Aether was in his usual bedroom. Just an hour ago, the family was having a warm dinner together since Lucian had been released from the hospital.
However, Aether couldn't focus on the meal they had. During the entire dinner, he could only think about Atlas Academy and Lucian's desire to study there.
'I didn't expect him to choose Atlas Academy out of all the schools.' Aether sighed, recalling his difficult times in the academy.
Many years ago, he had become a student of Atlas Academy at the age of 10. It was an extremely competitive school, and Aether had to bury himself in his studies and trained all day and night like a dog just to keep up with the other students.
Not only that, although the school always talked about equality between nobles and commoners, the nobles almost always looked down on commoners, and commoners also hated the nobles.
Aether had also been harassed by the nobles. However, whoever dared to touch him, he would beat them to a pulp. No matter how many nobles there were, Aether would still beat them up. Even the teachers who treated Aether unfairly, he would punch them until they gave up and apologized. Just like that, he became the most dangerous person of the academy without realizing it.
Thinking of that, Aether suddenly raised both hands to cover his burning face. That was one of the memories that he didn't want to recall the most.
'Damn dark times...'
Of course, Aether wasn't worried about Lucian being able to keep up with his peers since he could be considered a genius. What he was concerned about was those noble brats causing trouble for Lucian.
'Or maybe not...' Aether suddenly imagined Lucian attacking and punching every brats who were rude and disrespectful to him.
The door opened, Aether's gentle-looking wife, Seraphine, was standing there.
"You know, Seraphine, Lucian said he wants to enroll in Atlas Academy."
"Really? Well then, it's up to him."
Aether gasped, "Why are you reacting so superficially when our son wants to go to the toughest academy on earth?"
Seraphine stared at Aether with a bullet-shaped gaze, "Of course I'm worried about him, but this is his life. We can only take care of him when he's a kid. Now that he's older, Lucian needs to learn to be independent."
"But that means Lucian will have to leave us for quite a while if he goes to the Atlas Academy."
"I don't want that either, but it's his decision. We're his parents, we have to respect and support his decision." Seraphine pouted. She looked so cute when she did that.
***
'Atlas Magic Academy huh…'
I was lying on my familiar bed while thinking about Atlas Academy.
I used to think that I was strong enough because I awakened my mana earlier than anyone else in the world and could use the Ice element. At least until I fought that Beast.
Although they had successfully defeated it, they had suffered a lot of damage, especially me who had fainted from exhaustion. If this continued, I wouldn't be able to protect the people important to me, so I needed to, no, I must become stronger.
That was when I saw the Atlas Academy admissions poster.
'A school that produces all kinds of talented people huh.'
'It's cleared, that's definitely my next destination!'
'But now I have to convince my parents… This will be hard!'
At that moment, my father knocked on the door and entered my room.
I immediately got up. This was the perfect opportunity for me to ask my father to go to Atlas Academy, the essential thing was how to say it.
"You can take the entrance exam." My father said.
"I think with your ability, those tests are nothing."
"So does that mean…" I looked at him with eager, expectant eyes.
"It means I agree to let you go to Atlas Academy. But remember to be careful." My father sighed.
"I love you the most, Dad!" I suddenly jumped up and hugged my father.
My father did not refuse my hug but cuddled me back.
***
Meanwhile, Felix was having a serious conversation with his grandparents.
"I want to take the entrance exam for Atlas Academy, grandpa and grandma." He timidly said, causing both of his grandparents to gape in surprise.
"You mean the place that only trains talented people?" The grandmother spoke first.
"Yes it is."
"But with your level, do you actually think that you will pass the test?" The grandmother continued.
"Even if you pass, I won't agree to let you enroll in such a dangerous place like Atlas Academy. If you want to go to school, you can attend a normal school. Of course, we will pay your tuition." The grandmother said worriedly.
"Do you want to enroll in Atlas because you don't want to cause trouble for us, Felix?" The old man with a white mustache who was having a cigarette in his mouth finally spoke up.
"Yes!" Felix looked at the two of them firmly.
"No. I've already lost your parents, I can't lose you next!" The grandmother shouted.
"I…" Felix didn't know what to say.
"How did you suddenly know about Atlas Academy?" The grandfather asked sternly.
"The friend I made today saw the poster about the exam, and that's how I learned about the existence of that academy. He also promised to train me to be strong enough to pass the exam."
"Alright, you can go take the entrance exam. And if you pass, you can enroll as well."
"Hey, what are you talking about!" The grandmother glanced at the grandfather in panic.
"This is the first time Felix has made a decision for himself since the incident. You also know that he has potential. Moreover, I believe that Felix's friend will always accompany him. Not everyone can become Felix's friend."
"Grandpa…" Felix's eyes were filled with tears.
"Thank you very much! I definitely won't let myself get hurt and make you two worry!"
Seeing Felix's determination and enthusiasm, the grandmother also felt a little weak.
"Alright, remember to be careful." The grandmother finally compromised.
***
The next morning, I was waiting for Felix near the fountain where we had eaten the taste sandwiches yesterday. It was only 6am so the shops weren't open yet. Additionally, the usually bustling, crowded streets were deserted.
I sat down on a chair, watching the pigeons perched on the ground while waiting for Felix.
"Lucian!"
I could hear Felix's voice from afar. There, a white-haired boy wearing a white T-shirt and simple, rustic brown pants, was running and waving his hands towards me.
He finally approached me. Felix was panting, he must have run all the way from his house.
"Are you tired?"
"No," Felix smiled brightly.
"Good, because now we're going to train our stamina. Let's run as long as possible around the town!" I gave him a sinister smile.
Felix gaped at me. He must have regretted saying that he was absolutely fine.
Just like that, we jogged around the town.
***
After 2 hours of running, we were able to run 3 laps around the town. I could have run 1 or 2 more laps, but I had to pause every 10 minutes to let Felix rest, so 3 laps was the final result.
I also understood that Felix was not good at physical strength, so we probably had to do a lot of physical training to strengthen his stamina.
"Felix, we still have a long way to go."