First Day of Class

It was somewhat expected, really. There weren't many people suited for something like this.

The academy's top entrant, Luna, glanced back at Sivar, who was trailing obediently behind her. Since this wasn't official enrollment but field experience, his outfit was simple: a white shirt paired with comfortable brown pants, finished off with shoes that made him look utterly ordinary. An ordinary guy with a handsome face, at that. His features leaned toward Eastern, but his strikingly pale skin stood out. Especially those red eyes—they exuded an air of mystery that only amplified his allure.

Of course, anyone who knew what those red eyes signified wouldn't call them mysterious.

There's just so much he needs to learn.

Elvin hadn't anticipated being assigned to Sivar either, but it didn't matter. His goal was uncovering the truth about Sivar—and those cave murals. The guy's origins were murky enough, and the murals only deepened the enigma. Plus, according to Ellie, he'd learned to write short sentences in less than a week. He still couldn't speak, but that rapid progress in communication alone spoke volumes about his sharpness.

But why choose Professor Godin, of all people?

The thought made Luna glance at Sivar again. He was gawking around curiously at everything. Right now, she and Sivar were heading to Professor Godin's private lab. Elvin would be seeking permission from another professor.

It was just before classes started, so they occasionally passed other professors, exchanging polite greetings that were warmly returned. Sivar, however, mostly just swept his eyes over them and moved on.

After all that's happened, no wonder the rumors are flying.

She wasn't just talking about the duel. Word was, he'd scaled the commemorative tower barehanded to the top. No one knew why or what he was thinking. But it did reveal that his physical prowess far exceeded expectations. The tower was built with special materials and magic that made mana control impossible on contact—essentially forcing a pure physical climb. And Sivar had done it effortlessly.

Luna wondered just how far his limits extended as she kept walking.

Knock knock knock.

[Come on in~]

Luna paused a beat before opening the lab door. A musty smell of old books hit her immediately. She quickly scanned the interior—not what you'd call clean, by any stretch. Papers, books, and pens were scattered everywhere. Godin's desk was the same: piled high with tomes that spoke to his insatiable curiosity.

"Student Luna? And behind you..."

Godin trailed off from his seat at the desk. Luna was one thing, but Sivar's presence was a total surprise. And not a fond memory, either—he'd once pranked Sivar, provoking a strong reaction. So as Godin wore a hesitant expression, Luna greeted him politely.

"Hello, Professor Godin. We came because we have something to discuss."

"Hmm... I take it this has to do with Sivar? Or am I wrong?"

"Yes. Actually..."

Luna explained everything that had happened so far. Godin's face grew increasingly peculiar with every word, culminating in outright bewilderment.

"...Sivar chose me? Why?"

"I don't know that either."

"Hmm..."

By then, Sivar seemed to grasp the gist and met Godin's gaze blankly. Godin couldn't fathom why Sivar had picked him—their first impression had been abysmal, impossible to sugarcoat. Sivar's instincts should've marked him as someone to beware. On that note, Godin asked Luna tentatively,

"He doesn't see me as prey, does he?"

"...No way."

It was a fair concern, leaving Luna uneasy as she glanced at Sivar. Naturally, he had zero intention of hunting Godin. If anything, he wanted to get friendly—but without an opening, he'd just play it cool. Goodwill could build slowly.

"We should start with introductions. Sivar, right?"

Sivar nodded. Godin looked mildly surprised. Less than a week, and he was already comprehending speech so well. Godin locked eyes with those vivid red ones for a moment, then shrugged it off.

"I'm Godin Erebus. I handle magic. Nice to meet you."

As Godin introduced himself, Sivar bowed politely at the waist. Luna knew Ellie had taught him that, but Godin didn't. He couldn't hide his shock at how quickly the wild man had shed his feral ways.

"D-Did he just bow to me?"

"He's mimicking what Ellie taught him. Apparently, he follows the president and Ellie without question."

Not quite. What the hell kind of misunderstanding was this? Sivar grumbled inwardly as Godin looked amazed.

"I see. Basic greetings are essential for Sivar to adapt quickly. Ellie did well teaching him."

"The pity is, some things stick and others don't."

"He'll pick them up gradually."

Godin continued, offering to help anytime they needed—contrary to his shady looks, he showed genuine goodwill toward Luna and Sivar.

"Oh, classes are starting soon, aren't they? You must be tired—want some coffee?"

"No thank you. We need to hurry."

"Got it. See you soon."

Godin beamed as he saw them out kindly. Luna bowed, and Sivar followed suit politely. That alone warmed Godin's smile, but Sivar's next move startled him.

Wave wave.

As Luna stepped out, Sivar waved at Godin. If the bow had been formal courtesy, this was pure familiarity. Godin's eyes widened, then he smiled warmly.

"Take care."

He waved gently back, and Sivar spun around to leave. Luna happened to glance back but missed the exchange.

Now we head to class...

Consultation with Godin done, all that remained was attending class. She wasn't worried about Elvin explaining to his professor, but whether Sivar would behave? He'd been fine with Lord and Ellie teaching him, but class was different. Professors couldn't babysit. They'd only notice if he caused trouble—and he was already under scrutiny. Any incident could spell disaster.

"Hey, you two. What's with the loitering?"

"Hm?"

Lost in thought, Luna turned at the voice. A fairly young man, like Godin. Brown hair, smiling face—but his ill-fitting bob haircut created an odd dissonance.

"Classes start soon, you know."

"We were just heading there."

"Yeah? And who's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that next to you..."

The man's eyes narrowed on Sivar. He knew the rumors, but his expression wasn't friendly. Glancing toward Godin's lab, he asked with clear displeasure,

"Business with Godin?"

"Yes. The president asked me to help Sivar adapt."

"Huh. Fine for the wildling's adaptation, but why pick that nobody?"

Luna frowned, puzzled. She could understand negative views toward Sivar, like Elvin's. But Godin? His shady appearance invited misconceptions, sure, but he was truly kind. Meanwhile, the professor eyed her subtly before flashing a disarming smile.

"Think you could pass a message to the president? Ask him to assign it to me instead."

"If I may, professor—what's your name?"

"...You don't know me?"

"No."

Luna's brazen reply drew a spectacular reaction. But she genuinely didn't know—newly enrolled, different professors per class, raised in the sticks on merit alone. Her info lagged behind others.

"Well... from a remote place, I guess it's possible. Where you from? You only know you're top entrant."

"...Kallis region, Matra Empire."

"Never heard of it. Anyway, I'm Delphoi Trash. Same magic department as Godin. But don't lump us together."

Luna nodded. Still no clue who he was. But badmouthing Godin and that pushy tone? Not a good guy. Her mentor taught her gossips lacked character. So, a cursory greeting and off to class.

"Understood. Sorry, we need to go—class is starting."

"Answer me first? I could help if you talk to the president."

"No need. Professor Godin is plenty capable. Goodbye. Sivar, let's go."

Why so clingy? Luna forced down her grimace and walked. The mismatched bob was weird, but dissing Godin was the real turn-off. Was he even a real professor? Better look into him later. Escape now.

"Come on. I..."

As Luna turned away, Delphoi reached out to stop her. Just as his sleazy hand neared her shoulder—

Grip!

"Gahhh!"

Sivar, who'd been silently watching, seized and twisted his wrist. It looked casual, but Delphoi's scream said otherwise—serious force. Any more, and the joint would've been toast.

"What the— Sivar?! What are you doing?!"

Startled, Luna yelled once she grasped it. But Sivar impassively kept twisting.

"L-Let go, you savage— Aaaagh!"

Delphoi threatened through a crumpled face, to no avail. Sivar twisted harder. Luna intervened frantically to end it. But Delphoi's wrist already looked bad—swollen, ligaments likely torn.

"What's all this commotion... Professor Delphoi?"

Godin emerged at the noise, puzzled by Delphoi clutching his wrist, then spotted Luna and Sivar. He looked to her for explanation, but she glanced at Sivar, who stared blankly at Delphoi.

"Damn it... Top entrant, huh? Birds of a feather."

"..."

"See if you can manage with that savage. Pathetic losers."

Delphoi spat venom and shoved past, clutching his wrist.

Thud!

"Guhk!"

Until he tripped spectacularly. Just as he passed Sivar, an unnoticed foot hooked him.

Pfft.

Luna stifled a laugh—more a sneer. Puffing her cheeks made her look cheeky, not stern. Delphoi staggered up, fleeing without a backward glance. Pathetic.

The commotion passed; ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Luna greeted Godin nonchalantly as he stood outside.

"We'll be going now, Professor Godin."

"Uh, yeah? Sure. Take care."

"Sivar. Let's go."

Sivar followed her lead. Godin watched them head to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠class, then quietly shut his door.

"Sivar."

"?"

En route to the lecture hall, Luna paused and looked at him. He met her gaze blankly. That wrist grab—what made the usually passive Sivar act? He'd ignored Ellie's pranks. But this? Full twist. Did he sense impure intent? How?

"Hm... Never mind. Let's go."

She stared a moment, then let it slide. Wild instinct, maybe. Pure speculation.

Good call assigning him this.

Sivar intrigued her more than ever.

Too bad. Should've snapped the wrist clean off.

Trailing Luna, that thought crossed my mind. Delphoi Trash was a slimy professor, true to his antics. Elite path bred an arrogant chosen-one complex—classic elitist villain.

Doesn't act elite, though.

Polar opposite of Godin, who earned his spot through pure effort and passion.

How'd this guy even become a professor?

That sleazy reach for Luna confirmed it: irredeemable trash. Non-recyclable. He'd pressured students via grades, eventually groping girls. Framed Godin when caught. Utterly hopeless. Godin's name cleared quick, but the victim bore lasting scars. Worse, she was a high noble's daughter—sparked international drama.

Who was she again?

Key character, but slipped my mind. High noble kid, anyway. How'd she fall prey? Simple: lured via grades, "counseled" to his lab. The rest? Obvious. Memorable scum among scum.

Seeing his face'll jog it.

Musing, I followed Luna. Students in the hall eyed us oddly; I ignored them.

Slide.

We reached the lecture hall. Luna opened the door to a familiar sight: standard university classroom. Mornings theory, afternoons training—per Ellie. Communication opened info floods.

'Bout 100 freshmen split into three classes?

Top 10, mid 10, bottom 10 mixed per class. Rankings past fifth didn't matter much. Exams favored non-mages anyway. Real shifts came later, drawing attention. Non-combat picks direct by profs. Ellie collabed with herbology.

"Hey. Hey, look."

"Huh? What's he doing here?"

"No way—is he actually enrolling?"

My entrance buzzed the room. Expected. Luna scanned for seats, then stiffened. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I followed her gaze: one conspicuously empty spot. Middle row, edge. At its end sat a woman boldly.

That's...

Flaming red hair, vivid green eyes. Sharp glare, fierce vibe. Bronze skin, Tatar hallmark.

Tatar princess Kara, chin propped, eyeing us intrigued.

Right—same class.

Major characters mostly with Luna. Others? Meh.

Luna locked eyes with her, then scanned—no seats left. Only around Kara empty. Had to sit beside her.

"Of all the...

Luna muttered awkwardly. She found Kara's side burdensome too. Canon had protagonist there, sparking friendship. Kara wasn't bad—violence only when insulted.

Isolation meme, yeah.

No approachers birthed it. She secretly minded, playing cool.

Anyway, seated beside Kara inevitable. Luna accepted, approaching slowly.

Step step step.

All eyes on us—wild combo: shunned princess wildling, top entrant, hot potato savage. Weird enough to watch.

"Sivar. Sit here."

At Kara's side, Luna directed. I sat. Kara smirked cynically, greeting us.

"Hey, friend. Late today?"

"Had to take Sivar somewhere, as you see."

"Huh. Why're you dragging him? Thought the president had him."

"..."

Luna just glanced, no reply. Tone seemed provocative, but genuine curiosity. Her dialect just sounded feisty—like regional accents mistaken for snark.

"Don't ignore me? Getting hurt here."

Sincere too. Isolation meme had reasons. Rough exterior, soft inside. But Luna snapped sharply, oblivious.

"No obligation to tell you, right?"

"Hm... Fair."

Kara nodded, convinced. Not a psycho—civilization's rudeness twisted her. Normally polite, but their discourtesy flipped her to casual. Luna's dialogue tolerance showed slight thaw.

"Fine, ask him. Sivar, right?"

Kara queried me over Luna. I blinked, pointing at myself.

"Yeah, you. What's your name?"

"Sivar."

"Not you, dummy. You really from the wilds?"

Luna answered; Kara brushed her, re-asking. Luna eyed me too. Unsure, I pondered. "Fuck" felt off. So I waved for pen/paper—could write sentences.

Kara caught the gesture, hesitant.

"What? Can't talk?"

"Fuck."

No. She scowled.

"What? You can? Mocking me?"

"Fuck. (No.)"

"That's all he says."

"..."

Kara's face twisted odder. Embarrassed, she pivoted.

"Hm... News to me. But he gets it, so you taught well?"

I shook my head. Luna and Lord/Ellie taught me. Her face brightened slightly—rare chat.

"Yeah? Who then... Right, can't talk. Write? You wanted pen."

I nodded. Kara offered her palm readily. Luna between us looked flustered, glancing.

Perplexed too.

"No pen—write on palm. Finger like this, this. Got it?"

I wrote on her palm per request. Unsure if legible. Felt calluses—battle-hardened.

"Yep. Good. Learned common tongue, huh."

Smooth talk pleased her; fierce vibe yielded to beauty.

"Who taught writing? Knew already?"

"No clue on Ellie. President taught? Man's got time. What's she?"

"Familiar? Oh, adaptation? You're adapting too? Mine sucked—you'll have it worse."

"Um..."

As we chatted easily, sandwiched Luna interjected. We turned. Confused eyes on us, she asked dumbly,

"...What are you doing?"

"Huh?"

Kara looked baffled.

"Talking. Can't you see?"

"Talking...?"

Luna's face stayed blank despite Kara's bluntness. Still baffled. Kara ignored, palm out for more.

"Saw your duel—you fight good. How'd you get strong?"

"Survived means living, hunted... Very you. Know my name? Nah."

"Kara. Longer really, but casual... Can't talk anyway. I'll show spelling."

Our "conversation" stretched on.

"...?"

Luna alone sat bewildered between us.