Minho had left for official duties, and even the bonds had been taken back to their respective domains for training and care. The house felt quieter, almost eerie, without the usual bustle. Two days passed, and Si-Woo found himself staring at his neatly folded uniform on the bed net to his class schedule which included a few more advanced classes than before, the crisp gray fabric gleaming faintly in the morning sunlight.
The royal gray uniform was sleek, perfectly tailored to him, with silver accents and the proud numeral II embroidered prominently as the academy’s emblem. It felt heavier than it looked—not in weight but in meaning.
Ha-Yoon practically vibrated with excitement as she peeked into his room. “Wow, Si-Woo! You look like a real big shot!” she teased, though her eyes shone with genuine pride.
“Thanks,” he said, adjusting the cuffs. “You’re making me nervous with all that energy.”
“You should be nervous,” she teased back, smirking. “I heard the Middle Academy is a maze, and you’re terrible with directions.”
Ignoring her jabs, Si-Woo grabbed his bag and gestured toward the door. “Come on, we’re both going to be late if we keep chatting.”
The walk to Ha-Yoon’s academy was filled with light banter as her bonds also soon joined. Si-Woo noticed how her vibrant energy always had a calming effect on him, even when she was being sarcastic.
As they reached the gates of her academy, Ha-Yoon turned to him, her expression softening for just a moment. “Hey, make sure you don’t get lost, okay? And don’t let those seniors bully you either. If they try anything, just say my name, and they’ll back off,” she joked, giving him a little wave before running inside, her bonds following behind her.
Si-Woo chuckled as he watched her go. She’s worried but doesn’t want to admit it. With a deep breath, he adjusted his bag and set off toward the Middle Academy, the sharp gray of his uniform catching the sunlight as he walked. This was his first step into a larger world—one filled with opportunities, challenges, and undoubtedly, surprises.
"Don’t get lost." Ha-Yoon’s words echoed in his mind. Easier said than done, he thought with a wry smile.
The Middle Academy of Yohen was nestled in the east-north region beyond the Young Academy, surrounded by gentle hills that seemed to protect its grandeur. Si-Woo clutched the Serein Crystal, a gift from Princess Deane, tightly in his hand as he walked, relying on its faint glow and his memory of when Minho had shown him the academy's location. Despite this, he found himself second-guessing every fork in the road and turn of the path.
"Almost there... I think," he muttered under his breath, pausing at a crossroad and glancing around. He let out a sigh of relief when the crystal's glow steadied, guiding him forward. Without this, I’d probably be wandering the hills until nightfall.
After what felt like an eternity, the view ahead opened up, and Si-Woo’s breath caught. The Middle Academy of Yohen stood before him, its towering structure a blend of elegant stonework and sleek modernity. The massive school arched gracefully, its design almost embracing the sprawling patches of grass where clusters of students gathered, some seated in circles, others sparring or tinkering with intricate gadgets.
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The very air felt charged with something unique—perhaps a mix of magic, innovation, and ambition. He paused at the gates, taking it all in.
To his left, he noticed a group of students practicing Toeju, the airborne combat technique, their movements fluid and graceful as they danced in the air, striking at imaginary foes. Their precision and agility were mesmerizing, almost like an art form.
To his right, a few students were huddled around a peculiar machine that emitted faint, rhythmic pulses of light. Engineers, no doubt, he thought, watching as they adjusted gears and levers with practiced hands.
Si-Woo took a deep breath and stepped forward, his heart racing slightly as he crossed the threshold into the academy grounds. This is it, he thought. The next chapter starts now.
But as he looked around, the sheer size of the campus struck him, and a bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
"Now, where do I even go?" he murmured to himself.
As Si-Woo stood frozen in awe, trying to absorb the vastness of the Middle Academy of Yohen, a familiar yet enigmatic presence approached him. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a figure moving with deliberate grace.
“Oapa?” Si-Woo called, unsure if it was really him.
The figure stopped a few paces away, his gray uniform catching the sunlight. A hood veiled most of his face, leaving only faint traces of his features visible, but the undeniable aura of confidence and control confirmed his identity. The uniform bore a crystal-white button closure chain, elegantly slanting from his upper hip to the edge of his pocket, a subtle yet striking detail.
But what caught Si-Woo’s attention most was the emblem on Oapa’s chest: the Rankers Family crest of two silver swords crossed, beneath which was inscribed the numeral IV. It stood out sharply, denoting a level of distinction Si-Woo hadn’t anticipated.
Oapa tilted his head slightly, his calm voice breaking through Si-Woo’s thoughts. “You’re not lost, are you? I would’ve thought you’d learned your way here already.”
Si-Woo blinked, shaking off his amazement. “Oapa! Uh... I mean, not exactly lost. Just... admiring the view.”
The corner of Oapa’s mouth curled upward, though it was barely noticeable beneath the hood. “Well, consider yourself fortunate.
Admiration is fine, but wandering aimlessly is not. It’s time to get you settled.”
Si-Woo glanced down at his gray uniform with the Roman numeral II embroidered beneath the academy crest. He then looked back at Oapa. “I was about to ask—you’re wearing a Level 5 emblem? And that’s the Rankers Family crest, right?”
Oapa nodded. “Correct. The numeral IV designates my seniority as a Level 5, Senior IV. And the crest? Yes, it’s the Rankers Family’s emblem.
Once you reach Level 5, you’ll have to choose one of the Great Families to study under. That’s when you’ll be awarded their crest on your uniform.”
Si-Woo blinked. “So, you’re already aligned with the Rankers Family?”
“That’s correct, but I can't really do much in without extreme supervision,” Oapa replied. “But don’t concern yourself with that just yet. You’re a Level 4 now and of only 10 years, so you still have time to focus on your growth and figure out where your strengths truly lie.”
As they walked, Oapa turned to Si-Woo. “By the way, if you’re wondering why you’re being stared at...”
Si-Woo frowned, suddenly hyperaware of the many curious glances from students passing by. “I was wondering that, actually.”
“You’re new, and you stand out especially since you're the only being to ever score that high on the placement test,” Oapa said matter-of-factly. “Fresh seniors don’t often join the academy with the level of skill you’ve displayed. Word travels quickly here.”
Si-Woo felt his cheeks flush again but pushed the thought aside. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to live with it.”
Oapa smirked slightly. “You’ll get used to it. Now, let’s get you situated, now lets see your schedule.”