The side doors of the hall slowly opened, their heavy frames creaking softly as if announcing something important. Four house leaders stepped outside, sunlight spilling over their figures. An air of quiet confidence surrounded them, the kind that made the newest students instinctively straighten their backs as the leaders came forward to guide them into the academy's future.
Ray, who was standing in the middle of one of the four houses, quickly noticed the four teenagers at the front. There were three boys and one girl, all standing tall, each clearly trying to show off their confidence. Their expressions were calm and practiced—almost arrogant.
Ray's eyes froze on the girl.
Shock rippled through him.
It was Aries.
Alice's cousin. Her master in formation. A character he had not seen for a long time—ever since she had taught both Ray and Alice some formation techniques. There had been times when Aries came to visit, but fate always seemed to misalign their paths. Either Ray missed the chance to meet her, or Aries did.
Ray smiled faintly when he realized she was now the leader of Venus House.
His gaze shifted to the others. As he looked at the leader of Mars, an odd sense of familiarity crept over him, like a half-remembered dream tugging at the back of his mind.
Ray leaned slightly back and whispered to Alice, who was standing behind him in the same house.
"Why does the leader of Mars give a familiar feeling?"
Alice smiled knowingly and replied softly, "That is one of the older brothers of Prince Lucas—Prince Darius."
Ray released a long sigh, the kind that carried quiet resignation.
"There are enemies everywhere I go," he muttered. "I hope he doesn't notice me."
Alice giggled, covering her mouth. "You are the number one youngest celebrity in the Richard Kingdom. You will be noticed eventually."
Ray sighed again, deeper this time, and deliberately ignored Alice, who was clearly enjoying his reaction.
When Ray looked forward again, he noticed that Aries was wearing an irritated expression, her brows slightly furrowed for some unknown reason. As Ray continued looking at her, Aries suddenly felt it—someone's gaze lingering on her.
She turned.
Her eyes met Ray's.
She saw Alice beside him as well.
The irritation on her face vanished in seconds, replaced by a bright smile—wide, warm, and dazzling. For a brief moment, the world seemed to pause.
All the boys who were looking at her felt their hearts skip a beat. Some unconsciously held their breath; others stared blankly, completely 'swooned' by the sudden change.
Aries noticed their reactions and quickly returned to her usual composed expression, as if nothing had happened.
The murmurs among the students drew the attention of the other three house leaders. They followed the direction of the reactions and turned to look at Aries, who had already returned to her calm demeanor. They frowned slightly, curious about what had caused that fleeting smile—but they had missed it.
The Mars leader, however, noticed someone else instead. His gaze paused on Alice standing within Venus House. Recognizing her, he ignored the matter entirely.
Seeing Aries smile toward Ray and Alice like that, Ray panicked internally and quickly hid behind Ryan, who was standing in front of him.
Ryan, meanwhile, was completely lost in thought. So beautiful…
Ray, on the other hand, was silently cursing.
That ten-million-dollar smile is going to kill me someday.
Alice, watching Ray's reaction, found it even more amusing. She made a mental note to tease him later.
Aries also noticed Ray's awkward behavior and nearly laughed. She wanted to tease him too—but she would save that for the future. The gloomy mood she had been carrying earlier faded away, replaced by renewed confidence and calm.
Just a few minutes before stepping onto the field, Aries had been mocked by the other three leaders. Venus House was dead last, burdened with poor points, and they had openly ridiculed her leadership abilities. Some even went as far as saying she wasn't fit to be a leader at all and should instead marry one of them.
But after seeing her cousin Alice and her young friend Ray, something inside her steadied. Her spine straightened, her confidence returning like armor.
The three leaders noticed the shift. Her smile vanished, replaced by indifference toward their mocking gazes. It made them wonder—what had changed her so suddenly?
Soon, the leader of the top-ranked house raised his voice.
"Jupiter House, follow me!"
Then the Mars house leader, Darius, shouted his command, followed by Mercury.
Finally, Aries stepped forward and called out clearly,
"Venus House, follow me."
Ray and the others began to follow her.
Before leaving the field, Ray turned back one last time and waved at his parents. They waved back, smiling warmly. Around him, other children were doing the same—parents smiling, some wiping away tears.
When the field finally disappeared from view, Ray looked ahead, focusing on Aries as she led them forward.
Some children began to cry softly. Others forced brave expressions, staring ahead as if daring the future to challenge them. Even Ryan and Alice had tears in their eyes.
Ray, however, remained calm. Having lived alone in his past life, separation did not weigh on him the same way.
The four houses were not far from one another, all heading toward the same destination—the place known as the Outer Layer. As they walked, Aries turned back and began to explain.
"You heard some rules from our vice principal," Aries said, her voice firm and clear, "and now I'm going to tell you about contribution points.
You need to know that no money works in this academy. The money you brought can be used in the outside world, but not here. Here, only contribution points matter."
The students listened closely.
"Contribution points also act as your ranking. The more you earn, the higher your individual ranking will be. Your contribution points also help your house. Everything you earn adds to Venus House."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Now, how do you earn contribution points? There are many ways—good grades, missions, and tasks for teachers or other students. The easiest way is selling formations, talismans, pills, and similar items."
She shook her head slightly.
"I say 'easy,' but there are hundreds of formation masters, talisman masters, and others like you. They are all competitors. You must compete to earn points."
She gestured ahead.
"You see the houses in front of you? They are all your competitors. Currently, Venus House is last, and Jupiter House is first."
A ripple of unease passed through the students.
"But don't lose hope," Aries said firmly. "The table can turn at any moment with your contribution. I hope you will all work hard and make Venus House the best."
Her eyes swept across the group.
"Can you do it?"
Every young child shouted together,
"Yes!"
At that moment, they entered the Outer Layer of the academy. Rows of small houses stretched out before them, each with a number carved above its door.
Ray and the others stared ahead, excitement bubbling in their chests.
They couldn't wait to have a place they could finally call their own.