Morning arrived far too quickly.
For most students of Aetherial Institute, it was simply another day of lectures.
For Kel Rosenfeld—
Or rather, Aedon Flinth—
It was a punishment.
Golden sunlight streamed through the academy's towering windows.
Birds sang outside.
Students walked through stone pathways.
The entire academy seemed energetic.
Alive.
Awake.
Kel hated every second of it.
Inside his dormitory room.
The silver-haired young man sat on the edge of his bed.
His eyes looked lifeless.
Not injured.
Not sick.
Just exhausted.
Because a certain Guardian had decided sleep was optional.
Inside his soul.
Seiren appeared unusually cheerful.
"Good morning."
Kel stared at the wall.
"..."
"Did you sleep well?"
"..."
"Kel?"
"..."
The Guardian immediately burst into laughter.
For nearly three hours.
Three entire hours.
She had continued asking questions.
Why did humans hold hands?
Why did humans dance?
Why did nobles wear uncomfortable clothes?
Why did students willingly attend lectures?
Why did people call fish fish?
Why did people eat fish?
Why did people eat fish while staring at fish?
At some point.
Kel stopped answering.
Unfortunately.
Seiren continued asking.
And now.
The consequences had arrived.
The silver-haired youth slowly stood.
Adjusted his academy uniform.
Picked up his books.
Then left the dormitory.
Inside his mind—
Seiren sounded guilty.
Slightly guilty.
Very slightly.
"I might have asked too many questions."
"You think?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"Definitely."
The Guardian laughed again.
Kel sighed.
The academy grounds bustled with activity.
Students moved between buildings.
Groups gathered around fountains.
Others discussed assignments.
Several first-years hurried toward lecture halls.
Meanwhile.
Kel walked like a wandering ghost.
His posture remained perfect.
His expression remained calm.
Yet his soul had already left the academy.
Inside his mind—
Seiren observed him carefully.
"You look terrible."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Eventually.
Kel reached the lecture hall.
The classroom was already half full.
Students occupied their usual seats.
Books rested on desks.
Conversations filled the room.
Luna was already there.
The dark-haired girl sat near the window.
Morning sunlight illuminated her face.
A stack of books rested beside her.
She appeared focused.
Prepared.
Organized.
Everything Kel currently wasn't.
Without saying anything.
Kel walked toward their usual seats.
Then sat beside her.
Luna immediately noticed something.
Aedon looked awful.
Not physically.
But mentally.
His eyes looked unfocused.
His movements seemed slower.
His usual alertness was gone.
The girl frowned.
"Aedon."
"Hm?"
"You look half dead."
"Only half?"
Luna blinked.
The fact he could still joke made the situation even stranger.
She studied him carefully.
"What happened?"
Kel slowly leaned back in his chair.
"Didn't sleep."
Luna frowned deeper.
"Why?"
The silver-haired youth thought briefly.
How exactly was he supposed to explain?
A water deity kept asking strange questions until dawn.
No.
That sounded ridiculous.
Eventually he settled on a simpler answer.
"A friend kept talking."
Luna nodded.
That sounded believable.
Very believable.
Unfortunately.
Kel's body had reached its limit.
His eyes gradually closed.
His head tilted.
Then—
Thump.
His forehead landed directly on Luna's shoulder.
The entire classroom froze.
For one second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Luna stopped breathing.
Several nearby students stared.
One boy almost dropped his book.
Another looked ready to challenge Kel to a duel.
The dark-haired girl turned bright red instantly.
Very red.
Dangerously red.
Meanwhile.
Kel finally realized what happened.
His eyes opened.
Slowly.
Then he looked upward.
And found Luna staring directly at him.
Her face completely crimson.
"..."
"..."
Several seconds passed.
Then Kel immediately sat upright.
"Pardon."
The apology came instantly.
"I was unable to sleep last night."
Luna remained frozen.
Her heartbeat accelerated.
Her brain stopped functioning temporarily.
Meanwhile.
Several male students silently cursed Kel's existence.
Eventually.
Luna managed to recover.
A little.
Not completely.
Just enough to speak.
"You..."
A pause.
"You should stay awake."
Kel nodded.
"Reasonable."
Then immediately started falling asleep again.
Luna watched in disbelief.
How was this person still conscious?
Eventually.
She sighed.
Then spoke quietly.
"If you're really that tired..."
Kel looked toward her.
"...?"
The girl hesitated.
Then continued.
"You can place your head on the table."
A pause.
"I'll tell you if the professor turns toward us."
Silence.
Several nearby students nearly exploded.
One boy looked ready to cry.
Another stared at Kel with pure envy.
Meanwhile.
Kel simply blinked.
Then smiled faintly.
Not a charming smile.
Not a romantic smile.
Just a genuinely grateful smile.
"Thank you."
Luna immediately looked away.
Because somehow—
That smile felt more dangerous than before.
Inside his mind—
Seiren witnessed everything.
The Guardian became suspicious.
Very suspicious.
"Kel."
"What?"
"I have another question."
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"It's important."
"No."
The Guardian pouted.
Meanwhile.
Kel placed his head upon the desk.
His arms folded beneath him.
For the first time all morning.
Comfort appeared on his face.
Luna secretly observed him.
His silver hair reflected sunlight.
His breathing gradually slowed.
His expression became peaceful.
Almost childlike.
Nothing like the explorer who jumped into Leviathan territory.
Nothing like the mysterious student who knew legendary techniques.
Just a tired teenager.
The realization felt strangely refreshing.
Then—
The professor entered.
Immediately.
The classroom became quiet.
Students straightened.
Books opened.
Pens prepared.
Luna gently nudged Kel.
The silver-haired youth raised one hand.
A signal.
He was still alive.
Then immediately returned to resting.
The girl covered her mouth.
Trying not to laugh.
Inside his mind—
Seiren laughed openly.
"You really are sleeping in class."
"The lecture hasn't started."
"Technical victory."
"Exactly."
The professor began teaching.
Ancient mana circulation theory.
A topic Kel already knew.
Along with the next ten chapters.
Which made sleep even more appealing.
Meanwhile.
Luna kept one eye on her notes.
And one eye on the professor.
Exactly as promised.
Whenever the professor approached their side—
She gently nudged Kel.
Whenever the professor moved away—
Kel resumed resting.
An unexpectedly efficient partnership.
Several students watched the entire process with complicated emotions.
Especially the boys.
Because somehow—
The terrifying explorer.
The student of Nameless.
The user of legendary techniques.
Had managed to find someone willing to act as his lookout during lectures.
Life truly wasn't fair.
And as the morning lecture continued beneath golden sunlight—
Kel finally achieved something he failed to accomplish the previous night.
A few precious moments of sleep.