Chapter Four: The Fractured Classes of Astra Academy
The sun bathed Astra Academy in golden light, making the towering gates gleam like the entrance to a divine realm. Students flooded the wide courtyard, a chaotic blend of excitement, fear, and ambition vibrating through the air. Everyone crowded around the massive crystal board that floated mid-air, slowly rotating and revealing the newly assigned classes after the entrance test.
Excitement hummed among the first-years, their eyes darting across the glowing inscriptions, looking for their names. Murmurs, prayers, and suppressed sobs filled the space.
> "God, please… let me get into Class A. If I do, I swear I won't peek at the girls' bathing quarters again!"
> "I just want to make my parents proud…"
> "What if I don't pass…? What if I'm in Class F?!"
Among them stood Paul Ha Konji, seemingly detached from the emotional whirlwind surrounding him. His silver eyes scanned the crowd—not the board, but the people. His gaze pierced their hearts, observing them like test subjects. A silent predator among sheep.
"So much desperation. So much noise. The emotions… they stink," he thought. "Fear, pride, ambition, jealousy. These humans are… endlessly predictable."
Then his eyes stopped.
A girl stood frozen before the board, staring at her name glowing faintly in Class E. She looked noble, too noble for such a low placement. Her long silver hair shimmered like moonlight, her posture rigid, back straight, trembling with rage.
Suddenly, she punched the board, and the crystal flared in protest. Heads turned. Whispers began.
> "Wait… isn't that… Mr. Dante's little sister?"
> "You mean Dante, one of the Second Holy Ones?"
> "What's she doing in Class E…?"
The girl turned. Her eyes burned with fury as she scanned the crowd. Just one glare—sharp as a blade—sent everyone turning away, silent in fear. But not Paul. He kept staring.
She noticed.
The girl stormed toward him, her heels clacking like war drums.
Prisca Dante.
> "Have you lost your eyesight?" she demanded coldly.
Paul, unfazed, tilted his head slightly.
> "No."
> "Then stop staring, or I'll rip your eyes out myself."
She spun on her heels, ready to leave. But then—
> "Prisca!"
The crowd gasped.
Another noble girl approached, surrounded by a gaggle of other elegant, intimidating girls—clearly her squad. With flawless posture, radiant skin, and a mocking smirk, she strutted forward.
Crystal Yuno.
> "Oh my. Class E?" she said with a fake gasp. "You're the first noble in the kingdom to fall so low. That's... impressive."
Prisca's jaw clenched.
> "I have no time for this."
She turned to leave.
But one of Crystal's followers grabbed Prisca's arm tightly.
> "Where do you think you're going?" she growled. "My queen hasn't finished speaking."
Crystal walked up slowly, savoring the moment.
> "You were always nothing, Prisca. That's why your brother doesn't even look at you. You're a disgrace to House Dante."
That hit Prisca like a slap to the soul. Her fingers twitched. Her magic started rising.
But Crystal whispered, venom in her tone:
> "A junior attacking a senior is an offense. You'll be expelled before you even unpack your things."
Then—smack. She hit Prisca on the head.
Prisca trembled.
Crystal just laughed, flipping her perfect hair.
> "Trash belongs where it fell. See you in the gutters, Class E girl."
She and her clique walked away, giggling. Prisca stood frozen for a moment… then walked off too, fists clenched.
The crowd began to disperse. But Paul stood there, silent, processing.
"Interesting… Jealousy. Ego. Status games. This school may prove more entertaining than I thought."
Then—
> "Paul!"
He turned.
Felix and Deborah were making their way through the crowd. Deborah was laughing like a maniac, while Felix trailed behind like an awkward assistant.
> "God, why do you send these demons to me?" Paul muttered under his breath.
Felix ran ahead and dropped to one knee.
> "Master! I present myself to you!"
Paul flinched.
> "Get up. You're embarrassing me."
Deborah blinked.
> "Master? Why are you calling him that? He's your brother!"
> "He's the one who saved—"
Before Felix could finish, Paul clamped a hand over his mouth.
> "He's my brother… not by blood, but we are brothers." Paul said, face unreadable.
Felix looked confused.
> Whack! Paul bonked him lightly on the head.
Deborah wiped her eyes dramatically.
> "I wish… I had a little brother. I have six sisters! SIX! No little brother to fetch me snacks, help with chores, or bully people for me…"
Paul whispered to himself:
> "I wish I could erase you from existence."
Then Joseph arrived, all smiles.
> "Felix! Hero of the shadows! Have you guys checked your class placements?"
They all turned back to the board.
Paul – Class E
Felix – Class E
Deborah – Class E
Joseph – Class D
Felix dropped to his knees again.
> "Class E… my family will disown me! I'm a disgrace! A black mark!"
Joseph crouched beside him and clapped his shoulder.
> "Hey, Felix. Listen. No one gets to choose where they start, but you can choose how you end. Remember, even a blade starts out dull—it takes sharpening, fire, and pressure to become a weapon. This class isn't your destiny, it's just the beginning of your story."
Felix blinked, his eyes watery.
> "You mean that…?"
> "I mean it," Joseph said. "Make Class E the strongest class in Astra. Prove them wrong."
Felix stood up with a renewed grin.
> "Yes! I will rise from the ashes!"
But Deborah was smiling too much.
Joseph raised an eyebrow.
> "Why are you so happy? It's literally the worst class in the entire school. You'll have to claw your way up to even be noticed."
Deborah blushed.
> "Because my crush is in Class E."
Felix's jaw dropped.
> "Wait, what?! You have a crush?"
> "Yes. His name is Collins. He's strong, brave, and handsome…"
Paul deadpanned.
> "And apparently as dumb as you, since he also landed in Class E."
Deborah growled.
> "Don't insult my love life!"
Paul smirked.
> "Two crushers in the same trash bin. Poetic."
He turned and walked away.
Joseph sighed.
> "He's so rude…"
Felix grinned.
> "That's my master for you."
Paul walked through the hallways, students parting before him like water. But then a tall figure in a prefect uniform stepped into his path.
> "You. Come with me."
They stepped into a quiet corner.
The prefect's eyes sharpened.
> "Paul Ha Konji. Second son of Dragus. Prince of the Dark Realm. Why are you here?"
Paul raised an eyebrow.
> "Studying?"
The prefect didn't smile.
> "I don't care about your bloodline. If you're here to divide this kingdom, to stir war, to weaken the order… I will kill you. Even if I die doing so."
He stepped closer, eyes glowing faintly.
> "Don't test me. I'm watching you."
Paul's voice was calm. Unmoving.
> "Then watch carefully. Maybe you'll learn something."
The prefect flinched—just slightly.
Paul walked off, hands in pockets, head low, a small smile playing at his lips.
"This school might be more than a mission after all… it might be fun."