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A day has passed, and morning has dawned.

I stuffed my few belongings into my bag and made my way down to the first floor. A quick glance around revealed that, once again, the Red Bear Inn had all its tables empty and devoid of customers.

Just as I began to worry about the state of business, my eyes met Daisy’s. She smiled warmly at me, as if nothing had happened the previous night.

“Did you sleep well?”

I nodded silently. She seemed to notice the bag slung over my shoulder and her expression shifted to one of bittersweet understanding that I was about to leave.

“Why not have breakfast before you go?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

I had to be on time for the official schedule at the Academy today. Plus, it was obvious that she was trying to gauge my mood. Her smile was a bit awkward and stiff, unlike usual. No matter how hard we tried to act as if nothing had happened, it wouldn’t create a very pleasant atmosphere for breakfast.

Though I had already paid for the lodging on the first day, I felt that last night’s meal wouldn’t be covered by the deposit. But somehow, I sensed that Daisy wouldn’t insist on payment, so I quietly left a gold coin in my room. They’d probably check it later anyway.

I opened the inn’s door and stepped out onto the street, where Daisy came out to see me off.

She cautiously asked, “Will we see each other again?”

“If the opportunity arises.”

“Come by anytime for a drink. I’ll prepare something tastier than today.”

Like the day before, I waved at her silently and left the inn.

Though I didn’t look back, I had a feeling she would still be watching me.

*

I arrived at Philion Academy by tram.

Dressed in my instructor’s uniform and presenting my instructor ID, my entry was almost a free pass. There were no stringent checks like the previous day. In fact, upon confirming my status as an instructor, the guards greeted me with excessive courtesy as I passed through the gate.

According to the leaflet given by Instructor Rilya, the entrance ceremony was tomorrow, but students were required to unpack their belongings in the dormitory by today. Living in the dorm was a rule for all Philion Academy students, barring special reasons. Rilya also informed me that all my assigned students had arrived, except for one.

Philion Academy has a total of four classes.

First, the Diamond White, composed of royalty and nobles.

Second, the Garnet Red, made up of commoners and gentry.

Third, the Sapphire Blue, which includes priests and seminarians from the Divine Ministry.

Fourth, the Emerald Green, consisting of immigrants and different races from beyond the Empire.

However, as Rilya had explained yesterday, none of those four classes were my responsibility.

“This year, we have many special new students. So the headmaster has created a special class suited for those unique students.”

The newly established special class at Philion Academy is Opal Black.

That was the class I would be in charge of.

For some reason, each dormitory was situated far enough apart that they wouldn’t interfere with each other. In the wide Academy grounds, Diamond White was in the center, Garnet Red on the east, Sapphire Blue on the west… that sort of arrangement.

The Opal Black dormitory was located at the far north end of the third area. As a result, regardless of which tram I took in the Academy’s circular route, I had to get off at the last stop.

After waiting on the campus tram for about 30 minutes, we finally arrived at the Opal Black dormitory station. The moment I stepped off the tram, an expansive forest came into view. Just a moment ago, I had been inside the Academy, and now I was suddenly faced with a forest—if I hadn’t heard about it in advance, I might have thought I had taken the wrong station.

As I walked along the narrow path through the dense forest, a magnificent mansion quickly came into view.

Contrary to its name, the Opal Black dormitory wasn’t entirely painted black. While the roof was black, the white marble walls contrasted beautifully, lending it a grand yet elegant atmosphere.

What surprised me the most was its size. At a rough count, the building had about five floors, and including the roof, it appeared even taller. Even the mansions in Sector 2, where high-ranking nobles resided, weren’t as large as this. To think there would be fewer than ten people living in such a vast space was a remarkable waste of space.

As I reached the entrance of the dormitory, I paused for a moment.

“….”

Beyond this door were the students I would be teaching. Headmaster Heinkel said there are no definitive answers in education, and Instructor Rilya advised me not to overthink the students, but honestly, I still hadn’t decided how to approach them.

I was an instructor, and my duty was to teach the students. As long as I fulfilled that role, there was no particular need to build a believable relationship with them.

One thing was certain: I could never be the kind, friendly teacher that my personality simply wouldn’t allow. Acknowledging and letting go of that part helped me clarify my thoughts somewhat.

I had no intention of being disliked, but I certainly didn’t need to be overly concerned about impressions. With a lighter heart, I opened the door and stepped inside.

The Opal Black dormitory had a main entrance as grand and imposing as the mansion itself, but I didn’t have to manually pull open the heavy-looking door. Some enchantment must have been placed on it, as the moment I presented my instructor ID, the door opened automatically, revealing a wide and splendid main lobby beyond.

Seven students were waiting for me in that lobby.

“Oh?”

“Is that….”

As I walked in, all the students’ gazes landed on me.

Seven pairs of eyes were fixed on me, examining me. The atmosphere was oddly tense, and as nobody spoke up, a short cough broke the silence, followed by a calm-looking boy approaching me.

“Judging by your instructor’s uniform, you must not be the one missing student. Are you our designated instructor?”

I lightly nodded and replied.

“I am Ion Graham, the instructor for Opal Black.”

As I returned his gaze, I met the eyes of each student. There were three friendly gazes, three indifferent ones, and one that was hostile for reasons unknown.

“Hmph!”

A girl with dark red hair turned her gaze away, clearly trying to dismiss me. I could tell at a glance who she was, as my direct superior had shown me her picture incessantly.

The calm boy spoke up again.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Instructor Ion. Actually, we just arrived at the dormitory ourselves and were waiting for you to introduce ourselves. Though one person is still missing, we can’t keep waiting forever. May I start with my introduction?”

There was no reason to decline the offer. While the leaflet given by Instructor Rilya included the names and basic details of the students in my class, it was only natural to meet face-to-face for introductions.

Upon my nod, the boy smiled softly and said, “Then let’s proceed with self-introductions in a clockwise order. I’m Schurz von Valier. I look forward to working with you.”

“Batar Kun. I come from the plains.”

The two boys who had given me friendly looks introduced themselves.

Schurz was a boy with dark gray hair and glasses. He wore a gentle smile, but his eyes constantly seemed to be analyzing me, suggesting a slightly calculating personality.

Then there was Batar Kun. He was a large, muscular guy with a shaved head, and for some reason, he grinned at me with a very combative smile.

“Saladin al Kamil.”

“Titania El Ilendrin.”

“….”

The three students who seemed indifferent toward me.

Saladin had a rich, coffee-colored skin that immediately revealed his origin from the desert kingdom of Al Kamil. He displayed an air of discomfort about being here.

Titania was a tall girl clearly identifiable as an elf, possessing elongated ears. She lightly shook the shoulder of the girl next to her, who had remained silent despite it being her turn.

“…Oz? Oz. Snap out of it.”

“Huh?”

“It’s time for self-introductions.”

The girl who had briefly glanced at me upon arrival and then seemed to lose interest stared at me with dreamy eyes, as if she were in a trance.

“Ozania Hebring.”

With that, she turned her gaze away as if that was the end of it.

“I’m Marian von Kalstein. Nice to meet you, Instructor?”

Then, a familiar-faced girl, who had been staring at me with a piercing gaze, introduced herself.

When I read her name in the leaflet given by Instructor Rilya, I was somewhat surprised. I knew she was enrolling at Philion Academy but never expected to meet her as one of my students.

However, as far as I remembered, Marian and I had only met once, and I had never done anything to offend her. Did the Marquis of Kalstein write something odd in a letter, just to make sure nobody got too close to his beloved granddaughter? If that were the case, I could understand.

Then there was the only girl who had given me a friendly look and was the last one to introduce herself.

“I am Elizabeth von Galatea.”

With hair as white as snow and red eyes split vertically, she bore the traits of the White Dragon Albnisis, the spouse of the Philion Grand Empire, marking her as a testament to the lineage of the Galatea royal family.

Old memories began to resurface slowly. I thought I’d forgotten everything, but seeing those familiar eye and hair colors reminded me of a man from 15 years ago who had given me nightmares.

“I look forward to working with you, Instructor Ion Graham.”

Walking toward me confidently like she owned the room, her other identity was.

The very sister of the Hero.

 

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