Phew, taking a deep sigh, I finally found the classroom I'd been hunting for 30 minutes—like some kind of One Piece treasure.
Outside, students strolled casually, chatting as if time were endless. With still a few minutes before class began, I bypassed the crowd and headed directly to the classroom door.
After what felt like a lifetime of wandering aimlessly through a labyrinth of hallways (seriously, who designed this place?), I skidded to a stop in front of a door. He stared at it for a solid minute, out of breath, hoping—no, praying—this was the one.
As I pushed it open and stepped inside, I was taken aback by the sheer scale of the room. It was enormous, easily three times the size of an average college classroom, with an expansive layout of desks stretching out before me—enough to accommodate 60 or 70 students comfortably.
A few students had already arrived, some early birds already burying their noses in books, preparing for the semester exams. Others were just chatting or slacking off. As I stepped in, I felt their eyes on me—disgust, surprise, and resentment all mixed into their glares.
Ignoring their stares, I scanned the room for a seat.
And there it was—the perfect spot. The last seat on the left, right in front of the window. A classic intellectual protagonist seat.
My plan for the next few days? Just sit there, overanalyze everything, and act all emo.
I started moving toward it, ready to claim it as my own, but before I could sit down, a guy with purple hair and a delinquent face plopped himself into the seat, throwing his legs on the desk like he owned the place. He noticed me standing there and glared.
"Yo, retard. You want something?" His tone was dripping with disdain.
Geez.
"Nah, nothing," I replied, keeping it casual.
"Then fuck off," he flicked his fingers at me like I was a stray dog.
It was just a desk, but the way he flicked me aside like I was nothing—ugh. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm..
Ugh. As annoying as this guy was, I couldn't do anything about it. He was going to be a major nuisance throughout the story.
Katakuri Kenshin.
He was from the famous Kenshin clan of samurais, but despite his prestigious lineage, he was anything but respectful. His arc always bugged me. He causes chaos for the protagonist, only to die by the end of Year 1. It wasn't even a meaningful death—just unnecessary plot fodder. Though, even if he survived, I doubt he'd be relevant in the long run.
Looking at him now, staring out the window, he didn't seem all that bad. He had an inferiority complex, probably because of his family's reputation. That insecurity would lead him downhill later on.
With my look at him with eyes that analyzed everything, like I was calculating the worth of an investment.
Well, I'll decide his fate when the story pushes us that far.
I glanced around the room again and finally settled on a seat somewhere in the middle. It was still at the back, but from there, I'd have a decent view of everyone. As soon as I sat down, I could hear the whispers behind me. A group of girls, no doubt, talking trash like they always did.
"Look at him, sitting there like nothing's wrong."
"Disgusting."
"Ugh, he is seriously gross"
"He is hot tho"
Non-stop yapping.
Phew. Sometimes, as I watch these spoiled noble kids, I can't help but think that joining the enemy and helping them wipe everyone out would be a welcome escape.
All these guys are just opportunists. They never used to talk openly in front of Akashi when he had the privilege of his name behind him. Now, with that status seemingly diminished, they're quick to show their true colors.
Of course, I'd have to forget that I'm one of them too.
Time passed, and the classroom started to fill up. Among the new arrivals, I noticed Princess Arielle and Caera walked in, immediately taking seats at the front like they owned the place. Typical. Genius seats for genius people, I guess.I spotted a few other major names from the cast, but not everyone was here yet. Some of the key players were in other classes, but as the story unfolds, the pieces would eventually come together.
My eyes landed on one particular seat.
A girl sat there, regal and composed, her blue hair shimmering like sunlight on water. Her deep blue eyes glistened with an almost serene light, as if she were constantly contemplating something far beyond what was happening in the room. Her heart-shaped face and delicate features added to her ethereal beauty, but she carried an air of indifference—like the world was just a simulation to her.
**Elysia Raphaelos.**
She was the youngest daughter from House Raphaelos, renowned for their technological advancements. In the future, she would become an ally of the protagonist, supplying him with cutting-edge gadgets that only her house could create. For now, though, she sat quietly, her poker face making it clear that she didn't care much for the world around her.
Beside her sat Ryan, a boy with brown hair and a strikingly handsome face. Despite his humble beginnings in the small village of Shega and being the only child of his parents, Ryan's determination and hard work earned him a spot at the academy. As a commoner with a simple mindset, he and the protagonist formed a solid bond, supporting each other against any discrimination they faced. Ryan wasn't just a friend; he was an essential part of the story.
In the background, a volcano loomed ominously, its fiery presence adding a dramatic flair to the scene. Seated amidst the flames was Liya FlamesWrath, her crimson red hair and ruby eyes giving her a fierce yet alluring appearance. Her youthful face held an unmistakable hint of simmering anger.
Liya came from the prestigious FlamesWrath family, known for their mastery of fire elements. Their family's reputation was as great and wealthy as any of the major houses. However, FlamesWrath members were known for their short tempers, so it was best not to overstay your welcome in conversation with them. A vivid memory flashed through my mind—one of Liya beating Akashi to a pulp, making him look like a battered mess.
Liya was stunning and fiery, and Akashi couldn't keep his eyes off her. He even tried to get close in a way that was way out of line and once even tried to get in her pants.
I mean, seriously—every time I saw some random girl, it turned out Akashi had probably already made a mess of things with her. What a piece of shit.
I'm definitely not going to annoy her. No way.
Trying to avoid annoying her, I shifted my focus to another girl sitting on the left. She had thick, bold fiery red hair and emerald green eyes that drew attention. Her heart-shaped face and striking beauty were hard to ignore.
This was Elara Cassielan, another member of one of the ruling families and the class representative. Known for her idealistic and mature nature, Elara always aimed for the best outcome in any situation.
And The best part? Akashi had no past with her. That's a relief.
Just as I was trying to stay calm, a memory popped up
Akashi had once tried to ask her for photos without clothes. My face went pale, and my mouth went dry.
Fuck, this can't be real. Seriously.
This guy just can't sit idly and do nothing, can he?
The worst part? I didn't even get to see the photo in that memory. I mean, it's not like I wanted to see it—definitely not.
As I reflected, an embarrassing memory resurfaced: asking Elara to send me some rather inappropriate photos a long time ago. The sheer cringe of it all made me want to disappear. I was desperately trying to protect my reputation, but it seemed there was nothing left to salvage.
I needed a new look—maybe a fresh haircut and a complete makeover. I seriously considered enrolling as a new student to escape my past mistakes.
Just then, a voice cut through my thoughts. "Hey, move aside. You trash better sit ten meters away from me. I need to rest."
I turned to see a guy in the back corner of the classroom. He had silver and dark mixed hair with strikingly dark eyes and an undeniably handsome face. This was Aureon Zadkiel, from the ruling family and a significant character in the novel.
Aureon was a guy who thrived on hierarchy and had frequent clashes with the protagonist, creating major rifts between them. By the middle of the story, he became the major antagonist, joining an opposing faction in his quest for power.
As the classroom filled up, a buzz of conversation, the shuffle of papers, and bursts of laughter created a lively atmosphere. I glanced over at Katakuri Kenshin, who was lounging at his desk with his feet propped up. He had a way of standing out in a room where everyone else seemed to blend into the background.
Just then, the door burst open with a dramatic swing, and a boy with blonde hair and piercing ruby eyes made his entrance. It was the kind of entrance that immediately commanded attention, as if he'd stepped right out of a grand spectacle.
Katakuri's eyes twitched, and he shot an amused glance at the new arrival. Despite the spotlight, the blonde boy remained nonchalant, taking his seat with an air of cool detachment.
Vali, the boy's name , slid into his desk without giving the commotion much thought. But then, Katakuri's voice sliced through the room like a hot knife through butter.
"Oye, blondie," he called out, his tone dripping with mockery, "Heard you were dumb enough to pick a fight with the seniors. What's the deal? Trying to flex your powers and make everyone remember you?"
Vali didn't flinch. He simply glared at Katakuri, his silence more cutting than any words.
And what's with the dramatic entrance? You think it makes you look like some comic book hero?
No, I don't think so.Vali's reply was blunt. "
"Seriously,then where were you? Why show up so late?"
"I got lost finding the classroom," Vali answered matter-of-factly.
Katakuri stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words. "Never mind that. How about our duel? Interested in throwing down today in our first combat session?"
Vali's gaze stayed fixed on the board. "I couldn't care less. I'll fight whoever the academy decides through the random draws."
"Really? You think fighting me won't be exciting?" Katakuri taunted.
Vali's response was as blunt as ever. "I see you as nothing more than a random opponent.
"Heh, is that so? You blond bast—" Katakuri began, but his words were cut short when the door burst open again.
In walked a boy with black hair, ocean-blue eyes that sparkled like emeralds, and a jawline that could cut glass. His presence was almost magnetic.
"Sorry I'm late again," he said, his voice smooth and apologetic.
Looking at him, my eyes wandered. Ah, there he is.
I couldn't help but murmur, "Liam Fingerland," as I recognized him.