Four grand carriages rolled into the plaza, their pristine white exteriors gleaming in the sun, each detailed with intricate golden engravings that spiraled along the edges, giving the impression of luxury and power. The carriages themselves were massive, sturdy enough to carry ten cadets each, yet they moved with an almost otherworldly grace. Their wheels turned silently, gliding over the cobblestones as if they were floating, each one pulled by powerful horses. These weren't ordinary horses; their coats shimmered with a faint glow, and from their manes and hooves emanated a soft, pulsating aura—a sign that these creatures had been imbued with magical energy. Their eyes, bright and alert, seemed to perceive more than just the physical world, as though they could see into the souls of those they carried.

Arya's eyes narrowed in curiosity as she watched the horses approach. She could feel the hum of their Aura even from a distance, a reminder that power manifested in many forms in this world. She took a few steps toward the carriages, but something made her pause. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Ray still standing by the base of the old clock tower.

He wasn't moving toward the carriages like the others. His violet eyes were fixed on the tower itself, and the way he stood, perfectly still, made it seem as if he were lost in thought, disconnected from the hurried movements around him. Arya walked over to him, her footsteps light but purposeful.

"Ray," she called softly, her crimson eyes locking onto him, "Why aren't you going to the carriages? They're leaving soon."

Without shifting his gaze from the clock tower, Ray responded in his usual calm tone. "I'm waiting for someone."

Arya raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his answer. "Waiting for someone?" She glanced at the frozen hands of the clock, which hadn't moved in years, their silence a reminder of time long forgotten. "Who?"

Ray didn't elaborate, his expression unreadable. "I'll catch up with you later."

A silence passed between them, the sound of distant voices and the clatter of horses filling the plaza. With a faint nod, she turned on her heel. "Don't be late," she said over her shoulder, continuing toward the carriages.

Ray remained where he stood, his gaze still fixed on the ancient clock. The hands, forever stuck at the same hour, seemed almost symbolic to him. - When will my moment come? he thought, his lips curving into a slight smile, as if posing the question to the unmoving clock itself. The irony of asking a question about time to an object that had long stopped measuring it was not lost on him. And yet, he found comfort in the stillness.

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Meanwhile, across the plaza, Isaki, Lian, Rael, and Sophia strolled through the bustling streets, their faces lit with the satisfaction of a good meal. The marketplace was alive with vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas. They had sampled food from nearly every vendor, from delicately spiced meats to sweet pastries that melted in their mouths.

"That was incredible," Lian said, wiping his mouth with a grin. "I think I've eaten more today than in the last week."

Rael laughed, nodding in agreement. "We deserve it after everything we've been through."

Sophia, her long hair catching the sunlight as she smiled, added, "It's about time we head to the central plaza. The carriages will leave soon."

With their spirits high, the four of them made their way toward the heart of the city, where the plaza buzzed with the presence of dozens of cadets. The square was already crowded, not just with cadets from the southern regions but also with a group of ten cadets from Lachesis, distinguishable by their finer uniforms and the quiet confidence they exuded. These were the elite, the top of the top, and their mere presence seemed to cast a shadow over the other recruits.

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"There they are," Rael muttered, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe and tension. "The best from Lachesis. Ten from the city, and thirty from the southern regions."

As they approached the carriages, Isaki's sharp eyes caught sight of Ray walking calmly toward the carriages, his dark hair tousled by the wind. Isaki raised a hand, waving him over. "Ray! Over here!"

Ray, ever calm and composed, nodded slightly in acknowledgment. His presence always seemed to carry an air of quiet confidence, a sense that he knew more than he let on.

"This is Ray," Isaki said, introducing him to Lian, Rael, and Sophia. "He's joining us for the academy."

"Nice to meet you," Ray greeted them with a slight bow of his head, his voice soft yet firm.

Sophia smiled politely. "I'm going to find Arya. I'll see you all later." With a graceful turn, she walked off, leaving the group behind.

The remaining four moved closer to the first carriage, where a stern-looking coachman had just stepped down from the driver's seat. His uniform was pristine, and he held himself with the rigid posture of someone accustomed to formality. "Each carriage will carry ten cadets," he announced in a deep, authoritative voice. "We'll be taking you to your lodgings at the academy."

Isaki glanced around at the other cadets. "We should get on before they're all taken."

Without hesitation, Isaki, Ray, Lian, and Rael climbed into the carriage, filling four of the ten seats. Six other cadets joined them, including three familiar faces. Among them was Gaus Shick, the same boy who had confronted Lian earlier near the fortune teller's tent. Gaus sat in the center of his group, his gaze sharp and calculating as he glared at Lian.

As the carriage began its smooth, silent journey, the lush, green countryside blurred by the windows. Inside, tension simmered beneath the surface.

Gaus sneered at Lian, leaning forward. "I haven't forgotten what happened earlier. You might think you've gotten away with it, but I'll make sure your life at the academy is hell. None of you weaklings from the south will last through the first year. Mark my words—you'll all be gone long before the third year."

Isaki, ever the protector, couldn't stay silent any longer. He leaned forward, his tone challenging. "Do you think you're strong enough to make threats like that?"

Gaus smirked, clearly enjoying the confrontation. "Do you even know who I am? I'm Gaus Shick, the second son of one of the wealthiest families in Lachesis. I placed third among the top ten cadets from the city. No one from the south has ever made it past the first year at the academy. Not in the last ten years. They all drop out, unable to handle the pressure."

The other southern cadets shifted uncomfortably, exchanging uneasy glances. Ray, however, remained calm, his gaze fixed out the window. Then, without turning to face Gaus, he spoke softly, his words measured but cutting. "Are you afraid?"

Gaus blinked, confused by the question. "What?"

Ray's voice remained steady, almost cold. "Only someone afraid of failure would act the way you do. You're terrified, aren't you? Afraid that you won't live up to your family's expectations. People who bully others usually do so because they're insecure. You pick on those you think are weaker than you because it makes you feel stronger. But deep down, you're scared. Scared that you won't be enough."

The carriage fell into a heavy silence. Gaus' expression darkened, his pride wounded. His eyes flashed with malevolence as he leaned in closer to Ray, his voice low and threatening. "You think you're clever, don't you? I'll make sure you regret ever opening your mouth."

Ray simply smiled, serene and unbothered. His plan had worked. He had shifted Gaus' attention away from Lian and onto himself. Now, Ray was the target, and that was exactly what he wanted.

The carriage picked up speed, the green fields blurring into streaks of color as they neared their destination. Within minutes, they arrived at the gates of the Fate Academy.

Towering iron gates, intricately designed with gold accents, swung open to reveal the academy beyond. It was nothing short of breathtaking—a vast structure of stone and marble, with towering spires that reached toward the sky. The building exuded an air of ancient majesty, as though it had stood for centuries, watching over generations of students who had passed through its halls.

At the center of the grand façade was the academy's emblem: a dove in mid-flight, its wings slightly spread, encircled by delicate golden threads that wove together in a pattern representing destiny itself. The emblem was framed against a background of deep blue, bordered in silver, symbolizing the nobility and wisdom the academy sought to instill in its cadets.

The cadets stared in awe as they stepped down from the carriages, their eyes wide with wonder. Even the most confident among them couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence in the presence of such grandeur. Fate Academy wasn't just a school—it was a symbol of hope, power, and the incredible futures that awaited them within its hallowed halls.