I woke up in the morning and headed to the bathroom.
After taking a shower, I stood in front of the mirror for a moment before looking around the luxurious room.
Even now, it was difficult to believe that I was actually living in a place like this.
Not long ago, I couldn’t even have imagined stepping into a room this luxurious.
A cold light appeared in my eyes.
From now on...
I’ll get everything I can.
No matter what it costs.
I wasn’t going back to the life I had before.
I put on my academy uniform and left my room.
After following the signs for a while, I eventually found my way toward the main hall.
A massive display board covered one of the walls.
It contained the class assignments and the names of the students selected for each class.
I looked over the list.
Then, with my great intelligence, I carefully examined it.
Unfortunately...
I didn’t even get the chance to show off my incredible intelligence.
My name was the second name on the list.
Class 1-A.
I stared at it for a moment.
"Well... that was easy."
I followed the directions toward Class 1-A.
When I reached the classroom, I opened the door and stepped inside.
The first thing I noticed was the number of nobles.
There were quite a few of them.
Several immediately looked in my direction.
I ignored them.
Then I spotted someone familiar.
Nyx was sitting in the middle row.
Perfect.
I walked straight toward her.
Before she even had time to say anything, I pulled out the seat beside her and sat down.
Nyx slowly turned her head toward me.
Her eyes twitched.
I looked at her innocently.
"What?"
Then I smiled.
"Have you never seen a handsome man before?"
"Don’t stare too much."
"I’m shy."
If she had been drinking something at that moment, she probably would’ve spat it out.
She stared at me in complete shock and disbelief.
Then she slowly closed her eyes.
"Do you not have even a little bit of shame?"
I spread my hands.
"Me? Having shame?"
"You must be imagining things."
"I don’t even know the meaning of the word."
Nyx opened her mouth.
Then closed it again.
Whatever she had been about to say seemed to have completely disappeared from her mind.
She simply turned toward the front of the classroom.
I grinned.
This is way more fun than I expected.
After a moment, I leaned toward her.
"So, partner..."
"Why do you look angry?"
"Did I do something wrong?"
Nyx turned toward me.
She looked completely speechless.
I could practically see the words running through her mind.
Partner.
Did something wrong?
He does everything wrong.
She clearly wanted to say yes.
But then she seemed to realize something.
She was the one who had insisted on becoming my partner.
Somehow, she’d gotten herself into this situation.
After a moment, she sighed.
"Please be serious when the teacher arrives."
"Don’t act like this is a joke."
Her voice became quieter.
"This is all I have."
The faint crack in her voice immediately caught my attention.
My smile disappeared.
I leaned closer and spoke seriously.
"I’m sorry."
"I didn’t realize."
"But don’t worry."
"I only act like this because..."
I paused.
"I don’t have much either."
"I just like making a joke or two when things become boring."
"If it bothers you, I’ll stop."
My voice was completely serious.
Nyx stared at me.
I could imagine how hard she had worked to reach this place.
She had reached first place in the entrance examination.
She had lost her family and everything they had.
Yet she still managed to stand here.
I wasn’t foolish enough to think that my suffering somehow made her efforts meaningless.
That would be complete bullshit.
If I mocked her dedication after knowing what she’d gone through...
Then I’d be no different from the scum I hated.
Nyx remained silent for several seconds.
She seemed completely caught off guard by my sudden change in attitude.
Then she spoke softly.
"I don’t mind you joking around when we’re alone."
"But please don’t do it in the classroom."
"If we mess up here..."
She looked toward the front of the room.
"We don’t have anywhere to fall."
I nodded.
"Understood."
I leaned back in my seat.
"Then I’ll behave."
Nyx gave me a suspicious look.
"Really?"
I smiled.
"For at least the first five minutes."
Her eyes twitched again.
I quickly added,
"I’m joking."
She sighed.
"You’re hopeless."
I quietly chuckled.
Then we waited.
A few minutes later, the classroom door opened.
A woman stepped inside.
The entire room gradually became quiet.
She walked toward the center of the classroom.
She had long blood-red hair and blood-red eyes.
Her appearance was mature and elegant, but there was something intimidating about her presence.
She stopped at the front of the room and looked across the class.
Then she spoke.
"Good morning."
Her voice immediately silenced the remaining whispers.
"My name is Selena cross"
She paused.
Her crimson eyes swept across the classroom.
"And I will be your homeroom teacher this year."
I sat up slightly.
So...
This was our first teacher at the Celestial Academy.
And judging from her aura...
She definitely wasn’t ordinary.
She looked across the entire classroom.
Not a single student dared to make a sound.
Even the nobles who had been whispering earlier remained completely silent.
She nodded with satisfaction before continuing.
"I’m going to teach you mana control."
"As for the other subjects, we have teachers who specialize in each field."
She turned toward the board and continued explaining.
"You are required to take at least four classes."
"As for additional classes, you may take as many as you want."
She paused.
"But remember."
"Every additional class costs merit points."
A few students immediately exchanged looks.
The teacher continued.
"If you want special one-on-one instruction, that can also be arranged."
"Of course..."
Her eyes swept across the classroom.
"That will also cost merit."
I listened carefully.
So merit wasn’t just some meaningless academy currency.
It was going to determine how many resources we could actually access.
"Basically, almost everything within the academy costs merit points."
"Your basic necessities are provided."
"Standard meals are free."
"Your required four classes are free."
"But anything beyond that..."
She raised one finger.
"You pay."
"Training rooms require merit."
"Additional classes require merit."
"Private instruction requires merit."
"Specialized resources require merit."
She paused before adding,
"However, the top ten students have certain privileges."
"Their rank grants them access to some facilities without spending merit points."
My eyes narrowed slightly.
So the ranking wasn’t simply for prestige.
It directly affected how many resources we could access.
The teacher continued.
"That privilege can be lost."
"If your rank falls below the top ten, you will lose those benefits."
She looked around the room.
"So don’t become comfortable simply because you’ve entered Class 1-A."
"Your position is temporary."
"If you want to keep it..."
"Earn it."
I leaned back in my chair.
So that’s how the academy works.
The stronger you were...
The more resources you received.
And the more resources you received...
The easier it became to become stronger.
A rather vicious cycle.
But I didn’t hate it.
Actually...
I liked it.
Because for the first time in my life, I had access to a system where my strength could determine my future.
No family.
No inheritance.
No connections.
Just strength.
I glanced at Nyx.
She was listening carefully.
Then I looked toward the teacher again.
If I wanted to become stronger...
I’d have to make sure my merit points never became a problem.
And if possible...
I’d keep my position in the top ten.
After all—
Why would I give up free resources when I could simply earn the right to use them?