In the SR and LR classes, students were divided by their fighting style. But in the Practical Class and Artificer Class, both SR and LR students could join. In these classes, there was no such thing as nobles and commoners-only skill and curiosity. And the reason Arien joined the Artificer Class today had nothing to do with crafting or enhancement. She was there for answers about Shiro, and the only other person who might know something was Satoshi.
The Artificer Class room looked more like a science lab than a classroom. Eight large tables faced each other, each able to hold about four students. They were separated by half-walls, giving each student a sense of personal workspace.
Arien scanned the room and spotted Satoshi sitting at a desk near the back. She walked over and slid into the seat next to him.
Satoshi was surprised but before he could ask why she was there-
Arien: What's going on with Shiro?
Her reason for being here had nothing to do with the class.
Satoshi put a hand to his forehead, sighing softly.
Satoshi: Well, if you ask me... I don't know. But I guess you've noticed his memories are... gone?
Arien: Yes. I asked him the same questions I asked him yesterday, and his responses were exactly the same. And it didn't seem like he was lying, either.
Satoshi: Well, if you ask me-
Before he could finish, the classroom door swung open and a man strode inside. The moment he entered, the door closed on its own behind him.
He was about the same height as Shiro, maybe even taller. He had messy, unkempt hair that gave him the look of a crazy person at first glance, but his outfit said otherwise-a crisp, white lab coat over his clothes.
???: Everyone, stand up!
The class immediately rose to their feet.
???: And good morning, everyone. My name is Professor Alaric Pendragon. You may call me Doctor Pendragon, as I said yesterday. Well then, you may sit down.
As the class settled back into their seats, Satoshi leaned closer to Arien, picking up where he left off.
Satoshi: Well, if you ask me, I don't think his memories are really gone.
Arien: What do you mean?
Satoshi: This morning, even before I woke up, he was already awake-fully dressed and sitting on his bed, not moving. I rushed over and asked him what happened, but he acted like yesterday didn't exist.
Arien: So what are you getting at?
Satoshi: My guess is that he does remember what happened... but we aren't in those memories. It's like he's locked in his own version of events.
Arien: Then-
Suddenly, the space behind them grew dark. They looked up to see Doctor Pendragon looming over their desk, his shadow falling across them.
Doc. Pendragon: I don't remember seeing both of you in yesterday's class.
Arien froze, caught off guard.
Arien: Well- I-
Satoshi: This is our first day, sir.
Doc. Pendragon: Oh. Is that so? Well then, I hope you will choose to continue with this class.
With a curious glance, Doctor Pendragon moved on to another student.
Arien: That scared me so much...
Satoshi: Well, like I was saying-I think he's lying to us about something. I'm sure you've noticed how his behavior changes after a single day.
Arien: Mmm, I've seen that too.
Satoshi: And I think Shiro suspects me now for knowing what happened yesterday. It's obvious-from his perspective, only he should know what occurred.
Arien: That's a problem.
Satoshi: There's a chance he might ask you about me to gain information. I know he acts natural around me, but it's a front. So if he ever asks, don't say a word-but don't dodge the question, either. Just say you know nothing.
Arien: O-okay.
Satoshi: Shiro might look beautiful and calm on the outside, but he's the one person you don't want trouble with.
He paused, his voice lowering even further.
Satoshi: Surely you felt his bloodlust in the hallway, right? Even a full-grown adult doesn't carry a bloodthirst like that.
Arien: Then what do I do if he forgets again?
Satoshi: Simple. Go with the vibe. Treat it like it never happened for you, too. Don't let him think you remember anything.
Satoshi: If I'm right, he only forgets the outside world. The incident itself will still be there in his mind. So if he did something to that student you mentioned... I doubt he forgot that.
Meanwhile, back in the library...
Shiro was walking through the aisles again, his steps slow and deliberate. His eyes scanned the empty spaces between shelves, the shadows under tables.
Shiro: Show yourself.
He walked all around the library, his voice a low, tense whisper.
Shiro: Come out. Where are you?
But he found nothing. No voices, no bloody boys, no echoes of the past. He stopped at a random desk and slumped into a chair, resting his head on the cool wood.
Shiro: Not here...
He closed his eyes, intending to sleep, but just as he began to drift off, a single, clear thought surfaced in the quiet of his mind.
Shiro: I wonder what happened to that student?