The moonlit night blanketed Constantine High in serene silence. Stars shimmered above the floating towers and glass observatories, while the silver-blue aura of the Academy's magical barrier rippled faintly like a living dome.
Inside his private dorm room, Elijah sat at the edge of his bed, twirling the sleek bracelet around his wrist.
He tapped the green crystal softly.
"Call – Ayn."
A soft glow filled the bracelet, and a familiar chime echoed. Moments later—
"H-Hey! Elijah?" Ayn's voice chirped through the crystal.
"You called first. I win." he giggled.
"Win what?" Elijah asked with a raised brow.
"Nothing. Just… wanted to say that," Ayn replied softly.
Elijah chuckled. "You're weird."
"And proud of it," Ayn said cheerfully.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Elijah asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be. But I'm nervous too," Ayn admitted.
"But I am not," Elijah replied with a small grin.
A moment passed in silence—comfortable silence.
Then Elijah tapped again.
"Call – Anna."
"Oh, I was waiting for this," Anna's voice came through, smooth and mischievous.
"What?" Elijah asked, confused.
"You contacting me like a midnight prince. How romantic," Anna teased.
"Don't ruin the mood," Elijah muttered.
"Never. Just joking," Anna laughed.
"Tomorrow's the first real class. Ready?" Elijah asked.
"With my looks and brain? Always," Anna answered confidently.
She laughed, and Elijah sighed with a smile. Then he pressed the crystal again.
"Call – Daud."
"Elijah," came Daud's calm, composed voice.
"You don't sleep early?" Elijah asked.
"Only when I sense the next day will be interesting," Daud replied.
"And you sense that now?" Elijah raised an eyebrow.
"Very much so. Tomorrow may change how we see the world," Daud said thoughtfully.
"You always speak like a fortune teller," Elijah remarked.
"Maybe I was one in my past life," Daud said with a low chuckle.
The two exchanged a small laugh. Then Elijah tapped again.
"Call – Sylphira."
"Elijah!" Sylphira exclaimed brightly. "This thing really works!"
"Yeah. Wanted to check in before class tomorrow," Elijah said.
"I'm excited! A little scared, but mostly excited. Constantine High is amazing," Sylphira said, her voice full of wonder.
"It is. And it's nice to know you're all here too," Elijah replied warmly.
"We'll do our best together!" Sylphira cheered.
Suddenly, Ayn's voice returned, followed by Anna, Daud, and Sylphira—the group chat synchronized across their bracelets.
Ayn: "Let's stick together. No matter what class or sect."
Anna: "Agreed. We'll dominate the rankings too."
Daud: "Let's survive first. Then we can think of rankings."
Sylphira: "To a good beginning tomorrow!"
Elijah: "To a good beginning."
All: "Goodnight!"
Next morning, Elijah rose with the first light of dawn. As always, he began his day with a series of stretches, push-ups, balance drills, and energy channeling routines Alaric had taught him.
The cool air filled his lungs as he moved in silence, sweat forming on his brow. After his routine, he stepped into the marble-tiled bathroom for a refreshing shower.
Standing before the mirror, he looked at the Academy uniform neatly hung.
He put on the white buttoned shirt, followed by a deep navy-blue tie bearing the symbol of the White Eagle Sect—a silver eagle in mid-flight. Then came the long black robe, trimmed with silver, and finely cut black pants. Finally, he slipped into polished leather shoes.
He admired the robes in the mirror. "Looks like something out of Harry Potter," he murmured.
"Each sect wears the same design… but the difference is in the color," he whispered as he adjusted his collar.
Star Sect: Golden ties and golden robe embroidery.
Serpent Sect: Deep green ties with moss-colored linings.
Visionary Sect: Violet ties with shimmering lavender accents.
White Eagle Sect: Midnight-blue ties with silver trim.
At the Academy, the sky above was glowing with early morning brilliance as Elijah walked toward the central dome. His friends were already gathered on a stone bench beneath the floating lanterns.
"Nice tie," Sylphira said with a wink.
"Yours looks like royalty," Elijah replied, noting her violet Visionary colors.
Ayn twirled once. "Do I look like cool?"
"You always do," Elijah teased, and he beamed.
Daud nodded. "Let's head in. First class begins."
They entered the great classroom—a vast semi-circular chamber with stained glass windows and a domed ceiling. Magical scripts floated above, forming constellations and ancient glyphs.
A graceful woman entered, her presence commanding silence.
Professor Elbeth Myra, dressed in elegant violet robes, spoke softly but clearly, "Today I will tell you a story."
"Let's begin by knowing your names. State them proudly."
Students stood in turn. Then Elbeth pointed toward the Serpent Sect row.
"You, green tie. Name?"
The boy stood, calm and poised. "Drake Serpentine."
Whispers filled the room.
Elijah leaned toward Daud. "Why does that name sound heavy?"
Daud's face was unreadable. "Because it carries power. His father is a 2nd-rank Monarch of the Magus Tower. A name spoken in hushed tones."
Elijah was stunned. "A Monarch? But… aren't they the top rank?"
"Yes," Daud said. "But ranked internally. The Magus Tower holds absolute authority in the World of Jade. Only a few have ever reached that rank."
"Belbub… he's a 1st-rank Monarch," Elijah recalled.
Sylphira asked curiously, "What's the Magus Tower?"
Elijah replied, "The Supreme Council of Mages. They control everything in the World of Jade—laws, artifacts, governance, magical codes. A Monarch is the highest post… though even they are ranked."
Professor Elbeth approached the front.
"Now, let me speak of the one to whom we owe all of this. The God Solomon."
She raised her hand, and an image of a hooded figure with radiant eyes appeared behind her.
"Solomon was born human. But his wisdom, ideals, and power reshaped existence.
He created the World of Jade and the Astral World—twin realms governed by harmony.
His knowledge was so vast that he is now known as the God of Reason.
His essence lingers in all things."
"Constantine High," she continued, "was built by his disciples in his honor. To protect this world."
A girl raised her hand. "Professor… is Solomon not bound by Probability like the rest of us?"
Elbeth smiled gently and walked to her, brushing a hand through the girl's hair.
"Of course not. He is the creator of Probability."
Elijah blinked. "What is Probability?"
The class giggled, and Elbeth tilted her head with an amused smile. "Oh? The Disciple speaks."
Elijah flushed slightly.
Then, her tone shifted—calm, rhythmic, and deep.
"That which exists is everything.
And that which is everything is the reason.
That reason encompasses the present, past, and future.
That which spans all time is the law of nature.
And that law… is a natural phenomenon that must be followed."
A thousand golden threads formed in the air, floating like a glowing web.
"These are the Probability Threads—they bind all life. They govern your destiny, Fate."
"Normal people never know of these chains," she added.
Ayn raised her hand. "Then… why are we taught this?"
Elbeth smiled warmly. "Because we are Magus—bearers of knowledge and responsibility. The protectors of the world. We uphold Solomon's legacy."
Anna leaned forward. "Did Solomon have a descendant?"
Elbeth smiled faintly. "So the legends say… but we do not know who. Perhaps she lives among us. Or maybe… she is yet to awaken."
The room fell into a curious hush.
Then she clapped her hands once.
"Now… there is something I must show you."