At the strike of noon, the courtyard brimmed with first-year students. Some eagerly rushed off to their next class, others lounged in the sun to savor their break, and one particular heir of House Diadalin trudged along the stone path like a man headed for the gallows.
Kain's arms hung limply at his sides, his head drooping forward as he sighed every few seconds. Not a single soul seemed to notice.
"You know..." he grumbled, "you guys could at least pretend to be worried about me."
"No," Rosalina shot back.
"...Why are you even here? Don't you have other people to..."
He paused, recalling something suspicious.
"Ah~ I see, I see. The witch doesn't have any friends, eh? Is that why you were sitting alone—"
She elbowed him in the hip. He stopped, his face written in blatant awestruck. First, he looked down at his arm, then to Rosalina, then back to his arm, then back to her.
"Ow?!" he said like it was a question.
"Sorry. My elbow slipped."
"My ass, it did! How does it even— You know what? It's whatever. It's whatever! Screw you, too! It's fine. I don't need you," he sniffed, throwing an arm around Caelus's shoulders. "I've got my buddy, Caelus. Right, man?"
He barely looked up. "Hmm? Sorry, what were we talking about?"
Rosalina stifled a laugh, earning a scowl from Kain.
"Never mind," Kain muttered. "Anyway, what were you so lost in thought about? You would've walked into a pole before you even realized it."
"Oh. It's nothing."
In truth, Caelus's mind had drifted back to his first class.
It was more of an introductory class than anything to help the students settle in. Professor Archeota went over the syllabus and history. Nothing too difficult. However, with the professor's imposing pressure looming over them for the entire duration, it was anything but comforting.
"So..." Kain said, breaking the silence, "what'd you guys think?"
"Of what?" Caelus asked.
"Our first official class at the legendary Rhodeia College! I'm telling you, it's as brutal as the rumors said."
"I didn't have much trouble," Rosalina remarked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Professor Archeota explained everything quite well."
"I agree," Caelus agreed.
A silence heavier than a boulder settled between them. Even the chatter of the courtyard seemed to mute itself.
"...Wait, what?!" Kain exploded. "You're kidding, right? You're telling me I'm the only one who had no clue what half that lecture was about?!"
And Rosalina's reply was as blunt as ever.
"Sorry to tell you, but you're just dumb."
"You know... If you won't bother to pretend like you're worried about me, then at the very least, act like you're being considerate about my feelings."
"That's the last thing I'd do for you."
"Tch. True to the status of a witch, I see."
The faintest twitch of Rosalina's brow was all it took for Kain to duck behind Caelus, his grin turning nervous.
"Is something wrong?" Caelus asked.
Kain peeked out from behind him, and sure enough, Rosalina's scarlet eyes radiated unfiltered murder.
"Aha! N-no, not at all. It's just..."—he lightly tugging at Caelus's sleeve—"You had a bug on your arm!"
"Oh? I hadn't noticed. Thanks."
"Y-yeah... no problem."
They continued their lazy trek toward a place called Vendor's Street. It was the most popular spot in all of Rhodeia, as voted by last year's student body. A long, bustling road lined with shops and stalls stretched as far as the eye could see, all serving the same general purpose...
"...To drain nobles of their bottomless coffers," Kain finished smugly.
Taken aback, Caelus raised a brow.
"Wait, really?"
"He's exaggerating," Rosalina sighed. Then, after a beat, she added, "Well... actually—"
"Ah-ha!" Kain grinned, arms crossed. "Go on. Say I'm right. I promise I won't dangle it over your head for the next three years."
"You're testing my patience, Kain."
"Ahaha! I'll behave, I'll behave," he laughed, immediately falling back in step with Caelus.
"Anyway. I'll admit it — Kain's not entirely wrong. Rhodeia's reputation isn't just for its academics. It's one of the most prestigious academies in the empire for a reason. Part of that comes from how well they treat their students. Top-notch accommodations, impressive facilities... and streets like this. Of course, the prices here tend to reflect the wealth of the clientele."
They reached a cozy café near the front of the avenue and claimed a table beneath a shaded umbrella. Menus were already set out for them, simple one-page printings with far from simple prices.
Caelus scanned the list, absently pinching his chin.
"As expected. These prices are extortionate."
"Eh? Looks normal to me," Kain said, then blinked as realization hit. "Oh... right."
"Yeah. Regrettably, wealth wasn't exactly high on my priority list during my last five years surviving in Wyrheim."
"I can cover you," Rosalina offered, a slight glint in her eye. "But it'll cost you that favor."
"Oh, sure—"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hell no!" Kain practically dove across the table. "Caelus! You were about to use your one favor from the heiress of House Sigurdia... on lunch?!"
"Um... Yes? Is that a problem?"
Kain looked like he'd been physically struck.
"She owes you her freaking life, man! You could ask for enough wealth to last you to your grave! A priceless artifact! Even get your noble status reinstated, land and title included!"
"None of those sounds particularly enticing."
Kain's soul visibly left his body. Rosalina, meanwhile, only hummed.
"Oh? How intriguing."
"What?" Caelus asked, confused.
"It's just... surprising. I can't remember the last time I met a fallen noble who didn't crave a way back to the top. Most would sell their soul for a second chance."
"Is it really so hard to believe?"
"Uh, yeah!" Kain blurted. "I mean, I've been a noble my whole life! Had enough money to buy whatever I wanted. Everything was handed to me with a snap of a finger. Most importantly, I was given a proper training facility to practice swordsmanship! Can't even imagine what it would be like if I lose all that."
"Well..." Caelus shrugged. "Some people don't get to afford that kind of luxury. Not anymore, anyway."
The waitress arrived to take their orders, and in the end, Kain relented. He took up Caelus's bill himself, refusing to let him blow a life-altering favor from the Rosalina Sigurdia on a café tab.
As the dishes came out...
"Man, I gotta say," Kain spoke as he munched on crackers, "that Professor Archeota guy is no joke. Not only is he a great teacher, he's also intense as hell!"
"Well, he said it best," Rosalina scoffed. "In his class, status means nothing. That Platinus scum was a fool to believe he could leverage that against a professor — especially Archeota Lancinox."
"You say that name as if I'm supposed to know who that is."
"...Do you not?"
Kain glanced over at Caelus to see if he was catching on to anything that Rosalina was saying. However, he couldn't tell what he was thinking behind those glasses.
"You really are a dimwit, aren't you?" Rosalina sighed. "No wonder you didn't understand simple history when Professor Archeota was giving his lecture."
"Hey, that's—! T-that's... true..."
"Pfft. It's fine. Tell me something, Kain. How much do you know about the Great Crusade?"
"The war that happened over twenty years ago? Nothing at all."
"Wow. A dimwit through and through."
Kain shot up.
"Hey! The first time was enough! The second time is just overkill!"
"Hehe~ Sorry. Can't help myself."
With an incoherent grumble, Kain fell back into his seat with his arms crossed.
"Anyway, the Great Crusade was the first recorded war in the last century where demons were sighted. It pitted the Archdemon against the Holy Empire, Gran Sophia. But we'd be remise if we ignored the heroes who led the final charge — The Nine Lords of Angelica."
"Oh, I've heard of them," Kain said. "They're the ones who followed Empress Sellas D'Angelica through the frontlines, right?"
"Yes. Archeota Lancinox was one of them, and he is the only known member of that group. The identity and whereabouts of the others remain a mystery to this day."
"Whoa... wait, so you're telling me our professor's a war hero?"
"Mhm. Twice over. He survived two wars against two different Archdemons. So yeah. It makes sense why he's so hard on us."
"Damn. Guess that means I can't slack off like I planned to."
"No, you most certainly cannot. Anyway, let's finish up here and head over to the main halls. Have you guys decided on a major yet?"
Kain dunked a piece of bread into his stew.
"Naturally, I'm going for swordsmanship. There's one class I've been eyeing. The professor's supposed to be untouchable with a blade."
"Oh. Oh!" Rosalina said, her eyes lighting up. "Is it Professor Lynn Dia Sinistar?"
"Huh? Wait, yeah! That's the one! And—"
They both froze.
"...W-wait," Rosalina muttered. "That means..."
"We're gonna be in the same class...?" Kain gulped.
In perfect unison, they sighed, then exchanged sharp glares.
"Ugh. Great."
"What about you, Caelus?" Rosalina asked, turning toward him.
"Hmm? Sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
Kain expected as much and rolled his eyes.
"At this point, you never are, man. She's asking what major you're picking. Fair warning, though, if you pick magic, you've got a ton of subcategories to deal with. It'll make you wish you picked up a sword instead."
Caelus leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful hum escaping him.
"Guess I'll have to be a little inquisitive this time around."
"Eh? Wait, you're actually considering magic?" Rosalina asked.
"Yeah. Is that a problem?"
"No, but... all you used during the orientation was a sword. I didn't see you cast a single spell except—"
She caught herself, but the damage was done. Caelus already knew what she meant. The Strife Brand.
"It's just something I'm interested in," he said evenly. "Don't worry about me. Focus on yourselves. I'll manage."