red crow?

The chirping of birds blended with the soft rustling of leaves, but Alex paid no attention. Sat in the middle of the training ground, he was deep in meditation, his breath steady, his mind was in deep focused on his dantain.

The academy grounds were still quiet—class wouldn't start for a while. Yet from the side path leading inside, he sensed movement. Without opening his eyes, Alex caught the familiar presence of the principal.

Not alone.

A man walked beside him.

Long red hair shimmered under the sunlight, swaying slightly with each step. From behind, Alex could make out the man's tall frame, a white long coat accented with black and silver embroidery, paired with formal black pants. His presence was striking—but it wasn't his appearance that caught Alex's attention.

It was the reaction.

The female teachers nearby had stilled. Their eyes, half-lidded and brimming with intrigue, followed the man as if drawn by an invisible force.

Alex clicked his tongue. Another fool to ignore.

Without sparing them another thought, he exhaled and refocused his mind, letting the world fade around him.

Thud

Thud.

Thud

The sound of their boots against the stone ground reached his ears. Annoyance flickered in his mind.

Aha… should I just kill everyone here and throw this entire kingdom into chaos?

He smirked at the thought. No… too soon. Not yet.

Instead, he opened his eyes.

Before the two could fully approach, Alex rose to his feet. But the moment he did, something in his chest tightened.

His affinity.

A sharp, piercing pain bloomed within his heart, its intensity making his breath hitch. His vision blurred for a fraction of a second, and his knee nearly buckled.

Then—stillness.

The footsteps halted.

A hand extended toward him.

Alex's gaze, still half-lowered, flickered upward. And for the first time, he saw the man.

Captivating.

There was no other word for it.

Even monarchs like Fafner or Leon couldn't match this man's overwhelming beauty—an almost inhuman balance of masculinity and grace. But that wasn't what unsettled Alex.

It was the way the man looked at him.

"You can stand Alex Agniverta, can't you?" the man murmured.

His voice was smooth—unreasonably familiar.

Alex's pupils contracted.

He knows my name?

His mind sharpened instantly. He had never once spoken his true name in this kingdom. No one here should know it.

The man's gaze shifted slightly as if amused before he suddenly corrected himself.

"…Sir Sheng."

Alex's expression darkened.

Illusion? No. That wasn't possible.

Maintaining his composure, he ignored the pain in his chest and took the man's hand, using it to rise to his feet.

The principal chuckled, rubbing his hands together. "So, brat—hem, hem—I mean, Mister Sheng Cheon. This is Mister Raven. A traveller, just like you. A human."

Alex barely glanced at the red-haired man before turning to the old principal. "And?"

The principal cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. Let me get straight to the point. We've appointed him as your—" He hesitated. "—your, well… let's say, assistant."

Silence.

Alex's gaze turned razor-sharp.

Then he scoffed.

"You think I'm some kind of joke, old man?"

The principal ignored him, pushing forward. "He'll be teaching the same subjects as you. Consider it a partnership. I'd be grateful if you worked together."

The entire time, Raven merely smiled.

A gentle, composed smile.

Alex's irritation grew.

"I refuse." He turned and walked toward his class.

But the two followed.

The old man pressed his hands together in a pleading gesture. "Come now, just for my sake?"

Beside him, Raven's crimson eyes softened, filled with something close to sincerity.

Alex didn't bother to stop, but they continued their babbling like desperate children.

"I'll give you extra money, Sheng—dear Sheng," the principal coaxed.

Raven added, "Please, mister. I wish to learn about this kingdom's culture. I want to teach here, just like you."

Alex's patience snapped.

As they reached the lecture hall, he stopped abruptly, causing the two to stumble. His voice was calm, yet filled with unmistakable warning.

"Fine. Or I'll kill you both right now."

The principal flinched back. Raven merely blinked.

"Yes! As you heard, Mister Raven, Mister Sheng has agreed!" The old man clapped his hands together as if sealing a deal. "Starting today, you're a team."

Then, without hanging back—without shame—he turned and bolted toward his office, disappearing like a coward.

Alex sighed.

Damn old man.

Alex's gaze locked onto Raven. His crimson eyes still held that same sincerity, but Alex wasn't fooled.

"Don't get any ideas." His voice was unfriendly. "I'm letting you teach with me, but don't you dare hinder my ways."

Raven's lips curled slightly. "Oh? Mister Alex, I didn't know—"

Before he could finish, Alex moved.

A blur.

His hand clenched Raven's collar, slamming him against the wall.

The room trembled the voices of students stilled.

"Tell me," Alex's voice dropped to a whisper, lethal and sharp. "How do you know?" His fingers tightened. "Or this will be your last breath."

Raven coughed, struggling slightly. "L—Let me… speak, won't you?"

Before he could say more—

"Sir Alex!"

A familiar voice.

Alex turned his head slightly to see Rizark standing at the doorway, eyes wide. "Aren't you going to teach? And… who's he?"

Silence hung in the air.

Then, with a sigh, Alex released Raven, letting him fall back into place.

"Don't worry about it, kid." He dusted his hands off as if nothing had happened. "He's the new teacher."

Rizark blinked. "New teacher?"

Alex scoffed. "Yeah. He'll be teaching you guys from today onward. Same subjects as me."

A moment of hesitation.

Then, from behind him, Raven chuckled softly.

"Looks like we'll be working together after all."