Another day had passed, leaving only two days until the upcoming Practical Evaluation. In his usual corner spot, Velren idly spun his pen between his fingers. The classroom was still filled with chatter, no doubt centered around the impending exam.
Unfortunately, due to Kael's position, he was not allowed to disclose any details about the evaluation. Velren had been no exception to that rule. Back then, Kael had apologized deeply for his inability to help, but Velren had merely shrugged it off, telling him that it didn't matter. If anything, he would have hated it more if Kael got into trouble just for leaking the exam's details.
Still, a little bit of information would've been helpful.
Now that it was his second day in the academy, Velren took the time to observe the class he was in. He had already begun to assess the situation, atmosphere, and key figures of Class 1-C, which consisted of twenty students.
For instance, there was the golden-haired boy sitting near the center of the classroom, surrounded by a small group of students. Leopold, as he introduced himself the day before, was what one would call the 'class spirit.' His easygoing attitude and social skills made him stand out. On the first day, he had taken the initiative to introduce himself to nearly everyone in the class, including Velren. Moving from desk to desk, he had chatted effortlessly with strangers, making it seem as if they had all been long-time friends.
Then, there was another boy with his own little group. A striking red-haired student who stood out among them. His refined posture, the way he carried himself, and the manner in which his peers deferred to him—it was clear that he had noble lineage. Even his uniform appeared to be in pristine condition, subtly embroidered with high-quality thread, a detail that, while minor, spoke volumes to those who paid attention. Velren wasn't entirely sure which noble house he belonged to. Not that he knew of one in the first place, but he was willing to bet the boy came from one of the more prominent families.
And then, there was another person who caught his attention.
Velren glanced to the side, landing his eyes on a girl sitting alone. She had striking silver hair that cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting against her dark uniform. Her features were delicate, almost ethereal, the kind of beauty that would naturally draw attention. Yet, despite this, she remained by herself. Like him, she was one of the few people in Class 1-C who had never bothered to socialize or engage in idle chatter.
That fact alone surprised Velren. With her appearance, he would have thought that at least a few people would approach her. And yet, no one did.
What intrigued him more was her seating choice. She sat near the corner, not too far from him, but not too close either. It was as if she had deliberately chosen this spot, as if she had claimed this section of the room for those who preferred solitude.
…Wait. Or was it his fault for assuming that?
Was this corner truly a space for 'gloomy' people like them? Or was he just overthinking it?
Not long after, the classroom door opened, revealing a woman with long, wavy purple hair cascading down her back. Her sharp violet eyes scanned the room with a composed yet commanding presence. Dressed in a well-fitted academy uniform adorned with subtle gold embroidery, she exuded both elegance and authority. The moment she stepped in, the once lively class fell into silence.
With graceful yet deliberate steps, she approached the podium at the front of the room. Her expression remained unreadable as she took a brief glance at the gathered students before finally speaking.
"Good morning, Class 1-C. I am Professor Selina Lumar, and I will be your instructor for today's course."
Her voice was smooth yet firm.
"As some of you may already know, the academy does not believe in idle learning. Your first true challenge is approaching—the upcoming Practical Evaluation. It will serve as an assessment of your current capabilities, but more importantly, it will test how well you can apply what you learn in real situations."
Some students shifted in their seats, clearly anticipating more details, but Professor Lumar did not elaborate further. Instead, she let the weight of her words settle over the room before moving on.
"But before we begin today's lesson, let me ask a question."
She sweep her gaze over the class.
"Who here can tell me about the essence of Ka?"
'Huh… that sounds easy enough. Should I raise my hand and answer it?'
Velren hesitated, tapping his fingers lightly against his desk. He knew the answer—at least, the basic concept—but was it worth drawing attention to himself this early on? He doesn't know if he would like to be the type to stand out in the classroom setting, preferring to observe rather than participate. Yet, answering a simple question wouldn't be that much of a hassle, right?
Before he could make up his mind, someone else had already taken the initiative.
A hand shot up, and Velren's thoughts were cut short.
'Oh well, there's always the next question…'
The professor's eyes landed on the student who had raised his hand. It was the red-haired boy.
"And may I ask for your name?"
The boy rose from his seat, offering a composed nod.
"Alistair Von Rhaegis, of the Rhaegis House."
'So he really is a noble…'
Professor Lumar gave an approving nod before repeating her question.
"Very well, Alistair. Tell me, what can you say about Ka?"
Alistair's gaze remained steady as he answered, his voice carrying a confidence befitting someone of noble upbringing.
"Ka is often described as the essence of a being—their life force, their spirit. It is the foundation of one's existence, distinct from the physical body yet inseparable from it. Many believe it to be the source of an individual's will and identity. Without Ka, one is nothing more than an empty vessel."
The professor gave a slight nod.
"Correct."
She then lifted a hand, tracing her fingers on the air in a slow, deliberate motion. A faint shimmer appeared beside her, and in an instant, a translucent, spectral projection of herself materialized next to her.
"The idea of Ka itself is truly marvelous. It is a concept that has shaped civilizations, beliefs, and practices for centuries. It is the core of one's very being, influencing everything from strength to resilience, and even fate itself."
She took a step forward, her spectral projection mirroring the motion precisely, as though the two were tethered by an unseen force.
"It is not simply life force, nor just the spirit that resides within a person. It is the immutable truth that dictates our existence. To have Ka is to exist; to lose it is to fade into nothingness. It is both power and fragility, the thread that binds one's will to the physical world."
'Binds one's will...'
The flickering projection wavered slightly, its form distorting before solidifying once more.
"Every action you take, every thought, every emotion—it is all tied to your Ka. The strength of your will, the depth of your emotions, even the very path you carve in life… they are all reflections of it."
As the class observed the manifestation with rapt attention, the professor turned her focus back to Alistair.
"Now, tell me this—do you know where the concept of Ka was born?"
Alistair's expression remained composed, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes before he spoke.
"There is no definitive origin. Some scholars argue that it was first mentioned in ancient scriptures, while others claim it was a foreign concept adopted and refined over time. Various cultures have interpreted Ka differently, leading to differing beliefs about its true nature."
'Huh?'
That was... completely wrong. What?