Chapter 21 – The Beginning of S-Class
Chapter 21: The Gathering of Monsters
Alden Blackwood arrived early.
Not because he was particularly excited—he simply didn't want to deal with the chaos of students scrambling for seats.
This was S-Class, the highest-ranked students of the academy, where the most talented, arrogant, and downright overpowered individuals gathered. And while the prestige was undeniable, it also meant being surrounded by the kind of people who would start fights just to test their strength.
Better to avoid the nonsense altogether.
The classroom itself was grand—far beyond any ordinary lecture hall.
Massive enchanted screens lined the walls, ready for combat analysis, tactical breakdowns, and magical simulations. Glowing runes pulsed along the ceiling and floors, subtly reinforcing the entire structure.
This wasn't just a classroom.
It was a battlefield in disguise.
Alden adjusted his sunglasses as he strode toward a seat in the third row, center.
Why sunglasses?
Because they looked cool.
And, well, he never knew when he'd need to activate Eclipse Vision. It was better to keep his eyes covered at all times.
On his wrist, his katana, Crimson Veil, currently disguised as a sleek black bracelet, vibrated slightly.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"You're really committing to the mysterious swordsman look, huh?"
Alden smirked. "Of course. Looking cool is half the battle."
A chuckle reverberated through their connection, but before he could say anything else, the main characters started to arrive.
---
The Protagonist
The air shifted as the first student entered.
A young man with dark brown hair and emerald-green eyes strode in with effortless confidence.
Leonhardt Valerian.
The Protagonist.
Already on the verge of breaking into C-Rank, making him stronger than most of the class. But his real danger wasn't just his starting strength—it was his growth rate.
Give him a few months, and he'd surpass almost everyone here.
The murmurs started immediately.
"Damn, that's Leonhardt, right? The Duke's heir?"
"I heard he took down a C-Rank beast before even coming here."
"Look at him. Main character energy."
Leonhardt ignored the chatter and took a seat in the second row. His posture was relaxed yet focused, making it clear—he was here to get stronger.
Alden smirked.
"Enjoy your slow rise to power, buddy. I'll be busy in the shadows."
---
The Ice Queen
A sharp chill swept through the room.
Alden didn't need to look to know who had arrived.
Seraphina Everfrost.
She glided inside with an elegance only noble bloodlines could produce.
Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing ice-blue eyes remained cold and unreadable. Unlike others who let their mana leak out uncontrollably, her aura was tightly controlled, precise—like a blade honed to perfection.
Whispers filled the air.
"She's only D-Rank now, but she froze an entire lake in her entrance exam."
"No surprise. The Everfrost Clan breeds monsters."
Seraphina took a window seat, resting her chin on her palm, completely uninterested in the rest of the class.
Alden made a mental note.
"She's already this strong at the start. She's going to be terrifying later on."
---
The Fiery Sword Princess
Before he could fully process Seraphina's arrival, another dominant presence entered.
Alicia von Rosenheim.
Alden didn't even need to turn around.
Her flaming red hair stood out instantly, paired with golden eyes that burned with confidence.
She walked with a measured grace, her every step controlled. Unlike Seraphina's cold indifference, Alicia moved like a warrior preparing for battle.
More whispers.
"She's D+ already, right?"
"Yeah, but she'll hit C-Rank by the end of the semester for sure."
Alicia's gaze flickered toward Alden as she passed, a small smirk tugging at her lips before she settled in the fourth row.
Alden exhaled.
"Still not over our fight, huh?"
---
The Shadow Trickster
A faint ripple in the air signaled the next arrival.
Reynard Faulkner.
His messy black hair and fox-like golden eyes made him look more like a street rogue than a noble heir.
And that wasn't far from the truth.
Reynard specialized in assassination techniques and illusion magic, making him a nightmare to fight.
More hushed voices.
"Didn't he take out five people in the exam without anyone noticing?"
"Yeah, he's a damn ghost."
Unlike the others, Reynard didn't care about appearances. He casually slumped into a seat at the back, looking half-asleep already.
---
The Holy Saintess
The next arrival brought a warm, golden aura into the room.
Elena Brightwind.
With long blonde hair that shimmered under the light and gentle blue eyes, she carried herself with the grace of a saintess-in-training.
The murmurs turned reverent.
"She's D-Rank now, but they say she'll reach Saintess level by the end of the year."
"Her healing abilities in the exam were ridiculous."
She smiled kindly but took a seat without interacting with anyone.
Alden raised an eyebrow.
"Not just a healer. If she's here, she must be combat-capable too."
---
The Beastkin Duelist
Then, a wild presence entered.
Luca Ashenpaw.
A beastkin warrior, his wolf-like silver hair and sharp amber eyes gave him a feral intensity.
His pointed ears twitched, picking up every sound in the room.
Beastkin rarely made it into S-Class, but Luca was different.
"I heard his physical stats are insane for his rank."
"No kidding. He tore a golem apart with his bare hands."
Luca cracked his knuckles, his tail flicking lazily behind him as he found a seat.
---
The Elven Mage
Finally, the last arrival.
Sylvara Nightwhisper.
An elven prodigy, her long dark green hair and glowing emerald eyes carried the weight of ancient magic.
Elves rarely attended human academies.
"Why is she here?"
"Probably a diplomatic thing. But she's strong as hell."
Sylvara took a seat near Seraphina, barely acknowledging anyone.
---
The Instructor Arrives
Alden sighed, glancing around the room.
"That's all of them."
Every single one of these people would become a monster in the future.
His katana hummed in amusement.
"You sure you won't get overshadowed, boy?"
Alden smirked. "Not a chance."
Then—
The front doors swung open with a sharp bang.
A tall, battle-worn woman strode inside, her mere presence commanding immediate silence.
Her scarred arms and piercing gaze made one thing very clear.
This was not a normal instructor.
Her voice was sharp, filled with raw authority.
"Settle down."
Alden adjusted his sunglasses, leaning back.
"First day of S-Class. Let's see how this goes."