By the time Tia entered the classroom, it was already crowded.
Voices overlapped.
Some students were introducing themselves.
Others sat quietly—watching.
Measuring.
Judging.
First day in the academy…
His left eye twitched.
His gaze swept across the room—
then stopped.
Of course.
The top scorers.
Mu Liani.
Dimmy Lee Ah.
Sung Ling Mu.
Joshua Bassett.
They're all here.
Good luck surviving Class one,Tia.
He sighed.
Quietly made his way to the last roll.
"Did you hear?"
A student leaned closer.
"Apparently the Mana Circuit Theory course is getting a new instructor."
"He has a decent record though."
"I heard he assisted dozens of heroes during multiple dungeon breakouts."
"Then he must be strong."
A scoff.
"No. His main role was just a Disaster Response Commander."
"That sounds… underwhelming."
The chatters continued.
Then—
it cracked.
The atmosphere.
Heavy.
Calm.
Watching.
Then the doors opened.
And he stepped inside.
The conversation died instantly.
A man stepped inside.
Mid-twenties.
Green hair.
A long black coat lined with silver silk.
Calm.
Unhurried steps.
Most students frowned.
"Who's that?"
"Our new instructor?"
"Isn't he too young?"
Tia's eyes widened.
No way.
His pupils contracted.
That face—
Impossible.
Is that—
But… why is someone like him teaching here?
The man stopped at the front.
No urgency.
His boots clicked softly against the floor.
Then—
BAM!
His palm struck the desk.
The classroom fell silent.
"Quiet."
His gaze swept across the room.
Cold.
Sharp.
"Welcome to Sky High Academy."
""As of today… I will be responsible for your training."
"You may refer to me as Instructor Moon."
"I will be your magic instructor."
A pause.
"I will postpone formal lectures."
"and just explain the basics."
His eyes narrowed.
"I teach mana."
"Everything related to it."
"Mana sensing."
"Control."
"Casting speed."
"Spell construction."
"Elemental conversion."
"And far more."
He turned slightly.
"For the next few months, all Class One students will study every major field."
"Magic."
"Swordsmanship."
"Combat strategy."
"Dungeon survival."
"Monster biology."
"After that—"
"You choose your path."
"Those unable to adapt…"
His voice lowered.
"…will be removed."
Silence.
No one dared speak.
"Any questions?"
None.
"Good."
"That is all for today."
He turned—
and left.
Only after the door closed did the room breathe again.
"The coat…"
A student's voice trembled slightly.
"It's lined with silver."
Silence.
Then—
"No way…"
"That means—
"C-rank."
"What bad luck."
"But—
"That's impossible."
"Sky High Academy requires a minimum of A-rank to become an instructor."
"So how did a C-rank get in?"
"Was there a mistake?"
"Did he bribe someone?"
"Is he connected?"
The whispers returned.
Tia stayed silent.
His eyes remained fixed on the door.
Something about Instructor Moon bothered him.
Deeply.
***
The sky had turned gold.
Classes had ended minutes ago.
Cool wind drifted through the academy halls.
Tia walked alone toward his dormitory.
Hands in his pockets.
Mind elsewhere.
Then—
"Well, well…"
A voice called from
behind.
"Our top-ranked loser."
Tia stopped.
Slowly turned.
His left eye twitched.
And here I was wondering why my eye kept twitching.