The Akebono University was the most prominent university across the four regions—Akebono, Kurokami, Shiranui, and Kagutsuchi.
Given the fact that the institution possessed a wide range of high-end equipment, offered a diverse selection of various departments to choose from, and boasted a team of professional and highly qualified professors, it was practically inevitable that it would become the most popular of its kind.
Students from all around the regions left their homes to study there. And to no one's surprise, with such popularity came fierce competition.
Getting admitted was notoriously difficult. Infamous, even.
As such, only above-average or elite students managed to secure admission.
And before such a prestigious university, holding a piece of cream bread in his hand, stood Ryuga. The bread was half-eaten, and from the way the sides were brutally torn, it was very clear that he was angry.
"Seriously! What's wrong with her? She deliberately didn't make my breakfast! Why? Because I didn't tell her where I spent my night? What kind of nonsense is this!"
He wasn't just spouting nonsense to himself. Beside him stood his two-years-younger brother, Kami Kai. With his tall frame, black hair, and black eyes, Kai was quite the looker.
He gave off a calm yet cold aura, his resting face always seeming as if he was silently judging the world. Which, unsurprisingly, was one of the many reasons he didn't have many friends.
Kai sighed. "I don't know. What do you even want from me? You already know why she did that, and you also know it's nonsense. What am I supposed to do—react to that information? If that's what you want, then sure…"
Kai made a very expressive "O" face. He wasn't mocking his brother; he genuinely didn't understand what he was supposed to do.
"Haaahhh, who am I even talking to… silly me. You know what, forget it! I'm just venting my frustrations. I'm so angry. Like, who does she think she is! I'm the oldest sibling; I should be the one supervising you two, not the other way around."
"Yeah, but you don't act like one."
"Tell me bluntly, Kai, does it physically harm you to be sympathetic?"
"What's that got to do with anything? You genuinely don't act like a role model elder brother. You always hang out with your friends, and if that's on hold, you start your niche work as a fraudulent exorcist. No offense, but a guy who works as a con-man isn't exactly the best idol…"
"That reality check hits a little too hard. How about you get your ass back to class and let me have some peace."
"Sure… whatever floats your boat."
Kai immediately made his way to his class, leaving Ryuga standing in front of the university gate with his half-eaten bread.
"Haaaahhh…"
Sighing, he stuffed the remaining cream bread into his mouth and made his way to class. He was a final-year student at Akebono University, majoring in psychology.
His class was on the topmost floor, room no. 223, right beside the bio lab.
Once he arrived, he heaved a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he was on time.
He casually took the last seat in the last row, in the last column—his favorite spot for sleeping through the day.
'Ahahahaha… nothing beats sleeping in class. There are no drugs more addictive than this.'
This wasn't even an exaggeration; he truly was addicted to sleeping during lectures. Kai wasn't wrong when he said Ryuga wasn't a great role model.
He was, frankly, the worst one.
And today, unfortunately for the slacker, was not a good day. His psychology professor entered moments later just as Ryuga had rested his head on the desk.
From the professor's contorted expression, the reddish hue on his face, and the deep, deliberate breaths he took—it was clear he was furious.
Coincidentally, among the many students seated across the class, his eyes landed on the laziest person there.
Of course, it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Ryuga was the only one trying to sleep in the very first period. It was a PURE coincidence.
"Mr. Kami Ryuga, may I have the pleasure of knowing what important work kept you sleepless last night?"
'Ah! Just when I was about to sleep.'
Swallowing his bitterness, Ryuga raised his head and flashed the brightest, laziest smile possible.
"Sir, I was studying late last night. I studied so hard that I couldn't even sleep properly. I barely had the strength to attend class."
"Oh, is that so? Then shouldn't you have taken a leave today? Your health is more important than a few lectures, isn't it?"
Ryuga smiled gleefully to himself. "Of course, sir, but I'm such a studious student that I can't bear the loss of even one lecture. It would make me an insomniac."
As the conversation went on, his professor's brows twitched higher with every passing second. He had clearly had enough of Ryuga's bullshit.
"Oh, such passion for studying. I'm deeply impressed. And I'm also curious, what deep studies were you engaged in last night? If you don't mind, please share your work."
"Oh, it will be my pleasure."
'Hmm… let's see… aha! I know what I need to do.'
He took a deep breath, stood up with perfect posture, and began, using subtle hand gestures as if giving an academic presentation.
"Sir, I was conducting an in-depth study of a person diagnosed with schizophrenia. The disorder, as you know, is a chronic and severe mental condition characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, negative symptoms, and social or occupational dysfunction.
"After conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, and combining the results, I reached a conclusion regarding their diagnosis.
"The subject displayed active signs of hallucinations, social withdrawal, emotional flatness, and delusional beliefs, all the classic symptoms of schizophrenia. Of course, I made sure not to spook the subject and advised them to consult an actual psychiatrist.
"And just to clarify, the assessment was performed in a confidential setting, ensuring the subject's mental state remained stable. That's why I had to stay up the whole night."
The way he delivered his words, paired with his calm confidence, created a convincing illusion of truth. For a brief moment, even the professor was stunned.
Still, a flicker of doubt lingered in the man's mind. He decided to take Ryuga's explanation with a grain of salt. Without confirmation, he couldn't fully trust him.
"Is that so? Then I can't help but be impressed by your dedication. I genuinely hope the other students learn a thing or two from you."
"Haha… it's nothing much, sir. I'm just an honest student."
"Hmmm… humble too. Good kid. So then, good kid, how about you give a presentation on schizophrenia next week? I'm sure a week is enough to prepare something solid, am I right?"
"What the fuck?"
"Huh?"
"Ah! I mean, sure, why not? What's a week? I could do it in a month! A week is so little."
The professor squinted at him, shaking his head in disbelief, before he took a long, hard look at the shameless bastard standing in front and sighed.
"Well, you don't need a month. A week is perfectly fine as it is."
"Hahaha…"
"Ahahahahaha…"