The Class Representative Exam
This time, not only were their respective class teachers present, but a number of other instructors—whom they hadn't seen since the welcome ceremony—also appeared, along with the principal herself.
The principal, a petite figure resembling a gothic-loli doll, stood at the front, dressed in her iconic frilly black attire with her black bunny nestled in her arms. Her curly black hair bounced lightly as she moved, and her pure smile belied the sharp awareness in her deep red eyes as they swept over the students.
As Yuna observed the loli, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that the girl's gaze lingered on her a little too long, sending a chill down her spine and giving her the creeps.
The principal didn't deliver any long-winded speeches or enthusiastic welcomes. Instead, she got straight to the point:
"The class representative exam will take place inside a low-tier domain."
That one sentence sent a wave of commotion through the ranks—particularly among the children of noble households and elite families. They clearly knew something the common students, like Yuna, didn't.
Even Celeste, who stood beside her, wore a rare pensive expression. Yuna nudged her and asked directly, "What's this domain thing?"
"Huh? Oh…" Celeste blinked out of her thoughts, then replied, "Domains… Well, I don't know exactly how they're formed, but once you enter one, you're essentially stepping into another world. Low-tier domains are unstable, small, and chaotic—you'll feel the danger instantly. But high-tier domains? Those are catastrophic. Sophisticated, deadly worlds filled with creatures only grandmasters or people who've comprehended laws can handle. Thankfully, high-tier domains are rare."
Domains?? Domains…. Dungeon!!!
Yuna's lips pressed into a tight line as she come to that conclusion, her expression turning grim.
"Why have I never heard of this?"
"Well, domains are dangerous, but they're also rich with highly sought-after resources," Celeste said, her lips curling into a cold smirk. "The high-ranking elites rush to monopolize those domains as soon as they appear. They say it's to avoid public panic… but mostly, it's about hoarding the benefits and keeping the knowledge away from ordinary people."
Yuna didn't ask any more questions, choosing instead to fall into silence. She understood this kind of greed all too well. Even when something posed an existential threat, those in power would rather learn how to exploit it than eliminate it.
She read in novels!
Celeste, however, continued, her voice calm and informative.
"For low-level domains, taking the key catalyst object from within usually causes the domain to collapse or disconnect from our world. No one really knows what the catalyst is gonna be, though. With high-tier domains, it's a different story—too many resources, too many dangers, and it's nearly impossible to identify or retrieve the catalyst. Those domains can't be destroyed, only temporarily sealed."
The more Celeste explained, the more uneasy Yuna became.
She was supposed to be in a fantasy world—yet here she was, hearing about dungeon-like domains, like something out of a modern apocalyptic novel.
What the hell?!
This world was far more complex and dangerous than she'd initially thought.
With a grimace, Yuna turned to glance at Austin, who was lined up with the Spade class. She noticed his hand clenching and unclenching around the hilt of his sword.
Clearly, he was tense.
As someone from a world devastated by dungeon breaks, how could he possibly feel comfortable upon hearing such familiar danger now looming here?
Yuna swallowed. Her throat felt dry.
"Has a domain ever caused a full-scale disaster?" she asked quietly.
"Hm… according to history, yes," Celeste replied. "Domains have existed for a very long time. There was initial chaos when they first started appearing, but thankfully, things were brought under control quickly. We're not powerless here."
There was a subtle hint of pride in her tone at the end.
Right… This wasn't a powerless modern world where people struggled to awaken and control their abilities. Here, people could comprehend laws, wield space magic, and maintain order amidst chaos.
Yuna slowly calmed herself, though her anxiety didn't disappear entirely.
There were powerful people here—true. It wasn't her place, as someone with makeshift abilities, to panic first.
Don't overthink it. Just survive well.
With that inner mantra, Yuna gradually let go of her spiraling thoughts.
Though whether the fear had truly left her or was simply buried deep in her mind… was anyone's guess.
…..
Yuna and Dane stood before the entrance to the low-tier domain, the heavy silence around them buzzing faintly with tension.
Their figures were projected on a large floating screen high above—clearly visible to the rows of watching teachers and students. A spherical floating device hovered beside them, following their every move. Yuna's eyes flickered toward it with curiosity. It resembled a drone from the modern world, but its structure was far more intricate, etched with layers of runes and inscribed with glowing magical circles that allowed it to float smoothly. It seemed capable of recording their every action, likely set to accompany them into the domain itself.
Just as Yuna was studying it, Dane turned to her, breaking the silence with a gentle, lighthearted tone.
"Miss Yuna, I'll be in your care."
Yuna's mouth twitched. She couldn't even guarantee her own safety—how could she be expected to care for someone else? Though his words were meant to be polite, Yuna chose not to play along with the expected niceties.
"Sorry," she said bluntly, "I don't think I can even take care of myself. Don't count on me to take care of you either."
Dane paused, caught off guard by her raw honesty. Most people would have responded with a courteous smile or a meaningless reassurance. But Yuna? She didn't bother.
Still, Dane wasn't discouraged. His expression remained calm, his tone unfazed.
"I misspoke," he said, the smile on his lips unwavering. "Don't worry, Miss Yuna. I'll do my best to protect both of us."
Before Yuna could offer a reply, a chorus of voices chimed in—her classmates, who had gathered nearby to send her off.
"Yes, yes, Classmate Dane, please take good care of our class rep!"
"Our Yuna is timid and fragile. She gets scared easily. She'll need someone to rely on."
"Here, take this potion. Make sure she drinks it if anything happens."
Dane's brow twitched slightly. Was this… bribery? He opened his mouth to decline politely, "Thank you, but I have plenty of potions already—"
"Hey, hey, you can never have too many," Theo interrupted, casually slinging an arm around Dane's shoulder. "Here, take it. Just in case. Our Yuna's in your care."
"Yuna can't fight, she can't hunt, she's… well—anyway, you'll be responsible for her now."
…Was this a babysitting request?
Dane was speechless for a moment, caught in the flood of earnest concern coming from the heart class. Yet the sincerity in their voices was unmistakable. These weren't shallow words—they were deeply protective of her. He could see it clearly now: Yuna wasn't just a mascot or a figurehead. She was the center of this class. Their heart and soul.
Even Theo—someone known for his arrogance and disdain toward most—was speaking to him directly, emphasizing over and over again that Yuna must be cared for. The rest of the heart class had the same look in their eyes: unyielding protectiveness.
As the son of the largest intelligence guild in the kingdom, he knew better than anyone how unusual the heart class was. They were a collection of misfits, prodigies, and unpredictable oddballs. But now, they were unified—centered entirely around one girl.
Yuna.
What kind of person was she, really? What kind of charm did she possess to bind these peculiar individuals so tightly to her? She didn't seem manipulative or calculating. She didn't even try to be nice.
As all these questions flickered through his mind, Dane maintained his composed and friendly demeanor, though his gaze subtly shifted. He was now truly observing her—not just her expressions or actions, but the space she occupied in others' hearts.
Yuna was no ornament, no mere figurehead. She was taken seriously.
It was… intriguing.
Dane had always considered himself someone who could easily win people over. But standing here, surrounded by Yuna's fiercely loyal classmates, he had to admit—
He was nowhere near her level.
Yuna, without even trying, had wrapped her entire class around her finger.