Fiora stared at the blank walls of her small dormitory room, fighting back tears of frustration.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

She was meant to dazzle everyone with her talents and secure a spot in a prestigious School right from the start.

Instead, she found herself relegated to the common residences – just another face in the crowd of unremarkable students.

The small room was functional but pitiful - it had a narrow bed, a simple desk, and a small wardrobe.

It was a far cry from the opulent accommodations she had imagined for herself.

The window offered a view of another window close by.

A soft knock at the door pulled Fiora out of her brooding thoughts.

She quickly wiped her eyes, composing herself before calling out, “Come in.”

The door creaked open, revealing Talia.

Fiora's heart clenched at the sight of her – the girl who had so effortlessly captured the attention and admiration that Fiora had craved for her abilities.

“Hey,” Talia said, her voice tentative. “I wanted to check on you. How are you settling in?”

Fiora forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

“Oh, you know. It's cozy,” the blonde said with sarcasm dripping from her every word.

Talia shifted uncomfortably, clearly aware of the tension between them.

“Listen, I talked to Elder Krakatoa. He said I could bring a friend to visit the School. I thought maybe you'd like to come. It could be a good opportunity to meet the others again and-”

“And what?” Fiora interrupted, her voice sharp. “To see what I'm missing out on? To be paraded around as your charity case?”

Talia's eyes widened. “What? No, Fiora, that's not—”

“Save it,” Fiora snapped, turning away. “I don't need your pity, Talia. I don't need you to hold my hand and introduce me to all your new, important friends. I'll make my own.”

“Fiora, please,” Talia pleaded. “It's not like that. The people there, they're not-”

“Not what? Not looking down on me?“ Fiora's voice cracked slightly, betraying the hurt beneath her anger. “I saw how they all looked at me. I'm not stupid, Talia.”

Talia took a step forward, her hand outstretched. “That's not true. You can join the School, trust me. Just come. Don’t be stupid, Fiora.”

“No,” Fiora said firmly, squaring her shoulders. “I appreciate the offer. But I'm going to do this on my own. I don’t need anyone’s help. Not even yours.”

The silence that followed was heavy.

Finally, Talia nodded ruefully.

“Okay. If that's what you want. But Fiora, if you change your mind...”

“I won't,” Fiora said, her tone final. “Good luck.”

Fiora pushed Talia out and slammed the door in her face.

***

Out in the corridor, Talia leaned against the wall by Fiora’s door.

She hadn't expected Fiora to react so strongly and to be so hurt by what had happened.

A pang of guilt twisted in her stomach as she realized how Fiora must have felt, watching Talia be welcomed with open arms while she was left on the sidelines.

The truth was, the people from the Moana Family hadn't been as dismissive of Fiora as the blonde seemed to think.

Talia had spoken to Nami and Lilo about it, and they had explained that nobles were often wary of non-nobles who approached them too eagerly.

It wasn't personal – it was a defense mechanism against the constant barrage of people trying to curry favors and secure a spot in their School.

“It's hard to get into a good School from day one,” Nami had explained. “Everyone wants to make connections, to find a way in. We have to be careful, or we'll be overwhelmed.”

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***

Takai flopped onto the narrow bed in his small dormitory room with a contented sigh escaping his lips.

Unlike some of the other recruits, he wasn't bothered by the modest accommodation.

After all, it was still a significant upgrade from the simple hut he'd shared with his mother back on Solara.

He stretched out, marveling at the novelty of having a place all to himself.

A grin spread across his face as he thought about the events that had led him here.

Just days ago, he'd been a nobody on a backwater island.

Now, he was a student at the prestigious Water Riders Academy.

Takai's thoughts drifted to the impressive displays of power he'd witnessed since arriving.

A part of him wondered if he truly belonged among such talented individuals.

But then, he remembered the rush of using [Silver Mist] during the test on the ship and the way his body had moved in such a way that he had stunned himself.

Maybe I do have what it takes, he mused.

Takai wasn't overly concerned with which School he might join or what others thought of him.

His main worry was whether any School would want him at all.

He chuckled to himself, imagining begging a minor School to take him in.

At least then I'd have somewhere to belong, he thought. It doesn't matter if it's not the most prestigious one. I just want to learn.

A sudden knock at the door interrupted his musings.

Curious, Takai got up and opened it, revealing a well-dressed man with a kind but serious expression.

“Takai Solara?” the man asked, his tone respectful.

Takai nodded, slightly taken aback by the formal address.

“I come with a message from Principal Kaimana,” the man continued. “He extends an invitation for you to join his School.”

Takai's jaw dropped. “P-Principal Kaimana? But... why me?”

The man smiled.

“The Principal acknowledges that his School isn't in competition for the grand prizes of the Academy. However, he feels that you, in particular, would be best suited under his tutelage.”

“But why?” Takai asked, still stunned by the offer.

“The Principal will explain more,” the man replied. “However, as his trusted aide, I can tell you this: Principal Kaimana once taught your father, the Sword Demon.”

Takai felt as if the floor had dropped out from beneath him.

His father – the infamous Sword Demon – had been taught by Principal Kaimana himself?

“I... I don't know what to say,” Takai stammered.

The aide smiled kindly.

“You don't have to decide immediately. Take some time to consider the offer. Principal Kaimana will be happy to meet with you and answer any questions you might have.”

As the aide turned to leave, Takai found his voice again.

“Wait! Please... tell the Principal I'm honored. And that I look forward to speaking with him.”

The man nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes.

“I'll convey your message. Welcome to the Academy, Takai.”

Whatever Takai had expected from his time at the Academy, this certainly wasn't it.

***

Riala stood by the window of her private quarters in Elder Kahua's School.

Her fingers absently traced the intricate star patterns embroidered on her sleeve – the mark of her status as a top student.

She should have felt proud and accomplished.

After all, she had worked tirelessly to earn her place here.

Yet, as she watched the groups of students milling about below, her thoughts kept drifting back to her encounter with Talia earlier that day.

“Stupid girl,” Riala muttered, shaking her head. “What was she thinking, trying to cheat on the entrance exam?”

But even as the words left her lips, doubt gnawed at her.

Could Talia have been telling the truth about her Primary Mana Channel?

It seemed impossible – Talia was Yalena's daughter, just like her, after all.

She should have inherited their mother's immense talent.

Then again, Talia had always been... different.

She had always been hyperactive, challenging, and arrogant. Her younger sister had always had knack for getting herself into trouble.

A soft knock interrupted Riala's brooding. “Come in,” she called, turning from the window.

The door opened to reveal Elder Kahua.

His silver hair gleamed in the late afternoon light, and his piercing gray eyes fixed on Riala with their usual intensity.

“Master,” Riala said, bowing her head respectfully. “To what do I owe the honor?”

Kahua's lips quirked into a small smile.

“Can't an old man check on his most prized student?”

“Master?” Riala asked, dumbfounded by the man’s attempt at being humorous.

Seeing that his attempt to lighten the atmosphere didn’t have the desired effect, Elder Kahua’s expression grew more serious.

“I wanted to discuss your sister's arrival.”

Riala tensed.

“What about it?”

“You seemed... unsettled during her examination,” Kahua observed. “Is there something I should know?”

For a moment, Riala considered telling the truth to her mentor.

But the memory of Talia's desperate plea stopped her.

Whatever was going on with her sister, she couldn't betray that trust – not yet, at least.

“It's nothing, Master,” Riala said, forcing a smile. “Just surprised to see her, that's all.”

Kahua's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't press the issue.

“I see. Well, I hope you'll keep an eye on her.”

“Of course, master,” Riala nodded.

“She shouldn’t have come here, Riala,” the man commented cryptically.

“I know,” Riala nodded, looking away. “I know.”

***

Keanu was tucked away in his room.

He pulled out a small, iridescent shell from his pocket, bringing it close to his lips.

“I'm in,” he whispered. The shell pulsed with a faint blue light in response.

A voice, barely audible, emanated from the shell. “Good. And the target?”

“Confirmed. She's here, just as we predicted. Elder Krakatoa's taken her under his wing.”

“Interesting,” the voice mused. “Keep close to her. Gain her trust.”

Keanu's jaw tightened.

“And then?”

“You know your orders. Do not deviate from the plan.”

“Understood,” Keanu replied, his tone neutral.

The shell's glow faded.

Keanu tucked it away, his expression troubled.

With a deep breath, he closed his eyes, focusing inward.

He whispered an incantation, and a shimmering veil seemed to lift from his face.

When Keanu opened his eyes again, they were no longer the deep brown they had been moments ago.

Instead, they shone with an otherworldly blue – the same shade as Talia's.

He blinked several times and rubbed his face. Then, he re-applied the spell, and his eyes returned to normal.

Straightening his uniform, Keanu stepped out of his room, blending seamlessly into the Academy’s crowd.