Chapter 10 “ liora altia ” part 1

Class continued as usual. Everyone listened quietly.

Nox leaned back, half-asleep.

‘It's Strange… Scarlet didn’t stare at me much today. Maybe she’s exhausted from the mess I created with the Eldon Farver incident. Well… not my problem. Perfect chance to slack off.’

After several long hours, class finally ended.

Alber immediately looked around the classroom, scanning through the crowd of students.

Sisbell raised an eyebrow.

“What happened? Did you finally start searching your brain now?”

Alber sighed. “Very funny. I’m looking for Nox. The moment I turned around to pack my bag, he disappeared.”

Sisbell clicked her tongue.

“Maybe he got tired because of you.”

“What?! I’m not annoying—”

They walked off, still arguing, completely unaware that Scarlet had quietly fallen into her thoughts behind them.

When she looked up, Nox was nowhere to be found.

Scarlet frowned. ‘…Where did he go?’

She followed Alber and Sisbell silently, unable to locate him.

---

— In the Academy Garden —

Up on the branch of a large tree, hidden by leaves, Nox lay stretched out, arms behind his head.

‘No one ever said I can’t skip class… and after the headmaster’s work, I deserve this.’

He closed his eyes.

A few minutes passed in peaceful silence—

—until he heard a soft “mweo~”.

It wasn’t a real cat cry—more like someone pretending.

He cracked one eye open and looked down.

Beneath the tree sat a girl he’d never seen before.

She had side-bun hair, a mix of purple with silver streaks, and gentle magenta eyes.

She was playing with a white kitten, feeding it bits of dried treats.

Her voice was soft, warm—childlike.

“Mweo~ kitty, I came to play with you again.”

She patted the cat, who immediately curled on her lap.

She looked so absorbed she didn’t notice him at all.

Then she began humming… then singing quietly.

The melody wrapped around him like a warm blanket, stirring old memories—his childhood… his mother’s lullabies.

She’s… good. A noble? Probably.

Then he heard her mutter sadly:

“Kitty… they bullied me again. They hid my books, and when I finally found them, I was late. The professor scolded me… so I came here instead.”

She sighed and flopped onto the grass, the kitten sprawled across her hands.

Their eyes met.

Her magenta eyes widened slowly—

Then.

She turned crimson red and—

“KYAAAA—!”

Oh no.

“If she screamed, those three idiots (Scarlet, Sisbell, Alber) would definitely rush here.”

Nox jumped down from the tree in one fluid motion.

Before she could scream further, he landed above her, straddling the ground, and quickly covered her mouth.

“Please—don’t,” Nox whispered.

Her entire face turned scarlet.

‘So close… a real guy… on top of me…’

Her mind crashed.

Nox frowned.

“If you stay silent, I’ll explain. Okay?”

She nodded violently.

The kitten walked between them and licked her cheek, making her even redder.

Nox slowly removed his hand and sat beside her.

“I was just… slacking off. So don’t tell anyone.”

Her voice came out as a trembling whisper, head ducked low.

“I-I… y-you… saw… a-and heard… everything…”

“What?” Nox asked. “Speak louder.”

She inhaled—

“YOU SAW EVERYTHING, YOU IDIOT!!”

Her scream blasted directly into his ear.

Nox fell backward, clutching the side of his head.

She pouted angrily, cheeks puffed, eyes watery—an adorable mix of frustration and embarrassment.

Nox stared at her, expression blank.

…Great. Did I attract another troublemaker?

She scooped up the kitten and glared at him from a safe distance, like he might ruin her life any moment.

Nox raised both hands slightly, trying to calm the atmosphere.

“Can you calm down and listen? I’m not a criminal,” he said.

‘Well… I’m probably the academy’s most wanted right now, but not a criminal,’ he thought.

The girl holding the small kitty stared at him with a strangely bashful expression. Her body froze like she forgot how to breathe. Then—

“Meow!”

The kitty jumped straight into Nox’s arms.

“Kitty! Come back to me, please…” she cried as she hurried closer.

Nox looked down. The tiny cat curled into his palm, rubbing like it wanted to play.

‘Huh? How? Cats aren’t even allowed in the academy, ’he thought.

“Wait… how is there a cat? I thought pets weren’t allowed?” Nox asked.

She looked at him anxiously. “Sh-she’s a stray. I found her… so I kept her. Please don’t tell the Headmaster or any professor!”

She suddenly realized how close she stood—

Her cheeks flushed bright red, and she stepped back quickly.

She looked away. “Gross… why is a guy even here… and why is Kitty not coming to me… ummm… big sister, what should I do…” she muttered under her breath, panicking.

Nox blinked at her in disbelief.

“…Here. Take Kitty. I should leave. And please don’t tell anyone I was slacking off,” he said as he tried to walk away.

But she straightened her posture suddenly—

Standing tall, gaze fixed forward, blinking awkwardly, mouth parting slightly.

“W-why are you skipping class? It’s a bad habit,” she said stiffly.

Nox stared at her. “You’re also skipping and playing with a cat.”

Her cheeks flared red again. Her voice softened. Her confidence vanished like smoke

“T-That’s… different. Because of the professor. But you’re just slacking off…”

Her shoulders drooped.

“I was just playing with Kitty… you were sleeping…” she added slowly.

Nox rubbed his forehead.

‘What kind of new human species is this…? ’he thought.

He sighed. “I was playing with the tree too.”

“…What?” She blinked.

Then—

“Pfft— hahahaha!” She burst into laughter. “What do you mean you played with the tree? Trees can’t play!”

“Meow!”

Kitty meowed loudly.

She held her stomach while laughing. “Look! Even Kitty is laughing at your joke!”

Nox exhaled. “Great…”

“Well, it’s fine now. I should take my leave—”

She quickly grabbed his sleeve. “Ah— w-wait! It’s okay, you can stay here. I mean… Kitty said she wants to play with you, so… you can stay… if you want…”

Her voice shrank into a whisper at the end.

Nox tilted his head.

‘She gets bullied… means no friends, huh… A little rest won’t hurt, ’he thought.

“Alright. If Kitty wants that.”

Her eyes sparkled instantly like a puppy receiving treats. “Y-Yeah! Kitty wants it!”

She hesitated for a moment before asking, “A-are you really… a boy?”

Nox stared blankly. “…What kind of question is that, Miss Kitty Advisor?”

She snorted. “I’m not a Kitty Advisor! I’m Liora Altia. Special Admission.”

Nox froze.

‘What wait?? another Special Admission Already I know there are more students but this early? And Unexpected. Meeting’

He nodded. “Nox Moon. Special Admission by the Headmaster. First year, like you. So… let’s become friends.”

Liora’s eyes widened. She crouched down abruptly, hugging her arms.