"Lady Grandmaster, I have something to say," Shaun said suddenly, rising from his seat.
Every head turned toward him. Even Lady Maya's crimson eyes shifted in his direction.
"What is it, Shaun?" she asked, her voice still sharp but calmer than before.
Shaun took a breath, standing tall despite the oppressive air around him.
"I think… you're being too harsh on him, Lady Maya," he said firmly. "What Neil did was careless—yes, even foolish. But it wasn't done with ill intent. He acted out of ignorance, not disrespect. Expelling him over such a mistake feels unfair."
A murmur spread through the room. The tension began to ease just a little. Lady Maya's eyes narrowed, but the flames behind her softened as she listened. Shaun continued, his tone steady yet gentle.
"You've always taught us that strength without compassion is hollow. You're strict, but you're also kind—and that's why everyone here admires you. So, please… forgive Neil for his mistakes this time. He's new, and he doesn't yet understand the discipline of this academy."
He bowed deeply.
"Withdraw your judgment, my Lady. Give him one more chance to learn—to become a true Magus under your guidance."
The room fell silent again, but this time it was a respectful silence. Even Lady Maya's nine fiery tails began to fade, one by one, until only faint embers remained.
The disciples stared at Shaun in awe. Why would he stand up for that fool? some wondered. But others—especially the commoners—felt inspired by his courage. Natasha suddenly stood up beside him.
"Lady Maya, I agree with Shaun," she said. "Neil made a mistake, but he doesn't deserve to be expelled for it. Please, show mercy."
Sabastian followed suit, his blue eyes determined.
"Yes, Lady Maya. I don't believe Neil meant to offend you. He deserves a second chance."
Shaumin rose next, nodding earnestly.
"I also think the same. Everyone deserves a chance to make things right."
Lady Maya looked at them all—four young disciples standing side by side, unflinching before the Grandmaster herself. Instructor Lily hesitated, then stepped forward to stand beside Maya.
"Lady Maya," she said softly, "I believe they're right. Expelling him on his first day would be too harsh. Let this incident be a lesson, not a sentence."
Before Maya could respond, another voice came from the doorway.
"Yes," the voice said with a warm, aged tone. "I agree with Instructor Lily."
Maya and Lily turned toward the door. Standing there was Master Kunochi, the elderly head of Elemental Studies, adjusting his thin glasses with a calm smile.
"Master Kunochi!" Maya said, surprised. "What brings you here?"
He chuckled softly. "I just finished my morning lecture and heard quite the ruckus. I thought I'd see what kind of commotion was disrupting such a beautiful day."
Stepping into the classroom, his eyes softened on Neil, then turned to Maya.
"I've heard everything," he said kindly. "And I agree with these children. They are young—full of energy, pride, and mistakes. That's what youth is."
He paused, his voice turning thoughtful.
"Our duty as teachers isn't merely to punish. It's to guide. To shape them into better people. Discipline must walk hand in hand with mercy, or else we raise soldiers, not magi."
The words lingered like morning bells—calm yet powerful. Lady Maya stood still for a long moment. Then, slowly, she exhaled. Her fiery aura faded completely.
"…Very well," she said quietly, bowing her head slightly. "As you wish, Master Kunochi."
She turned back toward Neil, her gaze sharp but no longer blazing.
"Neil Winsome," she said, her voice stern yet measured. "You're spared—for now. But listen carefully: if you ever disobey or disrespect me, or any instructor again, I will not hesitate to expel you myself. Do you understand?"
Neil straightened his posture and saluted clumsily.
"Yes, Lady Maya!" he said with a grin.
A few disciples stifled laughter again, but this time even Maya managed a quiet sigh rather than rage. As she turned to leave, Master Kunochi gave her a knowing smile.
"See? Even the clumsiest ones sometimes bring out the best in others."
**********
Neil still looked a little shaken from Lady Maya's earlier wrath, but the moment he realized he'd escaped expulsion, his shoulders eased in relief. He bowed deeply.
"Thank you very much, Lady Maya!"
She gave him a long, unreadable look before sighing.
"Enough of this ruckus. Since you're apparently staying, come forward and introduce yourself to everyone."
"Yes, my Lady!" Neil said brightly.
He marched to the front of the class, chest puffed out with misplaced confidence. A faint grin tugged at a few lips in the room — everyone braced themselves for whatever nonsense might come next. Neil cleared his throat and began enthusiastically,
"Hey everyone! My name's Neil Winsome. I'm from Emberwood Village, out west in the Silver Heaven Region. I live there with my mother and father — my dad's a shopkeeper."
He paused, thinking. Then his grin widened.
"I like watching beautiful girls— I mean books! Reading books! Beautiful books… of all shapes and sizes. Hehehe."
The classroom froze. Unaware of the creeping horror around him, Neil continued cheerfully,
"My dream is to become a great Sky Magus and marry the most beautiful and sexiest girl in the world! I'd love to make friends with any girl here — all lovely ladies are welcome to be my friends! Nice to meet you all!"
He ended with a confident bow and a dazzling grin. Silence. Pure, stunned silence. Dozens of jaws hung open. Then came the whispers.
"Is something wrong with my ears, or did he openly say he only wants girl friends?" Shaumin asked, dumbfounded.
"I think we supported the wrong person," Sabastian muttered, dragging a hand down his face. "I want to take back everything I said about him being decent."
"He's not just a fool — he's a pervert!" Natasha snapped.
Shaun chuckled helplessly. "Yeah… hehehe, you're right."
The girls in the room glared daggers at Neil, murmuring in disgust. A few even turned their chairs away.
At the front, Instructor Lily and Master Kunochi exchanged an exasperated glance — both trying, and failing, not to laugh. Lady Maya pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, her patience reaching divine limits.
"Ahem. I'm sure the girls will be thrilled to keep their distance after that… wonderful introduction."
Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "Now, if you're finished, Mr. Winsome, take your seat before I change my mind about sparing you."
"Oh! Thank you, Lady Grandmaster!" Neil said cheerfully, bowing once more before strolling off to find a seat — completely oblivious to the mixture of horror, laughter, and disbelief he left behind.
**********
Neil looked around for an empty seat — but the moment his eyes met anyone else's, they quickly turned away, pretending to be deeply fascinated by their desks. No one seemed eager to sit beside the "bracelet-grabbing, girl-charming, few-month-late idiot."
At last, Neil spotted one vacant seat in the second row. He walked over to it cheerfully, stopping beside a boy with neatly combed brown hair and a cold, noble face. The boy, Nishio, frowned the instant Neil's shadow fell over his desk.
"What do you want?" Nishio asked curtly, his tone dripping with arrogance.
"Excuse me," Neil said politely — and before Nishio could utter another word, Neil plopped down into the empty chair beside him.
Nishio blinked, stunned. "Huh? What the hell?"
Neil flashed him a bright, oblivious smile.
"Yo! My name's Neil. Nice to meet you, buddy!"
He extended a friendly hand. Nishio just stared at it, then looked up slowly, his eyes narrowing.
"I heard your name loud and clear during that ridiculous introduction," he said sharply. "And I am not your buddy. So, don't get too friendly. Go sit somewhere else."
Neil tilted his head in confusion.
"But why? I don't mind sitting next to you."
"It's not about you," Nishio said through clenched teeth. "It's about me. I do mind."
Neil blinked. "What about your mind?"
That was it. Nishio gave up trying to reason with him. He dragged a hand down his face and muttered, "Forget it. Sit here if you want. But listen carefully — mind your own business and don't bother me. Got it?"
Nishio knew continuing the argument would be like punching a wall — the wall wouldn't break, but his hand definitely would. So he surrendered. Neil simply smiled, nodding enthusiastically.
"Okay. Thanks, buddy."
"For the last time," Nishio snapped, glaring, "I'm not your buddy!"
But Neil had already turned forward, still smiling innocently. Nishio groaned, muttering under his breath,
"Why me? Of all the seats… why next to me?" He slumped in his chair, cursing his luck.
Meanwhile, Lady Maya sighed deeply at the front of the class, massaging her temples.
"Alright. Now that this circus has finally concluded, I'll be returning to my chamber. I think I need some ointment — my head's bursting after this display of nonsense."
She turned toward Lily. "Instructor Lily, continue your lecture. And thank you for your patience."
Then, giving a respectful nod to Master Kunochi, she left the room with dignified frustration. Kunochi chuckled softly, shaking his head as he followed her out. Once they were gone, Instructor Lily clapped her hands gently to gather the disciples' attention.
"Alright, everyone," she said with a wry smile. "Let's get back to Mathamancy. I believe numbers are far less troublesome than certain new disciples."
A few disciples snickered, casting amused glances at Neil — who was already leaning back in his chair, happily humming to himself as if nothing had ever happened.
And thus, the first day of Neil Winsome at Silver Heaven Academy ended… in perfect, unforgettable chaos.
**********