soon appeared beside me, already changed in a training uniform somehow...
When did she-??
She must have had her training clothes in her bag, or her mom had brought her training clothes and immediately changed.
So Jeanne already had planned for this....
Of course she probably did.
She was bouncing slightly on her toes, sword already in hand, grinning.
"Finally" she said. "We're training together!"
Jeanne then grabbed my arm.
"You ready Mikey!?"
I looked at the four men.
And then at Jeanne.
" Yeah let's do this "
__________________
Yes I'm adding another character,and it's a female. To note the character will be a somewhat smart girl,and will have a sacred gear, with it being something i made. It's not a combat main sacred gear. With her role will be interesting to the story.
Though please to note that I'm aware the potential worriedness you guys have of me adding a female oc,and the fact i haven't added any male oc, but don't worry i have plans for them it's just that it will be a while,not to mention it's really hard to find a good timing to put them while not trying to interfere development of Michael and the story, since i have several male characters i have made in the draft of my story, that will be involved in the plot.
Though on a side note i have to clarify that the characters I'm adding have different nationalities so, that's a reason why it might take a while for a new OC to appear. Or the fact the OC will have some interesting things about them, considering i am adding some historical facts of their story or life. If your wondering... you'll have to wait and see.
Also it really took me awhile to write this chapter, considering i had to researched about the French education system, French meals and school meals, and international school a bit. Not to mention after researching the different french culinary,i really want eat those meals. (damn being a foodie sometimes suck ,when your broke and don't live there)
Though I'm sorry if there's some things i got wrong about the french education system, school,and school meal system.
Ok See ya in the next chapter 👋