The box held numerous smaller cases. Most were tiny, while others were about the size of a pen. Each was labeled with a number instead of a name for security purposes.
The teacher picked up a sheet of paper from the desk and called the first name while taking the box with the corresponding number.
"Number 1, Miss Csendez... Black Phoenix."
Iman paused for a second before continuing.
"Please come here and collect your Koutiul. You only need to place a drop of blood on it, and you'll be done."
The girl stood and walked toward the desk. As she moved, the nails on one hand sharpened into claws, drawing a few drops of blood.
Her box contained a simple black ring. Though its design was impossible to distinguish because of its uniform color, Csendez knew exactly what was engraved on it. After all, she had requested it herself.
A single drop of blood fell onto the ring, causing it to release a faint hissing sound, as though it had been dipped into acid. After a few moments, the black ring turned completely white before slowly returning to its original color.
The phoenix girl slipped it onto the index finger of her left hand.
"You're officially registered. Thank you."
Csendez felt as though the professor was strangely pleased.
His eyes seemed to burn whenever they looked at her.
What is wrong with him? That reaction is rather unusual. Is it because he now knows that my element is black? Oh... that's a possibility. But shouldn't his reaction be the exact opposite?
This school never stops surprising me.
After receiving her new ring, she returned to her seat. On the way back, she absentmindedly rubbed her thumb across its surface, using the gesture to hide her irritation.
The attention of so many eyes made her uncomfortable.
I really don't like being the center of attention. I need to change. I came here, and there is no turning back now.
The teacher continued calling every student by name and race to receive their Koutiul.
After everyone had received theirs, the professor officially ended the first homeroom session.
Csendez was sleepy now. She rested her head on the desk and glanced at Uituba.
The elf girl was still reading.
Ever since she had opened her book, she had barely looked at the professor. The only time she had stopped reading was to receive her Koutiul.
Its chosen form was an earring shaped like a single drop of liquid.
The phoenix girl's eyes lingered on the silver earring. Somehow, it matched those sharp elven ears perfectly.
She really loves reading.
I'm sleepy, but I'll wait for her. I don't have much left in my own book either, so I might as well finish it. I don't want to meet anyone else right now, and staying here isn't so bad.
As the classroom slowly emptied, the two girls remained at their desks, each quietly reading.
Outside, the sun reached the horizon.
The orange light pouring through the windows silently announced the end of the day.
With a soft clap, both girls closed their books almost at the same time.
Csendez looked at Uituba and smiled.
The elf suddenly burst into loud laughter for no apparent reason.
They packed their belongings and left the classroom together.
The corridor was illuminated by crystals embedded in the walls, casting a gentle light along the path.
Now it was finally time to head to the dormitories and call the day over.
This time, Csendez didn't stop Uituba from looking at the map and simply followed her back to the Grand Hall.
As mentioned before, the Academy stood on an island. Around the main building stretched vast open fields. Beyond them, in one direction, lay the sea, while in the other spread a dense forest.
The Academy had two dormitory buildings.
One stood near the beach, while the other was hidden within the forest.
Both consisted of private apartments that each student could personalize.
Since Csendez and Uituba—a phoenix and an elf—had both applied for accommodations in the forest dormitory, they now headed toward the woods behind the Academy.
The road was paved with stone, and along the way small natural beaches of smooth rocks appeared beside the shoreline.
As they walked, the girls continued discussing the book they had just finished.
"I tell you, this author needs a break. I usually find his books really good and engaging, but this one was completely disappointing. Have you read it?"
"I finished it last week... and I also have mixed feelings about it. How should I put it? People have different ideas about what equality means in a relationship."
"Don't tell me you actually agree with that kind of romance."
"God, no. That mentality is toxic. I don't understand how anyone could genuinely support it. What I mean is... someone with certain personal experiences or trauma might see it differently."
"Really... At least we agree on that. But how did you get over it? I feel like breaking something after finishing that story. How do you recover from a book like that?"
"You've never read a book with a sad ending before?"
"I've never read a romance with a sad ending before. And the funny thing is... most people don't even think this one has a bad ending."
"When I'm disappointed by a book, I simply start another one."
"And that actually works? I mean... does it get rid of that annoying feeling?"
"Usually. But you have to choose something that goes in the opposite direction. Maybe a romance where both people truly respect each other. A healthy relationship this time—not one where he's blind to everything and she's only free because she's strong enough to leave whenever she wants."
"...Ugh. It sounds even worse when you simplify it like that. I wish I'd never started that book."
"Don't say that. Every book offers a different perspective, a different idea, a different way of thinking. You can learn a lot about life from them."
"Alright, I get it. Enough about my book. What was yours about? You already finished it, didn't you?"
"Oh, yes. Mine was about..."
Their conversation was carried away by the wind as they entered the forest.
The two girls walked without worries, talking all the way until they reached the dormitory checkpoint.
There, they registered and received the keys to their rooms.
Unfortunately, their apartments were far apart.
So they parted ways after receiving their keys.
Promising to meet the next morning in the common area, they wished each other good night.
Csendez climbed to her floor and reached the hallway leading to her apartment.
It was already too dark outside to properly see the building, but from what she could observe inside, she guessed that each floor contained ten apartments.
Her face remained expressionless, though she seemed lost in thought.
Was she thinking about her family?
About friends?
It was impossible to tell.
After all, no one could truly know what another person was thinking.
Upon arriving at her apartment, Csendez pressed her white ring against the black panel beside the door.
The system confirmed her identity, and the door slid open.
Stepping inside, she found a spacious, comfortable living room furnished in a minimalist style.
One wall was occupied by an empty bookshelf.
A gray carpet covered the black stone floor.
Near a floor-to-ceiling window stood a wide sofa with low armrests, while heavy dark curtains could completely block the outside light whenever needed.
To the right stood the bookshelf.
The wall on the left displayed only a single painting depicting a storm.
A short hallway led to the bedroom, where a large low bed was covered with soft feathers and pillows as white as snow.
Beside it stood a nightstand, while an enormous desk stretched across an entire wall.
Another glass wall opened onto a balcony, its handle magically locked.
The bathroom was accessible through a side door connected to the bedroom.
It was nearly as large as the bedroom itself and featured a deep soaking tub resembling a small lake.
Near the entrance stood a mirror and a sink stocked with specialized care products for feathers, scales, and claws.
After quietly inspecting the apartment, Csendez sat down on the sofa.
She raised one hand, looked at the black ring on her finger, and spoke in a calm, tired voice.
"What an exhausting day."