The midday sun bathed Arcadia Academy in golden light as students began pouring out of their classrooms, marking the end of the morning lessons. Flora stretched slightly, relieved that the lecture on basic magic was finally over. It was interesting, but her mind had been elsewhere.
(Yuuya disappeared again.)
She looked around, hoping to spot him among the students filing out of the hall, but he was nowhere to be seen.
She pouted slightly. He always does this. Slipping away the moment class ends.
"Sena," she turned to her new friend, who was adjusting the strap of her book bag. "Let's go find Yuuya and eat lunch together."
Sena blinked in surprise. "H-Huh? Oh! Um, okay…"
Flora smiled, already pulling her toward the commoner dormitory.
When Flora finally reached the commoner dorms, she hesitated. The dormitory was nothing like the noble's side. The halls were narrower, the atmosphere quieter, less extravagant.
(He lives here…?)
Flora had grown up in luxury—marble floors, golden chandeliers, velvet curtains. Yuuya's dorm was the complete opposite—simple, small, and practical. There was no elegance, no unnecessary decoration.
When she pushed open the door to Yuuya's room, her breath hitched slightly.
It was… basic. A bed, a desk, a small closet. That was it.
(Compared to my room… it's so empty…)
She felt a strange ache in her chest. A mix of guilt and sadness. I never really thought about it before… but Yuuya lives so differently from me.
She stepped inside cautiously, taking in the small details—his neatly folded blankets, the single book on his desk, the faint scent of herbal soap lingering in the air.
And then—
Flutter!
A small shadow darted into the room, making Flora gasp. A small black bird flapped its wings, sharp yellow eyes scanning the space. When it spotted Flora, it let out a small chirp and dropped a letter onto the desk.
(A letter? For Yuuya?)
The bird chirped once before flying out the window, disappearing as quickly as it arrived.
Flora stared at the envelope, curiosity bubbling inside her. It was addressed to Yuuya, but the name of the sender caught her eye.
"Dia von Neredras."
(…A noble?)
She had never heard Yuuya mention this name before. But for some reason, something about it made her uneasy.
Flora knew she shouldn't.
She knew it was wrong.
But her fingers moved before she could stop herself.
She picked up the letter and carefully unfolded it.
Her eyes skimmed over the words until they stopped at one particular line.
"I have found a clue about your past."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Come meet me as soon as possible."
Flora's hands trembled.
(If he reads this… he'll leave.)
The fear in her chest curled tight.
(He'll go without hesitation. He won't even think twice.)
Her fingers curled around the letter. She couldn't let that happen.
Yuuya would disappear, chasing his past—leaving her behind.
Flora swallowed hard. And then, slowly, she folded the letter… and tucked it away into her dress.
(If he never sees it… he won't leave me.)
She turned, her expression firm as she exited the room—taking the secret with her.
Meanwhile, in the quiet halls of the academy library, Yuuya sat comfortably at his usual table, flipping through an old book.
The receptionist—the man who usually sat behind the front desk—was missing today. Yuuya didn't really care. He had other things to focus on.
However, his peaceful moment was shattered when—
BAM!
The doors burst open with a loud crash.
Yuuya looked up, mildly annoyed.
A girl with bright red hair tied into a high ponytail stood at the entrance, scanning the library like a predator searching for prey. The moment her eyes locked onto him, she grinned and ran straight for him.
"YUUYA!"
Yuuya stiffened as the girl dashed toward him, full speed.
(Wait. Who is—)
"Long time no see!" she beamed, stopping right in front of him.
"…Uh." Yuuya blinked. "Do I know you?"
The girl pouted. "Oi, that's mean! It's me, Chris!"
Yuuya's mind short-circuited.
"…Chris…?" His voice flatlined.
"Yep!" Christina grinned.
Yuuya's brain refused to function.
He blinked.
He stared at her, then at the ceiling, then back at her.
He slapped his own face. Hard.
"…WHAT?!"
Memories flashed through his head. All those times he treated her like a guy. The sparring. The scolding. The casual insults.
(Oh gods. I… I beat up a girl.)
He grabbed his head, looking horrified.
"Hey, hey, don't look so shocked!" Christina laughed. "Just treat me like usual."
"Like usual? LIKE USUAL?! Chris—you—a"
Yuuya struggled to function.
Christina patted his shoulder. "You'll be fine."
I won't be fine, Yuuya thought, still reeling.
But before he could even process this new reality, the doors opened again.
A teacher stepped in. "Yuuya, the Headmaster has requested your presence."
Now it was Christina's turn to freeze.
"…Wait. The headmaster? Summoning you? Why?!"
Yuuya was just as confused.
(What does he want from me…?)
The teacher gestured. "Come with me."
Yuuya sighed. "Alright."
He followed the teacher, leaving behind a very frustrated Christina.
Christina looked like she wanted to protest. But as he walked away, she only muttered, "I just got here…".
Yuuya entered the grand office. The walls were lined with rare books, artifacts, and maps. The room pulsed with mana.
And sitting behind the desk was…
"…You?"
The receptionist from the library smiled at him.
"Hello again, Yuuya."
Yuuya stared. "Wait. What?"
The man chuckled. "I apologize for the deception." He waved a hand, dispelling his transformation spell.
His form shimmered, and within seconds, he returned to his true appearance.
Eltharion Vaelith, the headmaster.
"…You're the headmaster?!" Yuuya blurted.
Eltharion smiled, pouring tea. "Tea? Coffee? Have some sweets."
Yuuya stared, completely thrown off.
(What kind of meeting is this?!)
And yet, the elf sitting before him seemed… far too casual.
Eltharion took a sip of tea, gesturing toward the chair across from him.
"Come, Yuuya. Have a seat."
Yuuya hesitated, then sat. His posture remained firm—not tense, but guarded.
The headmaster smiled. "Tea? Coffee? I have sweets, if you'd like."
"...No thanks."
"Shame. The honey cakes are quite good."
Yuuya stayed silent, waiting.
Eltharion set down his cup. "Straight to the point, then." His golden eyes studied Yuuya with keen interest.
"I have reviewed your trial performance. And I must say—your talent is remarkable."
Yuuya remained still. "You called me here just to tell me that?"
A chuckle. "Not quite. I wanted to meet you personally. You see, we have many promising students… but you? You stand far above the rest."
His gaze sharpened slightly. "Such refined mana control. Such overwhelming magic. I must ask… who trained you?"
Yuuya's expression didn't change. "...A mage named Regis."
The air shifted.
Eltharion's fingers paused against the rim of his cup.
"...Regis?"
The way he repeated the name—slowly, carefully—made Yuuya take notice.
"You know him?"
Eltharion exhaled, leaning back slightly. "Know him? Oh, yes. I do." His smile was unreadable. "It is… rare to meet a student who was trained by someone of his caliber."
Yuuya narrowed his eyes slightly. There was weight behind those words.
(Just how well does he know Regis?)
But before Yuuya could press further, Eltharion changed the subject.
"Regardless," he said, "I have a proposal for you."
Here it comes.
Eltharion smiled. "while you in the academy, would you like to become my disciple?"
Yuuya blinked. "...What?"
"I am offering to personally train you. Your talent is exceptional, but I believe I can help you refine it even further. There is much I can teach you."
Yuuya immediately shook his head. "No."
The rejection was instant.
Eltharion raised a brow, amused. "So quick to refuse?"
"Regis is already enough for me."
Eltharion studied him for a moment, then smirked slightly. "You admire him, don't you?"
Yuuya didn't answer. But his silence was an answer in itself.
Regis wasn't just his mentor—he was the one person who had pulled Yuuya out of the depths of isolation.
To Yuuya, Regis wasn't replaceable.
Eltharion exhaled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Loyalty is a rare quality. Admirable."
He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin against his hand. "Very well. I shall withdraw my request… for now."
Yuuya's gaze didn't waver.
The elf chuckled. "Still, I will be watching your progress closely."
There was something behind his words.
A subtle weight.
(Why does he care so much…?)
But Yuuya had learned something from Regis and Dia. When powerful people took interest in you, it was never without reason.
And Eltharion Vaelith was no exception.
After Yuuya left, Eltharion sat quietly in his chair, gazing out the large arched window of his office.
His golden eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion.
He spoke, though no one was there.
"...So, that's the boy you're interested in?"
Silence.
The wind around the room stirred slightly. A faint shift. A presence unseen, but felt.
Eltharion chuckled softly, drumming his fingers against the wooden desk.
"I suppose I'll keep a close eye on him."
Outside, the wind howled softly through the academy towers.