The auditorium, with its high ceiling and ornaments that block magical power, was filled with the presence of hundreds holding their breath. In the morning light streaming through the windows, floating light particles and each student's magical power faintly reacted. Gripping the hem of his black-dyed uniform, Chloel stood half a step behind the other new students' line. While everyone straightened their backs in tension, he alone held his breath so as not to make any unnecessary sound. The presences around him, the gazes—all of it was irritating. If he could just get through until graduation without getting involved with anyone, that would have been enough.

He sensed the teachers lining up on the podium, and his gaze naturally turned forward. That was the moment. His eyes met those of the man standing at the center of the podium, at the highest position. —Click. Something locked into place. It wasn't any sound. No one could hear it. But it definitely rang within him.

The man on the podium did not avert his gaze. A probing look pierced straight through him. Expressionless. Utterly still. But... deep in those eyes, something was pleading. A stranger. A man he shouldn't know. Yet his body trembled on its own. Even when he tried to break eye contact, he couldn't.