Arakh sat on the designated chair. His arms rested on his lap as he looked straight into the principal's eyes.
"Yes, I have guessed that," said Arakh.
"Haha, sure you do," Indus laughed, his beard seeming to dance with the rhythm. He tapped his table and asked, "Arakh, do you know the meaning of our emblem?"
"The phoenix rising from flames?" Arakh raised his brows seeing the emblem etched in the ceiling above him.
"'To fail is to reemerge victorious later,'" Indus said proudly. He gestured to the emblem with an open palm. "Everyone has their own path in life, but everyone can choose their goals. In chasing those goals, we will fail—repeatedly. But in those moments of failure, we must rise, like the phoenix."
"That is, not wrong," said Arakh, as if he had not completely resigned his fate at the altar then. He smiled inwardly, had he not seen the chance of getting out, he might as well rot there. Had he not trained in the enhancement technique, he might not have seen Kairan Village again.
Indus nodded, brushing his beard thoughtfully. "Good. Now, before I assign you to your dorm, do you have any questions about Elabra Academy? Of course, it's better to experience it for yourself, but I can clear up any pressing doubts."
Arakh leaned forward slightly. "What about tuition?" he asked. "I have no money on me. At all."
Indus burst into hearty laughter. "No need to worry about that! The Kingdom of Pasrih covers all your expenses here—well, all necessary expenses. If you're hoping for a glowing sword, you'll have to pay for that yourself."
"All my expenses?" Arakh repeated, frowning slightly. "What do you mean?"
Indus's jovial demeanor shifted slightly. He leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. "The Kingdom of Pasrih knows the importance of military strength. That's why this academy is fully funded by taxes—not just from Elabra but from the cities of Noen, Felim, Yehz, and even the capital, Lufrath."
Arakh further frowned as he touched his chin. His gaze was on the table, but his mind was contemplating Indus's words: "All cities had combined their taxes to fund the academies, but more importantly, the military." He looked up and asked, "But this was not the case ten years ago."
"Indeed," Indus nodded. "Ten years ago, one would need to pay a sum of fee to enroll in this academy."
"Principal," Arakh's eyes sharpened, "Are we in a war?"
The principal smiled, "For someone that grew up in a remote village, you sure are sharp in the head."
"Wait, we are?" Arakh frowned.
The principal shook his head. "Not at the moment, though. We would never know, and I can't predict when exactly."
"Does everyone else know?" asked Arakh.
"You mean the students?" Indus raised his brows.
"Everyone," Arakh emphasize.
"No, not everyone, but those with noble blood or connections, they might know a thing or two," said the Principal.
"Against who?" asked Arakh.
The principal raised his hand and showed him his palm, "Enough, Arakh, with the way you are now, further information will do you nothing but fear and overthinking."
Arakh nodded, he realized that the principal was not wrong. He's right, delving further will do me no good. I'm still weak to even care for a looming war that's not certain, but, without this looming war, I could only dream of enrolling at this academy. So, thanks to the looming war, I guess?
"But even so, I never thought that a boy at your age could make that connection," Indus laughed. "When I was your age, I was busy playing games and procrastinating."
Arakh sheepishly laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "Is it really that uncommon?"
"Well, I can say that it is, rare," Indus acknowledged with a nod.
"Oh, and one more thing," asked Arakh. "What was Reikh like in this academy?"
"Hoh, Reikh huh?" Indus brushed his white beard as he looked above. "That's a famous name that lingered."
"Yeah and?" Arakh leaned his face forward.
"Hahaha, well when he was a student, he was a well-behaved kid. He was ambitious enough to say that he would become a Master Resonator one day," Indus smiled.
Arakh's eyes widened in inspiration.
"The class laughed of course, but in due time, they started to believe his dream too," said Indus. "He held the crest in his heart, or perhaps should I say, he was the phoenix of Elabra."
"Woah, that much?" asked Arakh. "Is he the best student Elabra Academy ever witnessed?"
"You could say that, he has unforgotten traces that he left here and I dare say that you would be interested in learning them as you spend your days in this academy."
Arakh let out a sigh of relief.
"Hm? Are you dissatisfied?" asked Indus.
"No, I expect nothing else from Reikh," said Arakh.
"Hahaha, you mention him like he is your friend or something," said Indus leaning back on his chair.
"Oh, I am, tell him my name and he sure will be shocked," Arakh pointed to his own chest and tapped twice.
"Then I will sure to mention your name if he ever comes to visit," Indus nodded with a smile, seeming to satisfy his urges.
Arakh grinned from ear to ear before standing up, "I think that's all I need to know."
Indus stood up and offered his hand, "Then I, Indus Yuha, welcome you to Elabra Academy."
Arakh accepted his hand, "Then I, Arakh Xei, shall make Elabra Academy proud, with a reputation that matches Reikh!"
"Hm?" Indus raised his brows before bursting out laughing at the ceiling, "That was a first, then go and make the academy proud."
Arakh nodded and turned around heading toward the double door, however, he paused just as his hand held the knob. "Principal, why did you let me know about the looming war?" he turned and saw the stunned principal.
Indus smiled, "One thing that you should know Arakh, I don't lie. Were you to answer the wrong thing, I wouldn't speak of it."
Arakh studied him, the principal's cryptic tone gnawing at his thoughts. Finally, he nodded. "I see."
With a slight push, the door creaked open, revealing the long hallway outside. The distant chatter of students echoed faintly, blending with the soft rustle of leaves from the academy yard.
Eli stood by the railing, her hands clasped behind her back as she looked out at the grounds. Her ponytail swayed gently as she turned at the sound of his footsteps.
"Hm?" she raised an eyebrow. "Done already?"
"En," Arakh nodded, his lips quirking into a small smile.
Eli nodded back, her expression unreadable as she gestured for him to follow. "Alright. Come on. Let me show you where you'll be staying tonight… and for the rest of your academy life."
The words lingered in the air, sending a small chill down Arakh's spine. He followed her without hesitation, his eyes flicking toward the yard below. Groups of students sparred in the distance, the sharp clang of steel ringing out as sunlight danced off their weapons.
This is the start of it, he thought, his fingers brushing against the strap of his bag. My new life. My chance to rise.
He cast one last glance over his shoulder, back toward the principal's office. Indus's words still echoed in his mind. "To fail is to reemerge victorious later."
His gaze sharpened. Then I'll make sure I don't fail.
As Arakh returned his gaze forward, a fleeting silhouette brushed past him and Eli. He stopped mid-step, his brow furrowing. "Huh?"
Eli noticed his hesitation and turned to him with a curious look. "Hmm? What's wrong?"
Arakh turned around, his eyes narrowing as he watched a figure walking briskly toward the principal's office. It was a woman dressed in the distinctive uniform of the academy—though it was clear she wasn't a student. Her tall, lean frame exuded confidence, and her rich, brown hair cascaded gracefully around her shoulders. Arakh couldn't see her face from his angle, but something about her presence made his chest tighten. She reached the principal's office, knocked softly, exchanged a few inaudible words, and disappeared inside.
"Who's that?" Arakh asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Eli's lips curled into a teasing grin. "Ooooh, what's this? You've already got a crush on one of our instructors? That's quick work, boy." She reached out and pinched his cheek playfully.
"Aw, aw, aw! I'm just asking her name!" Arakh protested, rubbing his reddened cheek as he shot Eli an annoyed look.
Eli leaned down slightly, placing her hands on her hips. "Listen, boy. That instructor is the idol of many. If you're thinking of approaching her, you'd better be ready to face some serious competition."
Arakh rolled his eyes and started walking again, muttering, "Fine. Don't tell me her name, then."
Eli burst into laughter, her voice ringing out through the hallway. "No need to get so pouty, Arakh. Her name is Lorelai."
Arakh froze in his tracks. His eyes widened as the name struck him like a bolt of lightning. His lips parted, but no sound came out.
Lorelai.
The name brought back a flood of memories—memories of the past he thought he'd buried. She was there that day. The day everything changed. The day he was trapped.
His hands clenched involuntarily as his mind replayed the scene. He could still see her standing across from him in that fateful battle under Master Braun's watchful eye. He'd bested her then, but the memory of her face, her expression, and her name had remained etched in his mind, no matter how much he tried to forget.
Eli tilted her head, her laughter fading as she noticed his stunned silence. "Huh? What's with that look? Don't tell me you've met her before."
Arakh blinked, snapping out of his trance. "No, it's nothing," he lied, shaking his head. He forced a small smile and continued walking, but his thoughts were a tempest.
Lorelai… Why is she here? Does she remember me?
Eli raised a brow but didn't press further. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you, Arakh. If you want to impress her, you'd better be ready to move mountains."
Arakh chuckled nervously, but inside, his mind was racing.