Aeon studied his reflection in the mirror, fingers brushing over the unfamiliar uniform.
Dark fabric trimmed with silver at the cuffs and collar, a crest stitched over the chest—it was different, yes, but not in a bad way
He lingered for a few more seconds, admiring his new look.
"Status," he muttered.
Ding!
[Aeon Sylvan]
Race: High Elf
Rank: D-
Affinity: Nature, Soul, Space-Time
Talent: SS
Traits: Incorruptible, Mana Domination
Unique Skills: Heal, Riftwalk
Bloodline: Imperial Sylvan
Physique: Wood Refinement Physique
---
While scanning his status, his eyes fixed on his rank. It had risen from [E+] to [D-] just before they left for Calden.
A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
'Me, a D-rank high elf, taking classes with F-rank humans.' He chuckled.
The thought amused him.
He wondered why they hadn't placed them in a higher grade than first-year. After all, although they were also twelve years old they weren't like the humans who had only awakened months ago.
"It'll be too easy," he murmured,
his eyes narrowing for a moment before shifting toward the affinity section.
Nature and space had come to him with steady effort, but soul and time eluded him still.
Sigh.
As for his traits, he hadn't really gotten the chance to actually apply any of them in practice.
He focused on the details displayed.
[Trait: Incorruptible]
Rank: ▒▒▒▒▒
Description:
- Your soul is immune to external influence
---
[Trait: Mana Domination]
Rank: Growth
Description:
- Your mana has dominating properties
---
The unreadable rank always bothered him, though there was nothing he could do about it.
Another matter that lingered in his mind was his physique.
He knew he was fortunate to have awakened one—fewer than five percent of awakeners ever did.
[Physique: Wood Refinement]
Rank: Earth Grade
Description:
- Connection to nature's will
- Increases vitality and longevity
- Grants rapid healing and regeneration
- Refines ambient mana into purer, usable mana
---
He was grateful for an Earth-grade physique.
True, it wasn't a lofty Heaven-grade, but it was far above the common lower grades.
Physiques were ranked Low, Mid, High, Earth, and Heaven.
Earth grade, while not legendary, was still a considerable blessing.
So far, he could use most of its gifts—healing, regeneration, refinement—everything except the connection to nature's will.
That one still evaded him.
He had tried everything.
Even his mother, who possessed a similar physique, had no answers.
His shoulders slumped as he sighed in defeat.
"It's almost time," he muttered, glancing at the clock on his band.
Grabbing his things in a rush, he hurried out the door and into the elevator.
***
Outside, Isolde and Amarie were already waiting.
"Did you wait long?" he asked apologetically.
"Nope, we just got here," Amarie replied.
He doubted that.
Unlike him, their dorm rooms were right next to each other.
"Bad dream again?" Isolde asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Yeah," Aeon admitted.
"I think being away from Eryndor made it worse."
Sigh.
Isolde exhaled softly. "Maybe you really shouldn't have come."
Aeon frowned. "Tha—"
CLAP!
A sharp clap rang from the dorm's entrance.
"I see you're all here," Jane said, striding toward them. "Come, follow me."
But as soon as she reached them, she spun on her heel and headed back out in a hurry.
Isolde followed calmly, Amarie at her side.
Aeon lingered a moment, sighed, then trailed after them.
"Aeon, aren't you coming?" Amarie asked, glancing back.
"Coming," he replied, walking at an easy pace.
Outside, Jane led them toward the train station.
"Your teachers have been notified. All we need is to get you there on time," she said, her tone edged with warning.
"Trust me—you don't want to be late on your first day."
Aeon and Amarie nodded.
"Good." Jane adjusted her glasses, satisfied.
"Today's fare is on me. Think of it as a gift.
Just make sure you don't do anything that'll warrant point deductions, like coming to class late." She looked at them sternly, her foot tapping against the floor in impatience.
Aeon's shoulders sank. His fist curled. He still felt guilty for holding them up this morning.
"You've probably heard this from the vice headmaster, but let me remind you—here at Kingsfield, merit points are everything."
Her words carried weight.
"With enough points, you can buy almost anything. But lose them, or spend them carelessly, and you'll regret it."
By the time her mini lecture ended, they were already on the train, headed for their lecture hall.
***
As they walked the hallways,
Aeon noticed stares.
Whispers followed.
"Elves?"
"Look at their ears."
"So pretty..."
He held his posture,
letting their gazes wash over him.
Familiar.
Irritating.
Jane stopped them before a classroom door and gestured for them to enter.
Inside, dozens of heads turned. The chatter fell into a hush.
Gasps echoed.
"Elves?"
The word rippled across the room.
The teacher, a dark-haired woman with a loose braid, stepped forward.
"Class, these are our new arrivals from Eryndor: Aeon Sylvan, Amarie Eigarwyn, and Isolde Sylvan."
She paused, tension rising with expectation.
"As for seating arrangements—" She smiled knowingly. "I'll be making slight adjustments."
Her clap rang out, commanding silence.
"Isolde and Amarie, third row left, beside Julian and Celeste.
Aeon, you'll take the window seat next to Cecilia."
Aeon noticed the subtle separation but said nothing, slipping into his assigned desk.
***
The teacher, Selene Veyra — a name he learned after she introduced herself, finished roll call, and departed
The room buzzed with whispers again.
A girl with bright sapphire eyes beside him leaned forward, smiling.
"I'm Cecilia D'Argent. Pleasure to meet you."
Her eyes were bright, her tone friendly—cheerful, approachable.
She gestured toward the girl across from Amarie with strawberry-colored hair.
"That's Serap—"
"I can introduce myself, thank you," the girl
said as she smoothed her strawberry locks with deliberate grace.
"Seraphina Pyrrithane," she said coolly.
Her hazel eyes gleamed with calculation. Polished noble etiquette dripped from every word.
Aeon noticed the slight tension between the two—not quite enemies, not quite friends. Maybe rivals, he thought.
The one the teacher had referred to as Julian, seated next to Isolde, gave a small wave.
"Julian Cross. Welcome."
To Aeon, he seemed quiet. His golden eyes held a grounded friendliness, unpretentious. Yet something about him still felt… off.
Beside him, a golden-haired girl lifted her gaze.
"Celeste Benedara," she said.
Her voice was soft, almost musical. There was a gentleness to her that briefly reminded Aeon of his mother.
He shuddered in disgust, shaking the thought from his head.
The last to speak was a dark-haired boy with crimson eyes. He barely spared them a glance.
"Damian Hale," he said shortly, his tone clipped.
Aeon noted how his eyes lingered on Seraphina—and how similar he looked to Victor.
Siblings? Maybe. But definitely related, he thought.
Isolde introduced Amarie and Aeon in turn, her voice steady, regal.
"So what's the deal with you two?" Cecilia chimed brightly, as if they were longtime friends, glancing toward Isolde and him.
"Are you guys siblings?"
He noticed how the question piqued everyone's interest.
He gave them a crooked smile, leaned back, and rested a hand on his chair.
"Nah… we're cousins."
"Ohhh." Cecilia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "That explains the hair. And the eyes." She grinned. "Though honestly, you two still look alike. Maybe all elves do."
"Cecilia!" Seraphina snapped.
Amarie giggled.
Celeste sighed softly. "Please forgive her. She can sometimes be a little dense—"
"More than a little," Seraphina muttered.
"Hey, that's mean!" Cecilia pouted.
"I promise, she means well," Celeste assured gently.
Isolde studied Cecilia, unreadable. "I can tell."
"Hey, has anyone given you guys the tour yet?" Cecilia asked, her sunny mood undampened.
"Hmm," Amarie replied. "Just the dorms."
"Great!" Cecilia said, excited. "Let me do the honors, then." Her sapphire eyes sparkled.
Amarie chuckled. "Sure."
Aeon nodded.
Isolde shrugged.
"Let's go then!" Cecilia said, springing up.
"Cecil, we have core studies next," Celeste reminded with a gentle smile.
"Ohhh." Cecilia sank back into her seat, disappointed. "Maybe at lunch, then?"
The door creaked open and an old man in scholarly robes walked in.
"He's here," Seraphina whispered.
Quiet murmurs rippled through the room as everyone returned to their seats for the next lesson.
Aeon leaned back slightly, studying them.
His new classmates.
His rivals.
His… allies?
He barely contained a chuckle.
Time would tell.