He stopped right in front of the stone, then with a hoarse yet clear voice, he said, "The inscription reads… 'Welcome to Lumivale Arcanis Academy.'"
All the students fell silent. Some even flinched slightly. No one could understand how the same writing could now be read, when earlier it was merely incomprehensible symbols.
"This isn't an ancient language," the old man continued as he stroked his beard. "It's the language of magic. Well… though in the end, magic is simply technology from an ancient era. You'll study it… once you reach the third year."
A chorus of long sighs suddenly filled the air, coming from many students. Expressions of anxiety and reluctance spread like a plague. I couldn't hide the same feeling myself. "Ugh... what a drag," I muttered, tilting my shoulder slightly.
But before that laziness could settle in, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Someone as lazy as you doesn't deserve to bear the name Arvandir!"
I immediately turned my head, eyes narrowing. A student stood tall with a challenging expression, his face sharp and his voice filled with fury. His uniform was impeccably neat, and his posture radiated an unfeigned firmness.
I raised an eyebrow, half curious and half annoyed. "Says who? And who the hell are you, huh?! How dare you speak so boldly!"
He answered loudly, as if introducing himself to the entire world. "I'm from the Mahardika family. My name is Yuuki Mahardika!"
I paused for a moment, then let out a small scoff and flashed a mocking smile. "Oh... Lord Mahardika. The family that... gives birth to a Hero every few generations." My tone was polite this time, even accompanied by a slight bow—lowering myself as if showing respect. But anyone who truly knew me would hear the faint sarcasm laced in my voice.
Some students started whispering. "That's... the Mahardika family, the saviors of the world..." someone muttered from within the crowd.
I tried to locate the source of the voice, glancing around in all directions, but strangely... no one appeared to have spoken. It was as if the voice simply passed through, without a form.
"...Alice?" I called out, trying to make sure I wasn't starting to hallucinate. But before she could respond, Alice suddenly grabbed my arm quickly.
"Come on!" she said with a cheerful yet teasing smile. She pulled me, running through the hallway without a single word of explanation.
"Come on!" she said with a cheerful yet teasing smile. She pulled me along as we ran through the hallway without any explanation.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going, you lazy bum?!" Yuuki shouted from behind, his voice sharp and full of emotion.
I let out a small laugh, allowing myself to be dragged by Alice. For some reason, this kind of chaos actually felt... enjoyable. Or maybe, this adventure was only just beginning.
Before I realized it, noon had arrived. The sun now hung high above, suspended in a clear blue sky, casting its warm light across the entire academy complex. Even though the heat stung against the skin, a soft breeze blew gently through the air, keeping everything pleasantly comfortable—like a gentle hand brushing the cheek and easing a mind filled with restless thoughts.
Alice and I strolled leisurely through the garden on the western side of the academy. The place seemed meticulously designed—towering trees rose above us, flowers bloomed in full harmony with the spring season, and the gentle sound of water trickling from the central fountain added a sense of peace amidst the bustle of our first day.
We chatted casually, without touching on any heavy topics. Just two old friends sharing a quiet moment, brought back together by the strings of fate. But that peaceful atmosphere slowly shifted when I noticed a group of students walking briskly toward a large building in the distance.
My eyes locked onto the towering circular structure standing proudly in the heart of the academy grounds—a majestic building shaped like a giant dome. Its walls were made of polished white stone, adorned with grand pillars etched with the academy's emblem: a pair of outstretched wings shielding a star. That building was the Colosseum—the academy's main gathering hall. Though its name suggested a battlefield, its true purpose was more ceremonial: the venue for major announcements, assemblies, and important events.
"Alice, let's head to the Colosseum," I said, pointing toward the crowd of students who seemed to be rushing in that direction. "Looks like they're heading there too."