(Elyos), mocking:
"So that pale guy has the rarest ability, huh? Let's see what you can really do... if this were a real mission."
(Lythia), looking at him sternly:
"Watch your tongue, boy. Speaking without permission is not acceptable in my class. Know your place."
She then looked at me.
"Nekrios, go to your seat."
I obeyed her order immediately, but my concentration had already slipped.
My shadow faded, returning to its usual, intangible form—just a regular, immaterial shadow.
At that moment, I decided that Elyos would regret mocking me...
But I'd let my tendrils handle it.
One of them—Tendril No. 4—slithered beneath the desks while I kept my hands folded and my eyes fixed on Lythia, pretending to be deeply engaged in the lesson.
Of course, I wasn't paying attention at all.
The tendril crept slowly, avoiding the students' feet. Elyos was seated behind me, though not directly. As it advanced, the tendril accidentally brushed against a demon tail—fortunately, its owner didn't notice.
When it finally reached its target, it coiled gently around Elyos' ankle, without even touching him.
Then—snap!
It yanked.
Elyos was pulled off-balance and smacked the back of his head hard against the chair behind him.
In a flash, Tendril No. 4 retreated, disappearing into my back with the rest.
And Elyos?
(Elyos), furious and clutching his now-swollen head:
"OUCH!!
F**K!
WHO DID THAT?!
STOP LAUGHING!!"
I could barely contain my laughter.
He had just suffered a massive humiliation in front of everyone, and the whole class was laughing at the "noble" boy from a prestigious family.
Hahaha...
Just like those arrogant rich kids in high school who think they're above everyone else.
Now, where were we?
Ah, yes—
Lythia paused her lecture, scanning the room with a calm but sharp gaze. She looked at me like she knew I did it, but simply said:
(Lythia), with mock seriousness:
"Alright everyone, quiet down, quiet down.
As for you, Elyos, no need to scream like a child. It wasn't a lethal hit.
And trust me—if we find out who did it, they will be punished."
(Elyos), shouting:
"My grandfather will hear about this! No one dishonors a Valstraith without consequences!!"
(Lythia), smiling subtly and glancing at me:
"Don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of it.
Now, let's stay calm—class is almost over.
Thank you.
Let's return to our topic."
She turned back to the board and continued her explanation of elemental magic.
Eighteen minutes later, the class ended.
As I was about to leave, Lythia stopped me, placing her hand on my shoulder. She leaned in with a mischievous look.
(Lythia), with a sly tone:
"I know it was you.
So... you'll be punished.
After classes are done, report to my office. I'll need to examine you more thoroughly... and control those tendrils of yours."
(Nekrios), nervous and anxious about what she meant:
"Alright... I'll come.
Not like I have a choice anyway."
(Lythia), skipping away cheerfully:
"Good, good, good.
After class—don't forget! Haha!"
After that, I left the classroom and wandered around the academy for a bit—until I ran into Raven, who belonged to the Healer faction. He was training nearby.
(Raven), waving from afar:
"Heeey, Nekrios!
Come over here and watch how Healer magic works!"
(Nekrios):
"Coming."
I walked over quickly and greeted him with a firm handshake.
(Raven), smiling:
"So, how are things?
I heard from Kaeron that you've been classified under the Hunter faction.
Nice! Or… maybe not so nice. Hard to tell in your case. Either way, you're in for some suffering.
Wanna see how Healer magic works?"
(Nekrios):
"Of course, man. Show me what those healing wolves are capable of."
(Raven), touching his large, furry ear with pride:
"Obviously, man.
Just watch the tendrils—I'm going to heal that injured bird over there."
He gently placed his hands on the wounded bird, closed his eyes, and began tracing magical symbols in the air.
Energy swirled around him, forming complex geometric shapes and glowing runes across the bird's body.
Then, a brilliant light shone.
And suddenly—
The bird opened its eyes, looked at Raven, and let out a soft chirp as if to say "thank you."
Then, it took a few steps… and flew off into the sky.
(Raven), overly proud of himself:
"Well? What do you think of Healer magic now, hunter?"
"HAHA!"
(Nekrios), stroking his chin in mock contemplation:
"Hmmm… that was pretty cool.
Good boy."
(Raven), half-laughing, half-shouting in outrage:
"I'm a wolf! A wolf!
We're not the same species!"
(Nekrios), raising his hand to calm him:
"Jesus Christ, don't blow a fuse—I was just messing with you.
Also, your tail's twitching."
(Raven), noticing and grabbing his tail:
"Damn it!
That thing has a mind of its own... it's impossible to control!"
(Nekrios), deadpan:
"Yeah…
I've got six of those.
Each one with a mind—and hobbies—of its own.
In fact, one of them is messing with a healer as we speak."
Turns out, Tendril No. 3 had snuck out some time ago and was now chasing one of the new healer recruits, messing with him and thoroughly enjoying the boy's terrified screams.
(Nekrios):
"See? Your tail just twitches.
Mine? I have six.
Each one could slap me if I call them parasites or freeloaders.
Trust me—they hate that."
(Raven), staring in disbelief and thanking the gods for his single tail:
"Damn… I feel bad for you.
Anyway, school's over for the day. Let's head back to the dorms."
(Nekrios), surprised:
"Yeah, about that…
I might be sleeping outside tonight.
Lythia—well, she's going to punish me for what happened in class.
It'll probably involve some crazy magical scans and experiments.
So yeah… I'll be back, just… later.
Don't eat my food."
(Raven):
"Good luck surviving.
Everyone knows she's obsessed with experimenting on rare creatures.
And you're, like, the rarest of the rare now.
Oh, and don't worry—we'll definitely eat your food."
(Nekrios):
"You or Kaeron so much as touch my food, I swear—
Whatever. I'm late. Bye!"
(Raven), waving:
"Later!
Good luck with the dissecting psycho!"
A few minutes later, I was walking through the halls and finally arrived at her office.
I stepped inside…
And saw what she had prepared for me.
It was…
To be continued…