"...Man" Rood told Lispen. "How are you going to call me after all th-"

"Sit down." Lispen sat at a table in the Helios conference room.

Rood did as he was told and took a seat across from Lispen. "What happened? You're a professor?"

"Because of what happened, an investigation team has been formed with a couple magicians from the outside. I am one of them."

"Are you sure you can just tell me those things?"

"It doesn't matter. As far as I am concerned, you are involved in all this anyways."

Rood raises an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Did you not hear? Lady Dayner requested an extension on her son's stay because of this event"

Rood fell silent.

"If something happens to the young master, I'd appreciate it if you told me right away." Lispen pauses then resumes. "And...One more thing. I know that you're not a mere rank 7 magician."

Rood's eyes shot wide

"Therefore, I don't think there's any need for you to hide it from me any longer."

"...What do you mean...A rank 7 magician..." Rood was trying to play it cool, but it didn't seem to be working.

"How old are you this year?"

"Fif-fifteen."

"Fifteen." lispen sighs. "How young. It's truly amazing for someone to have that kind of power at such a young age."

"Um...I still have no idea what you're talking about..."

Lispen sighs again and picks up his coat. He rises and walks over to Rood, tapping him on his shoulder. "If you don't want to tell me, I won't ask about it. Of course, I don't particularly gossip about things, so don't worry. Black Magician." He opens the door and leaves, leaving Rood with scrambled thoughts.

Back in class, Rood sat at the very back as usual with Dio and Lidusis. Their new professor, professor Orphell, came in with a boy behind him.

Rood, who's thoughts surrounded Lispen, snapped to it as he viewed the newcomer.

Professor Orphell stood in front of the class, trying to get the students attention. There was none to grab because all the Iduns focused on the newcomer. He had dark red hair and a piece of black jewelry stuck to his left ear. His light blue eyes glistened as he looked down on the students. But worst of all, he wore a Hereis uniform. The Iduns were more or less confused and nervous as to why a Hereis had visited their class.

"Everyone, please listen." Professor Orphell spoke. "For the duration of the special larger classes, he will be in your class. Hereis, Asujen Baldwin."

Nervous chatters erupted from the crowd of Iduns.

Rood saw the unfathomable resemblance as he viewed the new student. Sweat streaked down his face as he picked up his book he'd been twirling and brought it up, shielding his face.

"-Baldwin is a special case so, in order to help him adjust faster, he'll spend a bit more time with you outside of the practical lessons. I hope you can be friendly with him."

Rood drew the book closer to his face as he continues to absorb professor Orphell's information. Dio and Lidusis watched him in confusion.

"Your temporary seat will be-"

Baldwin left professor Orphell's side up front and wondered between the rows of students. He settled in front of Rood and yanked the book out of his hands before holding it in the air. It would've been clear that Baldwin had been watching Rood's every move.

"...I think right here would be fine." Baldwin glanced down at Rood who still kept his hands in place.

.....

"Classes with a Hereis." Dio sighs. "I can't even begin to imagine."

"...They must have a reason." Rood muttered.

"You believe that?" Iel says. "Helios has always had problems and segregation between classes. All of a sudden, they're trying to fix it." She looks down at Rood. "Rood Chrishi. Do you know that Hereis?"

"Yeah." Dio says. "I thought I saw him glaring at you during class."

"Ha ha..." Rood chuckled nervously. "How would I know a Hereis?"

"I guess so." Dio crosses his arms as if pondering. "But still, he looked like he would kill you at any moment."

Rood chuckled nervously.

"You know," Dio continued. "Don't you think the professors are moving around together more lately? Maybe it's because of that incident. Or ma-"

Rood jabbed Dio's eyes with his fingers.

"Ahhh! My eyes!" Dio yells and brings his hands to caution his eyes.

Rood grabs Dio by his collar and pulls him away, leaving behind Iel and Lidusis to figure out what just happened on their own.

After reaching the storage room, Rood slams the door behind him and remains speechless, while Dio continues to mourn his eyes.

"Ugh! What the heck are you doing Rood?!" Dio calls out in a whimpering voice.

"Dio. Your eyes. What's wrong with your eyes?"

Dio's iris were now vertically lined, like that of a reptile's.

"...Eyes? What's wrong with my eyes?" Sweat streaked down Dio's face. "D-Did they get injured? Are they bleeding?"

Rood released a silent gasp as Dio's eyes returned to normal. He grabs Dio's cheeks and studies his eyes carefully.

"R-Rood?" Dio asks, his voice muffled. "What are you doing?"

Rood remained lost in his thoughts.

"Rood?" Dio continued. "Why are you..." Again, his iris changed to vertical lines. "Doing a-"

Rood's eyes opened in shock again. And as freaked out as he was, his fist connected with Dio's cheek.

Dio fell across the floor and clenched his jaw, frustrated. "W-What are you doing?! Rood! You jabbed me in the eyes too!"

"...Sorry. But your eyes..."

"What? What's wrong with my eyes?"

"Judging from your reaction, you have no idea but...Your iris turned into vertical lines. Like a snake."

Dio fell silent.

"A normal human can't have eyes like those." Rood says. "You...Those eyes. What happened?"

Dio stood, hand still cautioning his eyes. "Ah...I guess it can't be helped. Since he's so close to me, it's hard to control it." He looks up at Rood with a serious expression. "...Rood." Dio dashed at Rood and brought his hand around his neck. "I think it's best if you just forgot this."