Chapter 27: The Academy's First Lesson
The classroom was silent as the last student took their seat.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Not from nerves—but from competition.
Everyone in Class 1-A had earned their place through skill, strength, or status.
And each one was determined to prove they belonged.
Rei Kurogane adjusted his glasses, scanning the room.
✔ Kozuki sat at the front, completely calm.✔ Lina smirked, tapping her fingers impatiently.✔ Mika and Elias studied the class, assessing potential rivals.✔ Souta and Akari sat on either side of Rei, ready for whatever came next.
Then—
The classroom door slid open.
The Instructor Arrives – A Legend Appears
Footsteps echoed through the silent hall.
A man in a dark academic robe walked in, his sharp golden eyes scanning the students.
His presence alone felt suffocating.
Instructor (calmly): "Welcome to Aether Academy."
A single name appeared on the holographic board.
📜 Instructor: Professor Alden Graves
The room tensed.
Even Kozuki's eyes narrowed slightly.
Because this wasn't just any teacher.
Alden Graves was a legend.
✔ The youngest ever instructor at Aether Academy.✔ Former world-class combat strategist.✔ A man who had trained some of the academy's greatest alumni.
And now—he was their instructor.
Professor Graves (calmly): "For those of you who don't know me… Good."
His golden eyes sharpened.
Graves: "I don't care who you are. Status, strength, reputation—it means nothing here."
He walked forward slowly, deliberately.
Graves: "What matters is what you can prove. And most of you… haven't proven anything yet."
The students stiffened.
Even the strongest ones—Kozuki, Daigo, Mika—were listening carefully.
Because they knew—this man was the real deal.
And then—he snapped his fingers.
The First Test – The Academy's Ruthless Evaluation
Suddenly, the holographic board changed.
📜 First Test: The Academic & Combat Evaluation✔ Written Exam (Logic, Strategy, Tactical Decision-Making)✔ Combat Analysis (Strength, Endurance, Reflexes, Combat Skill)✔ Failure to meet standards = Immediate Demotion
A shockwave rippled through the room.
Student 1 (whispering, panicked): "Demotion?! On the first day?!"
Student 2: "This academy is insane…"
Graves simply watched their reactions.
Then he smirked.
Graves: "If you're afraid already… you shouldn't be here."
Rei's mind raced.
Rei (thinking): This isn't a normal school. They're testing us from the start.
Souta leaned over.
Souta (grinning): "Written exam first? Pfft. This is your thing, right, Rei?"
Rei adjusted his glasses.
Rei (calmly): "It's not about knowing the answers. It's about knowing what they're really testing."
Graves clapped once.
Graves: "Enough talking. First exam starts now."
The classroom screens lit up.
The first real challenge had begun.
And for Rei—this was the perfect battlefield.