Wake up, Elio!
A sharp voice cut through the corridors like a blade, slicing into the morning silence.
Elio barely stirred. He was used to this.
His room was a contradiction—luxury draped in chaos. Expensive artifacts lay forgotten, clothes were scattered, and in the corner, a rusted sword stood like a relic out of place. None of it bothered him. Not the mess. Not the voice.
Beside him, the girl shifted under the blanket, her golden curls spilling over the pillow. Pale skin. Crimson eyes. She blinked sleepily, her voice still laced with drowsiness.
"Elio… who's screaming so early?"
"Hm?"
He rubbed his eyes, barely opening them.
"Probably my aunt Adele. Must be for—"
"Your ceremony at the academy."
The door swung open, and there she stood.
Adele wore a one-shoulder jade-green dress with black pumps, her wavy pink hair styled to perfection. She looked ready for a grand event—until her gaze landed on the scene before her.
She paused. Blinked once. Then crossed her arms.
"Another one?"
Her tone wasn't surprised. Just tired.
"Elio, of all days, you had to do this today?" She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I had hope you'd mature with age, but clearly, I was wrong."
Her gaze flicked to the girl. "Do you even know who she is?"
Elio stretched, unfazed.
Adele shook her head, muttering under her breath. "Like grandson, like grandfather, I suppose."
That made Elio pause. She never brought him up. Not without reason.
He ignored the discomfort creeping up his spine. Instead, he smirked.
"Aunt, you're going to get wrinkles if you keep stressing about me."
The girl chuckled, sitting up. She moved lazily, as if this whole situation amused her.
"Are you two always like this? Must be fun living here."
Adele muttered.
"Fun isn't the word I'd use."
A knock on the door interrupted them.
"Miss Adele? Sir Elio? The carriage is ready for the ceremony!"
Adele exhaled. "You two, get ready. Now. I'll stall the driver."
She turned back before leaving, giving Elio one last look.
"Do you think showing up like this will fix your reputation?"
Elio's smirk faltered for half a second.
The academy wasn't just a ceremony. It was a chance to prove he was more than the media gossip. More than the noble expectations.
But unlike them, he already carried a weight to overcome.
---
On the Way to the Academy the carriage ride was silent.
Elio's ceremonial suit was a masterpiece of elegance and authority, crafted with precision for the occasion. The deep-black fabric shimmered subtly under the light, golden embroidery traced intricate patterns along the lapels and cuffs, forming ancient symbols that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles.
A high-collared cape, fastened at the chest with an obsidian clasp, draped over his shoulders. Its fabric, as dark as the void, billowed with a life of its own, catching the faintest movement like liquid shadow. His gloves, made of the same refined material, bore delicate yet firm engravings—subtle, yet unmistakably powerful.
His boots were polished obsidian, silent against the ground, and the fitted suit beneath the layers of ceremonial adornment hinted at the warrior beneath the formality. The final touch was an emblem at his chest, pulsating softly, a reminder of his status and the forces tied to his existence.
Elio looked every bit the part—a figure of reverence and strength, standing between tradition and new generation.
Elio, Adele, and the girl sat in a tense stillness until Adele finally spoke.
"Why did you bring her? Is this your way of getting back at that girl?"
Elio's jaw tensed slightly. She really had the nerve to ask that?
Before the tension could thicken, the blonde girl cleared her throat.
"I think I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Vera." She smiled. "And actually, I'm going to be one of the cadets at the academy. Got in on a scholarship... lucky me, right?"
Adele gave a slow nod, saying nothing.
The carriage passed through grand avenues, banners of the academy lining the path.
The academy crest was everywhere—on flags, armor, even engraved into the stones beneath them. A shield stood at its heart, its sharp edges unyielding, a testament to their role as protectors. Behind it, a sword and an open book crossed, symbolizing the balance between strength and knowledge. Celestial symbols swirled above, whispering of the endless realms yet to be explored.
And beneath it all, a single phrase stood proudly:
"Beyond the known, we rise."
Crowds filled the streets, cheering for the new cadets. Other noble families rode alongside them, some casting judgmental glances at Elio.
He didn't care. Soon enough, they'd see.
Then, the academy came into view—
A fortress. A monument to tradition and power. Statues of legends lined the entrance, their marble eyes watching the new generation step forward.
Elio smirked. He was ready.
But deep down, he knew—
Once he stepped inside, everything would change.
And not for the better.