020

  Bernard left the room.

  The moment the door closed behind him, the classroom erupted into chatter.

  Tyka leaned toward Meliodas, grinning. “Your father really is something, isn’t he, brother?”

  Liora answered before Meliodas could.

  “Of course he is, Tyka. Why do you think I reacted the way I did when I heard his name?”

  She glanced around the room. “Even now just listen.”

  Meliodas did. Whispers overlapped, voices low but excited.

  “No way…”

  “The Third Prince is in our class?”

  “I thought he’d be Ocean Class for sure.”

  “He’s actually… kind of handsome.”

  Meliodas exhaled quietly and stared straight ahead, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.

  “Damn it. Why would the professor say that?” Meliodas exhaled quietly. “Now I’ve got all this unnecessary attention”

  “People were going to find out eventually,” Liora said beside him, a small, smile on her lips.

  A few moments passed as Meliodas was lost in thought.

  “Nice to meet you, young prince.”

  Meliodas looked up.

  Three girls stood before him. At first glance, they could have been mistaken for the same person, same height, same sharp features, same confident posture. Only their hairstyles set them apart.

  Meliodas' eyes flicked briefly to their badges.15. 16. 18. …High ranks.

  He straightened slightly and offered a polite smile, extending a hand.

  “Nice to meet you,” Meliodas said.

  The girl standing in front, brown hair tied back loosely, green eyes sharp with curiosity, looked at his outstretched hand for a moment longer than necessary.

  An eyebrow rose. She glanced at the other two, then shrugged.

  “We’re the three Siroth sisters.” She said

  Now it was Meliodas’ turn to raise an eyebrow.

  “They’re from the Duchy of Siroth,” Liora murmured quietly, not meeting their gaze. “Daughters of the Duke.”

  “At least you know your place, commoner,” one of the sisters said coldly.

  “Now, now, Mirai,” the girl standing in the center said calmly, lifting a hand. Her tone was measured, practiced. She glanced briefly at Liora, her expression unreadable.

  Liora immediately stepped back, half-hiding behind Tyka’s broad frame.

  “You okay, Liora?” Tyka asked, glancing down at her.

  “She’s fine,” the center sister replied before Liora could answer. “These are noble matters.”

  She straightened slightly.

  “My name is Kheset,” she continued. “This is Zareth-” she gestured to the short-haired girl beside her, “-and the rude one is Mirai.”

  Mirai scoffed.

  Meliodas studied them quietly.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Meliodas said politely.

  He straightened slightly.

  “As you may already know, my name is Meliodas Archypego,” he continued. “Third Prince of Archypego.”

  “We did hear,” Kheset replied smoothly. “Word travels quickly.”

  She inclined her head just enough to be courteous.

  “We were just about to have tea together,” she added. “Would you mind joining us, young prince?”

  “Sure,” Meliodas said easily.

  He stood, then glanced back toward Tyka and Liora.

  “You’re coming too,” he said.

  Liora froze.

  Tyka grinned. “Sure, why not, bro.”

  “E–hem.” Kheset cleared her throat, her smile thinning.

  “Young Prince Meliodas,” she said, tone still polite but noticeably cooler, “I don’t wish to be rude, but we invited you.”

  Her eyes flicked briefly toward Tyka… then Liora.

  “Not… these,” she hesitated, “…commoners.”

  The air shifted, as Meliodas flickered orange but didn’t move, he exhaled and caught himself.

  “Oh,” he said calmly. He turned to face her fully, orange eyes steady and unreadable.

  “I see,” Meliodas said calmly. “If that’s the case, I’ll pass. But thank you for the invitation.”

  He didn’t notice it, but several classmates had gone quiet, their attention drawn to the exchange.

  Kheset raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable.

  “Very well,” she said coolly.

  Mirai, however, was visibly fuming. Meliodas caught the flash of fury in her eyes.

  Without another word, the three sisters turned and left the classroom.

  As the door closed behind them, Mirai hissed, unable to contain herself.

  “Those commoner bastards,” she spat. “It’s unbearable being near them. Especially that girl, Liora, and how in the world is that half-breed ranked higher than me?”

  “Kheset,” Zareth began cautiously-

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  “Enough,” Kheset said, raising a hand.

  Mirai fell silent.

  “I understand now why people call Archypegans… isolated,” Kheset continued. “Backwater royalty, if you ask me. Easily influenced by those beneath them.”

  She scoffed softly.

  “A shame,” she added. “But in the end, he’s only the third prince.”

  Her gaze sharpened.

  “Our real target is the princess. If we can establish a connection with her, it will benefit Father far more.”

  She shrugged, already dismissing the encounter.

  The three sisters continued down the corridor, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone.

  ****

  “Weird girls, am I right, brother?” Tyka said, breaking the silence.

  Meliodas shrugged. “I don’t like that type, Tyka. Always schemes and secret agendas.”

  He paused, then sighed. “If I had to guess, they’re interested because of my sister. Either way, it doesn’t matter.”

  He glanced between them.

  “What do you say we grab something to eat and look over the classes we might want to take?”

  Tyka’s face lit up instantly. “Now you’re speaking my language.”

  He stood up at once, Liora didn’t.

  Meliodas noticed immediately. He turned toward her, his voice careful, softer than before.

  “Are you okay, Liora?” he asked. “Did they do something to you?”

  Liora looked up. Her leg bounced once before she forced it still.

  “It’s nothing important,” she said quickly. “Let’s go.”

  She stood, but the tension hadn’t fully left her shoulders.

  “…Now that I think about it,” Tyka said, scratching his chin, “those three looked kinda familiar.”

  “Don’t think about it,” Liora said quickly. She tried to push Tyka forward, putting her weight into it, only to fail miserably.

  Tyka didn’t budge. He blinked, then shrugged.

  “Eh. Doesn’t matter,” he said. “Let’s go eat.”

  Meliodas watched Liora for a second longer before turning away.

  ****

  The dining hall was lively, filled with overlapping voices and the clatter of plates. Tyka sat at one of the long tables, tearing into a Mountain of Meat as if it were a personal challenge. Grease stained his fingers, bones already piling up beside him.

  Meliodas, in contrast, had settled for a simple sandwich and a cup of tea, as had Liora. A parchment lay open on the table before him, covered in neatly written class listings.

  “These classes seem interesting,” Meliodas murmured as he read.

  He glanced up at them.

  “Are either of you interested in any of these?”

  Tyka didn’t even slow down.

  “Not really, brother,” he said through a mouthful of meat. “I’m just gonna ask Kazzek to be my mentor. Lots of training.”

  Meliodas stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. Tyka merely shrugged and kept eating.

  Meliodas turned toward Liora.

  “What about you?”

  “…Hm?” Liora blinked, clearly startled. “Sorry, what was that?”

  Her eyes refocused on him, but the distance in her expression lingered. She had been lost in thought ever since the encounter with the Siroth sisters. Meliodas could tell she was reliving something unpleasant, memories she hadn’t shared, and likely didn’t want to.

  “If you’re thinking about taking any additional classes, Liora,” Meliodas said again, gently this time.

  “Oh…yes,” she replied, blinking as if pulled back to the present. “I’m actually very interested in arrays. I want to take that class.”

  Meliodas’ eyes lit up.

  “Me too,” he said immediately. “Aren’t arrays just the most fascinating application of Straum? The way structure, flow, and intent all…”

  Tyka, meanwhile, continued demolishing his food. He listened to their conversation with half an ear, chewing thoughtfully.

  “Arrays,” Tyka muttered to himself after a second. “Yeah… those.”

  He shrugged and went back to eating.

  ****

  Meliodas sat on one of the stone benches nearby, a parchment spread across his lap as he reviewed the available classes. His gaze lingered on two entries in particular.

  Monster Entomology — Professor Aurelius

  Arrays and Formations — Professor Adelion

  Arrays were a certainty. There was no question about that. Professor Adelion’s class aligned perfectly with what fascinated him most.

  The other, however…

  “I’m not really interested in monster etymology,” Meliodas whispered to himself. “But Professor Aurelius…”

  He paused, tapping the parchment lightly.

  “Other than the fact that he saved my life,” he continued quietly, “there’s something different about him.”

  His eyes narrowed slightly in thought.

  He’s smart, really smart, and the way he moves… It's like a retired war veteran. Someone who’s seen too much to bother proving anything anymore.

  His thoughts drifted back to Aurelius’ study, and those books… Meliodas thought. He must have thousands.

  Meliodas leaned back and glanced up at the sky, clouds drifting lazily overhead as he weighed the decision.

  Tyka and Liora had both gone their separate ways. Tyka had, unsurprisingly, headed off to spar with Kazzek again. Liora had hesitated before excusing herself, simply saying she had things to take care of.

  “…Yeah,” Meliodas muttered. “Figures.”

  He folded the parchment and slipped it into his robe, after a brief pause, he stood.

  I’ll check the laboratories, he thought. Monster Entomology is about to start anyway. Might as well take a look.

  With that, Meliodas turned and made his way across the academy grounds, his thoughts already drifting toward ancient symbols, glowing arrays, and the flow of controlled Straum.

  ****

  Meliodas was approaching the laboratories.

  He was lost in thought as he walked, steps carrying him forward without conscious direction, until a voice cut through his focus.

  “Student Meliodas. Can you hear me?”

  He blinked and refocused. Professor Adelion stood directly in front of him, one slender hand raised, fingers waving slowly in his face.

  Meliodas straightened at once and adjusted his glasses.

  “Professor Adelion,” he said respectfully. “It’s good to see you. My apologies, I was lost in thought.”

  “I can see that,” Adelion replied. “It is… uncommon to see someone your age focus so completely.”

  His sharp eyes traced Meliodas from head to toe. Without asking, Adelion reached out and took Meliodas’ wrist.

  Meliodas stiffened slightly.

  A thin stream of Straum flowed from the professor, gentle but precise, threading through Meliodas’ core like a probing needle. It wasn’t invasive more like a diagnostic touch, but there was no mistaking the authority behind it.

  Adelion hummed softly.

  “Everything appears to be in order,” he said at last, releasing Meliodas’ hand. “Stable core. No lingering imbalance.”

  Adelion studied him for a moment, then nodded, faint satisfaction crossing his features.

  “Yes. Professor Aurelius has taken good care of you,” he said. “He has… assisted you considerably, it seems.”

  Meliodas nodded.

  “He helped me a lot, Professor. I was actually on my way to check on his class.”

  Adelion’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  “I see.”

  He hesitated, then added, almost absently, “Before you go, may I examine your familiar, Student-”

  He stopped mid-sentence.

  “…Wait.” His gaze sharpened. “You said you are going to Aurelius’ class?”

  “Yes,” Meliodas replied simply.

  Adelion blinked, genuine surprise breaking through his composed expression.

  “Really? I would not have taken you for the Scholar type.” His tone shifted, measured but pointed. “You must forgive me, but your… recklessness is well known. It knows no limits, after all.”

  Meliodas scratched the back of his neck, sheepish.

  “Yeah. Sorry about that, Professor. I didn’t mean to scare everyone so badly.” He hesitated, then added, “It’s not so much the class itself. I’m just… curious about Aurelius.”

  Adelion went silent.

  For a long moment, he simply stared at Meliodas, something calculating moving behind his eyes.

  Smart, Adelion thought. Very smart, The third prince saw what others usually don't. While most students dismissed Aurelius as a cripple or ignored him entirely, this one paid attention.

  “Impressive,” Adelion murmured.

  Meliodas blinked.

  “What’s impressive, Professor?”

  “Nothing,” Adelion replied smoothly. “Now, may I see your familiar, Student?”

  Meliodas gave an apologetic smile.

  “Sorry, Professor. He’s still resting. We sparred with Professor Kazzek earlier.”

  Adelion looked at Meliodas' curiosity written all over his face.

  “…You sparred with Kazzek?”

  Genuine surprise crossed his face. He looked Meliodas up and down again, reassessing him entirely.

  “I did not take you for a combat-oriented student either,” Adelion said slowly.

  Meliodas tilted his head.

  “What did you take me for, Professor?”

  Adelion smiled faintly.

  “Do not take this the wrong way, Student—but reckless.” He paused, then added, “Intelligent, yes. But reckless nonetheless.”

  Meliodas didn’t argue.

  “A shame about your Familiar,” Adelion continued. “I would very much like to examine him once he has recovered. I must admit, the rumors surrounding him are… quite remarkable.”

  “Didn’t Professor Kazzek tell you what Owen can do?” Meliodas asked.

  Adelion’s expression tightened slightly.

  “No. He refused. Aurelius as well.” A hint of irritation crept into his voice. “They both insisted you required rest, and that I would be unable to restrain myself.”

  He sighed, adjusting his sleeves.

  “Unfortunate. But I have other matters to attend to.”

  Adelion inclined his head politely and turned away, already walking toward his laboratory.

  Meliodas sighed, then spoke a little louder.

  “Don’t worry about it, Professor. You’ll get to see Owen tomorrow, after all.”

  With that, Meliodas turned and headed down the corridor toward Aurelius’ laboratory.

  Adelion stopped.

  He turned slowly, watching the already retreating student.

  “Tomorrow?” he muttered. “Why would I—”

  He paused. Then it clicked. “I see,” Adelion said quietly.

  Meliodas was already gone.

  A faint smile tugged at Adelion’s lips as he adjusted his sleeve again.

  “It seems I will have the pleasure of also teaching you manners, Student,” he said to the empty space. “Very well. I will always welcome a fellow array enthusiast into my class.”

  He sighed, the smile widening.

  “Three whole students this year,” he murmured. “Remarkable. It seems my publications on arrays are finally working.”

  Satisfied, Adelion turned back toward his laboratory.