On my way back to Luna, I ran into the headmaster, who was watching the scattered group as they dispersed.
"I see you've taken your first step, Klo Yuthnir."
I kept walking as if I hadn't heard what he said.
"I just want to be friends with you, Klo. That's all I want. I don't believe in the rank of 'hero' and his so-called kindness. A hero is much like a villain — in the end, he will take a human life."
I stopped for a moment and turned my head slightly toward him.
"We are all born good, but life is what changes us. Still, that will never be an excuse for what we become. Our choices also shape how we live."
I went back to walking, eager to see what Luna was doing in my absence. I figured she must have gotten bored by now.
Along the way, I stopped by a nursery filled with flowers of beautiful shapes and sweet scents.
I glanced around to make sure no one saw me and thought I was some kind of weirdo, then reached for the most beautiful one among them —
A red flower, its shade close to blood. Beautiful, with those sharp-edged petals.
I kept walking until I reached Luna, who was sitting among a group of girls near the fountain.
I smiled as I saw Luna happy. I guess she'd made some friends. That's a relief.
While she was talking to them, her eyes caught mine.
"Come on, Klo, over here."
She waved her hand for me to approach.
I raised my hand to refuse her offer — sitting among a group of girls would be too embarrassing.
Luna frowned and stood up, walking toward me with heavy steps.
When she reached me —
"Why did you refuse? And why are you so late?"
Sigh "...To get this."
I pulled the flower from behind my back and handed it to Luna.
Everyone around us stared wide-eyed.
This is my wife, you fools. Stop thinking anything else, it's embarrassing.
Luna's eyes widened, and her new friends smiled behind her, whispering to each other.
Her face flushed red, and she covered it with her hands, snatching the flower before running off.
I sighed.
All I'd been thinking was to keep the flower for myself, which is why I'd hidden it from her.
I looked around and spotted a board filled with student names and their assigned classrooms. I went to find mine.
As I scanned the list, I noticed the other names were either repeated, blurred, or ordinary.
Until I found mine: Klo Yuthnir — Class 12, First Year.
I headed toward my classroom, following the map opposite the list and asking other students along the way.
When I arrived, I stood in front of the number 12, staring at it for a moment.
I pushed open the giant door to find it resembled a university lecture hall, complete with tiers of seats.
It was full of students, but after Neven's advice, that no longer bothered me.
While looking for a seat where I could sit alone, someone waved at me.
Who could that be?
I walked over and sat next to him.
"Hey, my friend," said the boy.
"Hey."
"My name's Leon Requius. Nice to meet you."
"Uh—yeah."
I still had trouble talking to people who were nice to me.
"What's your name?"
"My name's Klo Yuthnir."
"Oh, you're the one they call the 'future villain.' I think they're wrong — you seem nice to me."
"Why aren't you afraid of me, despite the way I'll end up looking?"
The boy smiled.
"Because I'm someone who doesn't judge by appearances, but by what's inside."
I felt embarrassed for even thinking he might be stupid.
"Yeah."
I moved a short distance away from him, only to spot Luna and Elithia sitting together.
"Klo?"
"Luna? Elithia?"
"Sorry for running off after you gave me the flower."
I lowered my head, chuckling lightly.
"Heh, don't worry about it."
We both turned our heads away.
"Thank you for the gift, Klo."
"..."
While we were in that awkward moment, the teacher for our first class walked in, carrying a bag and wearing a brown suit.
Maybe studying wouldn't be boring in this world, but I still had to become a top student to blend in.
He walked to his desk, set down his bag, and moved to the center of it.
He looked at us, clearing his throat.
Ahem ~ ahem.
"Good morning, everyone. I am the teacher for Class 12, First Year, for this year. I hope we can have a fun school year together. Any questions?"
What's fun about studying when your eyes look that dead? I'd bet you hate your job.
"No questions? Then I'll start calling your names. I don't want to fall behind on lessons from day one. We must stay ahead of the other years."
How could we fall behind when this is literally the first day?
He pulled a list from his bag and began reading out names.
One after another, until—
"What is this? K–Klo Yuthnir?"
I stood up, raising my hand.
"Here, Klo Yuthnir."
Everyone turned to look at me and began whispering.
"He's the future villain."
"His face really does look like an evil guy's."
I clenched my fist and sat back down, annoyed by their words.
I looked at Luna, who patted my shoulder.
"Don't worry, Klo. Don't pay attention to what they say about you."
I looked back at her with a smile.
"I know. You're always by my side, and that makes me happy."
Elithia, eavesdropping, wore a goofy grin.
"Hah, what are Klo and Luna talking about?"
Luna lunged at Elithia to cover her mouth.
"Shut up, Elithia, that's embarrassing."
Leon patted my shoulder, smiling.
"Hey, Klo."
"Yeah?"
"Why are you and Luna so close?"
I'll punch you.
"Childhood friends."
"Mmm, I see."
What are you thinking?
The teacher tapped his desk several times before starting the lesson.
When I looked at him, he flinched and raised his hand.
"You're fine by me, Mr. Klo Yuthnir."
What he said only deepened my self-loathing, and I leaned back, refusing to focus on class.
Luna, Elithia, and even Leon looked at me.
"Come on, Klo, don't take his words seriously," Luna said in a sad tone.
"Why does he still call me a villain? Won't he just shut up?"
"Luna's right. He's just a stupid teacher," Elithia replied.
"Come on, Klo, get back to your seat so we can continue," Leon added.
I smiled.
"I guess you're all right."
I went back to my seat, watching the teacher's explanation.
"There's an unlimited number of spells. You can form them by imagining and shaping them into matter.
You can use all the elements, but they'll be weak. To strengthen them, you'll need both spiritual energy and mana, which is why we use this device."
He pulled a strange device from under his desk.
"This is called the Mana Siltos Machine. You approach it and place your hands underneath. It measures and injects mana into you.
Would anyone like to try?"
Everyone raised their hands, even me — I wanted to see what the device could do.
"You may go first, Mr. Klo Yuthnir."
As usual, he gave me more attention than anyone else.
I walked down to the device, placing my hands where he'd told us earlier. And then—
"It's broken, sir. I'm sorry about that."
"No, don't worry about it."
I walked back to my seat with my head lowered.
Wherever I go, I bring disgrace with me.
"I'm sorry. I broke the device you'll be studying with."
"You didn't do anything, my friend Klo," Leon said in a teasing tone.
"They say that if the measuring devices break, it means you have immense power," Luna said.
Is mana level 49 considered immense?
Thank you for your kindness, Luna.