In one of the academy''s many courtyards, a set of large obsidian-like obelisks of marble were situated in one neat line around the area''s perimeter. Their towering forms loomed ominously over the many first-year students, almost squandering the lots'' confidence with their imposing presence.


    "Alright, you lot. Each of these Orionstones has been designed to test different aspects of your capabilities. From your strongest single strike, attack speed, resilience to attacks and recoil from your own, and so on." Vestro explained as he jabbed the pummel of the bronze echelon into the Orionstone beside him. From the impact, the Orionstone shimmered as the sunlight filtered through it and formed into a grey [342] with a bronze outline.


    "You may also try each of the tests as many times as you wish and at your leisure, during the duration of the first two school periods, and working together isn''t prohibited as long as you note any buffs and the sort on your scores when submitting them," Vestro added before turning towards the nearest archway into the academy building.


    "Aren''t you going to stay, Sir?" a female first-year student asked, filled with mild concern that the elf had been angered by one of them.


    "There''s something that requires my attention, but I shan''t be too long," Vestro explained sternly before swiftly departing for the academy''s library.


    "I hope he means in human time and not elven," a fellow student grumbled. The other students murmured in agreement, as some mentioned that their older sibling''s classes were sent back to being first years after they messed up a test when the guy disappeared for a month straight.


    A little while later.


    The sound of endeared snickers fluttered through the courtyard, the harmless comments of his fellow first-year students striking at Omasukou''s nerves like a set of ice-coated knives. His face was flush like a tomato, wishing nothing more than to rip his hand away from Kousako''s delicate palm. But, the thought of committing to the action sent a tremor of terror through the guy as he sensed something he could only describe along the lines of murderous intent erupt from Kousako.


    "What is with you, it''s like every fibre and bone in my body is telling me I''m in danger," Omasukou whispered to Kousako. Kousako remained as still as a statue, not making even a sound with the only sound being the faint sizzle from the air boiling around their body.


    "Hmm, Kousako thinks Oma is just more perceptive than others," Kousako stated solemnly whilst they watched the other students doing the various practical Echelon tests with underlying interest.


    "Great... she... he... they? Forget it. Kousako has given me a nickname already, "Omasuko murmured begrudgingly, feeling utterly conflicted about whether to be mad at or just accept the nickname. However, as quickly as he resigned himself to his fate, a striking thought occurred to him on the matter of Kousako''s nickname.


    "Wait... did they call me a grandmother?". Before he could fully consider if the nickname was intentional or not, Atlasuo strolled his way over to the guy with amusement in his demeanour and a cheeky grin on his face.


    "Bro I just gotta ask... why are you holding their hand?" Atlasuo asked cheekily while resting an arm on Omasukou''s shoulders. Omasukou gritted his teeth at the cheeky question, his cheeks faintly reddening further at his friend''s insinuation. His complexion only got worse with the dumb grin his friend was sporting on his face which he knew Atlasuo was doing to tease him.


    "Do you think I''d be doing this because I wanted to, Suo?" Omasukou grumbled in response while slumping his shoulder and making his friend lose his balance before falling onto the grassy ground face first.


    "Yeah, I deserved that," Atlasuo remarked with a chuckle as he staggered back to his feet. Flicking his black locks out of his face, Atlasuo turned his focus to Kousako with a smile on his face before asking, "Say... so what''s your name?"


    "Kousako," Kousako stated bluntly, causing Omasukou''s hand to shiver from the short burst of cold emanating from Kousako''s body.


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    "Ah, noted," Atlasuo uttered nervously as he slowly raised a hand to the top of his head, wincing as he rubbed where he bumped his head.


    "Masu, let''s do the test thing," Kousako mumbled as they waddled towards the closest Orionstone, dragging a reluctant Omasukou behind them with ease. Even if he wanted to, the guy could tell just by the firmness of Kousako''s grip alone that he didn''t have a say in whether he was doing the test or not. But, while being tugged along, he realised Kousako had altered the nickname they gave him, which left him with more questions as he was concerned about the possibility that Kousako could read his mind.


    Meanwhile, in the academy''s library, walls upon walls of finely maintained books filled every bookshelf and cabinet of the grand Victorian-cathedral-styled library which spanned the area of a city block. The nostalgic smell of old books hung in the air, instilling a sense of connection to the ancient knowledge within their pages to all those who entered the space. Students from various years and clubs populated the library''s many sections, their barely audible mutters never breaking past a whisper as many of them earnestly worked on their research and theses.


    "Say that was the Sovereign of Elves that just walked past right? I wonder if he''s free right now," a female brunette second student asked amusedly, imagining all the interesting research topics she could ask the guy. The girl beside the wishful girl couldn''t help but cast a concerned side-eyed to her seemingly dimwitted friend. Her eyes rolled a full circle while she herself let out a tempered sigh of acceptance.


    "It''s almost admirable how... air-headed you can be," the freckle-faced third-year student remarked, her eyes filled with mild endearment as she lightly pinched the second-year''s cheek and got a sheepish eep out of her.


    "Whaz hat s-post to mean?" the second year mumbled out, her words jumbled by her friend pulling at her cheek.


    "How can you have been here for a year and still don''t know any of the academy''s unspoken rules?" the freckled third-year asked, followed by an exhausted whimper while pulling her friend''s face from side to side. With yet another sign, the third year added, "When the Sovereign of Elfs is in the library, that''s basically the same as someone setting their phone to do not disturb only with dire consequences for ignoring it without a good reason."


    Inside the restricted section of the library, Vestro stood upon a circular balcony, lacking a guard rail, that led from the chamber''s entrance. Strolling to the central glowing ring of the balcony, the guy took in his surroundings; the endless shelves of books packed so tightly together it made it seem the room''s walls were the books themselves. Whether it was up or down, the circular chamber of the library''s restricted section seemed to go on endlessly. The upward direction contained a heavenly illumination while the way down contained an all-consuming mist of darkness from which nothing could consider escaping from its clutches.


    "Careful now, big sis would be very mad at you if she found out you were in here without her permission, Mr Elf Boy," a condescending child-esc voice uttered from above, drawing Vestro''s attention upward and onto the featureless construct of light in the shape of a child hovering above him.


    "Then I suppose both of us will be in trouble if you snitch," Vestro stated calmly. He reached up a hand to grab the construct by the ankle before gently dragging her down to his eye level with her giggling the whole way down.


    "Oh-ho, something must have piqued your interest for you to be bantering with little ol'' me~," the light construct announced, utterly delighted that the stoic Vestro was talking to her for a change. She quickly huddled up near the elf''s head, eliciting a ticked-off groan of annoyance from the guy at her proximity to him. A hand of radiant golden energy formed behind the light construct before pinching her in the back of the neck. The being shiek from shock at the sudden pain, forcing her illusionary magic to wobble and waver before ultimately fizzling out and revealing the goofily large dark ocean blue witch hat atop the construct''s head.


    "Just find me the Cursed Echelon Glossary, Shodohoyuu," Vestro ordered as he released his grip on the girl, causing the crinkles in the witch hat to straighten out. Freed from the pain, the corners of Shodohoyuu''s hat curled upwards into the visage of a wicked smile as the girl let out a witchy cackle.


    "If you''re asking for that, I take it you found them then. That scroll I gave you must''ve come in handy~," Shodohoyuu mouthed with a sultry tone. The shift in the girl''s tone caused Vestro to break eye contact with her, anticipating her impending demand. As she fluttered around the elf, Shodohoyuu brushed her light-based fingers against the elf''s ear, tentatively running the back of her hand across the ear in hopes of breaking the guy''s resolve.


    "Just come out with it," Vestro uttered unamusedly while using his energy hand to flick the grin out of the girl.


    "Don''t you think I deserve a reward for my assistance?" Shodohoyuu pleaded flirtily while drumming her fingers against the guy''s ears, eagerly awaiting his recourse like a child surrounded by birthday presents.


    "The book first.". Shodohoyuu squealed with glee, kicking her feet through the air before swan-diving off the platform and diving down to the chamber''s depths. Although not showing it, Vestro groaned defeatedly, utterly dreading the looks he''d get for the next few days because of Shodohoyuu.