Tyrus groggily rose from the bed and glanced at the windows. The sunlight was already seeping through the gaps between the curtains, and the chirps of the birds could be heard. Yawning, he tossed aside the sheets and placed his feet on the floor, stretching his limbs and popping the knots out of his shoulders. Today was the first week of the academy year, and the first day of officially starting classes.

Once he finished stretching, he noticed a piece of paper just below the door. Someone had slipped it through the crevices and left it on the floor. Tyrus walked up and picked it up, unfolding the piece of paper. It was a schedule of his first semester, detailing the dates and times of his classes and the names of the instructors he would be taught by. There was also a note of the location on where the class was.

Tyrus glanced at a clock hanging on the wall. He still had an hour before the morning class began, which was Wilderness Survival. Thirty minutes after would be Elemental Mastery I, an hour break, and Beast and Elemental Spirit Science to finish things off. That meant he'd be busy for eight hours of the day, and that classes ended at late afternoon.

"Well, it looks like I have a busy day ahead of me," Tyrus said with a smile.

Tyrus set the schedule down on the glass table and began his preparations. Tyrus walked to where the bath was and proceeded to clean his body—which functioned the same as the one in the imperial palace—then donned his uniform. He made sure everything was in order, especially the buttons and his cuffs. Once he was satisfied, he approached the bookshelf, where the books needed for his classes were lined up.

Thanks to reaching the first rank of the first-years in the combat department, the required books needed for specific classes were granted to him for free. That benefit would continue as long as he maintained his position at the top, or the third spot, at the very least. If he were to slack off in his studies, not only would he lose his sweet room, he would no longer receive funds to buy the books needed for the next semester! No matter what, Tyrus couldn't allow himself to fall behind.

Only one class required a few books for the day, and that was Beast and Elemental Spirit Science. A leather-bounded book with gold linings adorned the cover was pulled out. On the cover were the words 'Book of Wild Beasts: Volume One' carved into the leather. Underneath the fancy title was a colored illustration of a hobgoblin and a giant facing off while a drake flew overhead. The cover was eye-catching, to say the least.

The last book to grab was 'Book of Elemental Spirits: Volume One'. This time, it was an illustration of a brook in a forest. Treants and animals surrounded the stream while water spirits, little fairies with fish tails and hair that resembled algae danced within the brook. The water spirits seemed to be in good spirits. Just looking at them reminded him of Meadow. He hoped she and the rest of the spirits back at Wildwood were doing alright.

Tyrus stashed the books inside his storage ring and looked at the clock again. There were still forty minutes to go, enough time to grab himself a light meal. If Wilderness Survival was what Tyrus thought it was, then he would need to fill up his stomach with some food beforehand.

With everything in order, Tyrus made his way to his door and swung it open. Just as he stepped outside and gently closed the door behind him, he noticed that one of his neighbors was also making their exit. It was an older boy, towering over Tyrus with his hair neatly tied back.

The older boy halted in his tracks, giving Tyrus a thorough once-over. He eyed Tyrus's uniform and took special notice of his ears and tail. To Tyrus's surprise, the older boy then rubbed his eyes, blinked a couple of times, and retreated back into his own living space.

"That was weird..." Tyrus mumbled.

Deciding it was nothing, Tyrus continued onward. He ventured down the stairwell and stepped foot onto the first floor. Apparently, the first floor had its own dining services, only accessible to residents of Lavarun Hall. The food served there was supposedly on par with the meals served at the entrance ceremony feast. Teit and Barachus Hall were forced to settle with eating at the dining hall in the commons, which was a step down in terms of quality. That didn't mean the food would be bad, but the quality would be noticeable among the first-years.

The dining services were conveniently situated at the rear of the first floor, a fact that Tyrus found quite pleasing. Upon his arrival, he was taken aback by the stunning aesthetics of the rectangular area. Tables, including round and rectangular, were artfully arranged on a tiled floor adorned with a blend of white and blue. Inactive sconces dressed up the pillars in the corners and center, providing structural support to the ceiling. Across the walls, windows were thoughtfully positioned, affording an unobstructed view of the courtyard and the meticulously maintained backyard.

There was enough space between the tables that the students wouldn't feel too crowded even though the seats could fit either a single person, or even a group of six. What was bizarre was that Tyrus saw no counter or place to grab the food. However, there was a swinging door to his left where employees carrying plates or pushing carts were passing through. That was probably where the food was being made.

After Tyrus got over his shock, he looked around for an empty seat. He found one in the far corner with a good view of the courtyard. Tyrus quickened his haste for the table before anyone could take it from him. The upper-classmen who were enjoying their breakfast and conversing with their friends stopped once they saw Tyrus walking by and stared. One of them even pointed, and another elbowed their companion, whispering something. Tyrus ignored the strange gazes and continued on.

Once he reached his destination, Tyrus plopped himself onto the seat and rested his back against the chair. The table was of wood, smooth and a slight sweet aroma to it, and the chairs were cushioned with a firm material. It was relatively empty, except for a strange device with a glass face.

"A communication tool?"

Tyrus grabbed the device and tapped the glass surface. It turned on, a low humming noise emitting from the device as it projected a translucent screen. It first asked him to speak his name into the communication tool. Tyrus followed the instructions and was surprised when his name was displayed. From there, the options were laid out before him.

It was similar to the one Selena used in her office. Yet instead of a person on the other end, it was a menu with a variety of options. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert were the options. Tyrus tapped the breakfast option, and a sub-menu showed up with the different dishes available. There was also a section titled 'drinks' that had a wide assortment of beverages, ranging from regular water to more exotic ones. There was even an image and description of what each meal contained.

"This place is amazing! Every second I spend here makes me really glad I came."

Tyrus was filled with wonder and excitement, unable to suppress his glee. He selected his choice of beverage and meal and set the communication tool down. Tyrus sat patiently, waiting for his order to arrive. To pass the time, he gazed out the window.

A faint sun struggled to pierce the overcast sky, which was awash in shades of gray and white. Students in their uniforms walked across the courtyard, each going to their own destination. Smiles, neutral faces, and signs of worry were visible throughout the crowd; different builds, heights, and hair color. While some walked alone, others were part of lively conversations in groups. They all looked distinct, yet seemed they belong at the academy.

"What is a Demi-human doing here?" a voice said from nearby.

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Tyrus sighed and shifted away from the view, casting a sneaking glance to his right. As usual, his fellow peers had their eyes on him. Tyrus could more or less guess what was going on through their heads.

They were probably shocked that a Demi-human was even accepted into the academy. Tyrus guessed that it was unheard of that a Demi-human would even attempt to enroll in the academy, or that one got accepted. And now here he was, sitting at one of the tables in Lavarun Hall, a place only meant for the high-ranking students.

What did the students think about this? What were they feeling right now? Were they curious? Skeptical? Or maybe even surprised that it was possible for Beastfolk to attend a prestigious academy. Beastfolk were called dumb beasts who only knew about violence and fighting.

A loud ding from the communication device rang, interrupting his thoughts. A cart rolled out from the swinging doors and into the dining room, stopping in front of Tyrus. An employee placed a plate of diced fruit and a bowl of oats alongside a tall glass of water. Once the cart was empty, she bowed and rolled toward the next table.

"Best not to think about depressing stuff so early in the morning," Tyrus said, dismissing his concerns. "I'm here to learn and enjoy myself."

He ate the meal without complaint, taking his time and savoring the taste. The fruits were fresh, and the oats were mixed with a hint of cinnamon, adding a sweet touch to the meal. This was his first time having oats, and while it was nothing compared to stew, it was still delicious. He devoured the oats in no time, and before he knew it, the plate was empty.

"That was delicious," Tyrus said, sighing in contentment. "If the other meals are just as good, then I might get fat during my time here, which wouldn't be good. A fattened person is easier to hit and slower than a regular one. Well, I won't have to worry about that if I burn the excess energy with exercise. Speaking of exercise..."

Now was about time to start heading to his first class. He wanted to be the first one there. Starting off on the wrong foot with an instructor was not a good idea, and he didn't want to come off as a lazy person who was always late.

Tyrus wiped his mouth with a napkin and picked up the communication tool. After pressing a few buttons, the display disappeared, and the device went back to being a blank screen. Tyrus rose from his seat and quickly exited the dining room. The burning stares from the surrounding students made his ears twitch, and he hastened his pace.

****

According to the schedule, students of Wilderness Survival were supposed to meet at the front gate of the academy. The instructor would then lead the group to the destination, and from there, the lesson would begin. Tyrus didn't need the map to know where the gate was, and he arrived at his destination with time to spare.

Instructor Hugo, a muscular and tanned man, stood leaning against the entrance with his arms folded. He sported a brown, long-sleeved shirt, its sleeves rolled up to his elbows, paired with rugged black trousers and worn-out boots. A curved-blade dagger hung from his thick belt. A full-beard claimed his face, and his dark hair, though long, was neatly tied up in a ponytail.

Instructor Hugo looked up from the ground, noticing Tyrus. His eyes narrowed, and he pushed himself off the wall. Tyrus stopped once he was a respectful distance away and greeted the instructor.

"H-Hello, Instructor Hugo. My name is—"

"I know who you are," Instructor Hugo said in a deep voice. "I heard all about you from the other instructors. They wouldn't shut up about you. You're Tyrus, the black tiger that made quite the scene at the physical exam."

Tyrus looked at him in surprise. "Scene? What scene?"

The man casually dismissed him with a wave. "That's not what matters. Now, I don't know much about you Beastfolk, but what I do know is that your kind aren't weak like us humans. You possess the strength, reflexes, and instincts of a predator in your blood. Which leads me to wonder: Why are you even here? I have little desire to teach a young person who already has experience living in the wilderness. It's an affront to my time and your abilities. And before you ask, I can tell from your expression and the lines on your palms that you're a survivor."

Tyrus didn't expect the man to cut straight to the point. His words, although a tiny harsh, held no ill-will. It was true Tyrus had experience in the wild, but Instructor Hugo made it sound like he knew everything there was to know. The man couldn't be further from the truth.

"I have been living in Valier Forest for one year, at most, and before those years, I traveled around Lethos with no permanent home," Tyrus began. "I can fend off against beasts, make a fire, know where to find water, and how to hunt and prepare food."

"But that's as far as my skills go. I know next to nothing about which plants are edible or poisonous. I do not know of building a shelter or first aid without the elements. There are a lot of things I don't know, and if I want to be a successful explorer, then I must learn all I can about surviving the wilderness. That is why I am here, Instructor Hugo. Not because I have some sort of experience, but because I wish to gain the knowledge that can save my life, and maybe the lives of the people around me."

And that this will probably be an easy class to pass, Tyrus thought. If I want to keep my privileges, I need to keep my spot in the combat department.

Instructor Hugo's eyes widened slightly, and he nodded in agreement. "You're truly an honest kid, and I can tell that what you're saying is true. I have dedicated many years to studying the skills required for survival. The more knowledge you have, the greater your chances of surviving and living another day."

"Not all sorcerers have mastered every spell, and they certainly don't possess an unlimited amount of mana to heal every wound. So, in case you run out of mana or are unable to use sorcery for any reason, relying on traditional methods could be the determining factor between life and death. Welcome to Wilderness Survival, kid. And sorry about my words from earlier. I acted too hastily and assumed you knew everything because of your lineage."

Tyrus chuckled and replied, "I hadn't considered it from that perspective. I can see why you might have thought that. By the way, I want you to know that your words didn't offend me at all."

"It seems like you also have thick skin. You're quite distinct from all the students I've taught in this class. Typically, most kids prefer to stay in the comfort of their rooms to study or practice their magic. Given that this is an outdoor class, it's common to hear them complaining about the heat or the dirt. I'm simply grateful to have one student who will truly value the lesson."

"I look forward to learning under you, Instructor Hugo."

"As do I, kid. As do I."

Not long after their conversation, other students began arriving. Tyrus noticed that it was mostly boys around his age, at most three years older than he was. Instead of looking excited, they all carried solemn expressions. A few in the group even looked pale, as if they were dreading the upcoming lessons. Tyrus counted at least thirty students altogether, and it seemed like no one else was coming.

Tyrus was about to join the others and stand at the back of the crowd when a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

"Looks like that's everyone," Instructor Hugo said. "Welcome to Wilderness Survival, first and second years. My name is Hugo, and I will be your instructor for this class. I can tell from the look on some of your faces that you aren't happy to be out here. Some of you are probably thinking that you're only here because it's a required course for the Combat and Sorcery Department. And you're not wrong, but you shouldn't underestimate the usefulness of this class."

"In this class, I will teach you all the basics and more of wilderness survival. From creating fire, making tools, building shelters, hunting, finding clean water, and more. While it is true that most of your problems can be solved through sorcery, that won't be the case if you're out of mana or if you encounter a situation where the usage of magic is limited. That's why the basics are important."

"The purpose of this class is to instill in your minds and bodies that you can never be too prepared. What if you were out on an expedition and you ran out of food? There ain't no magic in the world that can summon food out of nowhere, or conjure a feast. If you run out of clean water and you're running low on mana, what will you do? There will come a time where you won't be able to rely on your blessings and the tools at your disposal. You must know and be capable of using the necessary skills in order to survive the harshest conditions, and to ensure not only your safety, but your peers as well."

Instructor Hugo gave Tyrus a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "This young man right here holds the top rank among all the first-year students in the combat department, as evidenced by his silver pin. What's even more impressive is that he has some prior experience in the wilderness, which means he isn't completely unfamiliar with the fundamentals. Therefore, I will be relying on him for some demonstrations."

Tyrus heart nearly jumped out of his chest, and his face flushed. "Huh? Me? But I—"

A bell resounded in the air, startling him and the other first-years. The instructor nodded and turned toward the gate. "And that's the start of class. Make sure to stick close as we make our way through the forest. Losing a student on the first day is uncommon, and I do not want to find myself reporting a missing student. That's paperwork I don't have the time or energy to complete."

He raised his right arm and shouted, "Let's move out!"

At the man's command, the group began moving. The other students passed—creating some huge distance, at that—by a star-struck Tyrus, sending him weird glances and whispers. Tyrus quickly snapped out of his daze and trailed behind the last person, trying his best to hide his worried face.

To think that Instructor Hugo would single me out like that! I better make sure I don't make a fool of myself in front of everyone.