— You know, Uhyon, every Hunter has something called a 'system' visible only to themselves. It's like an electronics panel from a video game that displays your stats. The thing is, you can't see an opponent's full stats, but you can see their name and their 'Title.'
— Oh?
Uhyon found that intriguing and scooted closer to Min.
— A Title is the name you earn based on your achievements and stats. Sometimes it gives you perks—or drawbacks. For example, the Title 'Legendary Hunter' is only given to those who've cleared cataclysmic world dungeon in our world. By rule, the first person to earn it becomes 'Legendary Hunter [1],' getting the biggest perks—say +50% strength. The second becomes 'Legendary Hunter [2]' with +30%, and so on. But if number 1 dies, everyone else shifts up: [2] becomes [1], and gets the full +50%.
— What does that have to do with me?
— Well, I'll keep it short. You also have a Title—and I can see it.
— Oh? What is it?
— You're asking? Titles are only given to those who can use magic.
— WHAT?! Really?
Uhyon froze in shock. What's happening to me? Do I have magic or not? If not, what is this? he ran through a thousand thoughts. He took a deep breath and asked:
— So, what's my Title?
— "Innocent Sinner."
— What the heck is that? "Innocent Sinner"? Is that even a real Title?
— Apparently it is. Come on, let's examine it.
— Okay.
— Can you look at that mirror?
Min pointed to the ornate mirror on the right side of the classroom. Uhyon didn't reply immediately, but after a moment went to stand in front of it.
— So? Can you see anything?
— No.
— Interesting. Normally Titles would appear right here," said Min, touching the area slightly above Uhyon's reflection. "But you, the actual owner, can't see it. What does that even mean?"
With a shrug, Min indicated Uhyon could go back to his seat. Uhyon returned and Min continued:
— Your Title… well, it lacks [something]. That means you're the only being who has this Title.
— A being?
— Yes, a being. Titles can be given to monsters too. So you're the only living being with this Title. Also, if you look at the description… wait…"
— What? Did you spot something?
— Any being can read a Title's description, but yours says, 'This Title's description can only be seen by certain beings or races.'
— What? That means even you can't see it?
— Unfortunately, yes. But there are other odd things about your Title… like…
At that moment, Ms Cha—the math teacher—entered the classroom. She appeared about 22–25 years old, tall (about 182 cm), with long blonde hair, brown eyes, wore glasses, fair skin, and wearing the standard teacher's uniform. In her right hand she carried coffee, and over her left shoulder a larger pink bag. She was kind and gentle, but strict with students who disrespected her lesson. Uhyon and Min quietly greeted her, and she nodded back. Ms Cha sat at the desk on the left side of the room, set down her coffee, unpacked her laptop, and began working. Uhyon and Min silently stopped talking, knowing that Ms Cha disliked distractions during her work.
Uhyon stood, moved to his seat—row 1, desk 3 (second seat)—and he pulled the Math book from his bag, then, hung his backpack from the seat's hook. After a bit, other students began entering.
It was 8:00 AM, as Ms Cha checked her watch, and she started the lesson.
— What was yesterday's homework?
— "Combinatorics," answered Juhee from the front desk.
— Good. As usual, I'll ask five of you randomly, and the rest—Go, Juhee, and Min—will check assignments in your rows.
Uhyon's curiosity told him there was a 14.29% chance he'd be picked to answer. If someone didn't do their homework and wasn't picked, they got lucky—this class was cooperative, after all, covering for each other.
— Alright then—Kang.
— Ms Cha, Kang can't come today. He had to stay home for some reason. - said one of Kang's friends.
— When he returns, he must bring a written note explaining. Min?
— Yes, Ms Cha. - answered Min from his seat.
— Would you prefer to answer orally, or come to the board and work it out?
— I'll do it on the board.
— Alright. Imagine, you have 5 textbooks, 7 interests book, and 3 dictionaries—how many ways can you choose from them?
Min went to the board and started working. Uhyon knew Min would solve it anyway, so math class felt duller by the moment. If he'd always found these classes boring, this day—six classes in—felt especially tedious. He got good marks in math and history, and Ms Cha praised the homework he'd submitted ten days ago.
The final lesson was Magical Biology: creature anatomy. As usual, Mr Sung taught and students showed their homework.
— Today's topic: the organs of magical creatures, Mr Sung wrote on the board.
— As you know, creatures come in many types: insectoid, ice, forest, desert monsters, and humanoid—and some, like dragons, don't fit those categories. Remember: though their appearances and forms vary, their organs are similar, but differently shaped. Yet their organs differ from humans. For instance, did you know no magical creature has kidneys or intestines?
— What? Why is that, Mr Sung? - asked Min skeptically.
— The reason is widely agreed: creatures don't expel their food's waste—
The class burst into laughter. Uhyon and some students remained silent, as though he already knew. The thought felt like déjà vu echoed in his mind.
— What's so funny? They probably evolved from humans ages ago.
— Teacher, but they still fight with medieval weapons—doesn't that prove their development is behind ours? - another Kang's friend mocked.
— I'm not speaking about their intellect or advancement, but about their organs. They digest food so completely that it becomes mana inside them—so you don't see overweight creatures.
A student's hand went up.
— Mr Sung, you said no kidneys or intestines—so do they even have sex organs? - Kang's friend again,
The class erupted in laughter; the girls blushed, the boys lough non-stop, but a few boys, including Uhyon, remained silent. After the laughter died down, Mr Sung spoke again.
— Yes, that's correct. No magical creature has sex organs. Scientists still haven't explained that.
— Then how do they reproduce? - asked Min insightfully.
— That's the mystery. We can't prove or disprove, but it's clear: all creatures of a given species come from the same origin—one 'clan.' There's evidence through several studies.
— Min, if a creature kills you, it's taking vengeance for its clan. - As soon as Hwan said that, some girls and more boys alike—laughed.
Hwan was one of Kang's closest friends and among the strongest hunters in class; he was rank B+, so Min was no match for him. Still, Hwan rarely bullied except with friends, but enjoying the bullies of others.
With that, class ended. Students packed their things and left for home. Uhyon wanted to ask Min something more, but Hwan and his friends left first and he followed after them. He felt disappointed. "What a waste—I waited six hours and he left. I didn't even ask during recess," he thought. When Uhyon left the classroom, Mr Sung locked the door behind him in a hurry. Uhyon walked out through the school gate, trying to remember what Min had said—he thought, but he guesses since he's not a Hunter, nothing came to mind.
— Hmm… 'Innocent Sinner'… in what sense am I innocent, and in what sense am I guilty? Uhyon asked himself.