"Too slow...!"

The farthest classroom on the second floor of Fiers Hero Academy's east campus belonged to Grade 2, Class C. A girl sat at a wooden table facing the blackboard and podium, openly showing her impatience.

This amphitheater-style room was spacious, yet held only about thirty students. It proved Superhumans weren't easily born. Entry required passing tests and showing talent.

But the students were restless. Their handsome homeroom teacher had resigned to care for his wife. And the new teacher, promised for today, was nowhere to be seen.

"What’s going on? Class started ages ago!"

"Maybe the new teacher has a stomach bug?"

Boys burst into laughter. Girls nearby voiced their displeasure.

"Is the teacher busy? Estia, what do you think?"

The first speaker slumped weakly onto her desk, turning to her seatmate.

"Ah... probably... maybe a stomachache..."

Estia lay on the desk as if suppressing pain. Her hands supported her ample chest—was it too heavy? Impossible. Her seatmate Emily leaned down, worried.

Estia clutched her chest, face flushed. Her whole body seemed paralyzed. It looked like a fever, but only she knew: her period had hit, worse than most girls'.

"If it’s the teacher, that weirdo at the door must be him."

The classroom door opened. A cold, bell-like voice echoed through the room.

"Oh, Wisdom’s back. That weirdo at the door?"

The girl called Wisdom ignored her best friend. She sat beside Estia, frowning slightly at her pain.

Just then.

"Sorry, sorry! I’m late."

Empty City wilted upon hearing her words. He entered with an apologetic sigh, looking young.

The legendary new homeroom teacher had arrived—though class was half over.

"Teacher, you’re finally here! Explain this! Did you really have diarrhea? You—"

Boys stopped laughing. All students froze in their seats.

"Y-you... a-are—"

"What? Speak properly!" a confused classmate asked.

Same white shirt, black tie, slim jeans. Messy black hair framed a youthful face.

This face stirred anger in the boys.

Instantly, Empty City sensed their rage and a few girls’ admiration. He grasped their shock. Worried about Night Zero, he blurted:

"Sorry, you’ve mistaken me!"

He shamelessly tried bluffing calmly.

"How could we mistake you? A beast who carried Teacher Night Zero!"

"I say... why are all you boys cursing?" Empty City forced a gentlemanly smile.

His morning actions had scarred the boys, proving Night Zero’s popularity.

"Don’t tell me you did something worse to Teacher Night Zero after that!"

Girls’ wild imaginations gave him a headache. Going along might build rapport, but risked trouble for Night Zero. He skipped it.

"No, I just talked too long with the principal. Time slipped away."

"If that’s true, it’s understandable..."

Murmurs faded. Everyone disliked the man who’d manhandled Night Zero, but opposing their new teacher meant trouble. Boys calmed—except a few.

Sensing hostility, Empty City ignored it. He wrote his name on the blackboard.

"I’m Empty City. From today, I’ll be your homeroom teacher. Let’s get along."

He suddenly covered his mouth, suppressing a smile. He walked to the schedule board beside the blackboard.

After checking the lesson, he turned sternly.

"Let’s begin our first class!"

But an anxious voice interrupted.

"Teacher... Estia can’t hold on."

He followed the voice to three girls sitting together.

One he disliked instantly—probably for calling him "weirdo." Another...

Estia. That must be her.

Seeing her pained expression, Empty City understood everything.