Feohtere Academy—an elite academy where only the chosen ones can enroll.
Located on Astrid Island, a remote island shrouded in mist, this place can only be accessed by special ships or... well, other mysterious means that I haven't figured out yet.
The island has mild weather, but let's be real, the real storm is probably inside the academy itself.
But for me, this place holds a special meaning.
This is where, for the first time in my life, I might actually make friends.
"Alright! Time for a new chapter in my life!"
With excitement bubbling inside me, I strolled through Vallmire, the town just outside the academy.
Students in fancy uniforms were everywhere, chatting, laughing, and showing off their school spirit.
I took a deep breath and stepped through the academy gates. "So many students...! This is amazing! I'm gonna make so many friends!"
At least, that was the plan—until panic hit me.
"Wait—THE HALL! I NEED TO GET TO THE HALL!"
Realizing today was the new student admission ceremony, I bolted like my life depended on it.
Getting lost on my first day? Not happening!
I spotted a group of students walking with purpose.
"Maybe they're heading to the hall...? Yeah, let's just follow them."
"If I end up in a storage room instead, at least I won't be alone in my suffering..."
Last night, I couldn't sleep.
I was too happy. Too excited. My brain wouldn't shut up.
"Tomorrow marks the start of my new life!" I tossed and turned in bed, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Even though I knew I needed rest, my mind kept replaying all the possible scenarios—meeting new friends, experiencing school life, maybe even gasp—getting a cool rival?!
Before I knew it, morning arrived, and I found myself inside the grand hall of Feohtere Academy.
The place was massive, filled with countless students chatting with each other.
Some looked calm and confident, while others seemed just as nervous as I was.
I took a deep breath and found an empty seat. "Alright… This is it. A new beginning."
As more students trickled in, the large doors behind us slowly creaked shut.
Then, the stage lights brightened.
An old man—clearly ancient, with a long white beard that made him look straight out of a novel—stepped forward.
Step.
Each of his footsteps echoed through the hall as he approached the center of the stage.
He cleared his throat.
The hall fell silent.
This was it—the legendary Feohtere Academy Headmaster's Speech.
"Ahem!" His voice echoes throughout the hall.
Step.
Step.
He paces slightly, scanning the crowd.
"Welcome, young talents, noble heirs, powerful mages, brilliant minds, muscleheads, and of course… the troublemakers."
"Yes, yes, I see all of you. This is Feohtere Academy—where your skills will be tested, your limits will be shattered, and your egos… well, some of you might want to check those at the door."
Pause. A smirk forms on his lips.
"Now, let's get one thing straight. This academy does not treat everyone equally."
"Oh no, no, no. You will be separated based on your worth." He raises a hand. Step.
"Class A—the nobles, the ones born with silver spoons and golden destinies." Step.
"Class B—the masters of magic, the ones who bend reality itself. Mostly women, I must say. Quite a lovely sight, hehe… ehem."
"Class C—the geniuses, the ones who think they're smarter than everyone else. Some of you are, some of you just have big heads."
"Class D—the warriors, the ones who believe strength solves everything. Try not to break too many walls, will you?"
"And finally…" He stops. A dramatic pause.
"Class E." A chuckle escapes his lips.
"The misfits. The unwanted. The rule-breakers. You poor souls will have a tough time here"
"Now, I know some of you are thinking, 'I'm definitely going to rise to the top!' Oh, how naive."
"Status alone means nothing here—only the strong survive. Want to move up? Prove yourself. Fail? Well… enjoy your stay."
Pause. His grin widens.
"Oh, and before I forget… This academy? It's not just a place of learning." He leans forward slightly, his voice dropping into a whisper.
"It's a battlefield."
"Friendships can be weapons. Love can be a weakness—unless, of course, it's love for me. In that case, my office hours are—"
A loud cough echoes from the side of the stage.
He clears his throat again, straightening up. "Well, That's all from me!" He throws his arms open dramatically.
"Enjoy your time here, survive if you can, and most importantly… don't bore me."
With a wink and a final step, the headmaster exits the stage, leaving behind a hall full of confused.
"Weird old man," muttered a student beside me.
"Yeah… he's really unique, huh?" I responded casually, turning toward him.
The student blinked and looked at me. "Huh? I was talking to myself."
"Ah… is that so? Sorry!"
I immediately turned back toward the stage.
Agh! So embarrassing! I totally thought he was talking to me!
I really need to stop assuming people want to start conversations with me...
But then, curiosity got the better of me. I sneaked another glance at him.
Cold expression. Sharp eyes. That aura of "don't talk to me unless it's life or death."
Oho? A challenge?
This guy totally looks like a tough one to befriend… which means, I HAVE to do it!
As Conard once said, "Sometimes, you gotta start with the hardest challenges first!"
Alright, here goes nothing.
"Uh, excuse me—"
"Be quiet if you don't want to get punished on the first day," he cut me off without even looking at me.
I was rejected. Instantly.
I quietly turned back to the stage, accepting my defeat.
This is going to be harder than I thought..
The atmosphere remains uncertain—until a girl with golden blonde hair steps onto the podium.
The moment she moves, the room falls silent. Her presence alone demands attention.
Mirabelle, the President of FEAT, stands tall. Her sharp gaze sweeps across the hall.
She does not smile. Unlike the headmaster before her, there is no trace of humor in her voice.
Only cold, unwavering authority.
"I am Mirabelle, President of FEAT. And I will not waste time with pleasantries."
"Starting today, you are students of Feohtere Academy. This is not just a place to learn. It is a place to survive."
"Some of you may be proud to have entered this academy."
"Some of you may think this is nothing more than a stepping stone to a bright future."
"I am here to remind you—the future at Feohtere Academy belongs only to those who prove themselves worthy."
A single step forward. Silence. Her voice remains cold.
"FEAT is the pillar that upholds order in this academy. We are not your caretakers."
"We are not your friends. We are the enforcers of the law, the executioners of justice."
"If you break the academy's rules, we will be the ones to punish you."
"If you wish to challenge the hierarchy, we will be the ones to test you."
"There is no place for the weak. There is no mercy for failure."
Her gaze shifts to the Class A students.
"Nobles, do not assume your family's name holds any meaning here. Titles are nothing if you cannot uphold them."
Class B.
"Mages, your power is remarkable, but without control, you are nothing more than dangerous tools waiting to be broken."
Class C.
"Geniuses, your intelligence is only valuable if you know how to use it. Knowledge without action is simply another form of ignorance."
Class D.
"Warriors, your strength is impressive, but without strategy, you are nothing more than beasts."
Class E.
"And you… the rejects. If you believe you are worthless, you will prove yourselves right. If you wish to prove otherwise, then fight for it."
Silence. A single breath.
"FEAT does not tolerate weakness. FEAT does not tolerate disorder."
"If you wish to survive in Feohtere Academy—become strong. Become smart. Become better."
"Welcome to Feohtere Academy. Do not waste this opportunity."
Mirabelle turns away. No farewell. No unnecessary words.
With steady steps, she leaves the podium, her presence lingering in the heavy silence she has left behind.
Why?! Why do I keep running into cold people?!
I sighed dramatically as I trudged toward my classroom.
So far, I had successfully made exactly zero friends.
But this class… this class will be different!
I stood in front of the door, my hands clenched into fists.
"You might be wondering… which class am I in?" I whispered to no one in particular, fully immersed in my own narration.
Class E—the outcast class.
The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by—chaos.
Some students were chatting loudly, others were sleeping on their desks, one guy was juggling knives (???), and another was just… staring blankly at the ceiling like he had already given up on life.
O-Okay… This is fine. This is completely normal.
Then, I felt it.
All eyes were on me.
Wait, why are they staring?!
Oh. Maybe because I just walked in awkwardly without saying anything?
Alright, time to make a good first impression!
I took a deep breath and—
BOWED.
Deeply. Very deeply.
"Nice to meet you all!!" I announced proudly.
…Silence.
I peeked through my bangs.
Everyone was frozen, their faces a mix of confusion, shock, and mild secondhand embarrassment.
Some of them were even looking at me like I was an exotic animal at a zoo.
Wait, was this too much?! Was this too dramatic?!
And then—
"Pfft—"
A girl's laughter broke the silence.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it!" she said between giggles.
Ah… I was laughed at.
On the very first day of school.
"Nice to meet you too, weird boy," she said, wiping away her tears. "You're really excited for school, huh?"
I nodded, completely unsure if she was complimenting me or making fun of me.
Still, trying to save the last shreds of my dignity, I quickly walked to an empty seat near the back.
I sat down.
And then it hit me.
"WHAT DID I JUST DO?!"
I immediately covered my face in shame.
This is going to be a long year…
As I was still busy questioning my entire existence, the classroom door opened again.
A woman with striking red hair strode in confidently, followed by a group of students.
Wait—that guy!
The cold, scary student from earlier!
He casually walked past me and took a seat right behind me.
Oh no.
Not only did I fail to make friends with him, but now I had to sit in front of him for the rest of the year?!
Just great. Perfect. Absolutely fantastic.
But my focus quickly shifted to the red-haired woman.
Judging by her aura—strong presence, piercing eyes, and the sheer "I could destroy you if I wanted to" vibe—there was only one possible conclusion.
She's our teacher.
The entire class instinctively fell silent as she scanned the room, her sharp gaze analyzing each of us like we were test subjects in a dangerous experiment.
I gulped.
First impressions are important… I really hope she didn't see my embarrassing entrance just now…
"Alright, listen up. I'm Rufina, your teacher—though honestly, I'm not sure if any of you even deserve to be called students."
She walks to the front of the classroom, arms crossed. Her gaze sweeps across the room, as if evaluating whether anyone here is even worth her time.
"You are now officially part of Class E. Or more accurately, the leftovers of Feohtere Academy."
"You're not nobles, not geniuses, not elite fighters, and certainly not talented mages."
"You're the ones this academy didn't want, the ones no one recognizes. This place sees you as trash… and to be honest, so do I."
A heavy silence fills the room. Some students lower their heads, others grit their teeth.
"But before you start whining or getting angry, listen carefully. You might be trash in the academy's eyes, but that doesn't mean you have to stay that way."
She leans against the teacher's desk, crossing one leg over the other in a relaxed manner.
"You don't want other students—or even the teachers—looking down on you, right?"
"Then fight for it. The only way to stop being underestimated is to prove yourself, head-on."
"Challenge the others. Whether it's in strength, wit, or anything else—show them you can't be ignored."
"And don't get the wrong idea—no one will help you."
"No other teachers care, and the student council won't give you a chance. You're on your own."
"If you're not strong enough or smart enough to survive, then… you'll stay at the bottom forever."
She exhales, then gives them one last look.
"So, you have two choices. You can stay the losers this academy thinks you are… or you can fight against this system and prove them wrong."
"It's up to you."
Without waiting for a response, Rufina turns, steps to the chalkboard, and picks up a piece of chalk.
"Now, let's go over the basic rules before any of you make things even worse for yourselves."
After her cold speech, Rufina picked up a piece of chalk and began writing on the board.
"RULES OF FEOHTERE ACADEMY"
"The rules here are simple, but extremely strict. Listen carefully, because if you break them, I won't bother warning you twice."
1. No Weakness Allowed
"This academy does not tolerate weakness. If you do not show progress in your grades, duels, or overall abilities within one semester, you will be expelled."
"In other words, if you're too stupid, too weak, or too lazy… this academy won't waste its time on you."
2. Duels Are the Law
"Feohtere Academy does not believe in democracy or mercy."
"If you want to prove yourself, you must defeat a other student in a duel."
"But remember, duels cannot be held recklessly."
"A witness is required, and any unauthorized duels will be considered an attack on another student—which means punishment."
3. Major Violations = Immediate Expulsion
"There are certain violations that will result in immediate expulsion—no warnings, no second chances. These include:"
Attacking or killing another student outside of an official duel.
Attacking or resisting academy staff.
Using forbidden magic or techniques.
Leaking academy secrets to outsiders.
4. FEAT is the Law, Second Only to the Headmaster
"The Student Council, or FEAT, holds the highest authority after the Headmaster."
"If they give an order, you obey. If they punish you, you accept it."
"Disrespecting, defying, or challenging FEAT can result in expulsion… or worse."
"They won't hesitate to crush you if necessary. So if you don't want trouble, stay out of their sight."
5. Dorms Are Not Safe Zones
"There are no rules stating that the dorms are a safe zone."
"If someone challenges you outside, it's valid. If someone intimidates you, that's just part of academy life."
"Simply put—don't expect anyone to protect you."
Rufina lowered the chalk and turned back to her students.
"As you can see, this academy doesn't care about morals or fairness."
"It only cares about who deserves to stay and who should be removed."
"If you think this is too harsh, you are free to leave. No one will stop you."
"But if you choose to stay… be ready. Because Feohtere Academy will not give you even a moment of ease."
Silence. No one spoke. No one dared to ask questions.
They simply stared at Rufina, their faces showing a mix of fear, anger… and perhaps, determination.
Rufina observed their faces carefully, trying to read what they were thinking. She knew that her words had an effect.
She waited for a moment, letting the silence hang in the air. Then, with a smirk, she spoke again.
"Well? Any questions?"
I suddenly stood up from my chair and raised my hand. "Ms. Rufina! How about we start with introductions?"
The entire class turned to look at me.
Ah. Maybe I was a bit too enthusiastic just now?
Rufina blinked, slightly surprised, before giving me a small smile.
"Ah, a sensible question," she mused. "Very well. I suppose we should get through introductions first."
She walked to the edge of her desk and leaned against it, crossing her arms in an effortlessly cool way.
How do teachers pull off that 'effortlessly cool' pose? Is that something they teach in teacher training?!
"Just stand up, say your name, and tell us something about yourself," she continued.
"Nothing too deep, just enough for us to get a general idea. Sound good?"
Hearing that, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. No tragic backstory required.
The first student stood up.
"My name is Selene. My hobby is reading."
Wait—Selene?
The girl who laughed at me earlier?!
She smirked slightly as she sat down, and I suddenly felt like I was in danger.
Next, another student stood up.
"My name is Drake, and I hate people who act tough!"
From his appearance—muscular, scarred, and looking like he could bench-press a horse—he was definitely the thug-type character.
Then, for some reason, he turned to me.
"You got a problem?!" he growled.
AH?! WHY ME?!
"N-No! Not at all!" I quickly waved my hands in surrender.
Drake snorted and sat down, and I barely avoided an early death.
Next, a girl shyly stood up.
"My name is Luna… nice to meet you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ah, the classic quiet girl type!
As the introductions wrapped up, Rufina casually turned to the board and wrote two more words in bold letters:
"Class President"
"Vice President"
"Alright, now comes the real question—who wants to be the class president?"
The moment she finished speaking, I shot up from my seat like a rocket.
"ME! I WANT TO BE CLASS PRESIDENT!"
But—at the exact same time—Selene also raised her hand.
"I want to be the vice president!" she declared with a confident smirk.
Rufina raised an eyebrow, clearly a bit surprised by our enthusiasm.
"Oh? So we have two volunteers."
She leaned against the desk again, her piercing gaze analyzing us.
"And why do you both want these positions?"
I straightened my back, puffing out my chest like a proud warrior about to give a speech.
"I want to be a good leader!"
Rufina nodded, then turned to Selene.
"I don't feel like I'm suited to be the President, so I'll just be the vice!" she said with a casual shrug.
Rufina's expression remained neutral, but I swore I saw the corners of her lips twitch.
"A good leader and… a lack of confidence, huh? Interesting."
She tapped her fingers against the desk, looking deep in thought.
"And how do you both plan to handle your responsibilities as class president and vice president?"
I clenched my fists dramatically.
"I will make this class better! No longer will we be looked down on! No longer will we be called the outcasts! I will bring Class E from minus to the very best!"
Selene chuckled beside me.
"And I will help him with all my heart," she added.
Then, it happened.
A voice suddenly cut through the room.
"Oh lalala, we got a couple on the first day~"
…HUH?!
I turned my head so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.
The culprit?
A student who had been asleep the entire time suddenly sat up, yawning like he just woke up from hibernation.
He stretched his arms with all the effort of a sloth doing yoga, a smug grin plastered on his face.
If I'm not mistaken, his name is Murphy…
Wait—why is this guy wearing sunglasses inside the classroom?!
What is this, a beach resort?!
Ms. Rufina doesn't even bat an eye.
Apparently, as long as you're not setting the classroom on fire, she's cool with whatever fashion disaster you bring in.
Selene, on the other hand, simply gave a relaxed smile.
"Of course," she said nonchalantly. "I have to support my dear class president, after all."
I could hear a few students snickering.
I felt my soul leaving my body.
Rufina rolled her eyes at the student's comment, clearly unimpressed.
"Enough. If you want to sleep, do it elsewhere."
The student just yawned in response, completely unbothered.
Rufina sighed and turned back to us, a small, almost amused smile playing on her lips.
"Alright, I've heard enough. Class President and Vice President it is."
She walked over to to the chalkboard and scribbled our names next to the respective positions.
"But don't think this means you get special treatment," she added, giving us a pointed look.
I swallowed nervously.
Noted. No special treatment. Got it.
Just as I was processing that, the school bell rang, signaling break time.
Rufina set down the chalk and stretched slightly. "Alright, that's it for now. You have break time." She gestured toward the door.
"You're free to roam around the academy—just don't cause any trouble."
I immediately got up and escaped the classroom like my life depended on it.
The first thing I did?
Food.
I made my way to the canteen, my heart set on something sweet.
After a quick scan, I found exactly what I wanted—a honey sandwich.
I happily took a bite, the sweetness melting in my mouth.
"Ahh… I'm so glad I got into this academy..." I mumbled, tears of joy threatening to form.
But then—I noticed something.
Not far from me, a second-year student was bothering a group of first-years.
From his tie color, it was clear—he was older than them.
And from his smug expression, it was also clear—he was a jerk.
My grip on my sandwich tightened.
I have to stop him!
Just as I was about to step in, I felt a strong hand grip my shoulder.
Huh?!
I turned around so fast I nearly dropped my sandwich.
And standing there was—
Wait.
This guy looks familiar.
Where have I seen him before…?
…
…
OH.
It's that cold guy from earlier!!
What was his name again?!
Crap. I should've paid more attention.
"They're in a group. If you go alone, you'll just turn this cafeteria into an even bigger mess," he said with the calmness of a monk… while shoveling another mountain-sized spoonful of strawberry parfait into his mouth.
Seriously, he was eating that parfait way too fast. Like—did someone put a time bomb in there?!
No—forget the parfait! I've got way more important things to deal with right now!
"But that's bullying! We can't just ignore it!" I shot back.
He barely spared me a glance.
"And do you think just lecturing him will make him stop and walk away?"
I opened my mouth—then paused.
"...Uh."
He sighed, as if this entire conversation was exhausting.
"We're first-years." He gestured lazily. "And not just first-years—we're from Class E. That guy already sees you as a bug beneath his shoe."
I clenched my fists.
"Then what should we do?! We can't just let it happen!"
He glanced at me.
Then, with an eerily calm expression, he started counting down.
"Four."
"Huh? Four what?!"
"Three."
"Wait, hold on—what's happening?!"
"Two."
"Hey! you can't just count and expect me to know the context!"
"One."
And then—
Mirabelle, the Head of FEAT, suddenly appeared.
Like an unstoppable force of nature, she marched straight to the bullies and began lecturing them with the fury of a mother catching her child sneaking snacks before dinner.
I stood there, completely dumbfounded.
"…HUH?"
I turned back to the guy—
But he was gone.
My head snapped around, searching. Then, in the distance, I spotted him.
Casually walking down the corridor, as if nothing had happened.
I rushed to finish my sandwich (which resulted in me nearly choking to death) before sprinting after him.
"Wait!!" I caught up to him, panting. "How did you know Senior Mirabelle was coming?!"
He didn't even slow down.
"When I walked to the canteen, she was also on her way here," he replied flatly.
I blinked.
So… he noticed that much?
Even though he acts cold and indifferent, he actually pays close attention to everything around him.
I straightened my back.
Alright! I have decided.
I will introduce myself properly!
I took a deep breath—
But before I could even open my mouth—
He sped up.
And just like that, he left me behind.
"...Ah. I got abandoned."
I sighed, defeated.
With nothing else to do, I trudged back to class, slumped into my seat, and stared at my desk.
The classroom buzzed with chatter. Some students were deep in conversation, others sat silently, lost in their own world.
I, on the other hand, was just waiting.
Waiting for class to start.
Then—
He walked in.
The mysterious, cold, too-cool-for-this-world guy from before.
Without a word, he immediately took the seat behind me.
…Just as Ms. Rufina entered the room.
I squinted.
"…You always enter the class together with Ms. Rufina, huh?" I said, turning around.
He barely acknowledged me.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
A grin crept onto my face.
"Wait. Are you guys… in a relationship?"
For the first time ever, he actually reacted—by raising an eyebrow.
"Well," he said, completely unfazed. "You could say we have a bit of a connection."
A connection?!
I gasped dramatically.
The entire class snapped their heads toward us.
Before I could ask for details—
A shadow loomed over me.
I froze.
Slowly, I turned back—
Ms. Rufina was standing right next to me.
Her arms were crossed.
Her eyes were unamused.
Her presence radiated the pure essence of "Teacher Who Just Caught You Talking in Class."
"Is there a particular reason," she said slowly, "that you're chatting while class is about to start?"
I broke into a cold sweat.
"Ah—!! S-Sorry, Ma'am!!"
She nodded.
But her gaze?
It did not move.
"I don't want to hear any more distractions during class. Understood?"
I nodded frantically.
She finally turned away.
I let out a silent sigh of relief.
Classes at Feohtere Academy were, without a doubt, brutal.
I had expected some level of difficulty, but this—this was something else entirely.
Rufina didn't hold back at all. The lessons were packed with complex theories, advanced applications, and enough assignments to make my soul leave my body.
By the time she finally wrapped up the class, my brain felt like it had been beaten with a war drum, then roasted over dragon fire
"That's all for today," Rufina said, crossing her arms. "Remember to complete your homework for tomorrow."
The rest of the students groaned, some massaging their temples, others slumping in their chairs as if Rufina had personally drained their life force.
I wasn't even sure how I managed to shove my books into my bag, but I did.
I staggered out of the classroom, feeling like a soldier returning from battle.
Then—
"Hey, are you free after this?"
I blinked.
Selene was already waiting for me.
My exhausted brain struggled to process this information.
I pointed at myself. "Me?"
"Who else?" She smirked, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
I frowned, still trying to reboot my mental faculties. "I, uh… I was planning to drop my stuff at the dorm first. But I'm free after that."
"Good," Selene said, her smirk widening. "Because I have something important to discuss with you."
That caught my attention.
"Something important?" I repeated.
"Yep."
I thought for a moment. "How about we meet at the cafe?"
"Perfect," she said, pushing off the wall.
Then—
"Great! I'll consider this a date, then."
With that, she spun around and walked away, leaving me standing there, stunned.
…Hold on.
Did she just call it a date?!
My brain exploded.
I opened my mouth, then closed it again.
My legs wobbled.
I wasn't built for this.
I barely survived class, and now I had to survive this?!
I was still reeling from shock when, out of nowhere, Drake swaggered over and deliberately bumped into my shoulder.
"Don't block the way, you idiot," he muttered, his tone as casual as if we were just passing by on a lazy afternoon.
"Sorry," I mumbled, not quite believing the day hadn't already taken enough twists and turns.
I sighed. Today had been one of those days where everything spiraled in a dozen unexpected directions.
I made my way toward my dorm, wandering past a maze of shops, cozy cafes, and quirky little buildings that somehow made campus life even more surreal.
Finally, I arrived at the dormitory and glanced at the key in my hand.
The key bore my dorm room number—a small reassurance in an otherwise chaotic day.
Climbing the stairs, I reached the second floor and nearly reached for the doorknob when I felt another hand on it.
I froze. I recognized that familiar hand—it was the man from earlier.
"You again?" he said coolly, as if our meeting was anything but a coincidence.
"Why are you here?" I asked, a mix of curiosity and trepidation in my voice.
Without a word, he showed me his room key. I squinted at the number. It was the same as mine.
"Oh! Does that mean you're my roommate?!" I blurted out, my voice practically sparkling with excitement.
"Yes… that's right. But… why are you this enthusiastic about it?" he asked, genuine confusion written all over his face.
I crossed my arms and nodded like a wise sage.
"You know," I began, "we've been bumping into each other since this morning."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly bored out of his mind.
"Don't you think that's kinda… strange?" I pressed on.
Then I smirked. Time to unleash my "deep" side.
"Maybe this is fate," I said dramatically. "Like an invisible red thread tying us together—"
"Ew. Cringe."
I froze mid-pose.
…
Y-Yeah, now that I think about it… that was definitely cringe.
I cleared my throat and quickly tried to change the subject.
"Oh yeah! I haven't even asked for your name yet!" I said, way too enthusiastically.
I thrust my hand forward with the brightest smile I could manage. "You can call me Arthur. Nice to meet you!"
He stared at my hand like it was some kind of strange insect crawling toward him.
"…I already know that. You think I didn't hear you introduce yourself in class?"
"Come on! Just go with the flow!" I protested, wiggling my hand impatiently.
He let out a sigh so long I thought he might collapse from exhaustion.
"…Arche," he finally muttered.
I blinked.
Arche huh...?
Quite a unique name!
"Our names are kinda similar, huh?" I grinned, tilting my head like I'd just made some genius discovery.
"Similar?" Arche repeated, expression completely blank.
"Yeah! The first two letters are the same!" I jabbed a finger in the air triumphantly. "A and R!"
He just… stared at me.
The silence that followed was so heavy I could actually hear my dignity packing its bags and leaving.
His blank, unimpressed gaze pierced straight into my soul.
"…Forgive me," I muttered, bowing deeply like I'd committed some heinous crime.
Without another word, Arche unlocked the door and stepped inside, leaving me frozen in my own awkwardness.
Then I followed him in.
The dorm room was pretty simple—two study desks, a wardrobe, and a bunk bed.
"I'm taking the top bunk," he said immediately.
"Huh? Oh—go ahead."
I watched as he casually claimed his territory, setting down his bag and beginning to organize his things.
I did the same, unpacking my belongings and neatly arranging them.
Once I was done, I straightened my uniform and turned toward the door.
"Arche, I'm heading out."
He didn't even look up.
"Why do you need my permission?"
I put a hand on my chest, pretending to be offended. "That's what people call saying goodbye."
Arche finally glanced at me.
"Oh. Okay."
I then opened the door and headed toward the appointment location—a café.
I sighed softly as I pushed the café door open, feeling the warmth from inside greet me.
The familiar scent of coffee and baked goods filled the air.
There, by the window, was Selene, waiting with a calm, composed smile.
As I walked toward her, she gestured to the chair beside her.
"Please, you may sit down," she said, her voice as gentle as the breeze.
I slid into the seat, my eyes meeting hers. "Have you been waiting long?" I asked, trying to mask the slight nervousness creeping up on me.
"No," she shook her head, her eyes sparkling with an unreadable emotion. "Not long."
We sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, the soft hum of the café around us.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked, a hint of curiosity in my voice.
"Hm? Come on, what do you want to order first?" Selene's playful smile made my heart flutter.
I glanced at the menu the waiter had handed me, feeling a bit flustered.
"Ah, right... um... I'll take the honey pancakes."
"Then I'll order the same," she replied, her tone light and teasing.
The waiter nodded and disappeared.
She leaned back in her chair, eyes studying me. "So, how do you feel about going to school here?"
I thought for a moment, then smiled. "Well, even though a lot has happened, this school is fun."
"Though, I haven't made many friends yet."
"Oh?" Selene raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"No luck finding any?" Her voice softened, like she understood. "Well, the guys at our school can be kind of jerks."
I chuckled lightly. "I just became friends with Arche though," I said, glancing at her.
"Aside from that, I haven't really talked to anyone else much."
"Ah, Arche?" Selene's gaze sharpened slightly, "He seemed like the kind of man who's hard to get close to."
Just as the conversation was about to deepen, the waiter arrived with our order.
He set down two honey pancakes, the golden brown stack topped with melted butter, the sweet aroma wafting through the air.
Selene took a moment to appreciate the scent, her eyes fluttering closed for a split second, savoring the moment.
I watched her, captivated by how something as simple as food could make her seem so... enchanting.
"I totally agree," I said softly, "But he seems like a good guy, once you get to know him."
Selene's gaze met mine again, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
"Oh? You think so?" she asked, her voice soft, as if genuinely interested in my opinion.
She took a bite of the pancake, her face lighting up with pleasure.
"Mmm. This is really good," she said, her voice dreamy, as if the sweetness had taken her to another world.
I couldn't help but smile, eager to share in the moment.
The pancake was just as delicious as she described, the honey and butter melting together in the perfect combination of warmth and sweetness.
I dug in, savoring the taste, and nodded enthusiastically. "You're right... it's amazing."
Selene giggled, watching as I enthusiastically consumed the pancakes.
"You seem to be enjoying it," Selene teased, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as she watched me devour my pancake.
I froze mid-bite, suddenly aware of how unrefined I must've looked.
Swallowing quickly, I straightened my posture. "Ah—sorry."
Selene simply chuckled, her amusement evident in her eyes.
Then, without warning, she leaned forward, her fingers brushing against my lips.
"You have a little something right here," she murmured, wiping away a small smudge of honey with the tip of her finger.
I felt my entire body stiffen. The warmth of her touch lingered on my skin, and before I could stop myself, I felt heat creeping up my face.
Her eyes held a glint of mirth as she observed my reaction, her fingers still lingering near my lips.
"Th-Thank you," I stammered, barely able to meet her gaze. "I've always loved honey."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air between us was thick with something unspoken, something that made my heart pound louder than I cared to admit.
Then, as if breaking the invisible tension, Selene leaned back, placing both hands on the table.
"Now, let's get to the main topic," she said, her voice carrying a sudden seriousness.
It was only then that I noticed the unsettling silence around us.
No idle chatter, no clinking of dishes—just an empty café, save for the two of us.
I frowned slightly, scanning the room. "…Why is it just the two of us?" My voice instinctively lowered.
"The food here is amazing, so why is no one else here?"
Selene met my gaze, a knowing smile curling at her lips.
"Because I wanted this conversation to be private," she said softly, her golden eyes unwavering.
A quiet unease settled in my chest. There was something in the way she spoke—something weighty, as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
"So," I said cautiously, "what do you want to ask?"
Selene rested her chin on her hands, her eyes never leaving mine. "First of all, let's start with proper introductions."
I blinked. "Introductions?"
She gave a small nod before straightening her posture.
"My name is Selene, daughter of Reginald, King of Romanthea."
The words hit me like a sudden gust of wind.
I sat there, frozen, as she smiled at me with an expression that held both familiarity and nostalgia.
"Nice to meet you again, Arthurius," she said, her voice laced with warmth. "Long time no see."
My breath caught in my throat.
Wait.
Again?
And she knew my real name?!
"W-Wait!" I stammered, gripping the edge of the table. "Again? Have we met before?"
Selene chuckled lightly, as if she had expected my reaction.
"Yes," she admitted, her voice carrying a touch of sadness. "But you never noticed me. I only ever watched you from afar."
Her eyes softened as she continued, "Because back then, I had an illness that made it impossible for me to walk very far…"
Hearing that I was still surprised, "So, you don't want to reintroduce yourself?"
I took a deep breath. There was no point in trying to hide anything from her.
"My name is Arthurius, son of Aldric, King of Havenvale," I said at last, my voice steady. "Nice to meet you, too… again."
Selene gave a slow nod, as if acknowledging something she had already known. "Good," she said. "Now, to the real question."
She paused, her golden eyes locked onto mine, unyielding.
"Why did you enter Class E?"
The words hit me like a cold wind.
"Even though you could've easily been placed in Class C… or even Class A," she continued, her tone sharp, scrutinizing.
I exhaled slowly, my fingers tightening into fists as I forced myself to remember. Then, I spoke.
The day of my registration.
I had arrived at Feohtere Academy alongside my advisor, Conrad.
The admissions staff barely glanced at me before setting down their quill. "You're accepted," they said flatly.
Just like that.
I blinked in surprise. "That fast?"
The staff merely nodded.
"...Why?" I asked, a nagging suspicion creeping into my mind.
The answer came without hesitation.
"Because you are a noble," they said matter-of-factly. "As long as there are slots available, nobles are granted immediate entry."
The words should have reassured me. Instead, they left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"You will be placed in Class A," the staff continued.
Class A?
That piqued my curiosity. "Class A? What kind of class is that? What about the others?"
The staff sighed, as if answering the question was a tedious formality.
"There are five classes in total—A, B, C, D, and E."
"With the academy's newly implemented curriculum, students are placed in a class that best reflects them."
"Class A is for nobles. Class B is for mages. Class C is for intellectuals. Class D is for warriors and the physically strong."
"And Class E—"
A pause.
"Class E is for outcasts and troublemakers."
A heavy silence followed.
I stood there, staring at them. The casual way they had said it, as if they were simply sorting objects rather than people, sent a wave of unease through me.
"...Class E?" I repeated, my voice quiet but sharp. "That… doesn't sound fair."
"It's not," the staff admitted, their expression unchanging. "But it is the system the Headmaster has put in place."
Their tone made it clear—this was not up for debate.
I fell silent, lost in thought as I recalled the moment I made my decision.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Conrad's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I clenched my fists. I had already made up my mind.
"Put me in Class E," I said firmly.
A heavy silence fell over the room. The admissions staff froze, their quill pausing mid-air. Conrad's brows furrowed in shock.
"Wh-Why?" the staff stammered.
"Your Highness, what exactly are you thinking?" Conrad asked, his tone edged with concern.
"In Class A, you'll receive the best facilities, the best connections—everything a future ruler would need," the staff quickly added, as if trying to persuade me back to my senses.
But I was resolute.
"No," I said, unwavering. "If I can't be placed in Class E, then I won't attend this academy at all."
The weight of my words pressed down on the room.
The staff exchanged uncertain glances. Conrad sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose before looking at me with sharp, assessing eyes.
In the end, they had no choice.
And so, I was placed in Class E.
Of course, no matter what class I was in, my status as a noble didn't simply disappear.
There were still protections in place—barriers that ensured I couldn't be expelled so easily.
But none of that mattered.
"Why Class E, Your Highness?" Conrad asked, his tone softer now, yet still laced with curiosity.
I exhaled, my expression firm.
"I am not yet worthy to be called 'Your Highness,' Conrad," I said.
"I'm not king yet."
I met his gaze, unwavering.
"When I entered Class E, I had one goal—to become the class president and lead this class."
"I want to experience firsthand what it's like to manage a group of so-called 'troublemakers.'"
"I want to learn how to lead those who have been abandoned, overlooked, and cast aside."
"Because when the time comes for me to rule, I won't just be leading nobles—I'll be leading an entire kingdom, Conrad."
For a moment, Conrad was silent. Then, slowly, a smirk tugged at his lips.
"That's your plan?" he mused, arms crossed. "Hah… Good thinking."
His gaze held something different now—something close to approval.
"Mr. Arthur," Conrad said, nodding. "Let's see if you can turn that ambition into reality."
Selene listened to my story with quiet interest. Then, after a moment, she nodded, satisfied.
"Oh, I see?" she murmured, as if piecing things together.
A comfortable silence stretched between us before a thought crossed my mind.
"Then, you also have nobility, right?" I asked, tilting my head.
"If so, why aren't you in Class A?"
At my question, she simply smiled.
"Because I knew you would be in Class E."
"...Huh?"
After leaving the café, I took a deep breath, staring up at the darkening sky.
"I never thought my secret would be revealed on the first day..." I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.
Then, another thought struck me.
"But why did Selene choose Class E just to see me?"
I sighed, shaking my head. No point in dwelling on it now.
I returned to my dorm, stepping inside to find Arche lying on the top bunk, casually flipping through a book.
At the sound of the door closing, he turned his head slightly.
"Oh? You're back?" he said lazily.
"Yeah," I replied, walking toward the bunk bed. "What are you doing?"
He gave me a flat look.
"Arthur, are you nearsighted?"
Before I could respond, he closed the book and tossed it at me. I barely caught it in time.
"Reading," he replied, climbing down from the top bunk. "The book's pretty good. I'd recommend it."
I glanced at the title and blinked in surprise. "The Adventure of Niké."
"Where did you even get this?" I asked, flipping through the pages.
"One of my mother's books. I took it," he said casually. "There's only one book, though."
"Got it. I'll read it later," I nodded, placing it on my desk.
"Tomorrow we have inter-class training, right?" he asked, "Each student has to work with a partner."
Arche raised an eyebrow. "Have you found yours?"
I froze.
...Oh no.
I hadn't asked anyone.
"..Arche..." I muttered, slowly turning to him. Then, without hesitation, I walked up and grabbed his shoulders.
"Want to team up?"
He sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I didn't think you'd be this careless..."
I chuckled, laughing at my own stupidity.
At least I had a partner now.
The next day, all the first-year students were gathered on the school field, dressed in their sports uniforms.
The morning air was crisp, but the chatter around me made it feel oddly warm.
As I stood there, a familiar voice called out. "Ah! Arthur!"
I turned to see Selene approaching, her expression bright. My body tensed as yesterday's events replayed in my head.
"O-Oh, Selene..."
"Have you found your partner?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah, I'm with Arche," I replied.
"Really? What a shame..." Selene let out a small sigh, brushing her hair back.
"Well, I'll find someone else then," she said lightly, flashing a small smile before walking away.
"Y-Yeah... okay," I nodded, watching as she left.
Phew... I let out a quiet sigh of relief. I had to stay cautious around Selene...
Then, suddenly—
"You're surprisingly relaxed for someone who's been cornered."
"—?!?"
A voice, low and quiet, yet unmistakably sharp.
I turned my head sharply—only to find Arche standing right beside me.
The way he carried himself… His presence was so faint, yet it felt suffocating.
"You surprised me… Arche..." I muttered.
"Did I?" His voice was unreadable, his emerald eyes studying me with an unsettling calm.
"You're the type to get startled easily, huh?"
"T-That's normal!" I shot back, trying to shake off the lingering tension.
Arche merely gave a slight tilt of his head, as if he had already lost interest.
Then—
"Alright, everyone! Gather around!"
Miss Rufina's voice sliced through the field, snapping the students to attention.
I exhaled slowly. Somehow, talking to Arche felt more exhausting than the morning drills we were about to do.
We then lined up as Miss Rufina stood before us, arms crossed. Her sharp gaze swept over the students.
"Alright, today you'll be doing sports activities."
A collective groan rose from the crowd, but Miss Rufina ignored it.
"You'll be exercising with other classes," she continued. "And, naturally, they'll look down on you."
That got everyone's attention. Some students stiffened, while others exchanged uneasy glances.
"I'm telling you this so you won't be surprised later," she added nonchalantly.
"Now, let's start with the warm-up. I don't want anyone breaking a nail on the second day of school."
A few chuckles broke the tension, but everyone obediently followed her instructions.
As I stretched, I glanced to the side and saw Arche effortlessly moving through the warm-up routine.
Unlike some students who groaned with each stretch, he looked completely at ease—like he had done this a thousand times before.
"You exercise often?" I asked.
Arche gave a short nod.
"Really? What sport do you do?" I pressed further.
Without a hint of hesitation, he answered, "Dragon hunting."
"…Huh?"
I blinked. Had I misheard?
"Eh?! Seriously?!"
Arche turned his head slightly toward me, his expression unreadable. "Have you ever seen a dragon around here?"
"N-No..." I shook my head.
"You're welcome," he replied flatly.
What does that even mean?!
"Arche! Arthur!" Miss Rufina's sharp voice cut through the air like a whip. "Quit chatting and focus on warming up!"
"S-Sorry!" I quickly straightened up and resumed stretching.
Once warm-up was over, Miss Rufina led us to a different area. As soon as we arrived, my eyes widened.
In front of us stood a massive parkour course. Tall wooden walls, rope climbs, narrow balance beams—it looked more like a military training ground than a school activity.
"This will be your first event," Miss Rufina announced.
"Huh...?" I muttered.
Around me, the other students had the same stunned reaction.
"This is a race," she continued. "The last person to reach the finish line will receive no points."
A murmur of concern spread through the class.
"We'll be competing against other classes," she added, crossing her arms. "Here, prove yourselves."
I swallowed hard. Competing against other classes? Against the students who already looked down on us?
I instinctively glanced at Arche. Unlike the others, who were either panicking or groaning, he remained calm—completely unfazed.
Of course.
Somehow, that only made me more nervous.
"Oh yeah, one more thing," Miss Rufina added, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
"If you fall, you have to start over."
A ripple of unease spread through the students. But before we could fully process it, she continued—
"And if your partner falls, you also have to follow them and start over again."
What?!
I stiffened. That meant if I messed up, I'd be dragging Arche down with me.
I turned to look at him, anxiety creeping up my spine. But Arche was already staring back at me, his emerald eyes steady.
"Arthur," he said, his voice low and composed. "Take it slow."
For a moment, I just blinked.
It wasn't a command, nor was it a lecture. Just a simple, quiet reassurance.
I felt a smile creep onto my face. "Alright! You too, Arche!"
At the sound of the whistle, the students surged forward.
I dashed ahead, Arche right behind me. Even though he wasn't moving at full speed, I could tell—he was carefully analyzing everything around him.
I leaped onto the first log, carefully balancing before hopping to the next.
Glancing back, I saw that Arche had fallen slightly behind—but slowly, he was catching up.
"Come on! Keep going, Arche! You can do it!" I cheered.
Then—
A sudden shove.
"You're so noisy."
A student pushed past me, his expression indifferent as he immediately sprinted ahead.
What—?!
I lost my balance. The world tilted, my body weight shifting dangerously toward the edge—
But before I could fall, a firm grip caught my wrist.
"You're so careless."
It was Arche.
His voice was calm, but his grip was unshakable as he effortlessly pulled me back onto the log.
I stared at him, wide-eyed. "..T-Thanks…"
A second ago, he had been much farther behind me. Yet somehow, he had closed the distance in an instant.
How fast was he?
"Who was that guy…?" I muttered, still trying to process what just happened.
"I don't know his name," Arche replied, glancing ahead. "But he's from Class A."
That explained everything.
"Ah… no wonder." I let out a sigh.
"Let's keep moving, Arche!" I said, shaking off the nerves.
He gave a small nod. And just like that, we pressed forward once again.
Up ahead, we spotted a familiar figure struggling with the next obstacle.
"Is that… Drake?" I muttered.
"Who?" Arche asked, his tone as indifferent as ever.
I turned to him in disbelief. "Our classmate! How could you forget?!"
Arche just gave me a blank stare.
And then it hit me.
Wait… I also forgot his name yesterday.
I cleared my throat. "…Never mind. Sorry."
We approached Drake just as he was preparing to climb the rock wall.
"Drake!" I called out.
He turned and smirked. "Oh? It's you, weird boy."
I flinched. That's not my name…
His gaze shifted, landing on Arche. "Oh? And you're partners with… uh…Arche!"
It was obvious he was guessing.
Arche simply nodded.
"I'm with Murphy, but I don't see him anywhere!" Drake said, scanning the area.
"Murphy?" I frowned, glancing at Arche. "I haven't seen him either."
Arche silently shook his head.
Then—
"Slow, muscle-brain. I'm here."
A voice came from above.
We all looked up to see a dark blue-haired man, lazily perched at the top of the wall, wearing sunglasses like this was a vacation instead of an obstacle course.
"Ah! You were there?!" Drake shouted in disbelief.
Murphy merely adjusted his sunglasses. "I was waiting for you to catch up, but some people take forever."
Ignoring that, Drake finally started climbing.
Then, from behind us—
"Oh! Arthur! Arche! Why are you just standing there?"
A familiar, cheerful voice.
I turned to see Selene approaching with Luna beside her.
Before I could answer, Selene grinned. "Come on, Luna!"
And just like that, the two of them… floated into the air.
Without even touching the wall.
They ascended effortlessly, their feet never making contact with a single rock.
"Hey! That's cheating!" Drake protested.
Selene only laughed.
Then, as if that wasn't enough, I spotted another girl casually flying past us—on a broomstick.
What the hell?!
"The teachers are too busy chatting! No one's even watching us!" Selene called out before disappearing over the edge.
I turned to Arche. "Arche! We have to hurry—"
But before I could finish, I realized something.
He was already gone.
I looked up—Arche was already halfway up the wall, climbing with the same eerie silence as always.
"Ah! Wait for me, Arche!!" I shouted, scrambling to start climbing after him.
As we made our way forward, a troubling sight unfolded before us.
Our classmates—one by one—were being pushed by students from other classes, forced to start over.
I clenched my fists. "Tch… they're really going all out with the bullying, huh?"
Arche remained silent beside me, his gaze unreadable.
We pressed on, ignoring the chaos. But just as we were about to reach the final stretch—
A shadow approached us.
A student from another class, his eyes gleaming with clear intent.
He extended his hand—aiming to shove us off.
Before I could react—
Arche bumped into me.
"Whoa—!"
My body lurched forward. But instead of falling, I crashed directly into the boy—
Sending him flying instead.
I barely managed to keep my footing, my heart pounding.
"Wha—?!" The boy's scream faded as he tumbled down.
A firm grip pulled me back. "You okay?" Arche asked, his voice as calm as ever.
I blinked, still trying to process what had just happened.
"Y-Yeah… I'm okay."
He nodded, as if nothing had happened.
Somehow, we had made it through unscathed.
Still confused, I shook off the thought and hurried forward—crossing the finish line alongside Arche.
Waiting there were students from other classes, including a familiar pair—
Selene and Luna.
"Oh? You guys actually made it," Selene said, walking up to us with a teasing smirk.
"Yeah… though it was pretty tough," I admitted, still catching my breath.
Luna hesitated for a moment before mumbling, "U-Uh… C-Congratulations…"
"You too," I replied.
Arche said nothing. He simply adjusted his tie, his expression unreadable.
And for some reason… I couldn't shake the feeling that he had done that on purpose.
As we stepped back onto the field, a sharp, enraged voice cut through the air.
"Sir! He pushed us!"
I turned, my body tensing.
It was him—the guy I had accidentally knocked down. He stood there, his face twisted in anger as he pointed at me.
"Isn't pushing another student cheating?!" he barked, glaring at me.
The teacher, his expression unreadable, walked toward me. "Is this true?"
I clenched my fists, my heart pounding. "I didn't mean to! I swear!"
Before the teacher could respond—A slow, mocking chuckle echoed.
"Never mind, sir… there's no need to kill them over something so petty."
A new figure emerged from the crowd.
White hair. Red eyes.
That voice…
My stomach twisted. Him.
The same bastard who had shoved me earlier. His lips curled into a smirk as he turned toward the teacher.
"Lowly disciples like them would definitely resort to tricks like this."
"It's in their nature. You really shouldn't be surprised."
A cold, burning anger rose in my chest.
"Don't look down on us!" I stepped forward, my voice sharp, eyes locked onto his. "You pushed me first!"
The white-haired student's smirk deepened, his gaze dripping with arrogance.
"Oh? Do you have proof?"
Before I could respond, another voice rang out. "And do you have proof that Arthur pushed your classmate?"
Selene.
She strode up beside me, her tone unwavering, her eyes fierce.
The white-haired student scoffed. "Tch. You're low class."
"And low-class people always resort to things like this. That's proof enough."
I felt Selene stiffen beside me, but before she could speak, he sneered.
"And look at you… stepping in to defend him. How adorable."
"What, are you helping your boyfriend?"
Selene's face twisted in upset and a little happy.
I exhaled sharply, then took a step forward, shielding her with my arm.
"Selene," I said, my voice low but firm. "Move away. Leave this to me."
She hesitated—but the look in my eyes must have been enough.
She stepped back.
And I faced the white-haired bastard head-on.
A suffocating tension gripped the air. The confrontation had drawn eyes—students whispered, watching the brewing storm unfold.
Then—
"Oh? A fight between students? Interesting."
A voice—calm yet laced with amusement—cut through the crowd.
A figure strode toward us, his steps slow, deliberate.
Red hair. Sharp black eyes that gleamed with a predator's curiosity.
"The name's Valen," he said, his lips curling into a grin. "Leader of Class D."
My breath hitched.
Another class leader?
Before I could react, another voice joined in. "Gosh… you guys really can't stop fighting, huh?"
A girl appeared, purple-haired, a faint smirk on her lips.
Her posture was relaxed, but there was a sharpness in her gaze—one that measured everything.
"Fighting on the second day of school? What a hassle," another voice chimed in.
This time, it was a girl with short yellow hair, adjusting her glasses with an exasperated sigh.
"My name's Clara," the purple-haired girl introduced herself. "And as Class B's president, I'll be stopping this fight right here."
The girl with glasses followed with a lazy wave.
"Well, since everyone's throwing names around… Everhart. Class C president," she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
"And yeah, this is way too much effort."
The pressure in the air thickened.
Then, the white-haired student who had mocked me earlier stepped forward.
His smirk remained, but his gaze darkened, his presence carrying the weight of something far greater.
"Huh? Well, just this once… I suppose I'll grace you with my name."
He turned his piercing red eyes toward me. "Leonardo. Leader of Class A."
His words weren't a simple introduction. They were a statement—an assertion of dominance.
I forced myself to breathe steadily, squaring my shoulders.
"My name is—"
My real name almost slipped out.
No.
I clenched my fists.
"You can call me Arthur," I said, meeting his gaze without wavering.
"And I am the class representative of Class E."
A moment of silence.
Then—
Valen let out a low, amused chuckle. "Oh? So all the class leaders decided to gather in one place, huh?"
Clara's eyes were sparkling, "This is perfect. Don't you think so?"
Everhart's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "Perfect? What's so damn perfect about this?"
Clara tilted her head, her grin widening. "Well, now we get to see exactly who the representatives are in our year. Faces, names, the whole picture."
"Tch…" Everhart clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. "I'd rather my title stayed in the shadows." He gave a cold smile.
"But fine. Now that I know your faces and names, I can dig out everything I need about you."
Leonardo exhaled, as if already bored of the conversation.
Then, he stepped forward, his presence suffocating, his words absolute.
"As the leader of Class A… I'll make you all a promise."
His eyes swept over us, filled with unwavering confidence.
"In the upcoming Battle Between Classes—"
"Class A will win."
No hesitation.
No room for doubt.
He turned, walking away as if the discussion was already over.
A vein in Valen's temple twitched. His smirk widened, but his eyes burned.
"Oh? Big mouth, huh?" He cracked his knuckles. "We'll see about that, Leonardo."
With that, he too turned and walked off.
"Oh my… these guys…"
Clara muttered under her breath, giving me a brief glance before stepping forward.
"You seem like a good student." She offered me a handshake, her grip firm yet friendly. "Nice to meet you, Arthur, isn't it?"
I hesitated for a moment before shaking her hand.
"I hope we can work together in the future. See you." With a small smile, Clara turned and walked away.
Her words lingered in my mind.
Work together?
"Cooperating with the enemy in the future… so stupid."
Everhart scoffed as she walked past me, her voice carrying nothing but disinterest.
Enemy…
I turned away, making my way toward my classmates. My chest felt tight.
What kind of class president am I?!
I clenched my fists.
I had just embarrassed my own class—let them be mocked in front of everyone.
I had failed them.
But then—
"Arthur!"
I snapped out of my thoughts.
Selene stood in front of me, her eyes burning with determination.
And behind her—our classmates.
They weren't defeated.
They weren't broken.
They were angry.
"Let's get back at them, Arthur!" Selene declared, her voice unwavering.
"I can't accept being belittled like that!" another student shouted.
"Yeah! We'll defeat them together!"
Their voices overlapped, their spirits igniting something deep inside me.
A fire.
A realization.
I wasn't alone.
I had been so caught up in my own failures that I had forgotten—this wasn't just about me.
This class—our class—wasn't some weak, disposable group.
We weren't nobodies.
We were fighters.
We were Class E.
And we would prove that.
I exhaled, my doubt crumbling.
"You're right…" I finally spoke, my voice steady. "We'll do this together."
A chorus of agreement erupted.
But—
In that crowd, one face was missing.
Arche.
I scanned the area and spotted him in the distance, quietly walking away with Miss Rufina.
Where were they going?
A gnawing curiosity took hold of me.
Without hesitation, I broke away from the group, slipping into the shadows as I followed them.
They walked with purpose, their steps leading toward the sports equipment warehouse.
I pressed myself against the wall as they entered, the door creaking shut behind them.
My heartbeat quickened.
I edged closer.
Then, carefully—silently—I leaned in.
And I listened.
"Arche, did you see it? The battle between the classes has begun."
Miss Rufina's tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.
Arche stood a few steps away from her, his back facing the door.
"Yeah… I saw," he replied, his voice devoid of any emotion. "Alright, I'll help you."
"Good." Rufina's lips curled into a small smile. "And as agreed, you'll be rewarded for every mission you complete."
Arche didn't respond right away. Instead, he exhaled lightly.
"Understood, Rufina."
Her eye twitched.
"Call me Miss."
A silence fell between them.
Then—
"By the way," Arche murmured, his tone shifting—colder, sharper. "I can't do this alone."
Miss Rufina crossed her arms. "Well… you need someone, huh?"
A beat passed.
"I know who that person is," Arche said. Then, he turned his head slightly—just enough for me to feel the weight of his gaze.
"You may come in, Arthur."
My breath hitched.
What?!
A chill ran down my spine. He had known I was there this whole time.
I hesitated, my hand tightening around the doorframe.
But there was no point in hiding anymore.
Swallowing hard, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Uh… hello?"
Rufina sighed, rubbing her temples. "I thought I felt someone watching us… but I didn't expect you."
I stood there, trying to process the situation, my mind racing with a thousand questions.
Then—
"Arthur," Arche said, his emerald-green eyes locking onto mine.
"You want to defeat them, don't you?"
The way he asked it—it wasn't just a question. It was a statement. A fact he already knew.
I slowly exhaled.
Then, without breaking eye contact—
I closed the door behind me.
And I nodded.
"Yeah."
"Us too," Rufina continued, her arms crossed. "I'll provide information about upcoming events."
Her eyes gleamed under the dim light.
"And you must make our class rise above those bastards."
Her words carried weight—expectation, authority, and an unspoken challenge.
Then, she exhaled.
"This is the first class where I'm actually the homeroom teacher, by the way," she admitted, tilting her head slightly.
"So, naturally, I want my class to be at the top."
I exchanged a glance with Arche, but his face remained unreadable, as if none of this concerned him.
Then—
"How about it? Do you agree?" Rufina's voice cut through my thoughts.
I let out a slow sigh.
"...Alright, Miss Rufina."
At that, her lips curled into a small, satisfied smirk.
"Since we're having a private chat like this, there's no need to use 'Miss.'"
I blinked. "Huh?"
"That's too formal," she added nonchalantly.
"Eh? But you scolded me for not calling you 'Miss' earlier," Arche deadpanned.
Rufina clicked her tongue. "That's because you never call me 'Miss,' regardless of the situation!"
She lightly tapped Arche's head, but he barely reacted.
I watched the exchange, still unable to shake my curiosity.
Why Arche?
Why not Selene?
There was something about him—something lurking beneath that carefree, indifferent façade.
Arche...
You're a mystery, aren't you?
Rufina suddenly clapped her hands.
"Alright, with this—our cooperation officially begins!"
Then, out of nowhere—
"Mhm! How about we have a drink after this? You're all old enough, right?" Rufina asked, grinning.
"...No, idiot, we haven't," Arche replied flatly.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Really? Boring!" Rufina groaned.
I looked at her—this cold, no-nonsense teacher who had spent the entire day intimidating students.
And yet, here she was, grumbling like a kid denied a toy.
I never thought a cold and strict teacher would have this kind of personality.
Guess you really can't judge a book by its cover.
As Arche and I stepped out of the storage room, the cool evening breeze greeted us.
The sky was tinged with hues of orange and violet, the sun beginning its descent.
"You have a lot of questions in your head, don't you?" Arche's voice broke the silence.
I nodded without hesitation.
He exhaled, his expression unreadable.
"Look," he began, his tone as cold as ever.
"I'm not going to give you any personal information about me, and you have the right to do the same."
My lips twitched into a small smirk.
"What a cold man..." I muttered.
Still, for some reason... I felt like I could change this man.
"Okay, if that's what you want," I nodded, feigning surrender.
Then, with a sly grin—
"So, what's your favorite food?" I asked casually.
Arche frowned slightly. "I just told you—"
Before he could finish, I cut in.
"As a celebration of our work together, I plan to treat you."
Silence.
Then, almost too quickly—
"Parfait."
I blinked. "Parfait, huh?" I repeated, a little amused by his immediate response.
So much for not sharing personal information.
"Alright then, we'll go to a restaurant tonight!" I said excitedly.
Arche simply gave a small nod, his face still devoid of emotion.
But I knew better.
"By the way, about that dragon hunt—are you serious?" I asked.
"No. It was a joke," he replied.
I stopped walking.
He had said that in the exact same blank, deadpan tone he used for everything else.
"So you can still joke, huh?" I let out a small chuckle.
"That's good. I thought you were just some stiff, emotionless guy."
Before he could respond, a familiar voice called out—
"You two! Come here!"
I turned to see Selene waving enthusiastically.
I smiled.
"Let's go, Arche!" I said, nudging him lightly.
He nodded, and together, we started running toward our classmates.
Even though there were countless obstacles ahead, countless battles to figh—
I knew we could face them all.
Together.