In the streets of the Velmora Academy, Shadow was walking.

Many students filled the wide stone paths, each busy with their own thing. Some talked in small groups, others walked alone with quiet confidence. A few simply stood and observed, like they were measuring everyone around them.

’This place seems huge...’

’And definitely full of people from powerful backgrounds...’

His eyes moved across the crowd once more.

’...I should keep a low profile.’

Shadow continued toward the orientation hall.

"Shadow."

A voice called out.

He turned his head.

Talia stood there, calm as always. Jane was beside her.

And Jaden.

"We’ve been looking for you," Jane said.

"I’m here," Shadow replied.

Jaden stepped forward slightly. "Where did you go yesterday? I checked the infirmary. You weren’t there."

Shadow glanced at him.

"Why is he here?"

Jaden sighed. "Come on, don’t be like that. We’re all students now. Strong ones should stick together." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Jane didn’t even look at him.

"He followed us," she said flatly. "We tried to get rid of him."

"I didn’t follow," Jaden protested. "I just happened to walk in the same direction."

"For ten minutes," Talia added calmly.

"...That’s not important."

Jane ignored him again and turned back to Shadow.

"But seriously, where were you? We couldn’t find you anywhere."

"Because he wasn’t in the infirmary," Talia said.

Shadow looked at her.

A faint smile.

That was enough.

Jane turned her head towards Talia. "You knew all this time and didn’t—"

Jane froze.

"...Wait."

She blinked.

"...Does that mean—"

"You passed the test without losing consciousness?" she asked.

Shadow shrugged.

"I find it hard to sleep in public places."

Silence.

Jaden blinked.

’...That’s your explanation? I should use this sentence in the future.’

Jane rubbed her forehead.

"...I don’t even know if I should be impressed or annoyed. You are a lot more different than what we thought you were."

Talia said nothing.

They started walking together toward the orientation hall.

After a few seconds—

"Dorms were assigned this morning," Jaden said, trying to sound important. "Random grouping."

Jane frowned. "Random?"

"Yes."

"...Well, I guess I’m lucky to be paired with Talia then," she muttered.

"Right," Shadow commented.

Jane looked at him sharply but didn’t say anything.

Jane sighed. "I am just happy I didn’t get stuck with someone weird."

Shadow glanced at her briefly.

Didn’t say anything.

Talia noticed.

But stayed silent.

---

"Wait—!"

Footsteps rushed toward them.

They turned.

Lucian.

Slightly out of breath.

"You guys walk too fast," he said.

Lucian looked at Shadow.

"...You left without me."

Jane looked at him weirdly. "Left you?"

"Yes, we were supposed to go to the orientation hall together. We’re in the same room."

Silence.

Jane turned slowly.

"...Roommates?"

"Yes."

Shadow nodded once.

"Unfortunately."

Lucian stared at him.

"...I don’t know how to feel about that."

"You’ll get used to it," Shadow said.

Jane crossed her arms, clearly annoyed that Shadow didn’t even bother mentioning it earlier.

"Well, that makes one more normal pairing."

Talia spoke calmly.

"Not exactly."

Jane looked at her.

"What?"

"We’re in the same room," Talia said.

Jane paused.

Then her expression changed completely.

"...What do you mean? Our pairing is perfect."

"For you," Talia whispered, turning slightly with a faint pout. She knew this young lady was high maintenance.

Jaden raised his hand slightly.

"...I’m alone."

No one responded.

"...Alright."

---

They reached the orientation hall.

It was massive.

Students gathered at the entrance, voices overlapping, movement constant.

Lucian looked around.

"...This feels chaotic."

"No," Jaden said confidently. "It’s structured."

Right then—

A loud crash echoed from inside.

Something shattered.

No one reacted.

Students just kept walking.

Lucian stared.

"...That’s structured?"

Shadow walked past him.

---

They entered.

---

The hall was huge.

Rows of seats spread across the room, all facing a large stage.

Students filled the area.

Some were seated, others standing, some arguing quietly.

One student walked past them holding half a broken chair.

No one questioned it.

Lucian leaned slightly toward Shadow.

"...This place is weird."

Shadow didn’t respond.

’Low profile.’

They sat down.

Together.

Unfortunately.

Jaden sat next to them.

Jane and Talia sat nearby.

Whispers started.

"...That’s him."

"...Three elements..."

"...Yeah..."

Shadow leaned back slightly.

’Already failing,’ he sighed.

Lucian glanced at him.

"...You look like you regret something."

"I do."

Before he could ask—

Silence spread across the hall.

A young woman stood on the stage.

Calm. Composed.

Hulia.

"Welcome," she said.

Her voice carried effortlessly.

"All first-year students."

The room quieted completely.

"I am Hulia. The First-year student president."

No one spoke.

"You are all now officially part of Velmora Academy."

Smiles appeared across many faces.

Pride.

Relief.

Excitement.

"I’ll be explaining the basic topics. Some of you have already been assigned dorms," Hulia continued. "Others who remained in the infirmary may not be aware."

She briefly explained the system again.

After some time—

"Since today is your first day, no lectures will be held. Starting tomorrow, your schedules will begin."

A pause.

"You are dismissed."

Just like that.

No dramatic ending.

No applause.

Students immediately started getting up.

Some stayed talking while others were leaving.

Lucian blinked.

"...That was short."

"Efficient," Jaden corrected. Trying to act cool but, everyone ignored him. Again.

"Since it’s about lunchtime, shall we go to the cafeteria?" Lucian suggested.

"To be honest, I’m hungry," Jane said. "I haven’t eaten anything yet."

"Now that’s something I’m interested in." Shadow said excitedly. His facial expressions already betraying his usual character.

The group paused.

They all looked at him.

Shadow noticed.

"...What?"

Jane narrowed her eyes.

"...The look on your face... like you’ve been starving for days."

"I have priorities," Shadow replied calmly.

"...Food is a priority?"

"Yes."

"...That explains a lot."

Talia suddenly spoke.

"NPC survival instinct."

They all turned to her.

She went silent again.

"...What does that even mean?" Lucian asked.

No answer.

---

They walked toward the cafeteria.

The crowd naturally shifted in that direction.

More students joined the flow.

The closer they got—

The louder it became.

Voices.

Plates.

Movement.

Energy.

The cafeteria doors opened wide.

And inside—

Chaos.

Not violent.

But overwhelming.

Lines stretched across the hall.

Students argued over food.

Others carried trays stacked way too high.

One guy was eating while still in line.

Lucian stopped walking.

"...This is worse than the test."

Jaden shook his head.

"that’s just how peasants act"

Jane sighed.

"...I just want something simple."

Shadow looked ahead.

Focused.

’Target acquired.’

He walked forward.

Straight into the chaos. Leaving everyone behind.

Lucian blinked.

"...He didn’t hesitate."

Talia nodded slightly.

"Experienced."

---

A few minutes later—

They managed to get food.

They sat down.

Finally.

A moment of peace.

Shadow looked at his food.

Then started eating immediately.

No pause or conversation.

Everyone watched him but then they all dug in.

.

.

.

In a completely different place. A man was sitting on a chair behind a desk while a woman standing in front of him.

"So you’re saying that this new student broke the records of all the tests and able to use three elements while still An E-rank?" The man asked the woman while caressing his beard.

"Yes headmaster, i believe he’s someone from a very powerful family and is here to complete his family’s test, otherwise, no sane family would just let such a talent roam freely" The woman who replied was Claire, the professor who manages the joining exam.

"So do you think he xan really change the state our academy?" The headmaster asked.

"It won’t be easy but, with the right teaching and our support, i think we have a good chance this year"

.

.

.

Back in the cafeteria.

"What’s wrong?" Jane asked as she noticed Shadow started sneezing abruptly.

"I don’t know, must be someone talking about me"