Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 26

Ashley pov

I’m far too eager to stay behind after the training ends. Not only because I don’t want to stick around guys in the showers, but also, I know Ethan will pull off something and start another conversation.

I’m not in the right mindset whenever he’s around, that much is clear.

After I shower and get dressed, I feel a little better. Not entirely, that feels like an unreachable dream these days, but a little is way nicer than none at all.

Heading towards the next classes, I relish the silence that surrounds me. Everyone else has already left for their classes, so I’m literally the last one walking the halls.

However, despite my reluctance and slow pace, somehow, I still manage to reach the class on time.

The professor is the same guy we met on our first day, and shit, this just has to be my luck, right? The one person I don’t want to run into, has been avoiding like a plague, and now he’s standing here, grinning like a maniac.

“Welcome, students. As many of you already know, I am professor Nyxton and I will teach you the basics of magic. At least at first. As elite students, you are not only to learn unique battle skills, but also, you have to learn how to use magic to your advantage. An Alpha who knows how to fight and lead his warriors is an amazing Alpha, but one who can provide extra advantage to those who fight for him, for what he believes in - that Alpha, drear students, is a leader everyone here should strive to become.”

While the professor speaks, I let my eyes scan the faces around me. Oddly enough, I don’t see all the guys from our training sessions. In fact, there are about half at best, which seriously confuses me.

That aside, somehow, my gaze catches Ethan’s. He doesn’t sit too close to me, but he’s pretty shit at hiding how much he wants to get up and move closer to me.

“If I may get your attention,” the professor speaks again, clears his throat and looks around. “Before we begin, I want to explain how these classes will work and the ranking system I use.”

I use the moment to break eye contact with Ethan. The last thing I need is more trouble with the professor - can’t let him think I don’t pay attention.

“In my classes, I don’t expect high point results. Unlike other professors, I view high numbers as failure. At all times, you can ask me for the charts and I’ll be more than happy to have them out. For now, you can catch the first glimpse of what I mean on the whiteboard behind me.”

Just as he finishes speaking, the lights in the classroom go out and there’s a sheet of numbers projected behind the professor.

Inability to block an attack is five points, failure to follow commands is ten points, bleeding is hundred points, and there are many more.

As my eyes skim over the words and numbers, professor Nyxton speaks again. “This is an example of what to expect. The more points you get, the lower in your group you stand. The less points, the higher - you got the idea.”

Yeah, I do get the idea, but why is it so backwards? Aren’t schools all about good, high results, not the other way around?

“Now, now, I see the confused expressions, please don’t be alarmed. I have a reason to base my ranking system differently from how other professors do. Combat and magic are two different things for most parts, but since I’m left with the difficult task of combining both, I was allowed to come up with a new system.”

His smile is warm, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Like he’s forcing himself to come across a little more human to make others comfortable around him.

“Okay, so..” he mutters and chuckles. “I suppose neither of you is too excited to learn about numbers with me. Without further adieu, let’s begin the class and get straight to the fun part, shall we?”

The others jump to their feet all too eager, getting closer to the professor, waiting for him to explain more about how his classes work.

A little reluctant, I slowly get up from my seat and follow others, kind of staying behind, away from the burning gaze of the man before us.

“First, I will pair up everyone. For my course, you will have to work in pairs, prove that you can be a team player, show your abilities to support and help someone just as well as you accept the support and said help. A good leader is someone who can offer a helping hand just as quickly as he can shove aside the pride to accept the extended hand when it is needed. For your people, your pack, you must be the best version of yourself you can be.”

Honestly, he has a point. I never really thought about it in this way, but this guy knows what he is talking about. Far too many Alphas are so full of themselves that they don’t notice their packs dying out like insects just because they’re too prideful to admit they’re fucked.

As I let my thoughts wander, I almost miss the moment a large hand shoots up, catching the professor’s attention.

“Yes?” He asks, raising an eyebrow.

I recognize his voice even before he spills out a bunch of complete nonsense. Of course, it has to be Ethan who decides to cut in and show how childish he can be.

“Can I point out that there is someone I want to be paired with or will this be a completely random process? If we can choose our pairs, I want to be paired with the bestest friend in the entire universe, Ash Kingston.” He sounds a little desperate.

The professor chuckles, shakes his head and tells Ethan he will have to wait. Then, he grabs a piece of paper and starts reading names off of it.

Ethan is paired up with Craig, which is something he tries to protest to, but he’s told off before he can start ranting about how unfair the situation is.

Eventually, one by one, the guys are paired up and by the time I believe my name won’t be called out, I nearly pass out when the professor addresses me.

“Last but definitely not the least, Ash Kingston. Congratulations, young man, you’ll be paired with me.” He speaks over the voices, sounding very pleased with himself.

What is even worse is the way he emphasizes the ‘young man’ part, proving that he knows more than he lets me believe. Oh, well, I’m officially fucked.