First-period classes on Fridays at Lord Howe Academy always take place in the same venue.

A massive amphitheater-style classroom, reminiscent of an ancient Greek theater. The academy’s founder had intended for all students of the same year, regardless of magical or superhuman abilities, to gather together at least once a week. Seeing the students packed into this space was a peculiar yet characteristic scene of Lord Howe.

Of course, despite the unusual setting, the class itself was nothing special. They only covered general subjects like Life and Ethics or Superhumans and Society. Some students and faculty argued that this inefficient tradition should be abolished, but Yeomyeong had a different impression.

‘…It’s not as bad as I thought.’

Having rarely experienced sitting among peers in one place—even less in a regular school setting—Yeomyeong found himself in a rather unfamiliar, almost surreal state, seated among the students and looking down at the stage.

This feeling was different from the attention he’d received at the airport or in the dormitory.

Was this sense of belonging what the foreman meant when he encouraged Yeomyeong to attend a formal school instead of just taking his GED? It was too late to ask now, but he found himself wondering if that was the intention behind the advice.

As Yeomyeong’s thoughts wandered, the front door of the classroom opened, and a woman in a sharp business suit entered. With each click of her heels echoing through the classroom, the chatter of students gradually quieted.

Yeomyeong, like the other students, focused his attention on her.

“That’s Ms. Gemini, our Ethics teacher,” a voice suddenly whispered beside him.

Turning, Yeomyeong saw Baonic Relak, his dorm roommate, propping his chin on his hand with a gloomy expression.

A member of a famous family, Baonic had surprised Yeomyeong by treating his dorm room like a pigsty.

“She graduated from MIT’s School of Magic. She’s strict but a good person, and as you can see, quite renowned as one of the academy’s beauties.”

“….”

“Funny thing—her fiancé’s name is… believe it or not, Hooch…”

Baonic continued to spew unsolicited information, glancing at Yeomyeong’s expression as if checking for a reaction.

Why was he doing this? When Yeomyeong tilted his head and met his gaze, Baonic offered an awkward smile.

“I thought you might want to know… Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“No. Thanks for telling me.”

An awkward silence settled. Ignoring Baonic’s pensive expression, Yeomyeong turned to the other side.

He saw Seti pushing the Saintess’s forehead with a finger as the Saintess attempted to lean into her, and next to them was an elf girl with her ears hidden by magic.

Yeomyeong already knew the Sacred Sword had come to the academy, but he hadn’t expected her to end up as Seti’s roommate.

Who knew what her intentions were for attending Lord Howe… but Yeomyeong hoped it had nothing to do with their plans.

As Yeomyeong’s thoughts drifted, Seti glanced in his direction, her blue eyes as striking as ever. While still keeping the Saintess at bay, she mouthed something at him.

—Lunch. Behind the main building.

Yeomyeong gave a slight nod, exchanging a subtle look with her.

Though he quickly turned away, he had a lot he wanted to say.

They had exchanged messages during the Manchuria affair, but Yeomyeong’s lackluster texting skills meant they’d barely had any real conversation.

‘…I should probably tell her about the Golden Seal.’

Anticipating her reaction to the news that he could break its restrictions, Yeomyeong turned his attention back to the instructor.

“Alright, first-year students? Good morning.”

Ms. Gemini, already with her textbook open, began the lesson.

Modern Superhumans and Social Ethics.

Ms. Gemini’s class was unexpectedly engaging.

Nothing about the content or format was familiar to him, but that only reinforced the feeling of learning something new.

“Most modern nations affiliated with the UN hold superhumans to stricter standards when it comes to assault and battery…”

“According to the international agreement established after the Miami Terror incident, martial arts usage in exceptional situations…”

This was genuine academy education, far beyond what he’d seen in documentaries. At some point, Yeomyeong found himself fully absorbed, his gaze following Ms. Gemini as she turned to look around.

Their eyes met, and her brows twitched as she seemed to recognize him. Noticing that he had no textbook on his desk, she addressed the class.

“If any of you are seated next to a student without a textbook, please share yours with them.”

In the vast classroom, the only students without textbooks were the Saintess and Yeomyeong, who had both arrived just the day before. Her choice to avoid singling them out was a sign of her consideration.

Just as Baonic had said, she seemed like a good person.

Turning to share with Seti, Yeomyeong found her already sharing a textbook with the Saintess. Though it looked more like the Saintess was clinging to her than actual sharing, it was clear that he couldn’t join in.

Yeomyeong started to ask Baonic if he could share with him, but before he could turn, the girl seated next to the Saintess quietly rose and approached him.

“Would you like to share with me?”

Miridis. The fairy princess he’d met in Incheon.

Without waiting for a response, she passed by the Saintess and Seti, taking the seat next to him.

It felt awkward to refuse her offer now, and she seemed to have something to say, so Yeomyeong nodded.

“Thanks, that’d be helpful.”

“Just for a textbook?” she teased lightly, tucking her long blonde hair behind her ear as she opened the book.

As Yeomyeong scanned the textbook, the elven princess picked up a pen and scribbled on the edge of the page.

[It’s been a while. Have you been well?]

Her handwriting was delicate, and she smiled slightly as she handed him the pen.

[I’ve been well. How about you?]

Yeomyeong took the pen and wrote his reply, then handed it back.

[Not bad? But did you know? Rime got a job as a staff member. He’s now a gardener on the central island.]

Rime? Ah, the silver-haired elf who used to guard her.

Not something he needed to know, so he gave a perfunctory nod.

[Glad to hear you’re both adjusting to Earth well.]

[Adjusting? I’m not so sure. My only real friend here is Seti…]

The princess hesitated, tapping the pen, then glanced at his face before continuing.

[Name, Dung Beetle. Fake? Real?]

[Real.]

[Then, your current name. Fake?]

Yeomyeong didn’t hesitate.

[Cheonyeom, Dung Beetle. Both real.]

[That’s odd.]

[To me, Miridis is odd, too.]

[I’m not Miridis now. I’m Soymiri.]

What? His hand froze as he reached for the pen.

Surely, she hadn’t chosen that name thinking “Soe” (meaning “iron”) was a family name just because “Dung Beetle” began with it, right? Ignoring the foreboding feeling, he replied.

[What kind of name is that?]

[Is it strange?]

[To an Earthling? Absolutely.]

[Stranger than “Dung Beetle?”]

Without replying, Yeomyeong absentmindedly twirled the pen on his finger. He couldn’t think of anything to say.

In his opinion, “Dung Beetle” was better than “Soymiri”… but regardless, that wasn’t the point. He picked up the pen again.

[You didn’t come just to say hello, did you? Do you need something from me?]

Reading his reply, Miridis—no, Soymiri—nodded slightly.

[You’re not a mercenary anymore, but I’d like to make a request of you.]

[What if I refuse?]

[I’ll offer you a reward you can’t refuse.]

A reward? Yeomyeong raised an eyebrow. As Soymiri confidently reached into her pocket to retrieve something, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted.

Anyone attuned to mana could feel the ominous change.

Everyone in the room sensed it, almost in unison, and turned toward the windows.

—Weee-oooo! Weee-oooo!

A blaring alarm echoed across the entire island.

Baonic Relak, or “the Writer,” chewed his lip as the emergency siren wailed.

Other students looked around in confusion, not knowing what was happening, but Baonic knew exactly what was unfolding outside.

‘The story’s progressing? But why now?’

The prologue hadn’t even been completed, and Manchuria’s arc had already been resolved.

‘Then why is Chapter One unfolding like this?’

Desperately, he racked his brain.

According to the original storyline, the alarm now blaring would mark the beginning of a terrorist attack orchestrated by the Secret Society infiltrators and the “Order’s” priests hiding within the academy.

After the tragedy of the prologue, the academy would be so caught off guard by the terror that it would spiral into chaos.

Meanwhile, the Saintess, having foreseen the slaughter of students, would join forces with the protagonist to prevent the attack in the climax of Chapter One…

‘Could it be because the Saintess is already here?’

Baonic turned to look at the Saintess.

Unlike the others peering out the window in alarm, she was grinning and hugging Hong Seti with a foolish expression.

Though she looked nothing like the composed Saintess he knew, she was still the Saintess.

Now that Chapter One had begun… she would no doubt follow the story.

‘If things proceed as they should… the first person the Saintess will seek out after her vision is the protagonist.’

Swallowing hard, Baonic waited for her reaction.

“Everyone! This is a real situation! Please stay calm and move to the shelter!”

As Ms. Gemini ushered the students to safety, Baonic kept watching.

But the Saintess, far from having any visions, continued chattering with Seti, giggling about cute uniform combinations, the makeup she’d seen on social media, and famous food spots on the northern island…

On and on, wasting precious time.

It wasn’t until the door to the packed shelter finally shut that Baonic realized something was wrong.

‘Could it be… there’s no protagonist here?’