// Thor's Academy, old school //

// 31 March S.1204 //

After Sara finishes checking that all the students have agreed to join Class VII, Emma raises her hand.

Yuno: What is it, Emma?

Emma: I wanted to know how the dormitories are arranged for us since we are a mix of different social class we can't use the 2 dormitories of the academy, right?

Sara answers her

Sara: Indeed a dormitory was assigned to your class.

Emma: That makes sense since you said that a lot of money was put into the creation of Class VII.

Hearing what Sara just said Machias was about to complain again, which forced Yuno to release his demonic energy only on him which stopped Machias in his tracks and look towards Yuno.

What Machias saw was Yuno's face with a smile that promises a lot of pain and suffering if he says one word wrong, which made him shack in fear and forced him to keep his tongue in his mouth.

Yuno: Can we say that this orientation session is over instructor Sara?

Sara: Indeed Yuno, everyone has deserved a rest.

Everybody is happy to be able to rest after what just happened today. At this moment Fie approaches Yuno and hands him a bento box.

Fie: Yuno-nii here.

Yuno: Thanks Fie, I hope they were to your taste?

Fie: I haven't eaten anything this good since the meal you prepared 2 years ago.

Yuno: I see if you still want some don't hesitate to ask me.

He said to her, petting her head, which made her purr like a cat...

Fie: I get it

She answered with a smile, without noticing that Alisa was watching their interaction and she did not like at all that her big brother figure gives Fie more attention than her.

Yuno: Instructor Sara, who is in charge of the kitchen in our dormitory?

Sara: About that, the board of directors is still looking for a dormitory chef, so for the moment the meals will be served at the city cafe.

Yuno: If it's not a problem, I volunteer to take care of the meals in the dormitory until the dormitory manager is appointed.

Rean, Alisa, Laura, Fie, and Sara turn their heads towards Yuno with stars in their eyes, while Machias and Jusis look at him with an astonished look.

Rean, Alisa, Laura, Fie and Sara: Is it true?

As for the others, they were surprised by the sudden reaction of the others.

Yuno: It's no problem, I love cooking and I had planned to prepare a feast to officially celebrate the creation of Class VII.

Jusis: I don't think the creation of a class like ours deserves a celebration.

Jusis' answer made Yuno smile

Yuno: Maybe it's true now but who knows in a few years your opinion will have changed.

Jusis: I highly doubt it, but we'll see who's right.

Laura: What do you mean by that?

Yuno: You will know when the time comes, that being said, next stop the dormitory.

Yuno proposed going towards the exit followed by Fie, Alisa, and Sara

Rean: He hasn't changed in 2 years. He still talks a roundabout way.

Elliot: What do you mean?

Rean: When we were young he was always playing memory games, puzzles, or clue hunting games and always spoke cryptically to make it harder, but it was still fun, especially since Ymir is located near the mountains.

Rean says to the others all following his brother and the others

Emma: Now that you mention it, I think it's weird that he asked Elliot about the purpose of this orientation.

Elliot: But I still don't see why he asked me, he could have asked someone else.

Gallius: I think he wanted to test you, he even gave you a hint, saying that if you were wrong, it didn't matter.

Rean: I second Gaillus on that because I know that my brother doesn't do things for no reason.

So everyone starts to exchange opinions about the real reason for what happened at that orientation.

// Dormitory number three, Trista //

After arriving at the dormitory everyone went to their rooms to start unpacking their belongings and Yuno went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

At this moment Sara arrived in the kitchen and stared at him with an expression not happy at all.

Yuno continues to cook without turning around to look at his teacher...

Yuno: What's wrong Sara, making a face like that?

Sara: You know very well what I want to talk to you about, I want explanations, you cut all links with me for 2 years and nobody knew where you were although you continued your Bracer activities, and then all of a sudden you reappeared as a member of class VII without my knowledge and you also became a sub instructor. How I'm supposed to react.

Yuno knows he's in an awkward situation and did the thing he does best, apologizes.

Yuno: For disappearing for two years without contacting you I am sorry, I apologize for worrying you but I had my reasons and also had a lot to do. For the case of my presence in class VII, we can say that I integrated it to help Prince Olivert to carry out his project and it is him who took care of my inscription which is the reason why you were not informed and it is also because of him that I became sub-instructor.

Sara: I want to understand that there are things you don't want to tell me because I do the same thing, but next time let me know when you disappear for a long time, even though it's only been a few months since I taught you you are still my disciple.

She says to him while hugging Yuno by behind, This last sense that the hug of Sara is a little strong, Yuno did not think that his presence and his wellbeing was so important for her although they know each other only for a few months.

Yuno: Understood I take your request into account Sara, could you please let me go?

Sara: I want to stay like this for a while.

She says to him in a soft voice, she only uses that voice with him and when they are just the two of them and he never knew why she opens up more to him than to anyone else.

Yuno: Just a little bit then.

Yuno says while continuing to cook, then when Sara calms down they start talking about how the month of class is going to go.

Sara: Tell me, what are you preparing for us?

Yuno: It's a secret

Sara: Let me know when it's ready, and I hope there's alcohol for me.

Yuno: And I think you would have changed by becoming a teacher here, but you haven't changed at all.

After Sara has left Yuno hears a noise coming from outside, he goes to the kitchen door that leads to the alley where the garbage is and opens it, he looks around only to find a black cat with a bell around its neck and a purple ribbon at the end of its tail sitting in front of it.

Yuno: What are you doing here alone? Where is your owner?

He says to himself as he bends down and strokes the cat under her chin...

???: Meow

The cat purrs with pleasure

Yuno: Tell me are you hungry?

???: Meow

The cat nodded her head as a sign of confirmation.

Yuno: You're smart I see, follow me then, ... now that I think about it I should give you a name since I can't call you "you" every time. And since I don't see a name on your necklace, it will only be temporary.

???: Meow.

The cat follows him inside then goes up on the kitchen table and looks at Yuno with a curious look.

Yuno: Seeing what to choose, since you are a female what do you say about Mia?

The cat let him know that he didn't like the name, and this continued for a few minutes when

Yuno: Um, how about Celine, what do you say?

The cat looks at him with her eyes wide open for a while before coming to her senses and waves him yes with her paw.

Yuno: Welcome to the Class VII dormitory, Celine.

After a few hours of cooking, Yuno begins to put the dishes on the dining room table of the dormitory accompanied by Celine, then calls Sara and Rean via the ARCUS to let them tell the other students that dinner is served, then places in front of Celine a plate containing grilled fish made with the best fish that can be found in Erebonia and just the smell alone makes her already salivating.

Yuno: Enjoy Celine.

Hearing his confirmation she threw herself on her plate without hesitation, when all the boys arrived one after the other, Yuno couldn't help but be amused by their expression in front of the dishes on the table.

Elliot: Wow, this looks good.

Rean: Doesn't it? It's been a long time since I've tasted my brother's cooking.

Gallius: Say my first meal here at the empire will be memorable.

Machias: I recognize some of the dishes, but where have I seen them before?

Jusis: ( I must confess that this meal is worthy of a great starred chef and he prepared it by himself, although he was born noble, he doesn't act like one I don't feel the aura that a noble should have, it's really weird and interesting, Yuno Schwarzer a person to follow closely )

When the girls and Emma arrived, they had the same reaction as the boys, when Emma saw Yuno petting Celina who is swallowing her fish, she was surprised and went towards them.

Emma: Um, Schwarzer-sensei.

Yuno: Um, oh Emma, you know you call me Yuno here and when we are in class and call me sensei only in my classes.

Emma: Sorry, Yuno-san, I wanted to know where did you find that cat?

Yuno: Oh you mean Celine? I found her in the alley next to the dormitory and she looked hungry, so I brought her inside, she's cute, isn't she?

When Emma heard the cat's name she was taken by surprise, but Celine was the most surprised when she heard the person who offered her attention and food say that she was cute, Yuno felt like she was blushing for a moment.

Emma looked at Celine for a moment and saw her nod "no", which reassured Emma.

Emma: No, it's my cat, I hope she hasn't caused you any problems.

She tells him shyly

Yuno: I see, normally it's forbidden by the dormitory rules to have pets especially in the rooms but I'll make an exception for you, so your cat can stay here in the dormitory.

Emma: Are you sure it won't cause you any trouble?

Yuno: The school owes me some favors especially after assigning me as a teacher without my approval so don't worry about it.

Emma: Thank you very much, Yuno-san.

Yuno: There is no need to thank me, so what is the name of this little princess?

Emma looks at Yuno a little embarrassed and answers him

Emma: Her name is Celine.

Yuno: Oh, who would have thought that the temporary name I had found for her would be her real name.

Emma: Chance does make things right, doesn't it?

Yuno: Well, I think we should join the others for dinner.

Emma: You're right.

They move towards the table but Yuno decided to surprise our dear cat one last time...

Yuno: [I hope the fish is to your liking don't hesitate to come to see me if you want another portion]

He told the cat via a Hexen telepathy spell, which earned him a bewildered look from Celine and Emma who is related to her, with which he answered them with a smile.

And so the first day of class VII ended with a dinner that satisfied everyone.

// Timeskip //

// Saturday 17 April S.1204 //

// Rean POV //

I finish putting on my uniform and fixing my tie in front of the mirror.

Rean: All right...

Then I turn around to see a frame on one of my shelves, in the frame is a picture of my family taken before Yuno's departure.

Rean: ... It's time to go.

I thought to myself as I came out of my room, and then I heard a voice calling me...

???: Oh, Rean!

I turn around to see my friend Elliot...

Rean: Good morning, Elliot.

Elliot: Heh, good morning. Are you going to school now too? Why don't we walk there together?

He says to me with a smile

Rean: Of course. But it's getting late, so we might have to pick up the pace a little bit.

Elliot: No problem.

Then he turns to look at the rooms of the other boys on this floor.

Elliot: I guess everyone else has already left, huh

I look where Elliot's looking and then close my eyes.

Rean: I think so. I don't sense anyone else on this floor, at least. Gaius and Nii-san in particular are probably long gone, being the early risers.

Elliot turns to Rean

Elliot: O-Oh... Okay, then. (He doesn't... "feel" anyone? What does that mean, exactly?)

Then we head to the lobby to see Emma and Alisa chatting.

Rean: Ah...!

When the two girls notice us, Alisa gives me a menacing look.

Alisa: ...

Emma: Rean-san and Elliot-san, good morning.

Emma greets us with a smile.

Rean: Yes. morning

Elliot: good morning, Alisa, Class Rep. Are you on your way to school?

Alisa: Y-Yes. Come on, Emma. We're going to be late.

Said Alisa as she went ahead without listening to Emma's answer.

Emma: H-Hey! Wait for me, Alisa-san! See you in class.

Then go after Alisa

Rean: (Sighs)

I sigh dropping my arms in front of me

Elliot: I never would have guessed she'd hold a grudge for THAT long. She knows it was an accident, doesn't she? She has to know! I can't believe she's so... sensitive.

Rean: No kidding. She won't even give me a chance to apologize to her. I even asked Nii-san for help because they seem to know each other, but he refused, saying I had to figure it out on my own.

Elliot: Well, as long as you keep trying, I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually... Class VII has enough tension as it is, with both of our... uh... proud warriors at each other's throats. So I think it would be a relief for everyone if you and Alisa could at least reconcile.

Rean: ... I'll certainly do what I can. Well, whatever it is...

I answer Elliot with my eyes closed, then we head to the academy.

Elliot: The last couple of weeks have gone by, haven't they? That's funny. I started thinking that combat practice would be the most important part of the program. I never imagined that the academic side of things would give it a run for its money!

Elliot said to me as he walked along

Rean: Well, "strong in body and mind" is pretty firmly rooted in imperial culture. But I understand what you mean. I figured I'd be able to coast through the year, but I've had to re-evaluate that very quickly. But I feel sorry for my brother having to follow the curriculum and at the same time teach other classes, but he seems to be able to keep up.

Elliot: *sigh* You too, huh? I wish I was as smart as Machias or Yuno or Emma. They don't seem to have a problem at all. But then Emma got the highest score in the entrance exam, right after Yuno, and I bet you anything that Machias wasn't far behind...

Rean: I'm sure. Jusis and Alisa are doing very well too. As are Laura and Gaius.

I answer to Elliot, who stops and turns to me.

Elliot: Really? I just going to have to suck it up, then...Though I hope they don't... mind...

Rean: Huh? I'm not sure I follow.

Elliot: Oh, sorry! You reminded me of Jusis and Laura. I talked to them the same way I talk to everybody else, but... they're both noble, right? And Jusis' family rules the entire eastern side of the empire. So I feel I should address them in a more... formal

Rean: Well, they both said it was fine. Even Nii-san keeps telling us to talk to each other like we're normal people because titles and/or family positions don't matter here. So I wouldn't worry too much. Although you probably shouldn't fight with Jusis every chance you get, as a certain person...

Elliot: Oh, I don't intend to.

Elliot says to me, remembering something

*Flashback of the orientation*

Elliot: I'd hoped they'd get along a little better over time, but if anything, things seem to be spiraling downhill fast on that end. When those two are in the same room and Yuno's not there, there's just this constant tension in the air...

Rean: It's not all Machias either. Jusis seems to take pleasure in provoking him at every opportunity. I can't even imagine what it would take to get them to agree at this point. Nii-san acts as a deterrent, but only when he's present.

Elliot: Yes. I wish there was something we could do to help them?

Then we continue on our way and arrive in front of the lower class dormitory

Elliot: That's where we'd be if we weren't in Class VII. Dormitory number two... for Common folk like us.

Elliot wonders aloud.

Y-yeah, I guess, huh? I'm still a little shocked that Class VII has its dorm. Although to be fair, I think the building was abandoned until this year. Looks like they renovated it just for us.

Elliot: Well, they did a good job. There's a good vibe. I just wish it was a little closer to the academy... 

Elliot says to me when all of a sudden there's an arrogant voice coming from behind us.

???: Hey. You're in our way. Step aside at once.

We turn around to see three boys in white academy uniforms arrive in front of us.

Elliot: Ah...!

??? : Hmph. Class VII, I see.

The leader of the group seems to be watching us

Rean: ...?

Elliot: Is something the matter?

??? : You're just a ragtag bunch of nobodies, aren't you? ... Come on. Let's get out of here.

??? 2: Yes, Patrick!

??? 3: A word of advice. You might be part of a "special" class... but it doesn't change who you are. Never forget your place.

Then they continue on their way to the academy...

Elliot: *sigh* So they're from one of the upper classes... That's why I hate talking to them.

Rean: Unfortunately, that attitude is all too common among the nobles. Thank God Laura and Jusis aren't like that. If Nii-san were with us, I think he would have put them in their place without any remorse.

Elliot: Ahaha. Yeah, it would've ended badly enough for them

Then Elliot looks at the building that's high up...

Elliot: It's the infamous dormitory number one, where all the nobility lives... It's supposed to be super fancy inside, with maids and a butler and everything.

Rean: Wow, really?

I'm thinking when all of a sudden I hear the sound of the academy bell in the distance...

Rean: I guess that's our cue to pick up the pace!

Elliot: Yes. Sorry about that.

And we continue on our way to the academy

Elliot: Oh, hey, have you picked a club to join yet? It doesn't look like you have to, but it's probably a good way to meet people.

Rean: No, I'm still looking. It's hard to decide on one.

// See you next chapter //