(A week later)

Kanna: "Hurry up! We're going to be late!"

The first week in Everhand flew by fast. Kanna and Yuuna showed me as much of the city as possible, from the local markets to the landmarks. I felt like a tourist, and they were the locals showing off their home city.

Steven: "I'm ready, let's go."

I was still in awe of the city's historic vibe. I want to say it's medieval but everything just feels surreal. It's like the demon that attacked me was a distant dream.

Kanna: "How are you holding up?"

Steven: "I'm good, master."

Kanna: "I'm happy to hear that."

She stops me momentarily and adjusts my blazer.

Kanna: "There we go... It's your first time wearing this suit. Do you like it?"

Steven: "It's the best suit I've ever worn. That tailor has exceptional skill."

I reach out and pat her on the head. She stops dead in her tracks, pulling her sunhat over her head to hide her face. I forgot that she doesn't want to be petted in public. It's a sign of disrespect.

It comes instinctively, she might look human, but her ears are that of a cat and she even has a tail. I can't help but make the resemblance.

Kanna: "Do you like petting me or something?"

I pulled my hand back.

Steven: "I'm sorry, I forgot it was disrespectful and you don't like it when it's done in public."

Kanna: "It's not a matter of whether I like it or not. You don't pet me in public."

Steven: "Of course, sorry master."

Kanna: "And call me Kanna!"

Steven: "Y-Yes, Kanna..."

We continued and arrived at the Academy.

The place wasn't too bad. It looked like it was just built and the buildings were spread out, nicely surrounding a beautiful courtyard with a large fountain in the middle. In the distance, a large amphitheater was standing tall and proud.

Kanna: "Remember, it's a half-day today and my class is that way, remember to meet me by the fountain during lunch."

Steven: "See ya."

I'm left on my own to figure out where I need to go. It would've been nice if she told me where my class was.

The administration seemed pretty sloppy here, after the entrance exam they just told me to show up.

I walked around aimlessly until I found the admin building. The inside was empty and a skeleton crew was operating the place.

Steven: "Hello?"

A man popped up from the desk in front of me and forcefully hit his head against the desk.

Receptionist: "Ow, y-yes? The admin building is closed right now."

Steven: "A-Are you alright?"

Receptionist: "Yes, thank you. It happens all the time. But may I help you? This building is currently closed."

Steven: "Closed? How am I supposed to find my class then?"

Receptionist: "Oh, are you a new student?"

Steven: "Yeah, they told me to show up after my entrance exams."

Receptionist: "What is your name?"

Steven: "Steven Omeo."

Receptionist: "Omeo... hmm, yes, I know you... You aced every subject except for the ones concerning magic! People with no aptitude with magic are common here, however, but the Headmaster himself took an interest in you."

Every subject except magic, how did I ace history? Something smells fishy...

That and some of the subjects were too difficult and I went with my gut.

I didn't expect to ace math when most of it was theorems and proof techniques. I gave up when the test introduced PDEs. Everything else was just the same stuff I learned back home. The last two were history and magic which I both guessed on, but if I passed those, I'm going to be very suspicious.

Steven: "I'm sorry... I don't know what you're talking about."

Receptionist: "You should be able to get into honors if you want."

Steven: "Could you show me to the Headmaster? This is my first time being at this academy."

He got out of his seat and took me directly to the Headmaster's Office. It turned out to be the building next door, with the honor students. When we walked up to a big set of double doors, I saw the small line of students.

Steven: "There's a line outside. What do we do?"

Receptionist: "It shouldn't matter. He called for you and that doesn't happen unless he has a reason to. Just go through, I'll head back to the admin building if you need any more help."

Steven: "Oh... wait..."

He leaves me on my own in the hallways of the building.

Is he scared of the headmaster?

I turned the office and tried to enter before being stopped by one of the students. As I was about to enter, he grabbed my arm forcibly to stop me. I tried shaking him loose but to no avail.

Hot-headed Student: "Are you stupid? You have to wait until they call you in."

Steven: "I was called in, though..."

Composed Student: "Serious? You'll get in trouble if you're lying."

Steven: "That's fine..."

Hot-headed Student: "Fuck me, it's your head on the block."

I ignored him as I entered the office and closed the doors behind me. The office was large, warm and welcoming. It was like one big library and it drew me in. Bookshelves lined the walls and a small study area had been set up in one of the corners.

As soon as I tried taking a step forward, a girl jumps in front of me and stops me in my tracks.

Girl: "No one called you in. Please, head back outside."

The girl in front of me wore a forest green skirt that could touch the floor, a cream white blouse, and navy blue bodice. Dark brown hair, and dark brown eyes while wearing brass spectacles, she didn't look spectacular or unique.

However, something about her was just...

Enigmatic...

Steven: "Really? I was told the headmaster wanted to see me personally."

Girl: "No, it must be a mistake. Please head back outside."

Steven: "But that's what the receptionist from the admin building told me..."

Headmaster: "Oh, it's fine, Livia. I did call him here."

He turned around in his chair, revealing himself. He looked young and his hair was pearl white.

Everything about him was white or just a shade of it. His hair, complexion, eyes, and even his suit! He would stand out like a sore thumb, the polar opposite of the mysterious Livia girl.

Just by looking at him, I can tell he was in charge here.

Headmaster: "Let him through, Livia."

She steps to the side and lets me walk to the Headmaster's desk.

Steven: "You called for me Headmaster?"

Headmaster: "I did, do you know why?"

Steven: "Because I aced every subject except magic?"

Headmaster: "That's right!"

He seemed excited, was it that big of a deal to ace something I would've done back home or was it because of the subjects that had magic in them?

Or the fact that someone tampered with my grade?

Headmaster: "Though you failed the magic subjects, I have taken a personal interest in you. I can put you in most of the classes."

Steven: "Most? But I failed magic."

The idea of him being able to place me in any class floated around my mind. I would've chosen to put myself in a lax classroom right away, but I wanted to see what other classes there were. Maybe something like honors or in the same class as Kanna.

Headmaster: "You can learn that as a student here."

Steven: "What other choices do I have?"

Headmaster: "We can put you in the regular classes or specialized classes like Independent Studies with Livia here. We can also put you in remedial classes if you want to learn magic so badly, but who would want that?"

Steven: "And if I want to be in a class with another student?"

Headmaster: "Normally, no. But I can consider it a favor."

Livia: "Headmaster, it's against the rules."

Headmaster: "Calm down, it won't be too much of a problem, right Steven? Nobody has to know."

Livia: "You told me that the Academy will never pick favorites. Is that not what you're doing?"

Headmaster: "No, now settle down."

Just what kind of girl is Livia?! She's calling out the Headmaster in his own office and the Headmaster doesn't appear offended in any way!

Headmaster: "Now, what kind of class would you like?"

Having Kanna in the same classroom would be nice. It would keep me calm knowing I'm not in a room full of strangers. Though I knew this guy was up to something, I wasn't sure what he wanted. I would have to play it cautiously from here.

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Steven: "Well, there's a catch. I know there is."

Headmaster: "I want you to be a successful student at this academy!"

Of course, he wasn't going to disclose anything specific.

He can't force me to do anything outrageous if I don't ask for anything insane. Being in Kanna's class should be a small favor.

Headmaster: "Who is your friend you want to be with anyway?"

Steven: "Her name's Kanna."

Headmaster: "Hisakawa? The Nekomata?"

Steven: "Yeah, you know her?"

Headmaster: "I've had a few run-ins with her in the past. Is she your girlfriend or something? I don't think it would be a good idea to put you in her class."

Steven: "No, she's my ma–friend."

I almost said she was my master. I didn't mind if people knew, but I was sure it would be a headache as I wouldn't hear the end of it from the Headmaster.

Headmaster: "She's in remedial, you know."

Remedial...

Kanna seemed to be full of surprises, she's a Nekomata, noble, and now she's in remedial. At this rate, she may as well be a goddess.

Steven: "Why is she in remedial?"

Headmaster: "She had some family issues and wasn't able to come in the past year. Since she came to me personally about it, I decided to offer her tuition-free remedial.

Steven: "Oh, um, can you put me in Kanna's class anyways?"

Headmaster: "Fine, I'll get the administration to make the changes. Livia, give Steven a tour of the school so he can familiarize himself then take him to admin after you're finished. He'll pick up his class schedule there as they should have it by then."

Livia: "Of course, Headmaster."

Headmaster: "Oh, and Steven, welcome to Everhand."