The sun rose early in the morning, casting a golden glow over Academy Z as students left their dorms, some meeting friends along the way. The campus buzzed with life, students gathering in groups and moving about with chatter and excitement. Though the building's exterior had a traditional architectural style, giving off a sense of history, the classrooms and gyms were a different story. They housed advanced technologies—equipment and devices that were in development or being tested, adding a sense of futuristic innovation to the academy's routine.
In one of the main hallways, a scene caught the attention of nearly every passing student. Heads turned as a tall, handsome man with striking lime-green hair and eyes walked along the corridor, a young boy at his side who seemed to be around the age of a first-year student. The boy's white hair and silver eyes stood out just as much as his companion's green hues, and both drew curious and admiring stares from the other students.
Malphas, carrying a duffle bag over his shoulder, walked beside Caelen, who held a piece of paper and was scanning the numbered labels on the dorm doors.
After a short while, they arrived at a door labeled 225.
"Alright, kid, this should be your room," Caelen said, a hint of pride in his voice as if pleased with his navigational skills.
"Alright," Malphas replied, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a card with a matching number on it.
The door had a small white box to the right of its frame, a tiny sign above it instructing him to hover the card over the box. Malphas followed the instructions, and after a moment, a soft click sounded from the door's handle.
"Alright, I'll get out of your hair, then," Caelen said with a smile. "Remember, call me if you need anything."
"…Right…" Malphas responded, though his tone was hesitant, as if feeling a little awkward.
Caelen caught the hesitation and paused, a thought crossing his mind. "Hold on… you…you still don't know how to use a phone, do you?"
"It—it's not that!" Malphas quickly replied, clearly flustered. "I… I just don't know how to call someone. You've always called me, so I haven't actually tried calling anyone myself…"
Caelen stifled a laugh, covering his mouth with one hand as he looked away, shoulders shaking as he tried his best to contain his amusement. His face flushed red as he struggled to keep it together.
"Alright, alright," he managed to say after a minute, finally calming down. "Doesn't matter, as long as you pick up when I call. Anyway, I've gotta get going—work's calling. See you around."
"Bye," Malphas replied, giving a slight wave.
The two exchanged waves before Caelen jogged off down the hall. Malphas sighed, watching him go, then turned back to his dorm door. He opened it and stepped inside, closing it behind him.
The room was small, barely large enough for a bed and a desk. In the corner, he noticed a door leading to a bathroom.
'Wow, it's pretty small,' Malphas thought to himself as he looked around the modest space. With a resigned sigh, he opened his duffle bag and began unpacking.
"Well, I'd better get ready for class."
He rummaged through his bag, pulling out the academy's black uniform—the same one he'd seen many of the other students wearing in the halls.
'I'll give the school this—the uniforms are nice,' he thought, appreciating the sleek, modern design of the outfit.
---
Meanwhile, in one of the classrooms, students sat chatting away, their voices filling the space as they waited for the lesson to begin. In one corner, Julia stood, holding onto a boy's arm. He was tall and handsome, with dirty brown hair and golden eyes, and laughed along with her as their friends gathered around, eager to join in on the gossip.
On the other side of the room, however, Lillian sat alone at her desk, seemingly indifferent to the noisy group. She was focused on her notebook, jotting down notes and barely glancing up.
Just then, the door swung open, and a woman entered the room. She wore a white blouse and a long purple skirt, her hair pulled back into a neat bun. Thin-framed glasses perched on her nose, and she carried a clipboard and binder. She made her way to the podium at the front of the classroom and let the clipboard drop onto it with a loud slam, instantly silencing the room.
Students quickly took their seats, straightening their postures as they eyed their teacher nervously.
The woman, Mrs. LeConte, was known as a powerful Fateweaver in her day and had a reputation as a strict and no-nonsense instructor. Her face was beautiful but stern, and her red lips parted to release a commanding, slightly weary voice.
"How was your weekend, maggots?"
The students flinched at the word "maggots," well aware of Mrs. LeConte's intensity.
The classroom fell silent as they watched her carefully. Today, she seemed even more irritable than usual. With a sharp sigh, she turned to the chalkboard, picking up a piece of chalk in one swift motion and writing something small on the board. With a quick flick of her hand, the writing expanded in size, making it visible to the entire room.
It was a date: April 16th, 12386.
"Does anyone know what happened on this date?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room.
One student hesitantly raised their hand.
"Yes, you," Mrs. LeConte said, pointing at them.
"Isn't that when the rogue Fateweaver was captured?" the student replied.
"Yes, but who captured them?"
"Uh…wasn't it class 1-A?"
"Correct. And do you know why they were chosen for the assignment?"
The student faltered, eventually sinking back into their seat, unable to answer.
"Anyone?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
Silence fell once more as none of the students dared to answer.
"You're all hopeless," she muttered, her words hitting like daggers. Several students visibly flinched, feeling as if a weight had just settled over them.
"The answer is simple," Mrs. LeConte continued, her tone biting. "Class 1-A was chosen because they are considered the strongest freshman class. Unlike us, they are trusted to take on missions that are actually commissioned to the school. That's why we'll be introducing a new student today." She turned toward the open door. "Come in!"
No one entered. Mrs. LeConte's brow twitched in irritation as she stared at the empty doorway.
"Goddammit. Another one of those disobedient types! I guess I'll just have to—"
"I'm right here, Mrs. LeConte," a voice interrupted her mid-sentence.
She turned, startled, to find Malphas standing beside her.
"Wh—when did you—"
"I've been here the whole time," Malphas replied smoothly, his expression unreadable.
Across the room, Lillian glanced up from her notebook, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of him. Her face flushed, and she quickly looked away, hiding her reaction.
'What…what is he doing here!?' she wondered, flustered. 'He told me he'd be attending the academy in a month or so, but it's only been a week!'
On the other side of the room, however, Julia's expression darkened as she recognized him. Her fists clenched, her arms shook slightly as the memory of their last encounter replayed in her mind.
'This… this fucker!? What the hell is he doing here!?' she seethed internally, barely able to contain her anger.
A new thought, however, crossed her mind, and her expression shifted. 'Wait… this makes it easier to show him what happens when someone disrespects me,' she thought, her lips twitching as she struggled to suppress a grin.
"Why not introduce yourself?" Mrs. LeConte said, crossing her arms and looking at Malphas expectantly.
"I am Malphas Darkwood," he began, his tone polite but slightly detached. "I'm new to this city—I've only been here for a week. I look forward to learning from all of you."
Mrs. LeConte was the only one who detected a faint hint of reluctance beneath his polite words. Internally, Malphas sighed, remembering how Caelen had insisted he rehearse these lines during the car ride to make himself seem more approachable. Though he would've preferred to skip the pleasantries, he'd practiced a polite smile, which he now maintained as Mrs. LeConte directed him to an empty seat.
She pointed to a row where Lillian sat. Realizing this, Lillian quickly raised her book to cover her face. Malphas walked over and took his seat a fair distance from her, ready to face his first day at the academy.