The students were sitting in rows.
Ethan Walker stood in front of the lecture hall, calm and elegant in his white coat and black cape.
His light blue eyes slowly were observing the entire lecture hall.
Every movement.
Every expression.
Every reaction.
"Today is my first day, and I hope you'll enjoy my class. So let's get started without delay." he said in a smooth but steady voice.
Then Ethan Walker started his class while also trying to understand the all heroes body language and some psychology.
His sharp eyes studied their body language carefully.
Jessica was making notes about what Ethan was teaching. Every important word Ethan said—she wrote it down.
Ethan noticed.
Focused mind. Strong will.
She has control.
James was leaning back in his chair. His body language, his arms crossed and eyes half closed.
His foot tapped the floor impatiently.
"I hate lectures…" he muttered quietly.
Ethan's gaze paused on him for a moment.
Rebellious personality. Short attention span.
Tom's eyes were normal and body language was normal.
Jack's body language looks attentive in class but his eyes are only one person that is Jessica. It's like he is enjoying his love story taking some progress.
Ethan sighed internally.
This boy is not studying mana… he is studying romance.
Ethan became angry when he saw Jack.
I think I'll die a bachelor here. He thought.
His expression remained calm but inside he was slightly frustrated.
"So what do you want to ask me? You can ask me whatever you want."
The students looked at each other.
Silence.
Then James raised his hand lazily.
"Are we going to fight real monsters soon?"
Ethan looked at him for a moment then thought, he wants to fight the monster soon. You think my knowledge was worthless and didn't even pay attention.
"It's coming soon you can sit, Young Hero."
Jessica raised her hand next.
"How can we improve mana control when exhausted?"
Students slowly stood up from their chairs.
Jack immediately looked at Jessica.
"Your notes look detailed, you can give them to me I will return," he said softly.
Jessica glanced at him.
"You weren't paying attention in class "
"I was," Jack said quickly.
Jessica looked at him calmly. She knew clearly that he was looking at her the whole time.
"…You were not."
"Let's end this class here for now."
In Commander Darius' office.
The room was silent except for the sound of drinking tea.
Commander Darius sat behind his desk, he put tea on the desk.
Ethan Walker sat across from him, his posture was calm as always.
His body posture relaxed but his eyes were sharp.
Commander Darius folded his hands.
"How was the first day?"
Ethan leaned back slightly.
"Nothing too special," he replied calmly
Darius raised his eyebrow.
"That doesn't sound convincing."
Ethan's lips curved faintly.
"So let's talk business."
The sudden atmosphere inside the room has changed immediately.
No more teachers.
No more formalities.
Only investigation.
Commander Darius leaned forward.
"What did you discover from understanding the psychology of students in today's class?"
Ethan closed his eyes for a moment, recalling every expression, every movement of students present in the hall.
But for a moment he recalled Jack's face, that bastard flirted in front of me.
"Today I found out a lot but I cannot guarantee who the killer is on the first day."
Darius nodded.
"That is expected."
Ethan continued.
"Still I want to say one thing, I have three names which cannot be killer." Ethan Walker replied.
Commander Darius's eyes sharpened.
"You can tell me their names."
Ethan looked at him quietly.
"I can."
He paused for a short moment.
"But I need more time to observe them for at least 4 - 5 day's." Ethan Walker replied.
"Why?" Darius asked.
"Because assumptions kill faster than enemies," Ethan replied calmly.
Ethan stood up slowly.
"If the killer is among the students, he is intelligent enough to fool other investigators. Careful with his actions. Controlled his emotions very well."
His light blue eyes grew colder.
"He won't make mistakes easily."
Commander Darius asked one more question.
"Do you suspect it is really one of the students?"
Ethan walked toward the window.
Outside, the training field was empty.
"I suspect," he said quietly,
"whoever is the killer… he is enjoying watching us searching for him."
The atmosphere around the room felt heavier.
Commander Darius exhaled slowly.
"Alright."
He nodded slowly.
"You'll have your four or five days."
Ethan placed his hand on the door handle.
"And Commander…"
Darius looked up.
"Do not act differently around them."
"Why?"
Ethan's voice became softer.
"Because if the killer feels pressured…"
He opened the door.
"They might accelerate their next move."
The door closed behind him.
Commander Darius sat alone in the office.
For the first time in weeks—
He felt the tension clearly.
The game had begun.