Walking through the portal felt like plunging into water and emerging again, except they didn’t get wet. The sensation was strange—a fleeting chill ran through them, accompanied by a faint tingling, as though the air itself carried traces of magic. The portal resembled the mythical Mirror of Ophelia, which was said never to reflect the living, but this one was distinctly different. Perhaps it was the immense mana fluctuations emanating from it or the imposing presence of the two colossal guardians standing watch.
As they emerged on the other side, the scene was breathtaking. It mirrored the lush beauty of Finley—dense with vibrant plants, towering trees, and valleys carpeted with blossoms of every imaginable hue. The air was fresh and tinged with a faint floral fragrance, giving the entire landscape an otherworldly quality.
Before them stretched a massive crowd of children their age and height. Among them were slightly older students, easily identifiable by their uniforms. The juniors wore combinations of black paired with dark blue, green, purple, or yellow accents, each denoting a specific class or rank. Meanwhile, older students stood out with their black-and-red uniforms, complemented by striking red capes. These were clearly the seniors from the inner academy—students who had already proven themselves.
The scene was abuzz with activity. Juniors were mingling nervously, some exchanging excited whispers while others stood quietly, taking it all in. The seniors and older juniors moved through the crowd with purpose, welcoming the newcomers and guiding them toward the academy with a mix of authority and encouragement.
Athena, Ayden, and Julian observed the vibrant energy around them, understanding instinctively that this was only the beginning of their journey.
The seniors led the newcomers toward a massive platform where large airborne fleets were docked, ready to embark on their journey. The seniors methodically counted the students and divided them among the fleets. Groups of seniors organized themselves and boarded alongside the newcomers, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
Just as the final group of students was being directed to the last fleet, Alfred Leylani appeared, escorting the remaining stragglers who had taken their time crossing the portal. He was the last to step through, his presence commanding as he approached Athena, Ayden, and Julian with a serious expression.
“These three will be with me on the first fleet,” Alfred declared, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “Please make the necessary arrangements.”
The female senior in charge of the assignments froze momentarily, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. She quickly glanced down at the files in her hands, her fingers fumbling nervously with the papers as she tried to compose herself. “Y-Yes, Mr. Leylani,” she stammered, her voice unsteady as she hastily made the changes.
Without sparing a glance at the tomato-red senior, Alfred gestured for his three new disciples to follow him. They trailed behind him toward the grand first fleet, their curiosity piqued by his composed demeanor.
As they walked, Ayden shot a glance at Julian, his expression speaking volumes. Did you see that?
Julian smirked in response, his look practically saying, I bet he’s single.
Athena, catching their silent exchange, rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. The trio boarded the first fleet with Alfred.
The first fleet was nothing short of magnificent, its luxurious decor adorned with fine silks, ornate carvings, and shimmering ornaments. Athena, though only a short time into her journey through the portal, already found herself appreciating her new academy. What stood out to her most was its lack of discrimination. Even in the grandest fleet, nobles and commoners were treated as equals, a stark contrast to the societal norms she was used to.
Of course, not everyone shared her perspective. A few spoiled noble brats whined about having to share the fleet with commoners, their entitlement evident in every complaint. However, the teachers and seniors aboard quickly ensured that their grievances didn’t disturb the harmony of the group, addressing the complaints firmly and fairly.
While observing the smaller fleets traveling beside theirs, Athena’s gaze landed on the Northern prince, who was loudly complaining. He bemoaned his fate, calling it an indignity to be a prince and yet be assigned to a smaller fleet while "commoner rats" enjoyed the grand one. His dramatic display made Athena shake her head in silent disapproval.
To her, the size or grandeur of the fleet mattered little. Whether it was made of gold or simple wood, as long as it served its purpose, it was enough. Sharing space with commoners wasn’t an issue for her either. Her father had instilled in her the value of judging people by their character rather than their wealth. In her experience, loyalty and genuine kindness often came more readily from commoners than from the snobby, entitled nobles who considered themselves superior.
With this thought, Athena leaned back in her seat, letting the hum of the fleet's engines and the chatter around her blend into a soothing backdrop as they soared toward the next stop.
After a while, the lively chatter among students and the whining of a few nobles gradually subsided, leaving the atmosphere aboard the fleet calm and serene. The room Athena, Julian, and Ayden occupied was located near the teachers' and seniors’ quarters, making it one of the most luxurious rooms. It featured a large window that offered a breathtaking view of the outside world.
Alfred had explained earlier that room assignments, whether on the fleet or in the academy dormitories, were determined by the color of the gem in their tokens. Since the trio’s tokens represented higher-tier gems, they were granted the privilege of using these opulent rooms.
The journey didn’t take long. After passing several valleys, rolling hills, and shimmering lakes, they approached a majestic mountain range, its peaks disappearing into a blanket of fluffy white clouds. As the fleet ascended, the temperature began to drop noticeably. Athena could hear faint murmurs from other rooms about the sudden chill and the dense clouds that obscured their vision.
Then, as if on cue, the clouds parted to reveal a grand sight—a colossal structure that loomed ahead. It wasn’t merely an academy; it looked more like an imposing fortress, its towering spires and intricate architecture exuding power and history.
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Suddenly, a mechanical voice emanated from a speaker stone embedded in the center of their table, announcing their arrival. “We have reached our destination. Please prepare to disembark.”
Athena took a closer look at the speaker stone, marveling at its design even though it wasn’t unfamiliar to her. The device was a diamond-shaped mana stone glowing with a vibrant, ethereal blue light. Intricate rune arrays adorned its surface, and it was surrounded by a golden metallic ring that orbited it diagonally. The entire assembly was mounted on a sleek, black circular base.
This type of elaborate structure was considered a mark of immense luxury, further emphasizing the opulence of the academy. While Athena was accustomed to seeing such devices in the palace, the same could not be said for the common students—or even some nobles. Most relied on simpler tools for communication, typically basic mana stones with engraved runes. For commoners, owning one of these grandiose devices was not just rare but a significant symbol of wealth and status.
A few moments after the mechanical announcement, all the students quickly prepared themselves to disembark from the fleet and began moving toward the exit. The scene that greeted them was a sea of students in various uniforms, along with teachers lining both sides of the path. To the others, it might have seemed like a warm welcome, but to those three troublemakers, it felt more like walking through a judging crowd on their way to the execution ground. Not every eye in the crowd was friendly—some eyes carefully scanned each student with cold, hostile scrutiny.
With chills running down his spine, Ayden tightened his grip on his sister's hand, while Julian, sensing the growing hostility, quickly became alert and stood slightly in front of both the princess and prince. At that moment, they all knew that life at the academy wouldn’t be as simple as they once thought.
After a long and uncomfortable walk, they were led into a vast hall where a grand podium stood, and several figures sat upon it. Dressed in rich, formal attire, it was clear they were among the teachers of the academy. Most of them were older, with weathered faces, but amidst them, Alfred had just arrived and took his seat beside a white-bearded man who appeared to be an ordinary old man in a fine grey suit. However, it was the man's eyes—sharp and perceptive—that betrayed his true nature. Alfred was the only young professor among the dignified group, and that alone spoke volumes to Athena—this man was no ordinary teacher.
The professors were not the only ones present in the hall. Senior students from the Academy filled the gallery, holding banners that welcomed the newcomers.
Once all the new students, led by the seniors, had arrived, the old man in the grey suit rose from his seat. His presence alone commanded respect. He greeted the crowd with a booming voice that echoed through the vast hall:
"My dear students," he began, his tone carrying authority and warmth. "I am Lawrence Sylvester, your principal. You may have already encountered Alfred Leylani, our vice-principal. Today marks the beginning of your new journey. Let me assure you, it will not be filled with roses and rainbows—it will be fraught with challenges and danger.
I congratulate each of you for passing the simple yet revealing test at the entrance portal. While some were forced to give up and leave, you persevered and ascended those steps. You may have wondered about the purpose of that trial. Allow me to explain: only those with extraordinary mental fortitude could complete the ascent. That, my children, is why you are here. You are special, each of you, and I urge you to believe in yourselves and work hard to achieve greatness."
The room filled with applause and cheers as the principal's words resonated with the students.
"I welcome you all on behalf of the entire Academy. May the gods of Ausra Nevaeh bless us," he concluded.
After a pause, Principal Sylvester continued, "Now, please step forward, one by one. Your seniors will guide you to a device. Insert your token, and it will reveal your dorm assignment and room number. Remember, here, your strength is your wealth."
As he finished, two senior students brought forth an intricate device, placing it at the front of the hall. One by one, the new students approached, inserting their tokens and discovering their dorm assignments.
There were seven dormitories in total, ranked by level: Eta, Zeta, Epsilon, Delta, Gamma, Beta, and the highest tier, Alpha. While the House of Alpha existed, no student had ever been assigned to it—not even the professors possessed the mental strength required to reside there.
For first-year students, dorms above Delta—Gamma, Beta, and Alpha—were exceedingly rare. Most students started in the lower levels and only earned their way into the higher dormitories as they advanced in years and honed their skills. As the dormitory level increased, so did the resources available to its residents. This created fierce competition among students, all striving to secure a place in the upper-tier dorms.
Every time a student placed their token in the device, it would announce the student’s name, gem color, dormitory name, and room number. Most students had yellow or orange gems, which meant they were assigned to Eta and Zeta dorms, respectively. A few students, including the Northern prince, had red gems and were assigned to Epsilon.
When it was Ayden’s turn, he stepped forward confidently. As his token was inserted, the device’s mechanical voice announced, “Ayden Lucas Arcane, Purple, Delta, Room 104.” A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Purple was rare, and being assigned to Delta was an impressive achievement.
Next was Julian. He walked up with the same composure, his token glowing as the voice declared, “Julian Castor Morari, Purple, Delta, Room 105.” Cheers and chatter broke out again as it became clear that the two were neighbors. Ayden and Julian exchanged a triumphant high-five, grinning at their shared accomplishment.
Among the crowd, whispers grew louder.
“Two students in Delta this year? That’s incredible!”
“Yeah, but it happens occasionally. Remember that crazy Borghildr girl from a few years back?”
“No one will ever top the Saintess, though. She got into Gamma, and that’s where the seniors from the inner academy stay!”
As the excited murmurs continued, it was Athena’s turn. Both Ayden and Julian already knew the outcome but waited eagerly to witness the shock on everyone’s faces.
Athena stepped forward gracefully. Her red hair, streaked with shimmering platinum locks, swayed lightly as she moved, and her mismatched eyes—one a piercing purple and the other a vibrant blue—remained calm and composed. Unlike the other students, there wasn’t a trace of nervousness in her demeanor.
All eyes turned to the ethereal girl who exuded an air of elegance and confidence, so different from the others. Even Principal Lawrence Sylvester, seated on the podium, narrowed his eyes in recognition. With hair and eyes like that, he already had a suspicion about whose child she was—and he braced himself for what was to come.
Athena reached the device and inserted her token.
The mechanical voice resonated through the hall, cutting through the hushed anticipation:
“Athena Alexis Arcane, Gold, Alpha, Room 001.”
For a moment, there was silence, followed by an eruption of chaos. Gasps and exclamations filled the air as the crowd tried to process what they had just heard. The entire hall buzzed with disbelief and astonishment.
Alpha.
The name of the legendary dorm, reserved for the strongest of minds, had been called—something that hadn’t happened in generations.
The only ones unfazed were Ayden, Julian, and Alfred, who stood calmly, their expressions a mix of pride and amusement as they watched the pandemonium unfold around them.