The first week at the academy passed faster than Takemi expected.
By the time the seventh morning arrived, the nervous tension of the entrance examinations had faded. Students now moved through the halls with growing familiarity, forming small groups, finding their favorite study corners, and testing their abilities on the training grounds.
The academy no longer felt intimidating.
It felt alive.
Takemi pushed open the massive wooden doors of the central library.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of parchment and ancient ink.
The library was enormous.
Shelves stretched toward the ceiling, stacked with books older than some kingdoms.
Floating lights drifted silently between the rows, illuminating reading tables where students quietly studied.
Takemi walked slowly through the aisles.
"So this is where all the smart people hide."
Rauk, who had followed him inside, crossed his arms.
"You came here too."
Takemi shrugged.
"Even pitchers need to study."
He pulled a random book from the shelf.
The cover read:
"A Historical Record of Dragon Encounters Across the Northern Continent."
Takemi blinked.
"…Okay now this is interesting."
Later that afternoon the students gathered once again inside the training hall.
The instructors stood at the front of the room.
One of them stepped forward and unrolled a parchment.
"Your entrance trials are complete."
Students leaned forward slightly.
"Beginning next week, first-year students will participate in supervised field training."
The room filled with murmurs.
"Field training?" someone whispered.
The instructor continued.
"These exercises will take place beyond the academy grounds."
Takemi felt his excitement rising.
Real exploration.
Real danger.
Rauk glanced toward him.
"You're smiling."
Takemi grinned.
"Finally."
That night the academy grew quiet.
Most students returned to their dormitories.
Lanterns dimmed.
The training grounds fell silent.
But beyond the academy walls…
The forest that surrounded the plateau stirred.
Wind moved through the trees.
Somewhere deep within the dark woods, something shifted.
A presence.
Old.
Patient.
Watching.
High above the academy towers, clouds slowly drifted across the moon.
Inside the dormitory, Takemi closed his notebook and lay down on his bed.
Tomorrow would begin a new phase of training.
He had no idea what awaited them outside the academy grounds.
But somewhere beyond the walls…
something had already begun moving.
And before long—
the students of the Royal Magic Academy would discover that the world beyond their classrooms was far more dangerous than any lesson could prepare them for.