Brian raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want to tell you this, but you’re not making any sense. She was saving us earlier, you know.”

“...” Kane kept staring at him for a while before responding, “Nevermind. I guess I sounded crazy, huh?” He then averted his gaze.

“Well… you did, to be honest. How did you make that conclusion?” asked Brian.

“It was just a hunch. You can freely ignore it if you like.” Kane couldn’t explain it because he had no proof. And yet, he had a feeling to not be involved with that woman.

“Maybe you are being paranoid, Kane.” Brian tapped Kane’s left shoulder.

“I hope so.”

---

The dining room was indoors and it was as large as the main hall, yet it was barely enough for all the students in school. Kane searched for an empty table, but the sea of people made it very difficult even for him. He also noticed that most of the demi-humans were sitting along with their race. Fortunately, a group had just finished their meal and left the table so Kane and Brian could sit. A nearby waiter cleaned up their table and gave them a menu which had a variety of food and beverage selections.

Their lunch was a grilled venison steak with minced boiled potatoes and a variety of veggies on the porcelain plate, as well as a glass of red wine. Kane was relieved that he chose this school instead of others. He did not expect to eat such lavish dishes.

They ate in silence, and so did the rest of the students. Even outside of their home, they followed table manners. Despite looking like a bumpkin, Kane also knew it due to him frequently visiting rich business clients in their home before he reincarnated. Judging from Brian’s surprised face, he certainly did not expect that.

After sipping a glass of wine, Brian then spoke, “Thank you for the meal. Now then, I want to hear your conclusion of Sharon.”

“I thought you didn’t believe me,” said Kane.

“I still do, but I’m not close-minded. I promise I won’t laugh,” he assured.

“Very well. There are three reasons. First, when we were being yelled at, I had some time to observe the crowd. And I saw Sharon was just standing and watching us from afar.”

“She could be trying to know what’s behind the crowd,” argued Brian.

“If that was all, I wouldn’t suspect a thing. Second, the sun hat she put on while watching us was gone.”

“Huh? But she didn’t wear a sun hat… and even if she did, how could you possibly know that?”

“I saw her bracelets when she folded her arms. It matched with the distant figure that I saw. The sun hat was probably thrown away.”

“Then, we should’ve seen the hat on the floor, right?”

“I think somebody took it, which makes it even weirder. I didn’t see that happen, unfortunately,” Kane lamented.

“Accomplice… I think you’re just imagining things, Kane. Just because she was wearing a sun hat, it doesn’t mean she's a bad person,” he snorted.

“I’m not finished yet. I recall she’s famous among the students, yes?”

“I think so. Wait, what are you getting at?”

“My conclusion is, the sun hat was to hide her identity, waiting for the perfect moment to interrupt. And when that moment arrived, she took it off to make her face known to the crowd without anyone suspecting anything.”

“!”

Brian immediately stood up. His expression darkened. “That’s bullcrap! You must be making up the sun hat thing, right?”

“Look, I understand that you’re being defensive because she saved us and is pretty. I’m just telling my conclusion and what I saw back then.” Kane shrugged. “It’s up to you whether to believe me or not.”

“I… I…” Brian trembled. He took a deep breath and sat down. “Alright, I’m half-believing in you. I don’t think you’re completely wrong, but there isn’t any proof of that.”

Kane nodded. “That’s true. And those two reasons alone were just enough to doubt her intention, not accuse her of using us.”

“Then, what’s the third?”

“The third is…”

“Hey! Is that you, Kane!?” A familiar voice interrupted him. Kane turned toward the source of the voice. It was Zumi’s. She wasn’t carrying anything, so she must be on her way to leave the cafeteria.

“What a coincidence, Zumi,” said Kane. He then tilted his head to see the elf behind her. “And is that Athera?”

“H-Hello, Kane,” greeted Athera meekly behind Zumi.

“Excuse me, Kane, I gotta go.” Brian stood up, casting his gaze elsewhere.

“Ah, I see you’re with someone. Why don’t you introduce him to us?” she suggested. Brian froze up upon hearing that.

“E-eh?” Athera grabbed Zumi tight and looked down.

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“Sure. Brian, meet Zumi the human and Athera the elf. Girls, meet Brian,” said Kane.

“Hi…” Brian shook their hands and put up a smile. His face turned red a little bit. The introduction was quick and rather silent as both Brian and Athera didn’t say anything. The girls grabbed a chair and sat with them.

“How’s the class, you two?” Kane asked first. He knew that if he didn’t say anything, this whole conversation would be awkward or too one-sided. After all, he had experienced this similar situation many times.

“It’s seriously boring and dull. Everyone was too serious about learning. It can’t be helped, I guess, since we’re in Class B. I think class A is even more boring-” Zumi then looked toward her left, “-right Thera?”

“I-it was fine… I liked the lesson,” she answered.

Zumi rolled her eyes. “Of course, you liked it. You’re the diligent type after all.”

“Class A and B… Did you two pass the second exam?” asked Brian.

“Yeah, thanks to Kane. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even be here now. Not sure about Thera, though.”

“What? But Kane had told me that he failed? That means you are that Kane who aced the exam!” His expression contorted, filled with both confusion and realization. Kane avoided Brian’s gaze, looking somewhere else.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but we did ace the second exam. I haven’t told this to anyone yet,” Zumi added.

Brian turned toward Kane and asked him, “Then why are you in class E?”

“I know right? I don’t understand this school’s decision. With his ability, I would not be surprised if he was placed in class S yet just because he scored in the first exam badly, he somehow ended up in class E,” said Zumi.

“Really!? That’s some seriously bad luck.” His exclamation turned somber, pitying Kane. “Still, why did you lie back when we were in the classroom, Kane?”

Kane exuded a defeated sigh. He knew that his lie could not be hidden forever yet he never thought it would only last two hours. “I simply don’t want attention. At least for now. If I told you the truth when we’re in the classroom, the other students would make a fuss of this. That’s why I lied to you, Brian.”

“Why? Don’t you like being famous and followed by girls!?” asked Brian, slapping the table. Zumi and Athera immediately backed away slightly from him.

“I don’t care for trivial matters like those. Let’s just say I want my potential enemies to underestimate me so they’ll show their weakness.” Kane showed his wicked grin.

*Ding* *Dong* The bell from another building tolled twice.

Zumi stood up, followed by Athera. She then said, “Ah, the break is over already. See you later, Kane, Brian.” She headed toward the exit, waving at Kane and Brian.

The two boys also did the same. While they were walking on the cobblestone path, Brian said, “Man, I envy you right now.”

“Why is that?” asked Kane.

“Because you got teamed up with two fine girls and are still close until now! I wish my teammates were also like that. You also seem to be strong, too.”

“I am. Still, many people are stronger than me.” Kane reminisced about the people who he had fought before. Xervatia came to his mind, followed by a Lord, and his former nemesis.

“Not sure if you’re being humble or not…” Brian squinted his eyes.

“Haha, I’m just being honest,” Kane chuckled. “By the way, don’t tell anyone about our conversation at lunch.”

“Before or after the girls came over?”

“Both.”

---

Three hours later, the third and fourth lessons were over. Kane and Brian left the classroom along with other students. They visited the receptionist since the teacher told them to get their room key in the dormitory. Fortunately, the line was short and their turn was up in no time. They received different room keys and apparently, they could not change it due to the rules. After leaving the main hall, they headed to the dormitory. Kane received a lot of gazes as usual, but he was used to it by now.

The dormitory entered their vision. There were two of them facing each other that had the same appearance. One was for male and the other for female students. They had a long rectangular shape, stretched horizontally, similar to a longhouse. The walls were painted white, the same as the other buildings. Both of the dormitories were the smallest buildings Kane had seen in this academy so far albeit still not very small. The spiked steel fence surrounded the area with only a double gate.

The inside of the dormitory was smaller than it looked. There were already many people inside, crowding the tight corridor. Fifteen minutes later, Kane managed to find his room while Brian already found his room before Kane. It was the last room and also the highest number. He inserted the brass key and yanked it, unlocking the door. He twisted the round wooden knob and pushed the door open.

Kane sneezed as the dust clogged his nose. Scrubbing his nose, he saw a room with symmetrical furniture placement. A pair of beds hugged each side of the wall. In front of each bed, a tall wooden cupboard stood, appearing to be ancient, along with a mirror stand beside it. A ray of sunlight beamed through the window in between the beds. Finally, Kane noticed a black box wrapped in a white ribbon on each bed. Each of them had their names engraved on the box. When Kane opened his box, there was a school uniform. He stored the box in the empty cupboard and decided to wear it tomorrow.

He then threw himself toward the bed and lay down. Kane hadn’t expected that the studying would be so tiring. After all, he had never exerted his brain capability this much. But now, it was not the time to sleep yet because he must retrieve his stuff from back in the inn.

---

The stars were shimmering in the cloudless night. The lanterns lit up the cobblestone path in Niflenia Academy as moths gathered around them. Kane traveled the path back to his dorm while carrying his packed leather bag.

Kane arrived in front of his room. When he inserted the key, he realized that the door was unlocked even though he was confident that he had locked it. His first thought was that his roommate was already there. Peeking inside the room, he saw nobody, not even a sign that another person had entered, nor their belongings. The candles were lit for an unknown reason. Kane shut the door and checked the inside of the other cupboard. Nothing could be found. A robbery? Even if that happened, Kane remained calm since he hadn’t stored anything valuable yet in the room, but this situation was a mystery for him.

*Creak*

The knob was twisted from the outside of the room, accompanied by low chatter from at least two people. Kane turned around quickly upon hearing that. He then caught a glimpse of the person who opened the door.

“AHH!!” the person screamed, followed by a loud thud. Kane didn’t see what happened, but judging by the sound, he crashed against the wall.

Kane hurried to leave the room to identify who the person was.

“A mummy?” muttered Kane. Although the corridor was dim, he could see the person’s appearance.

He was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, leaving nothing exposed except his blue eyes. He wore a black trench coat and a black-and-white checkered scarf. Kane had no idea what the identity behind the bandages was or even his gender due to the androgynous voice, but somehow his scarf reminded him of someone he knew.

The mummy gaped, his mouth trembled. “Why are you here!?”

“Because this is my room?” Kane tilted his head, wondering why this mummy was so frightened.

“What?” His eyes widened then mumbled, “Curse that man! He must have been laughing inside when he handed me this key!”

Kane wasn’t sure who the man the mummy was talking about was. “Stop blabbering too much. Who are you, exactly?”

The mummy was quiet. His hands reached for the back of his neck and pulled the white knot. The bandages unraveled, uncovered his face. “Do you recognize me now, half-blood?”

Upon seeing the face, Kane was suddenly hit with a realization. His red lips, his eyes, and his hair—even though it was charred black on the top—gave away his identity. “This face… so you’re…”

“Calypso!”