The vessel moved with an effortless glide, its motion so smooth that it barely felt like they were traveling at all. Outside, the world was cloaked in darkness, but from within, Ian could still make out the faint, blurred shapes of trees, hills, and distant city lights streaking past.
He glanced around at the other passengers. Some wore the official uniforms of Rulmose Institute, long, high-collared coats adorned with silver threading, the sigil of the academy embroidered on the chest. Others, like him and Myrra, were dressed in their own attire.
"Guess we'll have to wear those at some point," Ian mused, nodding toward a nearby student adjusting the clasps on their coat.
Lysian followed his gaze. "Probably. Though I heard it's mostly for official ceremonies. Outside of that, as long as we have our insignias, it doesn't really matter."
"Insignias?" Ian asked.
He gestured toward a student wearing a more casual tunic but with a small, glowing pin fastened to their collar. "That. Each specialization has its own mark. Arcane Engineering should have something related to circuitry or constructs, I think."
"We can also customize our uniform, as long as it's within the acceptable standards," Elara chimed in.
That explained the variety he had noticed, some students wore fitted coats with subtle embroidery, while others had modified elements like shortened sleeves, reinforced stitching, or even layered tunics beneath. The uniforms weren't as rigid as he had assumed.
"Arriving soon at Rulmose Institute. Please ensure all personal belongings are secure and prepare for disembarkation."
Outside, the dark landscape gave way to a vast campus lit by floating lights. Paths lined with glowing markers guided toward the next checkpoint, where shimmering barriers flickered as people passed through. The buildings in the distance were made from enchanted stone and special metals, their surfaces faintly glowing. Everything here seemed carefully designed, blending old with modern craftsmanship.
As they stepped forward, a large holographic display materialized in the air, listing various locations within the campus.
Ian and Myrra scanned the signs until they found one labeled "Fullersey Residence", their living unit.
Lysian, standing beside them, glanced at the sign before turning back with an easy smirk. "Well, looks like we're heading in different directions."
"It does," Ian said.
"Let's exchange contacts. You can visit me anytime - Cathedral Avenue." He paused just long enough for the words to sink in before adding, "That's where I stay."
Elara nearly rolled her eyes.
Ian had heard of Cathedral Avenue before, mainly because Rhys would be living there. The district was known for its individual mansions, reserved for some of the wealthiest students.
Lysian then made his way toward another platform, his usual confidence evident in his stride.
"We can visit whenever we want, huh?" Elara scoffed. "As if I'd go just to stroke his ego."
Myrra and Ian just exchanged amused glances, while Sylve remained quiet as usual.
After a brief pause, Elara turned back to them. "Let's meet again soon."
Sylve nodded in agreement, and with that, they parted ways.
Ian and Myrra continued toward their destination, soon arriving at a circular platform embedded with glowing circuits. Several students stepped onto it, vanishing in flashes of light.
Ian studied the mechanism. He had read about these transmission channels before, a teleportation system designed for rapid travel across the campus. Seeing one in action, though, was different.
They stepped onto the platform, joining a small group of students. The circuits beneath their feet glowed brighter, and a faint hum filled the air.
"Beginning transmission in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
A brief pull, like the air around them had compressed, then, in the next instant, they were somewhere else.
A sprawling multi-story building stood before them, its structure blending smooth stone with enchanted metal. Softly glowing lines ran along the walls, pulsing faintly in rhythmic patterns. The entrance bore a floating sigil, shimmering with the words "Fullersey Residence."
Ian felt a slight wave of disorientation but quickly adjusted. The air here was quieter, the energy more settled. Other students who had arrived before them were already heading inside.
Ian and Myrra quickly made their way towards the main entrance.
The doors slid open with a quiet hum, revealing the interior of Fullersey Residence. Ian stepped in, taking in the surroundings. The main hall was spacious, lined with floating lanterns casting a soft, steady glow. A central staircase led to the upper floors, while lifts on either side allowed for quicker access. To the side, a series of doors marked different sections of the residence, leading to student apartments and common areas.
They followed the signs toward their assigned apartment, the atmosphere growing quieter as they moved away from the main hall.
After another quick scan, the door to their living space unlocked. It slid open, revealing a modern yet cozy layout, enchanted lighting that adjusted to their presence, neatly arranged furniture, and a large window overlooking part of the campus.
Ian set down his things, letting out a breath. "Well, we're finally here."
Myrra nodded, glancing around. "It's nice."
Ian moved to the window, looking out at the sprawling campus beneath the night sky. In the distance, the lights of Ial Themar shimmered, a reminder of just how vast this place truly was.
Myrra sat down on one of the couches, stretching slightly. "Lets setup our room so that we can sleep soon."
Ian nodded and headed toward the doors leading to their separate rooms. Each space was simple but well-designed, containing a bed, built-in storage, and a private bath.
They unpacked just enough to settle in, stowing away their belongings before returning to the main area. By then, exhaustion from the day had fully set in. Without much effort, they put together a quick meal, eating in relative quiet.
Once finished, Ian leaned back slightly, letting out a slow breath.
Myrra stood, stretching again. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be busy."
Ian gave a small nod. With nothing more to do, they turned in for the night.
The first rays of morning light filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over the apartment. Ian stirred awake, stretching off the last remnants of sleep. He could hear faint movements from Myrra's room, meaning she was already up.
As he got ready, a chime at the door signaled someone's arrival. Myrra opened it, revealing Reina.
Reina stood on the other side, arms folded. She was a little shorter than Myrra, her auburn hair pulled into a ponytail that swayed slightly as she shifted her weight. Her sharp green eyes held their usual confidence. She wore a deep red, fitted dress with long sleeves, cinched at the waist with a matching belt. The fabric draped elegantly, moving with ease as she stepped inside, the cut refined yet undeniably striking.
"Come in," Myrra said, stepping aside. "Did you have any trouble finding this place?"
Reina stepped inside, her sharp green eyes scanning the apartment. "No, I arrived a few days ago, so I've had time to settle." She glanced around before nodding slightly. "It's a good place."
Myrra smirked. "Not bad, right? I'll show you around."
Reina gave a small nod. "How was your trip?"
"Long, but smooth enough," Myrra replied as she led Reina through the space, pointing out the separate rooms and the kitchen. Reina observed quietly, taking it in without much comment.
Once they finished, they settled in the living room. Reina adjusted her gloves slightly before speaking. "We should leave. Rhys is expecting us."
Ian stood, grabbing his things. "Let's go, then."
With that, the three of them stepped out, making their way toward Cathedral Avenue.
They decided to walk instead of taking the transmission channels, wanting to get a proper look at the campus. The pathways stretched wide, lined with softly glowing markers embedded in the ground. Despite the sheer scale of Rulmose, there were no towering buildings, most of the structures were grand halls or intricately designed buildings that seemed to blend ancient craftsmanship with arcane construction. Some resembled open courtyards, others had towering spires, yet none felt overwhelming, as if the entire campus had been designed to encourage open space rather than confinement.
Students moved through the pathways in all manners. Some walked in small groups, deep in conversation. Others sped past on enchanted bikes that hovered just above the ground. A few soared through the air, some with wings of their own, others riding strange creatures, serpentine beasts that shimmered like mirages or large, four-winged avians that left trails in their wake. There were even those who walked with massive, armored creatures at their side, their weapons strapped to their backs.
Ian took it all in. "This place feels like a city of its own."
"It basically is," Myrra said, glancing at a group of students sparring in an open training ground to the side. "Feels a bit overwhelming, honestly."
As they continued, Ian's gaze was drawn upward to the sky, where a massive creature glided above. Atop its back sat an elven male, his long green hair flowing behind him. He wore a fitted dark coat embroidered with intricate designs, his posture completely at ease as he guided the beast. The creature itself was massive, its body covered in armored scales, four powerful wings beating against the wind, and a long, whip-like tail trailing behind. Its eyes glowed faintly, its presence commanding attention from nearly everyone below.
Ian blinked. "Is that a dragon…?"
Reina glanced at it, then shook her head. "No. That's a Skyrnox. True dragons aren't found here, and even if they were, they don't allow others to ride them, unless it's their spouse."
Ian raised an eyebrow. "Their spouse?"
Myrra smirked. "Reina really knows a lot."
Reina exhaled "Not as much as you think."
Soon, they arrived at Rhys' residence. The mansion stood tall, elegant yet not overly grand but there was a sense of refined functionality to it. Given its prime location on Cathedral Avenue, he could only imagine how costly it was to rent.
As they approached, the large doors swung open with practiced ease, revealing Rhys standing just beyond the threshold.
He still looked the same, dark hair and sharp emerald eyes, his posture effortlessly composed. He was dressed in a high-collared black coat with intricate dark green embroidery, tailored to fit without a crease out of place. The faint shimmer of enchantments woven into the fabric suggested both luxury and function.
"You're here," he said simply, giving them a once-over before stepping aside. "Come in."
The interior was just as polished as the exterior, high ceilings, dark wood furnishings, and enchantments woven into the walls to regulate the temperature. A soft golden light filled the space, emanating from crystal fixtures overhead.
"Not bad," Ian murmured, taking in the surroundings.
They stepped inside, settling into the sitting area. A tray of refreshments had already been set out, light snacks, chilled fruit, and a pot of steaming tea, likely prepared by the mansion's automated enchantments.
Ian leaned back slightly, letting the atmosphere sink in.
"So, how was the trip?" Rhys asked, pouring himself a cup of tea.
"Long, but pretty smooth," Ian said with a slight exhale.
The conversation drifted for a while, touching on small details of their journey and first impressions of the academy. Eventually, Rhys shifted the discussion to more practical matters.
"We should have our orientation the day after tomorrow. You all received the invitation, right?"
Myrra nodded.
"Have you decided on your direction? Courses?"
"Not yet," Ian admitted. "The first week is just introductions. I'll decide after that."
Reina gave a small nod. "Same here. There's no point in rushing before we know what's available."
"We also have a ball coming up soon, right?" Myrra asked.
Rhys smirked slightly. "Yeah, it's tradition. You'll see."
The conversation continued, drifting between academy life and expectations. Rhys, ever the effortless host, kept them entertained, offering insights, answering questions, and occasionally slipping in a sharp remark or two. Eventually, as the afternoon waned, they decided it was time to leave.