Morning light spilled gently across the academy grounds, slipping through the gaps between leaves and wooden eaves alike. Outside the classroom window, a small bird perched on a branch, chirping lazily—as if mocking the chaos unfolding below.
The Holy Orchid Institute was already awake.
And loud.
Students rushed across the courtyard in uneven streams, voices overlapping as feet pounded against stone paths. Laughter mixed with complaints, arguments blended into idle chatter, and the collective noise followed them straight into the classrooms like an uninvited guest.
Bronze Class was no exception.
Benches creaked as students leaned every which way. Some rested their heads on desks as if the day had already exhausted them. Others whispered animatedly, while a few stared blankly at the ceiling, silently praying that class would simply… not happen.
At the center row, Nie Li sat between Lu Piao and Karma Uzumaki.
From the row behind them, Du Zhe sat quietly, hands folded on the desk, his gaze calm as he observed the noisy classroom without joining in.
Nie Li sat upright, posture relaxed but composed, eyes half-lidded as he surveyed the room without truly focusing on anything in particular.
Beside him, Karma lounged casually, one elbow propped against the desk, chin resting lazily in his palm. His expression made it abundantly clear—he was bored out of his mind.
Lu Piao groaned loudly, dropping his forehead against the desk. "Ahhh… it's teacher Shen Xiu's class today. We're definitely going to be made to stand as punishment again."
Karma clicked his tongue. "What a tragedy," he muttered. "Another beautiful morning wasted standing and listening."
Nie Li replied without turning his head. "Yes."
Karma sighed dramatically. "Fantastic. Another lecture about how nobles are divine beings and how we should kneel properly when breathing the same air as them."
"You exaggerate," Nie Li said flatly.
"Do I?" Karma smirked. "Yesterday she practically implied that inhaling the same oxygen as nobles was a privilege."
From the back bench, Du Zhe watched the trio quietly. "…They're already arguing," he murmured. "And class hasn't even started."
Lu Piao suddenly straightened, eyes lighting up as if struck by inspiration. "Heh—wait till the test two months from now. If Nie Li reaches One-Star Bronze Rank, we won't even have to attend her lessons anymore!"
Nie Li didn't respond.
His gaze had drifted elsewhere.
Du Zhe scoffed, though there was admiration in his voice. "In just a few days, he led everyone to earn sixteen thousand demon spirit coins. Whatever he does now, I believe in him."
Lu Piao puffed out his chest proudly. "Haha! That's right!"
Across the classroom, Shen Yue crossed his arms, lips curling in disdain.
What a joke. Rising to One-Star Bronze Rank in two months?
If even trash with this level of talent can do that, then the sun might as well rise from the west!
At the front row, Wei Nan leaned sideways over his desk, chatting animatedly.
Lu Piao sprawled forward across the bench, half his body hanging over as he grinned mischievously. "Oi! Let me take a look at what you're playing!"
Wei Nan laughed and pulled the item back. "Haha! I'll give it to you if you can snatch it!"
Lu Piao lunged dramatically, nearly sliding off his seat.
From behind them, Du Zhe asked curiously, "Nie Li, if we're not hunting goats today, what's next?"
Nie Li rested his chin in one hand, eyes unfocused.
Instead in his mind.
How can I get closer to Ye Ziyun…?
Karma snapped his fingers in front of Nie Li's face. "Hey."
Nie Li blinked, pulled out of his thoughts. "…What?"
Karma studied him closely. "That look. You're plotting something."
Nie Li glanced sideways. "…Nothing."
Karma raised an eyebrow. "That's exactly the face you make when you're definitely thinking about something."
"You'll find out after class," Nie Li said calmly.
Karma smirked. "Ah. Classified information." He leaned back again. "I'll pretend I didn't ask."
Nie Li glanced at him briefly. "You're unusually energetic this morning."
"Sleep does wonders," Karma replied easily. "Try it sometime."
The chatter around them suddenly grew louder—
Then—
SCRAPE.
The sound of a bench scraping against the floor cut sharply through the noise.
A girl stood up.
Her long hair flowed neatly down her back, tied high, the ends brushing against her waist. She adjusted her robe calmly, her expression cool and unreadable.
"…Xiao Ning'er," a student murmured.
Whispers spread instantly. "She's headed toward Nie Li!" "This scum Nie Li—did he provoke her?" "Haha… Nie Li, this guy's done for."
As Xiao Ning'er stopped in front of the bench, a hush rippled through the classroom.
Then new whispers followed.
"…Is she looking at Karma?" "No way… is Xiao Ning'er actually here for him?" "I heard the Winged Dragon Family is strict—would she dare approach Karma openly?"
Several students glanced between Karma Uzumaki and Xiao Ning'er, eyes wide with disbelief.
After all— Karma's reputation preceded him.
A prodigy.
Without hesitation, Xiao Ning'er placed a neatly wrapped bundle on the desk between Nie Li and Karma.
"This is the breakfast I made," she said calmly.
"…Ah?" Nie Li froze completely.
Behind him, Karma's eyes widened slightly. "…Wait. What?"
Lu Piao nearly fell off his bench. "WHAT—?!"
Silence.
Then—
The classroom exploded.
Whispers burst from every corner like sparks hitting dry grass. Chairs creaked. Heads twisted. Eyes widened.
Du Zhe's jaw dropped so hard it nearly hit the desk. "W–WAIT—IS THIS REAL?!"
Xiao Ning'er hesitated, then spoke again. "May I… sit here?"
Karma leaned back. "Sure," he said casually. "Plenty of space."
She sat.
The air shifted instantly.
She placed the food neatly between Nie Li and Karma—but subtly closer to Karma.
Nie Li noticed. He glanced at Karma.
Karma was staring at the box with mild curiosity. "…Smells good," he commented.
Xiao Ning'er's fingers tightened slightly in her lap. "I… didn't know what you liked," she said softly. "So I made several kinds. Mostly vegetables—I heard you don't like meat."
Karma smiled easily. "That's thoughtful," he said. "Thanks."
Xiao Ning'er relaxed—just a little.
She turned slightly. "Lu Piao… Du Zhe… you can eat too."
Lu Piao froze. "…Can we?"
Lu Piao grabbed Nie Li's sleeve, voice barely contained.
"BRO. THIS IS NOT NORMAL."
Nie Li replied flatly, "Nothing involving Karma is."
That somehow explained everything.
From the side, Ye Ziyun watched quietly, a faint smile touching her lips.
So it's him.
Karma, completely oblivious to the emotional landmines and rumors detonating around him, picked up his chopsticks. "Well then," he said cheerfully, "guess I shouldn't let breakfast get cold."
After breakfast, Xiao Ning'er stood. "I'll be going back now."
Nie Li sighed and pushed his chair back. "Class is starting. Time to stand at the back."
Tap. Tap.
The sound of heels echoed sharply.
The classroom went dead silent.
Shen Xiu entered.
Her crimson hair flowed behind her, violet dress immaculate, her smile pleasant—and sharp.
She swept her gaze across the room.
"…Instructor Shen Xiu seems to be in a good mood today," Nie Li whispered.
Shen Xiu stopped. "You lot," she said calmly, "return to your seats."
The words struck like thunder.
Nie Li froze mid-step. Lu Piao blinked. "…Huh?"
Du Zhe frowned. "We… don't need to be punished?"
Karma raised an eyebrow, amused. "Well. That's new."
Nie Li sat back down slowly, rubbing his temple. "…This feels suspicious."
Karma leaned back, hands clasped behind his head, eyes half-lidded.
"Yep," he murmured.
"Something interesting is definitely about to happen."
Outside the classroom window, the small bird fluttered its wings and took flight, disappearing into the bright morning sky.
Inside, Karma leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, completely unaware.
Nie Li stared forward, expression unreadable.
Morning ripples, he thought.
And this is only the beginning.