(Headmistress's Office – The Night Before)
After Xandros left, the elegant office was bathed in silence. The Headmistress didn't move for a full minute. Then—
"Haaa~," she exhaled, lifting her veil with trembling fingers. Her face, stunning beyond mortal measure, was flushed red. "I almost couldn't control myself... I really wanted to hug him…"
She twirled, hugging herself like a girl who'd just seen her childhood crush walk into class again.
"If it wasn't for the stupid promise we made—to meet him together—I would've pounced on him! Gah!"
Her knees bounced as she squealed softly into her hands. "Master… you're even more handsome now...!"
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Lucy missed you so much. Now that you're here... I'll give you all my love. No one else can have you!"
Her fingers touched her lips gently as she smiled, eyes sparkling with joy. "Just wait, Master. I'll make you mine again."
--- ✦ ---
(Next Morning – Xandros' Residence)
It was a beautiful day on the Skyfall Plateau.
The morning sun gleamed like warm gold across the floating gardens. The soft sound of water trickling from a crystal-clear waterfall filled the air, accompanied by the quiet flutter of butterflies and the chittering of squirrels dancing among the trees.
Inside, Xandros stood before a full-body mirror, adjusting the collar of his uniform.
The academy uniform was elegant—pristine white fabric with sleek blue trim and subtle golden embroidery. The material shimmered faintly, hinting at its enchantments: auto-cleaning, self-repair, and elemental resistance.
"Master looks handsome in anything," Layla purred, her charming voice accompanied by a playful wink.
Elyria, the small spirit floating beside them, bounced gleefully. "Yes, yes! Papa is so handsome!"
Xandros chuckled. "Thanks, you two. I need to head out now. Don't wanna be late for the entrance ceremony."
Layla gave a gentle bow before vanishing into his body like mist, while Elyria zipped into his chest with a bright giggle.
--- ✦ ---
Xandros strolled down the stone path toward the main campus, admiring the serene scenery. That peace, however, was quickly broken when he spotted a familiar figure ahead—Jason Arkus, looking like he'd just been mugged by reality.
His hair was a mess, and his eyebags were the size of interdimensional pouches.
"Hey," Xandros said, tapping his shoulder from behind.
"AHH!"
Jason leaped a full foot into the air and whirled around.
"Woah, calm down, man. You look like a wreck," Xandros said, raising an eyebrow. "You get mugged by a pillow last night?"
Jason rubbed his eyes. "Dude… don't sneak up like that. My soul almost packed its bags and left."
Xandros smirked. "So? What's got you looking like a horror movie reject?"
Jason looked around suspiciously, leaned in, and whispered, "One word. Ghost."
Xandros blinked. "Ghost?"
"Ghost," Jason nodded solemnly.
"You sure?"
"I'm 100% serious, bro. When I moved into my dorm last night, everything was fine… until night fell."
Jason's voice grew dramatic.
"I heard something fall in the kitchen. Thought it was a rodent, right? But this is a top-tier academy—no rodents allowed. So, I sneak in, ready to karate-chop whatever it is… and there it was."
He shivered. "A figure… wearing all white, with a face like 'I want your soul, bro.' I nearly pissed my pants."
Xandros looked at him, unimpressed. "So… you can fight bloodthirsty monsters, but a ghost makes you wet yourself?"
Jason raised his hands in surrender. "Monsters bleed. Ghosts don't. You can't punch spooky."
Xandros squinted at him, scanning his aura.
Jason backed up slightly. "Uh, just so you know, I don't swing that way, man—"
"Hahahaha!" Xandros burst out laughing. As he already knew what had happened to him,
"Hey dude, wtf are you laughing? My life is in danger here," Jason exclaimed, a little annoyed
"Yeah, danger, totally danger, let's just get to the hall," Xandros replied while making his way to the hall
"Hey Xan, what do you mean by that? tell me, dude, hey, don't go yet." Jason chased after him
They continued walking side-by-side, Jason grumbling the whole way until they reached the entrance hall.
--- ✦ ---
(Entrance Hall – Awakener Academy)
The grand hall buzzed with energy. Students from all over the continent gathered, filling the seats in rows that stretched toward the glowing sky ceiling.
Xandros and Jason took their seats near the middle. Xandros sat calmly while Jason scanned the ceiling for any ghosts.
Nearby, Ronald sat confidently, his aura heavy, totally different from his reaction the day before. Morgana sat with poise and elegance, her silver-blonde hair catching the light as if she'd been painted into the room. Andrew sat further down, radiating self-importance and constantly adjusting his cuffs like he expected royalty to walk in and ask for his autograph.
Xandros gave them all a polite nod. Morgana acknowledged him with a subtle glance. Andrew scowled and looked away.
Jason waved at everyone like he was at a birthday party. "Hey, guys! Good morning to you all, woohoo!"
Everyone ignored him.
--- ✦ ---
(The Ceremony Begins)
The lights dimmed.
Chatter fell to silence.
From the grand podium at the far end, the sound of measured footsteps echoed—heels striking marble.
Then, the spotlight hit.
A collective gasp filled the room as the Headmistress walked in.
Her beauty was ethereal. Her long gown of starlight shimmered with each step, and her veil fluttered slightly with the breeze of her aura. Even through the veil, the outline of her face hinted at divine-level allure.
Andrew's jaw dropped.
"Good Lord… she's perfection…" he whispered, already imagining ten scenarios where she joined his future harem.
Even some of the female students blushed.
Xandros simply raised an eyebrow. "Huh… she came herself?"
The Headmistress stepped forward, and her voice rang out across the room like a melody wrapped in power.
"Welcome… to Awakener Academy. I am your Headmistress, Lucy."
Xandros froze.
That name.
The voice.
The memories hit like lightning—his past life, his assistant, his companion through countless battles… Lucy.
She had always been there. In the shadows, by his side. Loyal, bright, fierce.
A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes.
On the podium, Lucy's eyes briefly locked onto his. She smiled slightly beneath her veil, a gesture only he noticed, and he was confused. He just attributed her reaction to the fact that he was the best first-year student, and he was a valuable asset to the academy. Nothing more, nothing left
"I will be brief," she continued. "You are no longer children. You are cultivators. Seekers of truth. You will fall. You will bleed. But you will rise… stronger. In this academy, power is earned, not given. Alliances will shape your path. Challenges will test your worth. And at the end of it all, only a few… will reach the pinnacle."
Her voice grew sharper.
"But know this—every one of you has been chosen because you carry potential. Whether you are royalty, commoner, genius, or ghost-fearing buffoon…"
Jason stiffened. Wtf, how does she know?!!
"…You are all equals here. And the future begins now."
She raised her hand, and golden light enveloped the room.
"Congratulations, Awakening Class. You have taken your first step toward transcendence."
Thunderous applause followed.
Xandros clapped politely.
Jason clapped like his soul had been reborn,scared that the Headmistress knew about his ghost problem.
Andrew was too busy fantasizing.
Morgana's gaze was once again fixed on Xandros.
(After the Ceremony – Class Selection Hall)
As the students dispersed toward the Academy Hall for class selections, Jason nudged Xandros.
"Hey, so… uh, is it just me, or did the Headmistress flirt with you mid-speech?"
Xandros raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"You saw that smile! That was a you're-my-destined-love kind of smile, bro."
Xandros looked up at the sky and sighed.
"Yeah, I saw the smile," he muttered.
Jason's eyes widened. "Wait… WAIT… are you two secretly married or something?! Is that why you're so chill all the time?!"
"Jason," Xandros said flatly.
"Yeah?"
"Focus on your ghost problem."
Jason gulped. "Right. Ghosts first. Love second."
As they walked into the Class Selection Hall, none of them realized how much their lives were about to change.
While all of this was happening. Layla was laughing her eyes out in the system space, and even Elyria giggled a few times. They were laughing at his obliviousness, which was extremely entertaining.
--- ✦ ---
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