Three days had passed since our encounter at Lord Alaric’s manor, and now it was finally ti for Chris and to begin our journey at the academy. Early in the morning, Father woke us up with a gentle knock on the door, his voice calm but filled with a hint of anticipation.
"Will, Chris, it’s ti to get up. We have a big day ahead," he said, his tone kind yet firm, echoing the responsibilities he knew we were about to take on.
The morning light filtered through the inn’s small window, casting a warm glow across the room. Chris and I groggily pulled ourselves out of bed, rubbing the sleep from our eyes as we began to prepare. The air was filled with a mix of excitent and nervousness, the kind that ca with the start of sothing new.
Father had told us earlier that the academy provided dormitories for students, with each room shared among four individuals. We packed our belongings carefully, making sure to bring everything we might need for our studies and daily life. Chris neatly folded her clothes, packing them with precision, while I tried to squeeze my essentials into my slightly overstuffed bag.
As we finished, we gathered our things and made our way out of the inn. The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. We walked through the bustling streets of the capital city, which were already teeming with early risers—rchants setting up their stalls, guards patrolling the roads, and townsfolk going about their day.
To reach the academy, we needed to cross a long, majestic road made of massive stones, each slab weathered and worn by ti. The road was an impressive feat of engineering, connecting the academy to the mainland. The academy itself was located on a separate island, surrounded by glistening waters that stretched toward the distant horizon, eventually rging with the vast Dutrain Sea. As we walked, I glanced at Chris, who was taking in the view, her eyes wide with wonder.
"This place is amazing, isn’t it?" I said, breaking the comfortable silence between us.
"Yes, it’s beautiful," Chris replied, her voice tinged with awe as she gazed at the water reflecting the morning light like a sea of liquid gold.
After walking for what felt like half an hour, the towering silhouette of the Drei Academy ca into view. The grand structure lood ahead, with tall spires reaching skyward and a vast stone gate marking its entrance. This was no ordinary school; it was a place where dreams of commoners were nurtured, and the hopes of many rested. A grand archway welcod us, adorned with the academy’s emblem—a shield with a quill and sword crossed in the center, symbolizing the balance of wisdom and strength.
Father stopped at the gate, unable to proceed any further. The guards standing watch nodded in acknowledgnt of his presence, but they were firm in their duty. Chris and I knew this was as far as he could go.
"This is it," Father said, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and sadness. He looked at Chris first, his expression softening. "Chris, be a good girl and do your best in your studies about magic. Make the most of every opportunity you get."
Chris nodded, her cheeks flushed with excitent. "Yes, thank you very much, Uncle William. I’ll do my best!"
Father then turned to , his deanor shifting to a more serious tone. "Will, always rember: don’t let any harm reach Chris. I’m entrusting you with what Philip entrusted to , so don’t ever forget it."
I t his gaze, feeling the weight of his words. "Yes, I’ll do it. I won’t let any harm reach Chris, even if it ans I have to die."
Father’s face tightened, and for a mont, I saw a flicker of pain in his eyes. He quickly masked it with a chuckle. "Idiot, don’t let yourself die; it would make and Lily sad."
I forced a smile, trying to ease the tension. "That’s a hard order, but I understand."
We exchanged a brief but aningful look before Chris and I finally stepped through the gates of the academy. Father stood at the entrance, his figure gradually becoming smaller as we walked deeper into the grounds. He waved at us, a gentle, almost wistful farewell, and after a while, he turned and began his journey back to the city, leaving us to face the future on our own.
As we entered the courtyard, we were suddenly approached by a girl who seed to materialize out of nowhere, her presence cheerful and energetic. She looked slightly older than us, probably a senior. Her short brown hair was neatly styled, held back by a simple white headband, and her uniform was crisp, suggesting she took great pride in her appearance.
"Are you new students?" she asked, her voice bright and welcoming.
"Ah, yes," I replied, a bit taken aback by her sudden approach.
"Great! Then follow ; the opening ceremony is in the main events hall," she said, flashing us a friendly smile.
We nodded in thanks, and she began leading the way, her steps light and confident. As we walked, I noticed how she effortlessly navigated through the academy grounds, greeting other students with a cheerful wave. It was clear that she was well-liked and probably enjoyed helping newcors like us. I glanced at Chris, who seed to be observing the girl closely, perhaps wondering what it would be like to be that confident soday.
After a short walk, we arrived at the entrance to the main events hall. The girl turned to us, still smiling. "This is it. I’d love to stay, but I have to go help more new students. Good luck, and welco to Drei Academy!"
"Thank you for showing us the way," I said, grateful for her help.
She waved goodbye and hurried off, leaving Chris and to face the towering doors of the events hall. As we stepped inside, the vastness of the room imdiately struck us. High, arched ceilings stretched above, decorated with intricate carvings and banners that displayed the academy’s colors. Rows of seats filled the massive hall, and students were already gathering, filling the space with a low hum of excitent.
Chris’s eyes widened, and she let out a silent "wow" as she took in the grandiose sight. The hall was so spacious it could easily rival the cathedral where we had learned our magic affinities, yet it was filled with an atmosphere that was both majestic and welcoming. The scent of polished wood and the faint echo of footsteps created a sense of anticipation in the air.
"Are you excited?" I asked, glancing at Chris, who was still marveling at the scene before her.
"Yes!" she exclaid, her face lighting up with a bright smile. The anxiety she’d carried seed to lt away, replaced with genuine enthusiasm.
I smiled back at her. "We’re going to stay here for five years, so let’s take our ti and enjoy ourselves here. We’ve got a lot to learn, but there’s no rush. Let’s make the most of every mont."
Chris nodded eagerly, her excitent palpable. "Yes, let’s do our best!"
While we were walking, Chris and I proceeded to the assigned seats for first-year students. The hall was bustling with new faces, a mix of excitent, anxiety, and curiosity in the air. A teacher, standing near the front rows, held up a "First Year" sign, making it easy to spot where we needed to be. Chris and I navigated through the crowd, finding our designated seats. I took the seat next to the aisle, while Chris settled into the seat beside , her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings with a mix of excitent and apprehension.
The room was large, filled with rows of wooden benches polished to a shine, and banners with the academy’s crest—an emblem of a shield and sword crossed over an open book—hung from the high ceiling. Chris and I continued talking about trivial things, like how strange it felt to be here and the excitent of starting this new Chapter in our lives. Our chatter was light, filled with laughter and the occasional gasp of awe whenever we looked around and saw more of the academy’s grandeur. While we were imrsed in our conversation, I felt the bench shift slightly as soone sat to my left. I turned to see a boy with an easy-going grin.
"Yo! Nice to et you! I’m Raiden, glad to make your acquaintance," he said, his voice energetic and friendly. His tone was warm, the kind of voice that made it hard not to smile back.
Raiden was around our age, probably another first-year like us. His black hair was slightly ssy, as if he had just rolled out of bed, and his red eyes sparkled with a mischievous light. He had the look of soone who didn’t take things too seriously—a stark contrast to the serious aura of the academy.
"Nice to et you too," I replied, nodding politely.
"So?" he asked, leaning back with a sly grin, "Are you two going out or sothing?"
I felt my face flush slightly at his sudden question. Raiden’s directness caught off guard, and I shot him a puzzled look, unsure of how to respond. Chris, on the other hand, looked at him with a mix of confusion and curiosity, tilting her head slightly as if trying to decipher his words.
"What is ’going out’?" Chris asked, her expression genuinely puzzled. It was clear she was unfamiliar with the term, having grown up in a different environnt where such phrases were not commonly used.
Raiden chuckled at her innocence, his eyes twinkling with amusent. "Ah, it’s when two people love each other and are ready to live together forever," he explained, leaning forward as if sharing so great secret.
Chris’s eyes widened slightly at his explanation, and she turned to look at , her expression bright and cheerful. "Oh, so that’s it. That ans, yes, Will and I are going out," she said without hesitation, smiling brightly.
I could feel my face heating up even more as Chris spoke so confidently. I opened my mouth to correct her, but Raiden’s reaction was faster.
"Really?" Raiden asked, his eyes sparkling with intrigue as if he had just stumbled upon so juicy gossip.
"Yes, because I love Will, and Will loves too, and the two of us will be together forever," Chris continued, her smile never wavering. Her voice was so earnest, so filled with conviction that it was impossible not to feel the sincerity behind her words. She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Raiden gave a hearty laugh, clapping on the shoulder. "Ohhh! Congratulations, Will," he said with a wide grin, his enthusiasm genuine. "You’ve got yourself a dedicated partner here."
I let out an awkward chuckle, trying to keep up with the pace of this conversation that had spun wildly out of control. "I think both of you aren’t talking about the sa thing," I said, my voice trailing off as I scratched the back of my head. I was embarrassed, but seeing Chris so happy made it hard to feel annoyed.
Before the conversation could go any further, the room fell silent as the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the stage. The opening program was about to start. A tall, overweight man dressed in noble attire stepped onto the platform, capturing everyone’s attention. His presence commanded the room, and his appearance—dark hair slicked back and glasses perched on his nose—gave him an air of authority.
"Good day, students of Drei Academy, future soldiers," the man began, his voice booming across the hall with a practiced, authoritative tone. "I am Morris Moon, the principal of this academy, and I welco you to the 121st year of this institution. I hope that you will learn everything that you need before you fight on the battlefield."
His words were heavy, laden with the weight of expectations. He carried himself with the dignity of soone who had seen countless batches of students co and go, his gaze sweeping over us as if assessing our worth. His attire—a richly decorated coat and a dallion on his chest—suggested he was likely a lower-class noble, soone who had climbed the ranks through persistence and discipline.
The principal’s speech continued, stretching for another thirty minutes. He spoke about the academy’s history, the strict rules we were expected to follow, and the purpose for which this academy was founded. It was less of a welco and more of a reminder of the responsibilities we were taking on by enrolling here. The principal’s words were a blend of encouragent and a stern warning about the challenges ahead.
After Principal Moon concluded his speech, another figure appeared on the stage, walking with purpose. He was younger than the principal, with dark hair and a stern expression that seed to take in every student with a scrutinizing gaze. His build was muscular, barely concealed by the coat he wore, giving him the aura of soone who had lived through battle, not just taught it. Everything about him scread discipline and authority. He looked like the type of teacher who didn’t tolerate nonsense.
"I am Gord, instructor of swordsmanship skills," the man announced, his voice deep and commanding. "And I am here now to announce the top cards of swordsmanship this year."
"Top cards?" I mumbled to myself, unfamiliar with the term. I glanced at Chris, who seed equally clueless.
"You don’t know it?" Raiden asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned in closer, clearly enjoying being the one with the inside scoop. "Top cards are the best five swordsn in the whole Drei Academy. They’re selected every year, and only advanced swordsn have the right to compete for those spots."
"Oh, so that’s it." I nodded, absorbing the information. The concept was thrilling—a way to distinguish the best from the rest. It was exactly the kind of challenge that would make life here more interesting. My heart raced a little at the thought; maybe, just maybe, I’d aim for one of those spots in the future.
"Here are the top cards; when I call your na, co up to the stage," Instructor Gord announced, his voice echoing throughout the hall, commanding silence and attention. The students’ whispers ceased as all eyes turned toward the stage. There was a palpable tension in the air, a mix of excitent and envy, as everyone waited to see the best swordsn of the academy.
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation. I could see the eager expressions on the faces around —so students sat on the edge of their seats, leaning forward as if trying to get a closer look, while others watched with narrowed eyes, assessing each na called.
"First, for the spot of Jack, a third-year student, co here, Byen," Instructor Gord called out with a firm tone.
A boy about my height stepped forward, his footsteps deliberate and confident. He had dark-blue hair that seed almost black under the dim lighting of the auditorium. His movents were precise, almost robotic, as if every step was asured. Byen’s expression was calm, a stoic look that gave nothing away. He didn’t smile or wave; he simply walked up the stage, keeping his head high. The way he carried himself, devoid of unnecessary emotion, spoke volus—he wasn’t here to entertain; he was here to prove his worth. Byen reached the stage and took his place, standing tall with his hands clasped behind his back.
Instructor Gord continued without missing a beat. "Next, for the spot of Queen, a fourth-year student, co here, Julie."
A girl with a bright, blonde ponytail made her way toward the stage, her stride graceful yet purposeful. Julie’s uniform fit her perfectly, tailored to her athletic build, and her green eyes glead with a fierce determination. There was a confident sway in her step, and she wore a small, knowing smirk on her lips as if she already knew she belonged among the elite. She took her place beside Byen, her posture impeccable, exuding the kind of composure only soone seasoned in battle could possess. The students murmured softly, recognizing her as one of the academy’s most skilled fighters. Her reputation preceded her—rumors of her swift blade work and tactical mind were circulating now even among the first-years.
"The third one, for the spot of King, a fourth-year student, co here, Ars," Instructor Gord announced, his tone still as serious as before.
A muscular man, seemingly out of place among students, walked toward the stage. Ars had short brown hair, but the most striking feature was the prominent scar on his right cheek, a reminder of battles fought and victories hard-won. His build was far more imposing than anyone else on the stage—broad shoulders, a towering fra, and arms that looked like they could wield a sword twice the normal size with ease. He moved with a calm, unhurried confidence, the kind of poise that ca from years of hard training. When Ars reached the stage, he nodded slightly to his fellow top cards, acknowledging them without a word before taking his position next to Julie.
There was a pause as Instructor Gord glanced at the list in his hand, then looked back up to the crowd. "Next, for the spot of Ace, a fifth-year student, co here, Leonardo Moon."
A tall blonde guy with sharp, aristocratic features and a cocky smile made his way to the stage. His presence imdiately drew whispers from the students around us, and I could hear bits and pieces of their chatter: "He’s the principal’s son," and "Of course, he’s at the top." Leonardo’s hair was perfectly styled, and he walked with the kind of confidence that only ca from a life of privilege and high expectations. His eyes scanned the crowd briefly, as if evaluating who was worth his attention and who wasn’t. He gave a small, polite wave when he reached the stage, though it seed more for show than out of any genuine goodwill.
Wait, did Instructor Gord just say that he has a surna? My thoughts raced as I tried to piece it together. If I heard it right, he’s Leonardo Moon, and the principal was Morris Moon, which ans he’s the son of the principal! It all made sense now—the aura of superiority, the easy smile, the way he carried himself as if he was untouchable. I couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of jealousy; to be born into such a position must have its perks.
Instructor Gord’s voice cut through my thoughts. "Next, I will now call out the strongest student swordsman in Drei Academy, a fifth-year student. Co here on stage, Hans, for the Joker spot."
A tall, lean man with brown hair casually strolled toward the stage. There was sothing familiar about his gait, the way he carried himself with a relaxed but confident posture, his eyes sharp and observant. My stomach tightened as recognition hit like a punch. It was Hans—the very sa guy who had saved Chris and on that fateful night, only to steal our money as paynt. He was the strongest swordsman in the academy? I hadn’t expected that. Back then, he seed so casual, almost careless, like soone who didn’t take things too seriously, but now, seeing him up there, it was clear that he was far more formidable than I had initially thought. He stood next to Leonardo, his deanor still as relaxed as ever, but his eyes carried a sharpness that suggested he was always on guard.
Hans’s presence made the rest of the top cards look almost stiff in comparison. There was a natural ease about him, an effortless coolness that set him apart. I couldn’t help but watch him, my mind replaying our encounter. It made sense now why he handled himself so well in that situation; he was no ordinary swordsman—he was the best.
"Now that all the top cards are here, I congratulate all of you on your excellence," Instructor Gord said, his voice filled with genuine pride. "Because of your outstanding achievents, the school will award each of you a sword made by the renowned Tranche blacksmith company." His words were t with a murmur of approval from the audience; even I couldn’t help but feel impressed. I have read it in one of the books my father owned that the Tranche blacksmiths were legendary for their craftsmanship, their swords not just weapons but works of art.
Instructor Gord continued, his voice resolute and inspiring. "Continue to thrive and do your best for the kingdom." He gave the top cards a final nod before dismissing them. The applause was loud and enthusiastic, a recognition of their skill and hard work.
As the top cards left the stage, the applause gradually died down, replaced by a murmuring of anticipation. A woman with an aura as commanding as Instructor Gord’s took his place at the podium. She appeared to be around the sa age as him, with shoulder-length blue hair neatly tied back, accentuating the sharpness of her features. She wore thin, silver-frad glasses that glead under the stage lights, catching everyone’s attention with her serious deanor. Her presence was as formidable as Gord’s, exuding a sense of strict discipline and an air of mystery.
"Good day, students!" she began, her voice smooth yet authoritative, cutting through the ambient noise like a blade. "I am Liberty, the instructor for water magic spells, and I am here to announce the elite magicians of the Drei Academy."
Instructor Liberty’s tone was confident and steady, commanding imdiate respect. There was a quiet intensity about her, as though every word she spoke carried great weight. Her piercing blue eyes scanned the hall, making each student feel as though she was looking directly at them, evaluating them silently.
"For the spot of 5th, a second-year student, co here, Trea," she called out, her voice maintaining that sa unwavering firmness.
A girl with vibrant pink hair bounced toward the stage, her every step light and full of energy. Trea wore a cheerful smile that contrasted starkly with the stoic atmosphere of the hall, her expression brimming with the playful innocence of a child. She looked young, almost too young to be a second-year, with wide eyes that sparkled under the lights. Her deanor was bubbly, and she waved at the audience as she walked, seemingly unbothered by the formality of the event. Despite her playful exterior, there was a hint of mischievousness in her smile, like soone who knew how to have fun even in the most serious monts.
"Next, for the 4th spot, a third-year student, co here, Pablo," Instructor Liberty announced, her gaze shifting to the crowd.
Pablo, a boy with pristine white hair and a serene expression, calmly made his way to the stage. His movents were smooth and deliberate, each step taken with the quiet confidence of soone who was entirely at ease with himself. He exuded a tranquil vibe, the kind that made you feel like nothing could ruffle his feathers. Pablo’s eyes, a cool shade of gray, scanned the crowd briefly before he took his place beside Trea. He didn’t smile or make any gestures; he simply stood with a composed elegance that spoke of his self-discipline and poise.
"For the spot of 3rd, a third-year student, co here to the stage, Rosa," Instructor Liberty continued, her voice unwavering.
Rosa, a girl with light-green hair, stepped forward with an air of indifference. Her face was blank, almost doll-like, as if she were completely detached from the situation around her. She moved without haste, her steps asured and precise, yet lacking any hint of enthusiasm. It was as if she was simply going through the motions, fulfilling a duty she didn’t care much about. The audience watched her curiously, whispering among themselves, but Rosa remained unaffected, her eyes distant and cold. She didn’t acknowledge anyone, not even her fellow elite magicians; she just took her spot and stared off into the distance, lost in her own world.
"For the second spot, a fourth-year student, co over here, Fortuna," Instructor Liberty called out.
Fortuna, a striking figure with snow-white hair that cascaded down her back, confidently approached the stage. She had an air of intellect about her, the kind that radiated from her sharp eyes and the way she carried herself. Fortuna’s presence was commanding yet understated, with an aura that suggested she was always deep in thought, analyzing everything around her. She stood beside Rosa with a composed, almost calculating deanor, her eyes flickering with a keen awareness that suggested she was always several steps ahead of everyone else.
"For the first spot, the one who will claim it is none other than the fifth-year student Fia," Instructor Liberty announced, her voice filled with a hint of pride.
My breath caught as a familiar figure stepped onto the stage. It was Fia, the sa girl who had guided Chris and to the main event hall earlier. Her auburn hair glimred under the lights, and she moved with the grace of soone who had spent countless hours perfecting her craft. There was a quiet strength in the way she carried herself, her every step asured and purposeful. Fia’s eyes were sharp, betraying a keen intellect and a deep understanding of magic that far surpassed her years. She was calm and composed, exuding the confidence of soone who knew exactly where she belonged—right at the top.
As Fia stood beside Fortuna, Instructor Liberty resud her speech, her voice unwavering. "Now that all of you are here, I congratulate you for your excellence, and I hope that you will use it for the good of the kingdom," she said, her tone shifting slightly to one of encouragent, though still retaining its firmness.
The audience responded with polite applause, though there was a sense of awe that lingered in the air. These were the best of the best, the elite magicians who would one day shape the future of the kingdom with their skills and intelligence. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration—and maybe a hint of envy—as I watched them stand proudly on the stage, basking in their hard-earned recognition.
"For your excellence, the school will award each of you a wand that is made by the Tranche synthesizing company," Instructor Liberty added, her eyes gleaming with a hint of pride. The ntion of Tranche wands elicited a few gasps from the crowd; everyone knew the reputation of the Tranche synthesizing company. Just like their swords, their wands were not just tools; they were masterpieces, each one crafted with a unique blend of magic that could amplify a magician’s power to unprecedented levels.
The elite magicians received the news with varying degrees of emotion—Trea’s smile widened, Pablo’s calm deanor didn’t waver, Rosa remained expressionless, Fortuna nodded with a satisfied look, and Fia stood quietly, her face unreadable but her eyes gleaming with a quiet determination. They left the stage with the sa composed grace, each one carrying the weight of their titles with pride.
As they departed, the principal took the stage once more, ready to deliver the closing speech. He stood tall and dignified, his presence commanding as he spoke about the academy’s values, the importance of striving for excellence, and the responsibility that ca with their skills. His words were powerful, inspiring the students to continue pushing their limits and to use their abilities for the good of the kingdom.
After he finished his speech, the principal stepped aside, and Instructor Gord returned to the stage, his expression as stern as ever. "First years, please remain seated," he announced, his voice firm and no-nonsense. "We will now arrange your dorms."
A buzz of excitent and nervousness filled the room as the first-year students prepared for their next steps. I sat there, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. Today, I had seen the best the academy had to offer, and it only fueled my desire to improve. Watching the top students receive their accolades, I realized that this was just the beginning. One day, I wanted to stand on that stage too—not as an observer but as soone who had earned their place among the elite.
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