The chariot slowed, then came to a gentle halt. Without hesitation, Kiato jumped down, the frost beneath his boots whispering in response. The moment he landed, his eyes widened. The aura here… it was different.
Sacred. Pure. Ancient.
The air hummed with a stillness so profound, it felt as if the entire world were holding its breath. Around him stretched not land—but regenerating ice, sculpted with such divine craftsmanship, it could only have been carved by the ancients themselves.
His aura instinctively synced with the atmosphere. It welcomed him, like a heartbeat echoing his own. Every step he took was greeted with crystalline harmony.
This… This isn't just another academy, he thought.
"Yesterday's battle arena wasn't Gallus, huh…"
The thought barely left him when a sudden chill brushed above his head. The air twisted, coiling like a living breath. Ice particles shimmered, then solidified mid-air—manifesting into a delicate, winged figure.
A frost fairy.
Kiato halted. His body stiffened, eyes locking on the creature now hovering before his face.
The ice figure's eyes fluttered open—glowing blue embers that pierced through him.
"You must be Kiato," she said, voice like the soft chime of winter bells.
"…Y-yeah. Who—or what—are you?" he asked, confused yet captivated.
The fairy giggled gently. "I'm Niva. A cryo familiar assigned to you—well, more like summoned by your aura. I'm a reflection of your soul."
Kiato's thoughts instantly flickered to Merlin his half light. His brows furrowed with grief, but his expression softened with a genuine smile.
"So… you'll be working with me?" he asked.
Niva floated backward, her icy hands pressed together. "Yes. We'll talk more later. For now, we need to get moving—we're almost late for your first lecture at the Echochamber."
"Alright," Kiato nodded.
Together, they entered Gallus Blade Academy through its colossal frost-forged gates. The great doors, carved with runes that shimmered under moonlight, opened with a slow groan, revealing magnificent ice murals—legends of old, captured in glacial detail.
The floor beneath was a transparent sheet of glacier, thick and solid, yet impossibly clear—like walking atop frozen sky. Kiato couldn't stop turning his head, his eyes devouring every frozen sculpture etched along the halls.
They finally reached the Echochamber. Kiato pushed the door open. It responded smoothly, enchanted to heed his aura. Inside stood dozens of other Frostblades—aspiring warriors of Gallus—each radiating a blend of awe and determination.
But none of that captivated Kiato as much as the statue at the far end.
A dragon. Not sculpted from ice… but from a fusion of silver and gold.
It pulsed, as if alive—its eyes watching him. The intricate detail in its wings, the twist of its tail, the regal tilt of its horned head…
"Where have I seen this before?" Kiato whispered.
Then it hit him.
My dreams…
My blade…
And Hinoyuki's domain.
"What is my connection to this?"
Before his thoughts could settle, a door across the chamber creaked open. In walked a short man—his vestments adorned in black and brown, stitched with the Gallus insignia. Though small in stature, his presence demanded attention.
He marched to the pulpit, standing below it—too short to be seen.
Then with a stomp, a pillar of ice rose beneath his feet, lifting him high enough for his head to clear the stand.
No one laughed.
Not out of fear, but because each student knew—power cared little for height.
"I am Mr. Gosen," the dwarf announced, voice sharp and commanding. "Three-star Frost Knight, and instructor here at Gallus Blade Academy."
Three silver stars gleamed on his shoulders.
"I may appear short," he added with a smirk, "but I assure you—I stand taller than every one of you."
The Frostblades stood in silent respect. They had all seen his tribe could do at the tryouts.
Mr. Gosen eyed them, then muttered to himself, "Seems this year's Aspirants aren't the laughing kind…"
He cleared his throat and addressed the room again.
"At the gate, you met your Cryo Familiar. These beings are not just spirits—they're amplifications of your aura. Born from your essence. You live, they live. You fall, they fall."
"The ground you walk on is sacred—it is called Lunargale Terrace, where the moon's presence is strongest. Somewhere in this building lies the true domain of Lunargale. Only a few are ever chosen to enter… and for six years now, none who entered had have returned."
The students shivered—some in awe, others in unease.
"Your cryo familiars reflect your current and hidden potential. Training at Gallus is divided into three pillars: Combat Training, Mind Refinement, and Ability Control. Everything else falls beneath those."
He paused, letting his words settle like frost on stone.
"You'll be guided to your rooms now. Two per chamber. Drakehollow Hall for males. Eirasil Wing for females. Meals this week are ranked by tryout performance and training begins tomorrow."
"Welcome to Gallus Academy," he finished. "And may your frost never shatter."
The chamber buzzed with energy as students exchanged levels, met roommates, and admired familiars. Yet Kiato remained still—his mind still locked on that dragon statue.
He rushed to Mr. Gosen.
"Master," he bowed, "what does that statue represent?"
Gosen turned, smiling. "That? It's a sign carried by one who could control all four elements—and their vices. A title not given, but earned. The Imperial Dragon Knight."
Kiato blinked. "Imperial… Dragon Knight…?"
"Is something wrong?" Gosen asked.
Kiato hesitated, then forced a smile. "No… just curiosity. Thank you."
As he turned away, Niva followed, fluttering by his shoulder.
Then a voice called out from ahead.
"Kiato!"
He looked up. Saraphina—radiant in a royal purple coat, approached with a smile.
"You've been here long?" she asked.
"Since the beginning," he replied.
"Your aura… it feels lighter. Like something heavy was lifted from your soul."
Kiato scratched his head. "You're good at reading people. I bet you can sense an ant walking pass during battle"
They both laughed.
"What's your level?" she asked.
Kiato blinked. "Oh. Niva?"
Niva nodded. "With pleasure."
A shimmering black screen with silver glyphs materialized:
[Ranking Status]
Name: Kiato Kenji
Physical Strength: 12%
Aura Potential: 39/100
Power Level: 9
Abilities Unlocked:
• Frost – 23% Potential
• Flame – 20% Potential
• Wind – Locked (0%)
• Earth – Locked (0%)
Overall Rank: ★ 1-Star Knight
Saraphina's mouth parted slightly.
"You're… already at one star? You held back during tryouts, didn't you?"
Kiato smiled faintly. "Didn't realize I had so much."
"You can access all four elements. That's beyond rare…"
She stared at him, awe in her eyes.
"I won't trail behind," she declared suddenly. "I want to fight by your side."
She stretched her hand. "I'll be your rival."
Kiato chuckled softly, shaking her hand. "I won't wait for you either."
Both shaking hands as he walked away, waving lazily behind him, Saraphina whispered to herself:
"Now I see why I'm so drawn to him…"
—
Later that evening…
Niva guided Kiato to a towering crystal door. He pushed—it didn't budge.
"It only opens with your aura," Niva giggled.
Kiato raised an eyebrow, then channeled his energy into the keyhole. Frost coiled outward—then the door melted into liquid, pooling into the floor.
Beyond it lay his sanctuary.
A spacious chamber of clear, glowing frost.
Soft blue lights pulsed from the walls. A massive, carved bed of cloudsteel and snow furs awaited in the center. Floating lanterns hovered near the ceiling, drifting like silent stars. A viewing orb rested on a pedestal, showing the moonlit sky above Lunargale.
Kiato stepped inside, stunned. "This is… mine?"
"Your roommate hasn't arrived yet," Niva whispered. "Rest. You've earned it."
He slumped onto the bed, the snow-soft mattress conforming to his weight. His body was heavy, tired from battle, travel, and emotion.
His eyes drifted closed.
And just before he fell into sleep, a single thought lingered:
Imperial Dragon Knight…
Why does that title sound like my fate?