THE SHADOWS OF AETHEL

 The morning classes passed in a blur of magical theory and introductions. Kuroyami's head spun trying to process everything the terrifying child-teacher, his unexpected high ranking, and now this unwanted leadership position thrust upon him.

 Each new development felt like another crack in his carefully constructed plan to remain unnoticed.

 He'd come to the academy hoping to blend into the background, but fate seemed determined to thrust him into the spotlight.

 As the lunch bell rang, Miss Sakkaku fixed him with those unnervingly ancient eyes that seemed to peer straight through his soul. "Remember what we discussed, Kuroyami-kun. 

 I expect great things from our new class secretary." Her smile was sweet as honey, but the warning in her voice cut like a blade.

 Kuroyami gathered his things slowly, watching his classmates file out in groups of two and three. Some shot him curious glances, others suspicious ones that made his skin crawl. The weight of their attention pressed against him like a physical force.

 He'd have to be more careful about controlling his aura, clearly he'd already drawn too much unwanted attention to himself.

 The school's cafeteria was surprisingly empty when Kuroyami finally made his way there. He chose a solitary table near the corner, grateful for a moment to collect his scattered thoughts.

 'I knew a lot of aristocrats brought their children to this school, but I didn't expect this level of scrutiny. I need to make friends who won't stand out that's the key to blending in. I won't let my life be ruined again,' he thought, his fingers drumming nervously on the table.

 Lost in his brooding thoughts, a voice startled him so badly he instinctively jerked away, only to find Claudine standing exactly where he'd been moments before.

 "The way you reacted, it's like I'm some kind of monster," she said, amusement dancing in her voice.

 'The last person I need to be associated with, great! So this girl will be our class president, and I don't think any good will come from being connected to her,' his thoughts raced frantically.

 It wasn't until that moment, with Claudine standing there, that Kuroyami truly noticed her. She seemed to radiate an otherworldly beauty, emanating a gentle glow that drew the eye. 

 Her long raven black hair cascaded perfectly to frame her face, paired with eyes just as dark and mysterious. Her small, delicate features the petite nose, the subtle curve of her mouth complemented her thin frame, which the school uniform seemed to have been specially designed to accentuate.

 He was so struck by her beauty that his response came several seconds too late, stumbling over the words. "No! I-I... I didn't know it was you. I do apologize if I offended you," he managed in a low, nervous tone.

 Claudine merely tilted her head in response, a knowing smile playing at her lips as she gracefully took the seat next to him.

 "It's alright, I forgive you. Let's just eat lunch together," she answered with casual ease that made his anxiety spike even higher.

 Kuroyami was sweating bullets, his heart threatening to burst from his chest. The proximity to someone so striking and potentially dangerous set every nerve on edge.

 "I... am, do you mind if I ask why you're sitting so close to me?" Kuroyami asked, his discomfort painfully obvious. He noticed several classmates taking notes and whispering amongst themselves, but Claudine seemed perfectly content to ignore them all as she shifted even closer.

'This is exactly how rumors start I need to find an escape route,' he thought desperately.

 "No, not at all, I don't mind in the very least," she replied between delicate bites of her lunch. "Well, we are going to be working together since you agreed to be my secretary president."

 Her words brought back the morning's events with crystal clarity. 'Just when I was beginning to forget about that little demon... she just wants everything to go as she pleases.'

 The frustration bubbled up as he remembered how she'd practically forced him into the vice president position. 

 She'd said it with such a cute tone: "Do this job right or I'll kill you, okaay. And you should know no one is forcing you to this." She may have sounded sweet, but Kuroyami's instincts had screamed danger he could sense his own death in those words, which had prompted his hasty "volunteering."

 Then at the end of the lesson, she'd casually explained that the aura test was always graded out of a thousand points, and Kuroyami score twenty made it look like some kind of joke.

 "And what does that have to do with this?" Kuroyami interrupted, thrown off balance by Claudine's unexpectedly friendly behavior.

 She lowered her voice to an intimate whisper that sent chills down his spine. "I thought we should get to know each other personally."

 'This girl, what is she after? No girl has ever approached me like this before—something's clearly up. I need to keep my guard up whenever I'm around her.' His thoughts raced with suspicion.

 "I don't think there's a need to go that far. It's just work even strangers can work together perfectly," he explained, trying to establish some professional distance.

 "Is that so? If that's what you think, then you have a very strange way of thinking... not that I mind," she said with a smile that made his blood run cold.

 The end of lunch break found Kuroyami hurrying back to class, his mind still spinning from the strange encounter. 

 As he navigated the hallway, a shadow fell across his path—an upperclassman, moving with deliberate purpose. The older boy's hand landed heavily on Kuroyami's shoulder, grip just tight enough to convey threat.

 "Boy, you better watch yourself," he said, voice carrying the chill of a winter wind.

 Those words hit Kuroyami like a physical blow, sending his thoughts spiraling into a maelstrom of questions and dark possibilities.

 His body froze, muscles locking up as memories and fears collided in his mind. By the time he shook off the paralysis, the upperclassman had vanished into the crowd of students filing into their classrooms.

 The sharp crack of something striking his head jerked him back to reality. "Ouch! That hurt," he complained, rubbing the sore spot as he turned to face his attacker.

 He found himself looking at a teacher—a striking woman in a crisp black suit, her short black hair framing sharp features and unusual red eyes. 

 She stood eye-level with Kuroyami, her long legs and confident posture giving her a commanding presence.

 "What are you doing standing here? Classes have already started," she said, brandishing a piece of paper like a weapon.

 Kuroyami quickly bowed in apology, his movements stiff with embarrassment. As he hurried away toward his classroom, he could feel the teacher's gaze burning into his back. 

 Her eyes narrowed as she watched him go, picking up on something that set her magical senses tingling.

 Her eyes began to glow as she observed his violently fluctuating aura. 'I've seen countless types of magic in my time, but nothing quite like yours. Just what are you, boy?' The thought troubled her as she turned away, her heels clicking purposefully down the empty hallway.

 Meanwhile, at the Neo dungeon, four adventurers stood ready to face their first real challenge. The cave's entrance loomed before them, a dark maw in the mountainside that seemed to swallow all light.

 Each carried their chosen weapon—all except for the blue-haired boy in black, Ein, who relied solely on his magical abilities.

 His party members cut distinct figures against the cave's entrance: Takemitchi, gripping his sword with barely concealed nervousness; the blonde Shizuri, her dagger dancing between her fingers as she shifted from foot to foot; and the dark-haired girl, her twin blades catching the last rays of sunlight.

 This particular dungeon had earned its reputation as a training ground for novice adventurers. Known as the Cave of Beginnings, it served as the traditional first step for level one adventurers, its challenges carefully calibrated to test but not overwhelm newcomers to the profession.