Bront, still glaring at everyone like he wanted to body-slam the floor for breathing—jabbed a thick finger toward the front row.
"You. Start."
A scrawny kid with a tuft of blue hair stood so fast his chair squeaked.
"Uh! D-Doren! I'm here to make my family proud and, uh, not die!"
Bront gave a grunt that might've been approval.
One by one, students popped up like nervous whack-a-moles.
"I wanna be strong enough to protect my village!"
"My grandpa said if I don't come back with a spellbook, I'm disowned!"
"My name is Aeloria and i joined to be help other people"
Then it was Kaguro's turn.
He stood without a word, hands in his pockets, eyes cold.
"To be the strongest in the world."
Simple. Clear. Arrogant. The class collectively gulped.
Enjin stood next.
"Same."
Bront raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
Ezren stood up, scratching the back of his neck. "Ezren. Uh… I'm here for money. Mostly because starving sucks."
A few snickers broke out, but Bront only nodded. "Honest. Good."
Then everyone turned to Kagetsu.
He stayed seated a second longer than expected. His arms were crossed, eyes down.
Ezren leaned over. "Dude, say something before he throws you out the window."
Kagetsu sighed and stood, slowly.
"…Kagetsu. I'm here for the money"
More laughter this time.
Ezren clapped politely. "You're growing."
But the amusement didn't last long.
From the second row, a sharp voice rang out like nails on porcelain.
"Wow. Money? Really? What inspiring dreams."
A girl stood, perfect posture, immaculate uniform, long golden curls that somehow sparkled indoors. She wore judgment like a badge.
"I'm Celestia Virelles. Top of the entrance exam. And I'm here to surpass my family's legacy. Some of us have real ambitions."
Kagetsu blinked. "Some of us don't talk like we're going to give a royal speech."
She gasped. "How dare you!"
"Pipe down," Bront barked. "This ain't a tea party."
Before Celestia could whip out her family crest or launch a monologue, another voice rose softly from the back.
The room turned.
A girl with long black hair and black eyes stood up. Her voice was flat. Her expression, blank. Beautiful in an eerie, untouched sort of way.
"I was forced to join."
Silence.
Even Bront seemed taken aback. "Uh… okay."
Mira sat back down without another word.
Ezren leaned toward Kagetsu again. "She's either gonna be the strongest one here… or just a very gloomy girl."
Kagetsu nodded. "I wonder which one."
Bront finally clapped his massive hands together.
"That's enough drama. Tomorrow, you start your real training. Pray you make it to next week. Class dismissed."
Chairs scraped. Students muttered. Celestia stomped out like royalty who'd been snubbed at brunch.
The squad, Ezren, Kagetsu, Kaguro, and Enjin, gathered at the door.
Ezren sighed. "Well, we survived homeroom."
Kagetsu stretched. "Barely."
Kaguro glanced at Mira as they passed. "That girl creeps me out."
Enjin muttered, "She creeps everyone out."
Ezren grinned. "First years unite, huh? We're totally not dead yet."
They walked off, side by side.
School had only just begun.