In the entire history of mankind, perhaps the most common phenomenon of all civilizations ever existing is war. In this world, there has never been such a thing as a time of peace; if ever there was, it has been lost entirely from human records.
A total of five thousand years is the duration of the war between the two biggest nations in the world, the Levimus Empire and the Leviathan Empire. This number was known based on historical documents; however, the exact time of the conflict's beginning is unknown. There was never a cease-fire in this period, never a time for diplomacy or peace. There were moments when the volume of conflicts was reduced due to the lack of human capital caused by the excessive number of deaths, but never a complete stop.
At first, the rest of the human world and even other races could not understand the hatred that drove the two empires to continue this conflict for so long and with the loss of so many lives, but over time, the conflict became almost natural. With the centuries passing by, the conflict between the two became more common, and their descendants were already taught from a young age about their hatred for their enemy. As these were the two largest empires on the planet, there was no nation capable of acting as a go-between, and the conflict became a matter of fact.
The two empires have always been in balance of forces since the beginning of the war; however, about 400 years ago, a conflict on a scale never seen before was fought, the greatest magical forces of each empire were moved, and the biggest bloodbath in recorded history happened. At the end of this battle, the Emperor of Levimus defeated and assassinated the Emperor of Leviathan; this caused a significant disbalance in the powers of both nations, which resulted in the retreat and loss of territory of the Leviathan empire and its consequent abuse by the Levimus empire. Centuries of this abuse only increased the hatred already existing between the two. This war was declared the "Holy War" by the empire of Levimus and the "Calamity War" by most other nations in the world.
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White... completely white, that would perhaps be the only description a person could offer in front of this desolate scenario if the observer were able to bear the conditions on this field for a moment long enough for a single word to leave their lips, for a single breath to be made. A place that once sheltered life, brought bountiful crops to its population, and had a pleasant and serene climate is now completely frozen, with not even the wind brave enough to venture through the place.
Some humans relate death to darkness, perhaps due to the fear of the unknown or of what cannot be seen, but if there was a better description of death, it would be this vision. Because even in darkness, there can be life, while in this scenario, there is none. Perhaps the best description for this field is not white but death instead.
Amid this scenario of death, a single figure can be seen; its clothes are black, the same color as its hair and eyes. This vision causes an almost artistic contrast in this environment. Even in a scenario capable of freezing everything, the figure moves as if it were leaving for a simple walk. It observes the field that until recently was made up of millions of soldiers, now all dead and buried under the white snow. With a look of guilt and desolation, the figure looks at death all around him—death caused by his own hands.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
January 1, 1967, of the modern calendar, the day of the start of classes in the new year at the Academy of Magic and Military Mastery of Asteris, the most renowned academy in the entire empire of Levimus and perhaps even in the entire world, here were formed the greatest researches, soldiers and military wizards in all of human history, also known as the only academy in the empire that is not exclusive to noble families, regardless of their origin and the blood that may flow in their veins, if there is talent and their affinity for magic is high, the academy will welcome you and pay for all your expenses.
A small girl walks through the academy’s main entrance gate, where the ceremony for the welcoming of the new class of mages will be happening; visibly nervous and anxious, she tries to calm down by stopping and taking a deep breath from time to time. With long blonde hair, eyes as blue as the clearest sky, and wearing a female uniform composed of a blue jacket full of adornments and a skirt of the same color. Around her, she observes other children also passing through the gate dressed in similar uniforms, the girls with uniforms identical to hers and the boys wearing a set of great similarity, consisting of a shirt and pants of the same color. She looks around carefully so as not to meet the eyes of any of the other students and tries to calm down again. However, she can't help but notice stares directed at her from several students, which puts her in a state of even greater nervousness until an object catches her attention for a moment, an ornament on the shoulder of one of the girls who pass by, a small blue rose.
“What a nice brooch...”
Then, she notices the same brooch on the shoulder of several other students and starts to panic.
Several girls, no... practically all of them, even the boys, are wearing the same brooch... would it be some accessory of the uniform that I ended up not receiving? Ah… did I forget to wear the full uniform on my first day?
The little girl, initially just nervous in front of the gym's entrance gate, is now extremely desperate. After a few moments, she calms down and takes a deep breath.
It's no use me being desperate now! There's no time to go back to the dorm and see if I forgot the brooch on the other clothes the academy gave me. The entrance ceremony is about to start... still, why did I forget it?!
While thinking about her possible mistake, with tears forming in her eyes, Rose takes out a paper she had kept in her skirt pocket with instructions on how to get to the hall where the welcome event for all students would take place; the girl hurries to the event by following those instructions.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
In one of the huge rooms of the academy, impeccably decorated and with an air of absolute nobility, a woman is reading some documents that were handed to her a few seconds ago. The room has gold-plated decorations, bookshelves that exude millenary looks, and an absolute quietude as if the environment had carried out a veto of silence in respect to the presence of the woman there. Her aspects appear to be that of a woman in her late twenties, with long red hair and eyes of the same color. On her desk are several mysterious magic tools; one of these tools begins shaking and making a distinguish noise, like the ringing of bells; this is a piece of equipment known as a magic communicator, which can provide a connection between two people in different places and transmit the voice of both of them.
“What is it, Camila?”
The woman answers the equipment and addresses the other person in the transmission. On the other side of the transmission, a brown-haired woman with green eyes, looking to be in her early twenties, is accommodated at a table, in a room that resembles a reception, with a sign showing her name and function, “Camila– Secretary”.
“Director Maria, a man has presented himself at the reception; he says he is an old acquaintance and wants a meeting immediately.”
In front of the secretary is a man, appearing to be around 20 years old, maybe a little younger than the secretary who has just received him; although his face presents young features, his body construction gives another impression, a strong build, broad shoulders and a stature of approximately 1.90 meters tall. Wearing a black overcoat that should hide his body shape, but it is possible to see a well-defined musculature, being apparent in the arms and the region of the chest, with his hair and eyes stark black, he awaits while staring at the secretary. This is a man who had just requested a meeting with the director of the Asteris Academy.
“Hm?! What's his name?”
“Well... he didn't identify himself; he just said he needed to talk to you....”
The secretary starts to feel embarrassed due to the man's gaze fixed on her.
“Today is opening day, Camila. I don't have time to receive strangers. You know how busy the day is, and soon I will need to attend the new student’s event, don't bother me with unimportant details.”
“I'm sorry, director, he's just insisting a lot...”
“Tell him to leave his name and come back another day. He’s probably the father of some noble looking for some kind of advantage. I don't have time for that.”
“Understood, director. I'll let him know immediately and... ah? Where did he go? He was right in front of me...”
When she seeks to meet the man's gaze and give him the news, he is simply not in the reception room anymore. Visibly agitated, the secretary looks from side to side, searching for the man that had mysteriously vanished.
“You can only be kidding, Camila. Call security and take care of it.”
“I'm sorry, director! I am so useless, you were so generous by giving me this job, and I failed miserably in my first week. I am sorry, sorry, sorry...”
The desperate girl starts to tear up as she repeats apologies over the communicator.
“Hey, Camila, it's not for that much; calm down....”
“Pardon, pardon, pardon...”
Not responding to the director and stuck in apologizing, the secretary starts crying and repeating her old habit.
Ahhh… this girl always does this... I need to be more careful the next time I correct or criticize her. Maria thinks.
“Pardon, pardon, pardon...”
“Camila!”
“AAAAHH!”
Due to the director's scream, the girl is startled and stops apologizing for a moment.
“Calmed down? Stop crying and listen to me. You won't lose your job. Just trigger security.”
“Right! Understood, Director Maria, I'm sorry for the incompetence...”
“It's okay. Just do what I asked.”
“Understood! This will not happen again, I swear! I ended up doing everything he said and calling you, Director Maria; he had a way with words, this man, so I ended up doing just what he wanted.”
“We are in an academy composed mainly of children of noble birth, Camila; you should be used to dealing with them, and please don't go doing everything a man asks of you; that makes me worried about you.”
“Yes! I am sorry! It's just that even among the nobles I've met, he still had a different presence... something special... as if there was an authority in his voice, moreover he said he was here to collect a certain debt with you, so I thought you were acquaintances.”
“A debt...?”
“Yes, he said you had a debt with him, director.”
At that moment, the director narrows her eyes and contemplates for a moment the words of her secretary.
A debt? All my life as a mage, I have always made sure to do everything according to my capabilities, all by myself, my teacher is already deceased, and she would be the only person I could owe something to. Is there someone I owe something to in this world? Even the emperor of this nation did me no favors, the empire pays my salary and maintains this school, but these are not favors. It is by mutual agreement between myself and this nation... a person to whom I owe something, and he decides to choose this moment to collect it?
At that moment, a single image arises in the head of the director of one of the largest magic academies in the world.
I see...
Her thoughts are interrupted by the secretary.
“Director Maria, I'm already contacting security and asking...”
“It is not necessary.”
“Oh?!”
“Don't tell anyone. I know who he is.”
“Oh? Um... Okay, should I look for him than to send him your way?”
“It is not necessary. He will find me; continue your work, Camila. Soon, I will stop by to go to the welcome event.”
“Oh, okay... Understood.”
At that moment, the communicator connection is cut, signaling to the secretary that the director has turned off the equipment.
Um, that's strange, but do you mean I didn't make a mistake then?
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The moment the director turns off the equipment, she drops the pen she was using to sign the documents on her desk and looks at the center of her room, where a tea set and some sofas were found, probably used to receive some important visitors. Sitting on one of the sofas while preparing tea with some fresh leaves and two cups in front of him is the man so discussed in the communication between the director and the secretary.
“At least knock on the door.”
“You were talking to someone; it would be rude of me to interrupt you.”
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“Do you consider it rude to interrupt a conversation but not rude to enter a room without permission? Not to mention that the whole problem with Camila was caused by you and your unwillingness to better explain the whole situation.”
“Here it is.”
Without even blinking, he places the cup of tea in front of the director and returns to sit in his original position while gently taking a sip of the hot liquid.
“Hmm, very smooth... your tastes for tea are still excellent, Maria.”
The director sighs as she sees the man pleased by the taste of the tea while completely ignoring the complaint she made about his behavior. She then takes the cup and takes a sip of the tea.
“You, talking about politeness? It’s not polite to fill a cup like this. It’s almost spilling.”
“We both like tea, and I know this is one of your favorite leaves, so why not fill your mouth and save yourself a trip to get more later?”
“Again, your sense of politeness is just to please yourself, as usual... but I really like these leaves...”
He smiles when he hears the director’s criticism and continues to drink from his cup.
“Yuki, what did you come here to do?”
“Collect your debt.”
Maria immediately sighs and looks at her teacup, where you can see steam coming out due to the high temperature of the liquid.
“Why now? When we made that deal, I thought it would take at least a few decades.”
“I just decided that now is the best time. I want to...”
At that moment, Yukiko looks straight ahead, almost as if he sees something only he can see.
“I want to keep my promise to her.”
That sentence, a sentence that seems meaningless to any observer but for Maria, has immeasurable meaning because she knew exactly what this man was talking about.
“I see... if this is your decision, then I will keep my word and honor our promise.”
“Thank you, Maria.”
He thanks her and shows a slight smile, different from the smiles he was showing up to that point, which were playful smiles; this one, although discreet, causes the impression of real, surprising the director.
Ah… how long has it been since the last time I saw him smile like that? How many years? It must have been before... before this world robbed him of any trace of happiness for a second time.
As she thinks about her past with this man, Maria is surprised to see him staring at her from his position on the couch.
“I'm just fulfilling my part of the agreement. It’s not something for you to be thanking me.”
She deflects the subject while coughing lightly, trying to disguise how she looked at him.
“I understand, it's true. I’m just charging a debt.”
Yukiko laughed and agreed with Maria.
“Exactly!”
Then the two look at each other and share a small smile.
“However, what a time did you choose... we are in a very turbulent time for you to come. Are you sure it can't be in a few more years?”
“No, I want it now. Because we are in a turbulent time is one of the reasons.”
“I see, you're complicated as always... however, it's going to be hell to explain the situation to the entire student body and the student’s parents. It gives me a headache just to imagine it.”
Maria puts her hand on her head, massaging it.
“Nothing that the great Saint Maria Rosenfold can't handle! The head of the largest magic academy in the world is capable of anything!”
“It doesn't work when it comes from you; I know it's lip service. Not to mention that the problem is exactly that, this being one of the biggest academies in the world, who do you think are the parents of the students who attend this academy? Don't think my fame protects me from all these nobles.”
“A Saint mage of noble blood and war heroine is capable of dealing with some nobles.”
She looks at him with hate in her eyes and asks.
“You're going to make me deal with all the problems alone, aren't you?”
“Yes.”
“Ah... well, at least when I mention who you are, things will be a little easier for them to accept. Until they discover your personality, of course.”
“Don't mention anything yet.”
“What?”
“I don't want you to mention minor details, just introduce me as a temporary. I want to see how things are without anyone truly knowing me.”
She looks at him, scared.
“You can only be kidding. How do you expect me to explain this situation without even saying who you are?”
“I know you can; for how many years have you had to deal with noble councils? A few decades?”
“Don't talk about my age like that! As if I were elderly!”
“But I'm not lying, you must be reaching your hund...”
“Shut up!!”
“Okay, but that doesn't change my decision. Just introduce me as a temporary replacement.”
“Oh, I give up. Okay. But why is that?”
“I want to present myself as an outsider and better understand the hierarchical order.”
“You just want to have some fun… Please don't cause more problems; I’ll have to deal with them later.”
“I can't promise anything, some things in this academy have already stressed me a lot, and today is still my first day here.”
“Oh God, by the way of things, I'm going to be sleepless in the next few days...”
“Don't worry; a Saint doesn't even need to sleep.”
“That's not the problem! I like to sleep, even if I don't need to! Sleeping calms me down... but it is true, several situations and actions are getting out of my control among students in recent years.”
“The concept of the brooch strikes me as especially repugnant.”
“Yes... but as a director, it is difficult to control something like that. The council even suggested that they should wear different uniforms just to carry out segregation between nobility and non-nobility. I was able to avoid that. However, the academy defends small individual freedoms; if students do wear the official uniform, the use of adornments and props is free.”
“I see.”
“Times of conflicts and wars like the one we are living have consequences; on the one hand, academies like ours open up more places for non-noble students since war requires numbers and fighting ability above all, and not necessarily the best soldiers come from noble families, however, due to the higher nobility usually having families of powerful wizards that stand out, a pride and conceit of nobility takes hold, which generates much prejudice and persecution.”
“Because of some powerful families, all noble people consider themselves special, even though their children are inferior in capacity to non-noble children... no, maybe exactly because their children are inferior, this feeling of inferiority corrupts them, and they need to do something to feel better, that's why they wear that adornment on their arms.”
“Yes.”
The two remain silent for a while until someone knocks on the room door.
“Director Maria?”
“Camila, you can come in.”
The secretary opens the door, and upon entering, she is surprised by the man she had just seen at the reception, sitting on the couch and drinking a cup of tea.
“Hmm...”
“What is it, Camila?”
Visibly surprised, Camila is unable to continue for a moment, but after the director's intervention and question, she composes herself.
“Oh yes, well, the director didn't go to the secretary's office, so I came here; the ceremony is about to start. They’re just waiting for you.”
“Oh, I forgot.”
“It's just that my presence is too pleasant for you, Maria; you barely saw the time pass while we were talking.”
“Be quiet and finish your tea. We have to go.”
“Fine.”
While witnessing this conversation, the secretary could not hide her astonishment.
How can someone talk to the director like that? So sloppy? And on top of that, “Maria”? How can he call her by her first name like that? Just who is this man...
“Well, we still have some tea. Miss Secretary, come here for a moment.”
Surprised by the man's sudden request, Camila turns to him.
“Hum… ok.”
Afraid, she approaches him.
“Sit down here and have a cup of tea. Enjoy it while it's still hot.”
“Oh, right, thank you very much.”
Camila sits down and takes a sip from her cup, and relaxes a little, letting out a sigh.
Ahhh, what a great smell. It must be fresh leaves.
“You look tired.”
“Ah, yes! Today was a busy day, I didn't have time for anything, and the director Maria kept asking me to do something all the time. I could barely rest.”
“I understand. It must be a lot of work to be Maria's secretary.”
“Don't tell me, I'm...”
When she was about to continue, Camila felt a terrible chill, she looked to the side, and Maria was staring at her, visibly perplexed.
“Oh?! When did I sit here? What was I talking about?”
“You look very comfortable, Camila, sitting in my presence and drinking tea while you complain about my orders.
Oh? Please, Lord God, protect me. Camila prayed.
“Sorry, Director!”
Immediately Camila gets up, placing the cup on the table and kneeling.
“Forgive me, forgive me, forgive, forgive, forgive...”
“Just get up. Let’s go to the event hall.”
“Understand!”
“Yukiko, you're coming too. I need to introduce you; better now than leaving it for later.”
“Ok.”
Then the three leave the room towards the hall, where the welcoming ceremony would take place.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
“It must be here. If I followed the instructions correctly, of course...”
In front of the academy’s main hall, Rose double-checks the instructions given to her. After looking at the paper twice times more, she finally enters the hall. Inside, when passing through the main door, she is paralyzed by the proportions of the place.
It's huge... how many students can fit in here? I think it would fit more people than the entire population of my village.
She then looks for a place to sit, deciding to take a place further back so as not to draw much attention.
Most people have that brooch. Is it some accessory that the academy has forgotten to send me? I thought I might have forgotten, but some people aren’t wearing them too. I find it hard to believe that so many people forget a part of the uniform on the first day.
“Good morning, is anyone sitting here?”
While thinking about the brooch worn by the vast majority of students, Rose is surprised by a student asking about the seat next to her.
“Oh, no, there's no one sitting. You can make yourself comfortable.”
“Thanks!”
The girl sits down, and Rose soon realizes that she doesn't have the accessory on her right shoulder either.
“It is a great pleasure to meet you; my name is Frederica Menston. Can I please know your name?”
The girl with black hair and green eyes asks for Rose’s name with a smile.
“Oh, of course, my name is Rose Stevans. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”
For a moment before her introduction, Rose despairs, mainly due to not being used to the polite way Frederica presents and carries herself.
What lovely behavior; even her movements are beautiful.
“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Stevans.”
“You can call me Rose if you don't mind, Miss Menston!”
“Understood, so I will, Miss Rose. Please call me Frederica then.”
“Ok!”
I meant for you to stop with the 'Miss' too...
After some silence between the two, Frederica starts speaking.
“Miss Rose, can I ask you a question?”
“Hmm? Of course!”
“Would you happen to be from outside Asteris?”
“Ah, yes! I'm from a small village called Sutra; it’s way north of Asteris, about a week by carriage.”
“I see…”
“Did you perhaps notice it from my accent and manners? Ha-ha...”
“No way, Miss Rose, your behavior is excellent; if I offended you in any way, I ask for your forgiveness. I questioned you because of your family name, I have a lot of knowledge about the families of Asteris, and that's why I was curious about a name I haven't heard yet.”
“Ah, I see! Yes, I believe Stevans is a very unusual name; my parents came from even further north.”
“I understand.”
“Miss Frederica, can I ask you a question too?”
“Of course, Miss Rose.”
After exchanging information and building some intimacy, Rose feels comfortable asking about her doubt.
“Something caught my attention when I entered the academy campus, I believe that the uniform of all students is identical and standardized, with differences between men and women only, but some students wear this brooch in the shape of a blue rose on their right shoulder, do you know what it is? Would it be some accessory they sell here?”
For a moment, Rose notices that Frederica's expression turns serious and puzzled.
“Did you happen to arrive recently at the academy, Miss Rose?”
“Yes, I got here 2 days ago.”
“I see; it makes sense then.”
Frederica takes a moment to stare at her hands on her thighs, thinking of the best way to explain the situation, and finally addresses Rose.
“Miss Rose, do you know why Asteris Academy is one of the most recognized in the world?”
“Hmm? Well, I know that the most powerful mages in the empire are trained here, so maybe the teachers and facilities are amazing?”
“Yes, that's one of the factors, but many other academies also have amazing teachers and exceptional facilities; what makes all the others different from this one?”
“Hmm, I couldn't say...”
“Selection.”
“Selection?”
“The Asteris academy is one of the only academies in the world that has a single-entry requirement, talent.”
Rose, being ignorant of aspects of the empire, doesn't understand at first what Frederica means.
The only test that I needed to take to enter was a magic affinity test; in other academies, would it be different? Wouldn't selecting the mages with the highest affinity for magic be obvious in all magic academies?
“In all other Levimus Empire academies, another requirement is necessary.”
“A requirement other than aptitude?”
“Yes, nobility.”
Rose finally understands the meaning in Frederica’s words, nobility, a word she heard a lot growing up. Nobles, in Rose's conception, were people usually involved in the politics of the empire, famous warriors, and owners of lands. A noble was responsible for the land where her family lived and worked; this was even one of her constant concerns. Her parents were getting old, and they would soon be unable to work in the fields; when they became no longer able to produce in the field, what would happen to them? As with all others in a similar situation, they would be expelled from their property. So, Rose needed to graduate and become strong; she needed a font of income.
“I understand; that’s why this academy is different then. My father had told me that this would be the only place I could get into. Now I understand why.”
“Yes, for a non-noble who wants to learn magic, here is the only place. But because of this criterion, the Academy of Asteris has become exceptional, no one knows for sure how or why magic manifests itself, but we do know that about 10% of the population can sense the elements in the air, and about 1% of the population can interact with these elements, that is, they can use magic. Because of this, many talents are lost without even having the possibility to learn the basics, and everyone knows how important early education is for good development. When the academy of Asteris established this single criterion, the most talented mages in the realm began to attend here. After all, only the best could participate, the best among the nobles and the best among the non-nobles.”
“Hmm, it makes sense thinking that way.”
“Miss Rose, do you believe that any problem would arise from this situation?”
“A problem?”
“Yes, this academy, for example, is composed in its student body of about 10% of non-noble children. This year, for example, was a historic milestone; for the first time, almost 20% of the newcomers are not noble.”
“And would that cause problems?”
“What do you think?”
Rose then begins to remember how the noble in charge of her land treated the citizens of her village. When he performed some verification, he treated them with great disgust, as if they were not human beings.
“I see; it would be unacceptable for the nobility to lose an academy spot to a commoner, especially when the criterion he lost on was talent.”
“Yes, but that would frustrate people outside, not people inside.”
“What do you mean?”
“If that was the only problem, we wouldn't have to worry about. The people who didn't pass didn't enter; we wouldn't have to deal with them.”
“Oh, you're right.”
“As for the nobles who are here, who passed, do you think they would have a problem with the non-nobles?”
Rose tries to understand what Frederica is trying to say but has some difficulty, perhaps because of her innocence.
“Look to your right; some girls are sitting in a group and have been looking at us for some time. If you look at them, you will understand.”
Rose then looks to the side, and there they are, just as Frederica had said, a group of girls with a total of 5 members, all with the brooch on their shoulders. When Rose sets her sights on one of the girls, she understands what Frederica means.
This look is the same look of the noble responsible for the lands of my village. They are looking at me with… disgust.
“You can stop looking, Miss Rose. If you continue, you can irritate them, and they will not contain themselves to punish you in some way.”
“Oh, sorry... but to punish me?”
“Yes, they can invent that you offended them in some way and hurt you, burn your hair, your clothes, or something like that.”
“Would the academy allow that?”
“Not in the regulations, but if it's in self-defense, yes. They would get enough people to be witnesses that you attacked them first.”
“But how would they achieve that?”
“Remember what I told you, Miss Rose, 10% of the entire student body is non-noble, so 90% are noble, and so are all professors, so they would have plenty of witnesses.”
“I see...”
“That, Miss Rose, is the meaning of the brooch.”
“Oh?”
“The nobles consider themselves roses because they are flowers in a field full of earth and grass composed of commoners. The blue is due to their blood; there is a saying in the kingdom that says: “The nobles have blue blood.”. The goal is to differentiate them from the commoners, so they wear a blue rose on their shoulders.”
Oh, I see, that's why. It’s not that I didn't receive the brooch; it’s just that I was never meant to use it.
“Oh, "us"?”
“Hmm? Yes, so am I, Miss Rose. I am a commoner.”
“What! I was sure you would be a noble Miss Frederica! Because of your etiquette!”
“I'm from a family of merchants, Miss Rose. I've always had an education in etiquette, so I can deal with nobles.”
“I see. My father had told me that it would be difficult because of my origin, but I did not imagine that prejudice would be something so serious here.”
“I'm sorry if I upset you, Miss Rose.”
“Don't worry, Miss Frederica! I need to graduate here, and I will graduate anyway, regardless of whether I'm a noble or not. Thank you for illuminating me on this matter!”
Rose holds Frederica’s hand and gives her a bright smile, making Frederica flinch for a moment.
How adorable, Is she an angel?
After recovering, Frederica answers Rose.
“Very well said, Miss Rose!”
As the two newest friends exchange smiles and talk more about their respective families and backgrounds, the place starts to fill up with students until all the seats are filled.
“The ceremony will begin, Miss Rose!”
“Yes!”
After the sound of a bell tolling, all attention is turned to the stage that has a long red curtain hiding its contents; a voice finally makes itself clear from the same magical sound devices that had produced the noise of the bells.
“Attention, students! I ask for everyone's silence for the opening ceremony that is about to begin!”
Then, with the attention of all the students present, the stage curtains finally open, revealing the entire faculty of the academy. Some might say that the curtain also represents the opening of the stage for these new students who would be about to step into their new lives as mages. However, this moment will also be known in human history as the opening ceremony of the most powerful generation of mages that ever stepped on the academy of Asteris and would make history in the continent and the world, the infamous gold generation.