Seven young figures appeared in an instant on a vast grassy field.
All of them wore uniforms decorated with feather-like patterns, and each had a single phoenix feather tucked behind their right ear. They had all come from the Phoenix race.
Around them stood countless other groups dressed in similar uniforms, though every race carried its own unique features and decorations. Phoenixes wore feathers behind their ears. Dragons displayed horns proudly upon their heads. Sirens possessed elegant coral-like horns. Elves had long, pointed ears. Beastfolk either had tails extending beneath their skirts or through openings in their trousers. Angels lacked visible pupils altogether, while Demons were recognized by their crimson skin and the Dark eye (race) covered in runes that concealed their eyes.
Csendez had no desire to speak with her siblings or distant relatives. Without hesitation, she separated from the group and began walking toward the enormous building visible in the distance.
Anyone seeing the Academy for the first time would inevitably stop for a moment. It was magnificent.
Its architecture balanced elegance with practicality, every curve serving both beauty and purpose.
The planet chosen to host the Academy had been selected with exceptional care. Located in an isolated yet strategically important region of the universe, it was intentionally difficult to reach. Much of its landscape had been reshaped by powerful beings and reinforced with magic so it could serve as both a school and a living training ground.
Dense forests, hunting areas, plantations, lakes, mountains, and countless other environments surrounded the campus, allowing students to experience every type of terrain without ever leaving the planet.
The Academy itself served as the heart of the world. Besides classrooms, it contained libraries, laboratories, arenas, workshops, hospitals, research facilities, gardens, and every resource a student might require. Even the dormitories were carefully monitored without invading the students' privacy.
As she drew closer, the building revealed its true scale.
From above, the Academy resembled a giant lotus flower. From the ground, however, its graceful curves and layered architecture created an entirely different impression.
A massive archway welcomed every newcomer. Its stone pillars were engraved with countless symbols and intricate carvings that seemed almost alive.
Beyond the entrance stretched the Grand Hall, a chamber so vast that it occupied an entire petal of the lotus-shaped structure.
Two elegant staircases spiraled upward along the walls, granting access to every floor while preserving the harmony of the design.
The floor beneath their feet was polished black stone. The walls shimmered with muted silver, while the staircases were crafted from dark wood. Silver railings twisted upward like living vines, delicate yet sturdy.
Straight ahead, another archway opened toward the Academy's inner garden—the very heart of the lotus.
Golden grass covered the ground beneath white-leaved trees. Crystal-clear ponds reflected the sunlight while tiny fish swam peacefully beneath the surface. Cobblestone paths of many different colors wound between pavilions and benches, giving the entire garden an atmosphere of quiet serenity.
Above the Grand Hall hung an enormous chandelier modeled after the filaments of a flower's stamen. Hundreds of enchanted crystals floated within it, filling the hall with warm light while silently purifying both the surrounding air and the spiritual energy. Similar crystals had been placed throughout the Academy, protecting both students and buildings from creatures born from shadows.
Within moments, the enormous hall transformed.
Rows of chairs materialized across the floor, each bearing a number engraved on its backrest. They were divided into six distinct colors, each representing a different class.
The Academy accepted students into six classes: A through E, along with the prestigious S Class. Placement was determined by the results of the entrance examination taken several months earlier.
Every admitted student had received two sealed letters together with a silver brooch engraved with the symbol of their assigned class. The brooch had been enclosed inside one of the envelopes, which the accompanying letter clearly stated could only be opened upon arriving at the opening ceremony.
Csendez reached into her travel bag and retrieved the envelope. Standing quietly near one of the stone pillars, she broke the seal and unfolded the letter.
Inside rested a beautifully crafted brooch.
A golden sun was engraved at its center, while beneath it shimmered a deep violet number.
Number 1?
It simply meant that she had obtained the highest score among this year's applicants. The sun represented her assigned class.
Without showing any particular reaction, Csendez fastened the brooch onto her uniform before making her way through the growing crowd.
Students walked in every direction, searching for their assigned seats or introducing themselves to strangers who would soon become classmates. Laughter, excitement, and nervous whispers blended together into a constant hum that echoed throughout the hall.
None of it interested her. She continued forward at the same steady pace, her expression calm as always. Her seat stood at the very front.
A golden sun had been carved into the back of the chair, and beneath it rested the number one. Several nearby chairs bore the same symbol but different numbers.
So these must be my classmates.
A small podium stood before the rows of students, while ten magnificent seats resembling thrones had been arranged behind it.
Csendez only spared them a brief glance before placing her travel bag beside her chair.
Just as she prepared to sit down, hurried footsteps approached.
A young girl stopped beside her, slightly out of breath.
Pointed ears. An elf.
Csendez's gaze instinctively shifted toward the girl's brooch.
A golden sun. Number seven.
She's in my class.
Most books described elves as quiet, reserved people who valued discipline above all else. Their patience and composure were said to be the reason they produced many of the greatest assassins of the current era.
This girl matched none of those descriptions.
Without waiting for an invitation, the elf cheerfully sat beside Csendez.
"Did you hear? Apparently one of the students in our class is a professional Ludus player! An actual professional! I can't believe it!"
She hardly paused long enough to breathe before continuing.
Csendez quietly took her own seat. She answered only with an occasional nod or a short word. Fortunately, the elf seemed perfectly content doing most of the talking herself.
That gave Csendez enough time to observe her new classmate.
She was a lively elf of rather short height with bright green hair that immediately caught the eye. Her hairstyle was short and slightly spiky, with several strands decorated with small pearls and flowers, giving her a natural appearance.
Her uniform consisted of a shirt and a skirt, though its design differed greatly from Csendez's. The shirt was white, while the Academy's emblem remained the same as on every uniform. Her black skirt was decorated with elegant silver patterns that converged toward a single point.
She also wore boots, although hers were much larger and far more elaborate than Csendez's.
Her attention stopped at the girl's eyes. They were as blue as a clear sky. She remembered something she had once read in a book.
An elf's eyes reveal the strength of their soul. Their shade of blue tells everything.
The elf's next action interrupted her thoughts. With a shy smile, the girl took Csendez's hand and placed a small green stone in her palm. It was an elven custom. A sign of friendship.
Csendez looked down at the stone.
Was it really acceptable to receive it? Hadn't she been too distant? This girl did not even know my name.
After a brief moment, Csendez opened her bag and searched through a small pouch filled with polished stones. She selected one carved into the shape of a leaf and gently placed it in the elf's palm.
The elf looked genuinely surprised. She clearly had not expected to receive a gift in return so quickly.
In the current state of the universe, friendship was not something people encountered often, especially between members of different races. Even one's own relatives could become enemies, making trust between strangers even rarer.
Yet sincerity often invites sincerity in return.
Perhaps this was how friendships began.
Inside the great hall, surrounded by the younger generation of countless races, the two girls introduced themselves for the first time.
"Csendez."
"Uituba."
Their conversation ended as the first figures stepped onto the stage. During the short time they had been talking, every student had already taken their assigned seat. It was noticeable that among the students of S Class, only Csendez and the elf had been speaking. The others simply waited in silence.
Uituba returned to her own seat. The opening ceremony was about to begin. The clear sound of a flute echoed throughout the hall. It was said to be the instrument most commonly used to guide the Golden Energy of Life.
Every conversation ceased.
On the podium directly before the students, the image of the Academy's director appeared. It was only a projection. The figures seated upon the grand chairs behind him, however, were very much real.