The sun rose slowly over the horizon, painting the world in a dazzling array of golds and reds, its first gentle rays peeking through the dusty curtains of an old and worn-down room.
The furniture, once grand and elegant, now bore the scars of time and neglect. Tattered tapestries adorned the walls, and the creaking floorboards whispered tales of forgotten days.
The sun's gentle radiance bathed the room in a soft golden glow, revealing layers of dust particles floating in the air like tiny specks of stardust.
The rays painted intricate patterns on the walls, casting a warm hue upon the old wooden furniture that stood stoically despite the passage of time.
In the center of the room, a large bed lay, its sheets faded and threadbare. A young man with tousled brown hair slept peacefully, undisturbed by the morning light filtering into the room.
His face was serene, and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest told a story of tranquility amid the forgotten grandeur of his surroundings.
Outside the window, a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, hinting at the arrival of a new day.
Birds sang their melodic tunes, adding a touch of life to the otherwise quiet morning. The soft rustling of leaves in the nearby trees formed a soothing backdrop to the awakening world.
As the sunlight gently caressed the young man's face, he stirred from his slumber, his eyelids fluttering open.
His eyes, sapphire blue, took in the surroundings, and for a moment, he seemed disoriented, as if waking from a dream.
The creaking of the floorboards beneath him served as a familiar lullaby that grounded him in the reality of the room.
He stretched his arms above his head, yawning softly, and then he sat up, letting the warmth of the morning sun embrace him.
The young man's gaze traveled across the room, appreciating the unique beauty of its aged charm. The sunbeams danced on the cracked mirrors, casting fragmented reflections on the walls.
Dust motes floated lazily through the air, their dance resembling the flight of fairies in a long-forgotten tale.
He noticed an open book on the nightstand beside his bed, its pages yellowed with age.
The title read "The Chronicles of Celestial God," and he couldn't help but smile, recalling the adventures he had once imagined while reading its tales.
The memories of his last few days spent lost in fantastical worlds flooded his mind, filling him with a sense of nostalgia.
As he swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet touched the cool wooden floor, sending a slight shiver up his spine.
He reached for a pair of worn slippers nearby, the softness of the fabric providing a comforting contrast to the roughness of the floor.
With a big yawn, he stretched his arms again, feeling the morning stiffness slowly dissipating. "Ha, another day without them," he murmured to himself, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and longing.
As he stood up from the wooden bed, the floorboards beneath him protested with a soft creak, as if echoing the reluctance he felt to leave the comfort of the room.
He chuckled to himself, realizing that even the old house seemed to share his sentiments, as if urging him to stay a little longer.
With a sigh, he padded across the room, his worn slippers hugging his feet, providing a familiar sense of home. Each step he took on the cool wooden floor elicited a gentle sound, the rhythmic chorus of floorboards voicing their years of silent support.
As he made his way to the window, his eyes instinctively glanced outside, taking in the picturesque scene that unfolded before him.
The morning sun had now fully risen, and its golden rays painted the world in vibrant hues. The once dusty curtains now glowed with a warm radiance, as if the sunlight breathed new life into them.
Beyond the windowpane, the garden below had awoken from its slumber, bathed in the sun's tender touch.
Flowers of various colors swayed gently in the breeze, their petals unfolding like delicate works of art. The sight brought a small smile to the young man's face, appreciating the beauty that nature never failed to offer.
"So today is the day the Academy starts again?" he pondered aloud, his thoughts drifting to the excitement and anticipation of the new term.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of fresh blooms that drifted in through the little open window.
The morning breeze felt invigorating on his face, and for a brief moment, he felt like a young child again, innocent and full of curiosity for the world around him.
He basked in the joyful sensation, feeling renewed as the morning's warmth filled his heart with new hope.
As he leaned against the window sill, his gaze fixed on the swaying trees outside, there was a distant look in his sapphire blue eyes.
They held a touch of melancholy, as if reflecting the vastness of his solitude. His face, usually serene, bore the subtle creases of a burden carried in the heart.
With a sigh, he absentmindedly traced his fingers along the dusty windowsill, his touch gentle, as if trying not to disturb the quiet that enveloped the room.
The weight of his loneliness seemed to linger in the air, casting a faint shadow on his features.
The silence within the room was deafening, amplifying his feelings of isolation. The faded tapestries on the walls, once vibrant with life and stories, now seemed to hang in a mournful embrace, sharing in his sense of detachment.
He glanced around, and his eyes caught the reflection of his own figure in the cracked mirror hung on the wall.
The fragmented images seemed to mirror his fragmented emotions – a soul divided between the longing for connection and the reality of solitude.
The young man's reflection stared back at him, a mere echo of his presence. The cracks on the mirror seemed to accentuate the fractures in his heart, each line symbolizing the distance that separated him from the world outside.
It was as if the mirror, too, understood his struggle, reflecting not just his physical appearance but also the hidden turmoil within.
He reached out a hand, almost instinctively, as if to touch the glass and bridge the gap between himself and the person he saw.
But he stopped short, realizing that the mirror was a stark reminder of the barriers that kept him confined to his own thoughts and feelings.
The room felt emptier now, the cracked mirror a haunting reminder of the connections he yearned for but couldn't grasp.
It stood there like a silent witness, reflecting the truth he couldn't escape – that he was alone, isolated in his longing for companionship.
With a sigh, he turned away from the mirror, unable to bear its disquieting gaze any longer. He wanted to escape the reflection of his loneliness, to break free from the shattered pieces of his emotions that seemed to mock him from the wall.
As he walked away, his steps felt heavier, as if the weight of his solitude had intensified. The walls of the room seemed to enclose around him, suffocating him with a sense of isolation.
He longed to shatter the mirror, to release the pain it held, but he knew that it was only a reflection of his inner turmoil.
Outside, the garden beckoned him with its vibrant colors and delicate fragrances, but he hesitated.
The beauty of the blooms contrasted sharply with the brokenness he felt inside, accentuating his sense of disconnection from the world around him.
He glanced back at the cracked mirror one last time before leaving the room. Its fractured surface seemed to echo his feelings, and for a moment, he almost thought he saw another figure, reaching out from the shards as if wanting to connect.
But it was just an illusion, a trick of the light, and he turned away, carrying the weight of his loneliness with him as he ventured into the uncertain day.
.....
Divine Academy stood as an enigmatic institution, a place where only the most talented and gifted individuals were chosen to walk its hallowed halls.
Regardless of their background, be it humble or affluent, the academy's selection process sought out those who possessed extraordinary potential and innate brilliance.
It was a haven for geniuses, a sanctuary where the pursuit of knowledge and the cultivation of talents were revered above all else.
As the young man stood outside the Divine Academy, he couldn't help but be captivated by the sight before him. His gaze lifted, tracing the lines of the majestic building's imposing facade.
The weathered stones and intricate carvings spoke of a history steeped in knowledge and venerable traditions. It was as if the very essence of wisdom had seeped into the architecture itself, carrying the weight of centuries of brilliance.
The beauty of the academy's surroundings was undeniable, yet it also heightened the young man's sense of isolation. He couldn't help but feel like an outsider, unsure if he truly belonged among the brilliant minds that graced the institution.
As he observed other students laughing and engaging with one another, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was the only one standing on the outside, gazing in.
As the young man gazed at the vibrant scene before him, a mix of emotions washed over him. He felt a sense of awe and wonder at the grandeur of the Divine Academy, yet at the same time, a profound loneliness seemed to grip his heart.
He watched as other students laughed and engaged with one another, forming connections and friendships, while he remained on the periphery, feeling like an outsider in this world of brilliance.
The minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity as he stood there, his eyes lingering on the students going about their day.
He yearned to be a part of the camaraderie, to feel the warmth of companionship, but a weight held him back—the weight of his self-doubt and insecurities.
His gaze shifted to the ancient architecture, marveling at the wisdom etched into every stone. The spires reaching for the sky seemed to symbolize the heights of achievement that others had attained, while he felt stuck at ground level, unable to ascend.
In the midst of his silent contemplation, a voice called out from behind him. "Hey, you there!" The sudden interruption startled him. And he turned around to find a red-haired boy wearing an outfit that exuded both charm and elegance.
His crimson hair fell gracefully over his shoulders, adding a touch of flamboyance to his appearance. The young man was clad in a sophisticated ensemble, with a crisp white shirt and a deep red waistcoat adorned with intricate designs.
But what caught his attention the most was the magnificent cape draped over the boy's shoulders. Its pure white color stood out against the morning sunlight, and it seemed to possess a life of its own, billowing gently in the breeze.
The cape's edges were decorated with intricate patterns and subtle silver accents, adding a touch of regality to the ensemble.
As he observed the red-haired boy and his striking outfit, a sense of familiarity tugged at the corners of his mind.
He couldn't help but wonder, 'Huh...? Ka-jin?!' The name echoed softly in his thoughts, as if trying to summon a memory from the depths of his mind.
As the red-haired boy approached, a mischievous grin danced on his lips, and his eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"So it is really you," he said, his voice laced with a teasing tone, "my dear little brother," His words carried a hint of sarcasm, and a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes.