Kassandra was sitting through a lecture on the theory of magical combat against the undead when the professor suddenly fell silent and shifted his gaze toward his staff, which had begun to glow.
Lifting it, he listened in silence to someone’s voice for several moments, occasionally giving short nods.
When the message ended, he thoughtfully swept his gaze across the classroom before stopping on Kassandra.
“Stufon Kassandra, proceed to the reception hall.
A new stufon is waiting there and must be escorted to the swordsmen’s wing.
You will receive fifty units of academy currency for completing this task.” Kassandra looked at the professor.
She had been about to refuse, but the mention of fifty units of currency noticeably cooled her desire to argue.
“Fine.
He’s in the reception hall, correct?
And when do I receive the currency?
After I escort him there, or can I collect it immediately?” Within the Academy, currency meant everything.
Professors frequently assigned stufons dangerous or time-consuming tasks and paid them accordingly.
“He is in the reception hall.
You may collect your payment from the professor in the swordsmen’s wing.
They have already been informed about you.
Once you finish, return here immediately.” The professor watched as Kassandra headed toward the exit, while the other stufons followed her with amused smirks and knowing looks.
Kassandra simply nodded and left the classroom.
The lecture itself was optional for her.
For members of her race, fighting undead was little different from a child’s game.
As a dark elf, she had inherited both the gift and the curse of her people: the command of dark magic that had given rise to countless undead and restless spirits throughout history.
As she walked through the Academy, she passed groups of stufons hurrying to lessons or returning from them.
When she reached the reception hall, she knocked and entered after receiving permission.
A young man was already waiting inside.
He sat quietly in an armchair near the wall, dressed entirely in black.
White hair framed a face marked by sadness and quiet resignation.
Somewhere deep inside, Kassandra mentally cursed the professor for choosing her specifically.
She knew far too well how humans usually reacted to dark elves.
Light and dark elves differed not only in the nature of their magic, but also in appearance and culture.
While light elves preferred more restrained clothing in pale colors, dark elves often wore attire that emphasized their figures, which inevitably attracted certain kinds of attention from human men.
“Kassandra, this is stufon Trey.
Please escort him to the swordsmen’s wing, then return to your classroom.” The light elf woman’s voice was as cold as ever.
The hostility between light and dark elves had existed since ancient times.
Officially, those conflicts belonged to the past.
In reality, not everyone had forgotten.
“Yes, I know.
The professor already informed me.
Come on, Trey.
I’ll take you to your wing.” She waited for him to rise.
Trey stood, picked up his travel bag along with the Academy rules and map, then turned toward the elf woman.
“Thank you for your assistance.
Farewell.” His voice was calm and polite.
Opening the door, he stepped aside and held it open for Kassandra.
She clicked her tongue in annoyance and silently walked through.
Trey followed behind her, curiously observing everything around him.
His gaze moved from the paintings to the corridors and passing stufons, absorbing every detail of the unfamiliar world around him.
Many students watched them with visible surprise.
A dark elf and a human walking together.
Kassandra could almost hear the question forming in their minds.
Had the red moon risen this morning?
Irritated, she quickened her pace.
A moment later, she glanced back and discovered that Trey was still calmly following, showing no sign of matching her speed.
For some reason, that irritated her even more.
“Trey, can you walk faster?
We’re not out for a stroll.” Trey looked at her, let out a quiet sigh, then silently increased his pace.
Yet the farther they walked, the more attention they attracted.
Frowning slightly, Trey examined himself as though trying to determine whether something about his appearance was unusual.
Finding nothing, he eventually turned toward Kassandra.
“Why are they looking at us like that?” He glanced around again, unintentionally drawing even more attention to them.
“Because of you,” Kassandra replied irritably.
“A human and a dark elf walking together look about as natural as water and fire.
Besides, humans tend to look at dark elf women in a very particular way.” Trey raised an eyebrow.
For a moment, it seemed as though he wanted to say something.
Instead, he merely shrugged and ignored the stares.
Meanwhile, Kassandra found herself growing increasingly uncomfortable.
Her only small comfort was that this human was not staring at her the way so many others had before.
She understood that he was simply overwhelmed by the Academy and the sheer number of unfamiliar faces around him.
Sooner or later, however, he would probably become just like everyone else.
When she finally noticed the corridor they needed, Kassandra visibly brightened.
At the end stood a massive door bearing the inscription: Swordsmen’s Wing.
Beside it waited a professor.
As they approached, Kassandra noticed him raise an eyebrow in mild surprise, but she chose to ignore it.
Stopping before him, she gave a short bow.
“Professor, I have escorted Trey from the reception hall.
I must now return to my classroom.
Please transfer the promised fifty units of currency.” The professor nodded, withdrew his staff, and brought it toward the medallion hanging around her neck.
“Transfer fifty units of currency to stufon Kassandra.” A soft beam of light shot from the staff and disappeared into the medallion.
Once the transfer was complete, Kassandra cast one final glance toward Trey and the professor.
“Farewell, Professor.
Goodbye, Trey.” She offered a brief bow before turning toward the exit.
Just as she disappeared around the corner, a calm voice reached her from behind.
“Thank you.” For some reason, she slowed for a moment.
Then, without turning around, Kassandra continued walking.
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