The students shot glances my way, whispering to each other as I passed. I stood out like a sore thumb, my clothes worn and dirt-streaked from my tumble down that slope in the forest. I limped slightly, my leg still sore even though it had mostly healed, and kept my arm held close to my side to avoid jarring the injury to my palm. I couldn't help but grumble to myself, remembering that bizarre flower in the forest. What a nightmare that was.

When we reached the double doors of the building, Liam pushed them open with a firm shove and stepped aside, nodding for me to go ahead. I hesitated for a second, then moved past him, entering the massive hall beyond.

Inside, the space was breathtaking, like stepping into a different world. The ceiling arched high above, supported by massive stone pillars. In the centre of the hall stood a massive tree with crimson leaves, its trunk thick and gnarled, reaching almost to the ceiling. Its branches spread wide, casting dappled shadows over the long tables arranged beneath it. Students sat around the tables, some studying, others engaged in conversation, their laughter echoing off the walls. The floor was polished stone, reflecting the light from the hanging chandeliers, which were shaped like glowing orbs suspended in mid-air.

“Huh…” I muttered, my voice barely a whisper as I took it all in. “It’s quite big.”

“It is,” Liam said with a hint of pride. “This building was constructed by tamed giants.”

“Tamed gian—” I began, but stopped short, just staring up in awe. “Wow.”

“Come on, this way,” he said, urging me forward with a wave of his hand. “Headmaster’s room is upstairs. Sixth floor.”

“Gotcha,” I replied, and we headed toward the grand staircase that spiralled upward.

As we climbed the stairs, I couldn’t help but marvel at the scale of it all. Everything felt so rich, like I’d stepped into the future. The hall alone was bigger than my old school; it was overwhelming in the best way possible.

“Hey,” I started, hesitating a moment before continuing. “What if someone’s mana is… nonexistent. Like, zero.”

Liam slowed his pace, considering my question with a furrowed brow. “That’d be impossible,” he said finally. “Everyone has some level of mana, even if it’s minimal. A zero mana pool? That just doesn’t happen.”

“How can you be so sure?” I pressed.

“Because that’s what we’ve been taught,” he said with a shrug. “It’s impossible. Simple as that.”

I wasn’t usually one to initiate a conversation. In fact, I’d have been perfectly content to stay silent, listening or pretending to listen. But now, I was forced to ask questions, to engage, to understand this world and its strange rules. And, honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about it.

As we continued to climb, I asked, “Do you know anything about translucent boxes?”

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Liam shot me a puzzled glance. “What boxes?”

“They show your HP, Stamina, Mana, that kind of stuff,” I said, trying to sound casual.

He shook his head, clearly baffled. “Never heard of anything like that. Where did you hear that?”

“My country,” I lied smoothly. “It’s just something I remember hearing when I was a kid.”

“HP? What does that even mean?”

I gave a small, dismissive wave. “I don’t really know. Like I said, I was just a kid.”

As we reached the third floor, I noticed Liam’s pace hadn’t slowed a bit. He moved effortlessly like he wasn’t tired. Back in middle school, I’d gotten good at staying on my toes, running from bullies who’d try to jump me for my lunch money. At least those jerks taught me how to be quick on my feet.

“You’re not tired?” Liam asked, glancing back with a raised eyebrow. “Thought you’d be.”

“Nah,” I said, giving a quick shake of my head.

Finally, we reached the sixth floor. The hallways here were lined with open classroom doors, and inside, students could be seen taking notes or listening to lectures. Cats slept lazily in the corners or curled up under the windows, their eyes half-closed as they basked in the sunlight streaming through the tall windows.

“Come on,” Liam said, nodding toward a hallway to the right. “This way.”

“Okay.”

We reached the end of the corridor, where a large double door stood imposingly before us. The dark wood of the door was polished to a shine, with ornate handles made of bronze, shaped into curling vines that seemed to grow out of the surface. The wood itself was strong and heavy-looking, with subtle patterns in the grain that gave it a refined, almost regal air.

Liam knocked firmly on the door, and a voice responded almost instantly, "Come in." He pushed the doors open with a steady hand, revealing the room beyond. The headmaster’s office was spacious yet minimalistic, with high ceilings and tall windows that let in streams of natural light. The furnishings were simple—a large wooden desk, a few bookshelves lining the walls, and two chairs placed neatly in front of the desk. A single painting hung on the wall, depicting a serene landscape of a distant mountain range.

Behind the desk sat a man who was clearly the headmaster. He was a broad-shouldered figure with a neatly trimmed grey beard, likely in his fifties. His hair, long and silver, fell gracefully over his shoulders. He wore pristine white gloves, and his suit was impeccably tailored, every crease in place as if it had been pressed moments ago. His piercing blue eyes gleamed as they shifted from the book he had just closed to focus on us.

“Sir,” Liam said with a respectful nod, his posture straight and formal. “This is Axel. He’s come from another country and wishes to enrol at our academy.”

The headmaster’s gaze sharpened, his voice carrying a weight of authority. “Have you attended school in your own country, Axel?”

“No, sir,” I answered, bowing slightly in return. “I don’t know anything about magic. Where I come from, practising it is forbidden.”

“Forbidden, you say,” the headmaster mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “So you’re entirely unfamiliar with the nature of magic?”

“Yes, sir. I’m afraid so,” I replied.

He leaned back slightly, eyeing me with a mixture of curiosity and calculation. “Have you been tested?”

I blinked, glancing at Liam in confusion before turning back to the headmaster. “Tested, sir?”

“Liam,” the headmaster commanded with a firm nod. “Take Axel to Ms. Canley. She will conduct the necessary tests.”

“Yes, sir,” Liam said without hesitation. He paused for a moment before asking, “Will Axel be officially enrolled at the academy?”

“It is the law,” the headmaster replied with a decisive tone. “He must be. Make sure he gets a uniform. Speak with Mr. Bentley about it.”

“Understood, sir,” Liam responded promptly. “We’ll be on our way then. Have a good day, sir.”

The headmaster offered a final, brief nod, his eyes lingering on me for just a second longer before he returned to his book, signalling the end of our audience.