"Hey, you! Give me your name and class quickly!" a discipline committee member barked, holding out a clipboard.
"Can't you just let us go this time?" a nervous male student pleaded, scratching the back of his neck as if that would soften the demand.
"No. Rules are rules," the member shot back flatly.
A girl standing nearby groaned. "Why are they doing it today of all days? Aren't we supposed to be given a notice before this kind of inspection starts?"
"Well, complain to the higher-ups if you've got a problem. I'm just doing my job," a female discipline committee member replied with a shrug, her tone showing she wasn't interested in sympathy.
Hidden behind a nearby column, End pressed himself against the wall, his heart thumping. His blue hair made him stand out too much, and worse he hadn't worn his tie. If he got caught now, the punishment would be brutal.
"They're really going at it today," End thought, peeking at the bustling committee members with narrowed eyes. "To wait in front of every single class? They really meant it when they said full inspection."
His plan was simple: stay low, stay quiet, and wait until the chaos moved somewhere else. But just when he thought he'd found a gap to slip away, a sharp voice cut through the air like a whip.
"Hey! You can't even do your job correctly! How come you couldn't catch a single student?"
It was Monica Rosewood.
Her voice echoed across the hallway, carrying enough authority to make even the most stubborn students flinch. She stood with her arms crossed, eyes like daggers, aimed directly at Lilian one of the junior committee members.
"You'd better catch at least three students before the end of the day," Monica continued, her tone like steel. "If not don't even think about stepping foot in your class or taking a single break."
"I… I understand," Lilian stammered, bowing her head.
Monica wasn't done. Her gaze hardened further. "Do you truly understand? Until you meet that quota, your only duty is to stand here and hunt down violators. Fail me, and you'll regret it."
"Yes… I understand," Lilian repeated, this time louder, though her voice still trembled.
Monica's lips curved into a cold smile. "By the way, where is that blue-haired kid and his little gang?"
End froze. His shadow twitched against the floor as he tried to make himself smaller.
"Why is she looking for me specifically…? What did I even do this time?" End muttered under his breath. His hands clenched.
"Irritating," Monica said, clicking her tongue. "If you catch the blue-haired kid, don't just punish him. Make sure you bring him to me at once. I'll deal with him personally."
"Yes, ma'am!" the discipline committee members including Lilian shouted in unison.
End nearly bit his lip to keep himself from cursing aloud. "Damn, they're hyped up on catching me. And they're heading this way… Oh, shit."
His eyes darted around. He spotted a narrow staircase leading to the upper floor. "The staircase… That's my only chance. I need to move before anyone sees me."
---
Classroom – A Different Atmosphere
Meanwhile, inside a nearby classroom, a teacher tapped a chalk against the blackboard, drawing the restless students' attention back to the lecture.
"Hello!" I am Teacher Sylvia so let begin today lesson.
"Ether Stone," she began, writing the words in bold strokes. "This mysterious crystal has the ability to maintain the entire continent's balance. Many of you might know it by another name 'the magic stone.'"
A ripple of murmurs passed among the students, but the teacher raised her hand to quiet them.
"In ancient times, when the Ether Stone still existed in its complete form, humans could not use magic at all. Only after it was shattered into countless fragments did humans gain the ability to wield magic. The fragments seeped into chosen individuals, forever altering history."
Se paused, letting the words sink in. A few students leaned forward, fascinated, while others scribbled furiously into their notebooks.
"Now… humans chosen by the Ether Stone are able to use magic freely. This phenomenon is what we commonly call the 'Resonance of the Ether Stone.'"
She underlined the word "Resonance" on the board.
"But," shee continued, "true Resonance only occurs when the Ether Stone fragment and its host merge completely as one. And here is the crucial part if a host with Resonance dies, the Ether Stone does not vanish. Instead, it will seek out a new host of its own will."
The room fell silent for a moment, a heavy thought hanging in the air.
"So, unlike bloodline inheritance, magic cannot be passed down from parent to child. No noble family or dynasty can claim ownership over it. However" she stopped and tapped the board again, eyes sweeping the classroom. "There is one exception. The Ether Stone is also called the Oracle Ether Stone. An Oracle, before the end of their life, can willingly choose a successor and pass their magic on."
Several students gasped, while others whispered excitedly at the revelation.
"Such chosen successors are exceedingly rare," the teacher said, lowering his voice for effect. "But when they appear, they often shake the very foundation of nations."
The chalk screeched against the board as she finished the last sentence.
---
Meanwhile – Hallway
Back in the corridor, End crouched near the staircase, his mind racing.
"They're everywhere… damn Monica. Why does she have to single me out in front of everyone? If I get caught, she'll make a show of it."
He peered around the corner again. The committee members were splitting into smaller groups, checking uniforms, IDs, and ties like hawks circling prey. Lilian lingered near the front, fidgeting with her clipboard.
End smirked faintly. "Lilian looks like she'd rather be anywhere but here. She's the weak link… but with Monica breathing down her neck, even she won't dare let me off easy."
He adjusted his collar, still tie-less, and exhaled slowly. "Alright. Just slip through the staircase… one step at a time. Don't draw attention."
But as he moved, a voice rang out from below.
"Hey! Did you see someone with blue hair run by here?!"
His blood ran cold.