Professor Laura introduced herself.
"Welcome to the academy. I'm Laura, an Awakened of +C rank. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'll be taking you through a subject called 'Basics of a Successful Awakened.'"
"Perhaps the title seems strange to you, or maybe you're wondering what the subject covers."
"But don't worry — this is one of the easiest and most important subjects in the academy for your beginnings as an Awakened."
"In this class, we will learn about some of the most important guilds in Ouro City, how to avoid fraudulent company contracts and turn them into beneficial ones for yourselves, and other essential topics that every Awakened should be aware of when appearing in public."
Then she shifted her gaze to some students from wealthy families and spoke with a smile.
"Some of you may already know some of this, but don't worry — it won't be boring for you. Alright, let's begin."
Laura started explaining the lesson. One could say her teaching style captivated the students and forced them to pay attention.
Kai focused intently on her explanation, and even Alyssa began listening.
Although Stephen's gaze fell on Professor Laura, he paid no attention to the topic she was teaching. He had already developed this knowledge after joining the Stars' Guild, so Laura's lesson held no interest for him.
Nathan, sitting beside him, didn't even bother to look at Laura while she spoke. He fiddled with a pen in his hands for a while, then set it aside, turned to Stephen, and spoke in a low voice.
"Why didn't you wake me? I almost missed my first day."
Stephen looked at him for a second and ignored him.
'What does he want from me? We're in class right now.'
Seeing Stephen's lack of response, Nathan picked up his pen and started tapping Stephen on the shoulder.
"Hey, aren't we friends? You shouldn't ignore me."
Annoyed by the tapping, Stephen grabbed the pen and pushed it away, looking sharply at Nathan.
"We're not."
Suddenly, a cold female voice echoed through the classroom, silencing the wide room.
"You two — is your matter so important that it cannot wait?"
Stephen raised his gaze, noticing that all the students were watching them — some with curiosity, others with subtle mockery, some like Ira with disgust, and Professor Laura observing them coldly.
'Should I kill this Nathan?'
Stephen spoke.
"I'm sorry. You can punish me by having me change seats."
Laura was shocked for a moment, then shook her head.
"Alright, I'll forgive you both this once since it's your first day. I just hope you learn from this — no more, no less. There's no need to change your seat."
Hearing this, Stephen clenched his fist tightly, and he could hear Nathan's muffled laughter.
The lesson continued calmly; Nathan seemed to have settled down.
When Laura left the classroom, Stephen stood up and spoke coldly.
"Nathan, follow me. We need to talk."
Nathan shrugged, stood, and followed Stephen.
After finding an empty spot to talk, Stephen stopped, turned to Nathan, and spoke coldly.
"Tell me why you're bothering me. I didn't even meet you before the entrance exam, so there's no reason for you to dislike me or even want my friendship… or maybe it has to do with that eye of yours. Is there a skill there? What did you find?"
Nathan listened quietly to Stephen, then after a pause, spoke mysteriously.
"I'm really confused about what I saw. My mind has been trying to process it since the exam. It's crazy… you're extraordinary."
Nathan's eyes seemed distant, as if recalling something, and he spoke in a whisper.
"…maybe even for me."
Then Nathan's smile returned as if he hadn't shown that distant expression moments ago.
"Anyway, I just want your friendship."
Stephen frowned.
'What does he mean by what he saw? He's speaking mysteriously… what is that expression?'
Stephen stayed silent.
Nathan didn't care about Stephen's lack of response and continued.
"We should go to the training area. We have practical training, and I'm excited."
The two headed to the training area, where most students had already gathered, waiting for the professor.
Nathan stood beside Stephen.
"What do you think the training will be? Will we fight each other? That would be more fun; I don't just want to train."
Stephen thought,
'Since he hates boredom, he'll probably get bored with me once he sees my lack of reaction.'
Nathan looked at Stephen and smiled.
"That earring is nice."
Stephen froze and turned his head toward Nathan.
'…Is that just a normal comment, or did he notice something?'
Stephen narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing every expression Nathan made.
Nathan looked at him with a smile as if he had said just a normal sentence, then shifted his gaze in a certain direction.
'…He doesn't seem to know anything.'
'Ah, I don't know… Nathan is really incomprehensible.'
Stephen's gaze involuntarily followed Nathan's direction.
He saw Kai and his group standing together, discussing something, while Alyssa frowned and said something before raising her hand. Suddenly, Evelyn stood between them.
---
Half an hour later, after Stephen and Nathan had left:
Kai looked at them and asked Leonard,
"Do you know them?"
Leonard replied,
"Hmm, I know Nathan, but his friend — it's the first time I see him."
Kai asked curiously,
"Who is Nathan?"
Leonard hesitated, then answered,
"He's the only child of the Anderson family. Ah, maybe you don't know them — they're wealthy, influential in Ouro City, and have a good relationship with the Arno family, which is Ira's family."
Kai said knowingly,
"Oh, that's why Ira seemed to know him, but… they don't seem on good terms."
Leonard sighed.
"I don't even know. Even Ira doesn't know. She told me and Evee that before he turned six, he wasn't like this. He was calm and kind. Then suddenly, he disappeared for two years — she didn't hear anything about him. When he reappeared, it was as if he had been replaced by a completely different person. His behavior became strange — laughing, mocking, even hitting without reason. That's why Ira couldn't stand his behavior…"
A soft voice interrupted Leonard.
"Do you intend to talk about our whole lives to someone you've met only twice?"
Leonard turned in shock to find Ira behind him, with Evelyn frowning and crossing her arms.
"Yes, Leo, he just asked if they weren't on good terms. You could have just said yes, they're not on good terms. Why answer more than necessary?"
Leonard protested,
"What! Wait, wait, I didn't reveal anything sensitive! I just spoke about what everyone knows! Why are you reacting like this?"
Kai spoke apologetically to Ira.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to talk about your matters."
Suddenly, a girl shorter than Ira by half a head, with twin ponytails, stepped forward and spoke kindly to Kai, lightly scolding Evelyn and Ira.
"Oh, you're Kai, right? Don't worry — it's just a sensitive topic for Ira, and she gets upset whenever it's mentioned. That's why these two girls exaggerated the matter. It doesn't deserve that much attention. Ira, stop acting childish."
Ira looked at Agnes with annoyance, then sighed.
"Alright, I shouldn't have overreacted. You can talk as you like."
David stepped forward and spoke mockingly,
"What is this drama, Ira? You and Evelyn? Leonard didn't even mention your matters — he was only talking about Nathan."
Leonard agreed,
"Yes."
Ira's face flushed slightly as everyone looked at her.
"Ah, sorry… I thought he'd say unnecessary things."
Leonard frowned,
"I'm not talking about things you wouldn't want mentioned."
Kai tried to calm the situation, speaking seriously.
"Calm down, everyone. Why blow this out of proportion? You're friends, so don't fight."
Everyone looked at Kai.
"Haha, funny girl!"
Evelyn and Leonard laughed suddenly, then Evelyn stopped and mimicked Kai's serious tone.
"You're friends, so don't fight."
"Hahaha!"
This time even David and Ira laughed, and Agnes tried to stifle her laughter. She spoke to Kai,
"Uh, Kai, this may be new to you, but our friendship works like this. It may look like we're fighting, but we're just talking. So we're friends, not fighting. Don't worry."
Evelyn burst out laughing.
"Yes, don't worry! Oh, that's nice."
Kai laughed too.
"This is embarrassing… alright, I'll say it again: nice to meet you all. We'll be good friends."
Ira smiled and greeted him.
"Yes, and we'll never fight."
Everyone erupted in laughter.
After they arrived at the training ground, they stood together chatting.
Kai noticed Alyssa approaching, smiled, and called her.
"Hello, second place holder."
Alyssa raised an eyebrow, walked closer to the group, and spoke to Kai.
"You were just lucky to get first place. Don't get arrogant."
Kai laughed.
"What luck? Our match wasn't completed in the exam. Do you want to finish it to see who really deserves first place?"
Alyssa raised an eyebrow.
"Of course. Let's finish our fight."
She raised her hands, ready to attack, but Evelyn suddenly intervened.
"Stop! The professor is about to arrive. Don't fight like children."
Alyssa lowered her hands.
"Talk to your friend — he's the one trying to start the fight with me."
Kai turned his head, muttering in annoyance.
"Tch, I thought I'd finally get a good fight."
Evelyn raised her eyebrow.
"You really are a child, starting fights."
Kai objected,
"Child?! No, I'm not, but I haven't had a good fight in a long time."
He then muttered softly in annoyance,
"Tch, I haven't even seen him for a long time."
Evelyn tilted her head.
"Who haven't you seen?"
Kai paused a little, then replied with a hint of sadness,
"A person I respected."
Ira asked,
"Why haven't you met him?"
Kai shrugged.
"Maybe I annoyed him, so he's avoiding me?"
(Author's note: Yes, you annoyed him, and he's avoiding you 🥱)
Ira responded with a bit of sympathy,
"I don't think you annoyed him. Maybe he's busy?"
Kai's expression brightened.
"Maybe that's right! He does have a lot going on."