As House Kraus's elegant carriage made its entrance into the academy grounds, Taylor's eyes widened in awe as he beheld the intricate beauty that surrounded him.
The splendor of the academy, which he had only ever glimpsed from afar, now unfolded before him in all its majesty.
The grandeur of the academy was unlike anything Taylor had ever seen.
From the towering buildings to the winding roads, from the bustling shops to the lively crowds, every aspect of the academy exuded an air of enchantment and sophistication.
Even Krasius City, the capital of their duchy, paled in comparison to the sheer magnificence of the academy.
Stella couldn't help but chuckle at Taylor's wide-eyed wonder, his expression akin to that of a child experiencing something extraordinary for the very first time.
"Young miss… what is that" Taylor began, his voice filled with curiosity as he pointed towards a distant structure that caught his eye.
"Hm?" Stella turned her gaze in the direction indicated by Taylor, her curiosity piqued by his sudden interest.
There, in the distance, stood a large spherical building, its form rising proudly against the backdrop of the academy grounds.
Three stories tall and adorned with intricate details, the building emanated a deep cyan hue, a testament to the mana that coursed through its very core.
At its center, a mesmerizing halo of mana orbited around, casting a radiant glow that illuminated the surrounding area with its brilliance.
Stella's eyes widened in admiration as she took in the sight before her. Despite her familiarity with the academy, she couldn't help but be captivated by the sheer beauty and complexity of the structure.
"That, is the Mana Research Institute. It's where scholars and mages study the mysteries of mana and its applications in magic and technology."
A procession of carriages made their way towards the Mana Research Institute, the students within them adorned with various neckties denoting their respective grades.
The air buzzed with anticipation as the academy grounds came into view, alive with the energy of countless students eager to begin their studies.
From red, green, white and black all of them entered the mysterious looking spherical building.
Stella nodded to herself before offering an explanation to Taylor's inquiry.
"That's also called the Moon Sphere. Similar to the gates in terms of power and complexity, it's a magical device capable of virtually recreating any terrain the proctors want to."
"Virtually?" Taylor echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion at the unfamiliar term.
Stella nodded, her expression patient as she sought to clarify.
"You can think of it as illusion magic, but on a much larger scale and with a level of realism that makes it indistinguishable from reality. It's like projection magic, but amplified to encompass entire landscapes."
"I see…" Taylor murmured, though the concept still eluded him to some extent.
He could grasp the basic idea: the Moon Sphere had the ability to create lifelike illusions of various environments.
But the implications of such a powerful magic device intrigued him.
"Is it similar to when an Aura user expands their domain and traps their enemy in their own world?" Taylor asked.
Stella's eyes brightened at Taylor's insight, impressed by his astute observation.
Although she wondered how Taylor knew that aura knights can expand their own world, but she just reasoned that he probably read some book out there.
"Yes, in a way," she confirmed, nodding approvingly.
"The Moon Sphere can indeed be used to manipulate space and create immersive experiences, much like an Aura user does with their domain. It's a tool for training and testing students' abilities in simulated environments, preparing them for real-world challenges."
"I see…."
As Taylor observed the Moon Sphere more closely, his attention was drawn to a group of students making their way towards it.
"Young miss, are we supposed to go there?" Taylor inquired, turning to Stella with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Stella considered his question for a moment before responding, "Not necessarily for me, as I'm a second year. But for a first year like you, I think it's better to go. You might have the principal's recommendation, but I believe it's important for you to attend. Right now, the first stage for the academic ranking is probably taking place there."
"Rankings?" Taylor repeated, his confusion evident. He couldn't fathom why a ranking system would be implemented in a school filled with nobles. Wouldn't that only serve to breed competition and discord among the students?
Stella offered a small smile, understanding Taylor's concerns. "Yes, rankings," she affirmed, her tone gentle yet resolute.
"While it may seem unconventional for a school of our stature, the ranking system serves as a means of fostering healthy competition and incentivizing academic excellence. It encourages students to strive for greatness and pushes them to reach their full potential."
"Fufu, although the Empire and Abel academy itself may have advertised the academy to have a fair educational system, a hierarchy was a must to put in competition and inspire others to work harder," Stella remarked, a wry smile playing on her lips as she ran a hand through her hair.
She avoided eye contact with Taylor, unable to bring herself to tell her beloved brotherly figure that she was actually ranked third among all of the second years. It was a fact that weighed heavily on her, especially considering that two individuals with lower noble status than hers had surpassed her in the rankings.
"Though the situation does get complicated sometimes, as some low-ranking individuals occasionally come out on top of high-ranking nobles…. But it is quite extremely rare."
Taylor listened intently to Stella's explanation, his brow furrowing in thought as he processed her words.
He could sense her inner turmoil, though she tried to mask it with a casual demeanor.
Stella's admission revealed the complexities of the academy's ranking system, where noble status didn't always guarantee success.
"The academy judges your ranking based on your performance on three tests they've provided," Stella explained, her voice measured as she delved into the intricacies of the academy's evaluation process.
"One is adaptability, in which the first years enter the virtual world in the Moon Sphere. There, they engage in battles, earning points based on the monsters or opponents they defeat."
Taylor listened attentively, absorbing the details of the first test and marveling at the innovative methods used to assess students' abilities.
"The second test is individual strength," Stella continued, her tone growing more animated as she described the competitive arena held within the academy.
"Students participate in various challenges and competitions held in the academy arena, showcasing their physical prowess and combat skills."
Taylor's eyes lit up with excitement at the thought of testing his own abilities in the arena, eager to prove himself in the heat of battle.
"And lastly, there are the written exams," Stella concluded, her voice taking on a more serious tone.
"Here, students are tested on their knowledge and academic aptitude, covering a wide range of subjects."
Taylor nodded, his expression contemplative as he considered the rigorous academic standards of the academy.
"The overall score of your performance will be then rated and provided," Stella explained, her words carrying a weight of finality.
"Depending on your scores on each test, you will be assigned a rank."
Taylor listened intently, absorbing every detail of Stella's explanation.
However, her next words gave him pause.
"Only the tope one hundred and fifty student may enter the academy and the rest will have to go back home"
"Though I don't think you will have a rank, Taylor," Stella remarked, her voice tinged with reassurance.
"Special scholarship students like you don't need to take any of the tests I just mentioned. After all, your place here in the academy is already guaranteed."
As Stella's explanation sunk in, Taylor experienced a mix of emotions.
Relief washed over him, knowing that he wouldn't have to participate in the rigorous tests and competitions that awaited his fellow students.
Yet, beneath the surface, a twinge of disappointment lingered. He had been eager to test his abilities and prove himself worthy of his place at the academy, and now that opportunity seemed to slip away.
But as Taylor reflected on the situation, he found solace in the knowledge that all his hard work hadn't been in vain.
His scholarship had secured his place at the academy, and that alone was a significant achievement in his eyes.
With one final glance at the Moon Sphere, Taylor redirected his attention to Stella, the young miss who had been his guiding light since the beginning.
In that moment, he realized that proving himself at the academy held little significance compared to his unwavering dedication to her.
As Stella caught his gaze, a blush tinted her cheeks, prompting Taylor to quickly avert his eyes.
"W-what?" she stammered, clearly flustered by his prolonged stare.
Taylor shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Nothing," he replied softly, his gaze softening as he looked at her. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the academy and the warmth of Stella's presence, Taylor knew that as long as he could remain by her side, everything else would fall into place.
….
Arriving at the royal dorms in the academy, Taylor's eyes widened in wonder as he took in the sight of the grand castle-like structure.
Stella couldn't help but chuckle at his adorable expression, a sense of déjà vu washing over her as she remembered her own reaction upon first seeing the dorm.
"This is your dorm, young miss?" Taylor inquired, his voice filled with curiosity.
Stella nodded proudly, a hint of sadness flickering in her eyes as she acknowledged her connection to Prince Hansel.
"Yes, it's a dorm only meant for royalty," she explained.
"Although I'm technically a duke's daughter, my connection with Prince Hansel sort of distorts the rules put in place here."
Despite her pride in her royal lineage, Stella couldn't shake the feeling of unease that crept into her heart at the mention of her relationship with the prince in front of Taylor…
She quickly pushed aside her doubts, reminding herself of the consequences of entertaining such thoughts.
As the carriage came to a stop in front of the castle-like dorm, Taylor gallantly opened the door and extended his hand to assist Stella. She smiled gratefully, accepting his gesture as she stepped out of the carriage.
"Young miss…" Taylor began, his voice warm with concern as he offered his hand to help her down.
As Stella walked out of the carriage, a loud, thunderous sound reverberated near them, causing her to flinch as if lightning had struck right beside her.
Smoke billowed from the spot where the sudden lightning strike had landed, eventually dissipating to reveal a figure emerging from the haze.
Walking slowly towards them was a woman of stunning beauty, her ebony hair cascading around her shoulders and her red eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.
Adorned in a uniquely styled black uniform with intricate red details, Sophia Winchester, Stella's best friend, approached them with measured steps.
"Sophia...?"
Stella exclaimed in surprise as she watched Sophia draw closer.
While her friend's sudden appearance was unexpected, it was nothing compared to what happened next.
In the blink of an eye, like a streak of purple lightning, Sophia disappeared from her spot only to reappear moments later, tightly hugging Taylor.
The bewildered young man could only stare in astonishment as Sophia enveloped him in her embrace, leaving Stella feeling both shocked and helpless.
"What are you doing, Sophia!?" Stella demanded, her voice tinged with frustration as she attempted to intervene.
She watched anxiously as Sophia refused to let go of Taylor; her laughter muffled by his chest.
Stella's mind raced with confusion and disbelief as she struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before her.
Only one thing was clear on her mind right now…
She didn't like this at all.