Aetheria Academy. An academy that has stood for a hundred years—a national historical monument as well as a reminder of the death of the great King who eradicated the tyrannical power that had taken root since the kingdom was founded. Kerthos De Lumine. His name is engraved, never fading in the hearts of his people even as generations continue to change.
However, there is one other purpose for the academy's establishment. Aethoniel. An Elf man, the first owner of light mana, the third son of the founding King of the nation, and the pioneer of the academy's construction. His other purpose in founding the academy was as a search for a new owner of light mana who could fight the darkness. He has been searching for it for hundreds of years, but until now he still has not found it.
Currently, it is the new school year at Aetheria Academy. Students from all over the world flock through the academy's towering great gate. The class placement exam will be held today. Ranks will be distributed, and those who are the lowest have the possibility of being ostracized. The academy is not just a place to study, but also a place of competition.
Step by step from a pair of feet struck. From nobles to commoners wearing the same uniform. Dark blue pants or skirts above the knee with deep red stripes, paired with a white shirt with a tie under a long alma mater. The image of a fantasy world academy student's uniform that is very beautiful.
"Hey. Can we walk together?" asked a new student, to another student.
The student who became the direction of the question's throw turned back. "Please." He smiled happily.
"Where are you from?" asked the first student. "I'm Leonel from a pair of adventurers in the capital." He embraced the second student's shoulder.
The second student smiled friendly. "I'm Mathew Marley, the third son of the Marley Viscount family. My two older siblings are also seniors at this academy." He replied.
The first student moved his hand away from the second student's shoulder. "So-sorry! I have been disrespectful to the Young Master!" He bowed deeply.
The second student became awkward while restlessly moving both his hands. "It-it's fine! Now we are academy students, so there is no social status difference."
"Hha... is-is that so." He scratched his neck awkwardly.
"Come on." He walked again with the student who dared to greet him first. "Thanks to you, my doubts about being able to blend in are gone."
"Right?" His question got an enthusiastic nod.
A student behind who saw them snorted amusedly. He was the youngest son of a Count in the capital who was spoiled by his parents. "What is that? This place is indeed an academy, but one shouldn't mingle with commoners like him."
"You are absolutely right, Sir. They might spread their misfortune." Added a student who became his academy friend.
"Commoners should associate with commoners too. Or, if necessary with wild dogs. Pfft!" Another student was holding back his laughter so it wouldn't burst.
"Move aside!" Female student. Her hair and eyes have a light blue color like water that has become chunks of ice. She deliberately bumped herself when passing the gate with the three students who were busy mocking. "It's not proper for insects like you to stand at the entrance and block my way." Hissed the beautiful woman with an arrogant tone.
"Who is she? How dare she..."
"Ca-calm down, Sir. You must not chase her." The first student who was mentioned as his friend stopped the Sir from chasing the beautiful girl earlier. "She is the second daughter of the Bherliend family, the kingdom's only Archduke."
"If I'm not mistaken, since childhood she has already received the nickname ice princess because her ice magic is very great. Even, they say she can defeat her eldest brother."
"Tch." The young master clicked his tongue. "Let's go in quickly. I don't want to meet an arrogant person like her again!" The young master walked first then was followed by his two lackeys.
On the other side. A third-year student, standing beside the entrance threshold—waiting for someone. He had been there for fifteen minutes, five minutes past the time written in the letter, waiting solemnly. Then, his eyes saw someone's body from a distance. "Hey! You! Hurry up!" He shouted.
A small child. Seven years old. Very handsome. His hair was black with eyes covered by black cloth and sword-shaped earrings in his left ear. Oh my! So handsome! He is Louis! "Hufh..." Louis roughly wiped the sweat on his forehead, with his hand resting on his knee. "Are you really Sam?" he asked the student waiting near the door threshold.
"Why so long?"
Louis scratched his neck awkwardly. "Forgive me. At the central adventurers' Guild in the capital, I experienced a little difficulty regarding luggage. We forgot to ask for a purchase note so we had to wait an hour for verification."
Sam exhaled softly. "Why didn't you contact me, kid!" He flicked Louis's head lightly.
Louis rubbed his head that was slightly sore while replying, "Sorry, sorry. I just didn't want to trouble you."
Sam embraced Louis from the left side, "Speak casually to me. You are the child that father always boasts about when writing letters to me. You're amazing for being able to surpass me." He said. He is the only son of an adventurer who every time he comes to the Guild headquarters will boast about his child.
"I can't. You are my senior."
"Alright. Speak casually when it's just the two of us, and just call me big brother."
"Al-alright."
From the distance there. On top of the towering tower, Niel together with the crown prince of Luminaria observed every interaction that occurred down there. The entrance also did not escape their observation. Matthius had been with Niel since earlier, without leaving after Arneld's departure from Niel's office. He wanted to be with Niel longer with the hope of becoming a target for the transmission of the Elf man's knowledge.
"There are so many types of humans that can be seen from this height. Arrogant, haughty, friendly, shy, and many more. I have seen many types of humans during my journey." Niel quipped beside Matthius, looking toward the outside of the large tower window that became his personal office.
"Leanor Bherliend, the only daughter of the Achduke family who has been nicknamed the ice princess since childhood. Will she become a first-year student?" asked Matthius who observed every movement of the student who got the ice princess nickname there.
"Correct. That child besides being born from the highest noble family, also has extraordinary magic talent. This year's students seem very extraordinary. I'm looking forward to it." Niel grinned happily.
"Besides that, Haidan Mirmod, the only younger sibling of senior Herder. The Duke family famous for their fire magic." Matthius shifted to the figure with reddish-brown hair standing under the garden tree.
Niel chuckled. "Talking with you makes me feel like I'm talking with an adult."
Matthius glanced while saying, "I am indeed an adult." He said, very flatly. "Can you look over there, Ancestral Lord." He pointed to the male first-year student who got off a very luxurious horse carriage.
"He is the seventh prince of the Ottoman empire from the Middle Eastern continent. His tanned skin is so beautiful and his black eyes are very charming. The Emperor sent him after seeing how enthusiastic he was about magic."
"Gerd Otsman, if I'm not mistaken that's his name." Matthius guessed.
"Correct. The Middle Eastern continent that is not popular with magic made him sent here."
"It feels so suffocating to be surrounded by people with high positions." Matthius muttered in a whispering tone.
"Hey. Have you forgotten who you are? Your position is higher among them, you know!" Niel protested, annoyed, seeing how indifferent Matthius's face was.
Matthius didn't care. His gaze was directed at the interaction between his senior and junior near the gate there. "Who are they? Their interaction is so striking."
"Sam, the son of an adventurer. His magic talent is quite great as a human. And... it seems that child is a first-year student."
"Why is he wearing an eye cover? Is he blind? Or is it just an accessory?" Matthius wondered.
Niel returned after taking a document containing the biodata of the first-year students. "That child's name is Louis. An orphan and has an identity crisis because he grew up in an orphanage that has been destroyed now. The man who became his guardian said that he has a special feature in his eyes."
"How pitiful. The world is so cruel and he has an obstacle that sticks for life. Hopefully he doesn't get lost easily." Matthius said, with compassion.
Back to Sam who was with Louis. He patted Louis's shoulder because the child was just silent. "Are you sick? Do I need to take you to the health room?" he asked with worry.
Louis's gaze which was originally fixed on Niel's tallest tower shifted to Sam. "No. It's just that, I feel like someone is watching me from up there." He pointed to the tower.
Matthius was startled by Louis's sharp gaze that was directed at the tower, knowing that Louis felt he was being watched. "Th-that child..."
"Why?" Niel beside him was confused by Matthius's reaction.
"Nothing. I just saw beautiful clothes." Matthius dodged as quickly as possible.
Sam directed his gaze to the direction where Louis looked earlier. "Who? I don't see anyone. Are you hallucinating? There only looks like a large black glass that reflects the shadow from below."
"I see... Maybe I was mistaken." Louis smiled.
"Alright, alright. Let's go in. The class placement and ranking exam will start soon. I don't want to be scolded by father for making you late." Sam pulled Louis's hand.
Louis obeyed. His feet slowly toward the towering entrance, along with other students who were about to enter. Squeezing past horse carriages and bodies, then crammed. The entrance was already very crowded. The distance that earlier looked close became far. So unlucky. But not long..., Sam managed to step past the door.
"Hurry come here. If not, you'll get more crammed there!" Sam shouted toward Louis who was silent because he had been left several steps behind Sam.
Louis for a moment stared at the palace-like building that now stood before him. So luxurious and beautiful. Even, every door has a magic stone that is fantastically valuable. He was truly amazed there was beauty like this all this time. Because of that, he stepped. Continued stepping along with the other students. And he, arrived at-
Gruduk
Gruduk
Gruduk...!
The ground trembled violently. Very tremendous. People started running here and there looking for protection. Sam saw Louis just standing frozen at the door and pulled him to the evacuation room. Louis did obey, but he looked annoyed about something. Back and forth Louis kept looking around, as if he was hoping no one would realize something 'that'.
"Ancestral Lord!" Matthius called while trying to maintain his body balance. "What is this? Why is there suddenly a tremor? Did the magic stone mine erupt again?" he asked, worried.
Niel was stunned with a pale face. Very pale. His body trembled to the bone. He felt a familiar mana pressure. A mana pressure that he had not felt again since a hundred years ago. "Wh-what is this... could it be?! How can it be? Why?!" He clashed with his thoughts.
"Ancestral Lord!" Matthius was annoyed at Niel who was only busy with his own thoughts. "Wake up! This is dangerous!"
Niel blinked startled. He had come back to his senses. "The Demon King! The Demon King has returned! I can feel it from the large mana that caused this tremor! He has come! He passed the gate barrier!" He exclaimed.
"What?" Matthius's face furrowed in shock. "We must summon father and the magic troops!"
"A decision that is ba— What?" Niel, even Matthius was made bewildered. The tremendous tremor earlier vanished instantly and the air and atmosphere returned to normal. Now, whether it was him or Matthius and the others, it was as if they never knew there was a tremendous tremor that was estimated to be able to flatten the kingdom to the ground.
"Ancestral Lord... I will go meet father! You can follow after making sure the students are safe." Matthius ran leaving the room and Niel who was still stunned. Then, the Elf man realized after the door closed tightly.
"I will follow you soon." Niel carried out his part, making sure the students were in safe condition.
And on the other side, a figure with an innocent face whose upper part was covered by the darkness of the building corridor felt annoyed because of the protective magic installed at the entrance. That magic did not destroy, but detected. Very great, he thought to himself. "Seriously, that was almost it just now. I'm arrogant for using the lowest barrier magic to get inside." He muttered, then he left, leaving feathers from black wings that scattered.