The crowing of roosters echoed throughout the city, heralding a cool morning that settled over every street and rooftop. Thin layers of mist still lingered in the air, catching the pale rays of the rising sun and turning them into shimmering streaks of gold.
Yet despite the quiet beauty of the morning, the academy grounds were anything but peaceful.
The courtyard was packed with students.
Hundreds of them.
Groups had formed everywhere, filling the space with constant chatter, laughter, and excited conversations. The noise blended together into a vibrant atmosphere that seemed almost overwhelming.
Standing amidst the crowd, Duke silently observed the scene around him.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then his expression slowly hardened.
"…Those students."
Mike tilted his head.
"What about them?"
Duke didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze shifted toward several groups standing farther away.
"Look carefully," he said quietly. "It's not just first years."
Mike narrowed his eyes.
Kai followed Duke's gaze as well.
His attention landed on several individuals whose appearances were… unusual.
One student had pointed ears protruding from their hair.
Another's arms were covered in thick fur.
A third had a tail swaying lazily behind them as they spoke with friends.
Mike swallowed.
"…What the hell?"
Kai frowned slightly.
"Now that I think about it…"
His voice lowered.
"This place isn't just for humans."
A cool breeze drifted across the courtyard.
For some reason, it sent a chill down all three of their spines.
Before they could fully process what they were seeing, a loud blast of trumpets and drums suddenly rang out across the academy.
The powerful sounds cut through the noise like a blade.
The crowd gradually fell silent.
Everyone turned toward the front.
A familiar figure stepped forward.
His clothes were immaculate.
His posture was flawless.
Even the way he walked carried an invisible pressure that commanded attention.
Albert Haden.
The headmaster stood before the gathered students and swept his gaze across the crowd.
Then he spoke.
His voice was calm, steady, and impossible to ignore.
"Perhaps repeating this now is somewhat unnecessary."
He paused briefly.
"But from this moment onward…"
"…you are officially first year students of Gaiacademy."
A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.
Then applause erupted.
Cheers followed immediately afterward.
Albert nodded slightly.
"As headmaster, I welcome all of you to your first day."
The applause grew louder.
After a few moments, he raised one hand.
The noise quickly subsided.
"Now then."
"Please line up to receive your uniforms and classroom assignments."
The crowd immediately began moving.
Students split into separate lines and headed toward the distribution area.
Not long afterward, uniforms were handed out one by one.
The boys received simple white short sleeved shirts paired with black trousers. On the left side of each shirt was the academy emblem—a massive ancient tree embroidered in exquisite detail.
The girls received a similar uniform, though theirs included black skirts that reached the knees.
Along with the uniforms came a small slip of paper containing a classroom number.
Albert continued.
"After changing into your uniforms, proceed to the classroom listed on your assignment sheet."
The students began dispersing throughout the campus.
Kai pulled his shirt over his head and adjusted the collar before glancing at the others.
"What room did you guys get?"
Duke fastened a button and checked his paper.
"Thirty three."
He looked up.
"You?"
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Same."
Mike's voice came from behind them.
"Me too."
Silence.
Duke stared at both of them with a completely blank expression.
"…Seriously?"
A sigh escaped him.
"Same class again."
He rubbed his forehead.
"I really can't get away from you idiots, can I?"
Kai smirked.
"Sounds like your problem."
Mike shrugged.
"Accept your fate."
The three of them headed down the hallway together.
The corridors were packed with students searching for their assigned rooms. Footsteps echoed across the floor while voices overlapped in every direction.
It was complete chaos.
Duke scanned the hallway before pointing ahead.
"There."
A classroom door.
The number 33 was clearly displayed above it.
The three entered.
Immediately, something felt off.
The classroom was already almost full.
Around thirty students occupied the room, yet nobody seemed particularly eager to talk.
People glanced at one another.
Measured one another.
Studied one another.
The atmosphere was strangely tense.
Kai stepped through the doorway first.
Then his eyes landed on the front row.
He froze.
…What the hell?
Behind him, Duke followed his gaze.
His expression immediately darkened.
"…Why is it these guys?"
Mike clenched his jaw.
"…Anyone but them."
At the front of the classroom sat three familiar figures.
Hajime.
Chad.
Daniel.
The three looked completely relaxed.
None of them appeared interested in the students around them.
Yet somehow their mere presence made the entire room feel heavier.
Kai, Duke, and Mike silently made their way toward the back and took the remaining empty seats.
Kai settled into a desk beside the window.
Sunlight slanted across his face.
Leaning slightly toward the others, he whispered,
"I really don't like this atmosphere."
Duke folded his arms.
"Deal with it."
His eyes remained fixed ahead.
"It's the first day. Everyone's on edge."
Mike glanced around the room, trying to find something positive.
"At least there are only around thirty students."
He shrugged.
"Plenty of opportunities to make friends."
Neither of the others responded.
Silence settled over the classroom once again.
Then—
BANG!
The classroom door exploded inward.
The entire door flew off its hinges and slammed into the wall with a deafening crash.
Every student jumped.
Heads snapped toward the entrance.
A figure stepped inside.
Tall.
Broad shouldered.
Powerful.
Each footstep seemed heavy enough to shake the room.
Pointed ears stood upright atop her head.
Her muscular arms were covered with faint patches of fur.
Her sharp eyes resembled those of a predator surveying its prey.
She walked into the center of the room and folded her arms.
Then her gaze swept across every student present.
"Good morning."
Her voice was deep.
Firm.
Uncompromising.
"I am Siva."
Silence answered her.
No one dared speak.
A faint smirk appeared on her face.
"And from this moment onward…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'll be your homeroom teacher."
Kai, Duke, and Mike almost swallowed simultaneously.
Kai leaned closer and whispered,
"…She's terrifying."
Duke gave the smallest possible nod.
"…Definitely not someone to mess with."
Mike slowly exhaled.
"…I have a really bad feeling about this."