Instructor Iris stepped into the classroom with measured, deliberate strides. The rhythmic click of her heels against the wooden floor echoed with an ominous resonance, while a sly, lingering smirk played on her lips—a smile that never heralded anything good. She took a deep breath before her voice rang out, laced with a tone of cruel amusement:
"Students, prepare yourselves to welcome a new arrival joining your ranks today. Her name is Mira... and she, much like Touka... is a monster."
An absolute silence fell over the room, as if the collective breath of the class had been snatched away. Students exchanged panicked glances, but Iris gave them no room to process. She followed up with a mocking laugh, challenging any voice that might dare to object:
"And I presume if any of you have the slightest objection, you are more than welcome to discuss it with the Headmistress herself."
No one uttered a word. Dalia's formidable reputation was enough to silence the room. Iris smiled again, her eyes gleaming with a strange intensity:
"Good, it seems we are in agreement. However... before I forget, the regulations dictate that Mira must choose one of you for a placement duel. Naturally, the Headmistress has sanctioned this decision."
Iris turned toward the girl with the delicate pink hair, who stood with an eerie stillness, and asked:
"So, Mira... who is your chosen victim?"
Mira's eyes scanned the faces slowly, as if searching for a familiar soul amidst a wreckage of strangers. Suddenly, her gaze stopped. Her finger pointed with unwavering certainty toward Rion.
A cold shiver ran through Rion's veins. He slowly lifted his gaze from the desk, his face turning as pale as a corpse, etched with pure shock.
"An excellent choice," the teacher remarked coldly, "Rion, I believe you are the ideal opponent for tonight."
Mira moved silently and took the seat next to him. He remained frozen, drowning in a whirlpool of dark memories, not daring to even glance in her direction. Iris concluded the scene, saying:
"The duel will take place immediately after class. Do not be late."
The lesson dragged on like an eternity. The moment the bell rang, the students scattered like dry straw in the wind, leaving behind a Rion who seemed to have lost the very ability to move. Kairen approached him, standing before him with a look of hidden sorrow and deep concern.
"I knew you'd look like this..." she whispered softly, "I don't know all the details, but the Headmistress told me about Mira's arrival when I went to ask about Touka. She asked me to give you a message... she wants to see you tomorrow."
Rion didn't move, nor did he give her so much as a nod. Kairen looked at him for a few moments, then sighed and left in a heavy silence, consumed by the mystery surrounding this boy.
The arena buzzed with the roar of the crowd gathered in the stands. Mira entered with a grim expression, her eyes locked on a single point. Moments later, Rion appeared, but he looked nothing like a fighter; his face was gaunt, his eyes hollow, and his steps heavy, like a man being led to his execution.
Headmistress Dalia raised her hand and announced in a commanding voice:
"Let the duel begin!"
In the blink of an eye, Mira transformed from a quiet girl into a whirlwind of rage. She lunged with lightning speed, sharp claws like daggers sprouting from her fingers, while her eyes ignited with a deep crimson hue, throbbing with hatred and pain.
Her strikes rained down on Rion with merciless ferocity. She tore through his clothes and skin, blood splattering across the arena floor. But the strange thing was Rion... he stood like a statue, accepting the blows with an open chest—no defense, no counterattack, and seemingly, no soul.
Mira screamed as she struck him with all her might:
"Why? Why did you leave me alone in that hell?!"
Rion remained silent, looking at her with flickering eyes full of remorse. She leaned into his face, tears burning her cheeks, and whispered in a choked voice heard only by those nearby:
"Answer me... why didn't you look for me? Why... brother?"
The weight of the word hit like a thunderclap. A stunned silence washed over the bleachers. Misaki murmured in disbelief:
"Has the fight stopped?"
Rion finally lifted his head, and in a trembling voice thick with grief, he uttered a single word:
"I'm sorry..."
"Sorry?!" Mira erupted emotionally, tears flowing like a torrent, "Sorry for leaving me to die? Or for the years I spent thinking I was all alone?!"
She began to pound her weak fists against his chest, collapsing in tears:
"Are these all the words you have?! Why did you think you died and left me behind?!"
Suddenly, Trangen's angry voice pierced the silence:
"How dare you embrace my dear Rion like that?!"
Mira didn't look back; she remained collapsed against her brother's chest. Rion raised a trembling hand and gently stroked her pink hair, as if trying to mend the wreckage of years of separation.
"I'm sorry, Mira... can we save this conversation for after the duel?"
She nodded in agreement, wiping her tears, then raised her hand toward the Headmistress's platform, declaring her surrender.
"The duel ends with Rion's victory!" Dalia shouted.
The students filed out in a state of total bewilderment. Misaki tried to check on Mira, while Trangen continued to hurl jealous remarks, but Mira saw no one but Rion, who left the arena with heavy, weary steps.
At the exit, Rion found Kairen waiting. She leaned him against the wall and asked quietly:
"Are you going to tell me what happened? Or will you retreat into silence as usual?"
He replied, shielding his eyes:
"I just want to rest... for now."
The following morning, the air was thick with whispers. Instructor Manata entered, adjusted her glasses precisely, and began a lesson that was anything but ordinary:
"Today, we will discuss the classifications of monsters. Let's begin with the 'Frost' class, like Touka. They are plant-based beings belonging to the Thistle family, characterized by offensive abilities involving needle-firing and changes in hair and eye color."
She then moved to stand beside Mira:
"As for Mira, she belongs to the 'Stellar' family. Do you notice that star on her shoulder? That is her unique energy reservoir. Their claws grow in strength and savagery as their stellar energy levels rise."
Vodo raised his hand, asking about other types. Manata replied gravely:
"There is the 'Fros' family... they are man-eaters. Information on them is scarce, but their bodies are close to human form, with varying degrees of deformity depending on their power."
After class, Rion headed to the Headmistress's office. He knocked and entered to find Kairen already sitting there.
Dalia smiled, a look of genuine appreciation in her eyes:
"Welcome, Rion. I have been waiting for this moment. I know the truth of the species you hide from everyone... you are of a rare kind called 'Froken'—monsters who are indistinguishable from humans."
Rion's eyes widened, and panic took hold of him:
"I don't want anyone to know... please."
"Calm down," Dalia said in a reassuring tone, "even if the Council objects, I am the one who will stand in their way."
"No... I want my truth to remain a secret. I don't want to remember the past."
The Headmistress sighed deeply, glancing at Kairen, who was watching the scene in silence. Then she said:
"As you wish. I will delay informing the Council. Prepare yourself; a two-week break begins now, and after that, I want you to participate in the rank-up duel... your place is not here, but in Class S."
Rion walked out with Kairen, who asked him with concern:
"Why do you refuse help?"
He looked at her with a faint, bitter smile:
"I'm sorry, Kairen... there are things in my heart that words simply cannot carry."
He continued walking away, while she remained there, watching his back, wishing she held the key to his locked heart.