The classroom had not fully settled after the brief introduction.
The air inside felt denser than before, as if every word spoken by Instructor Reginald did not merely remain as information, but attached itself to the students' awareness like a pressure that continued to build.
Cillian leaned back against his chair.
His eyes were not fully open, yet he missed nothing.
Social fluctuations.
Body language.
The direction of gazes.
Everything… was read.
At the front, Reginald stood upright, his hands clasped behind his back. When he spoke again, his voice was more structured like someone who had begun moving toward the core.
"You are already aware of your position here. Your status, your capabilities… and your individual limitations."
He walked slowly to the side, his steps measured.
"Those differences are real. As are your similarities."
He stopped.
"And because of that… approach becomes the most important factor."
Several students exchanged glances.
Behind Blane, a student leaned forward slightly.
"So we have to get to know everyone?"
Blane exhaled deeply without turning.
"…I don't like this."
Cillian glanced briefly.
Understandable.
Reginald continued, his tone shifting slightly.
"For that reason… fundamentals and theory will not serve as this semester's opening."
The room immediately grew quieter.
That tone, was different.
Heavier.
"The association council does not favor passive approaches."
He raised his chin slightly.
"And therefore…"
He paused.
"…you will undergo a joint exercise."
Silence for one second.
Then, whispers broke out immediately.
"Joint?"
"With who?"
"On the first day?!"
The assistant instructor beside him stepped forward slightly.
"Silence."
A single word.
Enough to suppress everything.
Reginald continued without changing his expression.
"You will conduct a joint exercise with the Rogue class."
This time, it wasn't just whispers.
Several students showed clear reactions.
Rogue.
A class known… for not playing fair.
A girl stood up from her seat.
"Instructor, I would like to ask-"
"The training location is Arnel Hill," Reginald cut her off without turning.
She fell silent.
Still standing.
Reginald continued.
"Your role as Knights… is simple."
He looked across the room.
"You must return to the academy before the morning session ends."
The girl tried again.
"And what about,"
"And the Rogues…"
Reginald's tone lowered slightly.
"…will act as pursuers."
Silence.
This time, absolute silence.
Some students began to understand.
Others… began to tense.
Reginald raised his hand, pointing toward their right shoulders.
"You see this?"
The right shoulder guard.
The golden ornament.
Until now, it had seemed like nothing more than part of the uniform.
"This is not merely an accessory."
He stepped forward.
"It is the symbol of your honor as Enlightened students."
He stopped.
His gaze sharpened.
"And you must protect it."
The atmosphere shifted.
"From Rogue ambushes."
Cillian raised his hand slightly.
Not high.
But enough to draw attention.
"In any way necessary?"
The question was simple.
But his tone, was not.
Reginald looked at him.
For several seconds.
a faint smile.
"…Yes."
The answer was calm.
Yet carried something unspoken.
"In any way necessary."
Aider leaned closer to Cillian.
Whispering.
"So… we're supposed to kill each other?"
Blane leaned in from the other side.
"That's not possible."
His voice was low.
Close.
Too close.
Cillian turned slightly.
Blane's face was within an uncomfortable distance.
There was something there.
Not expression.
Not aura.
More… like a subtle inconsistency he could not define.
He turned his gaze forward again.
Not important right now.
Reginald clapped once.
"Prepare yourselves."
"Detailed instructions will be given at the location."
He turned to the assistant instructor.
"If you do not wish for the explanation to be repeated…"
He paused.
"…move."
He raised his hand.
"Follow the young lady."
Thud.
The assistant instructor lightly kicked his knee.
Reginald did not react.
But several students noticed.
And chose… not to comment.
They stood.
Movement began.
Groups formed without instruction.
Cillian walked in the back, flanked by Aider and Blane.
But his thoughts had already moved ahead.
A joint exercise…
On the first day.
No theory.
No adaptation.
This is not training.
This is a second selection.
[On the other side of the academy]
The Rogue class.
Class III.
The atmosphere was not entirely different.
But its aura,
sharper.
Colder.
More… honest.
Instructor Anna Verra stood at the front.
Her posture firm.
Different from Reginald.
More direct.
More… grounded.
"The explanation is clear."
She crossed her arms.
"Your targets are the Enlightened students."
Felix raised his hand.
"So… weapons are not allowed?"
Anna looked at him.
"Not entirely incorrect."
She continued.
"You will use blunt wooden weapons according to your respective classes."
Gina clicked her tongue softly.
"Too many conditions."
Jack let out a long, exaggerated sigh.
"What Miss Darres said… is correct."
Gina nodded in satisfaction.
The assistant instructor beside Anna sighed.
"…This year really…"
Anna glanced at Jack.
That was enough.
Jack immediately lowered his feet from the table.
"…Understood."
Giless whispered to Felix.
"Instructor Anna is terrifying."
Felix replied flatly.
"…Not really."
Anna spoke again.
"Enlightenment is prohibited."
Her tone left no room for argument.
"Use pure technique."
"Assassin. Thief. Whatever your technique."
She pointed toward the door.
"You will proceed through the teleportation gate."
The assistant instructor stepped forward.
With a smile.
"You all… follow your lovely senior here, alright?"
Her face turned red immediately.
Some students chuckled.
"…Hurry."
They began to leave.
The classroom emptied.
Anna exhaled deeply.
Then stretched her body.
"Why am I…"
She leaned against the desk.
"…teaching these killers."
Her tone shifted into a complaint.
"I specialize in heavy weapons…"
She looked up at the ceiling.
"…not babysitting."
[Outside the building]
At the teleportation area.
A large stone circle engraved with faintly glowing runes.
The Knight group arrived first.
Their bodies still silhouettes for a moment.
Particles of light slowly dissipated.
Cillian stood in the center.
His eyes adjusted immediately.
A new environment.
Arnel Hill.
The air colder.
More open.
More… wild.
A few seconds later-
A second light appeared.
The Rogue group.
Their silhouettes formed.
Sharper.
Calmer.
More… dangerous.
Cillian saw one face.
Felix.
Felix saw one face.
Cillian.
Their gazes met.
No expression.
No words.
Yet, understanding formed instantly.
In silence.
Within the same awareness.
Reunion.
Cillian closed his eyes briefly.
So… you're here too.
Felix crossed his arms.
His gaze narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
The wind on the hill grew stronger.
Grass swayed.
The sky stretched wide.
And between the two class,
a game was about to begin.
Without compromise.