After some time, the Knights of the Iron Dominion gathered around and began questioning Shin and the girl about what had happened. Once their statements were taken, a few healers approached and tended to their wounds. Thankfully, neither of them had sustained any major injuries—especially the girl, who only suffered from spell exhaustion.
When the knights finally let them go, Shin and the girl began walking back together.
"Thank you for saving me, Shin," the girl said softly, breaking the silence.
"It's no big deal, Elise," Shin replied with a small smile.
The girl's name was Elise Hermann. She hailed from the neighboring nation of Drakenthal, known as the Nation of Freedom. Coincidentally, she was attending the same academy as Shin, making their encounter feel almost serendipitous.
"By the way, where are your belongings? You didn't bring anything with you," Elise asked curiously.
"Oh, I stored everything in here," Shin said, holding up an [Inventory Scroll Spell].
"Wow! That's so handy! I wish I could use something like that…" she pouted cutely. "If only my parents trusted me more."
Elise came from a noble family. Back in Drakenthal, her family held the title of Viscount, the third-highest rank in the noble hierarchy. Despite her upbringing, she didn't carry herself with the usual airs of nobility.
"But you don't mind walking with a commoner like me?" Shin asked hesitantly.
"What are you saying, Shin?! Of course, I don't mind! You saved me, didn't you? And I don't want you to keep your distance just because of our titles. Please, just be yourself, okay?"
Shin chuckled softly, his expression warming.
"Alright, if you say so, Elise."
"Good!" Elise beamed. "Because I really don't like people treating me like I'm someone special. I mean, the Viscount title belongs to my parents, not me." She puffed her cheeks in mock frustration, though the gesture only made her look endearingly cute.
Shin smiled again, feeling at ease. Their walk continued under the fading sunlight, their bond growing with every step.
After a long walk, Shin and Elise finally arrived at the Arcanum Knight Academy. The academy was huge and impressive, with tall towers, large buildings, and many facilities. It was the most famous school in the world and had been running for hundreds of years.
The academy was built in LON, the capital city, right in the middle of the Seven Nations. Its central location made it easy for students from all over the world to come together and study. The academy was created after the Great War to train knights, mages, and leaders who could protect the peace and prevent future wars.
Shin and Elise looked around in awe as they saw students from many different places and cultures. The academy wasn't just about fighting or magic; it taught teamwork, leadership, and how to solve problems.
After exploring a bit, they joined the line with other students to get their Knight ID, or KID. This was like a license and rank system used at the academy. To get it, students had to place their hand on a special Crystal Ball, which measured their stats and abilities.
When it was finally their turn, Elise went first. She placed her hand on the glowing Crystal Ball, and after a moment, it displayed her stats in the air. Everyone around her gasped in surprise—her abilities were far higher than anyone expected.
[Status Window]
Name: Elise Hermann
Title: Star Holder
Rank: S
Attributes:
Strength: 87
Agility: 92
Endurance: 80
Intelligence: 98
Magic Power: 120
Luck: 89
Abilities:
Stellar Wind (Active): Summons a swift and powerful stream of star-infused wind, capable of cutting through enemies and deflecting attacks.
Potential: Exceptional
Affiliation: Arcanum Knight Academy
Background: Viscount Family of Drakenthal
As Elise stepped down from the stage, the crowd surged toward her, their voices overlapping with questions and compliments. Some eagerly sought her friendship, their admiration evident. Shin stood a few steps away, his arms crossed and a proud smile lighting up his face. Watching his friend bask in the moment, he felt a quiet satisfaction, knowing this was just the beginning of their shared journey at the prestigious academy.
When the crowd's focus remained firmly on Elise, Shin turned and strode confidently toward the stage. He placed his hand on the Crystal Ball, anticipation buzzing in the air. A hush fell over the immediate area, but as the moments stretched on, no stats appeared above the orb. Confusion rippled through the onlookers who had turned to watch.
Before murmurs could build, the receptionist motioned to Shin discreetly. Leaning closer, she whispered, her tone cautious and her expression tinged with unease.
"Listen," she began hesitantly, her voice barely audible. "I know this isn't my place, but… the reason your stats didn't display is because I prevented it. Don't worry, I've already recorded the information. But I strongly recommend you look at it privately, okay?"
Shin's brows furrowed in confusion, but he nodded silently, sensing the gravity of her words. The receptionist pulled out a slip of parchment, her movements careful and deliberate, ensuring no one noticed. As she handed it to him, Shin glanced around, relieved to see the crowd's attention still glued to Elise.
Unfolding the parchment, his eyes scanned the numbers and descriptors. His breath caught, his grip tightening on the paper. Shock flickered across his face, followed swiftly by frustration and disbelief. He bit the inside of his cheek, struggling to process what he saw. The implications of these stats loomed large in his mind.
Still clutching the parchment, Shin turned away, his heart pounding. This revelation had changed everything.
[Status Window]
Name: Shinichi Asano
Title: Ordinaries
Rank: F
Attributes:
Strength: 5
Agility: 4
Endurance: 6
Intelligence: 7
Magic Power: 0
Luck: 2
Abilities: None
Potential: Low
Affiliation: Arcanum Knight Academy
Background: Unknown
As Shin stared down at his results, the weight of disappointment pressed heavily on his chest. The paper felt like it was burning in his hands, his fingers trembling as he tried to suppress the panic building inside.
Out of nowhere, Elise approached, her steps light and carefree. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her innocent smile bright against the somber mood surrounding him. "Shin, are you done?" she asked, her voice filled with optimism.
Shin forced a smile, masking the turmoil beneath. "Yeah, I'm done over here." His voice wavered slightly, but he quickly turned his face away to hide his true feelings. "Anyway, let's go! We don't want to be late, right?" His words were rushed, the need to escape the suffocating weight of his own anxiety pushing him forward.
As he walked away, the results still clenched in his hand, a wave of frustration washed over him. Is this what it feels like to be powerless? The thought gnawed at him, the sense of helplessness tightening around his chest like a vice.
Elise, walking by his side, noticed the subtle tension in his movements, the way his shoulders were hunched and his gaze distant. She could tell something was off, but her concern was masked by her own excitement. She didn't pry, unwilling to force an answer from him, but she couldn't shake the unease building within her.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, a figure observed Shin, their sinister smile just visible in the dim light before they disappeared into the darkness.
The registration process was swift, and soon enough, they found themselves in the sorting class, standing in a line alongside their fellow students. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, the Class Hierarchy system about to determine their fates. The academy divided students into four classes: A to D, balancing both nobles and commoners, though a student's rank and stats played a critical role in the sorting.
Shin stood beside Elise, his presence almost mechanical, as if his body was there but his mind was elsewhere. Elise, in contrast, was practically glowing with excitement, but her concern for Shin remained. She glanced at him, trying to gauge if there was something more behind his distant stare.
"Shin... are you okay?" Her voice was soft but filled with concern. "You've been quiet since the stats measurement. Did something happen?"
Shin's mind immediately flitted back to the moment he saw his results, and his throat tightened. The words didn't come easily.
"I—" He tried to answer, but the lump in his throat made it impossible to speak. "Yeah... I'm fine. Just a bit tired, that's all." He managed a weak smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Elise's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the forced nature of his response. Shin, what's really going on? she thought, but she didn't push him further. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
As the students' names were called out, Shin felt his stomach tighten further. He couldn't shake the feeling of dread gnawing at him. The teachers finally reached the roll call, and the first name they called was...
"Elise Hermann!"
Elise bounced with excitement, her face lighting up as she waved enthusiastically. Her eyes searched for Shin's, hoping they would be sorted into the same class. Her hope was palpable, her cheeks flushed with anticipation.
But when the teacher finished calling names, the reality hit. "Alright, that's all for Class A!"
Elise stood frozen, her face going pale as her hand dropped to her side. No… Her heart sank, but she couldn't find the words.
Her gaze shifted to Shin, expecting to see the same shock reflected in his face, but instead, he wore a solemn expression, one that seemed... expected.
"Shin... why?" Her voice was barely a whisper, the weight of the question hanging heavily between them.
Shin's smile, forced and brittle, barely registered as he looked away from her. "Sorry, Elise. We aren't in the same class." His words felt like a weight pressing down on his chest, the finality of the moment closing in around him. "Congrats..." His tone was hollow, and he couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes.
Elise stood there, feeling a mixture of confusion, sadness, and a sense of helplessness. She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected Shin to be so distant, so detached. Her heart ached for him, but she didn't know what to say.
Shin's steps were quick as he moved away, not looking back, his smile long gone. And Elise, standing alone in the silence, could only wonder what had changed. What was happening to her friend?