Arien, Shiro, and Sato continued their walk through the bustling city streets. They passed all kinds of shops: vendors selling custom weapons, Artificer stalls glowing with enchanted items, food carts steaming with exotic scents, and even merchants hawking rare monster parts—for in this world, creatures known as Beasts were a common, if dangerous, reality. It should have been a fun, exploratory trip.
But despite the lively atmosphere, Arien and Sato were having anything but fun. The reason was Shiro.
They couldn't enter a clothing shop—Shiro was immediately swarmed by admiring girls. They couldn't enjoy a meal at an eating place—only Shiro received special treatment and free samples. They couldn't even walk peacefully down the road; though no one directly approached them, both Arien and Sato could feel the weight of countless jealous and hostile stares burning into their backs.
Shiro: This is fun, I guess.
Sato: I think this was a mistake.
Arien: I think the same.
Shiro seemed completely unbothered by the attention. Even when someone directly spoke to him, he would politely but distantly deflect them.
Both Arien and Sato thought the same thing: He's a completely different person in the city.
Just then, someone lightly slapped Shiro on the back from behind. All three of them turned to see a girl.
She had long, flowing brown hair and an undeniable presence. Without a doubt, she was the most beautiful girl in the vicinity. (Yes, even Arien had to admit she was outshone.)
It seemed Shiro knew her. The two of them talked for a minute, and Arien and Sato found themselves pushed out of the circle as a crowd formed just to look at the two beautiful people standing together. After the girl left, Shiro wandered back to where a fuming Arien and a stunned Sato were standing.
Sato: What just happened?
Shiro: What?
In that moment, Sato confirmed that Shiro was utterly oblivious to the effect he had on his surroundings.
Arien: Who was that?
Shiro: Who?
Arien: That girl!
Shiro smiled casually.
Shiro: Ohhh, her? She's a friend from long ago. She just happened to see me and came to talk.
Sato thought to himself: I don't think 'happened to see you' is quite it.
Arien, unable to handle the murderous glares from the surrounding crowd any longer, spotted the Adventurer's Guild building in the distance.
Arien: Yes! Shiro, Sato, let's go!
Shiro: Huh? Where?
Arien: We're going to get registered as adventurers!
Shiro & Sato: (in unison) Say whaaaat?!
They had no choice. Arien forced them toward the guild, and finally, upon entering, she felt a sense of calm away from the prying eyes outside.
Just before Shiro stepped through the door, he suddenly stopped and placed a hand on his katana, his gaze sharpening as he looked into a nearby alley.
Arien: Is something wrong?
Shiro: No. Let's go.
With that, all three of them entered the Adventurer's Guild.
Some time earlier, at the academy...
Prof. Kareth: So, what did you need to talk about, Professor Veylor?
On the other side of the room, near a heavy oak desk, Professor Veylor sat calmly. He asked a simple question.
Prof. Veylor: How is he doing now?
Prof. Kareth: Well, nothing new to report. As always, he cuts practical classes and sleeps during theory. But I heard an incident happened in the library a few days ago. I couldn't get any information about it, though.
Prof. Veylor: That's because I prevented it from spreading.
Just as Professor Veylor finished speaking, he suddenly stood up and grabbed his katana, unsheathing it in one fluid motion. Professor Kareth responded instantly, her own blade appearing in her hand, but her reason was different—she was reacting to Veylor's sudden tension.
Prof. Veylor: Who's there?!
Suddenly, the door swung open on its own, and a dark figure stepped inside.
???: Good morning, Professor Aldren Veylor.
As the man stepped forward, his appearance became clear. He stood over six feet tall, evident at a glance. He wore dark outer robes, and beneath them, dark red clothing. His face was not visible, hidden by the hood of his robe.
The man walked toward Veylor, completely ignoring Kareth. But she found she couldn't move—she was frozen in place by an invisible pressure. Veylor stood his ground, not saying a word. The man spoke again, his voice calm yet carrying immense weight.
???: I came here to give you a warning.
Veylor gathered his strength to ask.
Veylor: What is it?
The man chuckled, a low, dry sound.
???: Hm, just as I thought. You still have the guts to speak in front of me. That's what I'd expect from the strongest in the kingdom's best academy.
The man placed his hands on Veylor's desk and leaned forward, looking directly into his eyes. In that moment, the pressure intensified, and Professor Kareth fell to her knees, unable to withstand it.
It was then that the man's face became partially visible. He wore a mask covering the bottom half of his face, starting from just below his eyes. He had white hair and blood-red eyes that seemed to glow with dark intent.
???: You know what's coming, right?
With those words, the man turned to leave.
???: Choose which side you're on. And do it quickly. The world doesn't have much time.
With that final warning, the man disappeared without a trace, the pressure in the room vanishing with him.
It was only then that Veylor finally took a shaky breath. Kareth remained on the ground, and Veylor himself was barely standing straight.
Prof. Veylor: Isn't it too early? he whispered, his face pale with fear.