Shin had just finished showering. He decided to step outside to feel the cool night wind on his balcony.

Coincidentally, Kayo was standing outside on her balcony as well. Her glossy black hair flew freely with the cold breeze. Their rooms were next to each other, so only a few railings separated them.

"Are you here to clear your mind as well?" She softly asked once she spotted him.

"I guess. The cool breeze feels nice. What are you thinking about?"

It took Kayo a while to reply. "Do you really think we can go home? They said that we have to defeat the Demon Lord."

"Maybe. But regardless if we know for sure or not, we must persevere. We can't ever give up. If we give up, we'll never make it back." Shin said with strong conviction.

Kayo met his gaze. Then, she suddenly smiled. "You can finally talk to me now."

Shin scratched his cheek at the remark. "How should I say it? You don't feel so far away anymore."

"That's good."

"Hey."

"What is it?"

"How do you think Takumi is doing?"

"They're probably taking care of him well. They said they'll take responsibility since they didn't expect him to have no magic abilities."

"Listen. This is just a hunch, but the prince feels a little shady. I don't like the way he looks at you."

"I'll be careful. But to make you feel better, I'm already used to being stared at. Didn't you used to do the same to me?"

"W-well..." Shin blushed profusedly.

"I forgive it though. We are childhood friends, after all. Even if you turned weird for a little bit." Kayo sweetly smiled.

"A-anyways! The dinner today was really good, right?"

"Yeah. Earl acts like a real noble. We never see anyone like that back at home."

"Maybe I should try to be more like that? Get a pair of white gloves and stand like this, right?" Shin tried to imitate Earl's perfect posture.

"Pffthahahah..." Kayo laughed uncontrollably at the silly scene.

"I guess it doesn't suit me after all." Shin smiled wryly.

---

Days passed, and soon, it was the first day of the academy.

Classes at the academy were organized based on many different factors, including talent, entrance exam results, and even fitness.

Shin took a deep breath as he stood before his homeroom. A black sign engraved with gold letters was placed by the door.

'1-A Humility'

There were a total of seven classes for the first years.

1-A Humility

1-B Charity

1-C Chastity

1-D Gratitude

1-E Temperance

1-F Patience

1-G Diligence

They were ranked in order of increasing importance, Humility being the most talented.

Shin slowly exhaled and pushed the rosewood door open.

Immediately, he was greeted with a huge lecture hall. Seats were placed in a stair-like manner, ascending to the back of the hall.historical

There were not many people in the room despite the size of it. He could spot Kayo and Iori sitting together in the front seats.

To the right of the room, Alea was seated by the window by herself. A couple of seats down, Earl was seated with elven youth with white hair and striking red eyes.

Surprisingly, every member of the dorm was in the same class.

He continued to sweep his glance through the room. There were a few intimidating-looking guys in the back. He could also spot a few beauties here and there scattered throughout the hall.

After making his observation of the room, Shin decided to approach the one who he was most familiar with.

"Mind if I sit here?"

"Shin? Be my guest." Earl warmly nodded. At the same time, he took the chance to introduce Shin to the elven youth.

"Luka, this is my friend, Shin. He says he comes from a faraway land."

"A faraway land, huh?" Luka narrowed his red eyes like a serpent. "Earl's friend is also my friend. Nice to meet you, Shin. I am Luka Ailos from the Elven Kingdom."

Shin shook Luka's hand. "Nice to meet you. I am Seno Shin. In my culture, our surname comes before our given name."

"I see."

Like that, Shin met his second friend at the academy.

"Hey bastards!!"

In the back of the classroom, a giant stood up from his seat. His face resembled that of a savage, and he had short blue hair and slitted blue eyes. His body was filled with beautiful muscles that could be seen through his uniform.

He jumped to the very front of the classroom through sheer athletic ability. In this academy of mages, he was very out of place.

"You all look strong!"

"So...!!!"

He grinned menacingly.

"Let's fight!!"

"..."

"..."

An awkward silence filled the room of 10 people.

While Shin was shaking in his boots, Luka broke the silence without a care in the world.

"That's the Blue Beast, Nolan. He's a Dragonblood from the far north." The red-eyed elf said to Earl.

"He has a good figure." Earl praised.

The two's casual talking drew attention of Nolan. He grew excited at the sight of them.

"You two!! Rank 2 and Rank 4. I know you're stronger than me. Let's fight! Hahahaha!"

Shin widened his eye in shock at the discovery. 'They're rank 2 and 4!? I'm not even in the ranking!'

Before Earl and Luka could answer, another figure had already stood up. He had a princely aura, but the moment he opened his mouth...

"Will you please shut up? I'll fight you so you can stop barking."

...it was anything but something a prince would say.

"Rank 5 Mark Ofrain. What an honour it is to fight a prince! Come! Hahaha!"

The figure who stood up was precisely the Prince of the Ofrain Kingdom, Mark Ofrain. He had a handsome and dashing figure with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was also a descendant of the Hero King. As such, a heroic air naturally surrounded him.

He walked down like a thug to the front of the classroom and stood before the giant known as Noel.

Their height difference was staggering, with Mark reaching only up to Noel's chest.

However, as their auras reached their peak, the door opened again and halted them in their tracks.