A scene from a few days ago at the Astronomy Tower….
A peaceful corner of Paradise, away from the main hubbub of the Academy, Astral Mages having a quiet outdoor study session, happily sharing academic topics.
But all of sudden, all hell broke loose!
Quiet? What quiet? All that remained was a cacophony of gossip, giggles, and excited shouts! Seeing this, the poor Astral Mages frowned:
"What's with all that noise?"
"Sigh. Probably peeps getting lost again."
"Just wait it out. It's always like that around recruitment."
"I guess…or not? Is it me or it's actually getting worse?!"
Oh, it wasn't just that student. A second later, something truly terrifying appeared on the horizon: people! Lots of them!
Why were there so many students coming over?! More importantly, why did they seem to be ready for war?! Whatever this was, it looked like a goddamn invasion!
"Quick, anyone, warn Teacher Eagle-Eye!"
"Should we get ready to fight?!"
"There's no need, both of you."
Ah?! The one who replied last was Teacher Eagle-Eye himself! Since when?! He stood by their side, his gaze staring at a specific spot or, rather, a very specific Teacher…
HE led them all.
Hundreds of students all lined up behind him.
A youthful teacher glowing with a thirst for life.
Intelligent eyes, deep eyes, and yet… shameless eyes?!
Eagle-Eye had always been amazing at reading people. Astral Mages all had their star clusters, and his was SIGHT!
Yet it wasn't enough.
He wanted to see more.
He wanted to peer through the veil.
He borrowed all the power he could from his beloved Aspectus Star Cluster! Mana flowed through his entire body, and he saw the youngster's true form… WTF?!
A being of chaos.
A being utterly cursed, a maelstrom of dark energy above his head.
A being whose glowing smile seemed to drive the darkness itself away?!
"W-Who?!" His body still trembling, the Astral Teacher solidly planted his feet on the road leading to the Tower. Then, he waited, his heart beating faster than it had in 300 years…
But that excitement of his? It didn't compare to a certain Teacher! At that moment, Gray was having a fucking blast!
The Hundreds Student following him? Great!
Their contagious eagerness for the next riddle? Even better!
Being able to visit so many otherworldly sites casually? The BEST!
In the distance, he could already see the Astral Tower. It glistened with stars all over, just like the ceiling of his room as a kid. It was breathtaking!
But, before he could even come close, he was suddenly stopped…
"Who goes there, and what is your purpose?"
It was a greying middle-aged man… with no eyes?! All he had were empty sockets, yet he was staring directly at him. Ah, a teacher? He had a star Badge on his chest!
"Teacher Gale & Extras. We're heading to the Logistics Department."
"Logistics? Isn't the Astronomy Tower a detour, then? Are you perhaps… lost?"
"There are countless paths in life, just as there are countless stars in the sky. Anyway, while we're here…" Gray explained the little riddle game they had been playing.
The Astral Teacher barely hesitated, a curious smile adorning his face:
"Hmm…. Feel free to ask the Astral Mages nearby. I'm sure they're up for a challenge." It didn't take long for the Astral Students to join in the fun. As such, gray began:
"There are 1,117,387 Stars in the entire Soland—or so everyone thought until just recently. A new one has just appeared! Can anyone tell me what it's called and its properties?"
Hearing this, the students behind him instantly complained!
"What?! Teacher, an Astronomy question? Isn't that too advantageous to the Astral Mages?!"
"Perhaps, but we're also at the Astronomy Tower, and those Astral Mages look studious. We might as well give them a chance to prove themselves!" Gray had never looked so serious.
A legitimate question? That seemed so boring and out of character for Teacher Gray! Still, that didn't stop the Astral Mages from trying their luck. But even they were pretty stumped…
"W-Where did you hear that?"
"Can you at least tell us the region?"
"Teacher Eagleye do you have any idea?"
"Hmm— It's the first time this one hears about such a thing."
Even the Astronomy Teacher didn't know?! Seeing this, many suddenly found themselves a new hobby: watching those Astral Mages squirm while racking their brains!
But just like countless others before, they too soon admitted defeat.
"Teacher Gale, please enlighten us!" Sighing, Gray shook his head, faking disappointment.
"You're telling me you have eyes but haven't seen this new star?! Fine, I'll tell you. This new star is called… Gray Gale, teacher extraordinaire! Main properties are smart and handsome."
"…."
"…."
"…."
The ones behind him were the first to break the silence:
"Pfft! A new star has arrived?! That kind of star?!" Goddammit, they should have guessed that one! They had all been fooled by Gray's stern face, which now showed a teasing smile.
"That's cheating! Teacher Eagleye, this man's making a mockery of Astronomy!" A certain Astral Mage complained. Yet, before the blind Astronomer could reply…
"If you're so focused on one tiny star, you might just miss the big picture. You can't go through life only focusing on Astronomy, or any single discipline. Never forget that there is a world out there, or else..."
There was suddenly a moment of silence. Many had just followed for the Obsidian Coins and then for the fun, but was he actually teaching?!
"Sigh, why look so gloomy? We're not yet at the Logistics Department. C'mon, you all. It's time to go!"
At that time, many had wondered if they'd ever reach that mystical department. As for the rest, well, it was History…
Drama
More Drama
Even more Drama
Which eventually brought Gray to this day.
Still wearing his Plague Doctor disguise, he happily returned to the Astral Tower with steady steps. He was merely walking, yet Astral Mages would twitch on his passage:
"W-What?! Who's this w̶e̶i̶r̶d̶o̶… T-Teacher?!"
"Don't tell me another has come? So soon?!"
"Way too soon! The Gale incident just happened!"
"Incident? You mean calamity! Ever since that day…"
The last student shivered, taking a certain blue orb out. The glowing ball had a little sticker on it that said "Coursework" and seemed to cause him endless sorrow.
But that's when the Astral Mage activated it by mistake. A small holographic Teacher appeared and started lecturing.
"There are 1,117,387 Stars in the entire Soland…"
Wait, wasn't this him?! Just as Gray was utterly confused, he could hear a student complain:
"The hidden meaning behind it all? Why do we have to fill out this shit?! I'm just here to study stars and become positively cosmically badass!"
"I don't mind coursework, but why study Teacher Gale's riddles of all things?!"
"Yeah, he's so damn useless! Besides, he's always causing trouble!"
"We'd be better off studying stains on a goddamn wall!"
W-What?! How hurtful?! But just as they were unknowingly trash-talking Gray to his masked face, a gentle-looking student approached him with teary eyes:
"Teacher, please leave, I beg of you! We really can't handle Extra Coursework. You seem powerful, mighty, and mysterious. Please don't inspire Teacher Eagle-Eye!"
At this moment, they all jumped up in shock: this was so damn true!
Visiting Teacher = More coursework!
But what if he left before Teacher Eagle-Eye could spot him?!
This was their only hope! As they saw him hesitate, they prayed…
"Fine, fine. I'll ensure Teacher Eagle-Eye doesn't ask you to write my biography…" They all heaved sighs of relief. "…Instead, I'll recommend he makes you study Teacher Gale's!"
— Gasps?! —
T-Teacher Gale?!
Not his riddles, but Teacher Gale himself?!
Nonono! This couldn't be allowed at all costs!
"By the way, I won't change my mind. Hehe, you guys might not realize, but this is all for your own good!" That's when their faces turned ashen with dread, Gray inwardly laughing.
'Slandering me earlier? Have fun looking for deeper meaning in my life story!' Besides, even he didn't know his own past, so good fucking luck! This felt so damn satisfying!
Still chuckling, he approached the Tower's Entrance.
There, he could see a Badge Reader, so he happily swiped.
He couldn't wait to see how majestic and glorious its interior was—
[Ding! Access Denied! Reserved to Astral Mages!]
'Come again? Even a Teacher didn't have access?! Wait, was the whole fucking Tower restricted?! At this moment, he couldn't help but glance at the despairing students in shock.
That's when they suddenly realized what was happening…
"G-Guys, he can't get in?! Oh my god, we're saved!"
"Wait, but we should definitely help a Teacher in need, right?"
"I would, but I gotta go urgently! My homework's about to eat my dog!"
As for the excuses that followed? They were even worse! From having forgotten their Grimoires in the oven to having to teach their step-siblings how to shower properly.
They were like rats leaving a sinking ship, Gray remaining alone with a locked door. This gave him Library of Heaven's Souls flashbacks! But just as he was sighing…
"Oh? Teacher Gale? What brings you here?"
"Teacher Gale?! I'm obviously not him. I'm Plague-Man, the—"
"Ah? Are you perhaps disguised? My bad, my bad. What brings you here anyway?"
It was Teacher Eagle-Eye and he had instantly recognized him?!
Gray suddenly felt like a fool. Disguise? What freaking disguise? In the face of true experts, his shenanigans were utterly risible. Sighing, he quickly changed the topic.
"Ever heard the name Lizzy Luska?"
The man trembled...