A week before the start of the Grand Continental Festival, the academy was already alive with commotion.
The air practically buzzed with anticipation as famous dignitaries, envoys, and well-known figures arrived early to settle in and prepare for the event.
Carriages of every design—sleek gilded ones from the northern kingdoms, sturdy armored ones from the warrior clans, and even enchanted ones carried by winged beasts—rolled through the grand gates.
Each bore flags stitched with the crests of their respective academies and schools, bright banners fluttering proudly in the wind.
One after another, students disembarked.
Their uniforms, their postures, even their very auras set them apart.
Some wore flowing robes stitched with runes, others armored coats etched with battle scars.
Different races mingled together—beastkin, elves, humans, and even the rare dwarves—each carrying the weight of their institutions and expectations.
"So, this is the academy."
