Shaking the fear off, I descended the stairs and started toward the F class. The hallway was so massive that I instantly forgot which way I was supposed to go. Luckily, I spotted Jane walking in the opposite direction. Without a second thought, I fell in behind her, keeping a steady pace.

I needed a third perspective on this whole "work with the god of Void" mess. Mr. Poley didn’t sound sure that Val’kaar could actually open a portal back to my universe. He’d only hinted that it might be possible. Even if it was… I didn’t think it would be wise for me to risk it. That maniac tried to destroy the world, probably killing countless innocent people. I was officially screwed.

“Is that him?” a boy muttered behind me.

“The guy who was with the Queen when she was attacked?” his friend replied in a hushed tone.

“Yeah, that’s him. Be quiet, he’ll hear you.”

“Doesn’t look like anyone special.”

“Right? If it was me, I’d kill them right there. Bam, bam, bam. Easy.”

Unfortunately, I seemed to be the talk of the day. It didn’t bother me much. People would move on soon enough. After all, the only thing they’d probably remember about the attack would be how the general saved the Queen and wiped out all those elves single-handedly. I just had to wait it out.

Jane entered the classroom, and I followed. I slid into my seat near the front, just ahead of the teacher’s desk, and leaned back. The view from here was limited to the city walls and the greenery stretching beyond them.

“Hey.” Jane's face popped into my peripheral vision as she leaned over, arms tucked behind her back. Her eyes were sharp with curiosity. “How are you feeling?”

“Good,” I said, straightening up. “You?”

“Same,” she replied, her gaze shifting briefly toward the chattering students. “Everyone’s talking about you, though.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, scratching my temple. “I guess they are.”

“They keep calling you ‘the guy who was there when the Queen got attacked.’ Not, ‘the guy who saved the Queen.’ Must be so annoying for you, huh?”

“I didn’t save her,” I said, keeping my voice low. “We barely escaped their attacks.”

“I just think it’s—”

“Alright, class,” Mr. Poley’s voice cut through the room as he strode in, his coat swaying with each step. “Take your seats. We’ve got a long day ahead.”

“Ah, talk to you later,” Jane whispered, flashing me a quick grin before retreating to her desk.

“Hmm,” I grunted, already glancing toward the front.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

“Yesterday was a reminder,” he began, his gaze sweeping across us, sharp as ever. "A reminder that danger can strike when you least expect it." His voice was steady but carried enough weight to make even the restless kids at the back sit still. “Fortunately, no one was hurt. But that doesn’t mean the danger is gone.”

A pause. Just long enough to let those words sink in.

“Classes will be shortened to twenty minutes for the next two or three days,” he continued, eyes scanning the room. "This will allow you to return home early. But you will not be allowed outside during breaks.”

“What if they attack again?” a student blurted out from the middle row.

“Guards have been stationed here to protect all of you,” Mr. Poley assured him, his tone leaving no room for doubt. You’re safe. Now, open to page 78. No murmuring, no side talk. We only have twenty minutes, so let's not waste it.”

I glanced around, watching as everyone pulled books from their bags and set them on their desks. My hands stayed empty. No books for me yet. Mr. Poley noticed. His eyes scanned the room, narrowing on each student until his gaze landed on the girl sitting alone at the back.

She was a Noxivera. Her short silver hair covered one eye, and she kept her head low, focused on something only she could see.

“Ms. Miop, please sit with Mr. Millo here,” Mr. Poley announced, his gaze shifting toward me. “He doesn’t have his book yet.”

“Yes, sir.” Her response was dry, like she just woke up.

She moved slowly, her red skin and sharp horns marking her as unmistakably Noxivera. Her small frame, probably no taller than 150 centimeters, made her large wings look even more prominent. Her eyes had the same vacant, indifferent look I often saw in my own reflection. In her hands, she carried a thick, hardbound book titled Spellcasting.

I slid my chair aside to make space, watching as she sat down and flipped straight to page 78. Without a word, she glanced in my direction, giving me a brief, silent nod before turning her attention to the book.

“Spellcasting is the backbone of magic,” Mr. Poley began, his voice steady as he walked slowly across the front of the room. “As I mentioned before, spells can be cast without chanting. Today, we’ll be practicing that technique.”

“Which spell, sir?” Jane's voice cut in from the middle row, her hand only half-raised.

“Pick one from page 78 and 79,” Mr. Poley replied, tapping the page number on the board behind him. “Those pages are limited to support spells, so you’ll have plenty of options.”

I leaned in to get a better look at the book Miop held open. My eyes darted across the page, taking in the names of spells. Each title was written in bold script, but none of them were familiar. Without that weird translucent box to grant me new spells, I had no way to learn them naturally like the others. I’d need to rack up experience points and level up.

Miop shifted, and I realized too late that I was leaning too close. Her gaze flicked to me, one brow slightly raised as if waiting for me to move.

I leaned back quickly. “Ah, sorry.”

“Done reading?” she asked, her tone flat but not unkind. “I’m turning the page.”

“Hmm.”

She flipped to the next page, and my eyes locked onto a familiar heading. Barrier Spells. Relief washed over me, subtle but solid, and I sat up straighter.

“Picked one yet?” Miop asked, eyes flicking toward me but not lingering.

“Ice Barrier,” I said. “Think I’ll pick this one.”

Her wings gave a faint twitch as she glanced at me with mild surprise. “That’s one of the hardest ones on the page,” she remarked, her voice as calm as ever. “I’d go with a healing spell. Way easier.”

I shook my head, tapping the page lightly. “I’ll stick with this. Thanks for the advice, though.”

“Suit yourself,” she muttered, her attention already back on the book, eyes scanning the spells with the same quiet intensity.

“Now,” Mr. Poley said. “Let’s begin.”