The morning sun bathed Gaia Academy in a warm, golden glow as Alex descended from the Hill of Paradise, his mind still buzzing with the power of the Tears of Angel. The vial's contents had given him more than just strength; it had awakened a renewed sense of purpose within him. As he approached the academy gates, he noticed a familiar figure waiting—a calm, composed presence that had always been a part of his life.
Maya stood patiently, her expression serene, though her eyes held a trace of concern. She had been more than just a servant to Alex; she was like an older sister, having cared for him since he was a child. But the academy's strict rules meant that she wouldn't be able to stay with him on campus.
"Master Alex," Maya greeted him, her voice as warm as ever. ". The academy doesn't allow non-students to stay on campus, so I'll be heading back to the estate soon."
Alex nodded, appreciating her straightforwardness. "I know, Maya. Thank you for everything. Please let Mother know that I'm doing well."
Maya's eyes softened, her hand lightly brushing his arm in a comforting gesture. "You take care of yourself, alright? Remember, if you ever need anything, I'm just a message away."
"I will, Maya," Alex replied, his voice steady. "Don't worry about me."
Maya gave a small, satisfied nod, her usual calm composure firmly in place. "Good. Then I'll take my leave. Don't forget to eat properly, and try not to get into too much trouble."
Alex chuckled softly.
With a final nod, Maya turned and walked away, her figure soon blending into the bustling academy grounds. Alex watched her go, feeling a quiet resolve settle over him. She had always been there for him, and even though she wouldn't be by his side here, he knew she was just a message away. That knowledge gave him comfort as he turned toward his dormitory.
As Alex reached the dormitory, a familiar sight greeted him. Leaning casually against the doorway was Leonhart Grayson—Leon, as Alex called him. Leon was more than just a friend; he was Alex's knight, someone who had been with him through thick and thin. With short, tousled black hair and sharp gray eyes, Leon exuded an air of quiet strength and reliability. Though the same age as Alex, Leon's life had taken a different path.
An orphan with no family to speak of, Leon had been taken in by the Reinheart family after they discovered his exceptional talent for combat. The family had seen potential in him, and over time, he had been trained to become Alex's knight—a role he had taken on with pride. In their previous life, Leon had sacrificed himself to save Alex, a memory that still weighed heavily on Alex's heart.
"Finally! Took you long enough," Leon greeted with a wide grin. "I was starting to think you'd decided to explore the entire mountain."
"Not quite," Alex replied with a slight smile. "Just had a few things to take care of."
"Well, you're here now, and that's what matters," Leon said, pushing off the wall and walking over to Alex. "I've been looking forward to this day for a while."
"Same here," Alex responded, a hint of warmth in his voice. "It's good to see you, Leon."
Leon clapped Alex on the shoulder, his grin never fading. "You too, Alex. Ready to tackle our first day?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Alex said, his tone steady. "Let's get going."
As they began walking toward the main lecture hall, side by side, Leon glanced at Alex with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, what took you so long, anyway? Were you communing with the spirits or just getting lost in your own dramatic thoughts again?"
Alex smirked. "A bit of both, maybe. Or perhaps I was just making sure the mountain didn't collapse under the weight of your ego."
Leon laughed, shaking his head. "My ego? You're the one who's always brooding like some tragic hero in those old books you used to read."
"Better than charging in headfirst like a certain someone I know," Alex shot back, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Hey, that's called 'bold strategy,'" Leon countered with mock seriousness. "You could learn a thing or two from it. Might save you from having to do all that brooding."
"I'll keep that in mind," Alex replied dryly. "Maybe next time I'll let you handle the thinking, too."
Leon grinned. "Now that's a scary thought."
As they approached the lecture hall, the banter between them eased the tension of the day. The academy grounds buzzed with the energy of students excited to begin their journey, each one filled with their own hopes and dreams. But for Alex and Leon, this was more than just the start of their education—it was the beginning of a new journey, one they were determined to navigate together.
As they entered the lecture hall, the noise of excited students filled the air. This was the start of their first class, but for Alex and Leon, it was only the beginning of a much larger journey.