Chapter 18: Self-Introduction
It turned out that, just like the Frost Lynx, the Fire Lynx was also a rare-grade gene.
However, compared to the Frost Lynx, the Fire Lynx possessed even greater potential, making it much harder for fetus with that gene to survive in the womb.
As a result, there were very few beastmen who carried it.
Even though each of them was stronger than a Frost Lynx beastman, their numbers were simply too small to establish one of the top ten prestigious families.
What stood out the most about Iris was that both she and her oldest baby beast were A-Rank, even though the limit for rare-grade genes was normally B-Rank.
Only those with extraordinary potential could break through that ceiling.
No wonder the entire class fell silent the moment they heard her introduction.
The same students who had been bombarding her with questions just moments ago suddenly became perfectly well-behaved.
"I’ve introduced myself. Now it’s your turn," Iris said as she looked around the classroom, barely hiding her excitement.
"Oh, right. You don’t have to tell everyone your beast gene or rank if you don’t want to. You can talk about your hobbies or anything else you like," she added with her signature warm smile.
Some of the students felt Iris was blatantly calling them out, but Shani silently thanked her instead.
’Maybe Instructor Cross already told her about me... But Iris is clearly doing even more than that.’
Iris immediately asked the student sitting in the front-right corner to introduce himself.
The classroom instantly fell silent.
Shani didn’t think much of it. She assumed everyone was simply being respectful toward Iris, or perhaps they were genuinely interested in hearing their classmates’ introductions.
But the moment the student spoke, even Shani froze in surprise.
"My name is Jeryon of Argenor." The golden-haired young man sat back down immediately after his incredibly brief introduction.
The entire classroom remained silent until Iris finally broke it. "Is that all, Jeryon?"
Jeryon simply nodded. Then the student beside him stood up and introduced himself.
Like everyone else, Shani eventually recovered from her shock, but her curiosity about the first student only grew stronger.
’Jeryon... of Argenor. He’s a member of the Argenor royal family!’
’To be allowed to use the kingdom’s name as part of your own, he must not only possess the Solar Lion gene, but also have at least B-Rank beast energy.’
’Why would someone with qualifications like that end up in this class?’
Shani began to suspect her assumption about how the classes were divided had been wrong. Maybe the assignments were random after all.
She turned her attention back to the other introductions.
Unlike Jeryon, who had kept his introduction painfully short, everyone else proudly announced their beast energy rank, gene grade, family background, and even famous relatives. No one gave a brief introduction like his.
However, from those introductions, Shani realized her original assumption had actually been correct.
The classes really were arranged according to ranking. The farther back someone sat, the lower their beast energy rank tended to be.
The boy sitting next to Shani possessed D-Rank beast energy and a rare-grade gene.
’Director Rowan was right. The lowest beast energy rank in this academy is D-Rank. Even then, they’re all from influential families who could get them admitted here,’ Shani thought.
"Now it’s our last classmate’s turn," Iris said, interrupting Shani’s thoughts.
Shani nodded, then looked around at the entire class, who had all turned to face her.
She took a deep breath before giving a short introduction, just like Jeryon had.
She could clearly see the disapproving looks from her classmates.
None of them had dared look at Jeryon that way. Well, who would be foolish enough to glare at a prince of the royal family?
Shani ignored them completely.
Iris also continued the class as though there were nothing wrong with Shani’s introduction.
"Since today is the first day, we won’t have any formal lessons. Instead, I’ll guide you through the first-year area and briefly explain the academy rules."
A holographic model of Panther Building appeared from the holo-projector.
"For first-year students, you’re only allowed to access this building and the entrance area. Without an instructor’s permission, you won’t be able to enter any other area."
Shani listened attentively as Iris explained the purpose of each floor.
"...The eighth floor is the dormitory for first-year students, as you already know. The ninth floor houses the second-years. And the tenth floor is reserved for the top ten students from both the first and second years."
That final sentence immediately sparked excited whispers throughout the classroom.
An entire floor that could normally hold a hundred rooms now contained only twenty. Just imagining the facilities available there was enough to excite everyone.
"There will be a ranking test every month to determine your standings. And your first test will be... next month."
The classroom instantly erupted.
Even Shani was startled. Cedric had mentioned the monthly ranking tests, but he had never said they would start this soon.
’What could we possibly learn in just one month?’
Iris simply smiled encouragingly at her students before continuing to explain the rest of the academy’s rules.
An hour and a half later, she finally concluded the orientation.
"That’s all for today’s class. There won’t be any lessons after lunch. Oh, and your first class tomorrow will be Resonance."
"You’ll be choosing your resonance partner. If you already have a friend you’d like to partner with, that’s even better. If not, that’s perfectly fine too. The instructors will assign partners for you."
With that, Iris left the classroom.
Shani’s heart began pounding. ’Tomorrow... I’ll finally find my resonance partner!’
The other students immediately gathered with their acquaintances to chat.
Shani had no intention of eavesdropping, but nearly every conversation revolved around the same person.
"I thought it was just a rumor. Jeryon really is in our class."
"Hey, don’t say his name so casually. He’s the prince of our kingdom."
Hearing that, Shani unconsciously slowed her steps, nearly stopping altogether.
’So he’s not just a member of the royal family... He’s actually a prince.’
"More specifically, the Cursed Prince. How many partners have already had their ranks drop because he keeps draining their beast energy?!"
...