As Mizan began his journey with Ark, heading north, far to the south of the eastern region, the grounds of Luna Ray Academy buzzed with excitement as the new semester began. The sprawling academy, situated south of Brightshore City, was alive with the voices of eager students, the chatter of old friends reuniting, and the nervous murmurs of those setting foot on campus for the first time. The wide, marble-paved courtyard, encircled by towering oaks and rows of tiered seats resembling an arena, served as the gathering spot for the opening ceremony.
Amidst the gathering crowd, a particular arrival drew immediate attention.
Elros Cromwell strode into the courtyard, his younger brother, Loric, trailing behind him. As soon as the upperclassmen caught sight of him, murmurs spread like wildfire.
"It's Elros Cromwell, one of the Upperclassmen!"
"The Radiant Sword—Elros! Ranked ninth on the Rising Stars List!"
"Can you believe it? He's the only prodigy in the top ten who doesn't come from one of the great ancient families!"
Excitement and admiration shone in their eyes as they whispered among themselves.
Elros, however, paid little attention to the chatter. His gaze shifted toward Loric, who lagged behind with an unusually pale complexion. Ever since waking that morning, Loric had looked unwell, his expression distant and unfocused. It was clear that the trauma from his experience at the Divine Fragrance Palace still haunted him.
Elros sighed inwardly, shaking his head. Perhaps this ordeal would serve as a lesson—his reckless younger brother needed to understand that this world was full of monsters far beyond his control.
"Loric," Elros called, his tone firm.
There was no response.
He frowned, stepping closer. "Loric."
Still nothing.
This time, his voice sharpened. "Loric!"
"Ah—!" Loric jolted, as if shaken from a nightmare. His breath was uneven, his forehead damp with cold sweat. "B-Brother, you called?"
Elros's frown deepened. "What's wrong with you? Are you alright?"
Loric quickly nodded, though his voice wavered. "Y-Yes… I'm fine."
Elros studied him for a moment before exhaling. "I'm heading to the upperclassmen's section. You should go to your designated area for underclassmen."
Loric nodded once more, and without another word, the brothers parted ways.
As Elros made his way toward the seating area, a soft voice called out to him.
"Well, hello, Mister Radiant Sword. How was your vacation?"
Elros glanced up, his expression softening.
A young woman stood before him, her light blue coat matching the soft waves of her chin-length hair. Her delicate features held an air of gentle elegance.
A small smile touched Elros's lips. "Please don't tease me, Lady Naia."
She giggled, falling into step beside him as they walked together in search of a seat.
***
On the other side, among the professors overseeing the opening ceremony, was Rayner Nightwood, a man in his early thirties dressed in a dark-green coat. His light brown hair, combed back with precision, framed his sharp features, and a faint scar across his left brow added a rugged edge. His piercing eyes roamed the crowd, searching for someone who was nowhere to be found.
Beside him, Alden Fairwind, a fellow professor in his mid thirties with a tall and burly physique wearing a tank-top revealing his huge biceps. Alden had graying dark short hair and a cheerful friendly expression. Noticing Rayner's restlessness he nudged him gently, and asked, "Looking for someone in particular, Rayner?"
Rayner turned, his sharp features softening slightly. "Yes. I'm looking for a student—a boy named Mizan Librium. Have you heard of him? Senior Alden."
Alden furrowed his brows in thought but ultimately shook his head. "Mizan Librium... Doesn't ring a bell. Are you sure he's enrolled this semester?"
Hearing their exchange, Evelyn Thornays, a striking woman in her early thirties with auburn curls and dark-honey eyes, wearing a beige attire that complemented her long hair, she chimed in. She carried herself with an effortless grace, her playful smirk a frequent companion. "Now, why would the illustrious and ever-serious Professor Rayner Nightwood~ be so curious about a student? that's unusual hmm~." she teased, her tone light and mischievous.
Rayner rolled his eyes, used to Evelyn's antics. "He's not a new student. In fact, he made quite an impression when he first enrolled, as he entered the Awakening Phase at a fairly young age," he said calmly. "Mizan was an enigma to many professors due to his unusual ability to manipulate weight. I also found it fascinating and even tried to research it myself, but I didn't get anywhere at that time."
Alden's interest was piqued. "Manipulating weight? That's a new one. I've never heard of anything like that."
Rayner nodded thoughtfully, his gaze distant. "I'd almost forgotten about him, to be honest. Then, a few days ago, I saw him again purely by chance…" Rayner In a thoughtful tone, he began recounting the events that had unfolded a couple of days ago at the Divine Fragrance Palace.
Evelyn's eyes widened as she gasped and abruptly leaped into the conversation. "Wait! You went to Divine Fragrance Palace without inviting me? That's treason, Rayner! And who did you go with, hmm?" She ignored the context of his story entirely, her curiosity now fixated on his dining companions.
Rayner pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated by her antics. Alden, however, chuckled lightly and returned to the main subject asking, "Who was the man with Mizan in the end? Did you find out?"
Rayner shrugged. "I didn't recognize him. I considered approaching Mizan to ask, but the situation was... tense. I thought it would be better to wait until the semester started and talk to him here. But now, it seems the boy isn't anywhere to be found."
Alden raised a brow. "Odd. But then again, this year is already shaping up to be unusual with the number of promising students joining."
Rayner's expression shifted, curiosity mingling with agreement. "You're talking about those four, aren't you?"
Alden nodded. "Exactly. Lyra and Aelric the Skyguard twins. And Arya Clearwater, the latest prodigy of the Clearwater family. And, of course, Keir Arson. That one's surprising, isn't it?"
Evelyn, now fully invested, chimed in, "True. The Arson family always sends their heirs to Starlight Academy. What could have made them choose our academy this time?"
The three professors fell silent for a moment, reflecting on the significance. The Brightmoon Empire boasted two prestigious academies officially supported by the royal family and nobility. Starlight Academy, in the central region, often attracted the most talented descendants of noble families. Luna Ray Academy, situated in the empire's eastern region, was equally prestigious, its sprawling grounds and advanced facilities cultivating countless prodigies over the years.
Evelyn broke the silence, nodding with conviction. "You know, for the past three years, Starlight Academy has outshone us at the Full Moon Festival." Her eyes sparkled with resolve as she added, "But this year, we have a real shot at taking the lead." She clenched her fist dramatically, her enthusiasm infectious.
Alden chuckled softly. "I'm not sure it's entirely fair to blame our losses on the lack of an Arson family descendant."
Evelyn waved him off, her excitement undeterred. "Details! What matters is that we have a chance to change that this year. Don't you agree, Rayner?" She turned to him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Rayner shot her a cold, unreadable glance, saying nothing. Evelyn pouted, while Alden chuckled again. "It's a bit early to get worked up about the Festival," he said gently. "It's only the start of the year. The Festival isn't until the end of summer."
Shifting gears, Alden's tone turned thoughtful. "Speaking of unusual things, there's another student who stands out this year—someone from a family that rarely enrolls their descendants in academies."
Rayner raised a brow. "Who are you talking about?"
"Oscar Ravenleaf," Alden replied. "The Ravenleaf family almost always trains their descendants privately. For them to send someone here is a rare occurrence. Makes you wonder what's so special about this one, doesn't it?"
Evelyn tilted her head, intrigued. "Ravenleaf? That family's as reclusive as it gets. This Oscar must be exceptional for them to break tradition."
As their conversation continued in hushed tones, the semester opening ceremony pressed on, the excitement in the air almost palpable.
It was tradition at Luna Ray Academy to commemorate the arrival of a new batch of students with friendly duels between some of the most promising entrants. These duels served not only as entertainment but also as a showcase of the raw talent that the academy was about to nurture.
This year, the tradition was no different. A tall, imposing figure dressed in academy robes stepped onto the elevated marble platform at the center of the grounds. His voice boomed across the courtyard as he announced, "For our first duel, we have Lyra Skyguard versus Arya Clearwater!"
The announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd. Students leaned forward in anticipation, their chatter a mix of awe and speculation. Even among the seasoned professors, interest was keen. Both young girls hailed from illustrious families, and expectations for their abilities were sky-high.
Lyra Skyguard was the first to ascend the platform. She moved with a confident, almost effortless grace, her silver hair—a signature of the Skyguard lineage—tied back in a sleek ponytail that swayed with her steps. Her light blue eyes gleamed with focus and determination as she adjusted her silver-white coat, the rapier at her side catching the light with a sharp glint. Her presence alone commanded attention, a reflection of the Skyguard family's proud heritage as beast tamers and warriors.
From the opposite side, Arya Clearwater climbed the platform with equal poise. Her long black hair, tinged with midnight blue at the ends, cascaded over her shoulders like waves under a moonlit sky. She carried a polished staff that matched the hue of her light blue coat, the intricate designs on its surface hinting at its craftsmanship. Her movements were fluid and deliberate, radiating a quiet confidence befitting the Clearwater family, renowned for their mastery of water manipulation.
Though both girls were still in their youth, it was evident that they would grow into formidable presences, not just as mages or fighters, but as individuals of exceptional beauty and grace.