Cecilia clutched the uniform tightly. She felt relieved hearing those words.
After the woman left, Cecilia sat back on her bed, staring at the uniform lying across her lap. It had a badge etched with the building of the academy. Below it were words written in Soineti, Marshall Academy – Summoner’s Curriculum.
It was proof that she belonged here.
"I’m really going to be a student... even if I’m weak now, maybe I can change." She muttered to herself as she regained her confidence.
Outside, Sterben watched from the shadows, ensuring that his recruits were settling in. He knew Cecilia’s doubts, including the others he had brought here, but he also knew the Academy’s reputation. Weak or strong, every student had the chance to grow... and sotis, the weakest seeds produced the most unexpected power.
After all, Armin, who was Vale’s disciple, didn’t really have any incredible aspect before... However, for so reason, he was able to attract the Immortal’s attention, and thanks to that, he was able to show his true talent and dominate his batch...
Because of that, Sterben believed that he couldn’t underestimate anyone attending the Academy...
***
The next morning, Cecilia decided she couldn’t stay locked in her room.
She then brought her new student badge and stepped out into the streets, leading toward the Marshall Academy.
The Academy grounds were vast, surrounded by tall stone walls that were definitely enhanced by Rune Arts or other Formation Circles...
The gates were open, guarded by two automatons bearing the crest of the Academy. As Cecilia passed through, she felt a faint pulse of energy. It seed like it was a spell that scanned her identity or badge, confirming her enrollnt within the Academy.
’It looks beautiful...’ Cecilia muttered as she saw the wide pathway made of marble stones. There were also gardens, fountains, and towering buildings around...
The Academy was definitely built not thinking about the budget. Without a doubt, they had spent a lot of money and resources to build this majestic academy.
As she walked around, she also confird that the Academy was indeed ready to accept the 12 Arcane Paths... Sothing that no other Academy had done before.
’This is the first Academy to accept twelve Arcane Arts. I guess this is normal, huh...’ Cecilia mused as she guessed that the Academy had a lot of sponsors to make this happen.
After all, she knew that the Academy wouldn’t just accept average professors or low-quality facilities for various Arcane Studies. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Marshall Academy had directly coordinated with the Arcane Arts Faction to make this happen.
Cecilia saw the buildings, and each of them bore a plaque indicating its specialty...
Summoning Arts Hall, Elental Arcane Field, Illusionary Studies Pavilion, and more...
She couldn’t help but imagine how this academy would look once all young Arcanists from twelve branches arrived here...
This place would definitely beco lively...
Cecilia walked slowly as she discovered more interesting areas in the Academy.
Furthermore, a few students were like her. They were already wandering the grounds, so in uniform, others in casual clothes. A group of Elental Arts students stood near a fountain, practicing minor fla and wind spells...
They seed to be enjoying the fact that there was a lot of Elental Energy around the place, as she could hear their laughter from her spot.
Nearby, two Mystic Arts students were testing their craft in a huge garden space, creating mirages of animals that ca in and out of existence.
Cecilia paused to watch, fascinated by this display...
Well, she grew up only seeing Summoning Arts after all. This ti, however, all the Arcanists here weren’t using Grimoires like hers to cast Spells.
Soon, she found the place where she’d probably be staying most of the ti.
It was the Summoning Arts Hall, and she saw several students gathered around the entrance. So were already higher-year students based on the color of their uniforms.
She saw their familiars perched beside them... There was a small shadow wolf, a winged serpent, even a glowing spirit bird.
Cecilia felt her heart sink... They were all incredible summons.
Her Grimoire had never called on sothing impressive.
One of the students noticed her. A boy with short silver hair and a confident smile stepped forward. "New student? Are you here to check the place?" he asked, glancing at the badge pinned to her satchel.
Cecilia nodded... "Y‑yes... I just received my uniform yesterday. I was told I can look around before the class starts in a few weeks."
The boy grinned. "That’s right... Welco, then. Don’t look so worried. Everyone starts sowhere. Even the strongest summoners had weak Grimoires at first. The Academy is where you grow."
The boy said this since he noticed that Cecilia looked timid and realized that her Grimoire must not be that incredible.
To be honest, they were also new students. However, they were transfer students to be exact... They ca from Lakrine, the Summoning Arts Academy. They should be third-year students there, but because of the new rules within the Marshall Academy, they would only be second-year here...
However, they could just graduate here in five years! Completely different from the previous Academies.
Cecilia then asked more questions about what they knew about the Academy and as soon as she felt satisfied, she continued exploring, moving toward the training grounds.
There, she saw wide fields marked with Formation Circles, practice arenas where students tested their spells, and other Summoning Arts students attempting to call forth minor spirits...
And to her surprise, many Arcanists were failing to form a stable spell or those that they could easily control.
Cecilia stopped at the edge of one arena, watching intently.
She realized that failure was common here, and the sight gave her courage.
’Maybe... maybe I’m not so different after all.’
Soon, as Cecilia walked along the path away from the training grounds, she was approached silently by a man who seed to be tending the grass.
At first, she thought he was just a gardener, but when he introduced himself as part of the Shadow Pillar, she froze in surprise and confusion.
After all, the Shadow Pillar was known as Immortal Vale’s secret order, protectors of the Shadow Domain.
"Did I do sothing wrong?" she asked nervously.
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