The Classroom and Classmates

As they walked down the hallway, Alfred glanced at Shiro, his expression unusually serious.  

"Did he do something weird to you?" Alfred asked abruptly.  

"No, fortunately," Shiro replied, though his mind was elsewhere.  

‘Why is Senior Alfred being so wary of Mister Aether?’ Shiro wondered. ‘He doesn’t seem that ba—’ 

But before Shiro could finish his thought, memories of the principal’s unnervingly fishy smile flooded his mind.  

‘Never mind... he is kinda weird.’  

"What?" Alfred asked, noticing Shiro’s sudden change in expression.  

"N-nevermind," Shiro mumbled, shaking his head. "By the way, where are we going?"  

"Have you forgotten? You’re going to your class after meeting the principal," Alfred reminded him.  

"Oh yeah... I forgot about that."  

‘Actually... After what Mister Aether said, I forgot almost everything I had planned today. And I’m still so curious about my Phantasm Things... where did this even come from?’ 

Lost in thought, Shiro didn’t notice Alfred stopping in front of a door. He walked straight into him, his face slamming against Alfred’s back.  

"Ouch..." Shiro winced, rubbing his forehead.  

‘Why is his body so hard?’ 

"Why did you stop, Senior Alfred?"  

"We’re here," Alfred said, raising his hand and knocking on the door.  

A few seconds later, the door slowly opened, revealing a man who looked to be in his thirties. He had long hair, glasses, and an air of enthusiasm about him.  

"Oh, Alfred! You’re finally here!" the glasses man said, his eyes lighting up. "If you’re here, that means..."  

His gaze shifted to Shiro, and his smile widened. The glasses man holds shiro hands and that man's eyes are sparkling. 

"You’re the new student!”

"Y-yes," Shiro replied, slightly taken aback by the man’s overwhelming cheerfulness.  

"I’m done here. I’m going now," Alfred said abruptly.  

"Yes, thanks for your work. See you later," the man said brightly, though Alfred didn’t reply and simply walked away.  

Shiro watched him leave, curiosity bubbling up inside him since he met Alfred. Unable to hold back, he turned to the man with glasses.  

"I’m so curious... is Senior Alfred always like that?"  

The man tilted his head slightly, adjusting his glasses. "What do you mean?"  

"He gives off these vibes... like 'I will destroy the world' or 'I hate everyone in this world.'"  

The man chuckled softly. "Haha, I’d love to tell you the reason, but... sorry. That’s his private matter. If you’re really that curious, you’ll have to ask him yourself."  

"Oh... no, it’s okay,"

"Well then, we shouldn’t waste any more time here. Come on, let’s go inside and meet your classmates!"  

With that, the man turned and walked into the classroom, his excitement visible. Shiro followed, his mind still full with questions.

As Shiro entered the classroom, the first thing he did was look at his new classmates. Most of them were around his age. Some looked at him with curiosity, others paid him no mind, and a few seemed too tired to care, sleeping.

Shiro kept walking, following the man with glasses.  

"You’re going to introduce yourself. Are you ready?" the man murmured quietly.  

"Yes, I understand," Shiro replied, taking a steadying breath.  

"Alright then." The man turned to the class, his voice bright. "Hello, everyone. As you can see, we have a new student joining us today!"  

And because of that almost all of the students are paying attention to him.

"Now, Shiro."  

"Hello ev—"  

"Professor," a voice interrupted before Shiro could even finish his first word.  

The professor with glasses turned, his expression shifting slightly. "What is it, Aleksi?"  

"Isn’t it a bit late to have a transfer student? It’s been two months since the school year started," Aleksi said, his tone mixed with skepticism.  

"Just like the others, shouldn’t he wait until next year like those waiting outside the academy?"  

Shiro confused by Aleksi’s words.  

"Well, you’re not wrong," the professor replied calmly. "But the principal and the elders discussed it and decided to let Shiro enter immediately."  

"For what reason?" Aleksi pressed.  

"You talk too much, nerd. Shut up already," a girl in front of him snapped.  

"I’m just saying," Aleksi muttered, unfazed. "If we follow the academy’s motto — that everyone is treated equally regardless of where family or country they come from — isn’t this unfair?"  

‘Does he hate me or something?’ Shiro wondered, frowning slightly.  

"Calm down, Aleksi," the professor said firmly. "Shiro’s case is... different. That’s why the decision was made. If you have an issue, take it up with the principal yourself."  

The mention of the principal seemed to have an immediate effect. Aleksi’s confidence wavered, his face paling slightly. He muttered something under his breath and sat down, his earlier arrogance noticeably gone.  

"Sorry about that, Shiro," the professor said softly. "Go ahead and introduce yourself now."  

Shiro nodded.  

"My name is Nekoya Shiro. I’m 16 years old and from Jingumae, Tokyo, Japan."  

An awkward silence followed.  

'Why they are not saying anything, It's because my introduction is plain?, this is so embarrassing' 

The professor leaned in slightly, whispering, "You should mention your Phantasm Thing."  

Shiro blinked, momentarily confused. ‘Why do I have to mention that?’ But he didn’t ask. Instead, he took a deep breath and spoke.  

"My Phantasm Thing is... The 13th Animal Zodiac Sign: Phantom Cat."  

A beat of silence.  

"WH-WHAT?!"  

The classroom erupted. Those who hadn’t been paying attention were now wide awake, eyes fixed on Shiro in disbelief. Some whispered among themselves, while others stared at him with doubt and some with intrigue.  

"Professor, he’s lying, isn’t he?" Aleksi asked, his voice cold.  

"Shiro," the professor said calmly, "show them your Heroic System."  

Shiro blinked again. "H-how do I do that?"  

"Ah, my bad. I forgot... you were just possessed last week," the professor murmured. "Just say the name of your Phantasm Thing and add ‘system.’"  

"Phantom Cat System," Shiro said softly.  

In an instant, a glowing interface appeared in front of him.  

[Heroic System]  Phantasm Things: 13th Animal Zodiac Sign: Phantom Cat 

Type: Heroic Class

Possesor: Nekoya Shiro

Authority: Spirit of the Other Side  

Shiro’s eyes widened as he took it in.  

‘So this is the system... It's different from what I imagined. I thought it would have levels or game stats…’ His gaze lingered on the term. ‘Spirit of the Other Side? What’s that?’  

"Now, everyone, take a look," the professor said, gesturing for the class to see.  

The students immediately crowded around Shiro, murmuring in amazement.  

"It’s real..."  "He really possesses an Animal Zodiac Sign..."  "But aren’t there only twelve?"  "Yeah... this is weird..."  "He looks so cute with cat ears!"  

Shiro’s face flushed slightly at the last comment.  

"I understand you’re all curious, but go back to your seats for now, we still have a lesson today" the professor instructed, and the crowd slowly dispersed.

“Now shiro, sit whatever you want, I know you are tired” 

“Yes professor, thank you” 

Shiro replied and began to move.

The classroom was designed like a lecture hall, with rows of seats ascending toward the back. Shiro quietly made his way to the top, where fewer people sat.  

But even as he took his seat, he could feel the weight of his classmates’ gazes. Eyes full of curiosity, doubt, and fascination bore into him from every direction.  

Shiro shifted uncomfortably, feeling more out of place than ever.

"Well now, everyone," the professor’s voice echoed through the classroom, pulling everyone’s attention back. "Let’s continue where we left off earlier."  

‘I wonder what kind of lessons we’ll have here…’ Shiro thought, his mind still scrambled with everything that had happened. But before he could stick on it, a voice whispered beside him.  

"You’re a lucky boy."  

Shiro turned, surprised to see Aleksi standing right next to him.  

"Oh... you’re that mean guy who was talking about me being unfair earlier. Aleksi, right?"  

Aleksi' snapped in Shiro words but he didn't say anything, he took a deep breath and cleared his throat.  

"Well… Earlier, it’s kind of my fault, so let me apologize for that," Aleksi said, bowing slightly. .  

"Actually," Shiro said softly, "I don’t know much about this academy... I’m curious about what you mentioned earlier. Can you explain it?"  

Aleksi’s expression softened a little. "I guess it’s fine. Consider this part of my apology."  

He leaned against the desk, his tone shifting into something more formal.  

"Every January, the academy opens its gates to all Possessors. That’s the only time new students can enter. If you’re late a month or under fifteen years old, you have to wait outside the academy until the next year just like the others. Since you entered in March... you are being unfair to those who’ve been waiting outside."  

"Ohhh... that’s why, sorry" Shiro murmured, finally understanding.

“You don't have to apologize now that I talk to you, I know that you not like the others that think themselves as a special person” 

"Now that I'm done apologizing to you. I’ll go back to my seat," Aleksi said, turning to leave.  

‘He’s... a nice guy after all,’ Shiro thought, watching him go.  

The professor’s voice broke the brief silence.  

"Today that we’re done with the basics and theories about Phantasm Things... the next two months will focus on practical lessons," he announced, his tone serious. "You will now be able to learn how to manifest your Phantasm Things and use your abilities in various ways — besides fighting."  

The room went still as everyone absorbed the information.  

"The first two weeks will be dedicated to training, helping you understand and control your Phantasm Things. The following two weeks will require you to pick a task from the available options and use your abilities to complete it. Completing it will give you an grade grade so give your best"  

Shiro listened intently, his curiosity growing.  

"And finally… The last week will be the academy points assessment. You’ll take on extra tasks that other students from your class — and even other classrooms — couldn’t finish. The number of academy points you earn will depend on the difficulty and number of the task you completed"  

A murmur spread across the room, some students already whispering about possible tasks and strategies.  

"Take note of the plan and don’t forget," the professor said firmly. "We’ll begin next Monday."  

With that, he glanced at the clock.  

"Class dismissed!"  

The sound of chairs scraping and students murmuring filled the air as they began to gather their things. Shiro, however, remained seated for a moment, his mind racing with everything he had just learned.  

“Manifest my Phantasm Thing... use its abilities…” 

He glanced down at his hands.  

“Phantom Cat…”  

"Hello, Nekoya. Can I have a moment of your time?"  

Shiro, still lost in thought about his Phantasm Thing, But suddenly he was startled by the soft voice. He looked up and saw a beautiful girl standing in front of him. She had striking blue hair, matching blue eyes, and — most noticeably — a pair of bunny ears, partially hidden under a cover.  

"My name is Kim Nayeon," she said with a warm smile. "Just like you, I’m a Possessor of the AniZo Series. Or... I guess we’re calling it the 13th now, huh?" She chuckled softly.  

‘AniZo Series?' Shiro blinked. 'Oh... it’s short for 12th Animal Zodiac Sign. Makes sense. Saying that long name every time is making you tired.’ 

"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you."  

"Nice to meet you too, Nekoya," Nayeon replied, her smile brightening.  

‘She reminds me of someone…’ Shiro thought, but the memory was just out of reach.  

"First of all..." Nayeon’s expression softened, her voice becoming gentle. "I want to thank you. Thank you for saving my older sister."  

Shiro’s eyes widened. 

"Wait... you’re Kim’s little sister?. That’s why I felt like I’ve seen you before!"  

"Haha, yeah... a lot of people say that," Nayeon said, her laughter light and familiar.  

"Anyway," her tone shifted, becoming more serious. “The main reason why I am here is."  

"Main reason?"  

"Would you like to join our guild?"  

Nayeon said with the most brightest smile while reaching her hand to shiro.

Shiro tilted his head slightly. "A guild? Like... a group or something?"  

"It’s called a guild," Nayeon explained, "but it’s more like a club like in an ordinary school."  

"I see... but why me? I don’t think I’d be much help. Plus, I only just became a Possessor last week."  

"That doesn’t matter," Nayeon said confidently. "As long as you’re one of us... an AniZo Possessor."  

‘So fishy, is she after my power?. Is she after my Phantasm Thing?’ Shiro’s mind instantly went on alert, doubt creeping in. His eyes narrowed slightly, and Nayeon immediately noticed his change in expression.  

"Ah! No, no! It’s not like that!" she waved her hands frantically. "I’m not inviting you because I like you or anything! It’s just that... all our members are like us."

  

‘I never thought that I like you though’ Shiro blinked, the suspicion easing a little.  

"All the members in our guild are AniZo Possessors," Nayeon clarified. "Almost all of them are already part of it. The 5th and 11th haven’t joined yet, but we’re planning to invite them soon!"  

Shiro paused, his mind processing everything. This was a big decision.After a few moments of heavy consideration, he finally spoke.  

"Alright... can I check out the guild first?"  

The words had barely left his mouth when Nayeon’s face lit up with excitement.  

"Yes!!!" she practically shouted, her eyes sparkling with joy. "You’re welcome anytime! Thank you so much!"  

Before Shiro could react, she grabbed his hand and shook it up and down, her grip firm and her movements almost comically fast.  

‘She’s literally Kim’s sister…’ Shiro thought, watching her enthusiasm with a mix of amusement and mild panic.