The Heart Class shuffled into their classroom after the combat session, some still quietly grumbling about the Club Class teacher's cruel announcement.
Yuna, dead inside, slumped into her seat at the back of the room, already feeling exhausted before the lesson had even begun.
The Heart Class had barely settled down when the sound of boots tapping against the wooden floor signaled Professor Veyne's arrival.
He didn't need to say anything for silence to settle over the room. The man had an air of quiet authority that made even the most mischievous students straighten up instinctively.
The professor walked to the front and uncapped a piece of chalk with deliberate ease, writing a single word on the board:
"Path."
The students stared at it.
"… Path to what?" someone muttered under their breath.
"Path to sleeping" Another student answered. Yawning.
Professor Veyne turned around and faced the class. His sharp eyes scanned them as he spoke, his voice steady and unwavering.
"Today's lesson is on the concept of Path. It is not about spells, formulas, or techniques. It is about direction. Understanding your Path is understanding the foundation of your abilities."
Yuna let out a small sigh, already sensing this was going to be one of those lectures that made her brain hurt.
"Many people chase after strength blindly," the professor continued. "But without a clear understanding of their own Path, they will hit a wall. That is why you must determine what your Path is."
A hand shot up.
One of the intelligence group members, a naturally curious student who often bombarded teachers with questions.
"Professor, are you saying we have to decide our future today?"
A few students tensed. The thought of making such a serious decision right now was unnerving.
Professor Veyne shook his head. "No. But you must start thinking about it. Your Path is not just a decision—it is a commitment. A direction that will affect your abilities, your progress, and even your future."
Another student raised their hand. "What happens if we pick the wrong one?"
The professor gave a small, almost amused smile behind his mask. "Then you will either suffer stagnation or forcefully change your Path later in life. But understand this—there is no true 'wrong' Path. Only one that does not suit you."
Some students exhaled in relief. Others still looked concerned.
Professor Veyne turned back to the board and continued.
"Let's take 'Life' as an example of a Path."
At this, a few students perked up. Life sounded… useful.
"A student who dedicates themselves to the Path of Life may eventually come to grasp great truths. With enough understanding, they may walk toward the Law of Resurrection, allowing them to bring back the deceased. Or they may master the Abolition of Pain, removing suffering entirely."
A hushed murmur rippled through the room.
"... Bringing back the dead?" someone whispered, sounding a little freaked out.
"That's kind of terrifying," another muttered.
Professor Veyne either didn't hear them or chose to ignore it.
"However, if one studies Life not in the context of creation, but its natural cycle, they may come to understand the Law of Inevitability—that all things must come to an end. If they delve further… they may even grasp the Law of Death."
Silence.
The entire Heart Class stared at him.
"... Professor," one student finally spoke, "are you telling us that 'Life' and 'Death' are technically the same thing?"
"Not the same. Just two sides of the same Path," he corrected.
Someone let out a quiet "That's so messed up."
Professor Veyne, unfazed, continued. "The same applies to all Paths. Some who choose the Path of Flames may understand not only destruction, but renewal. Some who follow the Path of Shadows may understand concealment… or even the very nature of existence itself."
There was a long silence as the students absorbed his words.
Then—
"So what happens if you choose something like… 'Bread'?"
Everyone turned to Theo, the Heart Class's resident prankster, who had his arms crossed lazily on his desk, looking half-serious and half-mocking.
Yuna pressed her fingers against her temple, already feeling a migraine forming.
Professor Veyne didn't even flinch.
"Then, if you dedicate yourself enough, you may come to grasp the Law of Sustenance."
The class froze.
Theo blinked. "Wait, that's a real thing?"
"Food is one of the fundamental aspects of life," the professor replied calmly. "A person who studies the Path of Nourishment could theoretically reach a stage where they no longer need food, or even sustain others indefinitely."
A beat of silence.
"… That's actually kind of overpowered."
"Wait, wait, does that mean we can pick literally anything? What if someone chooses, I don't know, 'Laziness'? Can they become the ultimate slacker?"
"If they are truly committed to the Path of Inertia, they may reach a state where they no longer need to exert effort to achieve results."
This time, Yuna actually straightened. 'Hold on. That sounds useful.'
The Heart Class exchanged glances. This whole Path thing was starting to sound both terrifying and ridiculously open-ended.
Professor Veyne tapped the board again. "This is why you must choose carefully. This will determine the trajectory of your life. I do not expect you to have an answer today, but you must begin thinking about it."
A long pause.
Then, one student hesitantly raised their hand.
"... Professor, what if we don't have a Path?"
The professor exhaled.
"Then you find one. Some of you may take years. Some of you may never find it at all. But if you do not try, you will remain lost forever."
The room went dead silent.
For the Heart Class—who were all still so young, mostly thirteen to fifteen years old—this concept was too big. Too abstract.
They listened, but their faces were full of visible confusion.
Some students scribbled notes, others furrowed their brows as they tried to make sense of it, and a few simply looked at their desks, processing.
Theo leaned back with a sigh. "This sounds like something we're gonna regret not taking seriously later."
Yuna closed her eyes briefly, already feeling a headache forming.
'Why do I have a bad feeling about this lesson?'
Professor Veyne scanned the classroom, taking in the varied reactions of his students. Some looked deep in thought, some scribbled notes furiously, and some, like Theo, were already slouching in their seats, looking ready to accept whatever fate threw at them.
His gaze finally settled on Yuna.
"Yuna."
The classroom stilled.
Yuna, who had been busy mentally distancing herself from this overwhelming discussion, blinked and looked up slowly, sensing danger.
"As the Heart Class representative, you will also be responsible for helping your classmates consider their Path."
A dead silence followed.
Then—
"Hah?"
Yuna shot up from her seat, staring at the professor in sheer horror.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait. Professor. Hold on. I think I misheard you." She pointed at herself. "Me? Helping them figure out their life's direction? Me? Do I look like a philosopher to you?"
Bro, she needs a philosopher herself!
Some of her classmates snickered.
Professor Veyne remained completely calm, not a single crack in his tone. "As their class representative, it is only natural that you guide them."
"This is not natural! Not at all! This is beyond a class rep's responsibilities!"
Yuna was genuinely panicking now. It was one thing to be responsible for making sure they didn't starve or wander around like lost chickens, but guiding them in their fundamental life choices?
She could already imagine it—students coming to her one by one, asking deep, existential questions:
"Class Rep, what is the meaning of existence?"
"Class Rep, I don't know if I should take the Path of Flame or the Path of Bread. Help."
"Class Rep, I think I accidentally chose the Path of Laziness. What do I do?"
Her soul was screaming.
"Professor, please be reasonable," Yuna pleaded. "I'm just an ordinary person. I don't even know my own Path!"
Professor Veyne's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly.
If Yuna weren't so horrified, she might have realized—this man, who was normally the picture of seriousness, was messing with her.
It seemed that after spending time with the Heart Class, he, too, had learned the joys of lightly bullying their class rep.
However, because he remained so perfectly stoic, there was not a single hint of humor in his voice.
Yuna, unable to detect the joke, was dying inside.
She reluctantly sat back down, her face frozen in an expression of sheer betrayal. Even in the face of her ever serious professor that she is a bit timid to, she gave a fierce glare before withdrawing her gaze.
Professor Veyne suddenly found himself in a good mood after seeing Yuna making a pained face and dare to glare at him.
Her classmates, meanwhile, had completely different reactions.
Theo barely held back a laugh. "Wow, Yuna, that sounds like a lot of responsibility."
A student from the intelligence group smirked. "Maybe we should come to you for life consultations now."
"I've been meaning to ask about my Path, Class Rep."
"What do you think of me pursuing the Path of Eternal Sleep?"
"Shut up," Yuna deadpanned, staring soullessly at the front of the class.
She zoned out completely for the rest of the lesson, staring at nothing as her classmates continued to joke at her expense.
By the time the class ended, Yuna had only one thought in her mind:
'That damn old professor bitch and this damn unreliable academy'
She regret,. She truly… truly regret choosing Evigheden academy.