For the next few days, the four of them spent their time exploring the market and familiarizing themselves with the academy. They even met Galena and Angela a few times. According to them, the academy would become much more crowded after the opening ceremony, as most students had gone home and would only return on the day of the event.

The opening ceremony wasn’t just tradition—it was the Academy’s way of setting the stage. This year, however, things were different.

The trials had changed everything.

With so many students awakening their mana early, the entire ceremony had been reshaped. And Athena had no doubt that she and her friends were about to be thrown into the spotlight.

It didn’t take long for that day to arrive.

Early in the morning, Athena was training in her dorm’s private training room when Rufus, who had been absent since their last encounter, suddenly reappeared.

“Hey, kid! You’re so diligent. It’s good to see such a hardworking student at this age.”

Athena raised a brow. “You speak as if you know other students' morning routines.”

Rufus puffed his chest with pride. “Of course! I see everything that happens within these academy walls.” He smirked. “You must’ve heard from that saint girl about my oh-so-wonderful device that recorded your house trial. Just like that, the academy has security measures that allow me to monitor everything.”

As Rufus continued boasting, Athena finished her training and headed toward the exit.

“Hey, kid! Where are you going? Being diligent isn’t enough, you know. No worries, I have a special gift planned for your official first day at the academy.” His smirk widened. “Oooh! I hope you’ll like it.”

Athena ignored him and kept walking, but suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.

“When do you think they’ll let us find our bound beasts?”

Rufus stopped chattering for a moment. “Usually, it’s around one or two months after the opening ceremony. A bound beast can help in your advancement, but not everyone is lucky enough to get a high-level one.”

Athena narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

Rufus smirked. “If I tell you everything, what’s the point of studying at the academy? You might as well spend your entire time here under my tutelage.”

Athena scrunched her nose, as if the mere thought made her nauseous. “No, thank you.”

Rufus gasped, clearly offended. “You—! You ungrateful brat! Do you know how many would kill for the chance to be my disciple—”

Athena cut him off, completely unfazed. “You should know by now that I’m not most people.”

Rufus grumbled but eventually relented. “Fine! That professor of yours is decent too. Of course, nowhere near my level.”

Shaking her head, Athena made her way to her room, Rufus trailing behind. When she reached her door, she turned to him with an unimpressed look.

“Old pervert, don’t you think I need some privacy to get ready?”

Rufus scoffed. “You’re the pervert! Your whole family is full of perverts!” With that, he vanished once again.

Why does he get chattier every time I meet him? Athena wondered.

As she opened the door, she saw Lana standing beside her bed.

“Miss, I have arranged your uniform.” The robotic maid bowed slightly, her right hand over her heart.

“Thank you, Lana.”

Lana turned to leave, but Athena called after her.

“Lana.”

The maid stopped and turned back. “Yes, Miss? Do you need anything?”

“Please ask Cleo to meet me before I leave.”

Lana gave a polite nod. “Understood, Miss.” With that, she exited the room.

It didn’t take long for Athena to get changed. The first-year uniforms were black with white patterns, simple yet elegant.

After getting ready, she made her way to the dining hall, only to be greeted by none other than Rufus. She narrowed her eyes and sat down in one of the chairs, quickly becoming lost in thought.

Rufus, noticing that she was ignoring him, cleared his throat loudly. Athena snapped out of her thoughts and turned to him in annoyance.

“What is it, old man?”

Rufus pursed his lips, clearly displeased. “Most girls I’ve met, even the exceptions, at least pretend to be polite to save face. But you—” He shook his head. “You’re the first exception who doesn’t care what others think. What made you this grumpy?”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Athena thought for a moment, then shrugged as if she didn’t know.

Rufus sighed. “Looks like your mentor won’t just have to teach you the academic syllabus but also how to behave properly.” He shook his head again. “With your overwhelming talent, if you had a bit of politeness, you’d be a public figure admired by all.”

Athena, unimpressed, shook her head. “Admiration is fleeting. Whether I have a good or bad temper, people will gossip about me regardless. Being polite won’t change that.”

Rufus sighed again. “Sometimes I feel like you’re too smart for your age. Kid, you’re at a golden age where you should enjoy life along with your studies and training.”

As Rufus continued trying to lecture her on manners, Cleo arrived.

“Master. Miss. Greetings.”

Rufus’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Cleo! How are things going?”

Cleo bowed politely. “Everything is well, Master.”

Rufus then turned to Athena and winked. For some reason, Athena felt that Rufus’s so-called ‘surprise’ had something to do with Cleo, but she didn’t dwell on the thought. I’ll find out soon enough.

“Miss, I heard you asked for me,” Cleo said.

Athena gave him a once-over. Usually pristine, Cleo now looked disheveled and covered in dirt, as if he had been repairing something.

“Cleo, have you contacted the Academy administration?”

Cleo tilted his head slightly, looking confused. “Should I contact them, Miss?”

Athena turned to Rufus, equally puzzled. Rufus also looked lost, and that’s when it hit her. Of course they don’t know.

She sighed. “Old man, don’t you know that once a new student starts staying in a dorm, the dorm administrator has to request provisions for them?”

Realization dawned on Rufus. “Oh! Now I get it.”

Cleo, now understanding, tapped the wristband on his arm—a version similar to Athena’s but with a blue gem instead of a red one. As he worked through the interface, he assured her, “I wasn’t aware of that, but no worries, Miss. I’ll apply for the provisions immediately.”

“And Cleo, I have one more request.”

Cleo turned to Athena. “Yes, Miss. Please ask.”

Athena spoke calmly. “Is it possible for the maids to prepare my breakfast and dinner at the Alpha House?”

Before Cleo could answer, Rufus interjected. “Why? Is the Academy canteen food not to your liking?”

Athena shook her head. “That’s not it. I heard that after today, only lunch will be served in the canteen.”

Rufus nodded in understanding, and Cleo responded, “Yes, Miss, it’s possible. From what I’ve gathered, every dorm will be provided with rations along with other provisions. I apologize for not handling this sooner.”

After some more chatter—which mostly consisted of Rufus talking and Athena half-listening—she stood up to leave. As usual, Cleo summoned a carriage for her.

Just as she was about to step inside, Rufus called out, “Did you mention me to your professors?”

Athena responded simply, “No.”

Rufus raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

Athena turned to him, her expression unreadable. “I had a feeling you didn’t want to be known. At least, not yet. If I was wrong, I can always tell them about you.”

Rufus smirked. “Good kid. Even though you’re impolite and act like a total brat sometimes, you’re sensible. Keep my presence a secret for now—I have my reasons. Now, get going. And please, try to be nice to your classmates.”

With that, Athena boarded the carriage, setting off for the Academy.

That day, the canteen was more crowded than usual. A notice had been posted, warning students of the rush. When Athena and her friends arrived, they managed to secure an empty table.

As they ate, they overheard a group of students talking excitedly.

“Have you heard?” one student asked.

“Heard what?” another replied.

“This year’s opening ceremony is going to be even grander than usual.”

“How so? Aren’t all opening ceremonies grand?”

The first student shook his head. “No, no. This time, it’s different. Because so many students awakened their mana during the trials, the Academy decided to broadcast all the trial footage for guests and students to see. The new students' rankings will also be based on their trial performances.”

Hearing this, Alya gestured. Who do you think will be in the top ten?

Ayden grinned proudly. “Of course, we will.”

That’s when Julian’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

Ayden narrowed his eyes. “Brother, why do you look so weird?”

Julian chuckled. “I’m just excited to see who ranks higher—you or me.”

Ayden smirked. “Obviously, it’ll be me.”

The group laughed and chatted as usual, but among the crowd, someone was watching Athena closely.

Kane had been observing her ever since that day. He suspected she had some doubts about him. She was smart—too smart for her age, especially for a human. Just as he thought this, her gaze suddenly locked onto him, piercing straight through him as if she could see through him.

Every time her gaze met his, he felt like she was peeling him apart layer by layer.

It wasn’t just that she was smart—it was that she was looking for something. And Kane had the sinking suspicion that she was getting closer to finding it.

He needed to be careful. One wrong move, and she might uncover something that could get them both killed.

Kane tensed. I have to be careful around her, he thought to himself.

After breakfast, all students were instructed to take their seats in the Academy’s enclosed arena, which was located at the center of the Academy beside the massive open arena.

The closed arena, Athena learned, was used for matches between first, second, and third years, while the open arena was reserved for duels between fourth, fifth, and senior students of the inner Academy.

As they entered, Athena was taken aback by the sheer number of students filling the gallery. The crowd was more than double what they had seen on the first day. It felt as packed as the national festival back in the Empire.

Ayden and Julian buzzed with excitement at the thought of so many students witnessing their trials. But Athena suddenly stopped in her tracks, her expression shifting.

Ayden, noticing his usually cold and composed sister showing rare emotion, followed her gaze toward the distinguished guests seated beside the principal. The moment his eyes landed on one particular figure, his vision blurred with tears. Without a word, he reached for Athena’s hand, clutching it tightly.