I stepped back from the front of the class, still feeling damp and awkward. The fabric of my academy uniform clung uncomfortably to my chest—still wet from Iris's tears—and the stares from the other students hadn't quite disappeared.
"Ugh… anyone here know wind magic?" I asked, glancing around with what I hoped was a casual tone, though I made sure my voice was loud enough to be heard.
A few heads turned my way. One hand even lifted slightly—but before anyone could answer...
Click.
The door opened.
A guy walked in, radiating that 'main character energy' that naturally drew every gaze in the room. But he wasn't alone. Beside him walked a girl with golden-blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.
Elysian
Her steps were light, graceful—but I caught a flicker of tension in her face when her eyes met mine.
"Wait, is that Akito and Elysian entering together?"
"They look really close…"
I ducked my head and sat down fast, hoping to dodge any more attention.
'Don't start trouble, Ren. You're already fresh gossip from earlier.'
I started rubbing at my shirt, trying to get it dry through sheer friction before I froze to death.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Elysian approaching. Slowly. Like she was thinking about something.
"Hey… Re—"
I turned my head the other way, pretending to examine the ceiling.
"Oh wow, this side of the room's so… empty," I muttered to myself, pretending to be fascinated by nothing.
She paused for a moment—maybe confused—then quietly took the seat beside me.
She didn't say anything else.
I knew she wanted to greet me. I could feel it. But I couldn't. Not now. I wasn't anyone. If I acted too familiar with her, the rumors would eat me alive before the first week ended.
The silence stretched.
Then the whispers started.
"She's sitting next to that guy?"
"So they do know each other?"
"Why didn't she sit next to Akito?"
Elysian glanced at me again. Just briefly.
But I kept my eyes fixed on the window, wearing the most innocent expression I could manage—just another nobody staring into the blue sky like he had no idea what was going on.
I'm sorry. I can't get involved again…
The sound of footsteps echoed. A tall, broad-shouldered man in a dark brown robe appeared—completely bald, with droopy eyes and not a single strand of beard on his face. He looked like someone who should've retired decades ago but somehow wandered back in.
He stopped in front of us. Yawned. Then scanned the room, locking eyes with every student one by one.
"My name is Gaius. I'm your teacher," he said, his voice deep, but devoid of life.
Silence fell like a blanket.
"Why is he bald?" someone whispered from the back.
"I heard he's a retired Archmage..."
Before the mood could grow any lighter, the door burst open again.
Crack.
"SORRY I'M LATE!"
Iris shouted from the entrance, panting, her eyes still slightly misty. On her shoulder lay the Sage—half-asleep, hair a mess like she'd just fought a war against her pillow.
"I found this thing on the roof," Iris added with a sigh, poking the Sage's cheek in exasperation.
Gaius closed his eyes and let out a breath like a man who'd seen too much and cared too little.
"You two... just come in."
The Sage raised one hand in a lazy wave, still clinging to Iris like an oversized, shamelessly spoiled cat. Strangely enough, no one dared to comment further. Probably because they were both in the top three.
As they walked past, Iris glanced in my direction.
A chill ran down my spine. Goosebumps bloomed along my neck.
"...Why is it suddenly cold? Is there a vengeful spirit behind me or something?" I whispered to myself, holding my breath.
Gaius returned to the list in his hands. "Before we begin class, I'll announce your dormitory arrangements. As this is an elite academy, all students are required to live on campus."
A wave of murmurs swept through the room.
He continued, "Top five students will have their own rooms. The rest of you will be assigned roommates based on your entrance exam results."
I blinked.
Wait—dorms?
'You've got to be kidding me,I didn't bring anything at all…'
Gaius cleared his throat and gestured lazily toward the door.
"If you want more details, check the bulletin board later. Right now, all of you—head to the training field. It's time to meet your other instructor."
I sighed. Ah, like every other academy ever.
We followed the crowd outside. The sun was bright, the field wide and clean, framed by sparring dummies and racks of training weapons. A figure stood in the middle, arms crossed, watching us with sharp eyes.
She was tall—taller than most of the guys in class—with a defined build that made her sleeveless tunic look more like armor. Her jet-black hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and the aura she radiated was unmistakable: a fighter.
When we got close enough, she clapped once. Loud. Sharp.
"Line up. Now."
No one hesitated.
Once we were all standing in formation, she paced in front of us, eyes narrowed as if scanning each of our souls.
"I am Miyo. Your swordsmanship instructor," she said, her voice crisp, commanding. "Whether you've held a sword your entire life or never even seen one, I don't care. If you're in this academy, you'll learn to fight."
She stopped for a moment, hands on her hips.Her eyes shifted, scanning the line.
She stopped at Akito first. Her brow furrowed slightly.
'Hmm.... He hiding something... but it's too clean. Too practiced. Dangerous, but polished.'
Then her gaze slid toward Iris.
'Her we're sharp. Too sharp. Like a blade that's never tasted blood but already thinks it knows how to kill.'
She barely glanced at the Sage who was sitting at the far edge of the field, yawning beside Iris.
"You two at the edge. You'll train too. Even if your bones prefer books."
Sage waved lazily without a care. Elysian just stare at us
Then Miyo walked again. And stopped. Right in front of me.
Her eyes narrowed.
A beat of silence.
Then another.
She didn't speak. Just stared.
And then—just barely—I saw her eyes widen.
"…You."
I swallowed.
'This kid had Something wild. Untamed. Like a beast caged too long, waiting for the bars to bend. '
I held her gaze, unsure how to respond.
She tilted her head slightly. "Control it. Or it will control you."
'What does that mean? '
Then, as if nothing happened, she turned and moved down the line.
After a long round of silent inspections and stares that felt like they could peel your skin off, Miyo finally clapped her hands once more.
"Alright. You can return to your dorms to get settled or explore the academy grounds. Up to you."
One student in the back raised a hand hesitantly. "Instructor, aren't we going to meet the other teachers?"
Miyo gave a dry chuckle.
"Ah. That? Gaius was just messing with you. You'll meet them eventually. No need for formal introductions."
The students looked at each other, confusion spreading like wildfire. Most had expected some grand ceremony, a proper welcome… but apparently, this was it.
Except Akito. He stood with that same composed expression—like he already knew this would happen. Or maybe… like he'd seen it before.
"Alright—dismissed!"
With that, the crowd began to disperse. Some students wandered off in small groups, eyes sparkling with curiosity as they admired the marble halls and ancient architecture. Others made their way straight toward the dormitories, eager to claim their space.
I turned to a few classmates nearby.
"Hey, where's all your stuff? You guys didn't carry anything either?"
One of them, a boy with a noble crest on his collar, shrugged casually. "Oh, my attendant will bring it later."
"Same here," said another.
"Mine too," added a third.
"Alright thanks" Right. Noble kids.
Unlike them, I hadn't packed a single thing. No bags. No extra clothes. No toothbrush. Just me and the academy-issued uniform I'd picked up at the gate.
With a sigh, I headed toward the front gate. Maybe I could ask someone where to get the basics. Or maybe I'd just wander until something made sense.
But then—
"Hey, kid. Where you headed?"
A raspy voice stopped me in my tracks.
I turned. An old man stood nearby, leaning slightly on a worn wooden cane. His frame was thin, almost fragile, and his long white hair hung messily over one shoulder. His eyes, however, were sharp—far too sharp for someone his age.
"I'm heading home to grab my stuff. I'm not a noble, so… no fancy attendants," I said, brushing the back of my neck.
The old man squinted at me. "Pretty sure the letter mentioned you'd be staying in the dorms."
"Ah… Right. I might've been a bit too excited and skipped that part."
The old man let out a chuckle. "Need a ride then?"
"No, thanks. I think I can run faste—"
FWOOOSH.
A gust of wind blew past me as something massive landed just behind the man.
A wyvern. Large, slate gray, its wings folded neatly against its sides. Its scales glinted under the afternoon sun, and though its presence didn't scream danger, my body moved on instinct. One hand went to my waist, ready to draw.
"Haha… Relax, kid," the old man said, laughing as if amused by a child jumping at shadows. "This one's pretty tame."
'Good reflexes. He's been through something,' he thought to himself, eyes briefly sharpening.
I exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah. On second thought, I think running's the better idea."
And then I ran.
As expected, I made it back home in no time.
The door creaked as I stepped inside. The familiar scent of warm wood and herbs greeted me, along with the soft sound of water running in the kitchen.
There she was—my mother, rinsing dishes with her sleeves rolled up. She didn't turn, but from the bundle neatly wrapped by the door, I could already tell.
'She read the letter.'
"Hehe… I'll grab my things, Mom," I said quietly.
"Be careful, dear," she replied, her voice soft but steady.
She dried her hands and walked over. Without a word, she pulled me into a hug.
"I hope… I hope you'll be accepted among the noble knights. I hope the academy brings you success," she whispered, holding me just a little tighter.
"I'll keep working hard. I won't let you down," I replied, hugging her back.
Even if I didn't say it out loud… it felt like I was memorizing this moment.
Just in case it was the last.I stepped back, adjusting the straps on my bag.
"I'll be going now."
She nodded, her eyes a little glossy, but she didn't cry. That wasn't like her. "Be safe, Ren."
With that, I turned and walked away—out the door, past the old stone fence, and down the familiar road.
I didn't look back.
I didn't know what I would find at the end of this path—fortune… or ruin.
But either way, this was the start of something that couldn't be undone