Seth and Devus stood in line with a few dozen other students on a wide cobblestone street, most of them being nobles in immaculate and shining tunics. They were all waiting to get their uniform and room keys from the two men stationed behind a long wooden desk by the academy gate. All the nobles, adorned with fine jewelry, received scarlet uniforms made of rich, vibrant fabric, while the poorly dressed commoners were handed dull gray ones, starkly highlighting their lower status.

  Devus had just finished scanning the crowd to size up his future opponents and, like Seth, his head was currently tilted back, taking in the sheer scale of the academy’s castle ahead.

  "I’d love to bring my sister here one day," the Guardian whispered, a soft smile touching his lips. "She’s a huge fan of big things—monuments, castles, you name it. I actually took her to see the main mansion of House Faertis back in Arthuri once."

  The tanned young man then let out a short laugh while shaking his head. "We nearly got arrested by the guards for trespassing. We didn't even know the road leading up to it was their property. Just wanted a look, and suddenly we had spears in our faces."

  "That sounds terrifying," Seth replied, too mesmerized by the academy's castle ahead to glance at the Guardian. "But yeah, I'm not even surprised. "

  Seth's golden eyes were lost in the beauty of the architecture and its overwhelming size—the massive stone walls, the mystic runes carved within, the dense and vivid aether barrier cloaking its surface.

  It had the aura of an impenetrable fortress. Nine lofty towers stretched high into the sky, casting shadows over the surrounding green lands he could see through the open gate. Trogan and its marketplace had been quite a sight to behold when they had arrived this morning, but it was nothing compared to the academy.

  '' Nightmare complained. ''

  'actual'

  '' Nightmare growled. ''

  ''

  After half an hour of waiting, Seth and Devus finally reached the front of the line. A portly, middle-aged man with a round face and thinning hair looked up at them. Two words were emblazoned above the golden owl emblem on the chest pocket of his dark crimson jacket: Uniform Manager.

  "Names?" he asked curtly, glancing down at his list.

  "Devus and Seth," Devus replied.

  "Right," the man muttered, checking off two boxes on his list before turning to grab two bundles from the stack of gray uniforms. "Here you go," he said, handing the clothing over. "Try to be careful with them. The Academy provides the first sets, but if they get damaged, replacements come out of your own pocket."

  Seth took the uniform, nodding in acknowledgment. To his surprise, there’d been no contempt in the man’s voice—meaning he was either a commoner himself… or nobles weren’t all as bad as Seth had thought.

  "We'll be careful," Devus said with a smile. "Have a nice day, sir."

  The uniform manager offered a polite, brief nod before gesturing for the next student to step forward.

  At the following station, the large man behind the desk looked up from his ledger. "Names?"

  "Devus and Seth," the Guardian answered, speaking for both of them again.

  "You can choose to be roommates, or I can match you with strangers," the room manager said, his finger tracing down the list on his clipboard. "It’s usually easier to bunk with someone you know."

  Seth and Devus exchanged a glance and nodded. "We'll be roommates," Devus replied.

  "Makes my job easier, too," the man said. He opened a drawer and handed each of them a thin black crystal with a white rune etched into the surface. "Here are your keys."

  Seth thought as he took the coin-sized artifact, remembering the one he had used to access the Link in his father’s box.

  "You'll be in room 265," the man added, marking the number next to their names. "It’s in the West Tower. Standard double occupancy. The single ones in the East Tower are reserved for the nobility, I'm afraid, but the West Tower is closer to the dining hall."

  '' Seth muttered to Nightmare through their bond, then thanked the man and walked away with Devus.

  '' the direwolf said with a mocking tone. ''

  '' Seth replied. ''

  '' the direwolf scoffed. ''

  Seth stifled his smile as he and Devus passed through the towering gate, stepping onto the cobblestone path that cut through the lush green fields and led to the academy's castle. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and trees that lined the path, their branches and petals almost brushing Seth.

  "I’m so stoked, mate," Devus exclaimed with a broad grin. "All I want is to find a worthy opponent and fight!"

  "Let’s go drop our stuff off first," Seth answered. "I don’t want to carry all your things if that person beats your ass."

  "As if I’d lose!" the Guardian chuckled.

  '' Nightmare said from within the necklace. ''

  '' Seth sighed in frustration. He had always been grateful that the direwolf could easily detect aether fluctuations, whether from spells or the environment, but his inability to teach Seth had become irritating. ''

  ''

  Seth rolled his eyes. ''

  ''

  As he passed through the open castle door, Seth once again found himself marveling, this time at the size of the entrance hall. The high ceiling soared above them, ornate chandeliers casting a warm, golden light throughout the room. Tapestries depicting massive battles and what seemed like famous Wielders from Kastal adorned the walls, while the polished marble floor gleamed beneath their feet.

  A cold, venomous voice cut through the air, shattering the moment.

  "You have some absolute nerve showing your face here."

  Seth stiffened. He didn't need to look to know who it was.

  Lucius strode into the hall from a corridor to the left, wearing the academy’s scarlet uniform. Trailing behind him were four students dressed in the same colors, though they stopped a few paces back. Lucius, however, marched right up to Seth and Devus, his perfect features twisted by contempt.

  "I thought I made it clear you weren't welcome," Lucius hissed, blocking their path. "You should be rotting in your hole, not dirtying these floors with your filth. Did the message not sink in?"

  Seth’s knuckles turned white. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to drive his fist into the noble’s teeth right here and now. But he forced his hands to unclench.

  Seth thought, biting the inside of his cheek.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  He didn't say a word. Instead, he simply shifted his weight, keeping his eyes forward, and attempted to step around the noble to continue toward the reception.

  Lucius stepped sideways, cutting him off again.

  "Ignoring me?" Lucius let out a sharp, disbelief-filled laugh. "I’d be more respectful if I were you, bumpkin. You aren't in your little mud-hut village anymore."

  Seth took a deep breath, focusing on the corridor behind. "Excuse us. We're late."

  "Oh, don't be in such a rush," Lucius sneered, leaning in closer. "I was just wondering... how is your friend? The blacksmith? Is he able to hold a hammer yet? Or is he begging on the streets now that he's useless?"

  Seth snapped and the little control he had shattered instantly.

  He spun around, grabbing the collar of Lucius's pristine uniform. "You piece of—"

  "Seth! Stop!" Devus exclaimed, grabbing Seth's wrist with an iron grip before he could throw the punch.

  Lucius didn't flinch. In fact, he smiled—a cold, predatory thing. He didn't pull away from Seth's grip; he just looked down at the hand holding his collar with amusement.

  "Go ahead," Lucius whispered, his voice low so only they could hear. "Strike a noble on your first day. See what happens."

  He leaned forward, his eyes boring into Seth's. "You might think the academy and the laws protect you in here... but don't be too confident. Accidents happen in these corridors all the time. Or outside. Especially to trash that doesn't belong."

  "That's enough," Devus growled, forcefully prying Seth’s fingers off the noble’s uniform and shoving Seth backward. "You’ll have to excuse us, Lucius, but we need to get going."

  Before Seth could say anything, Devus clamped a hand onto his shoulder and practically dragged him away. They wove through the watching crowd and down two long corridors before the Guardian finally released his grip.

  "For Gaia’s sake, are you trying to get expelled five minutes after arriving?" Devus hissed, wiping sweat from his forehead. "You can’t freaking punch Lucius Faertis, mate!"

  "He was talking about a friend," Seth spat, his chest heaving with adrenaline. "Laughing about the fact his arms were broken, when he's the one who did it in the first place."

  "I get it, I do. But you gotta keep your head down," Devus said, looking back to make sure they weren't being followed. "Nobles run this academy. If you fight him here, on his terms, you lose. Just bow to them for now—it’ll make everything easier. For you for me."

  Seth nodded and followed Devus in silence, his core stirring a little in his chest. The Faertis’ tax collector had seized his parents’ house, Lucius had shattered Renwal’s arms, and the prick had put a damn capture order on Seth's head—and on top of all that, he was supposed to take the insults? To eat every jab without reacting?

  Nightmare said through Link from within the necklace, sensing Seth's rage.

  Seth answered.

  Guided by small wooden signs, they eventually reached the dorm tower and ascended the countless stairs before heading down a long corridor. Their footsteps echoed off the stone walls as they passed numerous doors, each with its own brass plaque displaying a number. Finally, they arrived at their room, and Devus tapped the keystone against the lock. The door didn’t budge as he pushed it.

  The young Guardian frowned. "It’s not working."

  "Did you use aether?"

  Almost immediately, Devus tapped the lock again, and this time the door swung open with a gentle push. A sheepish smile spread on his face as he rubbed the back of his head. "My bad."

  The room inside was modest but had everything they needed: two comfortable-looking twin beds with plush pillows and duvets, two wooden desks with matching dressers and chairs, and a small window that let in a soft breeze and a sliver of sunlight. The stone walls were also fitted with several hooks to hang extra clothes and shelves to store belongings.

  "Nice digs," Devus said, dropping his shield before flopping down on the bed near the window.

  Seth nodded in agreement, setting down his bag and uniforms on the other bed. As he walked around the room, he noticed a piece of parchment lying on both desks. Curious, he picked the paper up.

  It was a list of classes offered for the first semester, each accompanied by a checkbox. At the top, it instructed them to select three optional classes and submit their choices to the administration on the first floor of the east tower. Four courses were already checked off, probably indicating that they were mandatory:

  Combat Theory I

  Covers the basics of combat against Wielders through both theoretical sessions and hands-on training.

  Aether Manipulation and Sensing I

  Focuses on improving one’s aether manipulation and sensing to push the limits of their spells and break through the Copper tier.

  Wielder Class Theory I

  Delves into the student’s Wielder class and introduces their potential subclasses.

  Military and History I

  Explores the fundamentals of the military system, etiquette, and essential knowledge about the country’s history.

  After reading each of the descriptions, Seth took his quill and looked down at the list of the optional courses below. His decision would significantly impact his progression as a Wielder for the next three months, so he knew he couldn't choose carelessly.

  Warfare Theory I

  Covers the basics of war, including tactics for both small- and large-scale battles.

  Artificer's War Tools I

  Introduces the basic tools of Artificers, from arcane cannons to runic fortresses, and teaches how to fight with and against them.

  Weapons Mastery I

  Provides instruction on essential techniques for various weapons through both theoretical sessions and hands-on training.

  Fundamentals of Beasts Hunting I

  Introduces the basics of hunting Arcane beasts and surviving in the wild.

  Traveler's Guide I

  Offers essential guidance for traveling across the continents, providing students with information to stay safe among different nations.

  Aether Affinity I

  Assists students in exploring their aether affinities and improving their mastery.

  Politics and Royalty I (Nobles only / Friday)

  A deep dive into Kastal's political landscape and royalty, with an introduction to international relations.

  Spell Theory and Evolutions I (Nobles only / Friday)

  Covers the fundamentals of spell evolutions, providing students powerful evolution alterations for their spells while exploring the theory around them.

  Path Theory I (Nobles only / Friday)

  Explores the students’ Path and offers guidance on how to use it to become great and unique Wielders.

  Seth thought with a sigh. Back in the night caravan, Devus had mentioned that commoners were free of classes on Fridays—something that had initially pleased Seth, since it would give him three days a week to hunt. But now, seeing the exclusive courses for nobles on that day left a bitter taste in his mouth—especially the last one.

  The Path was supposed to be one of the most crucial aspects for Wielders, yet he still had no idea why. The wealthy bastards hoarded that knowledge, keeping it out of the commoners' reach, just like they locked away the perfect grooves and possible evolutions behind enormous price tags.

  "You should probably also pick your optional classes before we head to the opening ceremony," Seth suggested to Devus.

  "Oh, crap." The young Guardian sprang up from his bed and rushed to his desk. "On it."

  Seth hesitated for a moment as he weighed the pros and cons of each option, his quill spinning between his fingers. Fundamentals of Beasts Hunting I and Weapons Mastery were no-brainers, but he couldn't make up his mind between Traveler’s Guide I and Aether Affinity I. The first could be useful in the future if he had to leave the country for a contract, whereas the other might teach him something completely new about aether.

  '' Seth asked Nightmare. ''

  '' the direwolf answered. ''

  ''

  Seth exhaled loudly and marked his choices on the parchment before setting it down on the desk. He then turned to tell Devus he was done, only to see his new friend still deep in thought, staring at his own parchment with a furrowed brow.

  "Hey, Dev, you alright?" Seth asked.

  "Yeah," Devus answered, rubbing his forehead. "Just deciding between Artificer's War Tools and Aether Affinity."

  Seth nodded. "I went with Aether Affinity, but they both sound good."

  Devus groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Shit, you just made the decision even harder." He let out a heavy sigh. "I was about to go with Artificer's War Tools, but now I’m second-guessing it."

  Seth chuckled, then grabbed one of his three new uniform kits. The gray jacket was made from a material that felt extremely soft to the touch, while the white shirt beneath was crisp and clean, with intricate embroidery at the cuffs. The black pants seemed tailored to fit perfectly, surprisingly stretchy and comfortable as he slipped inside.

  Seth thought, regretting not having cast Identify on one of the nobles’ uniforms earlier.

  After buttoning up his jacket, he reached for his adventurer emblem and carefully pinned it onto the chest pocket just above the golden owl—to make Warsis proud.

  "Done!" Devus exclaimed, jolting up from his desk. "Just give me a minute to change!"

  Seth glanced at the clock on the wall. "Think we have the time to swing by the administration before the welcoming ceremony?"

  "Certainly!"

  As Devus put on his uniform, Seth took a deep breath and looked through their dorm window. Although he was thrilled to have finally made it into the academy, he couldn't shake that odd feeling in his chest.

  With Link and Nightmare, he had gained nine Ranks in just two months—did he need to put up with all the nobles' nonsense? Couldn’t he just continue to grow through the Adventurers Guild and beast-hunting without the academy’s knowledge?

  Devus, now fully dressed, slung his bag over his shoulder. "Ready?"

  Seth nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

  January 15, 2026 (8h00PM)

  ----

  **Important message**

  supposed to look:

  P.S. The “all-on-one-line” version isn’t an option because I just don’t like that style. ??

  Do you prefer the current stats sheet (option 1) or would prefer a blue table sheet (option2) ?