Chapter 1: Royal Academy of Divine Arts
The road leading to the Royal Academy of the Divine Arts was an enchanting scene, framed by ancient trees that formed a canopy over the cobbled path, their autumn leaves casting a golden glow in the early morning light.
Carriage after carriage approached, each a display of wealth and artistry, announcing the arrival of noble heirs and promising students from across the human empire.
The first carriage to arrive was a magnificent midnight blue, its polished wood inlaid with delicate silver stars that shimmered in the dappled sunlight.
Four snow-white horses, their bridles adorned with silver bells, trotted proudly as the carriage came to a halt, drawing admiring glances from the gathered crowd.
Moments later, another carriage rolled forward, this one a deep, glossy black adorned with intricate silver engravings in the shape of swirling blades, a clear mark of martial prowess.
A guard stepped out first, surveying the scene with a keen, watchful gaze.
Amidst this procession of splendor and wealth, a single carriage arrived with understated elegance.
It was crafted from polished dark wood with only the subtlest touch of silver along its frame, and etched on its door was a small symbol—a raven in mid-flight, wings spread against a field of clouds.
Though unadorned, the crest held quiet authority, and those who recognized it felt a ripple of tension.
The carriage came to a gentle halt at the base of the Academy's grand staircase, and an expectant hush fell over the crowd.
From within, a young man emerged with a calm, composed step.
He was tall, his frame lean yet marked by a quiet strength, his movements deliberate and poised.
His hair, a striking shade of silver-gray, caught the morning light as he surveyed the crowd with cool, unflinching gray eyes that seemed to see and yet dismiss the gathered students with a single, detached glance.
A murmur rose among the onlookers.
"Is that him?" a voice whispered, hushed but awestruck.
"Yes… the Emperor's third son," someone replied quietly, shifting their gaze downward as his attention drifted over them.
The young man's gaze lingered on the towering entrance of the Academy, his expression remote and unreadable.
He seemed less like a prince stepping into a new world than a figure of another era, standing apart, surrounded by a quiet that set him distinctly apart from the eager young nobles around him.
In the soft autumn light, he stood still for a moment longer, letting the moment settle before moving forward.
As the young man stepped away from the carriage, a butler dressed in a finely tailored dark uniform approached, bowing with impeccable grace.
The butler, an older man with a stern but kindly expression and silver hair neatly combed back, inclined his head respectfully.
"Young Lord Kriesten," he intoned, his voice warm yet formal. "On behalf of your household, I wish you a successful and enlightening stay here at the Academy. May this new chapter bring you strength and wisdom."
The butler raised his head, a faint, almost fatherly pride flickering in his eyes. "Know that your family places great hopes on you, my lord. If ever you have a need, simply send a word."
He gave another slight bow, stepping back as Ren nodded in acknowledgment, his expression calm but distant.
The butler held his place until Ren turned toward the entrance, where the Academy gates loomed.
The butler straightened, folding his hands neatly in front of him as he continued, his tone reassuring and efficient.
"Young Lord Ren, all of your accommodations and personal items have been seen to by the Academy staff, as per tradition for esteemed students.
Your quarters have been prepared in accordance with your family's wishes, and any personal effects you may need will be delivered directly to you upon request."
He paused, giving a slight nod of approval as if ensuring Ren's comfort personally.
"As for now," he added, "the opening ceremony is set to begin shortly in the Grand Hall. I would advise proceeding directly, as many of your peers will be in attendance. I trust the event will provide a valuable introduction to both the Academy and its… expectations."
He gave another bow, one final, respectful gesture. "May the Academy serve you well, Lord Ren."
With that, he stepped back, allowing Ren to move forward toward the towering entrance where students and dignitaries were gathering in anticipation of the Academy's formal welcome.
"Thank you." The young man finally replied as he turned towards his butler.
"I will not disappoint."
Ren stepped past the towering entrance and into the grand halls of the Academy, his footsteps echoing faintly against the polished stone floors.
The architecture was nothing short of breathtaking—vaulted ceilings soared overhead, adorned with intricate carvings depicting the legendary feats of past heroes and scholars.
Every pillar was crafted from gleaming marble, each engraved with symbols representing the world's three foundational energies: Mana, Aura, and Spirit Essence.
Gold and silver inlays traced patterns along the walls, giving the space an otherworldly glow as they reflected the light streaming in through grand, stained-glass windows.
He passed beneath archways etched with ancient language, each one marking the way to vast wings and corridors that stretched deeper into the Academy's sprawling grounds.
Portraits of past graduates, noble and otherwise, lined the walls, their painted eyes watching as new generations entered to forge their own paths.
And at one of these portraits, Ren couldn't help but pause a little.
'Mother. So this was how you looked like when you were younger.' Ren couldn't help but think as he saw the portrait of his mother during her 'glory' days as she put it...
Ren made his way toward the Grand Hall where the opening ceremony was to be held.
Finally, he stepped into a massive auditorium that opened before him like a grand amphitheater.
Rows upon rows of seats ascended in sweeping curves, forming a vast circle that allowed everyone a clear view of the raised dais at the center.
A domed ceiling arched high above, an impressive mosaic of celestial patterns painted in vivid blues and silvers, with chandeliers hanging like stars, illuminating the hall in a gentle, almost ethereal light.
Hundreds of students and dignitaries filled the space, each donning attire that displayed their family crests and colors with pride.
Ren's gaze swept over the assembly, immediately recognizing dozens of noble faces—some from distant interactions at formal gatherings, others whose names were spoken in whispers of legend and rivalry.
Each face represented a family, a faction, an ally or enemies.
He could sense the underlying tension in the room, each noble eyeing the other, weighing alliances and threats, already maneuvering for the power games to come.
'I certainly did not miss…' Ren couldn't help but think. For the past 2 months he was exempted by his family from attending Gatherings held by nobility.
While the official reason was that he had to prepare for the Academy, everyone knew why Ren was pushed to the sidelines.
'I have to keep an open mind.' Ren reminded himself. After all, his mother said that this place was the one place she loved with all her heart.
The room fell quiet as more students filed in, each one taking their place, the anticipation building as they awaited the beginning of the ceremony that would mark the start of their lives here at the Academy.
As the last of the students settled into their seats, the atmosphere in the Grand Hall shifted.
A ripple of anticipation swept through the crowd, eyes turning toward the dais as the five top students of the fifth year emerged from behind a curtain at the back of the stage.
Each step they took commanded attention, though their expressions remained impassive, betraying no emotion whatsoever.
Dressed in elegant robes adorned with the symbols of their prestigious families, the five moved with an air of practiced indifference.
They were the elite of the Academy, recognized for their exceptional talents, yet as they made their way onto the stage, they seemed burdened by the moment, their gazes focused straight ahead as if the gathering of new students was little more than a necessary formality.
The murmur of conversation among the nobles filled the hall, their chatter rising in volume as they discussed the merits and achievements of these elite students.
But as if on cue, the noise gradually faded, the murmurs quieting into a collective hush as the vice-headmistress strode into the room.
She was a striking figure—a middle-aged woman whose presence resonated with authority and grace.
Her silver hair was tied into a messy bun, a few strands artfully escaping to frame her face, lending her an air of effortless beauty.
The glasses perched on her nose accentuated her sharp, penetrating gaze, which swept over the gathered students and nobles with a mix of scrutiny and warmth.
The moment she entered, a palpable silence fell across the auditorium, as though the very air had been drawn tight.
She stood there for a heartbeat, allowing the quiet to settle fully, her expression calm yet commanding.
'She also is the same.' Ren thought in slight anger. 'How is she moving on with her life, as if nothing had happened at all?!'
"Welcome," she began, her voice resonating through the vast space, imbued with a melodic strength that held everyone's attention.
"Welcome to the Royal Academy of the Divine Arts. Today marks the beginning of your journey into the world of power and potential, where you will learn not only to harness your abilities but to understand the responsibilities that come with them."
Authors Note:
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