Rio finished getting dressed and stepped out of the room, adjusting the sleeve of his uniform slightly as he walked back into the main hall.
The space was just as active as before, members moving with purpose, conversations low but constant.
His eyes scanned the area—
And quickly landed on Lyra.
She was standing off to the side, speaking to someone before her gaze shifted and caught him approaching.
A small smirk formed on her lips.
"Well, well… if it isn't the golden boy himself."
Rio let out a quiet breath.
"Haah… Lyra, do you know where the training hall is?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Hm? What time slot were you given?"
"Three."
For a second, she just stared at him.
Then—
A soft chuckle escaped her.
She lifted a hand slightly, covering her mouth as if trying—and failing—to hide it.
Rio frowned.
"…What?"
Instead of answering directly, she pointed toward a group of cadets heading into a separate corridor.
"F-follow them," she said, her voice still laced with amusement. "And… good luck."
Rio's frown deepened.
"You're going to have a great first teacher."
"…?"
That didn't sound reassuring.
Still, he didn't question it further and turned, quickly following the group she had pointed toward.
It didn't take long for him to understand why she had been laughing.
The training hall was massive.
A wide, open arena stretched across the interior, reinforced flooring layered with faint energy barriers. Multiple groups were already present—some clearly experienced, others newer like him.
The air was heavy.
Not physically—
But with pressure.
Presence.
Power.
And at the center of it all—
Sat a single figure.
Rio stopped.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
An old man sat casually in the middle of the arena, a long sword resting across his back. His posture looked relaxed, almost lazy—
But no one approached him.
No one spoke near him.
Everyone kept their distance.
Ogram.
Rio felt a headache coming on.
"…Seriously?"
The entire hall was quiet.
Tense.
Watching.
Ogram's voice broke the silence.
"You're all five minutes late."
It wasn't loud.
But it carried across the entire hall effortlessly.
Rio blinked.
Five minutes?
He glanced down at his watch.
3:00.
Exactly.
"…Huh?"
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
"What is this old man saying? The time is exactly—"
He froze.
Slowly—
He looked up.
Everyone was staring at him.
"…Ah."
Rio closed his eyes briefly.
…I said that out loud.
The older members looked at him like he had just signed his own death sentence.
Ogram stood.
Slowly.
The movement alone made the atmosphere shift.
His hand reached back, gripping the handle of his sword as he pulled it free from its sheath.
The sound echoed sharply.
He turned.
And faced them.
"…Ah, fuck."
Rio swallowed.
I'm going to die today, aren't I…
Ogram's gaze locked onto him instantly.
"Hey."
A pause.
"Pretty boy."
Rio flinched.
"A-ah… um…"
"Come forward."
His tone wasn't loud.
But it wasn't a request either.
"…I'm not asking again."
Rio sighed quietly and stepped forward, stopping a few meters in front of him.
"Yes… sir?"
Ogram tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing.
"You seem to have some complaints."
Rio hesitated.
"…Ah, well, it's just the tim—"
"SHUT THE HELL UP."
The roar slammed into the room.
Rio stiffened instantly.
"If I say you're five minutes late—" Ogram stepped closer, his presence pressing down like weight— "then you're five minutes late."
A pause.
"Understood?"
"…Yes, sir."
"Good."
Ogram's gaze shifted briefly to the others.
"That goes for all of you."
"YES, SIR!"
The response echoed loudly.
Then—
Ogram looked back at Rio.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"…For that little remark…"
Rio's stomach dropped.
"…you'll be doing five thousand—"
SMACK.
A sharp sound cut through the air.
Everyone froze.
Ogram froze.
Rio blinked.
"…Huh?"
Ogram turned slowly, his expression twisting.
"WHICH CRAZY BASTAR—"
He stopped.
Above them—
A figure floated casually in the air.
Blonde hair.
Blindfold.
A grin.
"It was me, baldy."
"LEON!"
Ogram's voice exploded.
"Shh," Leon said lightly, placing a finger to his lips. "You're too loud."
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"…Look up."
Ogram's expression shifted instantly.
Slowly—
He looked up.
On the upper railing—
Elara stood.
Watching.
Her presence alone silenced the entire hall.
And her expression—
Wasn't pleased.
Ogram straightened immediately.
"A-ah… um—"
"Ogram."
Her voice cut through everything.
"Shut up and do your job."
"…B-but this brat—"
"Do I need to repeat myself?"
"…No."
"Good."
Her gaze shifted.
"Leon."
The blond man stiffened slightly.
"I believe I assigned you a mission."
Leon scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"A-ah… well—"
"If you're here wasting time," she continued calmly, "then I assume it's completed."
"…T-that u-uh"
"Get to it now."
"Right. Immediately."
Leon disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared.
Elara gave the hall one last glance—
Then turned and left.
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Rio exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
He understood now.
She's the real monster here.
Ogram clicked his tongue.
"Listen up, morons."
The tension snapped back into place instantly.
"You've been selected as members of the Saviant Guild."
His voice was steady again, controlled.
"You're part of one of the most prestigious guilds in the entire kingdom."
His gaze flicked toward Rio.
Sharp.
Cold.
"And if you underperform…"
A faint grin returned.
"We are fully within our rights to throw you out."
Rio let out a quiet breath.
"…Great."
"Now," Ogram continued, "pair up."
"I want each of you to find a sparring partner."
Movement began immediately as the cadets spread out, looking for partners.
Rio turned slightly, scanning the room.
"…Alright…"
He took a step—
"Not you pretty boy."
He froze.
Slowly—
He turned back.
Ogram was already looking at him.
A grin spreading wider.
"I'll be your sparring partner."
Rio stared at him.
"…Haah…"
A quiet breath left him.
"…Fuck."