A Background Character’s Path to Power

The classroom door creaked as I pushed it open.

"May I come in?"

Professor Elvira’s sharp gaze snapped toward me, her eyebrows rising. "Why are you late, Student Luthaire?"

I bowed slightly, my voice carefully measured. "I apologize Miss, I overslept. It won’t happen again."

She stared at me—really stared—her eyes tracing the dark circles under mine, the sluggish way I held myself. After a tense pause, she sighed. "Alright. Take your seat."

"Thank you."

I trudged to the back of the room, sliding into my usual spot at the end of the third row beneath the window. To avoid further suspicion, I forced my attention onto the lecture, even managing to answer a question when called upon.

But the truth?

I hadn’t slept at all.

Or rather, I hadn’t slept enough.

After finalizing the deal with Gavi last night—which involved promising him "first dibs" on all new menu items for a month—I’d been abducted by Virion. My so-called master had dragged me back to the training grounds, where the turtle brothers proceeded to beat me senseless for another six hours. By the time I stumbled back to my room, midnight was creeping through the windows.