As Demian stepped back into the dormitory, leaving Sebastian behind under the moonlit sky, he noticed something strange — his right arm was glowing faintly. Ancient runes shimmered in the dim candlelight, pulsing softly like a heartbeat. He stared at the markings in confusion and awe.
Suddenly, the world around him shifted. His consciousness was pulled away from the dorm, as if yanked into another dimension.
Darkness enveloped him.
He found himself standing in a shadowy expanse, ankle-deep in murky water. A heavy mist blanketed the surroundings. In front of him stood a massive, ancient gate covered in rust and old inscriptions. A low creak echoed as the gate slowly opened. Water trickled out at first, but soon turned into a deluge — waves of black liquid surged toward him. Demian was swept off his feet and dragged into the dark, endless abyss beneath the waves.
Meanwhile, outside the dorm, Sebastian sat on a stone bench under the pale sky, still catching his breath from the earlier fight. His expression shifted from frustration to reflection.
"…Father was right," he muttered. "I really do need to fix my attitude."
He stood up and walked back into the dorm. When he entered the room, he found Demian sitting motionless, eyes glazed, staring at his glowing arm.
"What the hell are you doing?" Sebastian snapped.
He stomped forward and smacked Demian on the back of the head. Instantly, Demian gasped, his senses snapping back to reality. He clutched his head, wincing.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
Sebastian crossed his arms. "You were just sitting there like a lunatic. Are you stupid or something?"
Demian, still recovering from what he saw, was speechless for a moment. Then, he chuckled awkwardly and said, "Thanks… I think you pulled me out of something."
"…Tch." Sebastian looked away. "Whatever."
Demian stood up and extended his hand. "Julian Everhart," he said with a small smile.
Sebastian hesitated, then shook his hand reluctantly. "Sebastian Thaloré."
That night, they both prepared for bed in silence.
---
The next morning, Demian yawned and walked toward the bathroom door, only to open it and find someone already inside — Sebastian, dripping wet, in the middle of his routine.
"Hey!" Sebastian yelped, throwing a towel in panic. "Get out, you idiot!"
Demian stepped back, startled. "What the hell? Why are you yelling? This bathroom is designed for two people, and we're both guys!"
Sebastian growled and slammed the door shut. Moments later, he walked out, shooting a cold glare at Demian.
Demian muttered to himself as he walked in, "Does he drink ditch water from his own spells? That would explain the brain damage."
"I heard that, you bastard!" Sebastian yelled from across the room.
---
After both had dressed in their fresh academy uniforms, Demian made his way toward the training yard. The classes wouldn't start for another two weeks, and he was determined to train as much as he could.
But Sebastian stood in his way. "I want a rematch," he declared. "A proper one. Officially overseen or not."
Demian grinned. "Fine by me."
They made their way to the empty dueling yard. No instructors were present.
"Are they still on leave?" Demian whispered.
Without waiting, Sebastian launched his spell: the Phase 1 ritual of the Church of the Deep Sea — Wave Initiate.
"Poseidon Magnus, da huic servo tuo potentiam — ut fiat ipse legatus maris vasti, ad ordinandum mare et terram!
(The great Poseidon gave this servant the power to become the representative of the vast ocean to organize the sea and land!)
Water coiled around his arms and formed a barrage of sharp, cone-shaped waves.
Demian reacted quickly, conjuring multiple fireballs around him — the trait of the Solar Spark.
The battle escalated rapidly. Sebastian's attacks were faster than the night before, and one of the waves hit Demian's side. But strangely, the water began to seep into his skin, as if drawn by the runes.
His arm glowed — then boom! The wave exploded in a harmless burst of steam.
Demian lunged forward and launched the fireballs he'd prepared in advance, surrounding Sebastian. With nowhere to escape, Sebastian was forced to yield.
From the shadows of the stands, an unknown figure watched. "Interesting boy," he murmured.
---
Later that afternoon, after hours of intense training, Demian walked toward the academy cafeteria — located in the eastern wing overlooking the ocean.
The smell of cooked seafood and spices filled the air. He picked a plate of grilled fish and some bread, then sat at a table facing the sea.
Moments later, Sebastian dropped his tray opposite him.
"You're blocking my view," Demian said dryly.
Sebastian ignored him.
Demian muttered internally, "Why does this guy always drive me crazy?"
Then he noticed Sebastian's plate: all vegetables. No fish.
"Hey, don't you like seafood?" Demian asked. "Why not try the squid? Or the mussels?"
Sebastian slammed the table. "Are you mocking me?!"
Everyone turned their heads. Realizing the attention, Sebastian leaned in and hissed, "Are you mocking me… on purpose?!"
Demian blinked. Then he remembered — the Church of the Deep Sea viewed ocean creatures as sacred.
"…Oh. Right. Sorry. I forgot," Demian replied with a sheepish smile.
---
After lunch, Demian returned to training. A week passed.
One day, a huge crowd gathered in the main plaza of the academy.
Two departments were opening enrollment: the Department of Mysticism and the Department of Runic Constructs and Forgeworks.
Every new student was required to join one — they would study there for the next four years.
Demian's eyes lit up. "This is it. The path to becoming an engineer!"
He rushed to the Forgeworks building, only to stop in shock. The line was enormous.
"Wait a minute. Weren't there way fewer students at the academy entrance last week?! …Did I apply way too early?" he grumbled.
Still, he waited patiently, filled out the registration form under the alias "Julian Everhart," and entered the department.
Inside, the Forgeworks facility was a marvel — walls lined with gears and pipes, powered by roaring steam engines. Steampunk technology filled every corner, and students were already tinkering with prototypes.
Demian's eyes sparkled.
Then he heard a voice behind him:
"Excuse me… Are you Julian Everhart?"
---