After the students split into their respective classes, Shin took a seat at the back of the room, near the window. As he settled into his chair and gazed outside, faint whispers began to drift through the air. The soft murmurs were unmistakably about him—words he couldn't quite make out, but the tone alone was enough to sting.
Suddenly, one of his classmates approached with a mockingly exaggerated smile.
"So, you're the rumored boy, huh?" the boy sneered, his voice laced with derision.
At the mention of "rumored boy," the rest of the class broke into murmurs again, their whispers growing louder, emboldened by the confrontation.
"Rumor? What are you talking about?" Shin asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.
"Don't play dumb," the boy said, his sneer widening. "It's about your rank. You're an F, aren't you? No abilities, no talent—completely useless!" He burst into laughter, and his cruel words acted as a spark, igniting laughter and mockery from the rest of the class.
The room filled with ridicule, but Shin remained seated, his jaw tightening as he stared out the window. He bit his lower lip, his hands clenching into fists beneath the desk. He refused to let them see how deeply their words cut.
Unbeknownst to him, Elise stood just outside the classroom door, her heart sinking as she overheard everything. She knew Shin was hiding something, but to discover he was ranked F—and that he hadn't told her—shocked her. Still, Elise felt an urge to defend him, even as doubt crept into her mind.
Is this my fault? she wondered. Because I'm a Rank S? Am I the reason he's being mocked?
But before she could act, the boy mocking Shin raised his voice again, his sneer turning even more venomous.
"Oh, by the way," he said loudly, as if performing for an audience, "I heard you came here with a girl. That true?"
Shin's eyes widened, his lip trembling as he bit down harder.
"Yeah, that's right. She's a Rank S, isn't she? A Star Holder, no less! You two couldn't be more different—you're from two completely separate worlds!"
Elise froze in place, her breath hitching. She hadn't considered how her rank might draw attention to Shin, and guilt washed over her. The boy's words twisted like a knife in her chest.
But Shin's reaction was unexpected.
"Enough!" he roared, slamming his hands onto the desk as he stood abruptly. His voice silenced the room, leaving only the sound of his chair scraping the floor. His eyes blazed with defiance as he pointed a trembling finger at his tormentor.
"She has NOTHING to do with this!" he shouted, his voice breaking with raw emotion. "Insult me all you want—I don't care! But leave her out of it!"
The boy scoffed, unimpressed by Shin's outburst. "Oh, look at this! A noble protector! How cute!" he sneered as he strode forward, grabbing Shin by the collar and yanking him closer.
"Listen, you little worm," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "If you don't want her involved, then you'll do exactly as we say. From now on, you're our errand boy. Our servant. Our slave. Got that? You're lower than dirt—even for a Rank F."
The class erupted into laughter once more, jeering at Shin. He didn't fight back. He just stood there, trembling with frustration and humiliation.
Outside the door, Elise covered her mouth, her muffled sobs escaping as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't bear to hear any more.
Why is he defending me? she thought, her heart breaking. Why does he care?
As she struggled to suppress the storm of emotions within her, she felt something else welling up—a fierce determination.
And so, a new chapter of Shin's life began—a life as Class D's so-called "slave." For Shin, every day was a living hell. Insults and mockery became his daily companions, while bullying and humiliation were constants.
Despite the wealth of knowledge his grandfather had imparted to him, Shin couldn't fight back. He had made an unspoken agreement, born out of desperation and loyalty. If he retaliated, they would turn their wrath on Elise—and that was something he couldn't allow.
The rumor of Shin being the only F Rank spread like wildfire through the academy, leaping from Class D to Class A. He became a subject of gossip in every corridor, a figure of ridicule in every gathering.
To some, he was a punchline.
To others, he was invisible.
But to one person, he was a source of unrelenting heartache—Elise.
Every time she saw Shin enduring another round of torment, guilt tore through her. She wanted to help, to stand by his side, but Shin's actions had tied her hands. His determination to shield her from harm only deepened her anguish.
Why is he protecting me so much? Elise thought, tears stinging her eyes whenever she caught sight of him.
Shin, however, bore it all in silence. The laughter, the sneers, the whispers—it all clawed at him, but he refused to let his tormentors see him break. Yet, behind his stoic facade, the weight of isolation and despair grew heavier with each passing day.
And though the academy seemed united in their disdain for him, a silent battle raged within Elise. Her friend's suffering wasn't just his own—it had become hers, too.
I can't let this go on, she resolved, clenching her fists. I'll find a way to help you, Shin. No matter what.
One day, Elise left a letter inviting Shin to meet her on the rooftop. She hoped to finally confront him, to break through the wall he had built around himself.
When Shin arrived, however, what she saw made her heart shatter.
His body was wrapped in bandages, fresh wounds visible beneath them. His tired eyes, once filled with a spark she had admired, now held an endless void—a cold, hollow darkness that seemed capable of consuming everything around him.
"Shin!" Elise cried, rushing to him and wrapping him in a tight embrace. Her voice trembled with anguish. "Why? Why are you doing this? Why are you covering for me?"
She held him even tighter, her tears soaking into his shirt. "I know you're strong, Shin. So please, fight back! Don't just stand there and obey everything they say. Please... I'm begging you, Shin. Fight back!"
But her pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears. Shin didn't respond, didn't even meet her gaze. He simply stood there, motionless, like a lifeless doll.
"Are you done?" he said at last, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
Elise froze, stunned by the emptiness in his tone.
In the end, Shin gently pushed her away.
"If you're finished," he said, "I'll be going now."
He turned and began walking toward the rooftop door, his footsteps heavy and deliberate. Elise dropped to her knees, her tears streaming freely as she watched him leave.
"Shin!" she cried after him, her voice breaking. But he didn't look back.
As he disappeared down the stairwell, Elise remained where she was, her sobs echoing across the rooftop.
He's gone... My friend is gone, she thought, her heart aching as she realized the extent of his despair.
The sound of the rooftop door creaking open again jolted her from her sorrow. Hope flickered in her chest as she quickly looked up, thinking Shin had returned.
But it wasn't him.
"Elise-chan!" a familiar voice called out. Emilia, one of her classmates, rushed toward her, concern etched across her face.
Elise didn't respond. Instead, she clung to Emilia's clothes, trembling as fresh tears began to fall.
"Emilia..." she choked out. "He's gone..."
Emilia knelt beside her, gently stroking her hair. "Who's gone?" she asked softly.
"Shin..." Elise's voice cracked as she sobbed harder. "He's gone! He's not the Shin I knew anymore!"
Emilia smiled sadly, pulling Elise into a comforting embrace. "You're crying for him again, huh? You're so kind, Elise."
Elise buried her face in Emilia's shoulder, her sobs continuing as Emilia held her close. The rooftop grew quiet except for Elise's broken cries, and Emilia stayed by her side, offering silent comfort until exhaustion finally overtook her.
Later, Elise drifted into a peaceful sleep on Emilia's lap as Emilia gently stroked her hair. She watched over Elise with a mix of affection and concern, her heart aching for her friend.
She glanced toward the rooftop door and sighed softly.
"You made her cry again, Shin," she said aloud, her tone light but tinged with teasing reproach. "How mean of you."
The door creaked open, and Shin stepped out quietly. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes softened when he saw Elise resting.
Emilia gave him a knowing smile and sighed dramatically. "You know how many tears she shed today? A lot! Honestly, how dare you make her cry that much!" she said with playful exaggeration, though her voice held genuine warmth.
Shin lowered his head slightly. "Thank you, Emi. Thank you for looking after her... and for everything you've done to protect her."
Emilia shook her head, her smile turning gentle. "Geez, Shin. Why are you always playing the bad guy for her? You know she might end up hating you one day, right? Why don't you just fight back, like she wants? It would save everyone a lot of trouble—especially me! You're interrupting my lazy days, you know?" She pouted, crossing her arms.
Shin's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Sorry," he said quietly. "But until the time is right... until I can end this for good... I need you to stay by her side. Just a little longer. I'll make it up to her—I promise." He bowed deeply, his sincerity clear.
Emilia waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, no need to bow. I get it," she said with a soft laugh. "I'll keep looking after her. But you better keep that promise, Shin."
He nodded, glancing at Elise one last time before turning and walking away. Emilia watched him leave, her expression thoughtful.
When she turned her attention back to Elise, a fond smile spread across her face. She gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Elise's cheek and tucked it behind her ear.
"You two are so alike," she murmured with a chuckle. "Always protecting each other, even if it means hurting yourselves. It's sweet, but also so unfair. When will my prince come to take care of me?" She sighed, her playful tone returning as she leaned back against the wall.
For now, though, she was content. As Elise slept peacefully, Emilia continued to stroke her hair, silently promising to stay by her side for as long as she needed.