Deviation 0.0000001%

The Royal Knights Academy—Headmaster's Office.

A messenger stood before the headmaster's desk, his posture rigid.

In his hands was a sealed letter, freshly delivered from the local administration of a nearby city.

Across from him, a man in academic robes observed the scene in silence.

He had a lean build, sharp features, and an air of quiet authority.

He was one of the academy's professors.

The headmaster broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

His eyes scanned the contents, his expression darkening with each passing second.

When he was done, he set the paper down and steepled his fingers.

"The request is clear," he said, his voice calm but firm.

"There have been disappearances inside a dungeon. A team of knights was sent to investigate, but they, too, have gone missing."

The professor remained silent, waiting for the headmaster to continue.

"The dungeon in question," the headmaster added, "is none other than the one where our first-year students held their exploration class over a few weeks ago."

At this, the professor's eyes narrowed.

He had heard of the incident in which a first year student was severely injured, but the dungeon had been deemed safe afterward.

And yet, now, more people had vanished without a trace.

The headmaster exhaled and turned to the professor.

"Mr. Xavier," he said, addressing him by name.

Xavier nodded once. "Understood."

There was no need for further discussion.

He would handle it.

***

'This classroom is fucking huge.'

It was the only thought in my mind as I sat at the back of a classroom in the Royal Knight's Academy.

It didn't take me long to figure things out.

As I was familiar with the story, it really helped me in many ways too.

Well, I am talking about the classes.

Lucian Kingston was a scum, no doubt about that.

But he was a scholar too.

Otherwise, he couldn't have gotten into this academy in the first place.

There are in total 3 sections in first year for all the students.

S, A and B.

A class is for nobles, B class is for commoners and well, S class is for extra ordinary students, as you would already have guessed.

I was in class A, naturally.

At first it seemed surreal to attend classes on magic and all that shit, but after a few days now, I have got the hang of it.

There is a general rule of classes.

Morning classes are for theory and afternoon classes for practicals.

I have been avoiding the practical classes for as long as I could, feigning illness or conveniently arriving late enough to be dismissed.

It wasn't that I was afraid of them—rather, I was trying to lay low. In a world where status and ability determined everything, the last thing I needed was to draw attention too soon.

There is the plan to find the binding ritual method too, which I was working on during that time.

As I sat in the back of the classroom and looked at the board, a feeling of nostalgia hit me.

Well, one more thing to note is that, most of the important characters are in the S class, so I couldn't recognise most of my classmates, except two of Lucian's henchmen, who sat beside me.

I am trying to maintain my image of Lucian Kingston in front of them too.

Things were getting tiring, but I knew for sure that it would be alright in the meantime.

The class droned on, the professor's monotonous voice filling the air as he scribbled equations and diagrams on the chalkboard.

I sat at the very back, arms crossed, barely paying attention.

It was some lecture on advanced mana circulation or something—honestly, I had stopped trying to follow along after the first thirty minutes.

Just as my boredom reached its peak, the professor finally closed his book with a decisive thud.

"That will be all for today," he announced, adjusting his glasses.

"Also, a quick notice—today's practical session has been canceled."

That got my attention.

I sat up slightly as murmurs spread through the room.

"The reason," he continued, "is that Professor Xavier is currently occupied with an urgent investigation. As such, there will be no substitute for today's session."

That was… odd.

Usually, if a professor was absent, a teaching assistant would take over.

But they had outright canceled the class instead.

It seemed strange, but I wasn't about to complain.

If anything, it worked in my favor.

I picked up my things and left the classroom, already thinking about returning to my dorm.

I had a book I borrowed from the library that I wanted to finish, still searching any clues on the binding ritual.

However, just as I stepped out into the hallway, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Lucian."

I turned around.

It was Sylphyre.

"What is it?", I maintained my arrogant tone

"Let's talk outside, it's really crowded here.", she said while scanning our surroundings, as the gazes of a few more students fell on us.

***

We went towards a cafeteria situated near the Academy.

It was oddly quiet,but I can understand why.

The Academy's cafeteria can provide you everything you need.

So students visit this type of cafes for more luxurious meals, or to discuss secret matters or to bring their dates.

Well, for me, it was definitely not the last one.

"So, what's the matter?", I asked while taking a sip of coffee I ordered.

Sylphyre stirred her tea absentmindedly, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she set the cup down and met my gaze.

"The dungeon," she said simply.

I arched an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"Today, the practical class was cancelled because of Professor Xavier's absence. You must have heard of it too."

"Yeah, so?"

"He has gone to investigate the dungeon where our last exploration class was held.", she told with a serious face.

It was unprecedented.

I have been taking it easy all this time, because absolutely nothing serious happened between the interval of that dungeon exploration class and Lucian's death.

Nothing was mentioned in the novel too.

The protagonist must be focussed on preparing for the next major event.

So, I have absolutely no idea what is happening right now.

....

Calm down.

There is no need to panic.

Let's find out first what exactly is happening, then I will proceed with further actions.

I remember that one investigation was held exactly after Lucian got injured and it was declared safe.

"What is there to investigate?", I asked , bracing myself for anything.

Afterwards, Sylphyre explained me what she has heard from her sources and what is the strange thing happening in that dungeon.

Apparently it has become a famous case in that area, but the local administration is trying to prevent any information leakage to outside that city.

"But, I don't understand one thing.", I asked in curiosity.

"What is it?", she tilted her head.

"Why are you telling me all this? I mean I don't get the point what this piece of information would--"

Before I could say anything, my vision blurred suddenly.

I couldn't even hear anything.

'What the hell?'

As I muttered those words, a transparent type of screen appeared in front of me.

It was untouchable, as I tried to click on the screen with my fingerprint and it disappeared.

When I removed my finger, then it reappeared in front of me.

But the most confusing thing was, what was written on it.

"DEVIATION 0.0000001%"

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Author's Notes :

If someone is reading it, please comment down whatever your opinion is on the story.

I am open to criticisms too.

So whatever you think after reading, put it down in the comments.

If you are interested in the story, add it to your library.

Next chapter : The Protagonist

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