I walked into the lounge as we entered the Ascent's flight zone.
After our IDs were cross-checked, we were cleared to approach further.
Within the next few minutes, the marvel that every kid in the world dreams of seeing came into my view.
There they were!
An archipelago of islands closely scattered above the clouds, suspended in the sky like a dream made real.
My breath snagged in my throat as the famous Academy City came into view, spectacular and awe-inspiring.
Academy City was the name given to the main island. It was the largest of them all, the crown jewel of the Ascent Isles.
Several smaller islands orbited around it like tiny moons, but I knew better. My eyes were deceiving me.
Those smaller islands were far from being tiny. Each one was massive, larger than several city blocks combined.
And the Academy City itself? It was colossal, dwarfing most cities of the current world. Its sheer size was staggering.
The city was built in concentric rings, and at its very heart stood the pride of the Ascent Isles—the Apex Tower itself.
It was a large silver spire that rose upward with an imposing grandeur as if intending to pierce the heavens.
Its peak reached toward the spiky base of another, much smaller island floating directly above it, like a crown perched atop the tower.
This second island was a bit mysterious. It was a place reserved only for the Faculty and the Order. Even the Cadet Council had no access there.
Between the rings of the main island, patches of green dotted the landscape. Those were the Sky Gardens, lush and vibrant, breaking up the futuristic backdrop created by sleek buildings.
I pressed my face against the window glass, squinting to see the busy marketplaces, the elegant residential areas, and the grand lecture halls.
Most of the main buildings were situated on the main island, while others, such as training halls, archives, coliseums, and sports stadiums, were on the orbiting islands.
The design was meticulous, perfectly blending advanced technology and natural beauty.
I had no words to describe that scene.
If we forget the grand descriptions, if we forget the flowery words, if we forget the breathtaking hold the Ascent Isles have on you when you first see them…
You need only two words to describe the floating islands – beautiful and majestic.
•••
The jet landed smoothly on the main island's platform. As I stepped out, the cool, crisp air filled my lungs, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers.
It was still winter in this part of the world, but the Ascent Isles seemed to defy the world's order, maintaining their own unique environment and ecosystem.
Here, it was spring.
The platform buzzed with activity while numerous other jets and airships arrived or left the runway. The distant hum of conversation and laughter filled the air.
I looked around, unsure of how to feel.
Everything was a blur.
It was surreal, and the absurdity only heightened as I got off the metallic ramp and stepped onto the concrete ground.
Something so massive…
Something so sturdy was floating so high in the sky.
Impossible! It was an impossible feeling!
My knees felt weak, and I was lightheaded.
I lifted my gaze to look at the Academy Tower.
It was even more impressive up close, its surface gleaming in the sunlight, intricate designs and runes adorning its façade.
Ahead, the pathways were lined with sleek buildings, modern and elegant.
Teens dressed crisp black uniforms hurried past, some chatting animatedly, others lost in thought. All of them were Cadets.
But most of the kids my eyes darted over merely wore civilian clothes and looked just as astonished as I was. They were all prospective cadets like me, here to get admitted.
To my left, I noticed the bustling marketplace and colorful stalls offering everything from rare books to exotic foods.
To my right, the Sky Gardens stretched out, a serene oasis of vibrant plants and flowers, offering a peaceful retreat from the city's activity.
Beyond the edges of the island were… only clouds.
A sea of white clouds over which the Ascent Isles drifted, like a ship carried by the gentle waves of the ocean on a beautiful day.
"Young Master," Juliana's voice reached me from behind as she exited the jet.
Despite standing atop what could easily be described as a miraculous fusion of impossible magic and cutting-edge engineering, not a hint of emotion flickered across her face.
She looked just as impassive as ever.
But I knew better.
Inside, she was probably dying of exuberance, not because of the breathtaking scenery around us but because she was now one step closer to her ultimate goal.
Still, none of that excitement showed on her nonchalant face.
Her relaxed indifference starkly contrasted with the stupid grin plastered on my face.
Feeling like a yokel fresh out of a farm gawking at the big city for the first time, I awkwardly cleared my throat.
I quickly wiped the grin off my face, replacing it with what I hoped was a neutral expression.
"Yes, Juli?" I asked, trying not to sound like a jubilant teenager who'd just held a girl's hand for the first time.
Juliana, looking as stunning as ever in a black blouse under a sheer top paired with a flowy midi skirt, clasped her hands together in front of her in a professional manner.
Her neck-length white hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, and her azure eyes caught the light of the radiant sun, glowing even more than usual.
She drew a few admiring gazes from the people passing by, but ignoring them all she spoke:
"I know you'd like to look around, but it's best if we apply for the interview first. The sooner we get a slot, the more time we'll have to prepare for the evaluation."
The entrance exam was split into two parts:
An extensive interview that covered the basics of academics and mysticism.
It also included basic questions on politics and war strategies for prospective cadets from noble families.
Upon arriving at the Apex Academy, it was advised to take the interview as soon as possible. After all, only by clearing this stage could you proceed to the next.
If you failed the interview, there was no point in lingering on the Ascent Isles. Unless you enjoyed the idea of being unceremoniously thrown out by the guards, you'd have to pack up and leave immediately.
But if you passed, the next stage would be the evaluation — a ranking process to determine where you'd start in the academic year. It was a physical test to gauge your abilities.
So, the sooner you wrap up the interview, the more time you'll have to rest and prepare for the evaluation.
Besides, you couldn't find a place to stay here on Ascent until after passing the interview, so delaying it was pointless.
I nodded. "Yes, let's go."
Before I could take a step, my white-haired Shadow called out. "Though we have a problem, Young Master. What are you going to do about the tuition?"
…Right.
That was indeed a problem.
After clearing the interview stage, your tuition was determined.
If you were dull, you'd be charged more. If the masters deemed you smart, you'd have to pay less.
Either way, you must pay upfront for an entire term after clearing the interview. Lodging fees were considered as well.
But that was the precise problem — I had no money on me right now.
Well, none that I could actually use. I wasn't very liquid.
'What did Samael do in the game?'
If I remember correctly, Samael forced Juliana to sell her Acquire Cards at this point in the story.
The thing is, Samael's Acquire Cards were given to him by his clan. So, Arthur confiscated them all before banishing him.
However, Juliana had to build her Deck on her own. No one gave her anything.
Every Credit she possessed was hard-earned through menial, degrading work.
She took on the oddest and most exhausting jobs around the clan, scraping together every bit of cash she could.
Even lowering herself to entertain some noble young lords – and ladies, come to think of it – she endured their whims with gritted teeth, all for a mere few thousand Credits here and there.
And after five long grueling years, she finally saved up enough to purchase six Cards.
They weren't much, but to her, they represented everything she had to sacrifice – her pride, her time, and even her self-respect.
That's why she was so reluctant to sell them.
But Samael threatened the use of BloodWorm and forced Juliana to pawn those Cards to cover his tuition.
And yes, he only paid his own, leaving her to figure out how to pay for herself. She somehow managed in the end by selling her family sword.
But in hindsight, I think that moment was likely the final straw for her.
It turned her resentment into hatred, making her responsible for many of Samael's death scenarios in the story.
In the game routes where Samael survived all the significant events – like the Carnage during Class Excursion, his fight with Alexia Zynx and Michael Godswill, and even the confrontation with Asmodeus – Juliana was always the one who finally killed him.
All his paths ended with her.
She was his final death flag.
I gulped hard, my throat making a dry clicking sound as I looked into the distance. I could see a pawn shop just across the first alley in the bustling marketplace.
Maybe Juliana followed my gaze, and her already pale face drained of color, turning ashen.
She knew me well enough to predict that I was too selfish to sell my own belongings.
That only left her possessions.
But before she could let those thoughts run wild, I rolled my shoulders and turned to her. "It's fine. I'll manage the tuition. Do me a favor and get our names registered for the interview."
"...Eh?"
She simply stared at me for a moment, her long eyelashes fluttering in disbelief.
It was as if she couldn't believe her ears.
As if she had failed to predict me again.
She had been so sure of what I would do that she couldn't comprehend my words.
So, I repeated myself. "Go and file our names. I'll handle the fee and meet you... wherever the Masters are conducting the interviews."
She allowed herself to blankly stare at me for a few more seconds, her confusion deepening.
Then, as if reluctantly accepting my words, she nodded and turned away, walking off slowly.