The first day began at Zephyrus Academy. The most prestigious academy in the world, where only a hundred new students are accepted from thousands of applicants. This is where future legends gather — young fighters, talented mages, and chosen children from all over the kingdom.
Damian Kade, one of them, should have felt nervous or proud. But that morning, he was the center of attention. Not because of his strength. Not because of his third place in the entrance exam. But because of one very simple thing. Liam.
"MASTER DAMIAN! BE CAREFUL WHEN GOING UP THE STAIRS! DON'T TRIP!"
Liam's voice echoed in front of the academy gate. He jogged while carrying a school folder, a bottle of water, and two snacks that he said could help "regenerate stamina at the start of the day."
The Zephyrus Academy uniform was neatly attached to his body, but the way he walked was completely different from the other students. Liam moved like a professional bodyguard — his eyes swept the left and right areas, his steps were alert, and he occasionally bowed towards Damian, as if he was guarding a member of royalty.
Damian, who was walking beside him, could only whisper softly, trying to maintain his authority,
"Liam… please. We're too conspicuous."
Without changing his expression, Liam immediately answered, "Master Damian. I'll move two steps to the right and reduce the intensity of my gaze."
Damian covered his face for a moment. "That's not what I meant…"
They arrived at the first-year dormitory area — a clean, grand building with solid old stone walls.
The doors were made of dark wood with neat carvings, and each room was occupied by two students.
Damian walked down the hallway, then stopped in front of one of the doors. He read the small writing that was stuck there.
Room 1-C: Damian Kade & Liam Ashveil
Damian stared at the nameplate for a few seconds.
"...Sharing?" he asked softly, half confused, half resigned.
Liam nodded casually beside him.
"I've been requesting a shared room for two months."
Damian turned his head quickly. "Liam... the graduation announcements only came out two weeks ago."
"I believe you'll be accepted," Liam replied seriously. "And I also believe you need a consistent sleep schedule."
Damian stared at Liam for a long moment. "...I'm afraid you really do know the future."
Their room turned out to be more comfortable than Damian had imagined. Two clean beds, a bookshelf, and a large window that faced the academy's central garden.
In the corner of the room, there is a study table and a wardrobe.
Damian nodded in satisfaction until he finally opened his personal wardrobe.
Inside, a letter was neatly pasted.
"Master Damian's Personal Schedule Today"
07.00 – Wake up
07.10 – Drink water at optimal temperature
07.15 – Light exercise (stamina level 1–2)
08.00 – Go to class
08.05 – Sit in the second right-hand seat (best angle for light to enter)
10.00 – Do not talk to suspicious students
12.00 – Have lunch with me
12.01 – If you refuse, I will still sit next to you
– Your personal assistant, Liam Ashveil
Damian stared at the letter for a few seconds before muttering, "…Liam."
From the other side of the room, Liam's voice immediately answered, "Yes?"
Damian took a deep breath. "I'm… afraid to open another cupboard."
At eight in the morning, Damian and Liam entered classroom 1-B.
The room was simple but neat. The walls were made of light gray stone, with a large window on one side that let the morning light into the room. Rows of sturdy wooden desks were arranged in a straight line, looking well-used but still well-maintained.
In front of it, a large black chalkboard was mounted on the wall, with white chalk neatly arranged beside it. There were no fancy decorations or intricate carvings—everything was functional, not overdone.
Damian sat in the middle of the class, and as usual, Liam sat right next to him. Even though the lesson had not started yet, Liam's face was already serious and focused.
Whispers began to be heard from several other students.
"Is that Damian Kade?"
"Ranked 3rd in the entrance exam."
"He looks really calm. Our class has stars."
Damian lowered his head slowly, wanting to refute.
"How calm? I just found out that someone else has arranged my lunch schedule!" he thought to himself.
But he said nothing. Because when he glanced to the side... Liam had already prepared a pen, a notebook, and—for some reason—a spare snack.
He said it was in case Damian got hungry in the middle of class.
Suddenly, the classroom door opened. A man walked in calmly. He was wearing a school uniform, his hair was dark red, and his face looked sharp. His gaze immediately swept towards the back row. His name is Kyle Ardent.
"Is there anyone sitting in my seat?" he asked flatly, without emotion.
One of the students immediately stood up, nervous. "Excuse me! Please!" he said quickly, then hurriedly moved seats. Without many choices, he ended up sitting in the empty seat right next to Damian.
The red-haired man glanced at Damian.
"...Damian Kade, huh?"
"Y-yes," Damian replied, a little stiffly.
"Ranked 3. Interesting," he said as he sat back in his seat.
Damian swallowed. Why does everyone keep talking about that ranking...? he thought, annoyed.
On the other side, Liam immediately leaned towards him and whispered, "Master Damian, I have prepared two evacuation plans in case he is suspicious."
"HE JUST ASKED FOR MY NAME, LIAM," Damian replied quickly, almost panicking.
A few seconds later, their teacher entered the classroom. A short-haired man in a black robe, his face stern, but his voice sounded calm and composed.
"Good morning. My name is Instructor Van. I will be teaching you Basic Magic and Survival Techniques for this semester."
The entire class immediately became quiet and orderly. All students paid serious attention.
Except for one person. Liam leaned toward Damian again and whispered softly, "I have made a list of possible questions from the instructor, and answer options that sound smart but not too showy."
"LIAM… we just got introduced," Damian whispered, resigned.
"That's precisely the important time to leave an impression." Liam said.
"… Your impression." Damian replied.
After class was over, Damian stood up and intended to leave quietly. But that plan immediately failed when Liam stepped first into the hallway and said loudly, "Please make way for Master Damian…". Calmly and confidently, Liam opened a path between the other students, as if Damian was a royal guest.
Damian could only hold his head.
"LIAM. I JUST WANT TO GET BREAD FROM THE CANTENNE."
"I know. But respect is still important," Liam replied firmly.
After class, all first-year students gathered in the center courtyard of the academy to take part in the Zephyrus Orientation Tour. The initial impression was quite normal. Until the figure of their guide appeared.
An old man walked slowly to the front of the line, with a wooden cane and a long coat that was slightly too big. His hair was messy white, and his face looked like he hadn't slept in three days. "Instructor Mador," whispered one of the instructors.
Several students glanced at each other. Some held back laughter. Some immediately gave in.
Instructor Mador began the tour in a low voice and a flat tone. "Good… afternoon… or morning, huh? Hm… let's start from here."
His first steps were slow. Damian walked in the middle of the line with Liam, who seemed to be taking notes seriously. "This is important, Master Damian. The orientation path can be the basis of our strategy for dominating this school," Liam whispered.
Damian looked at him tiredly. "We just learned the history of a staircase."
"That's exactly it. Small details create advantages." Liam said.
The first location was the Zephyrus Main Library. The building was tall, majestic, and decorated with large glass windows. But Mador stopped in front of an old shelf. "This shelf… was once used by… who… the delinquent student… Vel… hmm…"
He was silent long enough for some of the students to start thinking he was asleep.
The next location was the Training Arena. Mador stood in the middle and looked around as if reading the battlefield.
"Here you will… train," he said after a long pause.
Someone raised a hand. "What training, sir?"
Mador turned his head slowly. "As per the schedule."
"…What is the schedule?" said one of the students.
"Ah. I forgot."
Somehow, the group started to get lost.
They should have been heading towards the dorms by now, but instead, they were walking towards a hallway that led under the training arena. The magic lights started to dim, and the atmosphere became dark.
Some of the students started to get anxious.
Liam stepped in front of Damian cautiously.
"This hallway is not listed on the map. I suggest we stay quiet and be careful."
Then they arrived in front of an old metal door with intricate magic carvings.
Mador kept saying. "This place… feels familiar…" he said while staring at the wall.
Finally, one of the other instructors came along and led Mador out. The group was led back with mixed feelings.
The tour ended in the Central Garden, in front of a large stone statue depicting the academy's founder.
"It is said that this statue will react to selected students," someone whispered.
All the students stared at the statue expectantly. Some even held their breath.
Then Mador cleared his throat softly. "Oh, that? It's just decoration."
"AHHH...." Some students were furious.
Tour over.
Time taken: almost two hours.
What was gained: confusion... and mental exhaustion.
Back in the room, Damian could only sit still on the bed, while Liam was busy reorganizing the notes from today's tour into a "Zephyrus Internal Strategic Map, Orientation Edition".
Damian stared at the ceiling.
Then said softly, "I need some tea."
That night, in his room, Damian saw Liam sitting at his study table. His face was serious, his hands moving quickly over the paper.
Curious, Damian approached to see what he was writing.
A large title was written at the top of the page: "Master Damian's 14-Day Plan to Increase Academy Dominance Naturally Without Looking Forceful."
Damian sighed. "…Liam, I just want to live a normal life."
Liam continued to write without looking. "If planned well, a normal life can also be achieved."
Damian covered his face with one hand. "Hahhh….. Liam…."
Damian was silent for a moment. Then he chuckled. "Thank you, Liam."