As the sun rose on the first day of the new semester, the Grand prestigious Academy of the central continent, Lycoris stood resplendent against the backdrop of rolling hills and ancient forests. The massive structure was a testament to architectural wonder and magical ingenuity, its spires reaching towards the heavens as if attempting to pierce the very fabric of reality.

The academy's outer walls, crafted from shimmering opalescent stone, seemed to change color with the shifting light, reflecting the diversity of its inhabitants. Intricate runes and arcane symbols adorned every surface, pulsing with barely contained magical energy.

As students from all corners of the world converged on the academy grounds, the air buzzed with excitement and nervous anticipation. Humans chatted animatedly with elves, their laughter mingling with the deep, rumbling conversations of dwarves. Fae flitted about, their gossamer wings catching the morning light as they darted between groups.

Raphael watched all of this as he he walked alongside Freya and the elven entorage. They had grown a little closer during theire time in elven kingdom, Eritrea. 'Though I have grown to appreciate her presence, I cannot say I have come to love her. No need to think so hard about it, I can just dip if things go bad'chuckle'. Her father's suggestion isn't bad though. The problem is getting tied down to one place' He thought. The pair walked side by side, the other young elves a step behind them. Most of them were not very pleased with how things had turned out(The men in the group in particular). Freya had introduced Raph as a new member of the elven hegemon, that in itself was fine, the issue was how familiar the human acted with their crown princess.

To add sault to the wound, the girls could not get their eyes off his figure. However they knew better than to speak their minds here. They did not even receive an explanation about his origins or circumstances. They had already contacted their respective families to voice their concerns, however, apart from getting the obvious answers about his appearance a few months ago, they had nothing. And they knew none of their families would dare to question King Aelarion. They could only swallow their pride and see how things turn out.

Raphael could literally see the gears turning in their heads. the situation was no. A young man named Yoru in particular had been glaring at him non stop, a malicious glint in his eyes.

Yoru could not fathom how an unkown human could appear out of nowhere and get so close to Freya in a few months.

'I have been trying to get close to her for more than decade. How dare he try to take whats mine!' He was fuming inside. He was already thinking of more ways than one to make Raphael conveniently disappear.

The group drew a lot of attention as they walked into the courtyard. Their looks and beauty prompted whispers in the crowd. This was a regular occurence,every student in the school was familiar with Freya. However, Raphael's presence changed the dynamic, even worse, he seemed close to their goddess. Murmers spread through the crowd as they made way for the group headed east of the academy.

As they reached the end of the courtyard, Freya turned around, addressed the other elves and dismissed them and set off to give Raph a short tour of the academy before the opening ceremony began.

To the east, the Library of Infinite Knowledge loomed, its doors crafted from ancient wood and inlaid with precious gems. Inside, shelves stretched impossibly high, housing tomes from every era and every realm. Magical ladders slid silently along the shelves, responding to the mere thought of a seeker. Raphael look away looked towards the double doors as Freya flashed an ID card towards the doors.

'Creak!!' " When do I get one of those?' he asked referring to the card in her hand.

"After the opening ceremony new students will be asked to stay behind. You will receive your uniforms, the ID and such. Oh and the ID also acts as storage device, it also provides information about the academy and shows your rank as well as academy points."

Raph raises his brows in surprise. "Thats rather convinient"

"Yes, it makes things easier for everyone".

The western wing housed the practical study areas. Alchemy labs emitted strange, multicolored smoke, while the distinct clang of metal on metal echoed from the runeforges. In the open-air arenas, students and teachers alike practiced their combat magic, the air crackling with energy.

These were the students and instructors who chose to stay behind when others went for the break. This mostly included commoners and orphans who had no home to go back to.

Dormitories for the various students, separated by year and gender were scattered throughout the grounds, each built to accommodate the specific needs of its inhabitants.

As Raphael made his way through the throng of students, his keen eyes took in every detail. He noted the subtle magical wards woven into the very fabric of the buildings, the hidden observers perched high in the towers, and the underlying currents of power that flowed through the academy grounds. He had taken note of the barrier surrounding the academy when they arrived. It was week according to his standards. But with the things he had figured out it was no surprise that those scheming in the background of this world had an insider in the academy as well.

If they found out that he had figured out that someone or something was planning to spread chaos in the world from the few books he had read and the little details he had seen, who knew how they would react.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

That said, he to say, the academy was indeed a marvel, a place where knowledge and magic intertwined in ways previously thought impossible. But beneath its wondrous exterior. while magic and martial arts had declined, magical tachnology had far surpassed what he was used to. Raphael sensed the delicate balance of politics, ambition, and ancient rivalries that threatened to upset the peace at any moment.

"It is almost time for the opening ceremony, we should get going"

"Lead the way" They made their way towards a grand hall at the center of the academy grounds

As they approached the main hall for the welcoming ceremony, Raphael allowed himself a small smile. This academy, with all its wonders and secrets, would be his stage. And he was ready to play his part.

The Great Hall of the academy buzzed with excitement as students filed in, their voices a cacophony of different young excited teenagers. The vaulted ceiling, enchanted to reflect the sky outside, showed a brilliant blue expanse dotted with wispy clouds. Floating candles illuminated the space, their warm glow reflecting off the polished stone floors.

' I am definitely impressed with the architecture in this age' A subtle smile graced his features as he walked a step behind Freya.

At the front of the hall, a raised dais held a ornate podium crafted from gleaming mithril and inlaid with precious gems. The student council members, representing various races, made their way inside. Every one of them walking gracefully. The dwarf at the forefront, a stage 9 intermediate rank, also the strongest student Raph had seen, stood proudly behind it. The rest of them taking their seats behind him.

As the last students settled into their seats, a hush fell over the crowd. The dwarf , stepped up to the podium. Introduced himself as the student council president, Thorin Ironheart. Despite his shorter stature, his presence commanded attention. His beard, intricately braided and adorned with golden clasps, spoke of his royal lineage. His eyes, sharp and intelligent, surveyed the gathered students.

Thorin's voice, deep and resonant, filled the hall without the need for magical amplification. "Fellow students, returning and new, I bid you welcome to the Grand Academy of Lycoris!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd, quickly settling as Thorin raised his hand.

"For centuries, this academy has stood as a beacon of unity and progress. Here, within these hallowed halls, we cast aside the prejudices and conflicts of the outside world. Here, we are not humans, elves, dwarves, fae, vampires, dragon newts, Anansi, beasts or any other single race. Here, we are scholars, mages, and above all, we are one community."

Thorin paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "To our returning students, welcome back. Your continued dedication to our shared ideals makes this academy stronger with each passing year."

He then turned slightly, addressing the nervous-looking group of new students. "And to those joining us for the first time, I say this: embrace the opportunities before you. Learn not just from your professors, but from each other. The friendships you forge here, the understanding you gain of those different from yourself, these are just as valuable as any spell or ritual you might master."

Raphael, seated alongside Freya, listened intently, his face a mask of polite interest even as his mind analyzed every word and reaction.

Thorin continued, "The absence of our esteemed professors today is not an oversight, but a tradition. It symbolizes the trust placed in us, the autonomy we are granted. We are expected to govern ourselves, to uphold the values of this institution without constant supervision. This is both a privilege and a responsibility."

The dwarf's voice took on a more serious tone. "Remember, the harmony we enjoy here is delicate. It is up to each and every one of us to maintain it, to resist the pull of old prejudices and conflicts. We are the future leaders of our respective races. The bonds we form here, the understanding we cultivate, these will shape the future of our world."

Thorin's expression softened into a warm smile. "But enough of such weighty matters for now. To our new students, I wish you a rewarding and enlightening first semester. To our returning students, let us continue to build on the foundations we have laid. And to all, may your studies be fruitful and your magic ever-flowing!"

With that, Thorin stepped back from the podium to thunderous applause. As the cheering subsided, the hall began to buzz with excited chatter, students mingling freely, embodying the very ideals Thorin had spoken of.

Raphael, still seated, allowed himself a small, enigmatic smile. 'Interesting,' he thought. 'Very interesting indeed. I might have found myself a clue'

He had no idea if thorin's speech was handed to him by the teachers, or if he thought it up himself, but it was well placed spoken on keeping the status quo. Which would be a convenient outcome for some individuals.

.......

As the applause for Thorin's speech died down, the students began to disperse, chattering excitedly about the upcoming semester. Raphael and Freya remained seated, observing the ebb and flow of the crowd.

"Quite the rousing speech," Raphael commented, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp. "Your council president has a way with words."

Freya nodded, a hint of pride in her voice. "Thorin has always been skilled at uniting people. It's why he was chosen as president despite not being from one of the more... numerous races."

As they stood to leave, Raphael noticed Yoru watching them from across the hall, his expression dark. "I wonder...," he muttered.

They made their way out of the Great Hall, the crowd parting respectfully for Freya. As they stepped into the courtyard, basking in the warm sunlight, a commotion near the eastern wing caught their attention.

A group of students had gathered around two figures – a tall, muscular orc and a slender high elf. The tension in the air was palpable.

"What's going on there?" Raphael asked, already moving towards the disturbance.

Freya quickened her pace to keep up. "I'm not sure, but we should intervene before it escalates."

As they approached, they could hear the orc's gruff voice. "Watch where you're going, pointy-ears! Just because you're an elf doesn't mean you own the place."

The high elf, his face flushed with anger, retorted, "Perhaps if you weren't lumbering about like a mindless brute, we wouldn't have this problem!"

Raphael and Freya exchanged a glance. 'So much for unity and harmony'. he thought

"Gentlemen," Freya's voice rang out, clear and authoritative. The crowd immediately hushed, turning to face her. "Is there a problem here?"

The orc and the elf both stepped back, suddenly aware of the scene they were causing. The orc spoke first, his tone more respectful. "No problem, Your Highness. Just a misunderstanding."

The elf nodded stiffly. "Indeed. My apologies for the disturbance."

Raphael watched the interaction with interest, noting how quickly Freya's presence had diffused the situation. But he also noticed the underlying tension that remained, the way the two students still glared at each other when they thought no one was looking.

As the crowd dispersed, Raphael approached the orc and the elf. "First day back and already making friends, I see," he said, his tone light and his eyes uninterested.

The orc grunted. "Who are you supposed to be?"