As Euris expected, the teacher didn't waste any time.
The moment the last student settled into their seat, he began.
"About fifty years ago," the teacher said, pacing slowly at the front of the room, "there was an event that changed the course of human history."
His voice was steady. Practiced.
"It has been dubbed… the Great Shift."
Euris leaned back slightly in his chair.
Here we go…
"During this event," the teacher continued, "the world entered a period of catastrophic instability. Natural disasters occurred on a global scale—earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storms unlike anything recorded before."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"But the disasters were only the beginning."
A screen behind him lit up.
Images flashed across it—massive forests growing where deserts once stood, jagged volcanic regions bursting through cities, oceans reshaping coastlines.
"The planet itself changed. New biomes emerged. New resources surfaced from deep beneath the earth."
The teacher turned back to the class.
"And humanity… changed with it."
Euris exhaled slowly.
He'd heard all of this before.
Over.
And over.
And over again.
"Our species evolved," the teacher said. "Individuals began to develop abilities—what we now refer to as talents and elements."
Euris' eyes drifted to the side.
He could practically recite this part by heart.
Still…
He knew why they taught it so much.
The Great Shift didn't just change the world physically.
It changed everything.
Economics.
Power.
Society itself.
"Entire nations fell," the teacher continued. "Others rose to power. But one truth became clear above all else—"
He stopped pacing.
"Talents and elements became the deciding factor in survival."
Euris' hand tightened slightly.
His fingers curled into his palm.
"…Beasts…" the teacher added.
Euris' jaw clenched.
Those things…
A flicker of anger rose in his chest—sharp, sudden, and familiar.
He didn't like thinking about them.
Didn't like remembering.
He took a slow breath.
Forced himself to calm down.
"Now," the teacher said, "most of you are already familiar with the basics. But repetition ensures understanding."
A few students groaned quietly.
The teacher ignored them.
"First—Talents."
He raised a finger.
"Talents are physical or combat-oriented abilities. Enhanced strength. Reinforced bodies. Weapon affinities. These are typically genetic, passed through bloodlines—though rare spontaneous mutations do occur."
Euris' eyes flicked briefly toward some of the more confident students.
The ones who sat up straight.
The ones who knew they had something.
"Second—Elements."
Another finger.
"Elements are tied to a biological organ known as the Nexus."
Euris' attention sharpened slightly.
"The Nexus produces mana," the teacher continued, "stores it, and converts it into elemental energy based on an individual's affinity."
He gestured toward the screen again, where diagrams of a human body appeared—highlighting a glowing core near the center.
"The strength of your elemental output depends on the efficiency and capacity of this organ."
Euris leaned forward slightly.
So that's what it's called…
Nexus.
"Finally—Beasts."
The room grew quieter.
"These creatures emerged after the Great Shift, replacing traditional wildlife. They are capable of wielding elemental abilities, much like humans."
Images of massive, unnatural creatures appeared—some wreathed in flame, others crackling with energy.
"However," the teacher added, "they lack talents. That distinction belongs solely to humanity."
He tapped the screen again.
"Beasts typically inhabit environments that align with their element. For example—"
An image appeared of a massive deer-like creature, its body engulfed in faint flames.
"The Ceryneian Hind, commonly referred to as a fire deer, resides in volcanic or high-temperature regions."
Euris' focus began to drift.
He already knew this.
All of it.
"…God, will this class ever end…"
he muttered quietly, resting his chin in his hand.
The lecture dragged on.
Minutes felt like hours.
Eventually, the bell rang.
Euris sat up instantly.
"Finally…"
He grabbed his things and headed out, following the flow of students toward the cafeteria.
The line was already long.
Of course it was.
He spotted Harry again and moved over.
"…Hey."
Harry looked up.
"…Oh—hey…"
They stood in line quietly for a moment.
Then—
It happened again.
"—!"
Harry was shoved forward suddenly, stumbling hard.
Euris reacted instantly, grabbing him before he could fall.
"You good?"
"Y-yeah…"
Euris turned.
Slowly.
"…You've gotta be kidding me…"
The same guy from this morning stood there.
Hands in his pockets.
Smirking.
"What?" the guy said mockingly. "You gonna do something about it?"
Euris' fists clenched.
"Go on," the guy added. "Hit me—"
Euris didn't think.
His fist connected with the guy's jaw.
CRACK.
"I don't care what you do to me," Euris said, his voice sharp. "But you don't get to hurt my friends."
For a split second, everything was still.
Then the guy smiled.
"…Big mistake."
Metal began to form over his knuckles.
Dark.
Solid.
Spiked.
"…Oh—shit…"
The punch came fast.
Euris raised his arm to block
CRUNCH.
Pain exploded through his forearm as the metal spikes tore through skin and muscle.
"—AAH!"
"HP: 6 / 10"
"…You—!"
Euris lunged forward, swinging wildly, but the guy was ready.
He shifted slightly and drove his fist straight into Euris' face.
THUD.
Euris' head snapped back as his body was thrown into a nearby table.
"HP: 3 / 10"
The world spun.
He tried to stand. A kick slammed into his chest.
"HP: 2 / 10"
Air left his lungs.
He collapsed.
I… can't…
The gap is just one level.
And he couldn't do anything.
The guy raised his hand again, metal spikes glinting under the cafeteria lights.
Then he froze.
A shadow fell over them.
"…Tch."
The guy stepped back.
Then turned.
And walked away.
Euris blinked weakly.
A figure stood in front of him.
Tall.
Calm.
Unmoving.
"…Konner…"
Konner Gryff looked down at him.
Expression unreadable.
Then he extended a hand.
Euris hesitated.
"…Why…?"
Konner's voice was steady.
"Because the strong shouldn't prey on the weak."
Euris stared at him for a moment.
Then Took the hand.
Konner pulled him up effortlessly.
"…Thanks…"
Euris muttered.
Konner didn't respond.
He simply turned and walked away.
"…Damn…"
Harry whispered, wide-eyed.
"…I didn't know there were heroes here…"
Euris let out a small breath.
"…Yeah…"
Harry quickly moved under Euris' arm, helping to support him.
"C'mon—we gotta get you to the nurse…"
Euris didn't argue.
The walk there was a blur.
By the time they arrived, he could barely stay upright.
The nurse rushed over immediately.
"Lay him down."
Euris collapsed onto the bed.
Warm light spread over his body as the nurse activated her ability.
Pain faded.
The torn flesh on his arm closed.
The bruising disappeared.
The ache in his chest vanished.
"…Whoa…"
It felt…
Amazing.
Like his body was being reset.
His eyes grew heavy.
"…This is…"
Before he could finish—
He fell asleep.
The nurse turned to Harry.
"He'll be fine," she said calmly. "But he needs rest."
Harry nodded quickly.
"O-okay…"
"…Come back later."
"…Yeah."
Harry hesitated for a moment.
Then gave a small, awkward smile—
And left.
The room fell silent.
Only the soft sound of Euris' breathing remained.
Unaware that this was only the beginning.