On the first day of enrollment, all classes at Kizen had finally come to an end.
Knox, Simon, Rick, and the rest of Class A followed a servant toward the dormitory building.
That was when a small problem surfaced.
Because they had stayed until the very end of the three-hour Summonology class, Class A arrived later than most. By the time they reached the dorms, the majority of rooms were already occupied.
Each dorm room accommodated three students.
Knox, Simon, and Rick had planned to room together, but most of the rooms already had two or more beds filled by students who arrived earlier.
Knox, who already knew where Simon and Rick would end up—and who their roommate would be—simply smiled. The only unexpected variable was that he had been dragged into the same situation as them.
"S–Sorry," the dorm manager said, bowing repeatedly. "There aren't any rooms with two open beds left on the second floor either."
"You don't need to apologize," Simon said quickly, waving his hands.
He felt awkward being treated so respectfully by someone clearly older than him.
At Kizen, students ranked above servants in the hierarchy—especially since many came from noble families—so this kind of deference was normal. Still, it didn't sit well with him.
Rick crossed his arms, unfazed. "I'm guessing there aren't any rooms with three empty beds on the third or fourth floor either?"
"…Yes. It's likely the same across the upper floors."
The dorm manager showed them the list for the second floor. Only a few single vacancies remained, scattered far apart.
Simon and Rick exchanged looks.
Knox, meanwhile, kept smiling—like he was waiting for something.
"Let's check the other floors just in case," Simon said.
Before they could move—
"Move!"
Thud!
A loud impact echoed through the lobby.
A large luggage bag came swinging forward—
—but before it could hit, Knox reached out and pulled the dorm manager aside.
The bag slammed into the wall instead.
A brown-haired student pushing a cart scowled.
"What the hell? I said move!"
"I–I'm sorry!" the staff member bowed hastily.
The student's companion snickered.
The brown-haired student examined the dented corner of his bag and clicked his tongue.
"Great. It's bent now. What are you going to do about it?"
"I'm really sorry!"
"Don't give me that. Get over here."
As the dorm manager began to rise—
"Hey."
A calm, cold voice cut in.
Knox stepped forward.
"Are you blind," he asked mildly, "or should I recommend an eye doctor?"
"…What?"
Knox tilted his head slightly, smiling.
"Actually, never mind. Looks like it's your brain that's the problem."
The dorm manager froze.
The brown-haired student laughed sarcastically.
"What's your deal, freak? You trying to act tough?"
"And," Knox continued evenly, "you rammed that cart on purpose. Anyone with eyes could see that."
The student's smile faltered.
Before he could retort, he noticed something odd—
His friend had gone completely silent.
"Hey," he snapped. "What's wrong with you?"
The other student suddenly grabbed his arm, panic flooding his face.
"I–I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! Please—!"
"What the hell are you—?"
"Are you insane?!" his friend hissed. "Look at him! That's him! Special Entry No. 1—the one from the entrance ceremony! The White Devil—Knox Aznable!"
He pointed shakily.
"And that blue-haired guy too—that's the other Special Entry No. 1!"
The brown-haired student stiffened.
Slowly, he looked at Knox. Then Simon.
Color drained from his face.
"A–Ah—"
He cleared his throat awkwardly and turned toward the dorm manager.
"Ahem. Be more careful next time."
He grabbed his friend's sleeve and tried to leave.
"Wait."
Knox's voice was still light.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Both students froze.
"I–Is there… something you need?" the brown-haired student asked, trembling.
Knox looked at him calmly. "Apologize."
"…What?"
"You almost hurt her," Knox said. "So apologize."
The student hesitated.
Fear flickered across his face—but then stubborn arrogance won out.
He straightened and suddenly thrust his finger toward the dorm manager.
"Why should I apologize to her?" he snapped.
"She's just a servant who didn't watch where she was going!"
The dorm manager flinched.
The moment his finger crossed that line—
Crack.
A sharp, sickening sound echoed through the lobby.
"AAAAARGH—!"
The brown-haired student screamed, clutching his hand as he collapsed to his knees, his finger bent at an unnatural angle.
Knox stood there calmly, having already released his grip.
"Apologize," he said again, his voice flat and cold.
Pale and shaking, both students bowed deeply.
"We're sorry! We're truly sorry!"
Knox stepped back.
"Leave."
They didn't wait for permission—scrambling away as fast as they could.
The lobby fell silent.
The dorm manager stared, stunned.
Simon exhaled quietly.
Rick glanced at Knox. "…You really don't do half-measures, huh?"
Knox scratched his cheek, his usual smile returning.
"Hey, I was pretty gentle."
Knox turned back toward the dorm manager.
"Are you alright?"
She blinked, then nodded hurriedly. Taking Knox's outstretched hand, she stood up—only realizing a second later how close he was.
"Th–Thank you for helping me…"
Her voice came out softer than she intended.
Seeing Knox smile warmly, the dorm manager suddenly felt her face heat up. She quickly lowered her gaze, cheeks faintly flushed.
The tension that had filled the lobby finally dissipated.
Then, as if remembering herself, the dorm manager bowed deeply.
"Th–Thank you… truly."
Knox waved it off, still smiling.
"Just doing what anyone should."
"I'm Rena! If you're still checking the upper floors, I can guide you. I might be able to help."
"Ah, would you?" Knox replied with a bright smile. "That'd be great."
And just like that, the four of them headed upstairs together.
Rena moved swiftly through the dormitory, exchanging quick words with other staff as she gathered information. At some point, Knox casually handed her a cookie—nearly the size of his palm.
After taking a bite, Rena's eyes lit up.
"This is good…!"
From that moment on, her already quick steps somehow became even faster.
Before long, they reached the fourth floor.
"There's exactly one room left with two empty spots up here!" Rena called out as she jogged ahead. Knox, Simon, and Rick followed close behind.
"A room with three open beds?" Knox asked, blinking in mild surprise. He'd expected only two vacancies at most.
"Yes! Lucky, right?" Rena said cheerfully. "Room 409 used to be a four-person room, so it's spacious, has a great view, and it's close to the central stairs—prime location. I never thought three spots would still be open."
Soon, they stopped in front of Room 409.
Rena checked the name tags on the door.
"…Ah." A shadow crossed her face.
"What's wrong?" Simon asked.
She turned to them with an awkward smile.
"Uh… maybe we should check another room. 412 and 413 only have one spot each, but they're right next to each other…"
"Is there a problem with this room?" Simon asked calmly.
Rena hesitated, then pointed at the name tag.
"…Kajann Edvalt. He stayed here last year too."
Rick's eyes widened.
Knox, on the other hand, grinned.
"That can't be right. This is the first-year dorm, isn't it? Second-years don't move in until next month."
"Kajann's a repeating student," Rena explained quietly. "I heard he caused some serious trouble and had to start over from the first year."
"…Hmm." Even Rick felt something was off.
Kizen wasn't known for leniency. Students who caused trouble or failed badly were usually expelled outright. Repeating a year was rare.
"What did he do?" Simon asked.
"I don't know the details," Rena admitted. "But among the staff, he's known for… causing problems. Students who roomed with him often ended up with bruises—or begged to be transferred."
That explained it. Why the room still had three empty beds.
Rick glanced sideways at Simon, unease clear on his face.
"Simon… maybe we should just take another room."
"Don't worry," Knox cut in easily, smiling. "Let's go."
Simon nodded. "I'll just say hello. That should be fine, right?"
Before Rick could stop him, Simon knocked and stepped inside. Rick followed, visibly tense.
As expected of a former four-person room, it was spacious. Two single beds, two bunk beds, each with its own desk and wardrobe.
Through the window, the buildings of Kizen stretched out below, framed by mountains and a distant valley.
A perfect spot.
On one side of the room, someone had already unpacked. A figure lay on the top bunk, completely covered by a white blanket.
"Wait—Simon, Knox," Rick whispered urgently.
c
"You heard what Rena said! That guy has a reputation!"
Simon took a slow breath.
"Hello," he said politely. "Sorry to bother you while you're resting."
Then Knox leaned in slightly, his tone bright and carefree.
"Excuse me~"
"Senior, I hope we're not bothering you at all!"
His smile was wide, almost playful—completely different from Simon's cautious politeness.
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Character Voicelines · Knox: About the Bullies Who Bullied the Dorm Manager
Knox: Who?