The marble corridors of the Central Academy glowed faintly with runes etched into the walls. Students in purple uniforms moved in clusters, their embroidered logos shimmering on the right sleeve like living fire. The air smelled of parchment, rain, and faint ozone — the lingering taste of magic.
From the far end of the hall, a figure approached. His hair was a striking red, catching the torchlight like flame. He was nearly Zack's height, his stride confident, his uniform crisp, the Academy crest gleaming faintly on his arm.
Zack's smirk widened. He pushed off the wall with casual ease, raising a hand. "Keal, meet my friend Ron."
Ron clasped Keal's hand firmly. Their handshake was strong, deliberate — then both broke into laughter, the tension of battle and blood momentarily forgotten.
Ron's grin faded into mock reproach. "Zack, you've missed school for two weeks. And I heard about the brothel…"
Zack chuckled, sliding his hand onto Keal's neck and Ron's shoulder at once, pulling them close like conspirators. His golden eyes gleamed with mischief. "Yeah, I enjoyed myself before the attack. And now Sereh knows about my powers."
Ron's expression hardened, his voice sharp. "That bitch."
He shoved his hand into his pocket, mirroring Keal's gesture, his jaw tight. "If Sereh were here, she'd already be insulting her like a madwoman."
Keal frowned, crimson eyes narrowing. "Who is Sereh?"
Zack tilted his head, wrist twisting in sync, smirk curling wider. His tone was playful, almost mocking. "She's a very lovely girl. You'd love her."
Ron scoffed, still pocketing, his voice flat. "He's lying."
Zack ignored him, eyes gleaming. "Where is she now?"
Ron's reply was clipped. "She's with Mr. Alcane, the Vice Dean. Something about Renn. She's taking it too far."
Zack's smirk sharpened. "Too far? That's her specialty."
Keal's voice cut in, low and demanding. "What did you do?"
Zack removed his hand from his friends, walking with a lazy tilt of his head. His grin was sly, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Just a little fun. I hit on Renn. His boyfriend Sai wanted to defend her. He asked for a duel. Always Seya defending. When they fought, she injured his back and he became a little unconscious."
Keal turned sharply, noticing other students in purple suits passing by. His jaw tightened, his voice incredulous. "A little fun landed someone unconscious? Sorry — a little unconscious? That's what you call fun?"
Zack's head snapped toward him, smirk fading into mock offense. "What?"
Keal muttered, "Nothing."
Zack chuckled, shaking his head, voice softer. "I know it wasn't funny. But to be fair, it was a mistake. Besides, Seya's family wanted to pay for the hit. Too arrogant to accept."
Keal raised a brow, voice edged with curiosity. "Her parents must be rich."
Ron nodded, his tone heavy. "Weton nobles. Northerns have kings. And here in the Central Capital, there are two generals. Seya is the only child of one of them."
Keal's eyes widened, awe slipping into his voice. "Wow."
Zack smirked, finally stopping at a tall marble building. The Registration Center loomed before them, its doors carved with runes that shimmered faintly in the rain. Students lined the steps, their voices hushed, the weight of ceremony pressing down.
Zack spread his arms dramatically, cloak fluttering in the wind. "This is it.
Has they entered unto the resgistration hall
Two hours had elapsed within the vaulted registration hall, its marble pillars etched with runes that shimmered faintly under the glow of suspended lanterns. The atmosphere was suffused with the solemn gravity of ceremony, every whisper of parchment and scratch of quill echoing like thunder in the silence.
Zack emerged first, his posture slouched, his hair disheveled, bandages peeking beneath the folds of his uniform. He dragged his feet across the polished floor, groaning with theatrical exaggeration. "By the gods… the most exhausting two hours of my life. I was finished after one hour, but nooo… had to wait for Keal."
Ron reclined against a marble pillar outside, his crimson hair catching the last embers of daylight. His eyes half‑closed, his voice dripping with mock despair. "Why is life so unfair?"
Then Keal stepped forth.
The courtyard seemed to pause as he emerged, his white hair gleaming like silver under the twilight, his new Academy uniform pristine, the crest upon his sleeve glowing faintly with arcane resonance. His posture was upright, his gaze steady, and for a moment he seemed less a boy and more a figure carved from legend.
Ron straightened, his lips curling into a whistle of admiration. "Pretty great on you, Keal."
Zack's smirk faltered, replaced by a storm of envy. His eyes narrowed, his jaw tightened, and jealousy painted itself across his face. "If I looked like Keal, I'd have girls lining up down the street."
Ron chuckled, shaking his head. "No, you wouldn't. Every girl here already knows you. That's why it wouldn't work."
The three began their walk toward the dormitories, evening shadows stretching long across the courtyard. Lanterns flickered to life, casting golden halos against the rain‑slick marble. Students passed in clusters, their voices hushed, their eyes drawn inevitably to Keal.
A group of young women halted, their gazes fixed upon him. Their whispers sharpened into insults aimed at Zack, their laughter cutting like blades. One girl broke away, her voice bright and mocking as she ran toward Keal. "Young boy! Why waste time with these two? Come with us!" She pointed toward four companions waiting behind her, their eyes gleaming with mischief.
Zack's smirk collapsed, his eyes darkening. Her words struck deeper than he cared to admit, jealousy burning in his chest. Ron burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the courtyard.
Keal froze, bewildered. Eight years in the abyss, before that alone in Noctera's slums — he had never faced such attention. His throat tightened, his voice awkward. "Hem… hem…" He coughed, crimson eyes darting nervously, unsure how to respond.
Then the silence shattered.
A scream tore across the courtyard, raw and commanding. A woman charged forward, her long red hair blazing like fire in the lantern light. She has the same height as Zack and Ron, even taller than Keal — her frame was a bit muscular, her stride unstoppable, her presence overwhelming with a neckless of shinny stone and big earring jiggling has she was running.
"YOU LITTLE BOY Z!" she roared.
Before Zack could react, she collided with him, wrapping him in a crushing embrace. The girls from earlier scattered instantly, their faces pale with fear, their laughter silenced.
Zack's voice emerged strangled, choking against her grip. "Hiii… Seya… you're choking me!"
Seya grinned, tightening her hold for a heartbeat longer before releasing him. Her voice was sharp, yet tinged with warmth. "Sorry."
But her eyes gleamed with fire.
The courtyard still hummed with whispers after Seya's explosive arrival. Her long red hair glistened under the lantern light, rain droplets sliding down her shoulders. She finally loosened her crushing embrace on Zack, her eyes softening as she noticed the bandages slipping beneath his uniform.
Her gaze lingered, golden and sharp, filled with concern. "I heard about what happened…" she murmured, staring at the wounds.
Zack forced a grin, brushing it off with his usual bravado. "Oh, it's not a big deal. I missed you so much, Seya."
Seya tilted her head, studying him for a heartbeat longer, then her eyes shifted. They landed on Keal. His white hair caught the glow of the lanterns, his posture straight, his expression unreadable.
"And who is this handsome boy?" she asked, curiosity laced with teasing. "Didn't you run away? Or perhaps… one of those brave ones?"
Zack waved his hand quickly, stepping between them with mock irritation. "Ahhh, calm down. He's Keal. My butler, FYI. He's like a statue."
Keal's crimson eyes flickered, but he remained composed. His voice was steady, polite. "Nice to meet you."
Seya's lips curved into a relaxed smile. She extended her hand, her grip firm, warm. "Ohh, hi. I'm Seya. Nice to meet you, Keal."
Their hands clasped, the shake deliberate, almost ceremonial. For a moment, the tension of the courtyard eased.
Zack stood beside them, not jealous, but grinning at the exchange, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He tilted his head, smirk tugging at his lips. "See? Told you he's like a statue. Handsome, polite, and absolutely clueless."
Seya laughed, the sound sharp yet warm, and Keal gave the faintest smile in return.