The elevator humd softly as it descended, each passing floor marked by a quiet chi. When the doors finally slid open, a rush of cool air hit , the scent of mana, tal, and morning dew mixing together.
I stepped out into the lobby of the Aetherium’s first floor, the polished black marble gleaming under the crystal lights. The faint hum of energy ran through the walls. This place was practically alive, pulsing with the mana of the formations layered within its structure.
Adjusting the coat draped over my shoulder, I made my way toward the eastern exit. The Aetherium was massive, practically a city of its own, so getting anywhere took ti. I passed by towering pillars carved with runic symbols, the air dense with power and history.
It took nearly ten minutes of steady walking to reach the edge of the Aetherium’s bounds. The mont I stepped past its obsidian gates, the scenery began to shift, the smooth black and gold architecture giving way to the sprawling white-and-gray stone of the Academy Wing.
The domain of the academy stretched out before like a maze of prestige and chaos. Wide cobblestone paths split off in every direction, lined with blooming mana-infused trees that shimred faintly blue under the sunlight.
Dozens of buildings surrounded , each one dedicated to a different departnt. So were marked with intricate banners displaying their specialties: Alchemy Departnt, Combat Magic, Spirit Taming, Tactical Strategy.
Students moved everywhere, each wearing the academy’s standard black uniform with different-colored trims that indicated their year and specialization.
I could tell who was here for the entrance exam — they were the ones looking around like lost puppies, and who wasn’t, judging by the calm, confident stride of the upper years.
I noticed a stream of second-year students moving toward the central plaza, where a massive do-shaped building rose above everything else. The white do was laced with faint runic patterns, each one pulsing gently with mana.
The auditorium.
I exhaled slowly, tightening my grip on my coat’s collar. "So this is it, huh?" I muttered under my breath.
Sowhere deep inside, Sacha’s voice chid in, curious and faintly excited. Papa’s school?
"Yeah," I said with a small smile. "Papa’s school."
Her purr echoed in my mind, a sound warm enough to almost drown out the nervous buzz beneath my calm.
The start of sothing new.
And probably, the beginning of a lot of chaos.
’Papa...’ Sacha’s voice echoed softly in my mind, light and lodic, like the whisper of a breeze. ’Sacha wants to see Papa’s school. With Sacha’s own eyes. Can Sacha co out? Please?’
I slowed my pace, glancing around to make sure no one was paying too much attention. ’You want to see it, huh?" I sent back through our ntal connection. "Alright. Just stay close.’
’Yay! Sacha loves Papa!’
Before I could respond, a faint blue shimr flickered before . The air rippled like water disturbed by a pebble, and then she appeared, materializing from my soul with barely a sound.
The glow was so subtle it almost went unnoticed, her form settling gracefully into existence.
The little Thanatiger landed softly in my arms, her fur pristine white with thin blue streaks running down her sides, like veins of frost. Her eyes glead like polished sapphires, curious and bright as they darted around.
"Welco to the academy," I whispered, a smile tugging at my lips.
She purred quietly, pressing her forehead against my chest. ’It slls like mana and too many humans,’ she said, wrinkling her tiny nose. ’But Sacha likes it. It feels... big. Alive.’
"Yeah," I chuckled. "That’s one way to put it."
Sacha tilted her head up toward , her tail flicking lazily. ’Papa, Sacha wants to sit up there.’
’Up where?’
’There.’ She pointed—well, as much as a tiger the size of a housecat could—toward the top of my head.
I sighed, amused. ’You’re getting spoiled already.’
Still, I lifted her carefully and placed her on my head. She balanced herself perfectly, her tiny claws brushing lightly against my hair for stability.
We started walking again through the wide cobblestone path, surrounded by the murmurs of students. It didn’t take long before I began to feel it, the stares. Curious glances, surprised whispers, a few outright gawks.
I could practically hear the thoughts running through their heads.A spirit? Already?
That’s not a normal species... what is that thing?
Isn’t he here to take the entrance exam?
Wait, I have seen him before, he’s the student of Vice Principal Belle.
Sacha’s tail flicked once, clearly noticing the attention. {Papa, why is everyone looking at Sacha like that?}
I smirked. ’Because we’re aweso,’ I said simply. ’And good-looking.’
’Hehe... Sacha agrees. Papa’s very handso. And Sacha is the prettiest.’
’Exactly,’ I said, lips curling into a grin. ’They’re just jealous.’
’Then Sacha forgives them,’ she declared proudly. ’Not everyone can be this amazing.’
I chuckled, shaking my head slightly as we continued toward the auditorium, earning a few more confused looks from the crowd. Let them stare.
If they couldn’t handle one man and his talking tiger, they were in for a very long year.
I was halfway down the east courtyard, minding my own business, when I heard soone yell behind .
"Wait—wait! Are you Sebastian Nekros?"
I turned, half expecting another random noble brat looking to pick a fight. Instead, a girl ca running toward , waving her arms like a lost pigeon. She had short auburn hair, bright green eyes, and the kind of nervous energy that made instantly tired.
"Uh... yeah?" I said slowly. "That’s ."
Her face lit up like she’d just seen God. "I knew it! I’m such a big fan!"
{Oh no,} Bastard muttered in my head. {You’ve got a worshipper. Hide the ego before it ascends.}
’Too late,’ I thought back with a grin.
The girl bead at , hands clasped. "I follow your Ashtagram! I’m @QueenOfSpite!"
I blinked. Recognition hit imdiately. That na... right, she was the one who comnted on my post after I humiliated Prince Onecent, sothing about being "too handso to be real."
I smirked. "Oh, you’re that QueenOfSpite."
Her face turned bright red. "Y-yeah... you actually rember that?"
"I rember complints," I said matter-of-factly. "They fuel ."
{Truer words were never spoken,} Bastard said dryly. {Ego: sustainable energy source.}
She giggled nervously, holding out a shirt.
"Could you maybe sign this? I, um, collect autographs from people I admire."
"People you admire," I repeated, grinning. "So I’m, what, top three?"
She hesitated. "Top one."
"That’s better," I said, pulling a pen from thin air with a little flourish. I signed it dramatically, looping the ’Nekros’ like I was etching it into history itself.
Sacha shifted on my head, tail flicking lazily. ’Papa, this one slls nice. Can Sacha keep her?’
"No," I muttered under my breath.
The girl blinked. "Sorry?"
"Nothing," I said quickly.
{This is great,} Bastard chuckled. {First week of fa and you’re already hearing voices while signing autographs. Definitely normal.}
When I handed the shirt back, the girl hesitated, her eyes flicking to Sacha. "Um... could I maybe... pet her?"
Sacha puffed her chest, lifting her chin proudly. ’Sacha says yes. She seems like a good girl. Sacha will allow her touch. She should be grateful.’
I smiled. "She says yes and that you should be grateful."
The girl giggled and reached up, gently stroking Sacha’s fur. "She’s so soft..."
Sacha’s tail twitched. ’Of course I am. Sacha is beautiful. Papa is lucky to have Sacha.’
{She’s got your humility,} Bastard said. {Truly a family of saints.}
The girl stepped back after a mont, her eyes still wide. "Thank you! She’s adorable. And you’re... wow... you’re even cooler in person."
As she walked away, I caught her whispering to herself, "He’s so cool," before letting out a tiny squeal that echoed down the street.
I smirked, sliding my hands into my coat pockets as I walked on. "Well," I murmured, "I fard a good amount of aura for the day."
{If this keeps up, you’ll need sunglasses for your ego,} Bastard sighed.
’You’re just jealous,’ I shot back.
Sacha purred from her perch. ’Papa’s fans are funny. Sacha likes them. Papa is famous now!’
"Yeah," I said with a chuckle, brushing a hand through her hair. "Guess I am."
{Congratulations, celebrity,} Bastard said, tone flat. {Maybe next ti you’ll sign an autograph after making it through the entrance exam.}
I grinned. "Where’s the fun in that?"
With Sacha perched like a tiny empress on my head, tail flicking like she owned the place, I kept walking through the crowd of gawking students, the grin still lingering on my lips.
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