The rumble of the carriage wheels slowed… then came to a complete stop along the wide stone road.
Before them stood something that could no longer be called just a building.
The Aurelthia Academy.
Three towering spires pierced the sky, standing symmetrically at the heart of an immense complex. Its silver-white walls reflected the morning light, while delicate runic engravings shimmered faintly across every surface. A long road stretched straight from the main gate, flanked by vast, meticulously maintained gardens, filled with students dressed in elegant attire, each bearing the crest of their respective families.
Carriages lined the roadside, one after another unloading young nobles from every corner of the continent.
Cillian didn't step out immediately.
His eyes moved slowly.
Observing and remembering.
Some of those faces…
were familiar.
Alyssa glanced around, then let out a soft sigh as she opened her fan.
"It seems this year… is full of those provincial nobles again, White."
Cillian immediately turned his head.
"Don't call me that."
Alyssa rolled her eyes slightly.
"Ah."
Her fan rose, covering half her face.
"I forgot."
Cillian exhaled slowly, pressing his temple.
"Get used to it. We're not in the mansion anymore."
The carriage door opened.
Aaron stood outside, bowing respectfully. He extended his hand.
Alyssa accepted it without hesitation.
"Thank you, Aaron."
She stepped down gracefully, her movements light yet composed.
Cillian stepped down on his own.
Aaron looked at the two of them for a moment longer than necessary. His eyes… slightly teary.
Alyssa let out a soft chuckle.
"Aaron, you look like we're leaving forever."
Aaron quickly pulled out a handkerchief.
"Y-Young Master… Young Miss… you've grown so much…"
Cillian stared at him blankly.
"…Why is he crying?"
Alyssa covered her mouth with her fan, her shoulders trembling slightly with suppressed laughter.
After a brief farewell, the carriage departed.
Now, only the two of them remained… and the new world before them.
They stopped just in front of the academy gates.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Cillian tightened his grip on his suitcase.
Students passed by around them, footsteps, conversations, and quiet laughter blending into a constant hum.
Then, his eyes caught something.
Long golden hair, neatly tied.
Blue eyes.
Cold. Steady.
His sister.
"…Omnia."
The whisper was almost inaudible.
The girl stopped.
Slowly… she turned back.
Alyssa moved instantly.
"hm?"
She pretended to yawn, lifting her suitcase high, completely blocking Cillian's face.
Omnia frowned slightly. A faint bead of sweat formed at her temple.
A few strange seconds passed.
Then she turned away.
And left.
Alyssa lowered the suitcase.
Cillian gave a faint smile.
"Nice improvisation."
Alyssa simply covered her face with her fan again, her eyes narrowing in quiet satisfaction.
The flow of students continued.
They remained still.
Until,
someone bumped into Cillian's shoulder.
"Ah... sorry."
A male voice.
Cillian turned.
"It's fine."
But the boy… didn't leave.
He stared at Cillian.
For a moment too long.
Beside him, a girl also stood still, watching with a faintly surprised expression.
Cillian raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Can I help you with something?"
The boy smiled casually.
"Sorry, it's just… rare to see someone with that kind of presence."
His tone was relaxed.
Too relaxed.
"My name's Blane."
He lightly tapped his chest.
"And this is Sarah."
The girl beside him gave a small nod.
Cillian replied calmly.
"Cillian."
He tilted his head slightly toward Alyssa.
"And this is Alyssa."
Silence.
Strange.
No surname.
No title.
No formal courtesy.
Blane studied him more closely.
"…Cillian?"
Cillian nodded.
"That's enough."
Sarah glanced at Blane.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Blane smiled again, though thinner this time.
"Interesting."
A soft wind passed through them.
Cloaks fluttered gently.
Footsteps continued all around, yet the space between the four of them felt… isolated.
The four of them finally slowed their steps as they entered the inner grounds of the academy.
The grand structure was more than a symbol of luxury,
it was a legacy of war.
Cillian looked straight ahead, his voice calm as he spoke, as if reciting something long engraved in his mind.
"Aurelthia Academy… was established before the First Imperial War even ended."
Blane glanced at him, startled.
"?!"
Cillian continued.
"It produced talented graduates who became the Empire's primary weapons on the battlefield. The system is simple, but ruthless, students are divided based on potential, not forced to develop in multiple directions."
Alyssa partially closed her fan.
"Absolute focus. No room for half-formed talent."
Cillian went on,
"Two main paths. Mage… and Enlightened."
Alyssa nodded slightly, adding,
"Pure mages… and warriors capable of wielding magic."
Cillian tilted his head slightly.
"The system itself was designed by Emperor Lucius when he was still a teenager."
Blane raised an eyebrow.
"An emperor… designing an educational system?"
Alyssa immediately replied with a light jab,
"That's basic knowledge."
Sarah cleared her throat softly.
"My apologies… Lord- Blane is a bit… hm…"
She glanced at him flatly.
"…slow."
Blane flinched.
"That's unnecessarily cruel."
Cillian almost smiled, but continued instead.
"The first student to disrupt that system… was Magnus."
They finally reached the central hall.
The space was vast, filled with neatly arranged long benches. At the front stood a grand podium, surrounded by professors and instructors who were already waiting.
"Mage… and Enlightened in a single body," Cillian added quietly.
"An anomaly."
Blane fell silent for a moment.
"…You know a lot."
Alyssa shrugged lightly.
"Standard upbringing."
Blane stared ahead blankly.
"…I'm starting to think my education failed me."
There was something dishonest in his tone.
They took their seats.
Not far from them, a dark green-haired boy suddenly turned around.
"Hey! are you guys new students too?"
His tone was light.
Sarah narrowed her eyes.
"No. We're inspectors."
The boy stiffened immediately.
"…Seriously?"
Alyssa muttered softly to the side,
"Is he stupid or just innocent?"
Cillian cut in quietly,
"That's not a nice thing to say."
The boy just laughed.
"You guys are funny."
Blane frowned.
"…Who's being funny?"
The boy grinned widely.
"My name... Aider Erizon."
Silence.
The four of them exchanged glances.
"…That was very direct," they murmured almost at the same time.
Before the conversation could continue, a small commotion broke out on the other side of the hall.
Two boys were arguing.
"I was here first!"
"There are plenty of empty seats, why here?!"
A girl with dark bluish hair stood between them, trying to calm them down.
"Please… don't do this…"
But her voice was drowned out.
Whispers began to spread.
"How embarrassing…"
"They just got here and already causing trouble…"
Cillian observed without expression.
Then exhaled quietly.
"They're always like that."
Blane turned quickly.
"You know them?"
"Rover Durcheim."
Cillian gestured slightly.
"and Theo Walcott."
Sarah raised an eyebrow.
"You recognized them just like that?"
Cillian didn't answer.
Blane studied him more closely.
"…Someone who can read people that quickly…"
He let out a small breath.
"…is better as an ally than an enemy."
Then he shook his head slightly.
"…Too early to decide."
His gaze returned forward.
"I don't even know your class yet."
A bell rang and sharp.
Instantly, the entire hall fell silent.
The argument stopped.
The whispers vanished.
All students sat properly.
A seasonal breeze slipped through the tall windows, carrying a quiet tension that spread among them.
At the front, the professors stood firmly.
The opening ceremony was about to begin.
And the one thing everyone awaited
The honorary speaker.
That status… was not mere formality.
In this academy, only those with the highest scores… or the highest standing… were allowed to stand at that podium.
The silence deepened.
All eyes turned forward.
Waiting...
to see who the Headmaster would call.