"Y-Yes, Teacher… Neil Winsome is here!"
A stunned pause followed — then half the class stifled laughter, the other half gawked in disbelief.
Lady Maya blinked once, utterly taken aback. The corner of her eye twitched ever so slightly — the Grandmaster of Silver Heaven Academy, speechless for the first time in years. Her calm, regal voice finally returned, low but edged with disbelief.
"…You're Neil Winsome?"
The boy lifted his face slightly, revealing a young man with a buzz-cut of black hair and dark, plain eyes. His expression was a mix of pain, confusion, and nervous grin — the kind only someone perpetually unlucky could manage.
"Yes, ma'am. Reporting… for duty."
**********
The classroom buzzed with excitement and confusion.
"Who is that?"
"Is he really the Neil Winsome Lady Maya was talking about?"
"Why did he show up now — and why's he lying on the floor?"
Whispers rippled through the rows; some were amused, others baffled.
"Man, what a clumsy entrance," someone snickered.
Even Instructor Lily and Lady Maya stood frozen for a moment, exchanging astonished looks.
After a few seconds, the boy — Neil Winsome — propped himself up and slowly stood. The first thing he did was dust off his light-green vest and white baggy pants, then run his fingers through his messy, buzz-cut black hair.
His face was pale and drenched in sweat, chest heaving as if he'd sprinted all the way from another region. Lily frowned with concern. Oh, poor boy… he's walking straight into a storm. Lady Maya, however, was far less forgiving. Her black eyes narrowed; her tone carried steel.
"Neil Winsome," she said sharply, arms crossed. "You were supposed to report to this academy few months ago. Would you care to explain your delay?"
But Neil didn't respond. His gaze had locked on something entirely different — the faint golden glimmer around Maya's wrist. He tilted his head, squinting curiously. Is that… gold embroidery?
Maya blinked, confused by his stare. "What are you looking—?"
Before she could finish, Neil suddenly stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, turning it slightly to get a closer look at her bracelet. A collective gasp filled the room.
Maya's eyes widened in disbelief. "What—!"
Neil twisted her hand gently but clumsily, murmuring, "Ah, fascinating… I thought I saw some engraving here."
Maya winced in pain. "Ow—! Release me this instant!"
Startled, Neil let go immediately, and Maya yanked her hand back, glaring daggers at him while rubbing her wrist.
"What," she said, voice trembling with fury, "were you trying to do, boy!?"
Neil blinked, utterly confused. "I—I just wanted to look at your bracelet, my Lady! It looked… really pretty. The gold pattern caught my eye, so I wanted to see it up close."
For a heartbeat, silence. Then —
"Did he just grab Lady Maya's hand out of nowhere?"
"Oh no. He's dead."
"Rest in peace, Neil Winsome."
The class exploded into whispers and muffled laughter.
Nina pressed her hands together anxiously. "He shouldn't have done that. Lady Maya's definitely furious."
Shaumin smirked. "He's either the bravest or the dumbest guy I've ever seen."
Sabastian muttered, "Did he fall on his head or what?"
Natasha slammed her desk. "How dare he speak to the Grandmaster like that! That boy's a complete idiot!"
Shaun sighed. "Yeah… he's in serious trouble."
Meanwhile, Neil stood frozen — sweating, blinking, and completely unaware of the magnitude of the chaos he'd just caused. Laughter rippled through the classroom again. Even Instructor Lily tried and failed to hide her giggle behind a hand.
But Lady Maya wasn't laughing. Her jaw tightened; her eyes burned with fury. To her, this wasn't foolishness — it was insolence. She took a sharp step forward, her voice slicing through the laughter like a whip.
"Fool! How dare you disrespect your teacher! Speak — give me one valid reason for your few-months absence, or I'll see to it you're disciplined immediately!"
The laughter died in an instant. Neil scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Oh, that!" he said casually. "I'm sorry, Teacher. I actually… kind of forgot I had to attend the academy."
The class blinked. Neil continued cheerfully, still oblivious.
"I think I got confused between days and months. Hehe, silly me. When I realized my mistake, it was already too late — so I dashed here as fast as I could! Totally my fault!"
He laughed — carefree, clueless, and utterly sincere. And that was it. The room erupted. Disciples doubled over their desks in laughter; even Lily giggled helplessly.
"So that's his reason?"
"He mixed up days and months?"
"Is this guy for real?"
"He's either a legend… or an idiot."
Lady Maya stood silent amid the laughter, her aura flickering faintly — calm on the surface, but brimming with restrained rage. One thing was certain: Neil Winsome had just turned his first day at Silver Heaven Academy into unforgettable chaos.
**********
The classroom still trembled with laughter. But the mirth died the moment Lady Maya's aura flared. A chilling silence swept through the room as her fury ignited.
Her black eyes blazed crimson; her pupils narrowed to sharp, grain-like slits. Long, pointed nails shimmered into view as fiery energy rippled around her. Heat flooded the air. Red-and-gold light burst from her body, filling the room with pressure so heavy that even breathing became difficult.
Nine blazing aura-stripes appeared behind her — nine radiant tails of fire and light swaying ominously in the air. When she spoke, her voice thundered through the chamber like molten steel.
"Enough!"
Every disciple froze in terror. Her glare pinned Neil like a spear.
"You've caused enough disgrace for one morning! First, you disrupt class by arriving few months late. Then you dare lay hands on me and make a mockery of your teacher before the entire class!
And after all that, you still stand there shamelessly as if nothing happened!?"
Her aura crackled louder; sparks danced across the wooden floor.
"I have never witnessed such insolence in all my years as Grandmaster."
She raised a finger toward him, her tone final.
"Neil Winsome — by the authority of Maya Flamefox, Grandmaster of Silver Heaven Academy — you are hereby punished for your misconduct and disrespect!"
Her words rang like a decree.
"You will kneel outside this classroom for the remainder of the day. And when the sun sets, report to my chamber — where you will receive your Unworthy Magus Certificate and be expelled from this academy forever."
Gasps filled the room. The fiery aura flickered once more before dimming, leaving only the echo of her words hanging like a curse. No one dared to move.
The noble-born disciples exchanged satisfied smirks — he deserved it, they thought. But among the commoners, uneasy glances were shared; Shaun's hands clenched under his desk, and even Natasha's face had lost its colour.
Instructor Lily said nothing. Her lips trembled, but she bowed her head — torn between duty and sympathy. Her thoughts whispered quietly: Poor boy… he doesn't even realize what storm he's in.
**********
The classroom was frozen in uneasy silence. Lady Maya's fiery aura still lingered faintly in the air, shimmering like heat over stone.
Is this it? Will he really be expelled on his first day?
Whispers darted through the rows of disciples, each one afraid to speak aloud. Then—
"Lady Grandmaster, I have something to say," Shaun said suddenly, rising from his seat.
Every head turned toward him. Even Lady Maya's crimson eyes shifted in his direction.
**********