Chapter 82: The First Class of Class A

Within a rather spacious, dimly lit isolation cell, the grey-haired girl, confined within its walls, gazed up at the sky with a look of utter rapture.

“So delicious, truly delicious.”

“I yearn for another sip, to drain him dry, to transform him into my eternal blood s*ave! Ahahaha, hahahaha!”

“Release me! Let me drink again! Quickly, just one more taste!”

Snow remained silent, a distant look in her eyes.

****

Following this unsettling interlude, Gern found himself unceremoniously escorted by the three girls to the infirmary, where a Holy Light priest awaited to examine him.

As Gern had merely suffered a bite and was otherwise unharmed, the priest effortlessly dispelled any lingering ill effects with a simple Holy Light spell.

With that, the group proceeded towards the main academic building.

Following the provided directions, they arrived before a classroom door adorned with lettering. The room itself was immaculate white, mirroring the minimalist aesthetic of the academic building’s exterior corridors.

Its only distinguishing features were the two windows on the outer wall, offering a glimpse of the building’s exterior.

Already, a scattering of students occupied the classroom. A quick survey revealed roughly thirty individuals present.

At full capacity, the room could easily accommodate fifty-five or more.

Wooden desks and chairs lined both sides of the classroom. These were individual workstations, not the long, communal tables Gern had envisioned from his previous experiences.

The silver-haired girl standing at the podium also registered the figures paused at the doorway. She turned her head, her gaze meeting Gern’s directly.

‘Is it him?’

‘It’s her!’

A ripple of quiet astonishment passed through both their minds simultaneously. Neither had anticipated encountering the other under such peculiar circumstances.

“This is Class A. Are you the new students?”

Eliza struggled to maintain her composure, striving for a facade of calm indifference. She offered Gern a subtle, almost imperceptible nod, a silent acknowledgement.

Gern, for his part, paid little heed to her reserved greeting. After a brief flicker of surprise in his thoughts upon seeing Eliza, his gaze shifted away from her face.

“Hello, Miss. We are indeed the new students.”

Lilia greeted Eliza with exquisite grace, a faint smile playing upon her lips, yet her eyes darted incessantly between Gern and Eliza.

‘She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss between the two of them. Perhaps it was just her imagination.’

“Very well. Please take your seats. Any available spot will do.”

“Understood.”

Without further ado, the four headed towards the vacant seats at the back of the classroom.

As they moved, Gern felt a gaze settle upon him. He looked up, his eyes finding the red-haired orphan girl seated towards the rear.

He offered Mina a faint, polite smile of greeting, and she returned it with a subtle nod, acknowledging him.

The group then settled into their seats without further conversation. After a brief wait, the classroom was almost entirely filled, with only a single seat remaining vacant.

Eliza, standing at the classroom podium, noticed her own brow furrowing in displeasure. With time rapidly running out and one student still absent, her irritation was palpable.

After a moment’s contemplation, she slammed her hand against the podium, instantly quieting the entire classroom.

“Everyone, settle down and listen.”

“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Eliza Barbier, and I will be your class advisor for Class A this year.”

“Should you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation moving forward, you are welcome to consult with me.”

“Our academy’s system is merit-based. As students of Class A, you will naturally receive priority access to the academy’s resources.”

“However, without the requisite strength, you will swiftly be supplanted by others.”

“Furthermore, never attempt to challenge the academy’s authority. Even as Class A students, any transgressions will not be met with leniency.”

“Is that clear to everyone?”

“Yes, it is!”

As Eliza concluded her address, a bell chimed. She glanced at the clock and then spoke.

“Alright, it’s time for your first class: Magic Theory. Come, I’ll lead the way.”

“I will provide you with your subsequent course schedule later, after which you may proceed to your classes independently.”

Under Eliza’s guidance, the group arrived before a remarkably large classroom.

Its layout resembled a tiered lecture hall, dominated by a large podium at the front, with every inch of space seemingly utilized to its fullest potential.

Long tables stretched along both sides of the room, while two slightly shorter ones occupied the center, all neatly separated by aisles.

This configuration closely matched the lecture halls Gern remembered from academies, which he understood were often referred to as ‘tiered classrooms’ or ‘amphitheater classrooms’.

The classroom was already bustling with students, their conversations creating a lively din.

“This will be your classroom from now on,” Eliza announced, as the others began to curiously take in their new surroundings.

Eliza’s attention, however, remained entirely fixed on Gern. For reasons she couldn’t quite articulate, he always evoked a strange sense of familiarity within her.

It wasn’t merely the fact that they had met before; this peculiar sensation was something Eliza found herself utterly unable to explain.

If pressed to describe it, she would say that Gern’s aura bore a striking resemblance to that of a dragon, stirring within her an inexplicable urge to gently pat his head.

A self-deprecating chuckle escaped Eliza’s lips at the thought. Gern, by all appearances and indeed by his very essence, was undeniably and entirely human.

She had never detected any trace of draconic transformation secrets within Gern, which allowed her to be certain he was not a dragon.

‘Yet… why did he feel so distinctly draconic to her?’

Eliza firmly suppressed this curious notion, tucking it away in the depths of her mind. This was not the time for such ponderings.

Once her duties were complete, she could naturally seek out Gern to understand the situation better, and perhaps, in passing, repay him for saving her life that day.

After guiding the group to their designated seating area, Eliza departed. She had numerous other responsibilities to attend to and no time to remain with the new students for their inaugural class.

The students of Class A, observing her departure, visibly relaxed and began conversing amongst themselves.

Lilia, seated beside Gern, observed him resting with his eyes closed. Seizing the opportunity, she subtly leaned closer, gently resting against his side.

Feeling the warmth of her presence against him, Gern instantly bristled. His eyes snapped open, locking with the gaze of the blonde girl beside him.

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

The blonde girl, Lilia, tilted her head, her watery blue eyes sparkling with feigned innocence as she asked.

“Cough… It’s… a bit warm.”

Gern, a blush creeping up his neck, mumbled his excuse and leaned further away. Noticing his retreat, Lilia’s expression soured slightly, and she deliberately shifted closer to him once more.

Gern found himself cornered; any further movement would bring him into contact with the wall. He was utterly at a loss on how to handle Lilia.

Behind them, Sina and Hera, observing the playful skirmish, exchanged knowing glances and shook their heads in exasperation.

‘In this day and age, one couldn’t even attend class without being force-fed a mouthful of ‘dog food’! It was truly outrageous.’