The dining hall was alive with the clatter of cutlery, the hum of countless conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter when Wvelynn arrived. She paused just inside the doorway, scanning the crowded room with a mix of apprehension and fatigue. Her thoughts turned briefly to the possibility of finding one of her more amiable classmates to sit with or, failing that, taking her breakfast outside where it was quieter. Just as she was resigning herself to solitude, her gaze landed on an unoccupied empty table. A flicker of relief passed through her as she hurried toward it, slipping into a seat with a quiet, grateful sigh.
Her relief was short-lived. It quickly became apparent why the table was vacant in the first place. The boys at the adjacent table were in full swing, their voices raised well above the general din of the hall.
"Does anybody know which portrait gives advice like, 'Write your feelings out' or 'It'll all be alright' or stuff like that?"
"Why d'you wanna know?"
"I'm gonna call it old and ugly."
A collective "What??" erupted from the group.
"I listened to its advice, and my girlfriend saw it by accident! She's gonna break up with me, dude!" His voice rose in pitch, tinged with genuine panic.
"Shut up! What did you even write?" another demanded, leaning closer, half-horrified and half-entertained.
The boy hesitated, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment before he admitted, "I just said... I think she stinks a bit too much and should eat makeup to smell good too!"
"..."
Finally, someone broke the silence, choking on suppressed laughter.
"There was no violent intention involved!" the boy protested, his voice cracking with desperation as the others erupted into guffaws.
Wvelynn was jolted out of her reluctant eavesdropping when someone plopped into the seat directly across from her, the tray in their hands landing on the table with a loud clatter that turned a few heads. Startled, she looked up, fully expecting to see a stranger who had simply claimed the first empty seat they found. Instead, her gaze was met with a familiar head of disheveled red hair as it practically slammed onto the table with theatrical flair.
"Ughhh, I'm tired..." Sunray groaned, her voice muffled by the surface of the table, as though she had spent the entire night running a marathon rather than coming back early like the rest of them.
Wvelynn blinked at her friend, her face involuntarily scrunching in concern as she took in the picture of exhaustion before her. "D-d-did you not s-sleep the whole n-night?" she asked, her voice stumbling over itself before she paused to clear her throat, embarrassed by the stammer. She still wasn't fully awake herself, her mind sluggish and uncooperative. Straightening up in her chair, she tried again, slower this time. "We went back to the d-dormitories earlier than usual too. What did you even do?"
Sunray shifted just enough to turn her face slightly toward Wvelynn, though it remained pressed against the table. "Played games all night," she admitted shamelessly, lifting one hand to flash a weak victory sign.
"T-t-that's not healthy at all!" Wvelynn sighed, her tone caught somewhere between exasperation and worry. She reached over and nudged Sunray's tray closer to her. "Here, just eat something. Anyway, d-did you get the supplies and schedule from the vault?"
"Mmm." Sunray's noncommittal hum confirmed it, though she didn't lift her head until Wvelynn gave the tray another, more insistent nudge. Finally sitting up—albeit in a slouched, barely-conscious position—Sunray grabbed a spoon and began halfheartedly shoveling food in her mouth.
"Uh, well, classes for novice phrase start at 8," Wvelynn reminded her, though she wasn't sure how much of it was registering. "You s-should go and get your schedule from one of the overseers before then."
"Yeah, yeah, I will," Sunray mumbled dismissively, waving a hand as though shooing away Wvelynn's concern. She looked down at her tray mid-bite and groaned, her exhaustion giving way to sudden irritation. "Ugh, wait, why did I get the vegetable curry again?!"
Wvelynn's gaze drifted to Sunray's tray at her complaint, and her brow furrowed slightly. "...Why is—why is the portion so s-small?" she asked, the concern slipping out before she could stop herself.
Sunray let out a loud, ungraceful yawn, barely covering her mouth as she lazily picked up her spoon. "Eh, I don't like to eat much," she replied nonchalantly, shrugging like it was no big deal.
Wvelynn frowned, her instinct to press the issue bubbling just beneath the surface. But they weren't quite close enough yet for her to lecture Sunray about the importance of proper meals. Instead, she forced herself to let it go, shifting the conversation to something else. She recalled how overwhelmed she'd felt on her own first day and decided a bit of guidance might help. "Anyway," she began, hesitating for a moment to organize her thoughts, "y-you should know that you need to attend the mundane c-classes at the Great House for at least three days. It's required."
At this, Sunray perked up, her earlier lethargy melting away just slightly. "Oh yeah, Marshal Halina was saying something about that yesterday."
Wvelynn blinked at her, mildly surprised. "Weren't you paying a-attention?"
Sunray waved the question off like it was unimportant, her brow furrowing as she seemed to recall something. "But… three days? What about the magic classes then?"
Realizing Sunray had seemingly retained none of the key information, Wvelynn resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "You have to attend those every day," she clarified, trying to keep her tone patient.
"Dang," Sunray muttered, leaning back in her chair with a dramatic sigh, as though the weight of such an obligation was crushing her already.
"Wait, what if the timeline for two classes gets crossed?" Sunray blurted out, a spark of hope lighting her weary expression. "Then I'll have to attend the magic ones since they're more important, right—?"
But Wvelynn quickly crushed that fleeting hope. "Um, no," she said, shaking her head gently. "They've scheduled the classes so th-that you can attend all of them without any c-crossing. Just… c-check your schedule."
Sunray's face fell into a full pout as she glared down at her vegetable curry like it was personally responsible for her misfortune. "Urgh… no… I don't wanna do math…"
Wvelynn sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. At this point, she wasn't sure if Sunray was exaggerating for dramatic effect or if she was genuinely this reluctant.
"Class starts at 8! First years, come to the entrance hall at 7:45—I'll be taking you to your class," Halina's commanding voice rang through the bustling dining hall, immediately silencing the chatter. Conversations stopped mid-sentence as heads turned toward the source.
The Marshal stood at the entrance, her voice carrying with ease over the crowd. She lingered just a moment, her piercing gaze sweeping the hall as if silently ensuring her words had been heard. Satisfied, she turned to leave—but something caught her eye.
Sunray froze when she realized Halina was looking straight at her. Their table was in the middle of the room, and for a brief second, Sunray hoped the Marshal would glance away and continue on her way. But to her surprise, Halina's sharp gaze softened into a warm smile, and she began walking toward them with her usual purposeful stride.
"Wvelynn!" Halina greeted brightly as she reached their table, her signature smile lighting up her face.
Wvelynn stiffened slightly, a hesitant smile tugging at her lips. "H-hi?" she said, her voice pitching up slightly in surprise.
Halina chuckled lightly at her reaction before turning to Sunray. "And hi to you too," she said kindly. "Sorry, I didn't catch your name last night…?"
Sunray straightened up instinctively. "I'm Sunray Bowan!" she blurted out, louder than intended, before catching herself and quickly adding, "Uh, nice to meet you, Marshal Halina!"
Halina chuckled softly, her smile warm and easy. "What a cute name. Are you prepared for your first class?"
Sunray grinned, her confidence reappearing for a moment. "As long as it's not math, I'm prepared for anything."
"Haha, I guess math is a bit of a tough subject," Halina replied, her tone light and understanding. She glanced down at her wristwatch, its silver face glinting faintly under the hall's lighting. "Well, see you later! I still have to check in with the other babies—I mean, first years," she corrected herself with a cough, already turning on her heel with a casual wave.
"Bye!" Wvelynn and Sunray chimed together, returning her cheerful energy as the Marshal strode away with purpose.
As Halina disappeared into the crowd, Sunray found herself staring after her, curiosity flickering in her eyes. Meanwhile, Wvelynn leaned back slightly in her chair, her expression softening as she spoke thoughtfully. "S-she's a nice person. She helped me when I first came here t-too..."
Sunray tilted her head, intrigued. "Is it because of her role as a Marshal?"
Wvelynn fell silent for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly as she considered the question. Finally, she gave a small shrug. "I don't know. B-but I like to think she's kind because she wants to be, not because she h-has to be."
"Hm," Sunray murmured noncommittally, her tone neutral. She didn't know enough about Halina yet to form a solid opinion, though her first impression had certainly been a positive one. Deciding not to dwell on it, she turned her attention back to her tray, focusing on finishing what little was left of her meal.
Some time later, the first-year artisans trailed after Crimsoncraft Marshal Halina like a line of ducklings, their steps hurried to keep up with her brisk yet effortless pace. Halina's voice echoed lightly through the bright-lit hallways as she explained the subjects they would be studying, her tone crisp but approachable. Sunlight poured generously through the large windows, casting golden beams across the polished floors, while the cool autumn air wafted in from the slightly open panes, carrying the faint scent of fallen leaves.
The group's attention was momentarily drawn to an odd sight at the far end of the hallway: a boy being dragged unceremoniously across the floor by a broom. His shoes scraped loudly against the polished stone, leaving faint scuff marks as he flailed helplessly.
Sunray, along with a few others, stared long and hard at the peculiar scene, her mouth slightly ajar. The boy's resigned expression, paired with the broom's almost sentient determination, made for an oddly mesmerizing sight.
Halina noticed the commotion as soon as the scraping sound reached her ears. Letting out a soft, weary sigh, she turned her head briefly toward the scene and addressed one of the nearby students without breaking her stride. "Go find one of the overseers to help him," she said, her tone so casual it was as if such occurrences were entirely routine.
The student nodded and rushed off, and Halina returned her attention to the group as if nothing unusual had happened. "As first-year novices," she continued smoothly, her voice regaining its easy tone, "you'll be learning under Elder Paige. She'll teach you everything from scratch—the basic fundamentals of sketching, drawing, and painting, along with the foundational seals. These seals will serve as the basis for everything you'll do moving forward, so make sure to pay close attention in class—"
But Sunray had already lost focus, her thoughts drifting to a completely unrelated topic. Her gaze remained on the boy and his broom in the distance, though her mind was elsewhere. Another Paige? She mused, curiosity flaring. I guess since having a core is a genetic thing, it's not that surprising…
Even as Halina continued speaking, Sunray's inner monologue took over, her thoughts wandering deeper into the idea. She was barely aware of the group moving forward, the faint tapping of Halina's boots against the floor fading into the background.
The "chamberhall" was vast and semi-circular, its design both practical and imposing. Long, polished wooden tables with cushioned chairs were arranged in orderly rows, all facing the central podium at the front. The arrangement gave the space an air of importance, as if the very architecture demanded focus and respect. Cabinets lined the curved walls, their glass-fronted doors revealing neatly organized supplies—stacks of parchment, jars of ink, and various tools—each carefully chosen to support the lessons ahead.
On the podium stood a desk and chair, but it was the woman behind them who commanded attention. She appeared to be in her late thirties, her posture straight and her expression coolly composed. Her ashy brown hair was pulled into a severe bun, and her dark eyes, framed by thin glasses, scanned the room with a neutral detachment. Yet, the soft golden streams of morning sunlight filtering through the chamberhall windows lent a subtle warmth to her otherwise stern features.
As the first-year students filed into the chamberhall, the Crimsoncraft 0Marshal stepped to the side and offered the Elder a bright greeting, which the woman acknowledged with a small nod. Shortly after, Halina excused herself, leaving the group in Elder Paige's capable hands.
Sunray claimed a seat in the middle row. She was in the process of setting her things down when her toes were unceremoniously stepped on by a dumb blond rushing past. Sunray hissed under her breath, but she didn't have time to see the face of this angel before Elder Paige addressed them.
The older woman's firm voice cut through the quiet murmurs. "Before we begin our first lesson, let us introduce ourselves," she announced, stepping away from the desk and clasping her hands neatly behind her back. Her gaze swept across the room, sharp yet unreadable. "I am Celeste Paige, though you will refer to me as Elder Paige. I will be teaching you the fundamentals of being an artisan. By the end of this class, you will know the basics of drawing. That is… assuming you survive."
A ripple of nervous chuckles passed through the students, hesitant and unsure if she was joking. Elder Paige didn't flinch, her expression remaining as sharp as her words, though her eyes briefly surveyed the room. She studied their faces as though assessing each one, her silence heavy with judgment. Finally, she seemed to come to some quiet conclusion, though she gave no indication of what it was.
Elder Paige placed a pristine blank sheet of paper onto the easel at the front of the room, her movements precise and deliberate. She turned back to the students, her posture as firm as her tone. "Art," she began, her voice cutting through the silence, "is not about talent. It is about patience, observation, and practice. If any of you think you're going to become the next Mycenas by doodling in the margins of your notebooks, be prepared to be disappointed."
For a moment, her words seemed to settle heavily on the group, but the atmosphere was promptly disrupted when a hand shot up in the back. It belonged to a girl with an unruly mop of hair that looked as though it hadn't seen a comb in days.
"Uh, Elder Paige?" she called out, her tone far too casual. "If I can draw a stick figure, does that mean I can be, like, the next... Leonard de Capri?"
The room erupted in laughter, the kind that quickly grew out of control, loud and unrestrained. A few students doubled over, one even letting out a strangled choke. But the chaos came to an abrupt, hitching halt when someone noticed the expression on Elder Paige's face.
She was staring at the girl with a look so icy it could have frozen molten lava, her dark eyes narrowed to sharp points of disapproval. The laughter died instantly, leaving an awkward silence in its wake as most students shrank back in their seats. The only one who seemed unaffected was the messy-haired girl herself, who sat with a wide grin, entirely unfazed by the Elder's glacial glare.
Elder Paige's lips tightened briefly before she exhaled through her nose. "Leonardo da Velios," she corrected sharply, her tone colder than the autumn breeze outside. "And no. Stick figures are fine for quick sketches, but they won't get you to greatness."
Undeterred, the girl leaned back in her chair and grinned even wider. "Cool, so... I'm already halfway there."
Elder Paige's lips twitched—just for a second—before returning to their usual neutral, unphased state. "Let's move on. Why don't you guys introduce yourselves next?" Her tone was calm, but there was an edge of finality to it, as if the pause had been enough.
The girl with messy hair immediately jumped to her feet. "I'm Emen Browne, but I don't actually like brownies." Her voice was brash, and her statement made a few people chuckle, though no one dared to comment further.
A quieter voice followed from somewhere near the back, "I have a name, but it's embarrassing, so I won't say it..." The sentence trailed off, leaving a few of the others looking awkwardly between each other, unsure of how to react.
Sunray, however, tuned them out. Her attention was focused on the figure at the front of the room—the stoic, no-nonsense Elder Paige. Despite her sharp demeanor, it was clear that she wasn't intentionally trying to be harsh with them. Sunray figured it was just part of who the woman was. It reminded her of a character from one of her favorite books—someone whose tough exterior hid a more thoughtful, practical nature.
"She's somewhat similar to Marshal Halina," someone murmured from her left. Sunray glanced over at the student, whose bright dark eyes were still fixed on the current speaker.
Another snort came from her right, followed by the voice of a blonde-haired boy with pale blue eyes. "No way. I've never seen Marshal Halina even frown."
The girl beside her shot him a sidelong glance. "You met her like yesterday."
"Enough time to make a good judgment of character," he replied confidently, as if his observation was a conclusion everyone else should share.
His opponent shook her head stubbornly. "I mean, maybe their mannerisms are different, but they both seem to be trying their best to be nice."
The boy leaned forward, fixing the girl with a condescending look. "That's such a kiddish way of thinking, you— you—" He frowned, stopping mid-sentence as the girl on Sunray's other side suddenly turned to face him, her eyes widening in recognition.
"It's you!" she exclaimed, her voice full of surprise and excitement.
Sunray had heard enough, her patience thinning. "Alright, who the heck are you two?"
"Yes! I told you this is fate!" She cried out as if Sunray hadn't said anything at all. Without missing a beat, she pointed at Sunray and added, "And I remember you from yesterday, too!"
Sunray blinked, then it clicked. Now that she was looking clearly, she could vaguely recall these two walking beside her yesterday on their way here. She had also remembered wanting to befriend the girl at the time, though the girl's enthusiasm was definitely on a different level than her own. Still, it was kind of amusing to watch.
"You're right, this is definitely fate," Sunray humored her, playing along.
"It's a coincidence," the blond insisted, his tone as flat as his expression.
"I don't care. Just give me your names already," Sunray demanded, her patience wearing thin.
"You'll learn them soon enough—"
"I'm Marlene!" the girl interrupted enthusiastically, her grin wide and unapologetic. " Marlene Mejorie!"
"… Elisae Begnare," the boy added, his tone begrudging, as though he were doing her a favor by sharing his name.
There was a brief moment of awkwardness as Sunray extended both hands to shake theirs at the same time—only to realize she had used opposite hands, leading to an uncomfortable tangle of crossed elbows. Marlene laughed, and even Elisae cracked a smirk as Sunray finally shook their hands properly.
"Nice to meet y'all. I'm Sunray, by the way," she said, her voice breezy as she gave them both a quick, lopsided smile.