The grand Assembly Hall of Arcadia Academy was alive with anticipation. Students gathered, their conversations a low hum beneath the vast, arched ceiling. Banners of deep blue and gold draped from the walls, each bearing the academy's crest—a sword and staff crossed over a radiant sun, symbolizing the unity of knights and mages.
As tradition dictated, the students were separated by course—mages on one side, knights on the other. Though all shared the same academy, the divide was unmistakable.
Christina von Paldia stood among the knight students, arms crossed, her crimson hair cascading freely over her uniform. Her sharp brown eyes darted across the hall, searching.
(Where are they…?)
She scanned the crowd, looking for two familiar figures—Yuuya and Flora. But the sea of students was vast, and neither of them was in sight.
(So, we won't be meeting today, huh?)
Her fingers tapped idly against her arm, a mix of disappointment and irritation flickering in her chest. It had only been a day, yet she already missed them.
Before she could dwell on the thought, the assembly began.
The Student Council stepped onto the elevated stage at the front of the hall. A tall, composed student with short silver hair took the lead. His uniform bore an additional emblem, marking him as the Student Council President.
"Welcome, first-years, to Arcadia Academy." His voice carried across the hall, steady and authoritative. "You stand here today as the future of magic and combat, having proven yourselves worthy of this institution. But make no mistake—admittance is only the first step. Those who do not meet our standards… will not remain here long."
A ripple of tension spread through the students. Some stood straighter, pride swelling in their chests. Others shifted uncomfortably, glancing at their peers.
Yuuya, seated among the mage students, remained unfazed. His eyes, however, were drawn to the next speaker.
A man with an air of nobility stepped onto the stage—his very presence demanded attention. He was tall, dressed in robes of deep forest green, lined with gold embroidery. His face was sharp, his skin fair, but what caught Yuuya's attention most…
His ears.
(Long… pointed… an elf?)
Yuuya had never seen an elf before, yet there was no mistaking it. And then…
The weight of mana in the room shifted.
Yuuya tensed. It was suffocating, as if an unseen force pressed down on him. It was different from Dia and Regis, not at their monstrous level, but still overwhelmingly strong. This was overwhelming, absolute control.
The headmaster's gaze swept over the hall, his emerald eyes glowing faintly. He did not speak for a long moment, allowing the silence itself to command respect.
Then, he finally opened his mouth.
"I am Eltharion Vaelith, Headmaster of Arcadia Academy. Some of you have come here seeking knowledge. Others, strength. But regardless of what brought you here, know that only those who prove themselves will remain. Strength, knowledge, and wisdom—these are the pillars upon which Arcadia Academy stands. Some of you have lived privileged lives. Others have fought to stand where you are now. But here, none of those matters. Only your ability… and your resolve." His voice was smooth, yet it carried the weight of authority.
His golden eyes swept across the students, pausing ever so slightly on Yuuya before moving on.
"Welcome… and may your journey begin."
The hall erupted into polite applause, but Yuuya remained thoughtful.
The pressure in the room eased slightly, but Yuuya's heartbeat remained steady.
(This is the level of the instructor here.)
Regis' words echoed in his mind.
"No matter how strong you think you are, someone will always stand above you."
Yuuya clenched his fists.
For the first time since he venture into the outside of forest, he truly felt small.
But…
That didn't mean he would stay that way.
After the assembly, students were given free time before afternoon lessons.
Yuuya, as usual, decided to head toward the library. However, as he walked along the quiet courtyard path, his eyes caught something.
A figure sat slumped against the ground.
Sena.
Bruises marred her hands, her dark bangs covering her teary eyes. In front of her stood three figures—Cedric and his two lackeys.
"I don't know what trick you pulled to get into Class A," Cedric sneered, arms crossed. "But you don't belong there."
One of his lackeys laughed. "Seriously, a commoner in the top class? What a joke."
Yuuya hesitated for a moment. It would be easy to ignore this. To keep walking.
But…
Sena's shoulders trembled. Her fingers clutched at the fabric of her skirt, as if trying to make herself smaller.
Yuuya sighed. (I really don't want to deal with this.)
He stepped forward.
"Cedric," Yuuya's voice was calm, but sharp. "Still humiliating yourself in public?"
Cedric stiffened, turning toward him, his expression twisting in rage. "You…!"
Yuuya smirked. "Last time I checked, you're the one who embarrassed yourself in front of an entire banquet hall. Maybe it's you who doesn't belong in Class A."
The lackeys snorted to hold back laughter. Even they remembered Cedric's humiliating loss to Yuuya at Flora's party.
"You bastard—!" Cedric raised his hand, mana sparking at his fingertips.
"Wait!" One of his lackeys grabbed his arm, his face pale. "We can't use magic outside the training grounds. If a teacher finds out—"
"I don't care!" Cedric snarled, trying to shake him off.
"Think, Cedric!" the lackey hissed. "This isn't the place."
Grinding his teeth, Cedric finally relented. He lowered his hand but glared daggers at Yuuya.
"This isn't over," Cedric spat before storming off. His lackeys hesitated but followed.
"It is," Yuuya said simply. "And stay away from Sena."
Yuuya sighed, turning back to Sena.
She sat there; her head lowered. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
Sena sniffled, quickly wiping at her eyes. "T-Thank you… Yuuya…"
"Uh—hey, don't cry," he said, awkwardly kneeling beside her. "Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine," she stammered. "Just… just some bruises."
Without hesitation, Yuuya placed his hands over her wounds, casting light magic. A soft glow surrounded her hands, mending the bruises.
Sena's eyes widened. "L-Light magic…?"
The bruises on her hands faded, the pain melting away.
Sena's lips trembled. Then, without thinking, she bowed deeply. "T-Thank you…! Thank you… I mean it."
Yuuya awkwardly scratched his cheek. "It's nothing." Yuuya muttered, still flustered. "Just… be more careful next time."
Sena wiped her eyes, offering a small, shy smile. But the small smile that spread across Sena's face told him it was definitely something.
Meanwhile, over in the Knight's Hall, a different battle was unfolding.
Christina had barely settled into her new reputation as the top knight student when a noble boy stepped forward, smirking.
"Christina von Paldia," he drawled. "You may have won the trial, but a girl doesn't belong at the top."
The room tensed.
Christina's eyes narrowed.
"Is that a challenge?"
The noble sneered. "A duel. Right here, right now."
The instructor, rather than stopping it, simply nodded. "Very well. A duel will decide it."
All of the the student follow them into the training ground to become a spectactor.
Christina stepped forward. She had nothing to prove—yet, she always had to prove herself.
The fight started swiftly.
Christina was faster, more precise. She dodged, countered, and struck with practiced ease. Every one of his heavy swings missed, and each time he left himself open, she punished him for it.
Her blade struck his shoulder. A clean hit.
He stumbled back; his face twisted with rage.
"Why you—!"
He moved again, swinging recklessly. Christina sidestepped smoothly, bringing her sword down. Another clean strike.
The boy stumbled—falling backward onto the ground.
That should have been it. But he didn't accept defeat.
Instead—
His hand darted down, fingers curling into the loose sand and dust of the training ground.
Before Christina could react—
He threw it at her face.
Her vision exploded into white. Burning. Stinging. Blinding.
(What—?!)
The gasps from the watching students barely registered in her ears.
The dirt ground into her eyes, stealing her sight. The world became a blur of shadow and movement.
(He—used a dirty trick—!)
Her body tensed. She couldn't see.
A rush of air—his attack was coming.
She gritted her teeth. (Calm down. Focus.)
And then—
She remembered Yuuya's words.
"If your eyes fail you, use your other senses."
She took a deep breath.
Her ears strained, listening for movement. The sound of his boots scraping against the ground—getting closer.
The shift in the air.
His breath, panting with exhaustion—
She moved.
Christina's body twisted instinctively, her blade lashing out toward the sound.
A solid impact.
The noble grunted in pain.
The hall went silent.
Then—
The instructor raised his hand. "Winner—Christina von Paldia."
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. She had won. Again.
"She won… even when she was blinded?"
"That's crazy…"
"Maybe she really is that strong…"
But Christina barely heard it. She stared at her sword, shocked.
(It actually worked… That trick Yuuya mentioned…)
A slow smile curled at her lips. She needed to talk to him.
Meanwhile in another place,
The vast, endless library stretched into the void. Rows upon rows of bookshelves faded into an endless mist.
Dia von Neredras was still here, searching endlessly.
The silver-haired boy at the counter groaned, rubbing his temples. "Do you not have a home?"
Dia didn't even glance up. "I'll leave when I find what I need."
He sighed. "What exactly are you looking for?"
"None of your business."
"Gods, you're impossible," he muttered.
Then—
Dia suddenly froze.
Her eyes locked onto an ancient parchment. Her heartbeat quickened.
She ripped it from the shelf and read the title aloud:
"A Case of a Person Who Suddenly Appeared."
She shot up from her seat. "I found it!"
The silver-haired boy blinked, unimpressed. "Congrats."
"You! Pen! Paper!" she demanded.
The boy sighed, pulling out what she needed. "You're so demanding."
Dia ignored him, furiously scribbling a letter. a single name repeated in her mind.
(Yuuya.)
She would send this letter to him immediately.
This was the first real clue.
And she wasn't about to let it go.