The corridor of the Glaxina school building felt different from the one they had just left behind.
The ceiling was lower. Long white panel lights lined up neatly overhead, casting a cold glow that reflected off the glossy gray ceramic floor. Every footstep echoed softly in a rhythmic, steady pattern—almost like a metronome measuring time itself.
Kaito walked at the front.
His steps were stable, shoulders straight, his navy-blue coat falling cleanly along the lines of his body. The G.T ID card around his neck swayed slightly with each step, reflecting a soft blue-golden light onto the corridor walls. His silver-gray eyes moved quickly, reading every room marker they passed.
[Tactical Archive Room]
[Basic Ballistics Laboratory]
[Student Counseling Room]
On his right, Levi adjusted his pace to walk level with him. His thin white coat brushed softly against his uniform as he moved. His left fingers unconsciously touched his tactical belt—just to confirm, then pulled away again. The silver lenses of his glasses caught the light, hiding eyes that looked increasingly tired.
Harisa walked half a step behind them.
Her pace was slower, as if her body had not fully synchronized with her thoughts. Her white-and-blue jacket hung open, her tie slanted loosely. Her gaze was empty, yet not completely lost—she noticed the room signs without truly reading them, like someone walking through a dream.
Footsteps echoed from the opposite direction.
Fast. Precise.
Kaito raised his gaze.
From the far end of the corridor, a Glaxina student walked toward them.
Aklian.
Her dark purplish-black hair was neatly combed, falling evenly at shoulder length. Her Glaxina uniform was perfectly worn, almost without a crease. Clutched tightly to her chest was a slim laptop, her fingers pressing into its corners with the habit of someone who always carried secrets behind a screen.
Her heterochromatic eyes caught Kaito first.
She slowed her steps. Her lips curved slightly—an ambiguous, faint smile.
"Flying Teacher," Aklian greeted lightly. Her tone was flat, but not cold. "And… Levi. Harisa."
Levi stiffened slightly, shoulders tightening for a split second before he returned an awkward nod.
"H-hello."
Harisa gave a small nod. Her gaze lifted briefly—then dropped again.
Kaito stopped one step short. He gave a faint smile and a short nod.
"Oh. Aklian."
Two words. Enough.
Aklian adjusted her path, passing them at a safe distance. As their shoulders nearly aligned, she tilted her head slightly—a small gesture that could be read as politeness… or observation.
❝She seems busy,❞ Kaito thought calmly. ❝That's normal in this city.❞
Aklian's footsteps faded toward the end of the corridor.
They continued walking.
Several meters later, Kaito stopped abruptly.
Levi nearly ran into him.
"What is it, Teacher?" Levi asked quickly, reflexively.
Kaito gestured with his chin.
On the right side of the corridor stood a plain gray metal door, devoid of decoration. Beside it, a matte-black room marker bore sharp white lettering:[Mag's Privacy Room]
Below it, smaller text was neatly engraved.
1. A resting room for Mag and his siblings
2. Serves those who seek direction in life
3. A discussion room for White Wolf members
Underneath, a single rule was written:
Only one rule
The door must be knocked
And at the very bottom—a sentence that felt… different.
"Humans will never fully understand another human's feelings, even if they experience the same thing."
Kaito went silent.
One second.
Two seconds.
❝This sentence…❞ he thought. ❝I've read something like this in a sociology book before.❞
Levi read it over Kaito's shoulder. His brow furrowed.
"This is… Mag's room?"
Harisa stepped half a pace closer. Her gaze fixed on the final sentence. Her chest rose and fell slowly.
❝Now I understand…❞ she thought. ❝what that sentence means.❞
Kaito turned to Levi.
His voice was flat, without excess emotion.
"Try knocking on the door."
Levi nodded quickly. "Yes, Teacher."
He stepped forward and raised his right hand.
Before his fingers could touch the door—
Click.
The door opened from the inside.
A tall figure in an elegant white suit stood in the doorway.
Mag.
His white hair was neatly slicked back, his face calm, devoid of an exaggerated smile. Synthetic black wings were folded neatly against his back, almost soundless. A modified classic black AK-47 hung casually at his side—safe position, but ready.
Mag paused briefly when he saw them.
His gaze met Kaito's.
"Flying Teacher," Mag greeted politely, his voice calm and authoritative. "Levi. Harisa."
Levi straightened instinctively. "Knight Mag."
Harisa nodded faintly.
Kaito returned the nod. "Is Mag inside?"
"For now," Mag answered briefly. The corner of his eye flicked toward the interior—toward something they could not see. "Mag is sitting and relaxing."
He stepped past them with light yet firm steps. His shoes made no loud sound—the disciplined stride of a knight.
Mag did not close the door.
The door remained open.
Silence followed.
Levi swallowed, then knocked politely.
Knock. Knock.
"Excuse us."
There was no immediate response.
Kaito stepped forward. His hand touched the door and pushed it open slowly.
They entered.
The door closed behind them.
Click.
The corridor fell silent again.
A Glaxina student passed by Mag's Privacy Room, walking casually with several sheets of notes in hand. She glanced briefly at the door—curious, but did not stop.
Suddenly—
Quick footsteps echoed.
Tap—tap—tap!
Aklian appeared from the far end of the corridor, lightly jogging against the flow while clutching a stack of books and a laptop that nearly slipped from her grasp.
"Ah—!" Aklian stopped abruptly in front of the student, slightly out of breath. "Sorry! I was busy looking for some books for our observation."
The books almost fell. She caught them with an awkward movement—unusual for her.
The student blinked, studying Aklian, then glanced back down the corridor.
"Weren't you heading to the cafeteria just now?" she asked, confused.
Aklian froze for a split second.
Cold sweat formed at her temple.
❝Ah… damn it,❞ she thought quickly.
She laughed lightly—too quickly.
"Oh—that?" she said, waving her hand as if brushing it off. "I was going to the cafeteria earlier."
The student narrowed her eyes, suspicion clear on her face.
Aklian immediately stepped half a pace closer, tilting her head. A faint smile appeared—hard to tell whether friendly or hiding something.
"Never mind," she said lightly. "Don't think too much about it. Let's continue our observation. Our time is limited."
She turned and walked away first.
The student hesitated… then followed.
Their footsteps faded down the corridor.
---
Inside Mag's Privacy Room
The room was spacious, yet not cold.
Dark wooden panels lined the walls, with bookshelves filling the right side. The faint aroma of old paper mixed with warm tea lingered in the air. At the center stood a low wooden table, two cushioned chairs in front of it, and a main chair facing the door.
Mag sat in that main chair.
He wore a black-and-white robe, neat yet loose. A black Cap rested perfectly on his head. On his back, a Komodo D5 rifle hung casually—not threatening, but undeniably present.
In his hands was a novel.
The title on the cover was clearly visible: Chronicles of Santara.
Mag lifted his gaze.
His eyes narrowed slightly—not in suspicion, but observation. A small smile formed at the corner of his lips. He closed the novel slowly, his fingers lingering briefly on the cover before placing it neatly on the table.
"Welcome, Teacher Kaito," Mag greeted calmly and politely. "And also… Levi. Harisa."
He rose slightly from his chair—just enough to show respect, not excessive.
Kaito nodded briefly. Harisa bowed her head slightly, reflexively. Levi shifted his feet, standing beside Kaito.
Kaito and Harisa sat in the chairs provided. Kaito sat upright, both palms resting on his knees. Harisa sat slowly, her back slightly hunched, both hands tightly clasped in her lap.
Levi remained standing at Kaito's side, like a guarding shadow.
Mag sat back down. His gaze moved from Harisa's face to Kaito's.
His smile widened just a little.
"You came here because you want me to help repair Harisa's mental state, didn't you?"
The words fell effortlessly. Calm. Precise.
Kaito frowned slightly.
❝How does he know so easily? Does he have telepathy?❞
His silver-gray eyes locked onto Mag for several seconds longer than usual, searching for cracks—and finding nothing but an oddly honest calm.
"That's correct," Kaito finally replied, his voice flat. "Anwar said you could perform therapy."
Mag nodded gently, as if this were the most ordinary thing in the world.
"Oh. In that case…" he glanced at Harisa again, this time longer. His gaze was gentle, not judgmental. "…may I begin the therapy immediately?"
Harisa tensed slightly. Her breath caught for a moment.
Kaito glanced at her briefly—just enough to confirm she was still grounded—then returned his gaze to Mag.
"Yes."
One word. Final decision.
Mag stood.
His movements were smooth, his robe rustling softly. He stepped closer to Harisa, then stopped at a safe distance—not too close.
"You," he said gently, his voice lower now. "Please follow me."
Harisa slowly lifted her head. Her eyes trembled briefly, then she nodded faintly.
"Yes…"
She stood. Her legs wobbled slightly, but she forced herself to remain upright. Mag turned and walked toward a small door on the left side of the room—a door that had remained tightly closed until now.
Harisa followed behind him.
Their footsteps echoed softly against the wooden floor.
Before entering, Mag stopped. He turned to Kaito and Levi.
"Please do not enter," he said politely, but his tone shifted—firmer. "Unless you receive my permission… or there is an emergency."
Kaito nodded. Levi straightened his shoulders, accepting the order without protest.
Mag gestured for Harisa to enter first. She stepped inside.
Just before the door closed, Harisa turned back.
Her empty gaze met Kaito's eyes.
No words.
Just a slow blink from Kaito—a small signal, barely visible.
❝Stay calm. You are not alone.❞
The door closed gently.
Click.
Silence returned to the main room.
Levi exhaled a short breath he had been holding. "Teacher… just now, Mag was…" he began hesitantly.
"…Telepathic?" Kaito finished without looking at him.
Levi fell silent.
Kaito remained seated, his gaze fixed on the closed door. His face was expressionless, but behind it, his thoughts moved rapidly.
❝If he truly can read people's minds…❞
❝…then Harisa is in the right hands.❞