Aurelius walked out of the inn in the morning, a smile on his face.

The previous evening, after accepting the Headmaster's invitation to join Lothern Academy, the group had stayed at a nearby inn. For Aurelius, it marked his first experience of sleeping on a proper bed, at least to his recollection. Upon entering his room and settling onto the soft mattress, he fell asleep nearly instantly. The idea of living that kind of cushy life at the academy, without having to pay over a single coin, made him question whether he'd ever have the guts to willingly walk away from it all.

As Aurelius stepped out into the morning sunlight, he saw the group members gathered outside, their gear packed and ready for the journey. They greeted him with smiles and nods, and he returned the gesture, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

The Headmaster, who had been waiting patiently, approached Aurelius with a reassuring smile.

"Good morning, Aurelius," he said warmly. "I hope you had a restful night. We have quite a journey ahead of us today. It should take roughly two days for us to return to the academy."

Aurelius nodded, his mind still processing the events of the previous day.

As the group embarked on their journey towards the capital city, Aurelius found himself engaged in small talk with some of his new companions. He discovered that all of them were third-year students at the academy, and he discovered the academy operated on a semester system. Each academic year consisted of two semesters, and students typically stayed for five academic years. Being younger than most, Aurelius would be entering the academy as a first-year student. However, because the first semester just ended, Aurelius would be joining the academy at the start of the second semester, or midway through the academic year.

Lyra, in particular, was quite talkative and took the initiative to share her experiences at the academy. She discussed her past encounters, the knowledge she had gained from her classes, and her deep passion for the path of a fire mage.

On the other hand, some of the other group members, like Gareth, seemed less inclined to engage in conversation with Aurelius. Gareth shot confused glances his way from time to time, creating a slight sense of unease.

Contrary to expectations, the Headmaster surprisingly interjected from time to time, offering insightful suggestions. Initially, when Aurelius caught sight of the Headmaster, hidden within his cloak, he had expected a cold and distant figure. However, as they walked and conversed, Aurelius realized the Headmaster was warm and approachable, sporting a genuine smile while attentively listening to their discussions.

As they walked, the group passed through lush meadows and dense forests, the natural beauty of the land serving as a backdrop to their journey. Aurelius took in the sights and sounds, his mind filled with a mix of excitement.

As the group arrived in the city, they entered through the familiar Northern gate, the same one Aurelius had departed from. Once inside, the group parted ways. Lyra and the other students dispersed to their respective houses to reunite with family and make the most of their remaining break before the second semester commenced in a week's time. Meanwhile, Aurelius remained by the Headmaster's side as they navigated through the bustling streets, their destination set on Lothern Academy.

During their walk, Aurelius had taken the opportunity to ask the Headmaster about the academy's course offerings and requirements. However, he had also discovered a surprising truth about the Headmaster's own magical specialization—he was a mage of shadows.

For high elves, this particular variant of magic was rare and often looked down upon. It contradicted the noble and life-focused nature of the High Elves, aligning more with their racial enemies, the Dark Elves, who were known for their mastery of shadow magic. Aurelius found it intriguing to encounter such a contrast in the Headmaster—a warm and friendly shadow mage leading a prestigious High Elven institution.

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As the pair made their way southwards through the city, Aurelius realized that he had never ventured this far south before. The southern portion of the capital city was typically inhabited by the wealthy, and he couldn't help but notice the stark differences in architecture and affluence as they walked. The bustling streets and the sheer size of the city became evident during their nearly two-hour journey to reach Lothern Academy.

Upon arriving at the academy, Aurelius couldn't help but be awestruck by the sight before him. The grandeur and scale of the buildings enclosed within the massive walls made him momentarily question if they had arrived at a palace instead.

"Are we at a palace right now?" Aurelius asked, his voice filled with astonishment as he gazed at the imposing structures.

The Headmaster chuckled warmly. "No, my young friend," he replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "This, indeed, is the academy."

Aurelius took a few moments to absorb the sight, trying to comprehend the magnitude of what lay before him. Sensing his surprise, the Headmaster led him through the gates, exchanging nods with the guards stationed there, who acknowledged them in return.

As they stepped inside the academy grounds, Aurelius found himself amidst a hive of activity. Despite it being the break, students were engaged in conversations, moving purposefully from one place to another.

The Headmaster guided Aurelius towards a massive building with a sign that read "Reception." Stepping inside, they were met by a clerk diligently writing on some papers. After a moment, the clerk looked up, her eyes widening in surprise upon recognizing the Headmaster.

"Oh, sorry, Headmaster," she stammered, clearly flustered. "I didn't expect you here. What can I do for you?"

The clerk hastily pushed her hair behind her pointed ears and straightened her shirt, attempting to appear more presentable in front of the Headmaster.

"I have just returned from Silverleaf, and I would like to register one first-year student for the second semester," the Headmaster explained calmly.

Glancing around, Aurelius could see multiple people in the office, clearly eavesdropping on the Headmaster's conversation. Based on their reactions, he could sense the Headmaster's reputation. Here at the academy, the Headmaster was respected like a king. It made Aurelius wonder about the Headmaster's background and what he had done to earn such admiration.

The clerk quickly composed herself and nodded. "Of course, Headmaster. I will prepare the necessary documents for the registration process. May I have the name of the student?"

"Aurelius Lusam," Aurelius answered, his voice tinged with excitement and a touch of nervousness.

The clerk jotted down the name on a sheet of parchment and began gathering the required forms.

After a few minutes, the clerk handed over a stack of papers to the Headmaster. "Here are the registration forms and the schedule for the second semester," she said, her voice filled with professional efficiency.

The Headmaster accepted the documents with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Elara. I appreciate your assistance."

Elara smiled, a mix of excitement and curiosity evident in her eyes. "No problem, it’s an honor, sir."

As they left the reception office, the Headmaster turned to Aurelius, holding out the stack of papers. "Here are your registration forms and the schedule for the second semester," he said, his tone encouraging. "Take a look, familiarize yourself with the courses, and let me know if you have any questions."

Aurelius eagerly accepted the papers and afterwards The Headmaster led Aurelius through the bustling corridors of the academy, pointing out various locations. Along the way, they encountered other students and faculty members, all of whom greeted the Headmaster with respect.

As they reached the hallway leading to the dormitories, the Headmaster stopped in front of a door and gestured towards it. "This will be your room, Aurelius," he said, a warm smile on his face. "Your roommate is currently on break, so he won't be here for a few more days. Feel free to settle in and make yourself at home."

Aurelius nodded, grateful for the guidance and support he had received so far.

"Oh, and one last thing," the headmaster continued, his tone lighthearted. "Hand me your sword. You won't be needing it anymore, and it wouldn't be suitable for all students to carry weaponry around in their dorm rooms," he chuckled.

Reluctantly, Aurelius surrendered his sword, grateful of everything it had done for him.

"Don't fret," the headmaster reassured. "I'm simply placing it in the Academy's Armory. If you ever require it, you can request its return from there."

Aurelius nodded and stepped into the room, his eyes taking in the neatly arranged furniture and the warm sunlight streaming through the window. It was a double room, and he couldn't help but wonder who his roommate would be.