As Vergil opened the door outside, Ray and Kael stood near the railings. A small glance was all it took before they made their way.

As they descended down the flight of stairs, they reached the garden area that encompassed the two dormitories. Flowers lined the garden, surrounding a fountain that continuously spouted water. It was one of the many marvels that Vaeloria Academy had to offer. Next to the fountain, Elena and Elle stood in uniform.

"If I didn’t know better, I would have thought you two were twins." Vergil yawned, stretching.

"Aww, how kind of you. We do look like twins, don’t we Elle?"

I almost called her Eleanor, I need to get used to this.

Elle rolled her eyes, keeping a calm demeanour. Her hands interlocking with Elena. "Hey wait, let’s walk with everyone else."

"I think otherwise."

Vergil stared at Ray who visibly stiffened at the sight. He was smitten. Not partially. Fully.

[I think we can say without doubt that he’s lovesick.] 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

’That basically confirms it.’

[Wait, you still doubted him!?] The system echoed with false shock in his mind. [My. My, I worry for your love life.]

’Oh be quiet. I’m not a love expert.’

[... Wanna bet that he’ll get friend-zoned.]

’Okay, let’s stop there. Changing topics... right now.’

"So Elena, who’s your homeroom teacher?" Vergil asked casually. He already knew Ray and Kael were in the same class but nothing much about the girls.

Elena turned around with a smile, shouting. "Professor Louis."

She shook her hands out of Elle’s grip, scowling before sticking her tongue out — moving towards the main group. "He’s very demanding of us. But at least he treats us equally."

"He mentioned that he used to be a field researcher on the battlefield." It was Elle, instead of moving away, she came to them. "He’s quite nice as Elena said. Patient too."

"The reason why this is the best academy is that they respect all students regardless of bloodline. That alone, makes this one of the best academies."

Vergil scratched the back of his nape. Vaeloria Academy had boasted equality before status — it was for this reason why they were able to produce new talents regardless of where they came from.

"I guess he sounds alright from what you’ve said," Vergil spoke.

"He is, maybe he’ll end up being your teacher for magic."

"I doubt it, my pathway choices were quite a unique mix."

"What did you choose? Now I’m interested."

"Elena, that’s enough. We need to get to class."

"Aww, fine. But you have to tell me during lunch."

"Stop pestering Vergil."

Elena giggled, leaning over to hug Elle. "Okay, okay. I’ll stop talking for a bit."

Vergil watched the scene with a raised brow, then his eyes flickered towards Ray who was for some reason whispering into Kael’s ear right behind him.

"Why does he get to talk to the girls?"

"If you’re so jealous, talk to them yourself."

"I’m not jealous."

"Yeah, you are. Yeah, you fucking are."

"It’s not my fault, Vergil’s so popular."

"I can hear you guys ya know." Vergil sighed as they continued walking, the faint chime of a distant bell echoed across the expanse. A soft mana ripple pulsed through the air — exactly 5 minutes before homeroom would start.

7:55 a.m.

It was almost time.

The group approached the towering silhouette of the main building. Students flowed in like a tide through the arched entrance. Everyone wore the same forest green and gold-trimmed uniform and right then, everything was not calm. Peaceful. Yet something told it wouldn’t last long.

"This is where we part ways, blowfish." Ray waved with a cocky smirk as he slowed his pace.

"Yeah, yeah, don’t miss me too much my knight." Vergil waved lazily, letting out a low yawn.

"I’ll miss you," Ray added quickly with an almost mock-serious tone — it was hard to differentiate whether he was teasing or if he was being serious.

Vergil shuddered at the first few thoughts that appeared in his mind.

"Ray don’t say that. I’m getting the shiver me timbers."

"I’ll take him from here." Kael grabbed his shoulder, pulling him away.

"Bye Vergil." Elena smiled, walking upstairs with Elle. "Do tell me what you picked."

"I know, don’t need to remind me," he whispered to himself as he watched them disappear.

After heading their separate ways, Vergil finally entered his classroom. The hum of mana filled the air, subtle protections woven into the room’s structure. Although others could not see it — Vergil could perceive the structure and flow of the mana with his left eye. His eyes flicked to Rael sitting at the front desk, his face buried in a stack of papers.

I guess that’s all our path allocations.

Vergil said nothing, and Rael seemed too busy to notice him. He made his way into his usual seat, and all of the class had already arrived as he scanned the room.

Yuna was already seated next to him. Her posture was flawless. Eyes closed in meditation or perhaps calculation. Her presence and movement were unnervingly still to the point where it made Vergil want to change seats.

He looked around to see if there were any seats that weren’t taken. Nothing. And not even a single person he knew.

At least I won’t be annoyed by anyone.

Vergil was saddened by the fact that there weren’t any people he knew. Even those from the upper ranks weren’t present. He wanted Yuxin and Zhao Huan in his class. Add Ray. Maybe not.

If they were in my class, this would be too much fun.

He glanced at Yuna once more.

A doll.

It was the perfect word that described Yuna Lunaris. There was nothing more fitting than that.

He sat beside her, arms resting on the desk. His eyes flicked in her direction every few seconds — determined to get a reaction. She didn’t spare him a glance since he sat.

She had the makings of one too. Near-perfect symmetry of her features, hair as smooth as silk and deep purple eyes, beautiful yet utterly devoid of warmth.

Vergil didn’t deny her beauty. He admitted that she outshone Elle and Elena who were quite pretty.

Yet something about Yuna felt different. Untouchable yet detached.

Vergil, the ever-foolhardy optimist, wondered if there was a person buried under that facade.

[Wanna know why she won’t talk to you?] The system chimed with an unusual snicker.

’I don’t feel like knowing, but go on.’

[Cause you look mid, and you are mid.]

Vergil blinked, his hand wiping his face before covering it.

’The insults are crazy today.’

He shifted his weight to the opposite side, his chin resting on the back of his hands as he gazed at the glowing orbs of blue light embedded in the ceiling. He couldn’t argue the system that had a zero filter and infinite confidence.

Meanwhile, down at the front of the room — Professor Rael gazed at two stacks of paper at either side of his desk. Enchanted ink filled each sheet of paper — displaying the student’s name and their selected pathway. He wasn’t in a rush, he examined each paper with the calm intensity of a man who knew the power of first impressions.

’Yuna Lunaris.’

His eyes rested on her sheet for a moment longer than the others.

Sword cultivator and aura.

He nodded slowly. She was almost rank three already and it was one of the many famous combinations that freshmen usually choose. But she was still an unrefined gem that only reveals its brilliance when somebody grinds away at the excess.

Rael made a mental note to speak with him nonetheless. Someone like Yuna wouldn’t blossom without being challenged. And Rael wasn’t one to let talent like that go to waste.

Then he reached for the next sheet. He gazed. His movements ceased.

’Oh my god.’