Alas, Areii knew much, much more than they could ever know. The cruelty of those demons flashed in his mind. Endless genocidal tactics; warfare that had no care for even the victor. What was a single, devastating nuclear bomb to monsters that could form out of thin air? Earth had crumbled beneath their onslaught. There was no end to the bloodshed.

How could Aquamarine be any different? Areii let out a sigh. The rage in his eyes was snuffed out by the descent of reality upon his weak, pale frame. He was no different from these people at this moment. He was of the mundane, according to his own words.

Common.

Weak.

Vulnerable.

Eventually, the influencer completed his task, and the students' energy did not dissipate in the slightest. A few more speakers had gone up the stage, welcoming the freshmen with kind smiles and fiery passion. The program ended after an hour—which Areii perceived to be an eternity. 

I barely learned anything from those speakers. The youth massaged his temples. Although he admitted the usefulness of morale, after a certain point, there was no need to further increase it. Especially for this specific occasion. Arrogance is sure to bloom in the hearts of these impressionable youths.

As the students were swiftly draining out of the auditorium, Areii went with the flow of the crowd. His steps were measured and his gaze was kept only on the mechanical patterns beneath his feet. Indeed, he kept a low profile, blending in with the others as he made his way to his assigned classroom. The map that was sent to his watch was of great help in navigating the numerous white marble corridors. 

Everything is polished beyond sparkling. Areii couldn't help but admire the cleanliness of a technologically advanced civilization. The pulsating energy floors were a threatening presence to his balance. 

After a few minutes of walking, Areii located his classroom. He tapped his watch and opened his I.D.

—Student number 60606, Areii Layvann, Section A-1 Leviathan. Identity Confirmed.

—Attendance recorded. You may now enter.

The moment he entered the classroom, Areii felt twenty-three pairs of eyes gazing at him. They scanned him as if their irises were radars, watching the way he moved like hungry vultures. He couldn't help but frown. What kind of atmosphere is this?

There was only a single seat remaining, and it was the seat in the central area. The seats were arranged in four columns and six rows, with each row elevated slightly higher than the one before it. Areii found his place on the third row and the third column when counted from the door.

He promptly ignored all the challenging stares sent to him. The looks of twenty-three sixteen-year-olds were nothing in the face of a river of wailing spirits who all wished to pull him into the depths of deathly despair.

When the bell rang, their homeroom teacher made her appearance. She walked through the automatic double doors, carrying with her an aura of dominance. In her gaze was an ill-concealed cruelty, making every student straighten up as a pair of glowing, sapphire-blue orbs scrutinized the class. The ferocity they used on him earlier all but evaporated at a mere glance from the woman.

"Yet another batch of idiots who think the war is their stepping stone to fame."

The woman clicked her tongue, her tone cold and sprinkled with sparkling ridicule. She brought her chair in front of the chalkboard. With feral grace, she sat down, her gaze not once leaving the class. She sat like a princess, with her legs crossed beneath her long satin robes.

"Though it was those speakers' job to instil you with motivation, it is my job to rid you of your arrogance. It would do you all well to keep that in mind."

The woman crossed her arms. A bounce rippled across her chest, tempting the gaze of a few. Nonetheless, the majority of the class nodded as if they were in a trance—enchanted by the voice that flowed out of the woman's red lips.

"That aside, let us have our introductions. Though I believe that some of you may already know me." The woman scanned the faces of her students as half a breath refilled her lungs. "I am known, simply, as Helen Montclair. A professor at Grand Lord University."

The moment the students heard that name, they shuddered. Despite the casual tone displayed before them, their bodies grew ever more tense. They grew to become statues of granite and sandstone, ready to crumble at any time.

Areii stole a glance at his seatmate, whose expression was one of shock and awe. He then turned his attention back and noticed the unique aura around the woman. Her glowing eyes were a testament to her unique profession. 

A notable identity? She's also an Inheritor. However, she does not have the blood aura of a [War Saint], nor the runic tattoos and mechanical implants of an [Arcane Adept]. She also lacks the transparent skin of a [Soul Caller] or the golden nails of a [Truthseeker]... Her [Inheritance] is clearly different from the ones I've seen on Earth.

Areii's eyes narrowed into two thin slits. A few deductions had surfaced in his mind—representing the pieces of the puzzle which fell into place.

Meanwhile, Helen nodded at the student closest to the classroom's doors. The boy sitting at the front row hurriedly stood up, bowed at his professor, and then turned to do the same for the class. He did so with a rigid body, but it was clear to Areii that his manners and poise had been tempered since a young age.

"I am Varia Malhomm. I am the second son of the Baron of Leaves."

When Varia was done, the next student came up. The girl gave her name and then spoke of her status as the third daughter of a Count. Next came the first child of a Viscount. The first son of a Baron. Another daughter of a Count. There were even twins from a Baron.

The class was populated by children of nobility, giving Areii a headache. With every "daughter of—" or "son of—" that he heard, his brow twitched.

The most notable noble child was the only daughter of what seemed to be an esteemed family. Areii had watched as his classmates' eyes sparkled when the ethereal beauty rose from her seat—mesmerized by the quiet confidence that she displayed. It was clear to him that everyone was aware of the beauty's status.

"It is my honour to be born with the name, Seraphina Ravenscroft. I am the daughter of the Duke of Gryphons."

Those words were said with a calm smile, making it seem like she was someone that one could easily rely on. Her raven-black hair cascaded down from her shoulders as she let out a slight bow. Her eyes were just like Helen's: a piercing sapphire blue, albeit, her gaze was entirely different. Instead of Helen's cruelty, Seraphina's had an air of mystique that all but added to her regal poise.

The introductions then continued. Each student stood up, said their name, and spoke of who they had descended from. Simple.

Bland.

When it was Areii's turn, however, a stillness had fallen upon the class. After one glance at the file conveniently displayed on his Quantum Watch, he opened his mouth to speak.

"My name is Areii Layvann." He said simply. "A commoner."