Following her win against the five first-year nobles alongside Nanase and Akane, Kira noticed people staring at her whenever she walked. She was reminded of when she first awakened Burning Soul and the way her clanmates would look at her when she passed.

It was slightly different now though. All the people who were looking at her in admiration were people she recognised as being in classes 1B to D, that is, the commoner classes.

When Kira’s trio entered their Inscription classroom the next day, Kira immediately felt that something was off. It quickly became apparent that someone loud was breaking the usual tranquillity of the room, a someone who was performing flips and cartwheels across the desks, a someone with bright red hair that Kira recognised.

‘What was his name…’

“Ta-da! I’m Tomoe Senji, bringing the heat to this Inscription class! How was that sizzling performance?”

‘Never mind.’

Senji turned to look at the newcomers and nearly fell off the chair he was balancing precariously on before righting himself and approaching the trio at high speed, his feet and hands gliding across the desks. Akane quickly dodged behind Kira in fright while Nanase tensed up slightly. Kira however, didn’t even flinch.

“Heyo…”

When Senji reached them, he paused, clearly not expecting Nanase to be such a beauty at her age and he seemed to be rendered speechless. He smiled sheepishly as if that would fill the silence, before coughing and hastily performing an elaborate bow with an excessive number of flourishes, hiding his embarrassed face.

“Pretty Miss, did you enjoy the show?”

“It was rather entertaining. Thank you for the performance. However, I believe that you should return the desks to how they were. Teacher Kurokawa is rather strict.”

Senji raised his head in surprise, not because he heard that their teacher was Teacher Kurokawa, but because he was being praised by this beautiful girl and his face turned as red as his hair as Nanase smiled sweetly at him.

“I suggest we take our seats. Class should be starting momentarily.”

“Y-Yes ma’am.”

Kira shook her head, concealing a smile. Nanase wasn’t just pretty but she had a way with people that Kira felt she never would. While Kira could read people to a certain extent, it was as if Nanase took the book and gently caressed it, teasing it into surrendering the information she desired.

Thinking of it this way, Kira shivered inwardly. It was a dangerous ability. Thankfully, Nanase hadn’t shown any inclination to use it maliciously, yet, anyway. Kira then realised that the most important question hadn’t been asked.

“What brings you here? Did you switch disciplines?”

“Something like that. Too much smoke going on in the other two.”

He replied vaguely, hands clasped behind his head. Then he froze, realising something.

“Wait, aren’t you that girl from the first day, the one with the eyes?”

“I am the one you threw your weapon at while I was on my way to the entrance ceremony, yes.”

Nanase’s kind look turned hard at these words.

“Is this true?”

“L-Listen, that was a joke, a misunderstanding. My hand slipped is all. I didn’t mean it.”

“Which was it? A joke, a misunderstanding or did your hand slip? Your answer will determine my opinion towards you from now on.”

Kira simply stared. She’d seen how Nanase treated nobles before but this was a different kind of brutal. It also made Kira uncomfortable as Nanase seemed to be pressuring him for her sake. Meanwhile, Senji sighed and stared at a particularly interesting spot on the ground while speaking.

“None of the above. I was just frustrated that she didn’t even glance over at the routine I spent hours preparing. I was really excited to come here, y’know. Thought I’d meet lots of cool people who can do amazing things, just like my master. So, I wanted to make a good first impression on everyone but she just ignored me like I didn’t exist and I guess I just…kinda lost it. Sorry…”

It may have been because of his young age or, as Kira guessed, Nanase’s charm, but Senji suddenly blurted out his true feelings. Nanase smiled and placed her hand on his downcast head, ruffling his hair slightly.

“I understand. We all have things that we cannot tolerate, but it’s important that we fix our mistakes. Now, go and give Kira a sincere apology.”

“There’s no need. I don’t hold grudges.”

Kira half-lied. It was true that she wouldn’t hold one over something as trivial as a single attempted blow in a moment of anger. However, when it came to something like nearly driving her ancestors to extinction and forcing those who survived into hiding, that was another matter.

“If you’re certain…”

Nanase replied, a questioning tone in her voice. She’d thought she was doing Kira a favour by getting an apology out of Senji but it seemed that Kira didn’t need one.

“So we’re good then? Sweet. Now, uhm, it would be awesome if one of you could catch me up on what this class is all about. Please.”

Senji recovered some of his original vigour and was looking pleadingly at the two as Akane was still hidden behind Kira. Nanase sighed.

“Allow me to assist you then. There’s still enough time to cover the absolute basics if you remain focused. Inscribing is…”

After class, Senji was tagging along with the three girls, despite not being invited, when they met up with Usagi after class.

“Oh, is our Nanase trying to gather seven currents so she can wish for her heart’s desire?1 And you are?”

Usagi commented jokingly when she noticed that the size of their group had increased by one.

“Tomoe Senji, master acrobat and chakram-user. If you’d like, I can perform for you.”

“Sounds awesome, but let’s get some food first, I’m starving.”

As if to emphasise her point, Usagi’s stomach groaned loudly enough to cause some of the nearby students to look at her awkwardly. She returned their gazes confidently while declaring,

“Hey, forging works up an appetite. If a girl’s gotta eat, she’s gotta eat!”

“Shouldn’t you clean up first?”

“What if I starve to death in the shower? Then I’ll drown to death also.”

Kira looked over at Usagi and couldn’t help but wonder if the Academy had somehow got her- and Kiyoshi’s classes mixed up. The two of them were as atypical as a commoner and a noble could be. Speaking of Kiyoshi…

“Go ahead, I’ll be right there.”

Kira dismissed herself before slipping through the crowd of students in the Profession Hall lobby, trying to locate the head of blue hair she’d spotted earlier.

“Are you looking for someone, Classmate Suzuki?”

Kira started. Despite her senses being on full alert, she hadn’t noticed him behind her. This was the second time this had happened, the first being in the library. She cursed inwardly while making a firm intention to develop her Soul Sense.

“Classmate Mizuno, it’s actually you I was looking for. I hadn’t had the opportunity to thank you for the Skills you recommended the other day. Having started learning them, they appear to be very useful.”

“No thanks needed. If that’s all, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m off to go eat.”

“Great, then ya might as well join us!”

A cheerful voice interjected. The pair turned to see Usagi leading the other three towards them.

“I apologise, Classmate Kira. I couldn’t stop her. Although, I will admit I was also curious as to whom you would be meeting with. Looks like it was with a boy after all.”

Nanase gave a soft giggle while Senji followed behind them, uninterested. Akane was hiding behind Nanase.

“It’s nothing like that. Classmate Mizuno simply helped me pick out some Skill scrolls.”

“Oooh? So the two of ya are that far along already?”

Kira was uncharacteristically speechless and for good reason. It was clear what Usagi was implying and she had a good feeling that anything she said further would be turned against her.

“Unfortunately, it’s not worth my time to indulge your fantasies. Classmate Suzuki, Classmate Akane, the rest of you, have a good evening.”

Kiyoshi said bluntly before disappearing into the crowd, leaving a disappointed Usagi and confused Kira.

“Hmph, what kinda man is he, leaving his princess like that?”

“Classmate Usagi, I’m fairly certain they don’t have that kind of relationship.”

“Nanase, stop ruining all the fu-”

Groooouuuw.

Usagi’s words were interrupted by her stomach giving another loud groan.

“Fine, fine. Onwards! To food!”

“So, Classmate Tomoe, I take it you’re in Teacher Hanami’s class?”

Kira asked. Senji, whose mouth was half-full, quickly chewed and swallowed before replying.

“I wish. She’s so cute. Nah, I’m stuck with Old Man Yama. He’s a pretty cool dude though so no complaints. And you guys…girls?”

“Teacher Midorima.”

“Same here.”

“I'm in Teacher Kurokawa’s class together with Akane.”

“Ouch, rough life. That Midorima guy didn’t seem like a good teacher to me and Kurokawa is hardcore. I mean, did you see how much homework she gave me today?”

“That’s simply catch-up work.”

“But see how much you’ve done and it’s only been, like, four days including today. Oh yeah, why doesn’t carrot-hair talk much?”

“She’s just a bit shy.”

“Ah, no probs then.”

At this, Akane’s face wrinkled slightly, and she tilted her head up from her plate.

“Bro Senji…

“So, what’s ya type?”

Usagi suddenly butted in, changing the subject. Nanase started, then hurriedly dabbed her mouth with a napkin in case anything escaped. As someone who was fairly reserved, Nanase was still caught off-guard by Usagi’s boldness at times.

Kira, on the other hand, was surprisingly amused. Previously, the only things on her mind were training and her goal. Now that she’d felt less pressured to rush for strength, observing what people did in times of peace was strangely entertaining.

Senji took a sip of water before putting on a mock-serious thinking face.

“Let’s see…hot girls, cute girls, girls with big boobs, girls with long hair and girls with light-coloured eyes. They don’t have to have all of those but the more the better.”

It was a well-known fact that Twin Energy cultivation, more so Life Energy, had side effects on one’s body. More specifically, it both pushed the body towards its prime state as well as maintaining that state even when reaching very old ages as it extended one’s lifespan. This meant that the difference in the bodies of children who cultivated diligently and those who didn’t were very clear.

Nanase unconsciously folded her arms across her chest. Out of the three girls, she was the most flustered as, despite being humble enough not to think of herself as cute or hot, she was mentally ticking all the other boxes, being very gifted in her looks.

“Ahem, so, you’re only concerned with outward appearances?”

Nanase asked, cautiously. As they were already on the topic, she was feeling a bit more bold.

“Well, appearances don’t lie, y’know. Unless the girl is some whackjob who doesn’t think she’s beautiful. Not that I would go out with an ugly chick who thinks she’s beautiful. I mean, you gotta face facts. If you don’t got it, you don’t got it.”

“That was…very honest.”

“Yep, that’s me. Unlike some people who keep their true selves hidden, with me what you see is what you get. Take it or leave it. Man, this steak is delicious.”

Senji declared as he chewed on a hunk of meat before getting back into his meal wholeheartedly, leaving the girls in a somewhat thoughtful mood. After a few moments, Kira took a deep breath. She realised that, if she wanted to get closer to these people she considered friends, she would have to get out of her comfort zone and ask a question on the topic. As Senji seemed to be very forthcoming with his answers, she felt that there was a lot she could learn without giving away anything of herself.

“So what if there was a girl that fit all of your preferences, but she didn’t find you attractive? What would you do?”

While Senji tried to swallow his food, Usagi gave Kira a big thumbs-up, clearly taking it to mean something was going on between her and Kiyoshi, at which Kira frowned. Meanwhile, Nanase on the side looked at her with relief, clearly having taken Senji’s earlier words to mean that he was interested in her.

“Well, it’s her loss then.”

The four girls shared a glance, surprise and curiosity being the most prevalent expressions. They'd expected him to say that he'd fight to convince this fictional girl to get to know him. With his outgoing personality, Senji seemed like he'd be the persistent type. Senji continued, seemingly oblivious to their reactions.

“I believe that…there are tons of girls out there that can fit what I like. They’re not like parents. Those you only get one pair of for your whole life. Once they’re gone, that’s it, no replacements.”

He finished, his voice tinted with melancholy.

“As much as I’d like to hang out with you cute and beautiful girls some more, I think I’ve lost my appetite. I’m going to go and get an early night. See you.”

He pushed away his half-filled tray and rose up to leave. But before he could walk away, Kira grabbed the bottom of his jacket. She felt responsible for his change in mood as it was her question that seemed to trigger the change in his demeanour, but she had no idea what to say in a situation like this and simply stared at him. He stared back for a while, his eyes which usually burned with passion and life now smouldering embers as he gently loosened her grip. As he made to leave, Kira called out.

“Wait!”

In her desperate search for something to say, Kira recalled something he mentioned earlier that seemed a bit off.

‘Thought I’d meet lots of cool people who can do amazing things, just like my master.’

“Your Tile, what’s your number?”

He stopped. Then he shuffled a bit as if looking for something. Soon the shuffling stopped and he half-turned back towards them, a half-hearted smile on his face as he held something up to the light.

“This thing? Shiny, isn’t it?”

In his raised hand, an entry tile glinted in the light, the number ‘93’ written on its face in gold ink, marking him as one of the ten referred students.

1 A play on Nanase’s name as well as a popular manga