Today was the day. The long-awaited visit to the Primordial Bloodline ruins — a key moment for Trafalgar, though he still didn't know exactly what he would gain from it.

'Lyren mentioned there are areas we're not allowed to enter… I wonder what they're hiding there,' he thought, walking quietly down the empty corridor. 'Still, the idea of seeing ruins tied to the Primordials… it's a big deal.'

The soft blue glow of mana crystals along the ceiling shimmered faintly, casting fluid reflections that reminded him how deep underwater they were. He stepped outside, the filtered morning light of Lirantis stretching across the dome.

'Honestly, I've seen a lot of fascinating things in this world already. It's hard to imagine something truly surprising me now… Still, this city is insane. Lirantis feels like one of those old myths from Earth — what was it called again? Atlantis? Yeah. Except now I'm actually living in it.'

A faint grin appeared on his face. His thoughts, as always, wandered between fascination and disbelief.

He had left his room long before anyone else. Xavier had been sleeping soundly, saying he was exhausted, and Barth was still curled up in his bed as usual.

Outside the dormitory building, a few early students were already gathering, adjusting uniforms and chatting softly. Yet Trafalgar's attention went straight to the small figure sitting alone near the courtyard bench — Professor Rhaldrin.

The rat-like professor was no taller than a child, dressed in neatly pressed scholar robes, a large tome resting on his lap. His sharp crimson eyes gleamed with the same analytical spark Trafalgar had seen countless times in class.

He couldn't help but smirk. 'Still funny how a rat can be smarter than half the people I know.'

Deciding it was as good a time as any, Trafalgar straightened his jacket and started walking toward him.

Trafalgar crossed the courtyard and stopped in front of the small professor, who was flipping through a thick book almost as large as his torso.

"Good morning, Professor," Trafalgar greeted, looking down slightly to meet his eyes.

Rhaldrin's whiskers twitched as he raised his gaze. "Oh, Trafalgar. Good morning. Excited for today?"

Trafalgar shrugged lightly. "Curious, rather than excited."

The professor gave a faint nod, his voice soft but sharp with intellect. "Hm, you seem to have woken quite early. Not everyone shows such discipline."

"Not much of a sleeper, I guess," Trafalgar replied with a faint grin.

"I see," Rhaldrin murmured, closing his book. "Still, you should rest more. I imagine the past month haven't been easy on you… losing Lord Mordrek, and that business with the dragon. You've been through much for someone your age."

Trafalgar blinked. "Ah."

'Right… that. Of course the news spread fast,' he thought. 'Wait… oh no. No. I never checked if the Gluttony Dragon dropped anything. Fuck! I was too focused recording Valttair's fight with Sword Insight to even look. Shit, what a waste— that could've been something rare! Valttair doesn't care, he's swimming in wealth, but I—!'

He froze mid-thought, staring blankly into the distance.

Rhaldrin tilted his head, misreading the silence. "You're thinking about your uncle, aren't you?"

"Hm?" Trafalgar snapped back.

The professor gave him a gentle, almost paternal look and patted his leg—the highest spot he could reach. "Be strong, my boy. Life moves on. Yours won't be easy, so you must keep moving forward."

Trafalgar sighed softly, realizing the misunderstanding but deciding not to correct it. "Oh— no, I'm fine, Professor. Just… a bit stressed. I want to learn as much as I can about the Primordial Bloodline today, but it's hard when we only get one day to explore."

Rhaldrin's crimson eyes gleamed faintly. "Ambitious and curious. That's good."

Rhaldrin nodded approvingly, tapping his clawed fingers against the book resting on his lap. "Curiosity is the first step toward mastery," he said, his tone both proud and strict. "Those who seek knowledge without hesitation are the ones who truly progress."

Trafalgar gave a faint smirk. "I'll take that as a compliment, Professor."

"It is," Rhaldrin replied, his whiskers twitching in amusement. "Tell me, who's assigned to your group for the expedition?"

Trafalgar straightened slightly. "Zafira, Xavier, Barth, Cynthia… and about fifteen others I've never met."

"Ah," Rhaldrin murmured, adjusting his robes as his crimson eyes sharpened a little. "So Bartholomew is with you."

Trafalgar raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Why? Is that important?"

Rhaldrin gave a small, satisfied hum. "In that case, I'll be guiding your group myself."

That caught Trafalgar by surprise for a moment. "You will?"

"Indeed," the professor said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Bartholomew has a keen interest in the historical side of this discovery. It would be wasteful to let someone else handle the explanations."

Trafalgar blinked once, then let out a quiet chuckle. 'Favoritism, huh? Guess having you around has its perks, Barth.'

He crossed his arms, pretending to think. "Well, I suppose that works for me. I can't complain about having the best teacher in charge."

Rhaldrin's whiskers twitched again. "Flattery doesn't suit you, young man. Still, I appreciate the sentiment."

Trafalgar laughed softly. "It's not flattery if it's true."

"In any case," he said, "we'll be leaving in a few hours. You'd better eat something before the groups assemble."

Trafalgar nodded. "Got it. I'll grab breakfast before everyone else wakes up."

The professor adjusted his robes and leaned back against the bench, clearly satisfied. "Good. And one more thing—don't tell anyone that I'll be the guide of your group. I'd rather avoid students asking to switch."

Trafalgar smirked. "On my life, Professor. Not a word."

Rhaldrin gave a faint chuckle, his whiskers twitching again. "See that you don't. Dismissed, young Morgain."

"Understood." Trafalgar gave a small nod before turning to leave, his boots echoing softly against the smooth stone path. The air was still quiet; most of the academy's students were likely still asleep, completely unaware that this day could change everything.

As he walked, he let his thoughts drift again. 'So Rhaldrin's leading my group, huh? That's convenient.'

He stretched his arms behind his head, a lazy grin crossing his face. 'And with Barth there, I can leave the boring explanations to him. Win-win.'

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