Thomas pauses in the middle of his lecture, his gaze sweeping across the classroom as if to gauge the reactions of each student. Then, with a faint smile, he says

"Now, to make this session a bit more exciting, I’m going to show you something special"

His words stir a wave of excitement through the class, with a few students exchanging curious glances. Without keeping them waiting too long, Thomas leaves the room. A sense of anticipation fills the air as everyone wonders what he might bring back

A few minutes later, Thomas returns, carrying a large birdcage covered by a thick black cloth. He places the cage on the lecture table and carefully removes the cloth, revealing a strange creature inside

All eyes are immediately drawn to the cage. Inside is a creature resembling a raven, but much larger. Its wings, when they move slightly, produce faint sounds as if the surrounding air were being torn apart. Its jet-black feathers are unnervingly unique, not just dark but seemingly absorbing all light around them, giving it the appearance of a living shadow

As the creature slowly spreads its wings, sharp, short, yet sturdy claws are revealed beneath. Its eyes, black as bottomless pits, scan the classroom, exuding an indescribable aura of mystery. A few students shiver unconsciously, as though those eyes had glimpsed the depths of their souls

Standing behind the cage, Thomas smiles proudly as he introduces the creature before them

"What you see here is Thomas Jr, a Nightshade Raven - a monster at the Rogue level. This big guy has been under my care for over four years now"

He gently taps the cage, prompting the large raven to stir. Its enigmatic eyes sweep across the class once more, leaving an almost tangible ripple of unease and fascination in its wake

He adjusts his glasses and continues his lecture, his steady voice carrying a tone of seriousness

"I’m sure you’re wondering" he starts, his tone slow but captivating "how a monster could possibly be raised by me. According to conventional understanding, monsters are predatory and destructive creatures. They need to absorb Mana from beings with Mana in their bodies, such as humans, into their body to sustain their lives and maintain their combat capabilities"

"However, the Nightshade Raven is a unique case. While it does have the ability to absorb Mana, it is not a necessity for its survival. This species can live and grow by consuming meat, just like ordinary animals"

"Monster species capable of sustaining themselves on regular meat rather than Mana exist because they do not depend on Mana for combat" He explains

"For example, Nightshade Ravens hunt by blending into darkness. Their feathers can absorb light to such an extent that they are nearly invisible in dimly lit environments. Combined with their incredible speed, they become perfect assassins, taking down prey without leaving a trace. This allows them to fully utilize their physical capabilities without relying on Mana"

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"This very mechanism enables us to raise these creatures, providing them with the conditions to live and reproduce, thereby creating new generations. This, in turn, offers us an incredibly valuable resource of materials"

However, his tone shifts, becoming more grave

"That said, I want you to understand something clearly: while we can raise them, we can never truly tame them. Even though Thomas Jr. has lived with me for four years, it would not hesitate to attack me if given the chance. This is a characteristic shared by all monster species"

Thomas gazes at the raven inside the cage, his expression contemplative

"For reasons we have yet to understand, all monsters seem to possess an innate hostility toward humans. They can never truly be friendly toward us"

Thomas continues his lecture with focus and enthusiasm, primarily discussing the unique characteristics of Rogue-level monsters. He provides numerous practical examples, clearly illustrating their defining traits, which keeps the class fully engaged. As the lecture concludes, Thomas gathers his materials and leaves the room. The students begin to rise from their seats, chatting animatedly as they file out, creating a lively atmosphere

Kaiser stretches, leaning back comfortably after the long session. He rolls his shoulders, feeling the tension in them ease

"Professor Thomas’s lecture was incredibly insightful" he says, his eyes glimmering with interest

Amelia nods in agreement "It really was. I never imagined monsters could be farmed. It completely changes how I view them"

She carefully folds her notebook, tucks it into her bag, and stands up, her gaze turning to Kaiser

"There’s still plenty of time before the Spell Array course this afternoon. Want to grab lunch with me?" she suggests, her tone carrying a hint of excitement

"Sure, I’m starving" Kaiser replies instantly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. The two exit the classroom together, heading toward the cafeteria, chatting easily along the way

As they walk down the expansive hallway, Kaiser glances at Amelia with a teasing expression

"So, a princess like you eating cafeteria food? I figured you’d have at least one personal chef whipping up gourmet meals for you"

Amelia stops in her tracks, narrowing her eyes sharply at him. She suddenly elbows Kaiser lightly in the side, catching him off guard

"Did you forget the girl who used to run around markets with you eating every street food we could find?" she says with a hint of irritation

"Oh, right, how could I forget?" Kaiser laughs, his gaze softening as he recalls the memories they shared

The two continue walking to the cafeteria, laughing together. The space is filled with the cheerful buzz of students enjoying their lunch break after an intense morning of classes. Kaiser and Amelia blend into the crowd, joining the line to grab their meals. Their presence, particularly Amelia’s composed yet approachable demeanor as a princess and Kaiser’s confident aura, draws the attention of several students, accompanied by whispers and curious glances

Once they’ve gotten their food, they quickly spot an empty table in the corner of the cafeteria and sit down. Amelia smiles as she places her tray on the table, while Kaiser leans back in his chair, taking a deep breath before preparing to dig in

Before they can pick up their forks, a serious voice interrupts them from behind.

"Excuse me, may I join you guys?"

Both of them turn their heads in surprise, their gazes landing on a striking young woman standing behind them. She exudes an air of elegance, her short golden hair neatly trimmed, perfectly complementing her sharp golden eyes, which gleam brilliantly like rays of sunlight