Damien stood in a long hallway within one of the academy's buildings.

The hallway was breathtakingly beautiful, the floor made up of polished white marble, so smooth it reflected the soft golden light from the ornate lamps hanging along the walls.

Elegant patterns of gold and blue lined the edges of the floor, matching the colors of the banners hanging from the high ceiling.

Each banner bore the same crest he had seen earlier—the dragon coiled around the sword—embroidered in glistening silver thread.

The air carried the faint scent of incense, and the atmosphere itself felt calm, dignified, and strangely luxurious.

There were numerous doors along each side of the hallway, each bearing a small golden plaque.

Damien stood before one such door, his gaze calm and observant.

By his side stood a tall man with short, graying hair and a serious expression.

The man was dressed in a strange long-sleeved shirt with elaborate cuffs and a black pair of trousers that seemed a little out of place compared to the academy's usual uniformed formality.

Still, Damien didn't comment on it.

The man's sharp eyes swept over Damien from head to toe before he finally spoke, his tone slightly uncertain.

"What did you say your name was again?" he asked, his brows furrowing faintly.

"Damien Cross," Damien replied.

The man's frown deepened slightly, his expression shifting as he muttered, almost to himself, "Cross… I don't know a noble house called Cross."

He was, in fact, an instructor at Evergreen Spire Academy—one of the academy's long-serving lecturers responsible for welcoming and assessing new students of the elite division.

When he had first noticed the golden card with Damien, he was surprised.

Curious, he had offered to guide Damien personally, intending to understand who exactly this unfamiliar name belonged to.

But now, standing face-to-face with the calm young man before him, the instructor's confusion only deepened.

Damien's lips curved slightly, a faint, knowing smirk brushing his expression as he spoke casually, "Ohh…"

He raised his hand, flashing the golden card directly before the man's eyes.

"You're wondering why I have this, right?" he said, his tone calm but confident.

The man blinked, his brows furrowing even further.

He hesitated, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as his mind began to race.

'If he's not from a noble house… then… it couldn't be…'

Before the thought could fully form in his mind, Damien's voice cut through his silence smoothly.

"It's because of my class," he said, his tone almost casual. "I awakened a unique class."

The man froze.

His eyes widened sharply, and he instinctively took half a step backward as if the words themselves carried weight.

"A… u-unique class?" he stuttered, his composure slipping for a brief moment.

Damien gave a small nod, his calm gaze never leaving the man.

The instructor stood still for a heartbeat longer before quickly recollecting himself. He cleared his throat and straightened his posture, the faint trace of surprise on his face melting into something more respectful.

"That… explains everything," he said quietly, his voice steadier now, though his eyes still carried a glint of awe.

Without another word, he turned around and began walking down the hallway, his long steps echoing softly against the polished floor.

Damien watched him go until he turned a corner and disappeared from view.

For a moment, the hallway was silent again.

He turned back toward the door before him. The golden trim along its edges glimmered faintly, and a small rectangular slot was visible near the handle.

He stared at it for a few seconds, his calm expression returning, before he inserted his golden card into the slot.

A soft click immediately echoed, followed by a faint ripple of light that shimmered across the surface of the door.

And then, the door finally opened.

What awaited him beyond made his eyes widen slightly.

The room before him was large—far larger than he had expected—and beautifully decorated.

As he stepped inside, he took in the details with quiet astonishment.

"Wow…" he muttered, his gaze slowly sweeping from one end of the room to the other.

The space was easily two times larger than the entire living room back at his own house.

On the left side of the room stood a large bed with deep blue sheets, its frame polished to a dark wooden shine.

The mattress looked thick and soft, practically inviting him to sink into it.

The floor beneath him was smooth, its surface polished to the point that it reflected the light from the crystalline lamp hanging above.

To the right, a tall, ornate mirror stood beside a small dresser.

The frame of the mirror was silver and intricately carved with patterns of spiraling dragons and swords—matching the academy's crest.

A small desk sat near the far corner of the room, paired with a cushioned chair, both of which looked hand-crafted and finely maintained.

Every corner of the room exuded refinement and luxury, from the subtle scent of lavender that hung in the air to the luxurious bed.

Damien let out a soft sigh, a slight smirk curling his lips.

'Such a fancy room…' he thought, his eyes drifting along the walls. 'So this is one of the benefits that comes with being an elite student.'

He walked farther inside, his boots tapping softly against the smooth floor as his gaze shifted toward the two other doors at the far end of the room.

His eyes narrowed faintly as he stared at them, and a complicated expression appeared on his face.

Damien lingered in the middle of the room for a few more seconds, quietly taking in the elegant décor one last time.

Then, with a low exhale, he turned around and walked back toward the door.

He reached for the handle, pushed the door open, and stepped out into the hallway once more.

The moment he was outside, the door shut behind him with a quiet click, sealing the room.

He stretched his shoulders lightly, turning his head to the side, only to find someone there.

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