First Class (1)
Ever since our talk about Veleshanas, Eisel hadn't responded to a single thing I said. I didn't try to force a conversation either. That day, we simply finished our meal in silence and went our separate ways.
Did Veleshanas hold some special meaning for Eisel? At least, as far as I could recall from the game, Eisel had no such backstory. I wondered if I should pay a visit to Veleshanas sometime, but the region itself was incredibly peaceful. Even in the game, it was only ever mentioned as a popular tourist destination famous for its beautiful, emerald-colored beaches. It wasn't the kind of place where anything significant would happen.
There's definitely something about Veleshanas... but I can't put my finger on it. A day passed, and now, it was time for our very first class. Despite having already broken the ice with both Yuri and Eisel, neither of them was speaking to me.
To my left, slightly further away, Eisel sat leaning against a tree, idly watching the birds. To my right, Yuri stood alone, radiating a fierce aura that screamed she would murder anyone who dared to approach her. Despite my grand plans to converse with them and raise their affinity, this was the reality I was faced with.
"Seriously, who is the Class A instructor to make our very first class an outdoor lesson?"
"Rumor has it they're one of the 'Trio of Black Blood'."
"Then... could it be Instructor Reina?"
"I'd prefer Instructor Kaliman, since he's a pugilist like me."
The cadets were all chattering among themselves, speculating about the first class and their assigned instructor.
There's only one person who would pull a stunt like this. Edward Klaus. It was practically set in stone that he was the Class A instructor. What kind of eccentric antics was he planning this time? When I had gone to the Class A classroom where the first class was supposed to take place, the door was firmly locked. In front of it, only a brief message remained.
[ Meet at the mountain behind the Academy. ]
Well, I had simply asked the Class A cadets standing around about the situation and followed them up. Amon was among them. Although Amon's face scowled heavily the moment he saw me, he didn't pick a fight today either. Before long, all sixteen cadets of Class A had gathered in a forest clearing, and the clamor of the students looking for their instructor was growing louder by the second.
"Ah, you've finally all gathered. It was rather tedious waiting, but since you're not... technically late, I suppose we can let it slide."
Edward, appearing out of thin air, spoke as he glanced down at his wristwatch.
"What?"
"Who is that? Is he our instructor?"
"Well, I know for sure he's not Kaliman or Reina."
"I didn't see him at the entrance ceremony..."
The cadets' reactions were mostly along the lines of Who on earth is that? It was understandable. The 'Trio of Black Blood' was, after all, a moniker coined by those who had fought directly in the war back then. Those who hadn't participated might know of the Black Blood, but they wouldn't necessarily know the members of the Trio.
Edward, one of the Trio of Black Blood, wasn't very well-known due to the nature of the unit he had belonged to. His fame was strictly on a need-to-know basis. Considering Edward's skills and personality, this was also because he was the type who didn't care much for fame. To the cadets who had never experienced war, Edward's existence was merely unfamiliar. What was more familiar to them was not his status as one of the Trio of Black Blood, but...
"Nice to meet you, cadets. I am the Class A instructor, Edward Klaus."
"Klaus..."
"The principal's name is Juliut Klaus."
"The principal's son?"
It was his identity as the principal's son.
Well, this is going exactly as expected. Even when I first encountered the hidden instructor Edward Klaus in the game, my very first thought had been 'nepotism.' In a way, it was a natural reaction. However, Edward maintained his easy smile and continued speaking.
"I'm sure you all find me unfamiliar. My presence, my name. I'm sure all sorts of thoughts are running through your heads, like 'Who is he?' or 'What does he do?'"
ㅡClap!
Suddenly, Edward clapped his hands loudly to draw their attention.
"...So today, we will take some time to get to know each other intimately."
At Edward's baffling words, the cadets' expressions grew puzzled.
"The cadets of Class A are very remarkable people, aren't you?" Edward said, scanning the cadets standing in front of him one by one.
"Some of you were born into famous families, drinking expensive elixirs from an early age and raised very gently. Some of you received the great gift of talent from birth and reached this position easily. And some of you have continuously put in bone-shattering effort to finally grasp the honorable result of Class A."
Edward paused for a moment after saying that.
"However. Just because you entered Class A doesn't mean you are the strongest."
Following those meaningful words, Edward's heavy remarks continued.
"You've simply become strong a little earlier than others. That means you can be caught up to at any time. By the very latecomers you unconsciously ignore and look down upon."
The words Edward spat out were enough to ruffle the feathers of the proud Class A cadets.
He's not wrong. Within Innocence Academy, Class A was treated exceptionally well everywhere. They got better dormitory rooms, better meals, and even living expenses if they lacked money. It was the same outside the Academy. To ordinary people, being in Class A of the Academy meant you were an incredible person.
Because of this, it was quite common for classes to change during the main exams held every semester.
"Hah. A nepotism baby talking big."
A rather harsh voice echoed from among the crowd of cadets. Judging by the deep voice, it seemed to be Amon.
Despite the insult, the smile on Edward's face showed no signs of fading. If anything, the corners of his mouth curled up even higher. Leaving Amon's words behind, Edward continued with what he was saying.
"Why should the Class A cadets, who are supposed to be so great, be devoured by latecomers? I don't like that either."
Edward shrugged his shoulders in a truly obnoxious manner.
"According to your own thoughts... you are remarkable people, aren't you? This time, I intend to create a 'perfect Class A' that will not fall behind anyone. To do that, we must first gauge your level."
Around this point, his eccentric behavior began to unfold.
"But I hate annoying things. Why take the long way around? There is a very simple method."
Suddenly, Edward, drawing out his words, pointed his index finger at the cadets.
"From now on, all Class A cadets must attack me, Edward Klaus, with everything you've got."
At Edward's subsequent words, most of the cadets looked visibly flustered.
"Ha... So, Instructor. You mean we should launch a coordinated attack against you, just one person? Our Class A?"
Amon seemed to think Edward was looking down on them. A few cadets seemed to agree with his sentiment.
"Hey, you dirt-brained pig. Do you still not know Innocence Academy well? The instructors of the Academy are not ordinary people."
Surprisingly, Yuri was assessing the situation very well. Yuri continued to lay out the situation.
"Right now, you'd better pray that instructor is indeed a 'nepotism baby' like you just babbled. Because if he isn't... we have absolutely no way of winning."
Glaring at Amon, Yuri spoke in a rather harsh tone.
"Instructor Edward, I have one question. Do we absolutely have to 'win' against you?"
Yuri asked Edward. At her question, Edward's smile grew even more sinister.
"My, did I place too much expectation on you cadets? You talk too much. You should attack with the intent to kill, right now."
"Then."
Yuri immediately stretched her hand forward and cast a fire magic spell. It was the most powerful spell she could cast in the early stages. In game terms, it was akin to an ultimate skill or a finishing move with the longest cooldown.
"Phoenix."
From the massive magic circle unfolding in front of Yuri's palm, a colossal flame in the shape of a phoenix surged. At the intense heat, the surrounding cadets quickly backed away. I did the same. The phoenix-shaped flame flapped its wings and flew toward Edward.
The moment the phoenix was about to reach Edward, his figure vanished at high speed.
"...Huh?"
The vanished Edward reappeared right behind Yuri.
"...!"
I noticed it faster than anyone else here, and immediately drew my sword and rushed toward Edward, but...
ㅡSlash!
Edward's swift and concise movements flowed with elegance, as if he were painting a picture.
ㅡSplat!!!
...My response was far too late. Yuri's head, completely severed at the neck by a dagger Edward had pulled out of nowhere, flew off, separating from her body. Yuri's... Yuri Clementine's crimson hair fluttered in the air along with thick blood.
At that moment, I came to a dead stop. I didn't move from that spot anymore.
"Crazy..."
"Is she dead?"
"Fuck, what the hell is going on?!"
The cadets screamed at the top of their lungs. They were in a complete panic. Some collapsed to the ground, while others vomited.
"I told you. Attack with the intent to 'kill'." Edward said, flicking the blood off his dagger.
ㅡCrackle!
Suddenly, the sound of sparks flying echoed from one side.
"Then, die."
Eisel, even after witnessing that sight, cast lightning magic and rushed at Edward.
Eisel and Edward exchanged blows at a speed hard for the eyes to follow. However, even Eisel, strong as she was, was completely helpless against his dagger.
ㅡThud.
Edward's dagger plunged deep into Eisel's heart.
"Cadet Eisel... you are too slow."
"Ugh... Argh..."
With the dagger embedded in her heart, Eisel stumbled, losing her balance. Eisel finally collapsed. Blood gushed from where she fell, forming a pool.
"Sigh..."
I let out a deep sigh as I watched this surreal scene. Despite the urgent situation, there was no tension to be found in my attitude. It was because all my tension had quickly dissipated after I realized what was happening. Instead, a hollow laugh escaped my lips.
Since when, Edward Klaus...
Just when.
Since when.
Did you cast 'illusion magic' on me...?
As expected, Edward was Edward.
Checking the cadets' levels using illusion magic from the very first class...
His malicious teaching methods, which I had experienced in the game, were still as wicked as ever.