High above the Academy, in the quiet stillness of the principal's office, Parcaso Andalusia—founder of Trinity Academy and the hero who repelled the Great Invasion centuries ago—listened to his golem's report. Though his body had long faded, his consciousness persisted within an enchanted painting, observing all that occurred within his school.
His golem Merog summarized the recent events without flourish: Connor McCloud's group had successfully defended an entire village against more than a hundred Meteors. No civilians had died. No students outside the group were injured. Even Master Muscle, their instructor, had survived—though bedridden.
The details were staggering. The Meteors had carried magic crystals, marking them between Rank 12 and Rank 17. By all logic, a student squad with less than half its members above Rank 10 should have been wiped out. Yet they held the line without a single casualty.
Parcaso stroked his beard, deeply troubled. Miracles never came without a cost.
Merog continued, explaining Master Muscle's testimony: Connor McCloud had insisted on saving the village, persuaded his group, and wielded a mysterious "tool" that turned the tide.
It was not rune-based.
It was not magic-based.
It was something else entirely.
Connor had told Master Muscle he possessed "future technology and swordsmanship."
That statement froze even the ancient principal for a moment. Whatever Connor hid, it wasn't a single secret—it was a constellation of them.
But prying answers from the boy would only make him wary. Parcaso needed time. And while he was thinking, Merog introduced another problem: with Master Muscle hospitalized, their group lacked a homeroom teacher, meaning they couldn't hold mandatory group classes.
There were only a few professors capable of handling such an unruly team. Parcaso filtered through the candidates swiftly. And then a spark lit behind his eyes.
There was a way to fill the vacancy and force Connor to reveal his hidden abilities.
He ordered Merog to summon Professor Scarlett Dredex.
A warrior-professor.
A veteran of countless battlefields.
And a woman who lived and breathed duels.
Perfect.
The next morning—June 1st—I returned to Academy life after a week of hospital confinement. The corridors buzzed with whispers as I walked past, but I paid them no mind. After finishing regular classes, I finally stepped into Group 255's classroom.
The room felt strange, both familiar and foreign.
Anastasia had gained a hint of maturity. Lug's expression seemed calmer. Whipney slept as if nothing in the world could bother him. Lanius, helmet firmly fastened, stared at me with a sharp awareness I couldn't decipher.
And Myael…
He radiated a softness and warmth that made it impossible not to remember his behavior at the hospital.
As if sensing my wandering thoughts, a sweet perfume drifted in the air, and he whispered a gentle scolding. I muttered back without thinking—and instantly regretted it when he smiled knowingly.
Before I could bury myself in embarrassment, the topic shifted. Myael explained that a temporary professor would be overseeing us until Master Muscle recovered.
I wondered which unfortunate soul had been assigned to handle our chaotic group.
The door exploded.
Professor Scarlett Dredex strode in, brown skin gleaming, scarlet hair tied messily behind her head, her entire presence overflowing with the pressure of a seasoned warrior. She marched toward me with booming energy and greeted me as though we were old comrades.
And then she announced the nightmare.
She was our temporary homeroom teacher.
I shook her hand in resignation, knowing full well that once Master Muscle returned, I would likely be hospitalized again.
Class began with promotions. Every member of our group had earned special rank advancements for surviving the Meteor assault. Lug ascended all the way to Rank 10. Lanius jumped to Rank 15. Even Whipney rose to Rank 10. Anastasia soared to Rank 19.
But when Myael's name appeared, everyone turned to him in awe. His leap from Rank 36 to Rank 37 was small in number but massive in significance—especially considering his Gift and lineage.
I asked Kyle if the promotion was justified. The regressor spirit confirmed it was.
And then Scarlett called my name.
My own rank rose from 20 to 23. Reasonable… but then she paused.
Her instincts flared.
She sensed my movement before I consciously made it. My hand hovered as if drawing a sword that wasn't there. It was instinct—mercenary reflex, warrior reflex.
Her eyes lit up like a firestorm.
I had been found out.
With a grin sharp enough to cut steel, she announced today's lesson:
A duel.
Between her—Professor Scarlett Dredex—
and me.
The classroom tensed.
My forehead tingled—a warning.
Even Whipney was awake.
And Myael…
His eyes on me were no longer soft.
This was not excitement.
It was curiosity.
Dangerous curiosity.
I exhaled—heavy, resigned.
My peaceful daily life, once again, was over.