Si-Woo met Ha-Yoon in front of the academy, where they waited for Minho. The day's events lingered in Si-Woo’s mind, his mood weighed down by the conflict with Sol and his lackeys. Ha-Yoon, sensing his silence, nudged him lightly.

“Are you going to keep sulking?” she teased, a hint of her sarcastic side showing. Si-Woo cracked a faint smile but didn’t respond.

Just then, the familiar sound of wings beating against the air caught their attention. Minho's gigantic black wyvern swooped down from the sky, its shadow stretching across the academy grounds. The creature landed gracefully in front of them, the force of its wings stirring the dust. Minho sat atop the wyvern, his gaze sharp. "Ready for the training grounds?" he asked.

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon exchanged a glance. "As long as we're not flying too low again," Ha-Yoon quipped, flashing a grin.

They both climbed onto the wyvern, taking their usual spots behind Minho. With a powerful roar, the creature leaped into the sky, its wings beating rhythmically as they soared higher, headed towards the royal palace of Yohen’s training grounds. The wind whipped past them, and for a brief moment, Si-Woo felt the tension of the day lift, replaced by the thrill of the ride. They had ridden the wyvern before, but always with Minho steering; there was a certain trust in knowing he was in control as they made their way toward another intense evening of training.

The vast expanse of Yohen's royal palace appeared on the horizon, with the grand training grounds nestled behind it, awaiting their arrival.

Minho's wyvern glided smoothly through the clouds, its massive wings slicing effortlessly through the sky. As they approached the palace, Si-Woo expected to see the familiar towering spires and elegant domes of the royal palace. But the wyvern suddenly banked to the left, taking them away from the palace grounds.

Si-Woo leaned forward, calling out over the rush of wind. “Where are we going?” he asked, a note of confusion in his voice.

Minho glanced back with a knowing smile. “I've been wanting to show you two something special,” he said, his tone holding an air of excitement. “Something that will be very important for your future.”

The wyvern descended smoothly, landing in the middle of a sprawling, breathtaking campus. The buildings of the Middle Academy of Yohen were elegantly designed, their organic curves and towering structures blending seamlessly with the surrounding hills and natural landscape. Beautiful greenery lined the walkways, and shimmering streams of energy seemed to flow through the air, weaving around the academy grounds.

Minho dismounted and gestured at the grand expanse. “Welcome to the Middle Academy of Yohen,” he announced. “This is where you two will be coming once you graduate from the Young Academy.”

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon exchanged wide-eyed glances, taking in the stunning sight. The older students who filled the academy grounds moved with a powerful confidence, their auras shimmering with mastery and strength. Each one looked older and more experienced, carrying themselves with a sense of purpose and poise that made Si-Woo’s breath catch.

“This is where some of the most talented young Fae train and grow,” Minho continued. “Here, they learn to harness their abilities to their fullest potential. And today, you’re going to witness one of the most important moments for any Fae: an awakening.”

Ha-Yoon looked at Minho, her eyebrows lifting in concern. “An awakening?” she echoed, the worry evident in her voice. “Isn't that... dangerous?”

Minho gave her a reassuring smile. “Not as dangerous as you might think,” he said. “At most, a pebble might be lightly tossed due to the accumulation of serein energy. And don’t worry—the guardians here are always prepared to handle anything unexpected.”

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Ha-Yoon’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though her eyes still darted around with a touch of nervousness. Si-Woo, on the other hand, felt his pulse quicken with anticipation. The older Fae students were incredible to watch, each one appearing more impressive and powerful than any of the peers he had encountered at the Young Academy. Their energy seemed to hum in the air, and Si-Woo couldn’t help but be captivated.

Minho led them closer to the center of the grounds, where a group of onlookers had gathered around a young Fae standing in a wide, open circle. The Fae’s aura pulsed with raw energy, and her entire body seemed to radiate with power that shimmered in the light.

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon stood in awe, barely able to look away from the scene unfolding before them. The idea of one day joining the ranks of these older, stronger Fae filled them with both excitement and a deep sense of wonder.

Minho guided Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon to a better vantage point near the center of the crowd. He spoke in a low, instructional tone, his voice calm but full of energy, like a seasoned teacher sharing a secret knowledge.

“Awakenings can happen at any given moment,” Minho explained, gesturing toward the young Fae standing in the circle. “Sometimes it’s spontaneous, driven by an emotional surge or sudden epiphany. But as you know, to help and speed up the process, students meditate and cultivate serein energy. Here at the Middle Academy, it's a daily practice.”

Ha-Yoon listened intently, her eyes glued to the Fae who seemed to be in deep concentration, golden streams of light gathering around her in a rhythmic, almost musical pattern. “So... how often does someone awaken?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

Minho’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Almost every day,” he replied. “This academy is a place of transformation. The students here push themselves to their limits, and as a result, they experience incredible growth. It's not uncommon to witness several awakenings in a single week.”

Si-Woo’s gaze never wavered from the glowing spectacle. The anticipation in the air was thick, and he could feel his own heart pounding in his chest as he watched the Fae channel her energy. Her aura grew more intense, and the streams of serein coiled tighter, ready to burst forth.

“Let’s observe,” Minho said softly, placing a hand on each of their shoulders to steady them. “This moment is a turning point for her—a step into a new realm of potential and power. One day, it will be your turn, and you’ll feel the same energy coursing through you, ready to awaken your true strength.”

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon exchanged a glance, their eyes wide with awe. They stood transfixed, hanging onto every word and every shimmer of energy, as they witnessed the incredible process that awaited them in the not-so-distant future.

As Minho, Si-Woo, and Ha-Yoon watched from their spot, a few students from the Middle Academy of Ondur noticed them. A group of older-looking Fae, their uniforms crisp and adorned with symbols indicating their level, approached with bright smiles.

“Mr. Minho!” one of the students, a tall boy with vibrant blue hair and shimmering tattoos down his arms, called out, his voice full of familiarity and respect. “It’s great to see you again! Are you here to watch today’s awakening?”

Minho smiled warmly, giving the students a small wave. “Hello there, Yarin,” he greeted. “Yes, I thought I’d show these two future Middle Academy students what they have to look forward to.”

Yarin’s eyes sparkled with interest as he glanced at Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon, offering them a friendly nod before turning back to Minho. “Well, you’re in for a treat. The kid about to awaken is named Elora. She’s been cultivating so diligently this past month, meditating for hours every day. Her affinity with serein is supposed to be incredible.”

Another student, a girl with striking amber eyes, added with excitement, “Her energy has been building all week, and everyone’s been on the edge of their seats. She’s really something special, even among the level fours.”

Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon listened intently, their curiosity piqued. The anticipation from the Middle Academy students only heightened the awe they felt, making the moment feel even more electric. Ha-Yoon leaned in, whispering to Si-Woo, “This is incredible. Everyone seems so connected here, like a big family.”

Si-Woo nodded, taking in the atmosphere. The way the older students revered Minho and talked with pride about each other made him wonder what it would be like to join their ranks someday. Minho placed a hand on Si-Woo’s shoulder, sensing his thoughts. “Remember this feeling,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “One day, you’ll be the ones standing here, ready for your own awakening. For now, let’s watch and learn.”

The anticipation grew thicker as they all turned their attention back to Elora, the air buzzing with excitement for what was to come.