The bell tolled, signaling the end of the lesson. Students packed their things, the murmur of conversation filling the classroom as they drifted out into the corridor. Jordan shouldered his satchel, Domm trailing behind him, still fumbling with the stack of crumpled papers he had yet to organize. Cynthia and Kaitlyn spoke quietly a few steps ahead, while Jayden stalked off in the opposite direction without a word.
As the group spilled into the sunlight of the west corridor, a familiar voice called out.
"Not bad for your first proper lecture, eh?"
Renfo Kuzenagi leaned casually against a pillar, arms folded, his grin as relaxed as ever. His presence carried an easy confidence that marked him as someone who had been through it all before.
Jordan frowned. "You again? Do you even go to class?"
Renfo only shrugged, his grin never fading. "Depends on your definition of class. Some of us learn more wandering the halls than sitting in rows."
Kaitlyn tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Funny… I've never actually seen you in a classroom."
Domm piped up, still stuffing loose papers into his satchel. "Maybe he's a ghost."
Renfo chuckled. "Call it… higher learning. And speaking of higher learning, there's something you all should know. A path most don't hear about until they're a little deeper into the year."
Cynthia's curiosity piqued; her eyes narrowed. "Go on."
Renfo lowered his voice just enough to make them lean closer.
"It's called the Pantheon Prefecture. A special program in the Academy — not for everyone, mind you. Applications go straight to the Headmaster himself. If accepted, you don't waste time with mundane classes. Instead, your education runs directly inside Astrolia. Daily. No limits."
Kaitlyn blinked, surprised. "Wait, you mean… you could live inside Astrolia full-time?"
Renfo nodded, his grin widening. "Exactly. While the rest of you juggle history lessons and arithmetic, Prefecture candidates hone themselves where it matters. Out there, where every lesson counts, and every mistake teaches fast."
Jordan exchanged a glance with Domm, whose eyes lit up with awe. "That sounds… incredible."
Cynthia folded her arms, her expression skeptical. "Or reckless. To abandon the balance between the real and the simulated is to risk losing perspective."
Renfo shrugged, unconcerned.
"Maybe. Or maybe it's the only way to get strong enough to matter in what's coming. Either way — it's worth knowing."
With that, he pushed off the pillar and started down the hall, his grin lingering like a challenge left behind.
The students stood in uneasy silence, curiosity gnawing at them. Renfo was never in their classrooms, yet always appeared in the halls — always knowing more than he should.
The Pantheon Prefecture. A door only a few could open… but one that promised far more than ordinary study ever could.