—Before the Ruckus—
—Headmaster's Office—
"So, who do you think should be the homeroom instructor for the first-years?"
Zane and Silvius looked at each other—and pointed at the same time.
"Him," they both said in unison.
Silvius groaned, waving his hand dismissively.
"Not me. I'm lazy, got a bad reputation, and no patience for baby-sitting nobles with attitude problems."
Orvahn stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Hmm. Fair point… Then Zane, it's yours."
"What?!" Zane turned to glare at Silvius.
"I already taught the first-years last year! Why is it always me?!"
Orvahn chuckled.
"Oh, you're right… Guess that leaves us with Silvius."
Silvius took a step back.
"What about the other instructors? Surely one of them—"
Orvahn cut him off with a smile.
"Silvius Veil, I've already made my decision. You'll be the first-year homeroom instructor. I'm sure Kael will be very happy."
"Damn it," Silvius muttered under his breath.
So much for rest and sleep. No wonder the instructors were avoiding this role—first-years were always a nightmare, especially the nobles. Spoiled brats with powerful parents. And now, to top it all off, the king's only son was among them. One wrong move and it was a political landmine.
Knock knock.
Orvahn glanced at the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Grevon Hask, the headmaster's assistant, stepped inside.
"Greetings, Headmaster," he said with a bow, then looked to the side. "Zane. Silvius."
Zane and Silvius gave short nods in return.
Orvahn crossed his arms.
"So? How was your little trip? Did you find the information I asked for?"
"Information?" Silvius echoed, glancing at Orvahn.
"Yes, yes," the headmaster waved it off.
Grevon gave a half-smile.
"I met her. She asked me to extend her greetings."
Orvahn raised an eyebrow.
"Hoho. So how is she?"
"Hard to say. She doesn't talk much unless it's about business. But regarding the matter you requested—yes, it's true. This kingdom is no longer safe. There's a group working from the shadows. A terrorist organization. From what I gathered… they're planning something big."
The room fell into silence. Silvius and Zane exchanged a sharp glance.
Orvahn rubbed his forehead.
"That's… disturbing news."
He looked to Zane.
"You can leave for now. I'd like to speak with Silvius privately."
Zane gave Silvius a nod.
"As you wish, Headmaster."
He walked out, closing the door behind him.
Once the office was quiet again, Orvahn looked directly at Silvius.
"You know her, don't you?"
Silvius sighed and nodded.
"Yeah. I do."
She wasn't just anyone.
'Her' was the shadow behind the famous guild Duskrend Ledger—a sprawling intelligence network with branches in every major region. Some called her the Eye of the Empire. She knew everything. Or worse, she knew what not to say.
Silvius frowned slightly, arms crossed.
"But why are you asking me, Headmaster?"
Orvahn leaned forward, his tone calm but firm.
"Simple. I want to understand Kael better. How he ended up here so suddenly. You see, no matter who a student is—noble, commoner, or nobody—once they enter this academy, they become my responsibility. I see them all as my children. And to protect them, I need to know what they're hiding in their pasts."
Silvius nodded. He knew Orvahn well. The man always took things personally when it came to the students.
"So… what did you find about my student?"
Grevon stepped forward and continued.
"She told me the one who paid for Kael's tuition… was her."
"What?!"
Both Orvahn and Silvius snapped in unison.
"Yes," Grevon confirmed.
"It surprised me too. But apparently, Kael has quite the reputation with her guild. He's known as the Little Revenant."
Silvius raised a brow, chuckling.
"Little Revenant? What kind of name is that?"
Grevon shrugged lightly, his tone more intrigued than amused.
"They call him that because they often encountered him in the forest near Duskwatch Territory. Even while surviving on his own, he helped guide guild members through dangerous terrain. According to them, he's like something that shouldn't exist—but does anyway. They saw that as admirable."
Silvius didn't reply, but the fact that the guild—especially that guild—held Kael in high regard, meant something. The assistant headmaster rarely spoke highly of anyone.
Orvahn leaned back in his chair.
"That explains a lot. Including how he enrolled under a different name. To forge a fake identity and get accepted here, you'd need support from someone at the top of a guild. I remember, after the enrollment ceremony, I reviewed the first-year list that night—and I didn't see the name 'Kael Veyrion' anywhere."
A small smile crept onto Orvahn's face.
"But what amused me most was when he threw away that fake identity. He still decided to come forward with his real name. That kid… never fails to surprise me."
Silvius finally began to piece it together. So that's how Kael made it to the academy. He didn't have backing from nobles or any house—but from someone just as powerful in a very different world.
Grevon glanced at Orvahn and shifted the topic.
"Well, aside from that… your old friend sent a message. He says a group of bandits has been interfering with his trade routes. Apparently, he contacted the guild for protection, but they keep sending F-class mercenaries."
Silvius looked confused by the sudden turn in the conversation.
Orvahn smirked.
"So, out of desperation… he contacted the academy."
He turned to Silvius, grin widening.
"Looks like your quiet year just got a little louder."
Silvius recognized that look from the headmaster.
"Wait—hold on. I'm an instructor. I can't take on missions until my class becomes second-years. That's the rule!"
Orvahn gave a sly smile.
"True. But something tells me peace isn't in your forecast this semester—not with Kael around. Why not take your team out early? Show them the real world."
Silvius raised a brow.
"Didn't we just agree that first-years aren't allowed outside missions?"
"You're right," Orvahn admitted. "But Kael's stubbornness won't crack in a classroom. He needs something real. He'll behave better if he sees what's out there—and I trust he'll be safe if you're around."
Grevon crossed his arms, clearly uneasy.
"Headmaster… sending first-years on live missions is reckless. They're not ready. It's dangerous."
Orvahn chuckled.
"It's just some bandits. Nothing they can't handle."
Silvius sighed hard.
"Headmaster—"
Knock knock.
Everyone turned toward the door.
"Come in," Orvahn said.
The door creaked open. Serina and Neira stepped in.
Silvius frowned.
"What are you two doing here?" He waved his hand, motioning them to leave. "This isn't the time."
Neira ignored the gesture and marched forward.
"I'm sorry, Headmaster, but we need our instructor right now. Kael's about to start a fight—or something. Again!"
Silvius buried his face in his hand.
"Just when I was about to compliment him…"
Orvahn laughed, voice warm and relaxed.
"Hohoho, looks like our Little Revenant is at it again. Well, that settles it. You'll take Team 5 on the mission."
Silvius forced a smile and gave a dramatic sigh.
"Great. I'll head out, then." He turned to the girls. "Let's go see what our problem child is up to this time."
—Back in the present—
Silvius stood at the front of the classroom, frowning as he spotted Kael.
"Tch. Look at that face. Stubborn crow."
He looked around the room and straightened his posture.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Silvius Veil—your new homeroom instructor. If you've got questions or concerns, feel free to ask. I'll answer all of them…"
His eyes slid pointedly toward Kael.
"…except from certain students who think being difficult is a personality trait."
Kael flinched but said nothing. He turned his face toward the window, ignoring the soft chuckle from Emilio behind him.