300 years later…
Chapter 1 – Dreams of the Past
Shin gasped awake, sitting bolt upright in his bed, heart pounding in his chest. Sweat clung to his forehead, his breath ragged from the intensity of the vivid dream—so real that he still felt the battlefield beneath him, the sorrow, the grief. He shook his head, trying desperately to clear his thoughts.
What was that dream? Shin wondered, breathing deeply to calm his nerves. It felt far too real, yet it was just a dream—wasn't it?
"Shin!" Ty's voice suddenly pierced through his thoughts from the hallway outside. "If you're not up yet, we're seriously going to be late!"
Reality finally snapped back into place. Shin quickly climbed from bed, throwing on his academy uniform hastily before rushing to the door. Opening it, he saw Ty already waiting impatiently, arms crossed with an exaggerated sigh.
"Come on!" Ty complained, nudging him playfully. "You take forever!"
Shin chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry. Weird dream."
Ty smirked, already starting to walk briskly down the stone corridor of the dormitory. "Well, tell me later! We've gotta hurry—Mr. Jin will kill us if we're late on the first day."
The two boys quickly moved through the familiar, ancient halls of the academy, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The Knight Academy had barely changed since its reconstruction three hundred years ago, still proudly retaining its timeless architecture. High ceilings and stone arches stretched overhead, sunlight filtering warmly through tall, pane-less windows onto the tiled floors.
As they passed through one of the open courtyards leading toward their classroom, Shin's eyes suddenly fell upon a statue standing prominently in the courtyard center. His heart stopped for a moment as he halted abruptly, staring in stunned silence. Carved carefully in marble was the unmistakable figure of the man from his dream—Garo Valdera.
He approached slowly, eyes wide with awe and confusion, and read the inscription engraved at the base of the statue:
"Here lies the grave of the infamous Blood General, Bloodmond, who was defeated by the legendary war hero, Garo Valdera, bringing liberation to the kingdom of Luminas."
Shin's breath caught in his throat. It couldn't be possible. This was the exact man from his dream, down to the last detail. His heart raced again, confusion and wonder swirling in his mind.
"Shin?" Ty's voice broke into his thoughts, sounding slightly annoyed. "Why'd you stop? We have to hurry!"
Shin pointed hesitantly to the statue, voice faintly dazed. "That statue…Garo Valdera, the Great War hero. I…I've seen him before."
Ty glanced at the statue, then back at Shin, puzzled. "Of course you've seen him before. That statue has always been here. Everyone knows who Garo is."
"No, I mean…" Shin hesitated, shaking his head slowly, finally snapping fully back to reality. "I don't know—he just seems oddly familiar, like I've met him before."
Ty gave him a strange look, then quickly realized the time, eyes widening in panic. "Oh no! Shin, we seriously need to hurry. Mr. Jin will be furious if we're late!"
The two boys dashed toward their classroom, moving so quickly they barely noticed a girl stepping quietly from another corridor, accidentally colliding with her. All three stumbled, nearly falling over.
"Oh—sorry!" Shin immediately apologized, embarrassed. "We didn't see you!"
The girl straightened quickly, smiling gently despite the collision. "It's okay! Why are you two rushing?"
"We're headed to Mr. Jin's class!" Ty exclaimed frantically. "We're gonna be late—wait, aren't you in that class too?"
The girl's eyes widened, startled. "Oh no! You're right—I completely forgot! Let's go!"
Without another word, the three of them rushed frantically through the hallways, dodging students and instructors alike, barely slipping through the classroom door seconds before the bell sounded loudly, echoing throughout the school.
Mr. Jin stood at the front, already glaring sternly. "Barely on time, I see. Take your seats quickly, please."
Shin, Ty, and the girl hurriedly settled together at one of the tables near the back of the classroom, breathing heavily but grinning in relief.
"I'm Shin," Shin whispered quietly, offering a friendly smile.
"Ty," Ty added cheerfully, giving a small wave.
The girl smiled warmly back, her eyes bright. "I'm Aria. Nice to meet you both—hopefully next time under less rushed circumstances."
Their quiet introductions were abruptly cut short as Mr. Jin loudly cleared his throat, signaling for the class's attention.
"Today, students, we'll begin by discussing something vital: the history of this academy and the events following the Great Shadow War, three centuries ago." Mr. Jin's voice became softer, filled with reverence as he continued. "After the devastating attack on our school, the legendary hero Garo Valdera, alongside the surviving knights and instructors, rebuilt this very academy, giving it a meaningful name to honor another fallen hero—his closest friend and fellow knight, Oro Caldera. From that day forward, this institution has proudly borne the name, The Great Knight Academy of Oro."
The room filled with quiet murmurs of respect and awe, a solemn acknowledgment of the heroes' sacrifices.
Shin's heart pounded once more as he heard Oro's name, recalling again the vivid dream. Was it truly a coincidence?
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the room, causing everyone to jump. All eyes turned to Ty, who sat rubbing his forehead, startled awake by a small wooden eraser Mr. Jin had expertly thrown.
"Ow, ow, ow! What was that for?" Ty groaned, utterly confused.
The entire class erupted in laughter, breaking the solemn mood instantly. Mr. Jin stood at the front, eyebrow raised with mock irritation.
"Do I really bore you that much, Ty, that you have to sleep in my class?" Mr. Jin remarked dryly, hiding a slight smile beneath his stern demeanor.
Ty blushed deeply, rubbing his forehead sheepishly. "Sorry, Mr. Jin—it won't happen again."
Shin and Aria exchanged amused looks, quietly chuckling at Ty's embarrassed expression.
Mr. Jin shook his head slightly, turning back toward the board. "Good. Now, if everyone's awake, let's continue…"
Shin relaxed into his seat, smiling slightly as he glanced at his new friend. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all, even if the strange dream still lingered uneasily in his mind. One thing was certain—his life at The Great Knight Academy of Oro had just taken a turn he'd never expected.
As class ended, Shin, Ty, and Aria walked leisurely out into the bright, bustling courtyard, sunlight washing warmly over the ancient stones beneath their feet. Students hurried past, chatting excitedly about the first day of classes, laughing together as they moved through the sprawling campus.
"You know," Ty began thoughtfully, stretching his arms overhead, "even though we've already been here for a year, we still haven't seen everything around this school."
Shin nodded in agreement, his eyes drifting across the immense landscape stretching beyond them. It was easy to forget the academy wasn't just a simple school; in reality, it was the thriving capital city of Luminas itself. With expansive courtyards, grand lecture halls, countless training arenas, dormitories, and bustling market squares filled with wooden shops and lively vendors calling their wares, it was practically a city within a city. Despite their year of residence, it felt as though they'd barely scratched the surface.
"It's amazing how large this place really is," Aria remarked softly, glancing around with admiration. "It feels more like living in an entire kingdom than just going to school."
"That's because it practically is," Shin agreed, smiling slightly. "There's a market on the east side I still haven't even visited yet."
Ty laughed easily, nudging Shin's shoulder. "We definitely need to go check that out soon. I heard they sell incredible swords there."
Their conversation gradually drifted from the city's impressive scale back to the reality of their academic lives.
"So," Aria asked curiously, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, "what classes do you guys have this week?"
Ty pulled out his class schedule, scanning it briefly. "Looks like tomorrow is Math with Ms. Alice, then Science with Ms. Luna the day after, and Swordsmanship with Mr. Julius to end the week."
"Wait, seriously?" Aria quickly pulled her schedule from her bag, double-checking. "Wow, it looks like we all have the exact same classes. Guess we'll be seeing each other a lot."
Shin chuckled, smiling warmly at his newfound friend. "That makes things easier, at least. Who knew we'd end up with identical schedules?"
Aria nodded, grinning cheerfully. "Honestly, it's a relief knowing I won't have to walk into class alone anymore. That's always the worst."
"Definitely," Ty added, smiling brightly. "Mr. Julius's class especially—he's always so intimidating."
"Yeah," Shin said with a slight laugh. "He makes Mr. Jin seem gentle."
Aria laughed softly, her eyes brightening playfully. "I heard Mr. Julius makes students fight him at the start of each year to determine their skill. Apparently, he ranks everyone individually."
Ty stretched his arms over his head with a playful sigh. "Well, we don't need to worry about Mr. Julius's challenge until Thursday. For now, we should probably worry about Ms. Alice's class tomorrow—I heard she's a new teacher."
Shin nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I wonder what she'll be like."
Aria glanced upward, noticing the sky darkening into shades of twilight. She smiled softly, turning to face Shin and Ty. "I guess we'll find out tomorrow. I should probably head back to the girls' dormitories before it gets too late."
"See you tomorrow, Aria," Shin said warmly.
"Yeah, see you in class," Ty added with a friendly wave.
Aria waved gently back, heading off toward the girl's dormitories as Shin and Ty started back toward their own rooms. As they walked past the grand statue of Garo once again, Shin found himself slowing instinctively to gaze up at the marble figure, lost in thought.
Ty paused, noticing Shin's hesitation. "Thinking about what you said this morning?"
Shin blinked, startled from his daze, quickly shaking his head with a faint smile. "Yeah, it's strange. It really feels like I've seen him somewhere before. But it's probably just a coincidence."
Ty studied his friend for a moment, sensing something deeper but choosing not to push. "Probably. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Shin. Don't oversleep again, alright?"
Shin laughed lightly. "You're one to talk."
Ty chuckled, walking off down the hallway toward his room, leaving Shin alone with his thoughts.
Back in his dorm room, Shin laid down, staring blankly at the ceiling as the dream once again haunted his thoughts. The vivid images—the battlefield, Oro's tragic death, Garo's anguished face—all felt far too real to simply dismiss.
"What was all that about?" Shin muttered aloud, frustration creeping into his voice. "Why does it feel so real? And why do I feel like I've been there before?"
Suddenly, a loud groan erupted from the bed on the opposite side of the room. "Could you quiet down, Shin? Some of us are trying to sleep!"
Shin jumped slightly, startled, quickly turning toward the voice of his roommate. "Sorry, Renji—I didn't realize you were here already."
Renji sighed, pulling his pillow tightly over his head. "Just try to keep it down."
Shin smiled apologetically, turning back onto his side. It's probably just a coincidence, he finally thought, dismissing his lingering concerns and letting his eyes drift closed.
Almost immediately, darkness overtook him, plunging him back into the depths of another dream. This time, however, he saw himself vividly—running, heart pounding, chased by something unseen. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through him, as if a sword pierced straight through his back, driving the breath from his lungs. Shin desperately tried to turn around, desperate to see the face of his attacker, but everything faded into shadows.
"Shin!" Ty's voice snapped him awake. Shin bolted upright, gasping, his heart racing wildly.
Ty stood at the foot of his bed, looking down with concern. "Dude, are you alright? We're gonna be late if you don't get up soon."
"Yeah, I'm fine," Shin managed weakly, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Just another strange dream."
Ty shrugged lightly, smiling. "Well, hurry up—we've got Ms. Alice's class today."
Shin quickly got dressed, following Ty into the hallway. Moments later, they joined Aria, who was already waiting for them, smiling brightly.
"Morning, sleepyheads," she teased gently.
"Morning, Aria," Ty greeted cheerfully. "Ready for Ms. Alice's class?"
She nodded eagerly. "Definitely. Though, I wonder what kind of teacher she'll be. Being new and all."
"I guess we'll find out soon," Shin replied as they walked together toward their classroom.
When they reached the class, several students were already seated, chatting quietly. Minutes passed, yet the teacher remained absent.
"Where is Ms. Alice?" Ty wondered aloud, glancing around. "She's already late."
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor. A moment later, Ms. Alice rushed into the room, immediately capturing the attention of nearly every boy present. She was stunning, with flowing golden hair that cascaded down her shoulders. Her vivid blue eyes scanned the classroom apologetically as she flashed a charming smile.
Ty nudged Shin playfully, grinning widely. "Wow. She's definitely my type."
Shin laughed softly, shaking his head slightly. Despite her obvious beauty, his thoughts were still preoccupied with the strange dreams that haunted him. Near the front of the class, Quin—the top-ranking student, known for his humble nature—sat quietly, unfazed by the commotion, calmly flipping through a textbook.
"Good morning, class!" Ms. Alice greeted warmly, smiling brightly. "I'm so sorry for being late—it won't happen again. Since this is our first class together, I'd love to learn everyone's names. Why don't we start from the front?"
The students began introducing themselves in turn.
The girls started first:
Aria Nightingale: Scarlet hair cascading gracefully down her back, bright emerald-green eyes, around 5'7", radiating gentle charm and striking beauty.
Luna Ayaka: Silky black hair styled elegantly, with deep violet eyes, slightly shorter than Aria, possessing a calm yet confident demeanor.
Emi Saeki: Short, vibrant pink hair, standing about 5'4", bubbly personality, always smiling brightly.
Kaori Lyn: Chestnut-brown hair neatly tied in a ponytail, intelligent hazel eyes, about Aria's height, known for being studious yet approachable.
Faye Ellaria: Soft lavender-colored hair, striking golden eyes, petite and graceful at around 5'3", with an artistic, whimsical nature.
Mia Renelle: Long, flowing silver hair, icy blue eyes, around 5'6", quiet but sharp, known for her mysterious aura.
Next came the boys:
Ty Valdera: White hair strikingly contrasting with his confident blue eyes, 6'0", fit and athletic build.
Shin Galdera: Dark brown hair nearly black, intense yet thoughtful gaze, standing 6'0", lean and physically fit.
Quin Aldaine: Taller than both Ty and Shin at 6'2", perfectly toned, bright blonde hair neatly styled, humble yet exuding natural leadership qualities.
Renji Hayate: Shin's roommate, dark green eyes, messy auburn hair, average height, known for his dry wit and laid-back attitude.
Jiro Akane: Bright, fiery red hair, sharp eyes filled with mischief, 5'9", known for his playful and lively spirit.
Leon Vale: Short-cropped dark blue hair, gray eyes, 6'1", muscular build, reserved but fiercely loyal, always watching quietly from the background.
After introductions concluded, Ms. Alice smiled warmly. "Thank you, everyone! I'm sure we'll have a wonderful year together. Let's begin today's lesson."
Shin sat back quietly, trying to push the dream from his mind, though uncertainty still lingered. His thoughts were interrupted briefly when Ty whispered again, grinning mischievously.
"You sure you're not interested at all, Shin? Even Quin noticed."
Shin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, Ty. I'm fine."
Ty shrugged dramatically. "Suit yourself."
Shin glanced around the room, noticing Quin's calm gaze briefly meeting his. Quin gave a small, friendly nod, which Shin quietly returned. Something about Quin reminded him strangely of the legendary hero from his dreams, Garo Valdera. The resemblance was subtle but undeniable.
Shin exhaled deeply, finally forcing himself to focus on Ms. Alice's voice as she began their first lesson. Yet, despite his best attempts to dismiss it, a lingering question continued to trouble his mind:
What if none of this was truly a coincidence at all?
As Ms. Alice wrapped up her lesson and dismissed the class, the students gathered their belongings, excited chatter filling the air once more. Shin, Ty, and Aria rose from their seats, exchanging relieved glances as the day finally ended.
Just as they were preparing to leave, Shin noticed Quin approaching their group with a friendly, composed smile. Shin paused, somewhat surprised.
"Hey, Shin," Quin began politely, his voice calm and measured. "I noticed you glancing over during class. Was there something you needed to ask?"
Shin hesitated briefly, feeling slightly embarrassed, then smiled sheepishly. "Oh, no—I didn't have anything important. It's just… I've heard a lot about you. People say you're incredibly strong for someone who's only seventeen. A lot of students say you could probably graduate early and become a knight right now if you wanted."
Quin shook his head modestly, a faint but genuine smile appearing on his face. "A lot of people tend to exaggerate my abilities. Honestly, I try not to let praise or reputation get to my head. There's no reason for me to act above anyone else when we're all created equally in God's image. Everyone can become strong—what matters most is having the right guidance."
Shin froze momentarily, Quin's words resonating deeply. A sudden memory from his strange dream flashed vividly through his mind—Garo speaking nearly identical words to Oro beneath the great oak tree. Taking a breath, Shin asked quietly, "Quin… if you don't mind me asking, who is your guidance?"
Quin's eyes softened warmly, sincerity evident in his calm expression. "My strength comes directly from my faith—I follow my God because, for me, He is the true source of all guidance and strength. But you don't have to follow in my exact footsteps, Shin. Everyone has their own path to find guidance, whether it's through another person, a belief, or something greater than themselves."
Shin nodded thoughtfully, deeply moved by Quin's humility and sincerity. He found himself looking at the other boy with newfound respect. "Thank you, Quin. I appreciate your advice."
Quin's smile widened slightly, genuine warmth shining in his eyes. "Of course. If any of you ever need help or someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to ask."
Ty and Aria both nodded gratefully, impressed by Quin's kind and welcoming demeanor.
"We definitely will," Aria replied warmly, glancing at Shin and Ty with a cheerful smile.
Ty chuckled slightly, stepping forward with a casual grin. "Good meeting you officially, Quin. You're welcome to hang out with us whenever you feel like it."
Quin politely inclined his head, appreciating the offer. "Thank you—I'll keep that in mind. I usually spend my time training alone, but I'm always glad to help."
After saying their goodbyes, Quin walked quietly out of the classroom, leaving Shin, Ty, and Aria alone once again. Just as they were preparing to leave, they noticed Mia Renelle hesitantly approaching, her silver hair shimmering softly in the sunlight filtering through the classroom windows.
"Um, sorry to bother you all," Mia said softly, her voice gentle and uncertain. "I'm new here—a transfer student—and I was wondering if any of you knew where Mr. Jin's class is? I have history tomorrow, and I'm still pretty lost around here."
Ty immediately rubbed his forehead, laughing lightly. "Oh, we definitely know where Mr. Jin's class is. I've got the bruises to prove it."
Aria giggled softly, recalling Ty's embarrassing encounter earlier that day. Shin smiled warmly, stepping forward to reassure Mia. "We'd be happy to show you. It's not too far from here."
Mia's expression brightened slightly, relief washing over her features. "Thank you—I'd really appreciate that."
Together, the four students left Ms. Alice's classroom, heading toward the familiar hallways leading to Mr. Jin's room. As they walked, Shin turned to Mia curiously. "You said you transferred here? Where did you come from?"
Mia's gaze became distant, a subtle sadness flickering across her gentle blue eyes. "I used to attend a school in a territory west of Luminas called Alkatrez. Unfortunately, I had to leave because bandits attacked our village—they nearly burned it to the ground, making it impossible to live there anymore."
Silence filled the air for a moment, all three of them feeling empathy for Mia's difficult situation.
"That's terrible," Aria finally said softly, compassion filling her voice. "I'm really sorry you had to experience that."
Ty nodded, his usual playful demeanor softening into genuine seriousness. "Yeah, I can't even imagine how tough that must've been."
Shin met Mia's gaze gently, his expression kind and understanding. "We're glad you're here now, though. Hopefully, this place can feel like home soon enough."
Mia smiled gratefully, warmth gradually returning to her expression. "Thank you. Honestly, it already feels a little better now."
Before long, they reached Mr. Jin's classroom. Mia glanced around, memorizing the location carefully before turning back toward her newfound friends.
"Thanks again for helping me find it," she said sincerely. "I was really worried about getting lost tomorrow."
"Anytime," Shin responded warmly. "And hey, if you ever need anything else or want someone to hang around with, feel free to join us."
"Yeah, definitely," Ty agreed cheerfully. "We could always use more friends."
Aria nodded, smiling kindly. "You're welcome anytime, Mia."
Mia's eyes brightened considerably, her shy demeanor replaced momentarily by genuine joy. "I'd really like that—I don't have many friends yet, so thank you."
With friendly goodbyes exchanged, Mia walked off toward her dormitory, leaving Shin, Ty, and Aria smiling contentedly.
"Looks like we've officially made two new friends today," Aria remarked warmly.
Ty chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah—definitely a pretty good first day back."
Shin glanced at Mia's retreating figure, feeling a quiet satisfaction settle within him. Despite his strange dreams and lingering questions, something felt right about how the day had unfolded. Perhaps it truly was more than coincidence.
As they finally turned to head toward their own rooms, laughter and quiet conversation echoed softly between the three friends. The future still held uncertainties, but for now, Shin felt ready to face whatever came next alongside old friends and new.
e.