Edwin led Owen to his dorm a small, simple room with a single bed and a restroom.
Without a second thought, Owen collapsed onto the bed and drifted into sleep like a bear in winter.
The Next Morning
Sunlight streamed through the window. Owen groggily sat up, stretched, and took a quick shower.
He found a neatly folded uniform in the closet, put it on, and stepped outside.
The corridors buzzed with students, all murmuring about yesterday's events. As Owen walked past, he could feel their eyes on him.
Suddenly, a small tree in front of him shook its leaves and spoke—its voice echoing in the hallway.
"Freshmen, please assemble in the main hall."
Owen froze, blinking in surprise "A… talking tree?"
Shaking his head, he continued walking, following the signs that read "Freshman Welcome Ceremony."
Inside, the main hall was packed. Students crowded together, whispering in anticipation.
The Headmaster stepped onto the stage, his deep voice cutting through the noise.
"Welcome, students. I'm glad to see such energy—before it's too late." His cryptic words sent a chill through the room.
With a wave of his hand, a floating orb appeared in front of the students.
"This ball will determine your class ranking," he announced. "Infuse it with your mana or aura."
The students stepped forward one by one, placing their hands on the orb.
Some couldn't activate it at all were disqualified.
Some made it glow faintly were average Class.
A few held the glow longer wereElite Class.
Owen watched closely as the blonde-haired noble from yesterday stepped forward.
"You commoner," the blonde sneered, looking at Owen. "You really think you can qualify?"
He smirked and placed his hand on the orb.
A bright glow pulsed, and the teachers nodded approvingly.
"Elite Class," the instructors confirmed.
The blonde turned back to Owen, grinning. "See? Now, watch and fail."
Owen placed his hand on the orb.
Nothing happened.
The instructors whispered among themselves, watching closely.
Owen clenched his fists. Come on… light up!
Closing his eyes, he muttered under his breath, "Please… just light up!"
At that moment, the orb suddenly flared to life shining brighter than anyone had ever seen.
Gasps filled the room. Even the Headmaster's eyes widened.
But then, just as suddenly, the orb turned pitch black.
The hall fell into stunned silence.
The professors exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring amongst themselves.
"That's impossible…"
"There are only myths about this…"
"Could he have used a relic?"
Suspicious, the teachers immediately checked him for artifacts.
And there was nothing.
The Headmaster stepped in, his deep voice cutting through the chaos.
"Enough," he declared. "Now, I will announce your classes and room teachers."
Names were called, students assigned to their respective average or elite classes.
When Owen's name was mentioned, it was different.
"The students under Professor Edwin are..."
Three names were listed then a pause.
"Owen Greyson"
but his class remains unannounced.
The blonde burst into laughter.
"I told you, commoner! You failed!" he sneered. "You weren't even assigned to a proper class and just to a teacher!"
The Headmaster raised a hand, silencing the hall.
Then, with a serious expression, he spoke:
"The class of Owen Greyson… a class once believed to be a mere legend… has now become a reality."
A heavy silence filled the room.
"His class is…"
Everyone leaned in, eager to hear the answer.
"...Special Class."
A wave of shock rippled through the students.
"Special Class? But… that doesn't exist!"
"No one's ever been in that class before!"
The Headmaster ended the ceremony, leaving everyone buzzing with confusion.
Back in his dorm, Owen lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Today… was insane."
He gripped the pendant around his neck.
"Mom… Dad… Who were you guys?"
With that thought lingering in his mind, he slowly drifted into sleep.