The day continued. Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the academy's first day. As Lucien and the other students stood to leave the classroom, their professor rose from his seat.
Professor: I remind all students in this A-Class: maintain your pride.
He walked slowly to the door and opened it fully.
Professor: You may all leave now.
As the students filed out, Lucien lingered by the doorway. He waited until the others had gone before speaking.
Lucien: That was quite the hardcore speech earlier, Professor. Do you truly believe you can enforce everything you said? He eyed the professor carefully. I felt that message was directed at me, unless I'm mistaken.
The professor took a step back and gave a slight, formal bow.
Professor: Of course not. It is an honor for someone like me to even speak with a member of the Five Noble Families. In truth, I said those things only to emphasize that A-Class is different from the others.
He looked directly into Lucien's eyes as he straightened.
Professor: My sincerest apologies if my words concerned you. There is no possibility a Valehart would ever lose to common lowlifes like them. Am I right?
Lucien: (Clicking his tongue) I thought you might be more like me. Guess not. I still hate gutless people like you.
Lucien left the classroom. As he stepped into the hall, he scanned the area-almost as if looking for someone. He realized he never asked Mira which class she was in.
Lucien: Well, knowing her, she's probably in SR A-Class. Would the great Mira Ilyselle accept anything less?
With that, Lucien disappeared into the crowd. And so, the first day at the academy ended-for both Shiro and Lucien.
In a secluded, dimly lit room elsewhere in the academy, two shadowy figures conversed.
Professor Kareth: It's me.
???: Enter.
Professor Kareth: There's something different about that boy, Professor Veylor.
Professor Veylor: Hmmm… tell me. I've also gathered some information.
Prof. Kareth: The boy seems to have no family and no katana. It's nearly impossible to believe, given his fighting skill.
Prof. Veylor: I see. This evening, I arranged for a member of the Primarch Assembly to accompany me. I had him fight Shiro.
Prof. Kareth: (Leaning against the wall) Oh? I thought you preferred to remain behind the scenes.
Prof. Veylor: I did. Only the Assembly member revealed himself. I sent him to express interest in Shiro and propose a mock battle-acceptable given his exam performance.
Veylor offered a faint side smile before his tone grew serious.
Prof. Veylor: As you said, his skills are incredible. For a boy without an Art Style, one might assume he learned through real combat-or something else. The real concern is that I caught him muttering during the fight, just as he did against Valehart. Yet even then, he couldn't defeat the Assembly member.
Prof. Kareth: Which one did you call?
Prof. Veylor: The Second Officer. The amusing part is Shiro had no idea who he was fighting until he introduced himself and his rank-though I doubt Shiro understood what that truly meant.
Prof. Kareth: The gravity user…
Prof. Veylor: Yes. During the fight, Shiro muttered something again. I clearly heard him say a phrase ending with 'hand.' As he did, the Assembly member became distracted-his behavior shifted. Shiro's right hand was damaged in the exchange.
Prof. Kareth: Damaged? But he bears no scar.
Prof. Veylor: Let me finish. I used an artifact to create a barrier that healed all injuries within its range so I can observe the full extent of his skills without permanent injury. After his right hand was damaged, he switched hands and held his katana with his left.
Prof. Kareth: What's unusual about that? If his dominant hand was injured, he had no choice.
Prof. Veylor: No. It wasn't like that. The way he moved… it was as though he was more comfortable with his left hand than his right. I believe he was using a technique-something other than an Art.
Prof. Kareth: There is a chance. In class, he often sleeps, shows no pride, speaks little, is skilled in combat, has no family, and owns no katana.
The air in the room grew thick with tension.
Prof. Kareth: With all this, I've reached a conclusion. I'm not certain it's accurate, but-
Prof. Veylor: You believe he may be one of the Seven Sin Holders. Unfortunately, for his personality that position is already filled.
Prof. Kareth: does that mean the new titles were complete?
Prof. Veylor: The information is still new. There is percentage that its faults but if its true there might be a big change in the world in the next few years
THE 1 VOLUME Slacker's Guide to Toppling Nobles END.