Within the grand walls of Imperial Academy, students moved in anticipation. The freshmen looked on with high hopes and lofty dreams, while the seniors looked ahead, determined to carve their names into the academy's records before graduation.
While everyone else seemed excited for the start of a new academic year, inside an empty classroom, Lanor lay slumped on the desk, his head resting on his forearms, eyes closed as though the world around him didn't exist.
Students filed in and took their seats, and those who noticed him only stopped for a moment and shook their heads before sitting down.
"I was wondering where he'd been all day. It turns out he's here," a female student said, her voice loud enough to carry throughout the class. "When will he grow up and take things seriously?"
A few laughs were heard, but none disagreed with what she said.
"Just ignore him, Cassy," a boy who just walked in and heard her remark said. His eyes drifted to the sleeping Lanor and glared sharply at him.
Cassy lingered for a moment longer, her eyes still on Lanor before she turned away, flipping her hair, just enough for it to brush the boy beside her.
At the same time, the combat instructor walked in and stopped behind the desk.
"Sit down, everyone," the instructor's voice silenced the class. "Welcome back to school," he said once they were all seated.
"Thank you, Mr Jinxy," the student replied in unison.
His eyes scammed the classroom and immediately found the one student who gave every teacher a headache.
"Lanor," he called.
The class went silent, and all eyes shifted to the said student.
"Someone, please wake him up," the instructor said, already feeling a headache coming.
"Lanor," a red-haired girl sitting next to him tapped his shoulder, "wake up, Mr. Jinxy's here," she whispered.
Slowly, Lanor lifted his head. A few students grumbled.
"Good, you're awake," the girl who woke him said, smiling. "Mr. Jinxy's calling you," she whispered.
Lanor blinked lazily, then yawned. Dark circles hung heavily under his eyes, as though sleep had abandoned him for days.
For a moment, he stared blankly ahead, his vision still a haze.
"Since you are finally awake, you may leave my classroom," Mr. Jinxy said, earning a small frown from Lanor.
A few students snickered while the girl beside him glared at the instructor.
As if unaffected, Lanor rose to his feet and picked up his nearly empty bag, then looked at the instructor and said, "Okay."
"Go to the director's office. He's waiting for you," the instructor said just before Lanor could exit the classroom. He paused for a second and then gave a lazy nod of his head and resumed his steps.
"Do you think he'll finally be kicked out?"
"I doubt he will. He lasted this long in our class despite his poor grades."
"Maybe he'll be demoted then?"
"I pity the class he will be sent to next."
Not so hushed whispers scattered through the classroom as soon as they heard what the instructor said.
"That's enough," The instructor's voice came, it wasn't loud or forceful, but enough to silence the students. "Since you have just returned from the break, there will be no practical class today, only theory and a brief introduction of the year's scheme of work. Starting tomorrow, we begin combat training..."
While the class went on, Lanor headed for the director's office. Wherever he went, the eyes of other students followed him while they whispered to each other. All of which he heard but didn't have the strength to respond to.
Finally, he arrived at the director's office. He stood there for a while, contemplating whether to knock and go in or just forget it and leave. Then the door opened before he could decide.
He looked up and met the director's gaze. His lips parted to speak, but no words came out, and he simply closed them up again.
Then, without a word, the director returned inside, leaving the door open.
Lanor followed, and the door closed behind him with a soft click.
"You called," he said, sitting before he was even told to do so.
"Where were you all morning, Lanor?" the director asked. "You weren't sleeping, were you?"
"...the classroom," he answered curtly.
The director's eyes narrowed as he looked at him. He looked like he would fall over at any moment.
The director closed his eyes and took in a slow breath. Reprimanding him wouldn't change anything. They've all done that many times more than they could count, yet nothing changed.
"Fine," he sighed, taking the seat behind the desk. He said, "I didn't call you here to lecture you."
Lanor nodded.
"This is concerning your grades," the director said, watching Lanor closely. Then, before Lanor could say anything, he added, "If your grades don't improve, you will be transferred to the military academy."
"I thought that was for students who want to join the knighthood?" Lanor asked. For the first time in a long time, his sleep lidded eyes seem to possess life in them.
"Yes, it is," the director replied. "But, you are a special case, Lanor."
"I don't think I'm that special, Director Mormon," Lanor said, and the director's eyes narrowed at him. "Miliatry Academy will be a hassle," he muttered.
"Then fix your grades and accumulate enough credit to graduate with your peers." the director voiced.
Lanor looked, scratching the back of his head.
"Put in a little effort, and with that brain of yours, it shouldn't be too hard."
The boy wasn't entirely hopeless. He was a child born gifted with brains. He was just too lazy to do anything with the gifts he was blessed with.
"Then…can I skip combat class?" He asked.
The director pinched the space between his brows. "No," he said. "Basic combat is essential for everyone, even you…"
"You know I am not physically suited for hard labor, Director. Just this once, I'll put in the effort….in theory. It's hard enough studying."
Lanor was born gifted but had one fatal flaw, his weak constitution. No matter how much money was spent on him or how skilled the healing mages were, it was hopeless. Even the priests couldn't do anything about him. As time went on, he gave up on himself as well.
"If you can achieve even half the credit in the practical combat class, you will be exempted from the rest of it," Director Mormorn.
Lanor may have a weak physical constitution, but this was still an academy. Credits were still needed to graduate. Acing only the theory classes wouldn't guarantee his graduation, especially not when he's been failing every one of them.
"You can take on extra credit courses. It will help," Mormon advised. "I recommend monster hunting. That should give enough credit to cover for your combat class grades."
"If you want to kill me off, just say so, Director," Lanor muttered lazily. He leaned back, throwing his on the chair and closed his eyes, half asleep already.
"Join a party…" Mormorn said. He frowned when he realized the boy was already asleep. "Lanor…"
"I heard you, Director," he opened his eyes and stood up, "I will think about it ...kay?"
The day slowly faded, and the sun began to set. Many students returned to their dorms.
In room 301, Lanor sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers clasped around his chin in deep thought. After a moment of silence, he sighed.
"Fine. I'll just do it," he muttered, falling on his back, he stared at the ceiling, then he called, "System."