The elf with sharp ears and emerald hair—Kiriel—tilted her head when she saw me."Why are you here?"Remaining seated, I calmly answered her question."Why else? I’m a student here."I pointed toward the Hall of Truth visible outside the tram window.Since I was registered as a student in Eredor’s Department of Alchemy, it wasn’t strange for me to be here at all. In fact, finding Kiriel, who belonged to Voltimir, here was what didn’t make sense."Then what about you? Why are you here, Big-ears?""Hey, I told you not to call me that!""Just answer the question. What are you doing all the way in Eredor?"When I pressed her, Kiriel stammered as if something had hit a nerve."W-Why else? To take a class, obviously! A general-education course!"Her suspicious tone only deepened my reasonable doubt."You’re sure it’s not for the food?"Eredor’s dining district was famous for its taste. Even students from Ishtal or Saintea sometimes came here just to eat—so it was very likely Kiriel was here for that reason.By contrast, Voltimir’s food was the worst among the academies. The elves and beastkin who lived in forests had a culinary culture far behind that of humans."It’s not!"Kiriel shouted back in denial, but I was already convinced of her real purpose.So I decided to poke one last time for confirmation."Maybe wipe off the sauce around your mouth before you say that.""W-What?"Falling for my bait, Kiriel dumbly wiped the corner of her mouth with her sleeve—a motion that denied her own claim of innocence. When she saw that nothing had come off, she started fuming."You little punk! You wanna die?""Lady Kiriel, please, your dignity—""Please calm down, Your Excellency~"As Kiriel’s voice rose, the elves accompanying her tried to hold her back.Even if there weren’t many students on the tram, being noisy was still being a nuisance.I added my own comment."Your aides are right. You should keep quiet on public transport. You’re a Student Council President, aren’t you?"I pressed a finger to my lips and gave her a thin smile."You—!"Naturally, Kiriel went into a fit, but the others’ restraint kept her from doing anything to me.Turning away from the noisy elf behind me, I took out a book from my bag.'An Easy Understanding of Spirit Studies.'It was a basic required course at Voltimir, and Kiriel was probably taking it too. With her grades, she couldn’t keep up with intermediate or advanced Spirit Studies anyway.When the bickering finally died down, Kiriel seemed to notice the title of my book. Her eyes went wide."What the—did you sign up for Spirit Studies too?""Can’t you tell just by looking? I didn’t get on the Voltimir tram for no reason."***Each academy under the Union had its own distinct domain.If the Magic Academy of Eredor resembled a marble-built Roman city and the Steel Academy of Ishtal felt like a fortress or military base, then Voltimir stood out even more among them all.Clang—clang—.As the tram rolled along the track into Voltimir’s territory, I closed my book and looked out the window.The natural scenery sliding past as the train advanced—Fwoosh—A waterfall visible in the distance, followed by a massive river running along its path.The clear water branched into countless streams, creating habitats for aquatic life. A thin mist drifted above, softly linking the sky and earth.At the transparent riverbank, where you could see all the way to the bottom, deer and rabbits played and drank.A cool breeze carried birdsong and the pleasant rustle of leaves.Voltimir’s territory was a green jungle—not an artificial garden, but nature itself.And this enormous expanse was not only beautiful; it was vast. Even with undeveloped regions, Voltimir’s domain was the largest of the Four Great Academies.Truly befitting of an academy in harmony with nature and spirits.But where there are strengths, there are weaknesses.Its devotion to nature meant its culinary culture was poor—so their Student Council President often slipped away to other academies’ dining districts, as she had today.And that phrase “in harmony with nature” also meant—Buzz—There were a lot of bugs.I took an insect-repellent spray from my bag and sprayed it over my clothes.It was an essential item for students visiting Voltimir. Duration and effect varied by price, so I had bought the most expensive—this one was Gold Spray.As soon as I used it, Kiriel shot up from her seat behind me."Hey! Don’t spray that!"According to setting lore, elves—being forest dwellers—hated the smell. But I had no choice.Bugs preferred human blood over elf blood, and with my half-human, half-demon body, they seemed to find mine even tastier.If one bit me, I’d be itching for days, and I wasn’t about to let that happen."Then drive the bugs away for me. You elves think you’re fine just because they don’t bite you?""Well, that’s true, but…""Then don’t complain."Kiriel, unable to argue back, sat down again with a sulky face.Screech—After a while cutting through the jungle along the rails, the tram finally arrived at a station.It was a nature-friendly platform made of wood entwined with vines.As I stepped off, the hot, humid air of the jungle greeted me.'Hot.'Apparently, the temperature and humidity were being regulated by spirit magic—it was sweltering.I fanned my chest area with my collar and swallowed a sigh.'A few steps and I’m drenched in sweat already.'While I was weighed down by the heat, the elves, including Kiriel, stretched and breathed in the air as if refreshed."Ahh, this is it. Outside the forest, the air just suffocates you."Smiling contentedly, Kiriel threw me a teasing glance."Aha, but it must be hard for a human like you, huh? Poor thing, must be so hot~""……"I reached into my bag without a word."Ah—sorry! I’m sorry! Don’t spray that thing!"She instantly backed down. I put the spray away again and spoke."Lead the way. You know the path to the classroom better than I do."I could just follow the system map, but since my classmate was right here, there was no reason not to walk together."Why should I lead the way for someone like you?""Just walk ahead. I’ll follow. Got it, airhead?""Who are you calling airhead? I know your grades, you know!""Oh? You know my grades that well? You must be really interested in me.""Interested, my foot. Everyone in the Union knows you’re bad at studying.""That’s rich, coming from you.""Coming from wha—what does that even mean?""If you don’t know, forget it."Bickering like that, we followed the forest path until we stopped before a colossal, ancient tree.So this was Alvheim Hall, where Spirit Studies classes were held.I couldn’t believe a tree this massive actually existed—it made the one I’d seen in the game look tiny.Even staring at it with my own eyes, it barely felt real.'It’s as tall as a building.'No wonder elves lived in hollowed-out trees."What are you gawking at, idiot? Get in."Nodding, I followed Kiriel and the other elves into Alvheim Hall.Inside, an open hall spread out before us—A cylindrical space stretching from the base of the trunk nearly all the way to its crown.A vast spiral staircase coiled up along the inner wall, leading to countless doors—each connected to a classroom or research lab.Elves moved busily up and down the stairs.Taking in the sight of this otherworldly space, I followed Kiriel until we reached Classroom 109."Ah, it’s Kiriel!"As soon as she entered, the gathered students greeted her warmly."Hallo-halloo~"But when they saw me following behind, their expressions soured."What, it really is Loen?""Why’d he sign up for Spirit Studies?"Ignoring their murmurs, I scanned the classroom.The seats were arranged in semicircles around a central podium—like a miniature parliamentary chamber.I took a spot at the outermost ring of tables—the very back row.Kiriel sat in a similar seat near the back as well.She probably planned to coast quietly through class, same as me. No wonder her grades were like that.Noticing my gaze, Kiriel frowned."What are you looking at?""Nothing.""……?""Class is starting."I jerked my chin toward the podium, signaling her to face forward.Right on cue, the Spirit Studies professor ascended the stage.Click-clack—Click-clack—Footsteps echoed across the wooden floor—No, hoofsteps.The four elegant legs moved in cross rhythm before halting atop the platform.Then, the deer standing there opened its mouth."Good day, everyone. I am Islay Ahivalt, head of the Spirit Studies Department and your chief professor.""……"A deer wearing glasses was speaking.And even bowed slightly to the students with perfect etiquette.Not a deer-person or a centaur. Just… a deer.I’d seen this NPC in the game, but actually watching a deer give a lecture in real life—what a world.'Right, I did get hit by a truck not too long ago.'Anyway.The other students didn’t seem surprised; they just opened their textbooks and prepared for class."Let’s begin with roll call. Miss Kiriel?""Here~."After calling Kiriel and about a hundred others, Islay finally reached me."Mister Loen?""Yes, Professor."When I raised my hand, Islay adjusted his glasses with a flick of his head."Hooh. So you’re the famous Loen, are you? A pleasure to meet you—and I look forward to our time together."The deer professor winked at me.I’d seen deer scream while standing guard duty in forests before, but never thought I’d live to be winked at by one.As Islay offered his greeting, the other students looked at me curiously.Their hostility wasn’t gone, but it was much weaker than what I’d faced in other academies.Probably because I hadn’t done anything in Voltimir yet."In any case, I’m glad everyone’s here. Let’s begin right away—please open to page twelve in your text.""Eh, Professor~""Come on~"When Islay moved straight into class, the students whined in unison.He gave a resigned nod and chuckled."My, my, fine then. I suppose I’ve no choice. Let me tell you about my first love.""Yaaay~""……"After about five minutes of hearing a deer talk about its first love, the lecture finally began."As I’ve said before, this course is easier to follow if you’ve taken An Easy Understanding of Spirit Studies I, but even if not, you’ll be fine. Spirit Studies isn’t a sequential discipline like mathematics or magic that requires rigid structure. For example—"Islay glanced toward Kiriel."That young lady there, Miss Kiriel, became Voltimir’s finest spirit summoner purely on talent, without theoretical mastery.""Heheh.""That’s our President~""So pretty~"The classroom filled with cheers and teasing laughter.Kiriel’s ears turned red as she shouted back, flustered."Hey! Don’t laugh! Pro-Professor!""What’s wrong? It’s true. Even I envy Miss Kiriel’s exceptional affinity for spirits."The atmosphere here was different from Eredor’s—more like a real class of friends who laughed together.You could tell just from how casually they treated their Student Council President."My apologies for the teasing, Miss Kiriel. Now, onto the main topic…"Still smiling, Islay turned his gaze to me."All the other students here have already completed their Spirit Affinity Assessment. Only one remains—Mister Loen."At his words, everyone’s «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» attention focused back on me.Since the inauguration and the early part of the semester, I had been bedridden, missing several classes.So, the spirit-summoning aptitude test must have already been done."Therefore, before we start the lesson, let’s briefly conduct Mister Loen’s Spirit Affinity test. The method is simple."Thud—When Islay stomped one hoof, vines suddenly burst from the floor.Sshhh—They grew rapidly, stopping right before me.At the end of one vine hung a transparent crystal orb—an artifact for measuring spirit affinity.I’d thought this class would be purely theoretical, but apparently not."Now, Mister Loen, please place your hand upon the orb."Adjusting his glasses again, Islay gestured invitingly."Hoo… Understood."I exhaled softly and clicked the message that appeared before my eyes.[Would you like to begin the Spirit Arts Tutorial?]

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