Professor Kareth clapped her hands sharply, cutting through the classroom chatter.
Professor Kareth : Alright, listen up! Maximum isn't your concern yet. First, master your Art Style. She smirked, twirling a piece of chalk between her fingers. Though... only seventy-four people in this academy's history have achieved it.
A hand shot up near the window.
Student 1: So most people can't use it?
Professor Kareth: Anyone can master it. If you meet the requirements. But that's second-year material. (She gestured to the student at the left corner) Line up! Starting from the left - state your elemental Art Style. And don't make me point at each of you.
Student 1: Water.
Student 2: Earth.
Student 3: Fire.
The responses came quickly until Arien's turn. She stood straight, her crimson braid swinging.
Arien: Air.
Kareth's gaze slid past her to Shiro, who was sleeping as he standing still Professor Kareth flick shiro forehead with her finger hard
Professor Kareth: Hey. Sleeping Beauty. You're up.
Shiro blinked awake confused. Huh? Oh... He yawned loudly but silence
Shiro: I don't have one.
The room went silent. Even after the entrance exam rumors, hearing it from Shiro himself sent shockwaves through the class. Whispers erupted like kindling catching fire.
Kareth stepped forward.
Professor Kareth: No Art Style at all? That's... unusual.
Her fingers drummed against her cane.
Professor Kareth: Didn't your family give you a katana when you were a child?
Shiro's cheerful mask stayed in place, though his eyes grew distant.
Shiro: Nope. No family to speak of.
An awkward silence fell. Several students suddenly found their shoes fascinating.
Professor Kareth: Ah... ohhh…. my apologies. (She adjusted her glasses, Shiro clearly manage caught her off guard)
Shiro: Don't worry about it. I don't even remember them. (Shiro left a smile but-)
Kareth's mind raced as she studied him.
Professor Kareth: (thinking) No katana. No family. No noble connections. So how did he dominate Valehart? A disturbing possibility occurred to her. Did he- Is he a one of the seven- ? I need to tell Veylor about this immediately.
Student 2: -essor...? Professor?
A timid voice interrupted her thoughts.
Professor Kareth: ah… oh... Yes
Student 2: everyone finish telling their art style
Professor Kareth: Oh… Right! (She clapped once, the sound sharp as a blade strike.) Now pair up - I don't care who with, just find a partner. Quickly!
A nervous boy shuffled toward Arien, his face reddening with each step.
Boy: Um, would you—
Arien: Shiro and I are teaming up, (she declared, grabbing the drowsy boy's sleeve.)
Shiro: Works for me, (he mumbled.)
The rejected student looked physically wounded as he slunk away.
Professor Kareth: So we have 5 fire users, 4 earth users, 4 water users, 2 air users and 1 unknown one. What the hell is air users a becoming rare or something (she laugh)
Professor Kareth: now! (She grinned wickedly.) Sixteen students means eight teams. From now on, you're stuck together. Training, assignments - everything's paired. (Her cane struck the floor.) And if your partner skips? Her smile turned predatory. The other person has to suffer the consequences for his or her fault. Let's begin!
As the class broke into murmurs, Arien and Shiro had very different reactions.
Arien:. This wasn't teamwork - this was blackmail! (Her eye twitched) If that lazy bum skipped class, I'll pay the price! Her fingers curled into fists as she imagined all the ways this could go wrong.
Shiro, meanwhile, perked up.
Shiro: This was perfect! I can ditch any class without having any fault to me. (He laugh softly)
Arien seen this gave him a murderous glare that made him reconsider everything. The unspoken promise of violence in her crimson eyes was clearer than any contract Ditch Class = Death
Shiro: Haha... just kidding? (Shiro offered weakly.)
Arien cracked her knuckles.