Si-Woo entered the classroom and immediately noticed the rising, amphitheater-style seating, each row curving slightly upward to ensure a clear view of the central teaching platform. The room was well-lit, with sunlight streaming in from the massive window on the left side, giving the space an open, expansive feel.

His gaze swept across the room as he scanned for a seat. Choosing the farthest rightmost corner, Si-Woo began his ascent to the top row, his footsteps echoing faintly in the quiet room. As he moved, the soft murmurs of the other students gradually died down.

The whispers were quickly replaced by curious stares. Some students craned their necks to get a better look, their eyes flitting between Si-Woo and Z, perched contentedly on his head. Si-Woo ignored the attention, though he could feel the weight of their gazes pressing down on him like a tangible force.

Once seated, Si-Woo exhaled softly, shifting Z to sit more securely on his head. The wyvern let out a small, contented chirp, its tail curling lightly around his neck. Si-Woo reached up to scratch Z’s chin absentmindedly before letting his eyes wander to the view outside the large window to his left.

The window revealed a sprawling portion of the academy’s backyard, a harmonious mix of functional and aesthetic design. Beyond the training equipment neatly arranged in grids, Si-Woo spotted dedicated training grounds where students were already engaged in sparring and exercises.

Walkways wound through the open spaces, some bordered by manicured hedges and others lined with wooden benches shaded by trees.

It was a great difference to the Young Academy’s simpler layout. Here, everything seemed more advanced, more purposeful—an environment designed to push its students to their limits.

Si-Woo leaned back slightly in his seat, his gaze lingering on the training grounds. "This is where I need to be," he thought, a flicker of determination lighting up in his eyes.

The faint rustle of papers brought him back to the present as other students began settling into their seats. He could still feel the occasional glance in his direction but chose to focus instead on the view outside, letting the hum of the room fade into the background.

“Sorry,” she murmured again, but her curiosity quickly overcame her hesitation. Her indigo eyes widened with excitement as she leaned closer, her voice brimming with wonder. “Is that... really a whiteblood wyvern?”

Si-Woo glanced at her, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden enthusiasm. “Yeah, he is,” he replied with a small nod, reaching up to pat Z’s side. “His name’s Z.”

The Fae's awe deepened, and she inched even closer, her glasses slipping slightly down her nose as she gazed at Z. “A real whiteblood wyvern... I’ve only read about them in records,” she breathed, her words tumbling out quickly. “They’re supposed to be extinct and not to mention one of the rarest bonds in the history of Ondur! I never thought I’d actually get to see one. He’s... he’s amazing!”

Z, ever the performer, tilted his head smugly and let out a soft chirp, his tail swaying lightly around Si-Woo’s neck as if acknowledging her praise.

“He knows,” Si-Woo said with a small chuckle, brushing Z’s tail. “He’s a handful, though. You don’t see the chaos he causes when he decides to get into trouble.”

The Fae didn’t seem to hear him, her attention wholly absorbed by Z. “Even his coloring is flawless,” she said, her voice tinged with awe. “And those eyes—they look so intelligent.”

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Si-Woo raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to handle her intense enthusiasm. “Uh, thanks. But honestly, I didn’t do anything to deserve him. He just kind of... found me.”

“That’s even more incredible!” she exclaimed, her eyes darting between Si-Woo and Z. “Whiteblood wyverns are said to choose their bonds carefully. If Z picked you, it means you must have something special about you.”

Si-Woo scratched the back of his neck, feeling a mix of pride and awkwardness. “I’m not so sure about that, but thanks.”

Z crooned again, basking in the attention. Lirin clasped her hands together, her expression bright and animated as she continued to marvel at the creature.

“Oh, I’m Lirin, by the way!” she said suddenly, her words coming out in a rush as if she’d just remembered to introduce herself. She pushed her glasses back up and smiled warmly.

“Si-Woo,” he replied, offering a small smile of his own.

The chime of a bell cut through the moment, signaling the start of class.

The murmurs in the room hushed as students turned their attention forward. Lirin gave Z one last admiring glance before pulling out her notebook, her excitement still evident in the way she sat on the edge of her seat.

Si-Woo leaned back in his chair, casting one last look at the training grounds outside before shifting his focus to the front of the room.

The room quieted as the door opened, and a broad-shouldered man strode in with an air of authority. Mr. Jeong, dressed in the academy’s formal teaching attire, exuded a calm yet commanding presence. His sharp features were framed by neatly cropped dark hair streaked with gray, and his piercing gaze scanned the room as if cataloging every student in an instant.

Just behind him, Oapa entered silently, his hood still concealing most of his face. His soft, deliberate footsteps drew little attention until he made his way up the steps, settling into the seat next to Lirin with a nod of acknowledgment.

Lirin shot him a surprised look but said nothing, her gaze flitting briefly between Oapa and Si-Woo before turning back to her notebook.

Mr. Jeong placed a thick book down on his desk with a resounding thud, drawing all eyes to him. “Welcome to the first homeroom session of the semester,” he began, his deep voice steady and clear. “For some of you, this is your first experience in the Middle Academy. For others, another step toward achieving mastery. Either way, you are all here to grow, to challenge yourselves, and to prepare for what lies beyond these walls.”

His gaze landed on Si-Woo, and his expression softened slightly.

“Speaking of new experiences,” he said, motioning for Si-Woo to stand. “We have a new addition to our class. Si-Woo, why don’t you stand and introduce yourself?”

Si-Woo hesitated for a moment before rising to his feet, Z shifting slightly on his head with a curious chirp. The eyes of his classmates bore into him, some filled with curiosity, others with skepticism.

“My name is Si-Woo,” he said, keeping his voice steady despite the attention. “I’m from the Young Academy of Yohen, and... I’ll do my best to keep up with everyone here.”

Z let out another chirp as if punctuating his words, drawing a few quiet chuckles from the room.

Mr. Jeong’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “Thank you, Si-Woo. It’s worth noting that you are the first student in the academy’s history to achieve a perfect score on the placement test.”

The murmurs started immediately, spreading through the classroom like wildfire. Si-Woo glanced at Oapa, whose expression remained unreadable under his hood, and then at Lirin, who was beaming with wide-eyed admiration at Z.

“Congratulations on that accomplishment,” Mr. Jeong continued, his tone firm but encouraging. “You’ve set a high bar for yourself, and I expect you to maintain that standard as you move forward. Excellence is not just an achievement—it’s a responsibility.”

Si-Woo nodded, his expression serious. “Thank you, sir.”

“Good. You may sit,” Mr. Jeong said before addressing the rest of the class. “Now, let’s get started with today’s agenda. Turn to page five in your syllabus, and let’s discuss what’s expected this semester.”

As Si-Woo sat down, he felt Oapa’s gaze on him.

“Not bad,” Oapa whispered, leaning slightly toward him. “Z definitely stole the show, though.”

Si-Woo huffed softly, patting Z’s tail. “He always does.”

Lirin gave a small hushed laugh from beside Oapa, her earlier excitement tempered but still lingering in her expression.