I've known Heizen since the first day of 1st grade. Heizen has been my partner in crime for as long as I can remember. I know his strengths and weaknesses as well as my own. I would even go so far as to say I'm stronger than him solely due to my own experience. The Heizen I know was never someone who could single-handedly defeat a minotaur.

"Heizen?"

Heizen started to laugh maniacally, a complete contrast to his usual demeanor. As if he had been possessed, I could no longer sense Heizen within.

"Hm? Two humans huh, what a pathetic geist reserve."

"Who are you?" Eis asked in an interrogative tone.

"It is a bit boorish to awaken in a place as lowly as this. But I suppose awakening in a fresh body instead of a monster is a plus."

The amount of sinister geistkraft flowing out of Heizen is enough for the surrounding monsters to completely cower in fear and flee. His appearance and voice is still the same, however Eis could no longer recognize him. Prompting Eis to throw a punch imbued with geistkraft. However, his hand was caught by Heizen.

"This geist energy... I thought you were just a scrub, but I see, so you-"

Not letting Heizen finish, Eis followed up with a spinning back kick. Heizen dodged, countering Eis with a palm attack on his chest in a swift manner, sending him flying away.

"I suppose, it is beneficial for me to finish you off." The sinister energy steered Heizen's legs towards Eis, with finishing off Eis on his mind. To its dismay, someone with a tremendous geistkraft is approaching the scene at a rapid rate.

"Tch, at this condition, I doubt it will end well for me to fight someone of high caliber." The sinister energy took off with Heizen's body. Eis could only watch as his friend's body was snatched by the evil being, and he soon passed out.

________

"Congratulations to Eis Drache for being the top in Ehre's 6th grade!"

The applause roared throughout the ceremony venue. Eis finished his first six years at Academy Ehre, standing at the top consecutively since first grade. Children start going to academy at seven years old where they would spend six years developing their geist. After reaching seventh grade they would partake in a system ceremony, where they materialize the geist they've developed over the past six years into a system that aids them with their growth. The system would then give them a class that corresponds with how they've developed their geist and distribute skills according to their class.

Eis, who has finished six years of geist development, is now ready for a system. For other children, the system ceremony is a life-changing moment, but for Eis, it is merely a stepping stone toward his aspirations. Many anticipated what Eis' class would be. As the child prodigy who never ceased to excel at everything, Eis was believed to be the next generational face.

It was Eis' turn at the system ceremony. As he placed his hand on the orb that would materialize one's system, a bright azure light burst forth, illuminating the room with an otherworldly glow. In that moment, Eis felt a surge of excitement, realizing he had obtained a class akin to a legendary one. However, his excitement was short-lived, as he wasn't even able to obtain a system, let alone class. Instead, what Eis received was a title.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

~[The Hero of Elegance]~

A rare occurrence. A rare yet not joyous occurrence. It is known that those who have a title do not receive the benefits of the system—no class or skills. In other words, a failure.

For Eis, abandoned by the system, time crawled by in a haze of despair. The legacy he had painstakingly built, and dreamed of continuing, was shattered in mere seconds.

"Uh... Don't mind it!" Said by the girl in a cheerful yet awkward manner.

"Your attempt in consolation hurts me, so stop it." Remarked by the young Heizen.

"So what do you plan on doing now?" The young girl inquiring the silent struck Eis.

"I will simply continue what I've been doing. I won't let a mere system stop me from achieving my dreams." Declared by the young Eis as he wipe his tears while facing his two friends backwards.

________

"Oh, you're finally awake. You were asleep for a whole day."

"Um, who are you?" Eis questioned the strange man who was watching him sleep.

"The guy who rescued you."

As I try to get out of bed, the rattling sounds of what seems to be a chain have been echoing through my ears since earlier.

"Why am I chained up!?"

"Took you long enough to realise."

"Oh yeah! What happened to Heizen? If I recall one of our classmates was there too."

"One of your classmates is still in a coma, as for this Heizen fellow... While he's still on the loose, I believe he's sentenced to death."

Eis, who had just woken up with chains on his hands, was suddenly hit with the bombshell that his best friend had been sentenced to death. He couldn't even begin to process what was happening.

"I think you should be worrying about yourself first." The man had interrupted Eis before he could even speak.

"What do you mean?"

A door from the hallway swung open, and a knight clad in armor approached the man, informing him that the trial had begun. The knight gestured for Eis to follow. Clueless of the situation Eis obeyed the knight and they made their way to the trial chamber.

While walking, Eis glanced around the trial chamber. The walls were cloaked in white paint, yet shadows loomed ominously in the corners above, where the watchers seemed to observe silently. The chamber's circular center was framed by four imposing pillars, and directly across from him sat the judges. One had a stern look, another was completely bald, the third appeared old with a long gray beard, and the last looked battle-hardened, bearing a scar across his left eye. All awaited with inscrutable expressions.

"As the defendant make his way to the center, I shall now hereby declare the trial for Eis Drache's crime." Exclaimed by the judge.

Why am I being force to a trial all of a sudden when I just woke up. Do I even have a lawyer? Just what the hell is going on?

With everything happening at once, Eis struggled to comprehend the situation; his thoughts felt jumbled and chaotic.

"You seem to be in a disarray, Mr. Drache so I shall explain it to you. According to recent incidents, you are accused of masterminding the awakening of the true demon king. Evidence points clearly to your guilt, and this trial will determine your punishment." Stated by the judge in an assertive tone.

"What mastermind? I never did such a thing. I just woke up, and suddenly all of this is being sprung upon me! In the first place what the hell is a true demon king!" Uttered by Eis in an attempt to debunk the false accusations.

"It is useless to play innocence, as the evidences are piling against you."

"What evidences?"

"You insist on pretending huh... This why these failures are incapable of achievement." Said by the bald judge with a condescending tone.

What is this cueball saying? I see, since ancient times, Ehre has always been a classist academy. They value excellence, especially in geist, more than anything. To them, since I kept claiming that one day I would be a legendary figure whom no one would forget while being a failure, I must have been a nuisance, and they wish to rid themselves of me. To think that they would go this far to get rid of me instead of sending rescue help for Heizen.

As Eis seethed due to the academy's actions, the two massive doors suddenly swung open with a resounding crash, revealing the silhouette of a man shrouded in shadow. The tension in the room thickened as all eyes turned to him.

"I declare Eis Drache, innocent!"

The judges and the audience was stunned by the strange man's insolence, making Eis question as to how can someone be this bold.