Elf: "Eh?" (Staring at Vin and Renz in confusion, her glowing green eyes reflecting the light from the academy's gate.)
Vin: "What is it?" (Looking at the Elf with a cold gaze.)
Renz was still mesmerized by the grandeur of Dilveria Academy to Vin's left, like a child seeing something new for the first time.
Elf: "Are you guys also trying to enter this academy?" (Her voice sounded nervous, perhaps because of Vin's sharp gaze.)
Vin: "Also?" (Repeating the word in a flat tone, trying to understand the Elf's meaning.)
Elf: "Yes, I've made a promise to myself to get into this academy." (The Elf's voice trembled slightly, but there was determination in her eyes.)
Vin turned his gaze toward the academy without saying anything, his cold demeanor making the Elf even more confused.
Elf: "Hey! What do you mean by that kind of response?" (The Elf's voice began to rise, her eyes reflecting anger.)
Vin: "Then? What else should I say?" (He glanced at the Elf from the corner of his eye, his expression indifferent.)
Elf: "Ugh, are you ignoring me?!" (Her voice was annoyed as she pointed a finger toward Vin's eyes.)
Vin: "I'm trying to act normal, not ignoring you." (His expression remained the same.)
Elf: "Seriously? That makes no sense!" (She turned her face away in frustration.)
Vin: "Forget it. Let's just go inside." (Turning back to face the academy.)
Vin glanced at Renz and noticed that he was still staring at the academy in awe.
Vin: "No surprise there." (Looking at Renz with a neutral expression.)
Vin patted Renz's shoulder, snapping him back to reality.
Vin: "Stop daydreaming. We still have to walk." (Patting Renz's shoulder again.)
Renz: "Oh, sorry, sorry. Got a little carried away, hehe." (Renz replied playfully, scratching his head.)
The two of them began walking together, climbing the stairs toward the academy's main door.
Elf: "Ugh! Are you seriously ignoring me?!" (Her voice was annoyed as she turned her gaze back to Vin and Renz.)
Vin: "Come on. Is it that hard to walk up the stairs yourself?" (Vin paused briefly, looking at the Elf.)
Renz: "Hurry up, or we'll leave you behind." (Renz smiled faintly at the Elf and walked ahead, followed by Vin.)
Elf: "Hey! Wait for me!" (Her tone was loud and irritated as she quickly followed after Vin and Renz.)
While walking, Vin observed his surroundings with a wary gaze. He noticed that there weren't many people entering the academy.
Vin: (Why so few? Isn't this the most sought-after academy?) (Trying to make sense of the situation.)
Elf: (What's with this guy? Doesn't he care about anyone?) (Her tone was cynical as she glanced at Vin.)
A cool breeze from the academy blew through the Elf's long hair, causing her to adjust it with an embarrassed look.
After a short walk, they and three others stopped in front of the academy's main door.
Vin: "Zodiac carvings?" (Looking at the door.)
Renz: "I think so. Look, Vin, our Zodiacs are there too." (Pointing at the door's carvings.)
Vin's eyes landed on his Zodiac, Leo. Suddenly, he heard a whisper in his head.
Zodiac? Academy? Leo? Death.
Vin was momentarily startled by the voice but kept his gaze fixed on the Leo carving.
Vin: (What was that?) (His expression surprised.)
Renz: "Vin?" (Looking at him in confusion.)
Elf: "Huh?" (Turning her confused gaze to Vin.)
Vin: "It's nothing. Forget it. Let's go inside." (Vin's expression returned to normal, though his hand trembled slightly.)
Renz: "Are you sure you're okay?" (Concerned for Vin.)
Elf: (What's wrong with him?) (Still confused.)
Vin pushed the door open with his left hand. As it opened slightly, a strong gust of wind blew through the gap.
Vin, Renz, the Elf, and the three others shielded their eyes momentarily to withstand the wind.
Vin: "What's going on?" (Confused, his hand still on the door.)
Renz, the Elf, and the three others were equally shocked by the sudden gust.
The doors fully opened, revealing the grandeur of Dilveria Academy's interior.
Everyone stood in awe of the academy's magnificence, except for Vin.
Vin: (The aura here is denser than it was outside.) (The pupil of Vin's left eye faintly glowed red as he sensed the aura.)
Renz: "Why are you just standing there, Vin?" (He asked, patting Vin's shoulder.)
Vin: "Nothing. Let's go." (Vin's left eye returned to normal.)
They and the three others entered the academy together, its grandeur seemingly binding them to something intangible.
Vin: "Stay alert, Renz." (Walking cautiously, Vin tightly gripped his sword's sheath with his left hand.)
Renz: "Alert for what?" (Looking at Vin's left hand in confusion.)
Elf: "Why be alert? We're in—" (The Elf's dismissive remark was cut off by a sudden attack.)
An arrow flew toward one of the three people behind Vin, Renz, and the Elf.
A man behind the Elf was struck on his left shoulder, the arrow wounding him but not severely. Blood seeped from the injury as the man winced in pain.
Elf: "What was that?!" (She gasped, covering her mouth, her emotions a mix of shock and fear.)
Renz and the other two were stunned by the sudden incident, but not Vin. His vigilance remained sharp as he spotted a group of people approaching.
Nine unknown individuals, six men and three women dressed in different-colored robes walked toward them.
One of the nine, a man, spoke arrogantly to Vin.
Unknown Male: "Hey, you juniors better kneel before us. We're seniors at this academy. If not, you'll face the consequences." (His tone was haughty, his posture intimidating.)
The other eight laughed and jeered at the juniors but stopped when Vin responded.
Vin: "So what?" (His tone mocking, his cold, sharp eyes piercing the man.)
The pupil of Vin's left eye turned entirely dark red. He noticed the man's faint fiery red aura, circling his body without movement.
Unknown Male: "What's with that look? You're just trash! You should burn and die!" (His voice arrogant as he drew a magic staff with his right hand.)
Renz and the other two remained silent, shocked by the exchange.
Meanwhile, the Elf tended to the injured man, healing his wound with magic.
The man's wound gradually healed thanks to the Elf's healing spell.
Unknown Male: "Fireball!" (Casting a spell toward Vin.)
Vin drew his Obsidian sword from its sheath.
Vin: "Too slow." (Mocking as he prepared to counter.)
Before the fireball could hit him, Vin slashed with his sword, dispersing the attack.
The fireball vanished under the force of Vin's blade, the Astral Demon Darius.
Elf: "That spell disappeared with just a swing of that sword?!" (She exclaimed, her eyes glued to Vin's weapon.)
Renz: "I thought it'd be tough, but it's just paper." (Mocking the unknown man.)
Unknown Male: "Don't underestimate me, you trash! I'm Dikarus Ace! There's no way you can insult me like this!" (Furious, his eyes blazing with anger.)
Vin: "Who asked for your name?" (Mocking, his eyes filled with disdain.)
Vin stood in a relaxed posture, his sword in his right hand.
Unknown Female: "What's with that tacky engraving on your right hand? Haha." (She taunted Vin, pulling out her magic staff as well.)
Before they could exchange blows, a magic instructor intervened, stopping everyone.
Magic Instructor: "ENOUGH!" (With a commanding voice.)