Morning sunlight filtered through the towering crystal windows of Aetherial Institute's Academic Hall.
Ancient runes carved into the white stone walls glowed faintly beneath the daylight, creating streams of golden symbols that drifted across the ceiling like silent stars.
The lecture hall itself resembled a miniature amphitheater.
Rows upon rows of polished wooden desks descended toward a circular teaching platform below.
Hundreds of students occupied the seats.
The scent of parchment.
Fresh ink.
Ancient books.
And faint traces of mana lingered in the air.
Some students reviewed notes.
Others discussed yesterday's assignments.
A few had already fallen asleep despite the lecture not yet beginning.
A perfectly normal academy morning.
Or at least—
It would have been.
If not for a certain newly appointed assistant professor.
At the center section of the lecture hall sat Aedon Flinth.
Or rather—
Kel von Rosenfeld.
The young man leaned lazily against his chair.
His academy uniform remained immaculate.
Dark jacket.
Silver buttons.
White shirt.
Simple.
Neat.
Ordinary.
At least on the surface.
Beside him sat Luna.
Long black hair cascaded over her shoulders like flowing silk.
Her blue eyes resembled clear sapphire lakes beneath moonlight.
Fair skin.
Elegant features.
A naturally beautiful girl whose appearance often attracted attention.
At the moment, however, her expression looked slightly irritated.
Very irritated.
Because absolutely nobody was discussing today's lecture.
Instead—
The entire classroom had become a battlefield.
A battlefield of romance.
"Did you see her this morning?"
"I did."
"How beautiful was she?"
"Words cannot describe it."
"Try anyway."
"I almost forgot my own name."
"That's understandable."
Nearby, another group immediately joined the discussion.
"I heard she's only in her twenties."
"I heard she's a magical genius."
"I heard she's single."
"Who told you that?"
"My intuition."
"Your intuition is worthless."
The classroom erupted with laughter.
Meanwhile—
Luna slowly closed the book she had been trying to read.
Very slowly.
Very carefully.
The vein appearing on her forehead suggested she was losing patience.
Kel glanced toward her.
"You seem troubled."
Luna turned.
"Troubled?"
"Yes."
"Do I look troubled?"
"A little."
"A little?"
"Perhaps moderately."
Luna narrowed her eyes.
Kel immediately corrected himself.
"Extremely."
"Good."
The black-haired girl crossed her arms.
"The lecture starts in ten minutes."
Kel nodded.
"It does."
"We have an exam next week."
"We do."
"Professor Armand specifically assigned reading material."
"He did."
Luna pointed toward the classroom.
"Then why is nobody studying?!"
Kel looked around.
The answer was obvious.
Half the male students appeared possessed.
The other half were planning future marriage proposals.
"Assistant Professor Evelyne."
Luna immediately sighed.
"Exactly."
The girl lowered her forehead onto the desk.
A defeated expression appeared.
Kel couldn't help smiling slightly.
Apparently Evelyne's impact on the academy had exceeded even his expectations.
Several rows ahead.
A group of students had gathered around a desk.
The conversation quickly attracted everyone's attention.
One blonde-haired student slammed his hand dramatically onto the table.
"I have decided."
His friends immediately looked toward him.
"What?"
"I shall pursue Assistant Professor Evelyne."
Silence.
Then—
A student burst out laughing.
Another nearly fell from his chair.
A third looked genuinely concerned.
"You've known she exists for less than a day."
"Love needs no time."
"Love also requires common sense."
The blonde student ignored him.
His expression remained heroic.
Or perhaps delusional.
The difference was becoming difficult to determine.
"I need a plan."
One friend rubbed his forehead.
"Why are you asking us?"
"Because true companions support one another."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
The blonde-haired student looked around dramatically.
Then pointed at another classmate.
"You."
The unfortunate victim blinked.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why me?"
"You seem intelligent."
"That's the worst compliment I've ever received."
Ignoring him completely, the blonde student continued.
"How does one impress a beautiful assistant professor?"
The classroom instantly became silent.
Even students pretending not to listen were suddenly paying attention.
Luna stared.
Kel stared.
Everyone stared.
The unfortunate student sighed.
Then began thinking.
"Hmm..."
"Well?"
"You could demonstrate academic excellence."
The blonde-haired student immediately rejected the idea.
"Impossible."
"What?"
"My grades are terrible."
"Then why are you asking?"
Another student joined the discussion.
"You could become stronger."
The blonde student frowned.
"She teaches magic."
"So?"
"I'm a swordsman."
"Then learn magic."
"That seems difficult."
The classroom burst into laughter again.
Meanwhile, Luna buried her face in her hands.
Kel appeared highly entertained.
A third student suddenly raised his hand.
"I have an idea."
Everyone looked toward him.
"What?"
The student smiled confidently.
"Flowers."
Silence.
Then several students nodded.
"Flowers are classic."
"Flowers work."
"Women like flowers."
"Do they?"
"I think so."
"You think so?"
The student hesitated.
"Probably."
"Probably?"
"Maybe."
The confidence immediately vanished.
Another student spoke.
"No."
Everyone turned.
The student folded his arms seriously.
"You fools understand nothing."
A dangerous atmosphere appeared.
The classroom leaned closer.
Even Luna was now listening.
The student stood dramatically.
"Beautiful women receive flowers constantly."
The others nodded.
"Then what should he give?"
The student smiled.
"A rare magical artifact."
The classroom became thoughtful.
"Hmm..."
"That sounds expensive."
"Very expensive."
"Extremely expensive."
The student's confidence vanished instantly.
"I forgot that part."
More laughter echoed through the hall.
Kel found himself enjoying the absurdity.
After spending years dealing with kings, difficult situations—
Watching genius students discuss romance felt strangely refreshing.
Beside him, Luna finally spoke.
"They have no chance."
Kel raised an eyebrow.
"No chance?"
"None."
"That's rather harsh."
Luna looked toward him.
"Am I wrong?"
Kel considered carefully.
Then—
"No."
"See?"
Luna nodded.
The discussion ahead continued escalating.
Another student suddenly stood.
"I have the perfect strategy."
The classroom immediately quieted.
"What is it?"
The student took a deep breath.
Then announced proudly.
"I'll challenge her to a duel."
The entire hall froze.
Even Kel blinked.
The silence lasted three full seconds.
Then—
"You're an idiot."
The response came immediately.
"What?"
"You're an idiot."
"Why?"
"She's an assistant professor."
"So?"
"She's a magical genius."
"So?"
"You'll die."
"..."
The student slowly sat back down.
"That's a fair point."
Luna looked away.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
Kel noticed.
"Are you laughing?"
"No."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You definitely are."
The girl finally covered her mouth.
A small laugh escaped.
The sight surprised even herself.
Recently, she had been spending more time around Kel.
Unfortunately—
His bad habits were becoming contagious.
Meanwhile.
The conversation somehow became even more ridiculous.
"I heard she's interested in dark magic."
"So?"
"We should learn dark magic."
"None of us know dark magic."
"We can study."
"Dark magic is forbidden in half the kingdoms."
"Minor details."
"Major details."
The debate continued endlessly.
At this point, even the female students had begun participating.
Mostly to mock the boys.
One girl rolled her eyes.
"You idiots are acting like children."
The boys immediately looked offended.
"We are not."
"You absolutely are."
"We are mature."
The girl pointed toward the blonde student.
"He was planning marriage twenty minutes ago."
The blonde student immediately defended himself.
"Love is serious."
"You don't even know her favorite color."
"..."
"..."
The blonde student sat down quietly.
Defeated.
The girls celebrated their victory.
Then—
A familiar voice suddenly echoed inside Kel's mind.
"Humans are fascinating creatures."
Kel nearly laughed.
"Good morning, Seiren."
Far away beneath the sacred waters of Scarder Lake, the guardian goddess observed through their spiritual connection.
"They speak as though selecting mates for migration season."
Kel smiled.
"That's surprisingly accurate."
"Do they always behave this way?"
"Often."
"Strange."
The goddess sounded genuinely puzzled.
"Yesterday they knew nothing about her."
"Correct."
"Today they are planning futures together."
"Also correct."
A long pause followed.
Then—
"Humans are terrifying."
Kel almost laughed aloud.
Luna glanced toward him suspiciously.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're smiling."
"I am."
"That's usually a bad sign."
Kel pretended not to hear her.
The telepathic connection continued.
"Will Evelyne be able to handle this attention?"
Kel looked toward the classroom.
The endless gossip.
The admiration.
The ridiculous plans.
The youthful dreams.
Then he remembered Evelyne surviving centuries as a monster.
"She'll survive."
"You sound very confident."
"I am."
"Why?"
Kel smiled faintly.
"Because compared to centuries of madness, this is merely annoying."
Seiren considered that.
Then reluctantly agreed.
"A reasonable assessment."
At that moment—
The classroom doors opened.
Instant silence descended.
Every student immediately returned to their seats.
Books opened.
Pens appeared.
Expressions became serious.
Almost suspiciously serious.
Professor Armand entered.
The elderly professor glanced around.
Then paused.
His eyes narrowed.
The classroom looked too obedient.
Far too obedient.
As someone who had taught for decades, he immediately knew something was wrong.
Very wrong.
"What happened?"
Nobody answered.
The professor became even more suspicious.
Then he noticed something.
A crumpled paper lying near the front row.
He picked it up.
Opened it.
Read it.
His expression became strange.
The note contained only one sentence.
Ways To Impress Assistant Professor Evelyne
The professor stared silently.
The students stared silently.
An awkward atmosphere descended.
Then—
Professor Armand slowly folded the paper.
Placed it inside his pocket.
And spoke calmly.
"Excellent."
Nobody understood.
The professor smiled.
A terrifying smile.
"Since everyone appears to possess so much free time..."
Every student felt danger.
Great danger.
"Today's lecture will be followed by an additional assignment."
Collective despair filled the classroom.
"And a surprise examination."
The despair doubled.
Professor Armand smiled wider.
"Let's begin."
The lecture hall immediately transformed into a graveyard.
Meanwhile—
Far across the academy.
Assistant Professor Evelyne unknowingly sneezed.
Completely unaware that she had already become the center of countless dreams, schemes, fantasies, and academic disasters.
And this was only her second day.