Leaving the dining hall, Marie, Isaki, and Ray noticed a tall figure approaching them with a steady, confident stride. As he drew closer, they could see he was around their age, though clearly older, with a robust build, dark eyes, and neatly cut black hair. He had an aura of authority about him, radiating both experience and strength.

"Hey," he greeted them with a nod. "I'm Jul, a fourth-year student." He gave a friendly smile, his voice firm yet welcoming. "I'm one of the four student representatives of the academy."

Marie, Isaki, and Ray exchanged glances, surprised to be approached by someone so senior. Jul's eyes scanned them with a knowing look, and he asked, "Are you all first-years?"

The trio nodded in confirmation, and Jul's smile grew warmer. "Perfect. I have some news for you." He paused, glancing at each of them, making sure he had their attention. "This weekend, there will be a welcome party for all the new first-year students. It's a tradition here—an event to help everyone settle in and make some friends." He glanced over his shoulder at the dining hall, as if checking that he still had time. "Make sure you don't miss it. It's a great way to start off your time here."

Isaki's face lit up at the mention of a party. "Thank you, Jul! That sounds amazing!"

Marie nodded in agreement, her expression brightening with excitement. "Yes, thank you for letting us know! I'm sure it'll be fun."

Ray nodded too, a small, reserved smile on his face. He wasn't one for big gatherings, but he could appreciate the opportunity to bond with his peers.

Jul returned their smiles with a quick nod. "Glad to hear it. Enjoy yourselves." He gave them a final wave before heading into the dining hall, likely to spread the word to more first-year students.

Once Jul was out of sight, Isaki turned to Marie, intrigued. "So, what exactly does a student representative do?"

Marie's face took on a thoughtful look as she considered the question. "My brother was a student representative when he was here," she began. "From what he told me, it's the highest student position in the school. They're chosen for their strength, responsibility, and leadership. Basically, they're the voice of the students to the academy's administration, organizing events and even meeting with the headmistress to discuss student issues." She glanced back toward the dining hall thoughtfully. "Representatives are typically the academy's strongest and most respected students."

Isaki's eyes widened as he absorbed this new information. "Wow. That's… a lot of responsibility."

Marie nodded, smiling. "It is, but it's a huge honor too. It means the academy trusts them."

Ray, who had been silent until now, seemed lost in thought, processing what he'd heard without much expression. The weight of the academy's expectations, and the sense of duty that seemed to come with such roles, lingered in his mind.

As they continued walking, Ray suddenly remembered something. "I need to go to the library," he said, breaking his silence. "I finished the books I borrowed and need to return them."

Isaki raised an eyebrow, looking at him in disbelief. "Already? You just got them! How did you manage to finish them so fast?"

Ray shrugged, as though it were nothing. "They were on botany. Not particularly difficult reading."

Isaki and Marie both nodded, a little amazed at his efficiency. With a brief farewell, Ray gave a quick wave and turned off toward the library. Marie and Isaki continued toward the academy's main exit, where they spotted Maya, who was busy handing out recruitment forms for the student newspaper to passing students.

Marie's face lit up when she saw Maya. She walked over with a warm smile, holding out a sheet of paper. "I've filled out the recruitment form," she announced, handing it to Maya.

Maya's face brightened with joy. "Oh, thank you, Marie! That's fantastic. Now, I just need one more person to join, and we'll have our team." She glanced at the form, clearly pleased, and gave Marie an appreciative nod.

Marie beamed, and with a quick goodbye, she rejoined Isaki. As they made their way out of the building, Isaki glanced at her, curious. "So, you're interested in journalism?" he asked.

Marie nodded, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I love writing, actually. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. Plus, being part of the newspaper will help me earn a little extra. Even though I come from a wealthy family in Moirai, I want to make my own way and rely on my own skills."

Isaki smiled, admiration shining in his eyes. He appreciated her ambition and desire to stand on her own, and her words resonated with him. He, too, believed that one's strength and value came from personal effort and skills, rather than family status or wealth.

----------------------------------------

As Isaki and Marie continued along the stone pathways toward their dormitories, Ray found himself amidst the towering shelves of the academy's library, two heavy books tucked under his arm. He approached the librarian's desk with quiet steps.

"Already finished these?" she asked, her tone both impressed and amused as she held out her hand for the returned books. "It hasn't even been a week."

Ray offered a slight nod and slid the books onto the desk. "They were interesting reads," he said, with a subtle, polite smile. "Would it be possible to check out a few more?"

The librarian waved him off with a gesture of approval, still eyeing him curiously as he wandered back into the maze of shelves. Ray scanned the endless rows of spines, each title holding a sliver of the world's knowledge, until his attention landed on two volumes that piqued his interest. One was a richly illustrated guide on animals and their habitats, while the other was a thick, well-worn cookbook brimming with recipes and culinary techniques.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Returning to the librarian's desk with his selections, Ray placed the books down carefully. The librarian's eyebrows shot up at the sight of the cookbook, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Planning on becoming a chef, are we?" she teased, clearly intrigued.

Ray's expression remained calm, his eyes flickering with a hint of mischief. "Something like that," he replied, his tone nonchalant. There was indeed a reason behind his choice of the cookbook, but he wasn't about to elaborate. After signing the borrowing forms, he thanked her and walked out of the library, the stack of books in his arms and his mind already engrossed in his upcoming reading.

----------------------------------------

On the other side of the academy, Jessica was standing outside the headmistress's office, steeling herself before knocking. Once inside, she found Headmistress Celya seated at her large desk, pen in hand as she worked through a stack of paperwork.

"Jessica," Celya greeted her with a calm nod, her gaze lifting briefly from her work. "How did the lesson go today?"

Jessica let out a long sigh and sank into one of the plush armchairs across from Celya, sinking comfortably into the seat. "It went well," she said, folding her hands over her lap. But then, with a bit of an exaggerated groan, she leaned her head back against the chair's high backrest. "The students are progressing quickly, but all this work—" She broke off with a tired laugh. "I'm run off my feet, Celya. I'm teaching classes all morning, preparing exams right after, and then I'm stuck at the Student Assistance Center every afternoon."

Celya watched her with a calm, observant gaze. "Isn't that all part of the job, Jessica?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Jessica shot her a mock glare. "I don't know why, but I thought being vice-headmistress would mean more time behind a desk, relaxing like you." Her tone was joking, but there was a thread of genuine exasperation in it.

Celya's lips curved in a slight smile, though her gaze turned thoughtful. "And you think this desk work is just for show?" Her tone held a hint of challenge. "Jessica, you haven't seen the half of it."

Jessica scoffed playfully, raising her eyebrows. "Oh, I bet. All that signing and stamping must be exhausting."

With a wry smile, Celya motioned to a particularly large stack of papers beside her. "You may change your mind someday," she said, her voice softer but carrying a weight. "Believe me, once you sit in this chair, you'll realize just how heavy this work can be. One day, when you're in this role, I think you'll understand."

Jessica hesitated, her playful expression softening. "What's all that paperwork for, anyway?" she asked, genuinely curious now.

Celya's face darkened slightly as she shifted her gaze to the stack of letters. "These are requests from the parents of wealthy students. They're asking for… let's say, 'preferential treatment' for their children." Her voice was calm but tinged with disapproval. "It's something I don't take lightly, but it's also a delicate matter. Our academy's reputation and funding are tied closely to support from the influential families of Moirai. I need to respond carefully."

Jessica's smile faded as she looked at her mentor thoughtfully. She hadn't considered the finer intricacies of Celya's role, and the strain such pressures might bring.

Celya continued, her gaze still fixed on the paperwork. "You see, Jessica, my role here isn't just about running the academy day-to-day. I have to understand and keep track of every student from first-year to fifth-year—not only them, but their families and the complex web of ties that extend beyond these walls. It's essential to keeping this place running smoothly. You, on the other hand, only have to guide the students through their studies."

Jessica crossed her arms defiantly, her expression a mix of resignation and reluctant admiration. "I'll admit, Madam, maybe you're right about it being a lot. But," she added with a grin, "I still think you'd look good behind the lectern once in a while instead of in this office."

Celya chuckled softly, her gaze warm. "Well, perhaps one day you'll get your wish. Until then, I'll let you wrestle with your own piles of work. But I warn you, the path to this chair is challenging, Jessica. When you're ready, you'll feel its weight."

The warm atmosphere between them felt almost familial, as if they were mother and daughter, though their relationship was purely professional. Jessica looked down, a small smile forming on her lips. After a few more moments of restful silence, she glanced at the clock and sighed. It was afternoon already, and her duties called once more.

Rising from her seat, she nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Madam," she said, a hint of mischief in her tone as she gave her title extra formality.

Celya grinned, her own eyes bright with affection. "Go on, Jessica. The students are waiting."

With a respectful bow, Jessica left, feeling both exhausted and revitalized by their conversation. Celya watched her go, then returned to her paperwork, her heart warmed by the thought of the bright future of the academy in capable hands like Jessica's.

As the door closed softly behind her, the pile of papers before her seemed a little less daunting, and she resumed her work with a quiet smile.

It was already afternoon by the time Jessica settled into the Student Assistance Center, waiting for the students to return. They had taken time to change into more comfortable clothes in their dorms, and now they re-entered the center with curious looks, wondering what Jessica had in store for them.

Seeing them all arrive, Jessica smiled and signaled for them to gather around. "Alright, everyone, I have something important to give you," she began, her tone both authoritative and warm. From a polished wooden box, she lifted out a collection of bracelets, each crafted from a gleaming silver metal. As she handed each student a bracelet, they examined them, clearly intrigued.

"These," Jessica explained, "are the latest model of magical communication bracelets. They're designed to keep you connected no matter where you are on campus—or even farther, if necessary."

Each bracelet was a marvel of modern magical engineering. The silver gleamed under the light, and delicate runes were etched along the edges, giving off a faint glow when touched. In the center lay a small gemstone that pulsed with a subtle, yet unmistakable energy. Jessica continued, "The Academy has created a special magical network these bracelets can tap into. This lets you communicate with others who have the same bracelet."

She demonstrated by gently pressing on the gem of her own bracelet, showing how the faint glow intensified. "Each bracelet links with your unique aura, so once you've put it on, it will be attuned to you. From there, it's as simple as touching the gem and focusing on the person you want to contact."

Jessica explained the various functions as they listened intently. "For instance, if you want to reach out to someone in private, just focus on them and think. Your message will be transmitted telepathically to their bracelet, and they'll hear it as a faint whisper in their mind." Some students exchanged glances, clearly excited by the possibilities.

"You can also send a spoken message," she added. "Simply speak near the bracelet, and the other person will hear it as if you're right next to them." She smiled, seeing the glint of excitement in their eyes as they imagined the possibilities.

Jessica went on, "When a message is received, the gemstone will either glow or warm slightly to let you know. You'll just need to touch the gem again to receive it. And for group discussions, there's a mode that lets multiple bracelets link up, so you can coordinate easily during team activities or missions."

The students marveled at the intricacy of the bracelet, appreciating its elegant yet functional design. They thanked Jessica earnestly, realizing how useful this new tool would be.

Jessica's smile widened, clearly pleased with their reaction. "Take care of these. They're a privilege, and they'll help you stay connected and safe. Use them wisely."

With a final nod from Jessica, the students dispersed, admiring their new bracelets and the countless ways they might use them.