The girls walked along the path toward the academic buildings, having agreed to meet later in the cafeteria. The academy buzzed like a beehive: students hurried along stone-paved walkways, professors disappeared behind classroom doors, and the sun played on the stained glass windows, bringing everything to life. The day was crisp, the sky clear — as if the very magic of air drifted through the air.
Anris made her way toward the Air Campus — a light, elegant building with elemental symbols floating above its entrance. Today she would meet her new instructors.
She was welcomed in the faculty hall by two people.
"Welcome, Duchess Eirinar," said a tall man with platinum hair and piercing eyes the color of the morning sky. "I'm Professor Elerion. I teach aerial magic tactics and combat maneuvering."
Beside him stood a middle-aged woman with a gentle smile, her hair pulled into a high bun. Her attire was strict but refined.
"And I'm Professor Sevria. My field is aeroforming and meditative attunement. Here you'll learn to hear the wind and understand its language."
Anris bowed her head slightly, hiding her unease.
"Thank you. It's an honor to study under you."
Later that day, she was introduced to her group. There were only about twenty students — all air magic specialists. Some had already shown talent, others were just starting out. Most greeted her with polite interest, though she noticed a flicker of doubt in the eyes of a few. The name Eirinar carried weight.
A sharp-eyed boy was the first to approach.
"Kyle," he said shortly. "Tactical division. Second year."
"Lirel," smiled a delicate girl, her voice like wind through the trees. "Healing branch — restorative wind and breath stabilization."
Anris nodded, mentally noting each name. Today was their orientation class, where they were introduced to the subjects ahead:
— Basics of Aerial Navigation: the ability to sense currents, guide wind direction, and move in combat relying not on sight, but instinct.
— Aeroforming: shaping defensive or offensive constructs from air — blades, walls, vortices.
— Resonant Speech: a technique where words spoken with magical focus are amplified by wind, affecting the enemy's mind or reinforcing allies.
— Aerial Alchemy: combining air magic with other elements to create magical effects — such as neutralizing toxins or igniting oxygen.
— Echo Perception: the subtle art of hearing through the wind — detecting footsteps, breathing, even whispers from afar.
Each discipline required deep focus. Despite her calm appearance, Anris could feel something stirring within. The wind responded to her more readily than she'd expected.
After class, Professor Elerion stopped her.
"There's something unusual in your connection with the wind," he said quietly. "You don't merely control it. It waits for you — as if it has always known you."
Anris gave a small nod and turned away. The breeze that brushed her skin in that moment felt soft — almost familiar.
Later, in the cafeteria, Faeyra was already waiting at a table, joined by another girl — Selina Weltde.
Anris approached and greeted them.
"Nice to meet you, Selina. I'm Anris."
"The pleasure is mine, Countess—" Selina began, but Anris cut her off.
"No formalities. Just Anris."
After the meal, the girls wandered through the garden, chatting, and stopped beneath a tall tree. Around them, students strolled with their totems — magical guardian beasts. Only Anris stood alone, without one.
Not far away, Serra Infern Pyroharth — arrogant and condescending — was speaking with two noble girls. As they passed by, Serra gave a cold glance.
"No totem? What exactly are you supposed to become here?"
Anris ignored her, but Selina couldn't hold back.
"You have no right to speak to her that way. Her status is higher than yours."
Serra smirked.
"Oh please. It's just the truth."
Without raising her voice, Anris responded calmly:
"Truth doesn't become power just because it's shouted louder. You'd do better to worry about yourself."
Serra fell silent and quickly walked off.
From a distance, the prince and Liam had been watching.
"Liiiaaam…" the prince drawled, nudging him. "You've been staring again. Don't even try to deny it — I can see right through you."
"I don't care," Liam said quietly, not meeting his gaze.
"Sure you don't," the prince smirked. "You always act cold and distant, but when she's near, you're... different."
Liam stayed silent for a moment, then finally muttered:
"I just want to understand."
The prince chuckled and clapped his shoulder.
"Then go blow off some steam in the combat arena. I'll stay here."
Liam gave a brief nod and turned, walking off toward the training grounds, his silhouette soon vanishing between the columns.
Anris, still standing beneath the tree, noticed his retreating figure. Her gaze lingered, a flicker of curiosity — and something else — blooming quietly within.