Chapter 36 — First Day
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Kael Grenfort:
"Those whose names are not on the list may leave. Those whose names are on the list — follow me. Parents may freely speak with the teachers here — if they have questions or suggestions, they are welcome," Hanna said.
She clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes scanning the hall.
"Ahem... yes, it would be wise to say your goodbyes now. They may not return until evening due to training. And in general... you might not get another chance to say goodbye."
I looked at Sedrik. He looked back at me and smiled.
He crouched down, coming closer to my level. He rested his hands on his knees, looking straight into my eyes.
"Goodbye, Kael. No matter what, I am proud of you."
"Father, give my regards to Mother and Cecilia. I miss them."
"Yes, and tell Silvan to keep up the good work. I think you want to keep him around, anyway."
"Alright, son. I'll do as you say," he said, and hugged me.
I hugged him back tightly.
Very tightly.
Were tears falling from my eyes? What is this? Foolishness. Something that had never happened until now.
"Kael, calm down. Everything is fine."
"I know."
I wiped my tears and leaned back.
"Goodbye," I said, and followed Hanna.
"Goodbye, Kael."
I looked back once — I looked carefully at his face. He stood there with a radiant smile, as if on the verge of tears. His hand was raised, his fingers trembling slightly in the air.
I waved once and continued walking.
I wiped my face and took a step forward.
Forward, Kael. You can do this.
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A short while later.
In the vast hall — all 104 children whose names were on the list — stood in formation. I had used the appearance-altering ring to change my features. My hair was slightly darker, my facial lines different — subtle, barely noticeable changes.
"Ahem. Greetings, dear new students," an elderly man began.
He rose from his seat, leaning on his staff. His beard was white, his eyes sharp.
"I am a senior professor at this academy. I will now divide you into groups. First — the top twenty, step forward. You will form one group."
All the children in the top twenty stepped forward. Including me.
He began calling out names one by one. A parchment in his hand, his eyes scanning the lines.
"Criss Griffith," he said.
I stepped forward. Whispers around me — who is this? Why haven't we heard of him?
"Greetings, Criss. Congratulations on 1st place. Return to formation."
I stepped back. My fingers trembled at my sides.
"Nolan."
Nolan stepped forward. His face showed no expression. His eyes were cold as ice. He didn't even glance around.
"Lilith Grimjaw."
Lilith stepped forward. Her eyes gleamed softly, a small smile on her lips.
". . ."
"Kael Grenfort. Ah, this boy said he couldn't come today," he said, and moved on to the next.
I stood there in shock. My hands clenched. He said he couldn't come?
"Number 20 — Aldric Azrael."
The professor folded the parchment and looked at us.
"Done. These students will form one team and will be called this year's Elite Group. And your class supervisor will be the talented young teacher — Sabrine."
He gestured toward Sabrine. She stood up and bowed her head slightly.
"Any objections?"
Elven raised his hand. His fingers were sharp, decisive in the air.
"Speak, Elven Smith," said the senior professor.
"What is this woman's power level? Is she even capable of leading and teaching talented people like us?" he said bluntly.
His words echoed through the hall. Some laughed, some stared in surprise.
In that instant, Sabrine vanished from the stage. A moment — and she appeared before Elven. Teleportation. Though Elven was eight years old, he was slightly taller than Sabrine. But when Sabrine appeared before him — such a massive wave of aura filled the entire hall that Elven collapsed to the ground before her.
His knees hit the floor. His hands fell behind him.
"Is this sufficient for you, Mr. Elven?" she said sarcastically.
Elven's lips moved. He seemed unable to find words.
"…Understood," he said with fear, his hands supporting him from behind.
Sabrine straightened up.
"If you wish to know my rank — it is actually meant to be kept secret. But since you asked, I will tell you."
She placed her hand on her chest.
"My rank is mid-King level. I will soon rise to its peak. And I am not yet 30. I trust you understand what that means."
She returned to the stage. Her steps were light, soundless.
Silence filled the hall. No one spoke.
"Hmm… I don't understand. Is the ranking system different here?"
I raised my hand. My fingers hesitated in the air for a moment.
"Speak, Criss Griffith," said the senior professor.
"Well, my question is this: I was taught the star-based power system from a young age. Is it different here?"
"Ohh, an excellent question, Mr. Griffith."
He stroked his beard. His fingers moved slowly through the white strands.
"To explain — some ancient families still use the star system. But it is an inconvenient system — as you likely know. Five hundred years ago, a new system was introduced, and everyone is now taught through that system. However, some regions still use the old ranking system. In short — the old system was outdated and difficult to understand. It was replaced. And I believe that was the right decision."
He clasped his hands behind his back.
"Is my answer satisfactory?"
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
Hmm… interesting. I'll study this system first after classes end.
"Yes, and additionally — the first part of the curriculum will cover this system today. Be sure to attend," he said.
I nodded.
"Any more questions?"
A girl in the back raised her hand. Her fingers moved slowly, deliberately.
"Speak, Rosalind Nadia," he said.
"I wanted to know — why are there no other students here? Only new students."
"You are observant. Everyone must have noticed this."
He paused for a moment, then spoke:
"Well, the reason is — a month ago, the students were given a break. Before new students arrive each year, they return home. They will return in three days. Do not worry — they should start arriving tomorrow. This gives you time to fully settle in and familiarize yourselves with the rules before they come. That is the reason."
His hands rested calmly on the table.
"Is the answer satisfactory?"
"Yes, thank you, great master," the girl said.
"Now, you may proceed to your training. The Elite Group. We will divide the remaining teams."
Sabrine came down before us and led us out of the hall. Her steps were precise, quick. We walked past various rooms along the hallway. Some doors were open — inside, books, spheres, various equipment. We climbed the stairs to the second floor. Our footsteps echoed in the empty corridor.
Sabrine opened a large room at the end of the second floor.
"This — is our classroom, students. I will provide guidance and support for this year. Next year, you will elect one of your own to lead the class. That is how our system works."
She entered and stepped aside.
"Now — come in."
Everyone entered and took their seats. In front of me sat a boy named Joy — who had placed 16th.
Sabrine extended her hand forward — and notebooks appeared in it. They contained full grades and results.
She distributed them by family name.
Ahhh… what is this?
I felt something strange from behind. A piercing gaze. Does she think I don't notice?
I slowly turned around.
Lilith. She was staring at me with a strange look. When she noticed I'd seen her, she turned her face away.
What?
My brows furrowed.
"Children, now we will get to know each other," Sabrine said. "Who would like to introduce themselves first?"
The boy in front of me raised his hand. His fingers trembled slightly.
Sabrine gestured for him to stand. He rose.
"So, Joy. What kind of person do you want to become when you grow up?"
"Th-this is a v-very simple q-question," he stammered from nervousness. His hands kept moving restlessly at his sides.
"Well, what is it?"
"Kind."
The whole class burst out laughing. He sat down in embarrassment, covering his face with his hands.
"Silence," Sabrine said. Her voice was sharp, precise. The laughter stopped instantly.
Ehh, what children. — I thought, feeling somewhat disappointed.
---
Morning. Dormitory.
What is happening to me?
Axxx…
I'm burning up. My body keeps moving, restlessly.
The reason is…
I…
My childhood. My past life.
Why am I here?
Who is in front of me?
After all, this is…
I was sitting on someone's lap. A small, blond-haired boy. Playing with clay.
"Kyle, what are you making?"
"Yes, auntie! Look at this!"
I showed her the clay figure in my hand — a small, misshapen car I had made. The wheels pointed one way, the cabin another — but still, it was a car.
"Ohhh, that's wonderful! Do you want to have a car like that in the future?"
"Yes, auntie! I'll bring one for you too!"
"Alright, my dear, I'll be waiting," she said gently. Her hands reached out to help me — straightening the clay, smoothing the wheels.
"Kyle, what kind of person do you want to become when you grow up?" she asked.
I looked at her. Her face was invisible. Only her voice, only her warmth.
"I… want to be…"
"I… want to be kind."
I looked at her with a gentle smile.
But her face — was invisible.
Why?
Why can't I remember?
Her face…
My eyes opened.
My breathing had quickened. My forehead was covered in sweat. Alone in bed. Darkness.
I wiped my face with my hand.
A dream. Just a dream.
But…
Why did it feel so real?
I got up and walked to the window. Outside, the moon — large, round. Stars — millions of them.
Kind.
That's what I said.
Just like Joy.
My hands gripped the windowsill. My fingers clenched.
Who was that auntie?
Why can't I remember?
And why did I remember this now?
There were no answers. Only questions.
And a feeling — as if something inside me had awakened.
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