The classroom was unusually lively.
It was the first official day of Class 1-A.
At the front, Raii Heedo stood with his arms crossed.
"Today," he announced firmly,
"we will measure your Magic Rank."
The entire class exploded with excitement.
"YEAHHH!!"
"Awesome!!"
"Finally!"
Raii's sharp glare silenced them instantly.
He turned toward a tall crystal pillar placed at the back of the room.
"This crystal measures mana density and awakening potential," he explained.
He began listing the ranks slowly.
F Rank – Beginner
E Rank
D Rank
C Rank
B Rank – Master Level
A Rank – High Demon
S Rank – Arch Demon Level
SS Rank – Demon King Level (Unknown / Forbidden Category)
A subtle tension filled the air when he mentioned SS Rank.
"Do not touch anything without permission," Raii added coldly.
"If you do… I will personally make sure you regret it."
Everyone straightened up.
"Line up. One by one."
Mare crossed his arms confidently.
"Watch closely. My rank will be B or higher."
Loki smirked. "Keep dreaming."
The class burst into laughter.
"Jimmi. You're first."
Jimmi stiffened. "Oh ho…"
"Place your hand on the crystal."
Jimmi obeyed.
The crystal glowed faint blue… then shifted color.
Raii calmly wrote something down.
"Sir! What rank is it?" Jimmi asked eagerly.
Raii smacked him on the head.
"How many times must I say it? After tomorrow's summoning test! Idiot."
The class laughed loudly.
-----
Next — Loki.
The crystal flashed green.
Raii noted it.
Next — Mare.
The crystal flickered weakly.
Mare widened his eyes dramatically.
"Sir… that's high rank, right?"
Raii just stared at him.
Mare immediately went silent and walked away awkwardly.
More laughter followed.
-----
"Liora."
She stepped forward gracefully. The white snake spirit coiled around her wrist.
She placed her hand on the crystal.
A deep violet glow filled the room.
The light intensified briefly.
"Oh?" Raii muttered. "Impressive."
The class murmured in surprise.
Liora simply smiled and stepped back.
------
"Mio."
Mio inhaled softly and touched the crystal.
A bright golden light shone brilliantly.
"Kya baat hai…" Raii nodded approvingly.
Mio smiled happily.
------
Then,
"Horobi."
The room grew quieter.
Horobi stepped forward and placed his hand on the crystal.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then the crystal flickered violently.
Black particles appeared inside it.
The color shifted rapidly.
Blue.
Red.
Violet.
White.
The surface trembled.
"…What?" Raii whispered.
"Do it again."
Horobi touched it once more.
The same reaction.
This time the crystal vibrated deeply before stabilizing.
The hall fell silent.
Students stared in shock.
"What rank is that…?"
Raii closed his notebook calmly, though his eyes remained sharp.
"We will now proceed to theory class on Summoning Magic."
"Tomorrow will be practical. After that, your ranks will be officially announced."
He turned away.
"Class dismissed early. Enjoy your day."
Whispers immediately filled the air.
--------
After Class
Horobi and Mio walked side by side.
"Master… that crystal acted strange, didn't it?" Mio asked softly.
Before he could answer—
"Heyyy~"
Liora appeared beside them with a playful smile.
"How could you forget me?"
Mio frowned. "Why are you here?"
"I'm your new team member."
"Since when?" Mio blinked.
"Since today."
Horobi sighed lightly.
"We're heading home now," he said calmly.
"You should head back too."
For a brief second—
Liora's smile faded.
"…Right."
She turned and walked away.
--------
The Forest
Liora did not head toward the city.
Instead, she walked into the forest.
Deep within, hidden between rocks, was a small, worn-out cave.
Old.
Cold.
Lonely.
Her snake spirit slithered beside her quietly.
"I guess… this place again," she murmured.
---
Meanwhile—
Horobi stood still at the academy gates.
"…Mio, go home first."
Mio blinked. "Where are you going?"
"I'll be back."
She hesitated, then nodded.
Horobi moved silently toward the forest.
He had noticed earlier—
Liora wasn't heading toward the city.
He followed from a distance.
When he saw her enter the cave, he stepped forward.
She looked different now.
Not playful.
Not teasing.
Just quiet.
"What are you doing here?" Horobi asked.
Liora froze.
"…Why are you here?"
Horobi looked around the cave.
"You live here?"
"I'm used to it," she replied softly.
"When I pass and get my rank, I'll join a guild. Then I'll earn enough to buy a home."
"…Your parents?" Horobi asked.
Silence.
Then—
"They're gone."
Tears welled in her eyes.
"That's why I live here. You're a noble, right? You must have everything."
She looked at him bitterly.
"Did you come here to laugh at me?"
Horobi remained quiet for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly.
"Being a noble doesn't mean having everything."
She looked up slightly.
"You wouldn't understand."
"I do," Horobi replied softly.
"People see the title. They don't see the person."
The cave felt heavier.
"I've felt something similar before."
The snake spirit slowly raised its head… but did not hiss.
It simply watched him.
After a moment, Horobi spoke again.
"Until you pass the guild exam… you can stay somewhere safer."
Liora blinked.
"…Where?"
He looked at the dark cave walls.
"…At my place."
Her eyes widened.
"Why would you do that?"
Horobi's gaze remained steady.
"…Because I don't like places that feel like this."
Silence filled the cave.
Then he added calmly,
"Besides… you and Mio seem like you'd make good friends."
The snake spirit slowly lowered its head.
And for the first time—
Liora didn't look alone.