The city of Golden Sapphire stirred to life for another bustling day. The constant flow of people filled the streets, each following their own path between towering buildings that gleamed under the morning light. Hurried executives, shopkeepers opening their stores, and children rushing to school formed a well-rehearsed mosaic of daily routines.

Among these citizens were the students of Institute X, boarding the institutional buses that would transport them to the school’s grand gates. The vehicles moved along elevated highways, reflecting the metallic sheen of the suspended rails that stretched across the city like pulsating arteries.

But not everyone followed the traditional route.

Above the transversal bullet train, a lone figure lay motionless, a stark contrast to the speed of the world around her. Resting atop the train’s roof, a young girl enjoyed the fresh morning breeze as the landscape blurred past. The wind tousled her golden hair, and the train vibrated softly beneath her, but nothing seemed to bother her.

With a lazy sigh, she slowly opened her eyes, letting out a small yawn before stretching her arms above her head.

— Hmmm… Too lazy to get up… it’s so comfortable here… — she murmured, letting herself fall back against the cool metal.

The sun was already rising on the horizon, illuminating the silhouettes of skyscrapers and bringing forth an inevitable thought:

The first day of school.

With one final resigned sigh, she sat up, her eyes wandering across the urban expanse as she casually swung her legs in the air.

— Well… guess I have no choice. First day of school…

And with that, it was time to move.

The Leap

The young girl launched herself into the air, her body rotating lightly before landing with effortless precision on the train’s speeding rooftop. Her landing was smooth—as if gravity itself was her ally. With a satisfied sigh, she began stretching, feeling her muscles slowly awaken.

— Institute X… — A small smirk played on her lips. — Get ready for Yai Hiz.

As she finished her brief warm-up, something caught her eye in the distance:

The institute was rapidly approaching, growing larger with each passing second as the bullet train sped forward at an absurd velocity.

She didn’t hesitate.

She jumped.

The cutting wind rushed past her face as she plummeted toward the open air. But Yai showed no sign of concern.

She yawned, rubbing her sleepy eyes before casually glancing at her digital wristband.

— Fifteen minutes until arrival… — she mumbled mid-yawn. — I only need seven.

With the same nonchalant ease, she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a simple pencil.

The tip glided through the air as if touching an invisible canvas, tracing loose lines in the empty space. The ethereal sketches began to take shape, connecting, forming, and becoming something tangible.

In an instant, the drawing manifested into reality—a floating skateboard.

Without effort, Yai spun the pencil between her fingers, flipped it into the air in a small flourish, and then landed perfectly on the board, adjusting her balance with flawless precision.

The Institute X was already in sight.

The Descent

The entrance was bustling with activity—a steady flow of students crossing the gates, guided by staff who attempted to organize the arrival of new students. Various students used different means of transport—some running, leaping, even flying.

As Yai glided through the skies, she noticed a group of students hovering with the aid of their powers. She waved casually at them but received only fleeting glances in return.

— Uh… rookies.

One of them, a boy with imposing black wings, rolled his eyes before speeding ahead, effortlessly overtaking her without a second glance.

Yai simply shrugged.

— Rude.

And she continued on her way, completely unbothered. After all, she had plenty of time.

And exactly seven minutes later, Yai landed gracefully before the towering structure of Institute X.

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The moment her feet touched the ground, the ethereal lines of her skateboard dissolved into the air, fading as if they had never existed.

With her hands interlocked behind her head, she strolled toward the entrance, her laid-back steps a stark contrast to the orderly, hurried movement of the other students.

While many walked with focused expressions and a hint of nervousness for the first day of classes, Yai looked as if she were simply going for a casual stroll in the park.

Yai hadn’t made it far before she was intercepted by one of the guards stationed at the gates.

The man, tall and imposing, had an analytical gaze, his black eyes fixed on her as if he already knew everything he needed before even asking.

— Name and year. — His voice was firm, professional, without the slightest hesitation.

Yai met his stare without rushing, her bright blue eyes a striking contrast to the void-like darkness in his.

— Yai Hiz, first year.

The guard checked his device quickly and gave a slight nod.

— Hm… Room 217, Class 1-A. Don’t cause trouble.

A playful smile curved Yai’s lips.

— Can’t promise anything, boss.

She strolled past him at a leisurely pace, already heading toward the institute’s interior. But before she could go any further, the guard’s voice stopped her.

— One more thing.

Yai paused, turning her head slightly, raising an eyebrow.

— What?

The man didn’t look up, still fixated on the screen of his device.

— Using abbreviations isn’t a clever way to hide your identity.

Yai doesnt stop and just keeps walking

Inside Institute X

The interior of Institute X was even more vibrant than the world outside.

Everywhere, students displayed their abilities without restraint or hesitation. Some conjured flames and electricity into the air just for fun, while others used telekinesis to move objects around.

The environment was chaotic—but not disorderly. It was a reflection of the youthful energy and the freedom granted by the institute.

In one corner of the grand hall, spontaneous duels had already begun. Two students clashed as a small crowd gathered, watching the fight with excitement. Elsewhere, more elitist groups stood off to the side, laughing among themselves and looking down on those they deemed less refined or those whose abilities seemed "too crude."

Despite the intensity of the scene, the professors were present, scattered throughout the hall like invisible overseers. They did not intervene, but their sharp gazes ensured that nothing spiraled out of control.

Yet, even with all the commotion, one figure at the center of the hall commanded everyone's attention.

---

The Director Appears

On an elevated stage, a striking woman stood tall, observing the students with an evaluative stare.

Her black hair cascaded in soft layers, subtly moving along with her feline ears, which perked and shifted slightly as she assessed the crowd. Her intense red eyes gleamed with a mixture of authority and boredom, as if she already knew exactly what to expect from this batch of chaotic newcomers.

It was clear that she was waiting for the perfect moment to deliver her welcome address.

The noise in the hall continued, but slowly, some students started noticing her presence and lowering their voices. It was only a matter of time before all eyes turned toward her.

As the stares began to gather, a small smirk formed on her lips—a subtle expression, yet radiating confidence.

Her keen gaze swept briefly across the room before landing on the professors around her. They simply nodded discreetly, already accustomed to this yearly ritual.

Without rush, the woman picked up a microphone, and with a simple tap, a sound echoed through the hall, capturing even those who were still distracted.

— Good morning, my students.

Her voice was steady, effortlessly commanding. There was no need for theatrics—her presence alone demanded attention.

— Many of you already know me. Others have only heard the stories. — Her crimson eyes flickered slightly as they passed over the crowd. — And, of course, some of you are wondering, “Who is this woman?”

She paused, letting the murmurs spread before continuing.

— Well, I am Professor Helena. Director of Institute X.

Her name rippled through the students. Some exchanged knowing glances, others simply listened, evaluating the woman standing before them.

— To those returning, welcome back. And to the new students, I extend my greetings.

Her tone remained unwavering—no dramatics, no exaggeration—just enough weight to establish her authority.

The initial buzz gradually faded, and now all eyes were on her.

Helena let out a small sigh, as if mildly bored, before tilting her head slightly.

— Well, this is just another beginning. — Her voice echoed across the now controlled hall. — Once I’m done here, you’ll all proceed to your assigned rooms. I hope you make the most of what my beloved school has to offer.

She paused briefly, crossing her arms.

— But before that… any questions?

A murmur swept through the students, low and uncertain. Many hesitated—no one wanted to stand out on the first day.

But one hand rose from the crowd.

Helena arched an eyebrow, immediately locking onto the girl who had stepped forward.

— Yes, bright eyes? — she asked with a playful smirk, tilting her head slightly.

The blue-gray-eyed girl didn’t seem intimidated by the director’s teasing tone. Instead, she asked her question directly:

— How does curfew work? And what about access to facilities like the training rooms and cafeteria?

Helena’s smirk widened, as if she had expected the girl to speak up.

Her response came effortlessly, as though she had known the girl for years—even though she was just another freshman.

— Excellent question, Jenny!

A few students turned toward the girl, curious as to how the director already knew her name.

— Here at Institute X, we don’t have a curfew. — Helena made a sweeping gesture with her hands. — Students are free to do whatever they want, whenever they want—as long as they don’t break any rules.

Then, she subtly lowered the microphone, emphasizing what came next.

— However, the facilities can only be used under staff supervision. That includes a professor, an inspector… or even one of the cafeteria workers in Dining Hall Seven.

Her expression remained relaxed, but her gaze made it clear—there was no room for bending this rule.

Silence momentarily settled in the hall as the students processed her answer.

Helena observed the hush that followed, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips.

— Anything else?

Nothing.

No other hands were raised, no student dared to break the silence that had settled over the hall.

— Marvelous. — Helena’s voice resonated, firm but unhurried. — Then you’re all dismissed. You already have your schedules, correct?

She paused for a second, just to confirm the lack of reaction.

— Then proceed to your respective classrooms. If you need me, I’ll be in the director’s office.

And without another word, Helena simply turned and walked away, carrying the same effortless confidence of someone who knew her presence had already left its mark.

As the students began to disperse, one particular golden-haired girl remained still for a moment, a small smile playing on her lips.

— That Helena... what an interesting woman.

She murmured to herself, unhurried, as if savoring that first impression.

Then, without hesitation, she turned on her heels and headed toward her first class, exuding the casual ease of someone who already had a feeling that this year was going to be—at the very least—entertaining.

As Yai made her way to her first class, she walked distractedly, eyes locked onto the digital map projected on her wristband.

The corridors of Institute X were wide and full of movement, students coming and going in fluid streams, but she paid little attention to her surroundings.

— So, if I take the next left, I sho—

Before she could finish her thought, something—or rather, someone—collided into her.

The impact was hard enough to knock her to the ground.

With a dull thud, Yai landed flat on her butt, letting out a small groan of pain as she rubbed her head, trying to process what had just happened.

— Ow… What was that? — she murmured, frowning before looking up.

And that’s when her eyes widened.

---

The Mysterious Girl

Standing before her was a young girl, without a doubt her age.

Her deep blue hair cascaded in gentle waves around a delicate face, and her eyes sparkled intensely, like sapphires shimmering under the hallway lights.

But that wasn’t what stood out the most.

What truly made her impossible to ignore was her eccentric appearance.

The girl was dressed in an elaborate Victorian-style gown, adorned with lace, brooches, and cascading layers of frills, each meticulously arranged. Her hat, decorated with golden gears, feathers, and mechanical embellishments, looked like something straight out of a steampunk novel.

She didn’t seem to belong in this environment.

She looked like she came from another world.

For a brief moment, Yai just blinked, trying to process the entire scene before her.

— Hey, you okay? — she asked, already pushing herself up and brushing the dust off her clothes.

But before she could get an answer, the girl reacted unexpectedly.

The moment the sapphire-eyed girl recognized who she had bumped into, she quickly straightened, made a formal bow in silent apology, and then…

She took off running.

She dashed down the corridor, vanishing between the students before Yai could even register what had just happened.

Yai stood there for a few seconds, still processing the encounter.

— What…?

She blinked, staring at the direction where the girl had disappeared.

— Well… that was unexpected.

Shaking her head, she adjusted her jacket and continued on her way.

After all, class was waiting.