The sun peeked through the curtains, painting Kai's room with soft morning light. It was a new day in the capital, and Kai couldn't help but want to rush to Mr. Geralt. But he wasn't in the North anymore. In the capital, there was no Mr. Geralt to greet him.
Yawning, Kai sat up in bed. His eyes were still heavy with sleep as he looked around the unfamiliar room. The walls were a pale cream color, nothing like the warm wooden walls of his home in the North. A simple desk stood in the corner, and a small wardrobe held his few belongings. Everything felt strange and new.
As he stretched, Kai couldn't help but think of home. He missed the crisp mountain air and the smell of pine trees. Here, the air was different, filled with the scents of the city - spices, flowers, and sometimes not-so-pleasant smells from the crowded streets.
Suddenly, a loud knock broke through his thoughts.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Kai, come out quick! It's time to leave!" a voice called from outside his door. He knew who it was right away - Edana. She sounded impatient, her voice high and a bit annoyed.
Kai jumped out of bed, his bare feet hitting the cool floor. He rushed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face to wake himself up. As he brushed his teeth, he caught his reflection in the mirror. His dark hair was messy from sleep, and his green eyes looked tired. He quickly washed up and got dressed.
When Kai opened the door, he saw Edana standing there. She was beautiful, but in a fierce way. Her long red hair was braided neatly, hanging over one shoulder. Her eyes were a bright blue, like the sky on a clear day. She wore a simple but elegant dress in deep blue, with a silver belt around her waist. Even when she was annoyed, she looked graceful.
"Morning, Edana," Kai said, trying to sound cheerful. He wondered how she got into his house, but then remembered this was her district. She controlled everything here. Still, he thought about privacy. First, it was her sister Evelyn yesterday, and now Edana today.
"You could have sent a message or something," Kai said as he put on his silver sword. The leather strap felt familiar against his hip.
Kai wore simple clothes - black trousers and a white top. It was different from his usual clothes in the North, but it felt right for the city.
"You were late," Edana said, her voice sharp. "It's almost eight. We should have left at seven." Her eyes flashed with anger, making Kai feel small.
"Tch..." Kai didn't know what to say. He felt embarrassed. In the North, he was free to wake up whenever he wanted. But the capital was different. It was another reminder that this wasn't the home he was used to.
As they walked out of his house, Kai saw the others waiting. They all looked ready to go, making him feel even more behind.
Mercedes stood out in her white armor. It wasn't fancy, but it looked strong and fit her well. Her blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her brown eyes were warm and friendly. She had a kind smile that made Kai feel a bit better about being late.
Jessica and Eva wore clothes similar to Kai's - trousers and crop tops. But they also had leather belts across their chests, probably to hold weapons or other things they needed. Jessica looked cold and distant. Her black hair was cut short, framing a face that seemed carved from ice. Her dark eyes were hard to read, and her lips were set in a straight line. She was beautiful, but in a way that made Kai feel a little nervous.
Eva, on the other hand, had a softer look. Her brown hair fell in waves around her shoulders, and her hazel eyes were curious, taking in everything around them. She had a sprinkling of freckles across her nose that made her look friendly and approachable.
"Good morning," Kai said, feeling awkward. He knew he had messed up by being late.
The others said good morning back, but Kai could tell they were a bit annoyed. He wished he could explain about how different things were in the North, but he stayed quiet.
"We're all done, right? No one forgot anything?" Edana asked, looking at each of them. They all shook their heads. Kai patted his pockets, making sure he had everything he needed.
"Good," Edana said, nodding. "We just need to take a teleportation to the academy. It isn't that grand, but humans aren't the only ones there. Be careful." Her voice was serious, and Kai felt a little nervous about what they might find at the academy.
As they walked towards the teleportation formation, Kai looked around the city, they first went to the second gate. The streets were already busy with people. Merchants were setting up their stalls, the air filled with the smell of fresh bread and spices. Children ran by, laughing and playing. Guards in shiny armor stood at corners, watching everything with sharp eyes.
The buildings were tall and made of stone, nothing like the simple houses in the North. Some had beautiful carvings on them, telling stories Kai didn't understand. Flags and banners hung from windows, adding splashes of color to the grey stone.
Kai's stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten breakfast. He saw a food stall nearby selling something that smelled amazing - like fried dough and sugar. His mouth watered, but he knew they didn't have time to stop.
As they got closer to the teleportation area, Kai saw a large circle drawn on the ground. Strange symbols were carved into the stone around it, glowing faintly with a blue light. It looked magical and a little scary.
"Stand in the circle," Edana instructed. "Don't move once you're inside."
Kai stepped into the circle, feeling a strange tingling in his feet. The others joined him, standing close together. He could smell Edana's flowery perfume and the leather of Jessica's boots. Eva shifted nervously beside him, and he heard Mercedes take a deep breath.
"Ready?" Edana asked, looking at each of them one last time.
Kai nodded, his heart beating fast. He didn't know what to expect at the academy, but he knew it would be nothing like his life in the North. As the blue light grew brighter around them, Kai closed his eyes.
He thought of home one last time - the mountains, the forests, Mr. Geralt's kind face. Then, with a flash of light and a strange pulling feeling in his stomach, they were gone. The capital disappeared, and Kai knew that when he opened his eyes, he would be facing a whole new world.