After Bereshith gave Rayryn a small nod.
Then...
A loud bell suddenly rang throughout the academy.
Dooooooong—!
The sound echoed through the corridors and across the entire building.
Every conversation immediately came to an end.
The atmosphere inside the infirmary changed.
Rayryn glanced toward the window.
"Ah~!"
He sighed.
"There's the bell."
Levanah looked toward the hallway.
"First lesson."
Lexy nodded.
"Which means we should probably stop standing around here."
Cyse adjusted her clothing.
"Indeed."
Cyte calmly looked toward the corridor.
"We've already wasted enough time."
Bereshith blinked.
"Wait..."
He looked around at everyone.
"You're all leaving already?"
Rayryn gave him a slightly amused expression.
"Of course."
"We're students, too, Bereshith...."
"Unlike you, we've been attending Sol Academy for years." Said By Cyse whom, casually response to Bereshith.
Then followed up by Rayryn.
"Yes. Sol Academy has six academic years before graduation."
Rayryn pointed toward himself.
"I'm currently a fourth-year."
Then he pointed toward the others.
"Levanah, Lexy, Cyse, Cyte, Alesh, and Inoha are all third-years."
Bereshith looked at them.
"So everyone except me is a senior?"
"Pretty much," Rayryn replied.
Bereshith sighed.
"That makes me the only first-year here..."
"Correct."
Rayryn smiled.
"Which means you have a lot of catching up to do."
Bereshith gave him a helpless smile.
"I see."
Rayryn reached into his uniform and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"Before I forget."
He extended it toward Bereshith.
"Take this."
Bereshith accepted it.
"What's this?"
"Your classroom assignment."
"Oh."
Bereshith slipped the paper into his hand.
"I'll look at it later."
Rayryn nodded.
"Don't lose it."
"I won't." Said by Bereshith calm and collected.
Everyone began preparing to leave.
The atmosphere became noticeably lighter.
Alesh smiled at Bereshith.
"Good luck on your first lesson, Bereshith."
"Thank you, Princess Alesh."
Cyse gave him a small nod.
"Try not to cause another incident."
Bereshith smiled awkwardly.
"I'll try."
Cyte crossed her arms.
"And don't get yourself into another fight."
Bereshith scratched the back of his head.
"I didn't exactly plan the first one."
Levanah suddenly stepped toward him.
"Well..."
Bereshith looked at her.
"What? Do I have something on my face?"
She smiled.
"Good luck."
Then—
Before Bereshith could react...
Chu!
Her lips touched his left cheek.
Bereshith froze.
His eyes widened.
"Wha—"
At almost exactly the same moment—
Chu!
Lexy kissed his right cheek.
Bereshith's entire body stiffened.
His face immediately turned bright red.
"L-Levanah?! Lexy?!"
The two girls stepped away with innocent smiles.
"Good luck!" Levanah said cheerfully.
"Don't get lost!" Lexy added.
Bereshith stood completely frozen.
His hands slowly rose toward his cheeks.
"You two..."
His voice became increasingly embarrassed.
"...What was that?"
Levanah giggled.
"A goodbye kiss."
Lexy smiled.
"Obviously."
Bereshith's face became even redder.
"That's not something you just do without warning!"
Levanah shrugged.
"Why not?"
Lexy nodded.
"You're our BOY-friend."
"That's not an explanation!"
A few steps away...
Princess Inoha had witnessed everything.
She stood perfectly still.
Her eyes were wide.
Her expression was blank.
Then her lips slowly curled into an irritated smile.
"Oh..."
Her voice was strangely sweet.
"So that's how we're playing this game."
Bereshith immediately noticed her.
"Inoha?"
Princess Inoha suddenly rushed forward.
"Bereshith!"
She opened her arms.
"I'm getting one too!"
Bereshith's eyes widened.
"W-Wait!"
Inoha leaned toward his face.
"Just one kiss—"
But before she could reach him—
Levanah grabbed her left arm.
Lexy grabbed her right.
"NO!"
"Absolutely not!"
Inoha's face immediately became annoyed.
"Let go of me, you two snakes!"
Levanah tightened her grip.
"Nope!"
Lexy laughed.
"You already got your cheek kiss, today!"
"No! I want more!" Said by Inoha whom acting like a toddler.
"Stay still, you crazy Vixen!" Levanah whom extremely annoyed about Inoha really using all her strength to lock Inoha around her arms.
"No!"
"Will you stop it already?" Said by Lexy whom starting to get annoyed by Inoha's attitude.
"Let me go!"
Levanah and Lexy exchanged glances.
Then they smiled.
"No!" Answered in Flat and cold eyes.
Inoha's eye twitched.
"...You'll pay for this!"
Seeing Inoha starting to get irritated.
Lexy cheerfully answered.
"Try us, Remember we share in same room... The three of us."
Inoha glared at her.
"Unhand me."
"No."
"In the name of my authority as a princess, I command you to release me."
Levanah laughed.
"As if that's gonna work on us."
"You dare?!" Princess Inoha glared at Levanah.
"Yes." Levanah gaze back in confidence and brave attitude.
Seeing Levanah didn't seems scared, Inoha looks away from her and then Inoha tried pulling her arm away.
But Levanah held on.
Inoha did the same on the other side which on Lexy, But failed that one too.
Inoha's face slowly became more and more irritated.
"Bereshith!"
Bereshith immediately took a step backward.
"Yes?"
"Tell them to let me go!"
Bereshith looked at the three girls.
Then at Inoha.
Then at Levanah.
Then at Lexy.
He sighed.
"...I think I'll stay out of this."
Inoha's mouth dropped open.
"Bereshith, Please help me!"
"I'm sorry!" Bereshith averted his eyes away from Inoha's pitiful eyes.
Levanah laughed.
"See? Even Bereshith knows we're right."
Lexy nodded.
"Exactly."
Inoha puffed her cheeks.
"You two are shameless!"
Levanah disgusted smile.
"Says the shameless princess who tried to attack Bereshith's face."
"I wasn't attacking!"
"You were charging!" Lexy replied.
"I was going to give him affection!"
"With your mouth!" Levanah replied.
"Yes!"
"Which it is a violation!"
Bereshith covered his face with both hands.
"Please girls stop..."
He muttered.
"Can everyone stop making this complicated?"
Cyse watched the scene with a tired expression.
Cyte merely sighed.
Alesh covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Rayryn shook his head.
"I should have expected this."
Bereshith looked at him.
"You knew this would happen?"
"Of course."
Rayryn smiled.
"I've known these girls for years."
Inoha suddenly looked toward Rayryn.
"Your Highness help me!"
Rayryn raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
"Help me!"
"No."
"Why?!"
"Because this is both entertaining and not something a Guy should get involved with."
"Traitor!"
Rayryn laughed.
"Come on, everyone. We really need to go."
Levanah and Lexy finally began dragging Inoha toward the hallway.
"Let's go, Princess."
"No!"
"Come on."
"I haven't said goodbye properly!"
"You already did."
"I haven't!"
"You were about to kiss him!"
"Exactly! That's why I haven't finished!"
Bereshith sighed.
"Goodbye, Inoha."
Inoha immediately looked back.
"Wait!"
Levanah and Lexy continued dragging her away.
"Bereshith!"
He waved awkwardly.
"Good luck with your class."
Inoha stretched one hand toward him dramatically.
"BERESHITH!"
"See you later."
"BERESHIIIIITH!"
The three girls disappeared down the corridor.
Well...
Two girls disappeared.
The third was still being dragged between them.
Her voice continued echoing through the hallway.
"LET GO OF ME, you bitches!"
"No!"
"LET GO!"
"No!"
"I'M A PRINCESS!"
"We know!"
"THEN LET ME GO!"
"No!"
Their voices gradually became quieter.
Bereshith stood alone inside the infirmary.
He stared at the doorway.
"...They're really something."
Rayryn laughed.
"You'll get used to it."
Bereshith looked toward him.
"I don't think I will."
Rayryn smiled.
"See you later, Bereshith."
"You too, Rayryn."
Cyse and Cyte followed him.
Alesh waved one final time.
"Goodbye, Bereshith!"
"Goodbye, Princess Alesh."
One by one, everyone finally left.
The corridor became quiet.
Bereshith stood alone.
For a moment, he simply stared at the empty doorway.
Then he remembered something.
"Oh."
He looked down at the folded paper Rayryn had given him.
"My classroom."
Bereshith unfolded it.
His eyes moved across the writing.
Room 110 / Class L
He blinked.
"Room 110..."
He looked around.
The infirmary was located on the ground floor.
"So..."
He glanced down the hallway.
"Room 110 should be somewhere around here."
He began walking.
A few seconds later, however...
He stopped.
"...Where is Class L?"
Bereshith looked at the room numbers.
He walked farther.
Room 104.
Room 105.
Room 106.
He continued.
Then—
He stopped in front of the classroom.
"Ah."
He looked at the paper again.
Room 110 / Class L.
He smiled.
"I found it."
Then he looked around.
His smile slowly disappeared.
"...Why is this classroom empty?"
He opened the classroom door.
Nobody.
Not a single student.
Bereshith blinked.
"That's strange."
He stepped inside.
The room was completely empty.
There were no students.
No professor.
Nothing.
He looked at the paper again.
"Room 110..."
He looked at the room number above the door.
"110."
He frowned.
"Class L."
He looked at the paper again.
Then he suddenly remembered what Rayryn had said.
Don't lose it.
Bereshith slowly turned his head toward the hallway.
"...Wait."
He stepped outside.
He looked toward the corridor he had just come from.
Then he looked toward the opposite end.
The academy's ground floor was enormous.
And there was something he hadn't realized until now.
The classroom was located on the eastern side of the academy.
The infirmary was much closer to the western side.
Bereshith stared blankly down the massive corridor.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
He looked at the distance.
It was far.
Very far.
He had already wasted precious time.
And his first lesson had already begun.
Bereshith sighed deeply.
"Rayryn..."
He looked at the paper.
"You could have told me where it was."
He folded the paper and placed it safely inside his uniform.
Then he rolled his shoulders.
"Alright."
His expression changed.
He lowered his body slightly.
His breathing became steady.
A faint golden-white glow began spreading around his body.
Aura.
His physical strength immediately increased.
Then another light appeared.
A warm, holy radiance surrounded his body.
Holy Blessing.
His muscles became lighter.
His movements became faster.
His senses sharpened.
Bereshith looked toward the eastern corridor.
"Six years..."
He smiled.
"And this is my first day."
He crouched slightly.
"I can't be late for my first lesson."
His foot pressed against the ground.
BOOM!
The floor cracked slightly beneath his foot.
And Bereshith disappeared.
WHOOSH!
He shot down the corridor like an arrow.
His coat fluttered violently behind him.
Students who were still walking toward their classrooms suddenly felt a powerful gust of wind pass by.
"What was that?!"
"Did someone just run past?!"
"I couldn't even see him!"
Bereshith didn't stop.
He sprinted through the enormous academy.
His aura strengthened his body.
His Holy Blessing enhanced his physical condition.
His footsteps became almost impossible to follow.
One corridor became two.
Two became three.
He passed staircases, courtyards, lecture halls, training rooms, and countless classrooms.
His eyes remained focused ahead.
"Room 110..."
"Class L..."
"East side..."
"Come on!"
His speed increased.
WHOOSH!
Bereshith turned sharply around a corner.
A group of students barely managed to move out of his path.
"Whoa!"
"What the—?!"
"Watch where you're going!"
"Sorry!"
Bereshith shouted without stopping.
"I'm sorry!"
And then he disappeared into the next corridor.
Meanwhile...
Inside Room 110...
A professor stood before a classroom filled with students.
Thirty-nine students sat quietly at their desks.
One seat remained empty.
The professor glanced toward the clock.
Then toward the door.
Her expression became slightly displeased.
"Where is the remaining student?"
The students looked at one another.
Nobody answered.
Then...
From somewhere far down the corridor...
BOOM!
The classroom windows shook.
Everyone turned toward the door.
The professor narrowed her eyes.
"...What was that?"
Another sound followed.
BOOM!
Then—
WHOOSH!
Something was approaching.
Very quickly.
The students exchanged confused looks.
The professor slowly turned toward the classroom entrance.
And outside...
Bereshith was still running.
As fast as he possibly could.
Because on his very first day at Sol Academy...
He had already managed to get lost.
And his first lesson was about to begin.
Then...
Bereshith finally reached the eastern side of the academy.
He slowed his pace as the classroom came into view.
Room 110 — Class L.
"There it is..."
Bereshith released a small breath.
His aura gradually faded from around his body, followed by the warm glow of his Holy Blessing.
He straightened his uniform.
His hair was slightly disheveled from running.
He quickly brushed it back with his fingers.
"...I hope I'm not too late."
Bereshith reached for the door.
He opened it.
The moment he stepped inside—
"Welcome, young man."
A calm voice greeted him.
Bereshith immediately looked toward the front of the classroom.
Standing there was a tall, handsome man with long silver hair and elegant pointed ears.
He carried himself with extraordinary grace.
Even while standing completely still, there was something almost effortless about his presence.
His eyes calmly observed Bereshith.
The man smiled.
"Hurry. Take a seat."
Bereshith immediately bowed his head.
"My apologies, Professor."
He stepped into the classroom.
And then...
He stopped.
His eyes widened slightly.
"...Wow."
The classroom was enormous.
Unlike ordinary classrooms, the seats were arranged in an amphitheater-style formation, with each row gradually rising higher toward the back.
Dozens of students were already seated.
And they were incredibly diverse.
Nobles sat alongside commoners.
Students with pointed ears sat beside humans.
Beastfolk, half-breeds, and students of various bloodlines were scattered throughout the room.
Some wore expensive-looking uniforms.
Others carried themselves with the modesty of students from ordinary families.
Yet everyone had something in common.
They were all here to learn.
Bereshith looked around.
Then his eyes suddenly stopped.
"...Kriska."
Near the far behind of the classroom sat the person he had been searching for.
Kinsley Korlock.
Or, more accurately...
Kriska Korlock.
She was still wearing the disguise that allowed her to attend the academy as a male student.
Her expression remained cold.
Stone-cold.
She sat alone.
Her arms were crossed, and her eyes were directed toward the professor at the front.
There was still sadness hidden behind her expression.
Irritation.
Frustration.
And perhaps even embarrassment.
Bereshith understood exactly why.
He remembered what had happened in the infirmary.
He remembered Cyte's words.
He remembered Kinsley running away.
Bereshith quietly walked toward her.
Kinsley noticed him from the corner of her eye.
But she didn't turn.
She didn't acknowledge him.
She simply continued looking toward Professor Caelan.
Bereshith stopped beside her.
Then, without asking permission, he casually sat in the empty seat beside her.
Kinsley's eyebrow twitched.
Bereshith leaned back.
"Kriska."
Nothing.
"I am sorry about earlier."
Still nothing.
Bereshith looked toward the professor.
"Though..."
He paused.
"He is not wrong."
Kinsley's fingers tightened slightly.
She continued staring forward.
Bereshith smiled faintly.
"You can just keep getting better and prove them wrong."
He turned his head toward her.
"Isn't that what Korlock does?"
Kinsley's eyes shifted ever so slightly.
"!"
For the first time, Bereshith noticed that his words had reached her.
She still didn't look at him.
She didn't answer.
Her expression remained completely cold.
But she was listening.
Bereshith smiled quietly.
He didn't say anything else.
Sometimes...
People didn't need someone to tell them what to do.
They simply needed someone to remind them that giving up wasn't the only option.
Bereshith leaned back in his chair.
At the front of the classroom, Professor Caelan looked across the room.
Once he confirmed that everyone had arrived, he gently placed one hand against the desk.
"Well then..."
His voice carried effortlessly throughout the enormous room.
"Now that everyone is here, I suppose we should begin."
The classroom became quiet.
Professor Caelan smiled.
"Hello, everyone~"
He gave a graceful bow.
"I am Professor Caelan Windstrider."
He straightened himself.
"I teach spear combat here at Sol Academy."
A few students immediately looked interested.
Caelan chuckled.
"Though I know some of you might like it..."
He glanced across the room.
"...and some of you might not."
A few students laughed.
"But I do appreciate it if you listen to me during both lessons and combat training."
He gave a small smile.
"Hehehe..."
His expression became slightly more serious.
"After all, a spear is not merely a long piece of metal."
He lifted one finger.
"It is a weapon that requires precision."
Another finger.
"Distance."
Another.
"Timing."
"And most importantly..."
He smiled.
"Discipline."
The students listened.
Caelan then relaxed his expression.
"Anyway."
He gave another graceful bow.
"It's nice to meet you all."
The class remained quiet.
Caelan extended one hand toward the students.
"Now..."
He smiled.
"Some of you might already know this, but we have a tradition here at Sol Academy."
He slowly walked in front of the class.
"On the first day of school, everyone introduces themselves to everyone."
Several students began looking at one another.
Caelan's smile widened.
"It allows us to know who we will be spending the next several years with."
He paused.
Then suddenly pointed toward a student seated near the front.
"Now..."
"You, young man!"
The student immediately looked startled.
"Me?"
Caelan nodded.
"Yes, you."
The boy slowly stood.
He adjusted his uniform.
Then turned toward the entire class.
"My name is Adrian Valcrest."
His voice was confident.
"I am sixteen years old."
He paused before continuing.
"I am the son of Baron Valcrest."
Several students immediately became attentive.
Adrian continued.
"My family governs a small but important territory near the western trade routes."
He placed one hand against his chest.
"I was raised to understand that being a noble isn't simply about possessing wealth or status."
His expression became serious.
"It means having responsibilities toward the people under your family's protection."
A few students nodded.
Adrian smiled.
"As for myself..."
He glanced toward the training equipment near the side of the classroom.
"I intend to become a knight."
His voice became slightly more enthusiastic.
"I've trained with weapons since I was young, and I hope to eventually serve my territory and protect my family."
He bowed.
"That's all."
He sat down.
Professor Caelan nodded approvingly.
"Thank you, Adrian."
He looked toward the next student.
"Now..."
His finger moved.
"You."
A boy sitting closer to the center suddenly looked around.
"Me?"
"Yes."
The boy stood.
Unlike Adrian, his clothing and posture were much simpler.
"My name is Kael Ardent."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I'm fifteen."
A few students smiled at his nervousness.
"My father is a blacksmith."
He looked down at his hands.
"They're not exactly pretty."
A few students laughed.
Kael smiled sheepishly.
"My family has worked with metal for generations."
He raised one hand.
"I learned how to repair tools, sharpen weapons, and work with metal from my father."
His expression became more confident.
"I came here because..."
He paused.
"I want to become someone capable of protecting the people who can't protect themselves."
The classroom became quiet.
Kael looked slightly embarrassed by his own words.
"I don't have some great noble family behind me."
He shrugged.
"I'm just a blacksmith's son."
He smiled.
"But I'll work harder than anyone."
Several students looked at him with renewed interest.
Kael bowed.
"That's me."
He sat down.
Professor Caelan smiled.
"Simple and honest."
He turned toward the next student.
"Very good."
His eyes moved toward a boy sitting several seats away.
"You next."
The boy rose gracefully.
His silver hair fell neatly over his shoulders.
He carried himself with a natural elegance that immediately distinguished him from the others.
"My name is Lucian Everhart."
He gave a refined bow.
"I am sixteen years old."
He paused.
"My family belongs to one of the old aristocratic houses of the Elven territories."
Several students whispered quietly.
Lucian continued without reacting.
"My family has a long history of scholars, diplomats, and military officers."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"Personally, I am interested in both magic and martial combat."
His eyes briefly moved toward Professor Caelan.
"I believe that relying entirely upon one discipline creates weakness."
Caelan raised an eyebrow.
Lucian continued.
"I wish to become someone capable of combining knowledge, magic, and combat."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I also hope to learn from everyone here."
He bowed once more.
"That is all."
He returned to his seat.
Caelan nodded.
"Excellent."
His gaze moved again.
"You."
A boy with a strong build stood.
He looked considerably more confident than the previous students.
"My name is Darius Falken."
He crossed his arms.
"I am sixteen years old."
He spoke clearly.
"My father is Count Falken."
A few students recognized the name.
Darius continued.
"My family has served the kingdom for generations."
He paused.
"We have produced soldiers, commanders, and knights."
His eyes sharpened.
"I intend to follow that tradition."
He clenched one fist.
"I want to become a great warrior."
He looked around the room.
"Not because I want people to fear my family."
His expression hardened.
"I want them to know that the Falken name represents strength and loyalty."
He then smiled.
"Of course..."
He rubbed his neck.
"I also came here because my father said I needed to learn how to cooperate with people."
A few students laughed.
Darius sighed.
"He said I'm too stubborn."
More laughter followed.
Professor Caelan smiled.
"At least you are aware of it."
Darius gave an embarrassed grin.
"I'll work on it."
He sat down.
Caelan then looked toward the final student in the row.
"Roderick."
A young man slowly stood.
There was something different about his appearance.
His features were handsome, but there was an unmistakable sharpness to them.
His eyes carried a faint intensity.
"My name is Roderick Vane."
He spoke calmly.
"I'm fifteen years old."
He paused.
"My family is a minor noble house."
Several students watched him carefully.
Roderick continued.
"My family isn't particularly powerful."
He shrugged.
"We don't have enormous territories."
"We don't possess great wealth."
"And we don't have many influential relatives."
He looked toward his classmates.
"But my family has survived for generations."
His expression became faintly proud.
"I intend to make sure it survives for many more."
He placed his hand against his chest.
"I want to become strong enough that nobody can decide my family's fate for us."
His eyes became serious.
"I want to choose my own path."
He bowed.
"That's all."
He sat down.
Professor Caelan looked across the classroom.
"Very good."
Caelan looked across the classroom.
The students remained attentive, waiting for the next person to stand.
His eyes eventually settled on a boy sitting several seats away from Roderick.
"Alright, young man. You're next."
The boy blinked before slowly standing from his seat.
He had a gentle appearance, with light-colored hair that seemed almost too bright under the classroom's sunlight. His clothes were simple and practical, lacking the decorations commonly seen among noble students.
He gave a small smile.
"My name is Elias Mooncrest."
His voice was calm, but there was a faint sense of cheerfulness behind it.
"My family has never stayed in one place for very long."
"We travel from town to town, sometimes staying in villages, sometimes traveling between cities."
"We trade what we can, perform whatever work is needed, and move on when the road calls us again."
A few students listened with interest.
Elias scratched his cheek.
"Because of that, I've met a lot of different people."
"Farmers, merchants, craftsmen, adventurers..."
"And sometimes people who were simply looking for someone willing to listen."
He smiled.
"I suppose traveling taught me something important."
"There's more to the world than what you can see from your own home."
His expression became slightly more serious.
"I came to Sol Academy because I want to learn more about that world."
"I want to understand magic, history, combat, and the different cultures beyond the places my family has visited."
He paused.
"And someday..."
"I'd like to become someone who can travel freely without being afraid of whatever waits beyond the next road."
Elias gave a small bow.
"That's all."
Caelan smiled.
"Well said. You certainly sound like someone who has spent a lot of time on the road."
Elias returned to his seat.
Caelan then turned toward another student.
"You there."
A boy with dark hair slowly stood.
Unlike Elias, there was something noticeably colder about his expression.
He carried himself with quiet dignity, and his posture was almost perfectly straight.
"My name is Theron Blackwood."
His voice was low and composed.
"My family belongs to one of the old houses that has existed for generations."
"We have our own traditions, our own laws, and our own expectations."
His crimson eyes moved across the classroom.
"Growing up in my household meant understanding one thing very early."
"Your name is not something you own."
"It is something you inherit."
Several noble students quietly listened.
Theron continued.
"Every action you take reflects upon your family."
"Every failure becomes a stain."
"Every achievement becomes something your descendants are expected to surpass."
He paused.
"Some people may consider that a burden."
"I consider it a responsibility."
His expression remained calm.
"I intend to become stronger than the people who came before me."
"Not because I despise them."
"But because I refuse to let their accomplishments become the limit of my own."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I am interested in swordsmanship, magic, history, and strategy."
"I want to understand how different forms of power interact with one another."
"And when I eventually return to my family's lands..."
"I want to be someone capable of protecting what was entrusted to me."
Theron gave a respectful bow.
"That is my introduction."
Caelan nodded approvingly.
"Very disciplined. I expected nothing less from someone with such a serious expression."
A few students quietly chuckled.
Theron simply returned to his seat without reacting.
Caelan looked around once more.
His eyes landed on another boy.
"You next."
A boy with messy brown hair stood immediately.
He had a broad smile and an energetic expression that was almost impossible to miss.
"Finnian Oakheart."
He spoke with confidence.
"My family lives near the forest."
"We're hunters."
"My father taught me how to track animals before I was old enough to properly hold a bow."
A few students smiled.
Finnian continued enthusiastically.
"I know how to read footprints, follow trails, identify plants, find water, and tell when something dangerous has passed through an area."
He grinned.
"And I'm pretty good at hunting."
He paused.
"Well..."
"My mother says I'm good at eating what I hunt."
The classroom erupted in quiet laughter.
Finnian scratched the back of his head.
"She's probably right."
He laughed along with them.
"But that's not why I came here."
His expression became more serious.
"I want to become stronger."
"Not just physically."
"I want to learn how to fight properly."
"I want to learn how to protect people."
"The forest taught me that even something that looks harmless can become dangerous when you underestimate it."
He looked toward the other students.
"So I don't want to underestimate anyone here."
"I want to make friends, learn from everyone, and become someone my family can be proud of."
Finnian gave a wide smile.
"And maybe..."
"I'd like to become an adventurer someday."
He bowed.
"That's all!"
Caelan laughed softly.
"Excellent. At least I know who to ask if we ever get lost in the forest."
Finnian happily returned to his seat.
The professor's gaze then shifted toward a particularly well-dressed student.
"Your turn."
The boy stood with an elegant motion.
His uniform was immaculate.
His posture was flawless.
Even the way he adjusted his sleeves seemed practiced.
"My name is Caspian Aurelius."
His voice carried confidence.
"My father is the Marquis Aurelius."
A few students immediately straightened.
Caspian noticed their reactions but continued without hesitation.
"My family has served the kingdom for generations."
"We oversee a large territory and maintain relationships with numerous noble houses."
"I was raised with the expectation that I would eventually take on responsibilities far greater than myself."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"I understand that some people dislike nobles."
"And I understand why."
"Power can easily corrupt people."
"The higher someone stands, the easier it becomes to forget what it feels like to stand below."
The classroom became quieter.
Caspian's expression remained serious.
"I do not intend to become that kind of person."
"I want to become someone who can lead."
"Not simply command."
He looked toward the other students.
"Leadership means understanding the people beneath you."
"It means accepting responsibility when things go wrong."
"And it means making difficult decisions even when you know everyone will not agree with you."
He took a breath.
"My goal is to become worthy of the name Aurelius."
"Not because it is prestigious."
"But because it carries expectations."
He gave a formal bow.
"I hope to learn from everyone here."
Caspian returned to his seat.
Caelan nodded.
"Quite the ambitious young man."
He smiled.
"Good. Ambition without responsibility is dangerous. Perhaps this academy will teach you how to balance the two."
Caspian gave a small nod.
Caelan's eyes moved again.
This time, they settled upon a boy whose appearance seemed somewhat different from the students around him.
The boy stood.
His expression was friendly, though there was something slightly mischievous behind his eyes.
"Milo Redgrave."
He smiled.
"My family runs a merchant business."
"We aren't the largest merchants in the kingdom, but we've been traveling between towns and cities for years."
"I grew up surrounded by goods, contracts, prices, customers, and arguments."
He chuckled.
"Especially arguments."
A few students laughed.
"My father always told me that selling something isn't about convincing someone to buy."
"It's about understanding what they need."
Milo's expression became thoughtful.
"I didn't understand that when I was younger."
"But after traveling with my family, I realized he was right."
"People don't always tell you what they actually want."
"Sometimes you have to listen carefully."
He looked around the classroom.
"That's one of the reasons I wanted to come here."
"I want to understand people better."
"Not only merchants."
"Everyone."
He smiled.
"I also want to learn magic and combat."
"Because knowing how to negotiate is useful..."
"But knowing how to protect yourself when negotiations fail is probably useful too."
The class laughed again.
Milo bowed slightly.
"I'd like to become someone who can succeed in both."
"That's me."
He returned to his seat.
Caelan smiled.
"Practical."
"I like that."
He then turned toward another student.
"You."
A tall boy stood.
His expression was calm and serious.
"My name is Orion Ashvale."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"My family has served as knights for generations."
"From the time I was young, I was taught that carrying a sword is not a symbol of status."
"It is a promise."
His words immediately caught the attention of several students.
"A knight's duty is not to receive praise."
"It is to stand between danger and those who cannot defend themselves."
"My father taught me that a knight who seeks glory before duty has already forgotten what the sword is for."
Orion's hand rested briefly against his chest.
"I want to become a knight."
"But I don't want to simply inherit my family's reputation."
"I want to earn my own."
"I want to become strong enough that when people see the Ashvale name..."
"They will think of someone they can trust."
His eyes hardened with determination.
"I know the path will not be easy."
"I know training will hurt."
"I know there will be moments when I will want to give up."
"But I will not."
He bowed.
"That is my goal."
Caelan nodded slowly.
"Good."
"Remember those words when training becomes painful."
Orion returned to his seat.
The professor then looked toward another student.
A boy with dark hair and a slightly unusual appearance stood.
He gave a nervous smile.
"Bastian Crowe."
His voice was lighter than Orion's.
"My family works as couriers."
"We deliver letters, documents, packages..."
"Pretty much anything that needs to reach another place safely."
He scratched his cheek.
"Growing up, I spent more time on roads than inside our house."
"I've learned how to move quickly, avoid dangerous routes, remember landmarks, and deliver something without losing it."
He smiled.
"My father always says a courier's greatest weapon isn't speed."
"It's reliability."
"If someone gives you something important, you don't lose it."
"You don't open it."
"You don't ask unnecessary questions."
"You simply make sure it reaches the person it was meant for."
Bastian's expression became more serious.
"I think that's something I want to carry with me."
"People need someone they can trust."
"I want to become that kind of person."
He then smiled again.
"Though..."
"I'd also like to learn how to fight."
"Because getting chased by bandits isn't exactly fun."
The classroom laughed.
Bastian bowed awkwardly.
"That's all."
Caelan chuckled.
"Fair enough. Staying alive is certainly an important skill for a courier."
Bastian returned to his seat.
Caelan's eyes moved toward the next student.
"Your turn."
A boy with glasses stood.
His clothes were plain, and he carried several books beneath his desk.
"My name is Ren Aldebran."
He pushed his glasses slightly upward.
"My father is a scholar."
"Most of my childhood was spent surrounded by books."
He looked slightly embarrassed.
"I know that probably sounds boring."
A few students shook their heads.
Ren smiled faintly.
"But I don't think knowledge is boring."
"I think it's fascinating."
"Every book contains someone's experience."
"Someone's discovery."
"Someone's mistake."
"Sometimes even someone's warning."
He looked around the classroom.
"I want to study history."
"Magic."
"Ancient civilizations."
"Different cultures."
"And especially the things we still don't understand."
His eyes brightened.
"There are countless mysteries in this world."
"Ancient ruins."
"Lost languages."
"Forgotten spells."
"Unexplored lands."
"I want to learn about them."
He paused.
"And perhaps someday..."
"I'd like to discover something that no scholar has discovered before."
Ren bowed politely.
"That is my goal."
Caelan smiled.
"A scholar's curiosity."
"Never lose that."
Ren returned to his seat.
The classroom became quiet once more.
Caelan's gaze moved toward another boy.
"Next."
A young man with striking features slowly stood.
His expression was calm, but there was an unusual confidence in his eyes.
"Sylas Nightbloom."
He spoke quietly.
"My family is..."
He hesitated for a moment.
"...complicated."
Several students noticed the hesitation.
"We come from different noble bloodlines."
"Different families."
"Different traditions."
"Because of that, I've never felt like I completely belonged to any one of them."
He looked down briefly.
"Some people consider mixed heritage a weakness."
"I don't."
"I think having more than one background gives a person more perspectives."
Sylas raised his head.
"I've experienced people judging me before they even speak to me."
"So I learned not to judge others too quickly."
His voice remained calm.
"I want to become stronger."
"Not so I can prove that I'm better than anyone."
"But so that I can prove that I don't need anyone else to decide what I'm capable of."
A faint smile appeared.
"I want to study magic and combat."
"I want to understand both."
"And someday..."
"I want to build something that belongs to me."
"Not something inherited from my family."
"Something I earned."
He bowed.
"That's all."
Caelan gave him a thoughtful look.
"An interesting perspective."
"Remember it."
Sylas nodded and sat down.
The professor then pointed toward another student.
"You."
A tall boy stood.
His presence immediately carried the confidence of someone accustomed to formal surroundings.
"Leonhart Greymoor."
He adjusted his uniform before continuing.
"My father is a Viscount."
"Our family has served the kingdom for generations."
"I was raised knowing that one day, I will have responsibilities that cannot simply be ignored."
He looked toward the classroom.
"I was taught etiquette, history, politics, swordsmanship, and leadership."
"Everything necessary for someone expected to represent a noble house."
He paused.
"But I don't want to spend my entire life simply following expectations."
His expression hardened slightly.
"I want to understand what kind of person I actually am."
"I want to become stronger."
"I want to learn from people outside my family's circle."
"People who will not simply agree with me because of my title."
A few students looked at him with interest.
Leonhart continued.
"If I am ever going to lead people..."
"I need to understand them first."
He bowed.
"I hope to accomplish that here."
Caelan nodded.
"Then Sol Academy should give you exactly what you're looking for."
Leonhart returned to his seat.
Caelan looked toward the next student.
"Next."
A boy with reddish-brown hair stood.
He looked slightly uncomfortable being the center of attention.
"My name is Tobias Fenwick."
He smiled nervously.
"My family owns a farm."
"Nothing impressive."
"We grow crops, raise animals, and sell whatever we can produce."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I've spent most of my life working."
"Planting."
"Harvesting."
"Taking care of animals."
"Fixing fences."
"Carrying things."
"And waking up far earlier than I ever wanted to."
The class laughed.
Tobias smiled.
"Honestly, I never thought I'd end up in a place like this."
He looked around the enormous classroom.
"Everyone here seems talented."
"Some come from powerful families."
"Some have incredible training."
"Some know magic."
"I don't have any of that."
He clenched his fist.
"But I know how to work hard."
"And I know that crops don't grow because you wish for them to."
"You plant them."
"You take care of them."
"You wait."
"And you keep working."
His expression became determined.
"So that's what I'm going to do here."
"I'll keep working."
"I'll keep learning."
"And eventually..."
"I'll become someone who can stand beside all of you without feeling inferior."
He gave a small bow.
"That's my goal."
Caelan smiled warmly.
"Never underestimate hard work, Tobias."
Tobias nodded and sat down.
The professor's gaze finally moved toward another student.
"Next."
A large boy slowly rose from his seat.
The movement alone caused several nearby students to glance at him.
He was considerably larger than most of the students in the classroom.
"My name is Magnus Ironroot."
His voice was deep.
"My family works in the mines."
"We've been miners for generations."
"My father taught me how to identify different ores."
"How to recognize unstable tunnels."
"How to use mining tools."
"And most importantly..."
"How to know when it's time to get out."
A few students chuckled.
Magnus smiled.
"That's a very important lesson."
He folded his arms.
"Mining is dangerous."
"You never know when the earth will move."
"You never know when a tunnel will collapse."
"And you never know what you might find underground."
His eyes brightened slightly.
"I want to become stronger because I want to protect my family."
"Mining gives us everything we have."
"So someday, I want to make sure my family never has to fear losing their home because of an accident or some dangerous creature."
He paused.
"I also want to learn how to fight."
"I've got strength."
"But strength alone isn't enough."
"I want to learn technique."
"Discipline."
"Control."
He bowed his head slightly.
"And someday, I'd like to explore deeper into the earth than anyone in my family has ever gone."
Caelan nodded.
"An ambitious goal."
Magnus returned to his seat.
Only one student remained among the boys.
Caelan looked toward him.
The final boy slowly stood.
He had a gentle appearance, and his expression was noticeably more relaxed than some of the nobles who had introduced themselves before him.
"My name is Julian Rosethorne."
He gave a polite smile.
"My family is a lesser noble house."
"We don't possess vast territories."
"We don't have enormous wealth."
"And we certainly don't have the influence of the greater noble families."
He paused.
"But my family has survived for generations."
His smile became warmer.
"I think that is something worth being proud of."
Julian placed one hand over his chest.
"I was taught that a noble title doesn't make someone important."
"What matters is what they do with the position they've been given."
"I want to become someone who can help my family grow."
"But I don't want to do it by stepping on other people."
"I want to earn respect."
"Real respect."
"Not the kind people give because they're afraid of my title."
He looked around the classroom.
"I want to learn swordsmanship."
"Magic."
"History."
"Politics."
"And whatever else this academy is willing to teach me."
His expression became determined.
"Because even a small family can leave a great mark on the world."
He bowed.
"I intend to prove that."
For a moment, the classroom remained silent.
Then Caelan smiled.
"An excellent introduction."
Julian returned to his seat.
Caelan looked across the entire classroom.
"So... Next."
Then It Kriska finally introduce herself.
She stood up and said: My name is Kriska Korlock, 3rd son of Korlock family, 16 years old.
"I know some of you know all are here to prove themselves to become something they wanted to be. But I am different from all of you, I am not here to become something, I am here to become the greatest Knight of this country! Above all the renowed Knights!"
the room became silent for a moment as how Intense Kriska introduce herself.
Bereshith smiled then clap, and continue to clap
Until Professor Caelan clapped too... and said: "I wish you best luck, Kriska Korlock."
Then, after the clap by only two people, Kriska sat down and the last one who introduce in male side is Bereshith, thus he stood up and said: "Good day, esteemed company. It is an honor to make your acquaintance. My name is Bereshith Redsun, adopted son of Lucas Redsun. I am eighteen years of age and a humble farmer by trade. I carry neither weapon nor magic, for I seek not conflict but knowledge. I am here simply to learn, and I thank you kindly for welcoming me."
Then Bereshith smiled the lower his head as gentleman with humilty and grace, then sat down after that.
"Now..."
"There's still one thing we haven't done."
A few students looked confused.
Caelan smiled.
"The ladies haven't introduced themselves yet."
A few girls exchanged glances.
Caelan turned toward the other side of the classroom.
"Let's not leave half the class waiting, shall we?"
He pointed toward a girl sitting near the front.
"Young lady. You're first."
The girl slowly stood.
She had an elegant appearance and carried herself with the confidence expected from someone raised within a powerful noble household.
"My name is Seraphina Valoria."
Her voice was graceful and composed.
"My father is a Duke."
She paused briefly.
"Growing up, I was taught that being born into a powerful family is not an accomplishment."
"However..."
"It does come with responsibilities."
Her eyes moved across the classroom.
"My family governs a large territory, and many people depend upon the decisions made by those who represent our house."
"I have been taught etiquette, politics, history, economics, and diplomacy since I was young."
"But I don't want to simply become someone who knows how to sit at a noble banquet."
A faint smile appeared.
"I want to understand the people who live beneath our family's banner."
"I want to become a capable leader."
"Someone who can make difficult decisions without forgetting the people affected by them."
She gave a graceful bow.
"That is why I came to Sol Academy."
"I want to become worthy of the position I was born into."
Seraphina returned to her seat.
Caelan nodded.
"Excellent."
"Responsibility is an important lesson for someone in your position."
He then pointed toward another girl.
"Your turn."
A girl with long, elegant hair stood.
Her movements were quiet and graceful.
"My name is Elara Windmere."
She smiled gently.
"My family has lived among the forests for generations."
"We are an old noble family, and much of our history is connected to the preservation of our lands."
She looked toward the windows.
"I grew up surrounded by trees, ancient ruins, old books, and stories passed down through generations."
"Because of that, I've always been fascinated by nature and magic."
Her expression brightened.
"I want to study elemental magic."
"I want to understand how magic interacts with the natural world."
"But I also want to learn combat."
"Knowledge is important."
"Yet knowledge without the ability to protect it can easily disappear."
She gave a small bow.
"I hope to become someone capable of protecting both the people and the land entrusted to my family."
Elara returned to her seat.
Caelan smiled.
"Very thoughtful."
"Next."
A girl with dark hair slowly stood.
Her expression was calm, almost intimidating.
"My name is Mirelle Duskwyn."
She spoke with quiet confidence.
"My family is one of the old aristocratic houses."
"We have existed for generations, and our traditions are extremely important to us."
She folded her hands in front of her.
"However, tradition can sometimes become an excuse for people to refuse change."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"I don't believe that everything old is automatically correct."
"And I don't believe everything new is automatically better."
"I want to learn how to distinguish between the two."
Several students listened carefully.
"I am interested in politics, strategy, magic, and swordsmanship."
"I want to understand how kingdoms maintain their power."
"How noble houses rise."
"And how they fall."
Her expression softened slightly.
"More importantly..."
"I want to make sure my family does not become one of the houses that disappears because it was too proud to adapt."
Mirelle bowed.
"That is my goal."
She sat down.
Caelan gave a thoughtful nod.
"An interesting perspective."
He looked toward another student.
"Next."
A girl with neatly arranged hair stood.
Her clothes were simple, without any noble decorations.
"My name is Lydia Hartwell."
She smiled shyly.
"My father runs an apothecary."
"I grew up surrounded by herbs, medicines, bottles, and books."
She laughed softly.
"When I was younger, I thought every family spent their evenings sorting herbs."
A few students chuckled.
"But as I grew older, I realized how important my father's work was."
"People come to us when they're sick."
"Sometimes they only need medicine."
"Sometimes they need someone to tell them what to do."
"Sometimes..."
Her smile faded slightly.
"...there isn't anything we can do."
She lowered her gaze.
"That's why I want to study healing."
"I want to learn more about medicine, magical healing, and alchemy."
"If someone comes to me because they're suffering..."
"I want to be able to help."
Lydia gave a small bow.
"That's why I'm here."
Caelan smiled warmly.
"A worthy goal."
Lydia returned to her seat.
"Next."
A girl with a bright and cheerful expression stood.
Her smile immediately made her appear approachable.
"Hello!"
"My name is Aria Bellrose."
She waved slightly before realizing everyone was looking at her.
"Oh..."
She lowered her hand, embarrassed.
"Sorry."
The class laughed softly.
Aria smiled.
"My family travels a lot."
"We've lived in villages, forests, towns, and cities."
"Sometimes we stay for months."
"Sometimes only for a few days."
"Because of that, I've met many different people."
She smiled brightly.
"I've learned that the world is much bigger than any one place."
"Everywhere we go, people have different traditions."
"Different stories."
"Different ways of seeing life."
Her eyes sparkled.
"I love that."
"I want to travel even farther."
"I want to see places my family has never visited."
"And I want to learn about the people living there."
She clasped her hands together.
"I also want to study magic."
"Especially spells related to movement and nature."
"And..."
She hesitated.
"Maybe someday I'll become an adventurer."
Aria gave a cheerful bow.
"That's me!"
She sat down.
Caelan smiled.
"Quite energetic."
"I suspect you'll have no trouble making friends here."
He then pointed toward another girl.
"Next."
A girl with feline features stood from her seat.
Her ears twitched slightly as everyone looked at her.
"My name is Nerissa Tideborn."
Her voice was gentle.
"My family lives near the coast."
"My father is a fisherman."
"I grew up helping him whenever I could."
"We would leave before sunrise."
"Sometimes we wouldn't return until the evening."
She smiled.
"I learned how to read the weather."
"How to handle a boat."
"How to repair nets."
"And how to tell when the sea is becoming dangerous."
Her expression became thoughtful.
"The sea taught me something."
"You can't control it."
"You can only respect it."
She looked around.
"I want to become stronger."
"Not because I want to leave my family behind."
"But because I want to protect them."
"And someday..."
"I want to travel across the ocean."
"I want to see what's beyond the waters surrounding our home."
Nerissa bowed.
"That's my goal."
She sat down.
Caelan nodded.
"Respect for nature is something worth keeping."
"Next."
A girl with an aristocratic appearance stood.
Her expression was composed.
"My name is Isolde Ravenshade."
She spoke with confidence.
"My family is an old noble bloodline."
"We have existed for many generations."
"Because of that, I was raised with strict expectations."
"Proper behavior."
"Discipline."
"Responsibility."
"Strength."
She paused.
"People often assume that someone born into an old family has everything."
Her expression became slightly colder.
"They don't see the expectations that come with it."
"Every mistake becomes a family matter."
"Every failure becomes something others remember."
"I don't intend to run from those expectations."
"I intend to surpass them."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I want to become powerful enough that I can protect my family without relying solely on its name."
"I want my own strength."
"My own accomplishments."
"And my own reputation."
She bowed.
"That is why I am here."
Isolde sat down.
Caelan nodded.
"Determination."
"Good."
His eyes moved to another girl.
"Next."
A girl with short hair stood.
Her posture was straight.
"My name is Clara Ironveil."
She spoke with a soldier's discipline.
"My father is a soldier."
"I grew up watching him prepare for duty."
"He taught me that courage isn't about not being afraid."
"It's about doing what needs to be done even when you are afraid."
She clenched one hand.
"I want to become stronger."
"I want to learn how to fight properly."
"I want to learn discipline."
"And someday, I want to serve the kingdom."
Her eyes were firm.
"I don't care if I become famous."
"I don't need people to remember my name."
"If I can protect someone who needs help..."
"That is enough."
Clara bowed.
"That's all."
She returned to her seat.
Caelan smiled.
"Simple."
"But honorable."
He turned toward the next girl.
"Next."
A graceful girl stood.
She had a calm and somewhat reserved expression.
"My name is Sylvia Moonbrook."
She gently adjusted her sleeve.
"My family comes from different noble lineages."
"Because of that, I grew up hearing different traditions and perspectives."
"Some were similar."
"Some were completely different."
She smiled faintly.
"I used to find that confusing."
"But eventually, I realized something."
"People don't need to come from the same place to understand one another."
Her expression became thoughtful.
"I want to study diplomacy."
"I want to understand how people from different cultures can cooperate."
"I also want to learn magic."
"Especially defensive magic."
"Because if I ever become responsible for others..."
"I want to be someone capable of protecting them."
Sylvia bowed politely.
"I hope Sol Academy can help me become that person."
She sat down.
Caelan nodded.
"A diplomat who understands both differences and similarities."
"Excellent."
"Next."
A girl with a lively expression stood.
She seemed slightly nervous at first.
"My name is Freya Thornwood."
"My family lives near a forest village."
"We aren't wealthy."
"We don't have noble titles."
"We simply live close to the forest and work with what the land provides."
She smiled.
"I learned how to gather herbs."
"How to track animals."
"How to recognize dangerous plants."
"And how to survive when you get lost."
A few students looked interested.
Freya continued.
"I want to learn more about the outside world."
"I want to become stronger."
"And I want to understand magic."
"But..."
She smiled.
"I also want to return home someday and teach my family everything I learn."
She gave a small bow.
"I want my village to become safer."
"That's my goal."
Freya sat down.
Caelan nodded approvingly.
"Never forget where you came from."
"Next."
A girl with an elegant appearance stood.
Her posture was refined.
"My name is Celestine Arclight."
"My mother is a Countess."
"I was raised to understand that noble privilege comes with obligations."
"My family has always valued education."
"History."
"Politics."
"Magic."
"And proper leadership."
She paused.
"However, I don't want to become someone who simply repeats what previous generations have done."
"I want to create something of my own."
Her eyes became determined.
"I want to become an influential mage."
"Someone capable of changing people's lives through magic."
"I also want to understand how magic can be used outside of warfare."
"For agriculture."
"Medicine."
"Construction."
"Transportation."
"Everyday life."
She smiled.
"I believe magic should not simply belong to those powerful enough to wield it."
"It should improve the lives of everyone."
Celestine bowed.
"That is what I hope to accomplish."
She returned to her seat.
Caelan looked impressed.
"An ambitious application of magic."
"Very good."
"Next."
A girl with a warm expression stood.
"My name is Nadia Emberfall."
"My family travels."
"We don't stay in one place for very long."
"I grew up on the road."
She smiled.
"I've learned how to set up camp."
"Cook with limited supplies."
"Find shelter."
"Read maps."
"And avoid getting into trouble."
A few students laughed.
Nadia grinned.
"Well..."
"I try to avoid trouble."
She continued.
"I've always wanted to understand the world beyond the roads my family travels."
"I want to learn magic and combat."
"I want to become capable of protecting myself and the people traveling with me."
"But most of all..."
"I want to keep traveling."
"I don't think the world was made for people to remain in one place forever."
Nadia bowed.
"I want to see as much of it as I can."
She sat down.
Caelan smiled.
"Another traveler."
"This class certainly has a lot of adventurous spirits."
He pointed toward another girl.
"Next."
A girl with elegant features stood.
Her posture immediately revealed that she had been raised in a highly prestigious household.
"My name is Rosalie Everwyn."
"My family belongs to one of the oldest high noble families."
"We have preserved our traditions for countless generations."
She spoke carefully.
"Because of my upbringing, I was taught to value knowledge."
"Magic."
"History."
"Art."
"Language."
"And the preservation of our culture."
She paused.
"But preservation does not mean refusing to change."
Her eyes softened.
"A tradition that cannot survive change is already fragile."
"I want to learn how the world is changing."
"I want to understand the younger generation."
"And I want to find ways for our old traditions to coexist with the future."
Rosalie gave a graceful bow.
"I also wish to deepen my understanding of magic."
"Perhaps one day, I can contribute something meaningful to my family's legacy."
She sat down.
Caelan nodded.
"Wise words."
"Next."
A large girl stood.
She was visibly taller and broader than many of the students around her.
She smiled awkwardly.
"My name is Vera Stoneheart."
"My family lives in the mountains."
"We aren't nobles."
"We work with stone."
"My family helps build houses, walls, roads, and other structures."
She scratched her cheek.
"I'm used to hard work."
"Carrying stone."
"Cutting stone."
"Climbing."
"Repairing things."
"And helping wherever I'm needed."
A few students smiled.
Vera continued.
"I want to become stronger."
"I want to learn combat."
"I've always wanted to know how strong I could become if I trained properly."
Her eyes brightened.
"And I want to learn magic."
"Especially earth magic."
"If I can combine what my family taught me with magic..."
"Maybe someday I can build things that ordinary people could only dream about."
She smiled.
"That's what I want."
Vera bowed and returned to her seat.
Caelan nodded.
"Strength and craftsmanship."
"An interesting combination."
"Next."
A beautifully dressed girl stood.
Unlike the nobles, her clothes appeared expensive without carrying a noble crest.
"My name is Amelia Goldcrest."
"My family is involved in trade."
"We're merchants."
"Very successful merchants."
She smiled confidently.
"I grew up surrounded by contracts, negotiations, caravans, warehouses, and merchants."
"People often think merchants only care about money."
"But that's not true."
Her expression became serious.
"Trade connects people."
"Food moves from farms to cities."
"Medicine reaches villages."
"Materials reach craftsmen."
"Information travels with merchants."
"Without trade, kingdoms would struggle to survive."
She smiled again.
"I want to become a better negotiator."
"I want to understand economics."
"Politics."
"Trade routes."
"And international commerce."
She folded her hands.
"Someday, I want to expand my family's business beyond the kingdom."
"I want our company to become one of the largest trading networks in the world."
Amelia bowed.
"That's my ambition."
She sat down.
Caelan smiled.
"Quite the businesswoman."
"Next."
A small girl stood.
She looked nervous.
"My name is Yuna Starling."
She gently held the edge of her sleeve.
"My mother is a tailor."
"I grew up helping her."
"I learned how to sew."
"Measure."
"Cut fabric."
"And repair clothes."
She smiled shyly.
"At first, I thought it was just ordinary work."
"But then I realized something."
"Clothing can tell stories."
"Different regions have different designs."
"Different cultures use different colors and patterns."
"Even social status can sometimes be recognized by clothing."
Her eyes brightened.
"I want to learn more about fashion and craftsmanship."
"But I also want to learn magic."
"Maybe..."
She hesitated.
"...I could combine magic with tailoring."
"Clothes that repair themselves."
"Clothes that protect people from the cold."
"Maybe even clothes that can protect someone during battle."
A few students looked impressed.
Yuna smiled.
"That's my dream."
She bowed and quickly returned to her seat.
Caelan smiled.
"Never underestimate a craft."
"Next."
A girl with dark features stood.
Her expression was quiet and somewhat mysterious.
"My name is Lilith Nightvale."
"My family comes from an underground city."
"I grew up in a place where sunlight was something we rarely saw."
She spoke calmly.
"Living underground taught me to adapt."
"We learned how to navigate darkness."
"How to conserve resources."
"How to recognize danger."
"And how to survive in an environment where one mistake can affect an entire community."
She looked around.
"I want to learn about the surface world."
"Your cultures."
"Your kingdoms."
"Your magic."
"Your history."
She paused.
"I also want to become stronger."
"Not because I want to leave my home behind."
"But because I want to understand the world above it."
Her eyes softened.
"Perhaps someday..."
"I can help connect the people below with the people above."
Lilith bowed.
"That is my goal."
She returned to her seat.
Caelan nodded.
"A bridge between two worlds."
"An admirable ambition."
He looked toward the next girl.
"Next."
A young noble girl stood.
She looked somewhat nervous but maintained proper posture.
"My name is Evelyn Marrowind."
"My mother is a Baroness."
"I was raised to understand etiquette, history, and noble responsibilities."
She took a breath.
"To be honest..."
"I've always found noble society intimidating."
A few students looked surprised.
Evelyn smiled nervously.
"There are so many rules."
"So many expectations."
"Everyone watches what you say."
"What you wear."
"Who you speak to."
"Who you associate with."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"That's one of the reasons I wanted to come here."
"I want to meet people outside my family's circle."
"I want to become more confident."
"And I want to learn combat."
Her eyes became determined.
"I don't want to become a noble lady who only knows how to sit politely at a table."
"I want to be capable of protecting myself."
"And if someone else needs help..."
"I want to be capable of protecting them too."
Evelyn bowed.
"That's what I hope to accomplish."
She sat down.
Caelan gave her an encouraging smile.
"Confidence comes with experience."
"You'll have plenty of opportunities here."
He then looked toward the final girl.
"Last one."
A girl sitting near the back slowly stood.
She carried a book with her and looked thoughtful.
"My name is Celine Ashford."
"My mother is a scholar."
"I grew up surrounded by books."
She smiled.
"I was taught from an early age that there is always something more to learn."
"History."
"Languages."
"Magic."
"Politics."
"Medicine."
"Even things that most people consider useless."
She laughed softly.
"My mother says knowledge only becomes useless when you stop asking questions."
Her eyes brightened.
"I want to study history."
"But I don't want to simply memorize dates and names."
"I want to understand why things happened."
"Why kingdoms rose."
"Why they fell."
"Why wars began."
"Why people made the decisions they did."
She looked around the classroom.
"I also want to study ancient civilizations."
"There are still so many things we don't understand."
"Lost cities."
"Ancient artifacts."
"Forgotten languages."
"Old magical techniques."
She smiled.
"I want to discover something."
"Something that can teach us about the world we came from."
Celine bowed politely.
"And perhaps..."
"Something that can help us understand where we're going."
She returned to her seat.
For several moments, the classroom remained quiet.
Professor Caelan slowly looked across the room.
Every student had now introduced themselves.
Forty students.
Forty different backgrounds.
Forty different ambitions.
And yet, despite their differences, every one of them had come to the same place.
Sol Academy.
Bereshith quietly looked around.
He had expected a school filled with nobles.
Instead...
He found farmers.
Merchants.
Scholars.
Hunters.
Travelers.
Children of knights.
Children of soldiers.
People from distant cities.
People from hidden communities.
People who wanted to become warriors.
People who wanted to become mages.
People who simply wanted to protect their families.
Bereshith smiled faintly.
"So many different people..."
Beside him, Kinsley remained silent.
Her eyes were still fixed on the professor.
But she had listened to every introduction.
Bereshith glanced at her.
"You've been quiet."
Kinsley didn't look at him.
"I'm listening."
"That's good."
She frowned.
"Why are you smiling?"
Bereshith shrugged.
"I just think this class is interesting."
Kinsley finally glanced at him.
"You really are strange."
Bereshith smiled.
"I've heard that before."
At the front of the classroom, Caelan closed his book.
"Alright."
Everyone immediately became attentive.
"Now that everyone has introduced themselves..."
He walked away from his desk.
He stood before the class with his hands behind his back.
"Let me tell you something about Sol Academy."
The room became completely silent.
"You were not accepted here because of your family."
"Not because of your wealth."
"Not because of your bloodline."
"And certainly not because of your reputation."
His eyes moved across every student.
"You are here because someone at this academy believes you have the potential to become something greater."
Caelan smiled.
"But potential means nothing without effort."
His voice became firmer.
"Some of you will discover that you're weaker than you thought."
"Some of you will discover that you're stronger than you thought."
"Some of you will fail."
"Some of you will succeed."
"And some of you will experience both."
He paused.
"That is what education is."
"Learning."
"Failing."
"Improving."
"Trying again."
Bereshith's expression slowly became serious.
Caelan continued.
"Sol Academy has six years before graduation."
"Six years for you to learn."
"Six years to grow."
"Six years to decide what kind of person you want to become."
He smiled.
"And your first year begins today."
The bell outside suddenly rang.
Its sound echoed throughout the academy.
Caelan looked toward the classroom windows.
"That bell marks the beginning of your first official lesson."
He turned back toward them.
"So..."
"Take out your notebooks."
"Because we're finally going to begin."
Across the classroom, students began opening their books.
Bereshith reached into nothing as he never bought anything to begin with, all his needs are in the suit case which probably in his room right now with Lily.
Beside him, Kriska took a book from her ring in her left hand as it pops up our of nowhere.
Bereshith Looking at everyone around him have all bought out their note book out, but him.
The first lesson of their academy life...
Had finally begun.
And Bereshith is already in deep problem.
A student who came to attend lesson without basic needs.
"Oh, I am screwed..." Bereshith's thoughts as he smiled awkwardly.