So this is the place.
I looked at the metal plate in front of me. A21.
Beneath it stood an overly clean white door.
What was I even doing here?
What did you want from me, old man? Seriously.
…whatever.
I was already here.
I pushed the door open slowly.
The classroom was already crowded. Groups had formed before the lesson even began. The front rows were taken, students clustering into their own little chat groups.
At a glance, I could make out at least four, maybe five groups.
The first was made up of high-society girls. You could tell just by the way they dressed, sat, and looked at others. Nobility didn't need to announce itself.
Another group consisted of sons of high nobles. Unlike the girls, they weren't particularly close. Even among themselves, they were split into pairs and trios, somehow occupying an awkward block of eight seats.
Behind them sat the lower nobles, more scattered, more cautious.
And the back rows…
Those seemed reserved for commoners.
The rigidity of the classification.
Hah.
I walked straight to the front row, unhurried.
The desks were made for two. Five of them per row. I sat at the only empty desk, the one on the far left. Close enough to the wall that I could rest my head against it and turn sideways comfortably.
Perfect.
I observed the class for a while. Voices. Faces. Who was who.
The first person that stood out was obvious.
Teiron Helzandur.
He sat in the center of the front row, staring ahead as if he were challenging the entire class to an invisible contest of pride. His posture was rigid, his presence loud without words.
The Helzandur Ducal House. Southern Deurtar Kingdom, bordering the Union. Close enough to matter.
My gaze shifted slightly.
Orpan Zerindel.
Another ducal house.
Not the heir, though. The white-haired, handsome boy looked like he was already losing whatever ego battle he was fighting.
Not my problem.
Then the door opened again.
A girl entered the classroom.
Her blonde hair was tied into three loops at the back, with a few strands left loose to fall over her shoulders. Her walk was confident. A steady smile rested on her face.
Her crystal-blue eyes were fixed directly on my seat.
There it is.
A walking problem.
She stopped in front of my desk and calmly placed her left hand on it.
"Excuse me," she said.
Her voice was like a flower blooming in spring beautiful, but demanding.
"Yes?"
I met her gaze directly. "What can I do for you?"
"I see that you're sitting alone."
She gestured to the white-haired girl beside her.
"If you don't mind, my friend and I—"
My eyes shifted to the girl.
The ears were the first thing I noticed. Long, upright far too long to be human. Her white hair fell over her shoulder like silk. Her small, slightly pointed chin gave her face a soft, delicate shape. You could almost
Nope.
Focus.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible."
A faint grin crept onto my face.
"As you can see, I was here first."
I pointed behind me with my right hand.
"You could ask the students in the back. Maybe they'd be willing to switch."
Her eyes turned toward the back rows.
"Y-yes…"
"Uh… yes."
"Of course…"
Their voices trembled. Poor things. Probably the first time they'd ever spoken to a princess.
When two pairs of blue eyes returned to me, I spread my arms and deliberately occupied the empty seat beside me. I tilted my head slightly.
Nothing to be done.
"Tch."
She let out a quiet sigh the sound of someone unaccustomed to the word 'no.'
"Fine. Let's sit further back."
She walked away, her gaze lingering on me the entire time.
I leaned my head against the wall.
A good start.
A few minutes later, the door opened once more.
A man in his mid-thirties entered the room. Light stubble. A simple but neat academic robe. He wasn't in a hurry, nor was he dragging his feet. He walked straight to the center of the classroom.
"Good morning."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried.
"My name is Ervin. Ervin of Mertlin."
He paused briefly.
"Some of you may have heard of me. Some may know me. Some may have even met me before."
I saw a student in the center of the front row nod slightly.
"This year, I'll be responsible for your general education and development."
His eyes swept across the class.
"Among you are mages. Swordsmen. Those who strengthen their bodies. Different paths."
He inhaled quietly.
"You are diverse. You are strong. You are full of desire."
When he said the last word, his gaze seemed to drift toward me.
As if he'd noticed the silence inside me.
Or maybe I just imagined it.
"Spend this year searching for that desire," he continued.
"Grow stronger. Grow."
His tone remained calm, but the emphasis was clear.
"Remember we mortals are strong together. Make allies. You will never show your best alone."
He paused.
"We always grow together."
Soft murmurs of agreement rose from the back rows.
The front rows remained silent.
It was easy to tell who was listening, and who already believed.
Ervin clasped his hands lightly.
"Now then."
He turned toward the door.
"Let's head to the training grounds."
"You'll receive the dueling weapons you'll be using this year there."
Chairs scraped against the floor as students stood.
As I rose from my seat, one thought crossed my mind.
Growing together, huh…
I walked toward the door in silence.