After some time, Uituba seemed to grow tired of talking only about sports and casually changed the subject.
"So... how is your Koutiul? My status window kept annoying me so much last night that I almost forgot about the books I still need to finish. These systems have some really bad habits when it comes to jokes."
Csendez became interested.
Until now, she had almost completely forgotten about her own system. Her only priority had been removing the hidden threats within it.
"I haven't looked at it yet," she admitted. "I was too tired yesterday. I practically fell asleep the moment I lay down. Maybe I'll check it after I get back."
Uituba blinked in surprise.
"Really? I thought you looked absent-minded this morning because you had been studying your system."
She tilted her head.
"Then why were you so lost in thought? Do phoenixes need more sleep in the morning?"
The question felt a little personal, though still perfectly acceptable between new friends. After a brief pause, Csendez answered with a mixture of truth and deception.
"I was thinking about the optional classes. There are so many that interest me, but we're only allowed seven optional hours each month. I couldn't decide."
"You've already started thinking about that?"
Uituba smiled.
"Then let's decide together—with the rest of our classmates. I think the Academy wants each class to work as a team. This could be a good opportunity for everyone to get closer... and become stronger together."
Csendez genuinely froze this time. She quietly studied the elf. There was nothing childish in her expression anymore. She had reached the same conclusion.
What is she doing?
Is she really being honest with me?
After several silent seconds, Csendez slowly nodded.
"I agree."
She hesitated before adding,
"But... how are we supposed to contact everyone?"
Uituba laughed softly.
"Now I really believe you haven't used your Koutiul yet."
She pointed toward the black ring on Csendez's finger.
"It has a communication function. Since the Academy gave every student one, all the class groups have already been created automatically. You can send private messages, make study groups, and even contact teachers if necessary."
She smiled.
"I'll send you a friend request later, so don't forget to accept it."
Csendez instinctively glanced at the ring resting on her left index finger.
I really ignored everything except the … She gave a small nod.
"I'll check it after I return."
The elf stretched her arms above her head before standing up.
"Then let's meet again tomorrow morning. By then I'll have contacted most of our classmates. We can start discussing the optional subjects together."
Csendez rose as well. "All right. I still have a few things I should have done yesterday. I was simply too tired."
Uituba laughed.
"Then don't keep yourself awake again. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
The two girls separated outside the cafeteria.
Uituba left the dormitory building, humming quietly to herself as she walked toward the forest.
Csendez, meanwhile, headed back upstairs.
The hallway was peaceful.
Only the distant sounds of opening doors and quiet conversations echoed through the residence. Reaching her apartment, Csendez unlocked the door with her ring before stepping inside.
She slipped off her boots near the entrance and silently crossed the living room.
Without stopping, she entered the bedroom and opened one of the drawers beside the bed. A moment later she had changed into a simple pair of dark pajamas.
She sat on the edge of the mattress for a few seconds before letting herself fall backward onto the soft feathers. The mattress sank gently beneath her weight.
Her entire body relaxed almost immediately.
...
I'm curious about my status window.
Should I look at it now?
...
It can wait.
I want to sleep first.
I want to know… whether I'll dream again.
She pulled the light blanket over herself. Closing her eyes, she listened to the faint rustling of the trees outside the balcony.
Only a few seconds passed.
Then… darkness quietly swallowed her consciousness.
...
The sound of waves reached her ears.
Slow. Rhythmic. Clear enough that, for a brief moment, Csendez believed she had awakened somewhere beside the sea.
That was the first sensation that returned. Then came the smell of salt fresh air.
Finally… Light.
She slowly opened her eyes.
The endless blue ocean stretched as far as she could see. Above it, countless white clouds drifted lazily across a bright sky. The wind carried the cries of distant seabirds.
She was standing on the deck of an enormous ship. Not a fishing boat. Not a military vessel. Something far larger. A luxurious cruise ship built to transport important guests.
...
What is happening?
Where am I?
...
Another dream? She frowned.
No… This one feels different. Much more real.
The wind brushed against her face. She could almost feel the warmth of the sun on her skin. It was nothing like the fragmented dreams she had experienced before.
Almost… As if she were truly standing there. Instinctively, she tried to look around.
Nothing happened. Her body ignored her completely.
Right… I forgot.
I'm only watching.
I can't control anything.
Accepting that, she relaxed.
If she couldn't act… Then she would simply observe. Like a tourist visiting another world. A few moments later, the body she inhabited began walking on its own.
Csendez silently followed the unfamiliar rhythm of its footsteps. The deck bustled with activity. Sailors adjusted enormous ropes. Servants hurried between different sections of the ship, carrying luggage, flowers, expensive fabrics, and trays covered with silver lids.
Everyone seemed busy preparing for someone's arrival.
We aren't passengers...
We're part of the crew.
The body continued forward along the edge of the ship. The ocean remained visible almost the entire way.
Several workers passed by. Every one of them had coral-like horns growing from their heads.
Sirens. So this ship belongs to them... Or perhaps they're simply operating it.
A few greeted the body politely while continuing their work.
Nobody stopped to talk. They climbed one staircase.
Then another. With every level, the decoration became increasingly luxurious. Thick carpets replaced polished wooden floors. Golden ornaments decorated the walls.
Crystal lamps illuminated the corridors despite the daylight pouring through the windows. Eventually, the body stopped before a pair of elegant double doors.
A knock.
"Come in."
The door opened. Inside, several people were already gathered. Most of them wore the same uniform.
Servants.
At the front of the room stood a siren whose calm expression immediately drew everyone's attention.
The rest...
Csendez stared for a moment.
Humans.
They looked almost exactly like the strange race from her previous dream.
No horns. No feathers. No tails. No pointed ears.
Nothing that resembled the races she knew.
Is this...
Another memory involving humans? Or did this happen before the last dream?
Before she could think further, the body took its place among the others. For the first time, Csendez heard its voice.
A woman's voice. Young. Calm.
Though she detected a faint trace of nervousness hidden beneath it.
"Present."
The meeting began shortly afterward. The siren calmly explained the duties expected of every servant assigned to the special guests arriving that day.
Every detail mattered. The temperature of each meal. The arrangement of every room. The flowers decorating the tables. The color of the carpets. The brightness of the lights Even the volume of their voices while speaking.
Any mistake could be considered disrespectful.
Csendez couldn't help but feel her mind go blank.
This is...
Exhausting.
Do servants really have to remember all of this? I've never had servants myself… But expecting someone to memorize every tiny preference seems unreasonable.
Eventually, the instructions came to an end. The servants were dismissed and immediately began preparing the guest quarters. This body was assigned to one particular room.
Apparently… Its guest would be a dragon.
What a coincidence. I don't actually know much about dragons.
The library back home mostly contained books explaining how to kill them...
Or books claiming dragons were responsible for every tragedy that had ever happened to our family.
She almost laughed.
It wasn't exactly the most objective source of information.
Being able to observe one this closely...
That's a rare opportunity.
The body continued working for what felt like more than an hour.
Sheets were replaced. The furniture was polished. Fresh flowers were arranged.
Every object was checked twice before the room was finally declared ready. Not long afterward, everyone gathered once again.
This time...
Around a massive teleportation circle built into the deck. Servants lined up in orderly rows, each waiting for the guest assigned to them. Silence spread across the area.
A moment later, the magic circle lit up. Brilliant light erupted from the teleportation circle. For a brief instant, nobody moved. Then the light slowly faded. A lone figure stood at its center.
An angel.
He was breathtakingly beautiful.
Snow-white wings rested neatly behind his back, while long golden hair shimmered beneath the morning sunlight. His elegant clothes looked almost ceremonial, embroidered with delicate silver patterns that reflected the light with every movement.
Yet… Something about him felt strangely familiar. Csendez couldn't explain why.
Have I seen him somewhere before...?
No...
That shouldn't be possible.
Before she could think any further, one of the human servants stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Welcome aboard, Your Excellency. I have been assigned as your personal attendant."
The angel barely acknowledged him. Instead, another servant carrying his luggage answered in his place before quietly leading both of them away.
The teleportation circle glowed again. Another guest appeared.
Then another.
And another.
A vampire.
A griffin.
A pegasus.
A Nigris.
Even...
A phoenix.
...
Uncle?
Csendez stared. She recognized him immediately.
If I remember correctly, he was a famous singer. Why would he be attending something like this?
Wait... This dream is different. I've never recognized someone before.
Not like this. Everything is... Too clear. Too detailed. The previous dreams were fragmented. Short.
But this... It feels almost like watching a real event unfold somewhere in the universe.
Her thoughts suddenly stopped. The body she inhabited had begun moving again. Another guest had arrived.
This time… The servant standing beside her stepped forward first. Apparently, that guest had been assigned to him. Csendez instinctively looked up.
...
That's...
Her eyes widened.
Standing before her was the very elf Uituba had spoken about all morning.
Beside him… Stood the masked dragon.
The same young man she had seen yesterday during the Academy entrance ceremony.
They came together?
Or… Were they already acquainted before arriving at the Academy?
The elf greeted everyone with a gentle smile.
He carried himself with effortless elegance. His long green hair had been braided over one shoulder, while his deep blue eyes radiated warmth.
He wore the traditional clothing of the elves—a sleeveless tunic fastened with a broad leather belt, loose trousers gathered around the calves, and simple leather sandals.
Everything about him felt... peaceful.
The dragon beside him couldn't have looked more different.
He wore a perfectly tailored black three-piece suit decorated with subtle cream, gold, and navy details. White gloves concealed his hands. A smooth white mask hid his entire face.
Not a single strand of hair escaped from beneath it.
Even standing perfectly still… He gave off an overwhelming feeling of distance. Almost as though he had built invisible walls around himself.
Strange... Why would someone wear a mask during an official reception?