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Once the class settled, Cika surveyed the room, her golden eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence.

"Good. Since you all seem attentive today, let's move on to something fundamental—yet often overlooked." She adjusted her sitting posture on the cushion, resting her chin on her hand.

"Trion is home to nine surviving races. You've likely interacted with many of them, but how much do you truly know about them?"

Some students perked up with interest, while others merely waited for her to continue.

Cika raised a finger. "Let's begin with one of the lesser-known races—the Kushis."

A few murmurs spread through the room. The name was familiar, but Kushis were not often seen in academies like Cardon.

"Kushis," Cika continued, "are a nomadic race, often mistaken for Beastmen due to their physical traits.

But unlike Beastmen, they do not share animal-like characteristics—no claws, fur, or tails.

Instead, Kushis possess heightened senses and extraordinary stamina, making them ideal scouts, messengers, and long-distance travelers."

She flicked her wrist, and an illusion of a Kushi appeared above her hand—a tall, lean figure with sharp eyes and slightly elongated ears.

Their skin bore faint, natural markings, almost resembling tattoos, which were said to glow faintly in moonlight.

"They prefer wide, open landscapes—grasslands, deserts, and mountainous regions. Their culture values oral tradition, and they rarely settle in one place for long.

Unlike most races, Kushis have no permanent cities. Their communities move as the seasons change, following paths laid by their ancestors."

She paused for a moment, letting the information sink in.

"Next," she said, "let's talk about a race that some of you may have heard about, but few have met—the Trilans."

This time, a few heads turned toward a familiar face.

Yirrel, a student sitting toward the middle of the classroom, didn't react immediately but seemed to stiffen slightly under the attention.

Cika, as usual, noticed everything.

"The Trilans are a race of scholars, artisans, and architects. They are humanoid in appearance, but their defining trait is their crystalline physiology."

With a wave of her hand, another illusion formed—a Trilan, tall and elegant, with shimmering gemstone-like structures embedded in their forearms, shoulders, and along their spines.

"Their bodies generate mineral formations unique to each individual, which grow over time and can be shaped into tools, weapons, or even works of art. These formations harden under stress, granting them natural durability."

She gestured toward Yirrel. "Our very own Yirrel is a Trilan. Perhaps she would like to share something about her people?"

Yirrel, who clearly had not expected to be put on the spot, hesitated. Then, with a small sigh, she nodded.

"We… value craftsmanship," Yirrel said, choosing her words carefully. "Every Trilan is expected to refine a skill—whether it's smithing, architecture, or something artistic. We believe creation is the highest form of expression."

She stopped there as if debating whether to say more.

"Trilans once had a great city, Voreis, known for its impossible structures—floating bridges, spiraling towers, buildings sculpted directly from living crystal. But that city is gone now."

Silence followed. Even those who didn't know much about Trilans' history understood what that meant.

Cika didn't push further. Instead, she nodded and shifted the topic.

"Finally, we come to the Kri Folk—a race you are even less likely to meet."

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She waved her hand again, and an illusion of a Kri shimmered into existence. Their form was fluid, almost shifting, their skin appearing almost translucent, flickering between pale blues and silvers.

"The Kri Folk are an enigmatic race. They are neither land-dwellers nor air-dwellers—but tide-walkers.

Their bodies are semi-amorphous, allowing them to change shape slightly, adjusting to different environments.

Some say they are the remnants of an even older race, one that existed before the wars of a millennium ago."

Some students leaned forward, intrigued.

"They dwell mostly in coastal regions, rarely venturing inland. Unlike other races, they do not construct homes of wood or stone—instead, they shape their surroundings, bending water and sand to their will. Their society is built on fluidity, both in culture and in body."

Mei raised a hand. "Are they born that way, or do they change over time?"

Cika smiled. "A good question. A Kri's form is most stable in youth, but as they grow, their ability to shift increases. Some scholars believe that, given enough time, a Kri could take any form they desire."

Kri Folk…

Arlon thought of Sheila after hearing this.

Until now, he had only known of seven races. But today, he had learned the names of the other two—Kri Folk and Trilans.

Since Sheila lacked the crystalline features that defined the Trilans, that meant only one possibility remained.

She was a Kri.

Arlon's gaze flickered slightly.

If Cika's lesson was accurate, then Kri Folk were basically shapeshifters. That meant their natural appearance was unknown.

Their forms could shift and change, making it impossible to determine what they actually looked like.

Sheila's current appearance might not even be her real one.

Not just that—Kri Folk could hide anywhere. Even within the academy.

The idea wasn't necessarily alarming, but it was… interesting.

They could live among any race, unnoticed. They could walk as a Magus, an Elf, a Beastman—anyone.

Of course, Arlon didn't believe they would do this with bad intentions. At least, not all of them.

But this ability reminded him of something.

Mimes.

Much like them, Kri Folk could seamlessly blend in with the world around them, leaving no trace of their true selves.

Arlon exhaled softly, leaning back slightly in his chair.

If Kri Folk were that adaptable, what else could they do?

Obviously, Zephyrion knew of the existence of this race, especially thinking that he was friends with Sheila.

That also meant he had a way to distinguish them. Of course, the high-level Trionians like that trio from the banquet could see through magic.

Can the shapeshifting nature of Kri Folk be seen through like magic, though?

Since it was an innate ability, Arlon wasn't sure about it. He probably could see them with the Eyes of K*T**, but he couldn't use it on higher-level people.@@novelbin@@

He decided to learn more about them when he went back since this wasn't a secret.