When we stepped outside the Announcement Hall, the difference was immediate.
Paragon wasn't just another academy—it was built with a level of technology and structure that didn't exist on regular Earth. Everything we saw had a clean, advanced design. The roads were smooth and wide, with energy-efficient lights that responded to movement. Buildings were made of polished stone and metal alloys, some marked with glowing blue lines that gently pulsed with mana.
In the distance, we could see a large tower rising at the center of the campus—clearly the core of Paragon. Walkways branched out from it like spokes of a wheel, connecting the tower to other key areas: student housing, training zones, research labs, and more.
Floating platforms quietly moved overhead, likely for fast transport. Some students were already riding them, talking in groups as they toured the grounds. The air felt clean—light, almost like it was filtered—and there was a subtle hum beneath our feet, a quiet reminder that this entire place ran on a mix of magic and machinery.
"Reinhardt, bring John and Risa here," I said, turning toward the path that led to the library.
"As you wish, young master," Reinhardt replied. Without another word, he melted into an ink-like pool beneath him. The puddle shimmered briefly before vanishing into the ground.
I continued walking, the paved pathway beneath my feet gently glowing with embedded mana lines that pulsed like a heartbeat.
"So, big tusks," I said in the troll tongue, glancing to my side. "What's your name?"
"My name is Grunthar... I also speak the human language," he replied in slightly broken English. His voice was deep but a little unsteady, like he was still adjusting to the language. Even so, he was clearly trying his best to communicate properly.
I nodded. "Do you hate me for killing your partner?"
Grunthar paused for a moment before answering. "Hate is a strong emotion. I don't have it. In our tribe, we pursue strength above all else. He was weak—that's why he died. I feel no hatred toward you."
His words came without hesitation, and there was a rough honesty in them. It didn't feel rehearsed, just... real.
"That's a good ideal," I said, walking beside him as the grand facade of the library came into view. "But sometimes, emotions matter more than strength."
The library stood before us, towering at half the height of the central academy spire. Its exterior gleamed faintly under the artificial sky, constructed from a sleek extraterrestrial alloy that reflected the soft ambient light like brushed obsidian.
It had ten floors in total, each one dedicated to a different field of knowledge—history, strategy, magic theory, technology, and more. Subtle signs etched with glowing letters hovered near the entrance, listing the floor categories in multiple languages.
"When John arrives," I said, my pace slowing as we approached the main entrance. "Both of you will go register at the reception desk. After that, head to the fourth floor—that section focuses on Earth's cultures and languages."
Grunthar nodded slightly, but his eyes were fixed on the grand double doors ahead, which parted automatically as we neared.
"Also," I continued. "Try not to speak while you're inside. Humans don't talk in libraries—it's a quiet zone. That policy exists so no one disturbs anyone else."
Grunthar looked genuinely puzzled. "Then… how do I read?"
"In your head," I explained patiently, turning toward him. "Like when you cast a spell—you don't speak it aloud. Just read the words in your mind. Understood?"
Grunthar blinked once, then gave a small nod. "Yes."
"And step away from the doors," I said, and Grunthar promptly returned to my side.
We didn't have to wait long. A rippling pool of black liquid spread across the ground before us, and from it emerged Reinhardt, his form rising smoothly like ink drawn by gravity in reverse. John stood beside him, having already reverted to his human form, while Risa followed close behind—her arms folded and an unmistakable look of annoyance shadowing her face.
"John, go with Grunthar to the fourth floor. Help him get accustomed to our language and culture," I instructed. "Reinhardt, Risa—both of you, come with me."
Without hesitation, I turned and walked away from the library.
Reinhardt didn't show any resistance, despite technically having the right to oversee and discipline Grunthar himself. His loyalty wasn't something I ever doubted.
"Have you done what I asked?" I said, casting a glance toward Risa as Reinhardt raised his hand and silently erected a shimmering sound barrier around us, cloaking our words in silence.
"Yes," Risa replied. "I've imprinted all of our members with the Curse of Dreamwalking."
Since we didn't have access to a secure space for regular meetings, we'd opted for something more… unorthodox. A collective dream realm—crafted through the Curse Path and refined with the Dream Path I had comprehended from Uncle Lyrien. It allowed us to gather in secret, detached from the waking world. Our minds would meet while our bodies rested peacefully, ensuring complete privacy—without sacrificing time or energy.
"And Reinhardt, were you able to retrieve Cooper's corpse?" I asked, turning to face him.
"…Unfortunately, I couldn't find it," Reinhardt replied, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I even searched for his soul, but there weren't any traces—not even a whisper."
"…Strange," I muttered under my breath.
Ryuk had told me that I couldn't save everyone—but he never confirmed that Cooper was dead. And yet now, Cooper had vanished from every one of our radars. No physical remains. No soul signature. Not even Wally's link to him had survived. It wasn't just suspicious—it was deeply unnatural.
Something about this didn't sit right.
"Nothing simple ever made a wise man," Ryuk murmured, casually inserting himself into my thoughts—offering no answers, just another cryptic remark that hung heavy in the air.
"Well, let's put that aside for now. You two can enjoy yourselves today—you've earned it after all the hard work you've done," I said, waving a hand toward Wally. He immediately sent a small allowance to each of their Codex with a soft chime.
"Don't spend it all on your insects, Risa. And Reinhardt—don't lose track of time in the training zones again."
"Sigh…" Risa let out a breath of annoyance—she had, quite literally, been about to do exactly that.
"Actually," Reinhardt said, his tone brightening as he deactivated the sound barrier around us with a simple gesture, "I think I'll visit the tailors today. Just in case my suit gets damaged again—it's better to make an acquaintance while things are calm."
"Hm, that's a good idea. Let me know if you find a good suit," I replied, giving him a nod as we went our separate ways.
Risa seems quite angry that Reinhardt took the troll away from her. Moriarty commented dryly as we walked toward the cafeteria.
She'll be back to her usual self by tonight's meeting. A few emotional outbursts are natural at their age. I replied, keeping my tone calm, almost amused.
"And then you just had to remind her not to spend all her allowance on her insects..." Ryuk added, his voice curling with a hint of mischief. "Sometimes you should just let them have what they want. Children tend to get rebellious when they feel unheard for too long."
Really? I sighed internally. Both of you are going to team up on me now?
The cafeteria was slightly larger than the announcement hall—unsurprising, considering it had to accommodate hundreds of students at once. Rows of round tables filled the space, each surrounded by sleek chairs polished to the point that you could see your reflection in them. Everything gleamed with a sterile shine; it was clear they had meticulously cleaned the place in anticipation of our arrival.
The food counters offered a wide array of dishes, spanning multiple cuisines. From steaming human delicacies to alien-specific meals, there was something for everyone. For students with dietary restrictions or allergies—especially those from other species—there was even an option to customize meals. Efficiency, variety, and accommodation were clearly high priorities here.
"They'll provide three meals a day, tailored to our specific dietary routines... And look, they even have health charts for each species," I remarked, my eyes scanning the board hung on the wall inside the cafeteria. "I didn't expect the healthcare system here to be this good."
Why do so many people eat slimy food... Ugh... Moriarty asked, his voice laced with disgust.
Just because you don't like it doesn't mean everyone else feels the same way. I reminded him.
We didn't linger long at the cafeteria, as we still had to register at the Chamberlain Hall for our respective schools. I had initially planned to choose the School of Magic as my major, but then again, the School of Metahumans and Aliens seemed more fitting. After all, it's where Sammy would have gone, and I couldn't let the protagonist slip too far from my sights, could I?