After long hours of fighting inside the Time Knot, Roy returned to his home in the Human Kingdom barely feeling his legs. The exhaustion wasn't only physical—it was a faint heaviness weighing on his soul, as if time itself had passed over his shoulders.
As soon as he closed the house door behind him, he collapsed onto the bed without even changing his clothes. There was no space in his mind for thought… only the darkness of deep sleep.
---
When he opened his eyes, the sun had already risen. The light sneaking through the window cast long shadows on the wall as if reminding him that the day waits for no one. He dragged his body out of the bed, feeling a light sting in the places where he was wounded the night before. They were almost healed… but he could still feel them. A silent trace reminding him that he wasn't unbreakable—just capable of returning.
He put on simple clothes, left the door, and the moment he stepped outside his house's threshold, he noticed a girl standing in front of him.
It was Kate.
Her arms were folded, her gaze focused on him, as if she had been waiting for a long time.
He raised his eyebrows slightly: "Since when have you been standing here?"
She smiled, but it was a smile that carried a mix of light reproach and relief. "Long enough to make sure you were sleeping like the dead. I came to take you to the academy… I figured it's your first day, and someone needs to show you the way."
He looked around for a moment then at her: "You could've sent a message, no need to wait for me."
She shook her head: "No. If I leave you alone you'll get lost. You're new here… and I'm not letting you get lost on your first day."
There was something very sincere in her voice, something he hadn't heard in a long time… unconditional concern.
Yet, he didn't show much reaction. He only said quietly: "Thanks."
They walked together through the kingdom's streets. The buildings were orderly, stretching along wide roads filled with students, merchants, and soldiers passing back and forth. The air carried a light warmth, and the sound of life was present everywhere.
And finally, the academy appeared before them.
It was massive, with a stone gate topped by a silver crescent-shaped emblem. Moonlight Academy.
A multi-story building with wide windows that reflected the sky, and its front yard was filled with students, resembling a wave of color and sound.
Kate said with a light smile: "Welcome to Moonlight… the place that's gonna change your life."
Roy didn't say anything, but he paused to observe. He wasn't used to places like this—crowded places, full of people. But he felt something strange… a sensation that resembled the beginning of a new path.
---
The Opening
When he entered the wide courtyard, silence suddenly fell. It wasn't forced silence… but silence imposed by the person standing on a stone platform in the center.
A bald man, a mass of moving muscle, the hair on his face nothing but a very short beard… yet he looked as if he were made of steel.
This man needed no introduction… but one of the students whispered beside him:
"That's Dean Chayron… almost the strongest man in the kingdom."
Chayron raised his hand in a single motion, and the sounds lowered even more.
He began speaking in a powerful, clear voice, filled with a force that made it easy to believe the kingdom relied on him.
"Welcome to your first day in Moonlight. The place where a person doesn't become just a student… but becomes a sword of the kingdom."
His eyes swept over the rows. They were like a storm—steady, stern.
"In this academy, the rules are simple. Strength… then strength… and then strength. Whoever can protect the kingdom will receive what no one else receives. Respect… authority… privileges."
He paused briefly.
"But strength does not come from training alone. It comes from will. From blood and sweat… and from facing yourselves before your enemies."
His words were like they were hammering on the ground of the students' hearts. Even Roy felt something move inside him, something that reminded him of facing the scorpion… of his weakness… and of the long path ahead.
The dean raised a large sheet: **"Your daily schedule consists of four classes:
1. Culture class… history, science, mathematics. Because ignorance defeats its owner before any enemy.
2. Agility class… to improve your speed, endurance, and reaction time.
3. Aether Force control class… to learn how to use your Aether Forces with awareness, not chaos.
4. And finally… real combat. Where you will face wounds and injuries, and will fight individually and in groups."**
A faint murmur rose among the students, a mix of fear and excitement.
Then the dean continued: "There will be no training today. Today is dedicated to exploring the academy, your classmates… and your new dorm. Relax… because tomorrow will not give you a moment of rest."
With these words, he ended his speech and left amidst a majestic silence.
---
The Dormitory
Roy walked through the academy's long hallways until he reached the building designated for student housing. On the metal door of his room was written:
116
He opened the door… to find a young man sitting on the opposite bed, waving at him with a very wide smile.
"Finally! I thought my roommate was going to be a pile of crates."
Roy raised an eyebrow: "My name is Roy."
The young man jumped up quickly as if he had found a treasure: "And I'm Sam! An honor, really!"
He shook his hand with such enthusiasm that Roy felt his fingers might fall apart.
Sam had messy brown hair, brown eyes that shone with mischief, and a simple athletic build. But what stood out most… was his big friendly smile.
Sam sat on the bed and patted the one opposite: "Sit… we should get to know each other since we'll be living together, right?"
Roy sat quietly.
Sam: "First thing… you look sooo mysterious. The type that's hiding a lot of stories."
Roy: "Not necessarily."
Sam laughed: "No no… it's obvious. You've got the eyes of someone who's seen unusual things."
Roy didn't know how to respond… so he stayed silent.
But Sam didn't mind, instead he continued with even more excitement: "By the way… I'm the type who loves life. I love laughing. And I love girls… by the way if you see someone cute in class let me know."
Roy looked at him coldly: "Not interested in that."
Sam: "Come on, man! Even if you're not interested… you'll change! The academy isn't all training… there's a fun part too!"
Roy couldn't stop a faint smile from appearing on his lips for a moment. Sam noticed it instantly and jumped to his feet:
"Ha! You smiled! I knew I'd break that icy wall!"
Roy sighed: "I was smiling… not laughing."
Sam pointed at him: "Smile… laugh… it's all a win for me."
A quiet moment passed, but it wasn't a heavy silence… it was a comfortable one.
Then Sam asked: "Why did you come to the academy?"
Roy thought for a few seconds. How could he explain something like this? How could he explain the system… the Time Knot… his eternal body?
He answered quietly: "To become stronger."
Sam nodded: "That's a noble goal… but it needs a reason. Someone you want to protect? Someone you want revenge on? Something specific?"
Roy looked at the floor. He didn't answer.
Sam understood the message—and in a rare moment, his voice became quiet for the first time.
"You don't have to talk. When you're ready… say it."
Roy looked at him… and saw something different. He saw someone who didn't want anything from him… someone who just wanted to be a friend.
Sam smiled again: "Anyway… you're with me now. And I'm not letting you get bored for even a second."
Then he pointed to the wooden closet: "Put your stuff… and take your time. Tomorrow is the serious day."
---
When Roy lay on his bed, the room was quiet… but he didn't feel the loneliness he was used to.
He murmured to himself in a low voice: "Tomorrow… a new beginning."
And for the first time in a long while… He slept without a weight on his chest.
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I hope u enjoy it, if u find any mistakes, let me know, bye.