The Valentine’s Day gathering wasn’t actually organized by Mars himself, but by his surrogate son. The old man Mars had virtually no rumors about women—never married, never anything. One might even question his orientation… though such thoughts felt terribly disrespectful toward someone bedridden by illness.
After silently scolding myself, I finally took in the scene. The school’s indoor sports hall had been hastily repurposed. The venue looked almost shabby, yet nobles filled every corner. Among them were several younger members of the Fenrir Family—Rachel’s clan. That this top-tier imperial house would honor Mars so deeply…
As founding pillars of the Empire, nearly every adult Fenrir held a post in the palace. Even the Emperor’s decrees required their prior approval. They were the very template for arrogant antagonists in novels.
But in truth? Fenrir heirs received impeccable upbringing. They knew decorum and tact…
*Right, drifting again.* Spotting Senior Rachel made my thoughts spiral. Julia was absent—though noble-born, her family served mostly as Enforcers. No free time after classes.
“You wander freely for now. I’ll check on Headmaster Mars.”
“Got it…”
I didn’t pry about Teacher Rhein’s ties to Mars. I knew her temperament too well.
Once she left, I headed straight for Senior Rachel.
“Senior Rachel!”
Her Fenrir relatives snapped their gazes to me. Nearly every male instinctively reached for their waists—where swords should hang—before dropping their hands empty.
Not strange. Fenrir men were warriors.
“Nosed? What brings you here?” Rachel noticed me belatedly, flustered.
“Accompanying my teacher…”
“*Rhein Teacher*? Has she forgiven you?”
“No idea. She hasn’t acted unforgiving…”
“You still don’t understand girls, Nosed.”
“True. I’m terrible with them… Aren’t you the same, Senior?”
“Huh? Why bring *me* up—”
“You barely speak to guys. Isn’t that awkward with the opposite sex?”
“But… I’m talking to *you* now.”
“That’s different! We’re friends—not strangers!”
“Just… friends?”
Her whisper was soft, yet clear. Not the anime trope of unheard confessions.
*Just friends?* A genuine question. Translation: *Can’t we be more?*
“Ah, well—”
*“Ahem! Ahem!”*
A painfully fake cough cut me off. A Fenrir man stood at my right, glaring.
“Don’t you two seem overly familiar? This is a Valentine’s gathering—but it hasn’t *started*. Mind your conduct.”
“Y-yes…”
“Understood, brother,” Rachel murmured.
*Her brother.* No surname given yet.
Now what? No other acquaintances. Teacher vanished. I was likely the only single attendee at a *Valentine’s* party. Pathetic.
…Wait. Wasn’t Rachel single too? Could I ask her to dance later? Her relatives watched closely, but surely they’d allow it at a *Valentine’s* event—
***CRACK-BOOM!***
A thunderous crash ripped from the dorm-side wall. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface.
*Not a load-bearing wall, right?*
The crowd murmured, eyeing the fissures. No panic yet—this *was* Valentine’s Day. Might be a stunt.
But it wasn’t.
I stepped back just as the wall exploded inward. A figure tumbled through, rolling to a stop. The robes—identical to Teacher’s.
***“RUN! NOW!”***
Her voice. People bolted for exits—orderly, given the space. Others rushed toward her.
I was first at her side.
Her face was ashen. A trace of blood stained her lips. But her eyes were sharp.
“Teacher!” I reached to lift her.
***“I SAID RUN!”*** she snarled through gritted teeth. “Do you all crave death?!”
The wall collapsed completely.
A hulking shadow clawed through the rubble.
Pitch-black fur bristled like porcupine quills. A muzzle split into jagged, bloodstained fangs. Three meters tall on all fours—a malformed black wolf.
Everyone knew this horror.
The Black Beast.
