Cruzer woke up early the next morning, the events of the previous day still fresh in his mind. He dressed quickly, eager to share his thoughts with Hiroshi, his best friend who had come to his home yesterday. They had stayed up late, discussing the new insights Cruzer had gained from the library, and Hiroshi had been equally fascinated by the revelations.
Hiroshi met Cruzer outside his house, a bright smile on his face. Hiroshi was a tall, athletic boy with a friendly demeanor and a keen interest in magical studies, much like Cruzer. Together, they started walking toward the academy, the sun just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the quiet streets.
As they approached the academy, the impressive gates came into view. The entrance was marked by towering iron gates adorned with intricate engravings of mystical symbols and runes. The gates stood as a testament to the academy's grandeur and historical significance. Beyond the gates, the expansive campus stretched out, a blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities.
The academy's main building was a massive structure, its walls built from dark stone, giving it an imposing yet majestic appearance. Tall spires and turrets reached towards the sky, their tops glinting in the morning light. Large windows lined the building, offering glimpses of the vast interiors filled with students and scholars alike.
To the right of the main building was the playground, a sprawling area where students could relax and engage in various sports. The grassy fields were dotted with trees, providing shade and a serene environment for leisurely activities.
On the left, the combat grounds came into view. This area was dedicated to practical training and combat practice. Various training dummies and obstacle courses were set up, and groups of students could be seen sparring and honing their skills. The air was filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and bursts of magical energy as aspiring warriors and mystics tested their abilities.
Further along the path, they passed the training rooms for the different Mystic jobs. Each room was designed to cater to the specific needs of various magical disciplines. For elemental mages, there were chambers equipped with elemental conduits and focusing crystals. For healers, there were rooms filled with herbs, potions, and magical wards. Illusionists had spaces with enchanted mirrors and shadowy alcoves, perfect for practicing their craft.
Cruzer and Hiroshi exchanged excited glances as they walked through the bustling campus. The academy was alive with activity, and the energy was palpable. It was a place where potential was nurtured, and students were encouraged to push their limits.
As they neared their classroom, Cruzer couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. The determination to conitnue living his life in this world and to discover what the mysterious entity meant by destiny.
Entering the classroom, Cruzer immediately spotted Ichinose Rin, the class president as well as his childhood friend. She stood by the window, her long, silky black hair catching the morning light. Her hair, framed her delicate face and flowed down her back in a sleek, ponytail. Rin had almond-shaped eyes, a deep brown that seemed almost black, giving her an intense and captivating gaze. Her skin was smooth and pale, accentuating her elegant features and the subtle blush on her cheeks.
She wore the academy's uniform with a unique grace, the dark blue blazer and pleated skirt fitting her slender frame perfectly. The crisp white shirt beneath the blazer was neatly tucked in, and a navy blue ribbon was tied around her collar, completing the ensemble. Rin's demeanor exuded a calm and collected aura, but beneath that exterior lay a complexity that only those close to her could sense.
Cruzer's heart raced as he approached her, the sight of her stirring a mix of emotions within him. He stared her as if his soul had been sucked away. Memories of their childhood together started gushing through his mind as if dam was broken.
Memories of the days when they played together along with her big brother and his best friend Yuu, of those simpler times when their friendship was unbreakable and filled with laughter and tears as well as small fights and makeups. Then came the fateful day when everything between them changed, the day that Rin awakened her ancestral bloodline—the Frost Phoenix Bloodline, known for its cold and unyielding power. That same day, Yuu died under mysterious circumstances, his body never being bound besides his severed left arm and right leg.
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Another memory flashed in Cruzer's mind, one from just three days ago. They had been in a group training session in the academy's combat grounds, practicing advanced spellcasting techniques under the watchful eyes of their instructor. Rin had demonstrated a particularly complex ice spell, the Frost Phoenix's Wrath, which summoned a flurry of icy shards that danced through the air before converging on a single point with devastating precision.
After her flawless performance, it had been Cruzer's turn. As he stepped forward, nervousness gnawed at him. He began to channel his energy, but the spell faltered, the icy shards dissipating before they could form properly. Laughter and whispers rippled through the crowd, and the instructor's disapproving frown did nothing to help.
Rin had approached him, her eyes as cold as the spell she had just cast. "Cruzer," she had said sharply, her voice like ice. "Don't talk to me at school anymore. I feel ashamed being associated with a weakling like you."
Cruzer had opened his mouth to protest, but Rin's verbal assault continued, cutting him off. "You are pathetic," she had hissed, her words biting. "No matter how hard you try, you will never be anything more than a failure. Your presence is an embarrassment."
As she turned to walk away, something inside Cruzer snapped. Desperation and anger surged within him, and he reached out, grabbing her arm. "Rin, wait—"
In an instant, Rin had spun around, her eyes blazing with fury. She had wrenched her arm free and, in a swift, fluid motion, had struck him with the back of her hand. Cruzer had stumbled, but before he could react, she had unleashed a barrage of attacks, each one precise and punishing. The pain was overwhelming, and he had fallen to the ground, bruised and bloodied.
"Don't ever touch me," she had spat, her voice trembling with rage. "You're nothing but a weak little vermin."
The aftermath had left Cruzer bedridden for a week, his body battered and his spirit crushed. He had missed classes, his absence a glaring reminder of his humiliation and Rin's cold disdain.
As he stood in the classroom, lost in the painful memory, a sharp voice snapped him out of his reverie. "Cruzer, still daydreaming like an idiot, I see? Didn't Rin tell you not to bother her?
He blinked, bringing himself back to the present. As soon as he saw the face of the girl, color drained from his face as if he had seen a ghost.