The classroom, which had been quiet until moments ago, gradually filled with students from all walks of life.
The room itself was shaped like a small theater. From the teacher's desk at the front, four ascending rows of student desks could be seen, each row slightly higher than the one before it, separated by stairways on both sides.
In total, the room could accommodate forty-five students and one instructor, with each desk shared by three students.
Lala chose the back row at the very top, her sharp gaze fixed downward on the chalkboard.
It wasn't without reason that she turned her face away from the two male students seated beside her.
Those two were none other than Aserion Valtz, a duke's son with long black hair who had greeted her during the academy's entrance exam, sitting to her left… and on her right was Ikmal Ardiansyah, a slick-haired redhead who had also been in the same row as her during the exam.
A faint discomfort lingered in the air, the awkward atmosphere only made heavier by the scornful glances of other students directed at Lala.
With a sigh, "Hah," Lala muttered, then spoke to the two boys.
"…Couldn't you two pick another desk to sit at?"
Resting her chin on her palm supported by her elbow, she sighed inwardly.
Why are these two characters from the novel sitting next to me?
Within her inner world, Agoy responded to her thoughts.
What's interesting here is Aserion. His character was modeled after your ex, hahaha…
Ironic, isn't it? You transmigrated into a girl, and yet your ex appears as a man in this story.
Agoy's jab was sharp. Annoyed, Lala snapped back.
And you ended up as nothing but a shadow. The original author really is an idiot.
Aserion calmly stated, "I simply wish to sit here." Meanwhile, Ikmal bristled at Lala's words.
"Hah? What's that supposed to mean, I can't sit here?"
Unlike Aserion, who sat patiently waiting for class to begin, Ikmal carried himself with arrogance.
"Just because you scored first place in the combat exam during the entrance test."
"Doesn't mean you're better than me. Your mana aptitude barely hit the average mark of 2,500 on the jade stone."
"And your written exam was pathetic."
His rambling complaint earned him a sharp turn of Lala's head.
"Move!" Lala snapped at Ikmal. "I'm changing seats. You guys are insufferable."
She stood and moved toward another desk, one occupied by a single female student.
"Hello, I'm Lala Rosalia. Do you mind if I sit here?" Lala asked. Without waiting for an answer, she sat down.
"E-ehh… sure," the girl replied softly once Lala had settled in. "My name's Diandra… Diandra Alfina."
She had long, flowing blonde hair, curled lashes, and a gentle, slightly naïve air about her.
"Nice to meet you," said Lala.
"Yes… nice to meet you too," Diandra replied.
From time to time, Lala still felt Aserion's eyes on her. What intrigued her most was the memory of the entrance exam.
When Lala had been waiting her turn inside the arena building for the second stage of the test, Aserion had approached her and said.
"Lala Rosalia… No, Yoga Permana?"
The words had stunned her. A mere character in the novel knew her name from Earth.
Agoy's voice echoed in her mind, urging caution.
Hey, I just want to remind you, stay wary of Aserion.
The only ones who know your real identity are your ex, Mulya Rahmayanti, and me. She transmigrated here as the Goddess of Love, Cantika.
And remember it was Mulya who brought you into this world as the Goddess of Love.
The thought made Lala feel cornered. Compared to Aserion, Ikmal's hostility was easier to bear—his only concern was not being overshadowed by her performance in the combat exam.
With a mix of unease and awkwardness, Lala leaned closer to Diandra. The lively chatter of students faded instantly as the instructor entered the room.
The clock showed nine o'clock sharp—the lesson was about to begin.
A weary-eyed man with messy short hair stepped inside.
"Good morning. I'll be your homeroom teacher," he said with a tired look. "Zayyir Murhaq."
The students, including Lala, gazed at him with puzzled expressions.
"I know what you're all thinking, but I'm not as intimidating as I look," Zayyir continued.
"Before we begin class, introduce yourselves to me first."
He pointed to the student in the far left corner. "Starting with you."
Introductions proceeded across the room, row by row.
"My name is Nia Anastasia."
"Asep Surasep."
"Silvia Manistia."
Not only humans were present, but also dwarves and elves.
One dwarf introduced himself in his native tongue. "Kula Raka, kenalaken." (I'm Raka, nice to meet you.)
An elf followed suit. "Abdi Siska." (I am Siska.)
Zayyir, however, gently corrected them.
"Use the human tongue. It is the language of the world. Haven't your clans taught you this?"
It wasn't meant to assert human superiority, only to ensure understanding among all races.
The dwarf Raka and the elf Siska reintroduced themselves in the common tongue, and the round of introductions continued.
Only after some time did Zayyir finally begin the lesson—on the essence of mana.
"Mana is the foundation of all living beings. It flows through the nerves, through the joints, gathering in mana nodes, with its greatest concentration at the heart—the core of mana within every being."
He also explained mana's history.
"If you've heard ancient tales of Adam and Eve, the first beings of this world—"
"They are no myth, but history passed down through generations."
"Mana may seem invisible, but for those who can perceive its colors, it appears in many hues."
"Humans usually manifest blue mana, elves green, dwarves silver."
"But pure mana shines gold—the same color as the khuldi fruit Adam plucked for Eve."
Despite his weary, half-lidded eyes, Zayyir taught with clarity.
Not only through words—he demonstrated mana, its history, and its control, the product of his own research.
He was no scholar, merely a mage-instructor of the Ki Hajar Dewantara Academy.
Though his first impression had been poor, the students' view of him quickly shifted into respect and admiration.
Even Lala Rosalia regarded him with genuine esteem.
During the lesson, Diandra whispered softly to Lala.
"Turns out… Mr. Zayyir isn't as bad as I thought."
"You think so too, Lala?"
Lala smiled warmly in reply.
"Of course, Diandra. I feel the same."
"We shouldn't judge people by appearances alone."
"Sometimes a tattered cover hides a truly good book."
The classroom fell into a calm, respectful quiet until the lesson ended.
Zayyir dismissed them with a final word.
"That will be all for today. Welcome to my class."
"You may be Class B students, but take my advice—explore other classes to fill your time after lessons end."
"Feel free to look around. Your dormitories have already been assigned."
The first day of lessons ended precisely at noon.