As they traversed the Valor Grounds, their path led them to a cluster of three-story buildings. Drawing closer, their attention was drawn to a blonde-haired woman standing in front of a two-story edifice. Her arms were crossed, and she watched them approach with keen interest. Her striking beauty and demeanor suggested she was nearing her late twenties.

Upon reaching her, the pair was greeted with a direct question from the teacher, “Are you the group who passed on the last day of the entrance exam?”

Lorian, acknowledging the inquiry, presented the silver box as their token of success.

The woman carefully took the silver box from Lorian, opened it, and revealed four badges inside. Each badge bore the image of a phoenix feather, painted in a vibrant blend of red and gold. Her gaze then shifted back to the two new figures standing before her. She stepped forward and affixed the phoenix feather badge onto Lorian’s chest.

Her attention then turned to Theo. As she moved to pin his badge, Theo halted her gesture, extending his palm instead.

Pausing, the teacher respected his preference and placed the badge in his hand.

Taking a step back, she explained, “These are Phoenix badges, awarded exclusively to students deemed unique... Your group’s triumph in the entrance test against all competing teams grants you this special distinction. Guard them well, as they may aid you should you choose to pursue the inner court entrance examination.”

Lorian and Theo listened intently, offering her their undivided attention as she continued.

“Here are your dorm keys. Your accommodation is located in the southeast part of the academy. Classes for first-year students commence tomorrow morning at 9 am. By virtue of earning the Phoenix badges, you are both enrolled in Class 1-A of the first year by default. The Arcanum Hall, just behind me, is where your very first class will be held. Ensure you are not late on your first day,” she concluded, handing a key to Lorian, who seemed more approachable than his stoic companion.

Lorian nodded curtly to express his gratitude, “My thanks…”

The female teacher cast a final glance at the young man beside Lorian before turning and walking into one of the three-story buildings of Arcanum Hall.

Lorian paused until she was out of sight, then addressed Theo, “Brother, you should engage more with people. They might assume you're rude, or worse, mute. ”

Theo remained indifferent to Lorian's advice, offering no response. Ignoring the silence, Lorian began to make his way toward the southeast part of the academy, where the dormitories were located.

Arranged in a row were several two-story buildings that blended seamlessly with the city's architecture. The area was somewhat quiet, with only a few students seen entering and exiting their respective buildings, suggesting that many were either in their rooms or engaged in activities elsewhere on campus.

Standing before one of the buildings, Lorian examined the key they had received from the blonde-haired teacher. "7-2," he noted, eyeing the number before pointing towards the seventh building. Together, they walked in its direction.

Upon reaching their designated building, they found a sign labeled ‘7-2’ positioned over a door on the right corner, marking their apartment.

Using the key, Lorian opened the heavy door with some effort, thanks to his current strength. As the door swung open, his expression soured upon inspection. Theo observed Lorian's bitterness and soon saw the reason for himself.

The entrance led to a small hall with doors on both sides. However, the entire space was cloaked in dust and and furnished with only a few tables.

The door had required force to open, not due to its weight, but because it was jammed with accumulated dust at the base.

Stepping inside, Lorian's movement stirred the dust into a cloud. "Cough… Cough…" he spluttered, visibly frustrated.

"I heard tales of Phoenixwing Academy's prestige, but this dorm of outer court is beneath expectations," he lamented, dismayed by the state of their accommodations.

As they surveyed the interior, they found that each room contained a single bed amidst a layer of dust, with no sign of any other furniture, not even a wardrobe.

Lorian glanced at Theo, deciding on the next course of action. "I'll fetch a mop, broom, and bucket," he declared.

Theo offered no objection, understanding the necessity of making their new living quarters habitable.

Both rooms were in a similar state of neglect, so the choice of room was no problem. Lorian would not have minded had Theo opted for the slightly better room. His respect for Theo surpassed even that for his teacher, Rowan.

Left alone, Theo summoned one of his farming tools. The Abyssal Bloodstone Watering Can dutifully began to sprinkle water across the room, obeying its master's silent commands.

He then extracted an extra towel, diligently wiping down the beds in both rooms and scrubbing the walls with water supplied from the watering can, which faithfully followed his directives. However, lacking a mop or broom, he refrained from attempting to clean the floor.

When Lorian returned fifteen minutes later, he was taken aback by the transformation. The rooms were significantly cleaner, although puddles of grimy water now dotted the floor.

With a mop and broom in hand, Lorian directed the grimy water towards the bathroom sink, making sure both rooms were left in a tidier state. As he finished, he noticed that the beds in both rooms had been arranged with comfortable mattresses, blankets, and two pillows each.

His eyes then fell on Theo, who was arranging two plates filled with fruits on the table.

‘Brother’s spatial storage is a treasure chest... always prepared.’ Lorian murmured to himself, marveling at the young man's foresight and the wealth of resources he kept in his spatial storage.

"I'll clean up first," Lorian announced, before making his way to the bathroom to freshen up.

The next day, as they left their dorm, Theo and Lorian began their walk along the path leading to their first class at Phoenixwing Academy. The morning air was crisp, filled with the lively chatter and footsteps of students from various directions converging on the same destination.

"Brother, Phoenixwing isn't just for humans and elves. We'll encounter other races here as well. The Canorians from the northern woods, the Dwarves from the mountainous regions, and the Orcs from the western highlands of Feralon. We might even meet some of them in our class today. I thought I'd mention it beforehand, so you're not caught off guard when you see them."

Theo, walking silently beside him listened to Lorian's words. His gaze was forward, taking in the sights and sounds of the academy's bustling paths.

Upon arriving at their destination, Lorian took the lead, guiding them into the building designated for first-year students within Arcanum Hall. It was early morning, and the ground floor hosted only a handful of students, making it clear that the duo had arrived ahead of schedule for their class.

Navigating the narrow hallway, they eventually stumbled upon a classroom. Lorian, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice, remarked, "This should be our class, right?" It was his first time here as well, leading to the slight hesitation in his question.

As they entered the classroom, Theo’s gaze was immediately drawn to the diverse assembly of students sitting around. Lorian had briefed him on the variety of races attending the academy, but seeing them firsthand was an entirely different experience.

Near the window, a group of Canorians sat together, their wolf-like features prominent. They possessed humanoid forms but with distinct lupine characteristics: sharp teeth visible even in relaxed expressions, ears that tapered to points, and eyes that held a depth of intelligence. Their fur, thick and well-groomed, shimmered in shades ranging from white, gray, brown, to black. They seemed alert, constantly sniffing the air, showing how good their sense of smell was.

On the left side of the room, two Dwarves were seated side by side. They were shorter and looked really strong. Their beards were braided in cool designs, showing off their love for making things look nice. Their hands looked rough, like they were used to hard work, probably from making things out of metal and stone.

At the back of the room, there were some really big and tough-looking students with green or gray skin. These were the Orcs. They had tusks coming out from their bottom teeth, making them look pretty intimidating. But they were laughing and talking with each other, showing they were friendly despite their tough look. They wore simple clothes with metal pieces that they probably made themselves, showing they were good at working with metal.

Theo looked around at all of them, amazed by how different everyone was.

Observing the distinct duo, the Dwarves seemed to be on guard, giving them a wary look. On the other hand, the Orcs were engrossed in their own affairs, seemingly oblivious to the newcomers. Yet, the Canorians regarded the elf and human pair with a trace of curiosity, as if their joint presence was a novel sight.

A Canorian man rose to his feet, inquiring, "You guys are also in this class?"

As Lorian approached the front desk, he replied, "Yes. Is there a problem? "

"No, not really. It's just that humans and elves typically attend other sections… D is mostly for those of us from Feralon… By the way, I’m Lycus Mistmantle. Welcome to our class," the Canorian man explained with no malice but a hint of surprise.

Exchanging a glance with Theo, Lorian introduced themselves, "I'm Lorian. We were looking for 1-A but wandered here by mistake. Know where it is?"

Lycus responded, somewhat disappointed, "Ah, that’s a pity… I was hoping to get to know a human and an elf. The 1-A class is on the opposite side. You’ll find it easily by the nameplate above the door… Only 1-D lacks a nameplate, which means they don’t prioritize our section much…" His words carried a tinge of bitterness, yet he maintained a friendly demeanor with the duo.

"It’s alright. Even though we’re headed to 1-A, there’s no reason we can’t get to know each other after class. See you around," Lorian suggested with a friendly expression.

Lycus's face lit up at Lorian's words, and he waved as Lorian and Theo left, moving past a room full of students still mulling over their short interaction. For many, seeing an elf and a human together, getting along so well, was unusual. Despite one of them seeming a bit reserved, there was no sign of dislike in his look towards them, only surprise. And indeed, the sight of a human and elf side by side was not something they saw every day.

After getting directions from Lycus, Lorian and Theo quickly found their way to the classroom marked ‘1-A’, easily spotted thanks to its clear nameplate.

As Theo stepped into Classroom 1-A alongside Lorian, a moment he had braced himself for unfolded before his eyes. His sharp gaze immediately found hers—the green eyes of the girl with crimson hair seated at the front desk, who looked back at him with a flicker of confusion.

She was undeniably stunning, a paragon of beauty. Yet Theo's reaction to her was not swayed by her looks. Instead, she was someone he could never erase from his memory, the cause of his deepest torment.

This girl was Elara, the youngest elven princess of the Silvania Empire. The very same girl who wanted to manipulate him against Aerin, who had nearly driven him to death's door. She was the reason of his transformation, pushing him to the brink of becoming a beast.

If not for the counteracting power of his abyssal energy, he would have succumbed to the devastating effects of the Aphroflamora pill. She was the one who risked making him a monster, a fate he knew he could never forgive himself for if had done anything wrong to Aerin.

In Theo's heart, where hatred seldom found a home, Elara occupied a special space. She was more than a memory; she was a confrontation he had long prepared for, a person he needed to face.