A week passed in the blink of an eye, and at st, the official first day of Skyreach Academy had arrived.

  Nero had been looking forward to this moment. Over the past week, he and Zeke had grown closer, bonding over te-night talks about Faltheris and messing around during the day—whether it was sports, exploring the academy grounds, or finding the best spots to sck off. He'd also introduced Zeke to Iris and Jaris, which had resulted in an amusing contrast.

  Iris had taken the revetion that Zeke was from the Amos family—the prestigious family—without much reaction, as if it didn't matter to her. Jaris, on the other hand, had been completely stunlocked. He'd stared at Zeke for a full minute, his brain seemingly refusing to process the information. It had taken an entire conversation for him to return to normal.

  Now, the four of them sat together in the dormitory dining hall, where students from all four wings gathered for meals. Their table was filled with breakfast, but the conversation had quickly shifted to the structure of their csses.

  "So," Jaris began, idly breaking a piece of bread in half. "The first semester is just general subjects, right?"

  Zeke nodded. "Yeah. No matter what kind of abilities people have, we all start with the same foundation. History, battle tactics, mana control, physical conditioning, and survival training."

  "That's a lot," Jaris muttered.

  "It makes sense, though," Iris said. "They want everyone to have a baseline level of knowledge before we start specializing."

  "The specialization starts in the second semester," Nero added. "That's when students get divided into different categories based on what they excel at."

  "Combat-oriented csses, support roles, and research divisions," Zeke eborated. "Most people will end up in combat, since Skyreach is focused on preparing people for Faltheris, but support and research are just as important."

  Jaris exhaled. "And they just… decide where we go?"

  "They rank students throughout the first semester," Zeke expined. "Every test, evaluation, and practical battle gets recorded. By the end of the semester, they'll know where everyone fits best."

  Iris crossed her arms. "So, we're all together for now, but after that, things will change."

  Nero leaned back slightly. "The cssrooms are big enough to fit over a thousand students at once. They've got advanced tech to make sure a single instructor isn't overwhelmed."

  Jaris blinked. "A thousand students? In one css?"

  "Yeah," Nero said. "The academy uses projection systems and mana-enhanced sound barriers so everyone can hear the lectures clearly, no matter where they're sitting. There are also interactive simutions built into the rooms, so we won't just be sitting through theory all day."

  Zeke smirked. "Skyreach isn't going to waste time with slow teaching methods. They want us to learn fast and adapt even faster. It's going to be a lot of work."

  Jaris exhaled. "Well... guess we can say goodbye to free time."

  Iris grabbed a piece of fruit from her pte and leaned back slightly. "At least we won't be stuck in a boring cssroom all day. Interactive simutions sound way better than just reading from a textbook."

  "Yeah, but it also means we won't get to sck off," Jaris grumbled, popping a piece of bread into his mouth. "I was hoping for at least a little breathing room before things got intense."

  Nero snorted. "You enrolled in Skyreach and expected it to be easy?"

  "No, but a guy can dream." Jaris sighed dramatically before shaking his head. "Anyway, I just hope the first day isn't too bad."

  Zeke checked the time on his communicator and clicked his tongue. "We should finish up. Orientation's about to start."

  Before anyone could respond, a chime rang through the hall, cutting through the morning noise. A holographic dispy flickered to life above them, casting a soft golden glow over the dining area.

  First-Year Orientation – Auditorium Hall 3

  All students report immediately.

  Nero downed the st of his drink and stood up. "Guess that's our cue."

  The others followed suit, quickly gathering their things and moving toward the exit. Around them, the dining hall buzzed with movement as first-years funneled out in waves, all heading in the same direction.

  * * *

  The auditorium was massive, to say the least.

  Towering ceilings stretched high above, illuminated by soft, floating mana-lights that bathed the room in a warm glow. Rows of tiered seating curved around the central stage, ensuring that every student—no matter where they sat—had a clear view of the speaker's podium. At the far end of the room, holographic projections dispyed the academy's insignia, surrounded by intricate runes that pulsed faintly.

  Despite the sheer size of the space, the atmosphere was anything but rexed.

  A quiet buzz of anticipation filled the air as thousands of first-years murmured among themselves. Some students sat stiffly in their seats, anxious about what was to come, while others whispered excitedly, exchanging theories about who would be speaking first.

  Then, movement on the stage drew everyone's attention.

  A figure strode onto the ptform, her red robes swaying slightly with each step.

  She walked without urgency, exuding an air of complete indifference, as if this entire event was nothing but a chore.

  Lene reached the microphone, yawned audibly, and in a completely bored tone, said:

  "Alright, everyone. Be silent."

  Then, without another word—without even gncing at the sea of expectant students—she turned and walked away.

  Silence.

  A beat passed.

  Then another.

  Jaris blinked. "…That's it?"

  The whispers began.

  "Wait, what just happened?""Was that… the council president?""Why did she just leave?"

  Before the murmuring could escate further, another set of footsteps echoed across the stage.

  They were measured, deliberate, and composed.

  A presence had entered.

  And then, she appeared.

  A woman cd in a flowing wizard's robe of white and gold, its intricate embroidery shimmering faintly under the auditorium lights. In her grasp was a long silver staff, topped with a fwless blue gem that pulsed with a quiet, undeniable power.

  The moment she was fully visible, a single voice muttered—

  "Maeve Sigrid…"

  The name spread like wildfire.

  "The Headmistress."

  "A Mythic-ranked mage…"

  "She's one of the strongest in the Federation."

  "I heard she once stopped a city from colpsing with a single spell—"

  Whispers turned to murmurs. Murmurs built into quiet excitement.

  Zeke's gaze remained fixed on Maeve, his voice low. "A Rank 6… a Mythic existence."

  Nero exhaled, the weight of those words settling in. "Even in all of Faltheris, there aren't more than a hundred humans at Rank 6. And she's one of them."

  Iris tilted her head slightly, studying the woman standing before them. "She was chosen by Elthor, the God of Magic. That means she isn't just strong—she's a master of all general magic."

  Jaris rubbed his arms, unable to shake the sheer presence Maeve commanded. "That expins why she looks like she could erase this whole pce if she wanted to."

  Zeke smirked. "Rank 6 existences are mini camities. If she wanted to, she could turn this entire academy into a wastend before anyone could react."

  Then Maeve spoke.

  "Silence."

  She didn't raise her voice.

  She didn't need to.

  The instant the word left her lips, the entire auditorium fell into absolute stillness.

  She surveyed the gathered students for a moment, her gaze calm yet unwavering.

  Then, she spoke once more.

  "I am Maeve Sigrid, Headmistress of Skyreach Academy."

  Her voice carried effortlessly through the vast hall, each word deliberate.

  "It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the start of your journey."

  Maeve let the silence linger for a moment, as if ensuring that every student was focused solely on her.

  Then, with the same composed grace, she continued.

  "You have all been chosen to stand where countless before you have stood. Skyreach Academy is not simply an institution—it is a crucible. A pce where potential is refined, where ambition is tested, and where those who wish to cim there pce in Faltheris must prove themselves worthy."

  A ripple of tension ran through the audience. The weight behind her words was undeniable.

  "From this moment forward, you are no longer children simply dreaming of ascension. You are initiates of Skyreach. And here, merit is the only thing that matters."

  Her gaze swept across the vast auditorium, and though her expression remained polite, there was a quiet sharpness behind her eyes.

  "Some of you come from powerful bloodlines. Some of you have trained since birth. Others may have no prestigious lineage, no great advantages—but that will not matter here. No surname, no family, no past accomplishments will shield you from failure. You will either prove your worth, or you will fall behind."

  The hall remained eerily still.

  Nero felt a quiet thrill at her words. He had expected Skyreach to be rigorous, but hearing it stated so bluntly sent a surge of determination through him.

  Maeve let the silence settle before continuing.

  "Your training here will st three years. You will face trials meant to push you to your limits—physically, mentally, and magically. And at the end of it, only those deemed capable will be permitted to explore Faltheris."

  A few hushed whispers spread through the hall at that. The unspoken implication was clear: not everyone here would make it.

  Maeve tapped her staff against the floor once.

  "Before all of that, however, there are things you must understand. Today, you will begin with your orientation. You will learn the structure of your education, the expectations pced upon you, and what it truly means to be a student of Skyreach."

  She gnced briefly to the side, and almost immediately, a bright holographic dispy appeared behind her, revealing a rotating crest—the official insignia of Skyreach Academy.

  "Instructors will take over the next segments, expining what you need to know. As for me…"

  She inclined her head slightly, offering a small yet unmistakably commanding smile.

  "I look forward to seeing who among you will rise."

  With that, she tapped her staff again, and the projection shifted, now dispying the academy's schedule and guidelines.

  Then, without another word, she turned and left, her presence lingering even after she was gone.

  The rest of the orientation was a blur.

  One by one, different instructors took the stage, each expining various aspects of Skyreach Academy's structure—css schedules, facilities, combat evaluations, disciplinary rules, dorm policies… it went on and on.

  At first, Nero had tried to pay attention, but after the third lecture on "regution standards for mana-controlled sparring environments," his focus wavered.

  By the time the fifth instructor took the stage, he was leaning forward, barely keeping his head up. His eyelids drooped, his vision blurring slightly—

  Smack.

  A sudden sting hit the back of his neck.

  "Tch—!" Nero jolted forward, blinking rapidly. He turned, scowling, to see Zeke, whose hand was still raised from the light sp.

  "Stay awake, idiot," Zeke muttered under his breath.

  Nero shot him a gre, rubbing his neck. "I was awake."

  "Yeah? And the drool on your sleeve says otherwise."

  Nero gnced down. His sleeve was dry. He turned back to gre harder, but Zeke just smirked and looked forward again.

  On the other side of the table, Iris was yawning openly, her usual composed demeanor cracking under sheer boredom. Jaris, on the other hand—

  Was asleep.

  Not even nodding off.

  Completely asleep. Arms folded, head tilted slightly forward, breathing slow and steady.

  Nero narrowed his eyes. "...Has he been like that this whole time?"

  Iris gave him a sleepy gnce. "Fell asleep after the third professor. I was going to wake him, but..." She shrugged.

  Before Nero could respond, a chime echoed through the auditorium, cutting through the murmurs of restless students. A voice from the academy's announcement system followed.

  "All first-years, you will now proceed to your designated cssrooms. Today, you will have two introductory sessions: Ability Awakening and Weapon Selection."

  The shift in atmosphere was immediate. Excitement rippled through the hall as students finally had something practical to look forward to.

  Nero stretched his arms over his head. "Well, that took long enough. Thought I was gonna die of old age before we got to the real stuff."

  Beside him, Jaris finally stirred, blinking blearily. "...What?"

  Iris sighed. "The orientation's over."

  Jaris yawned, rubbing his face. "Damn. Feels like I was out for three minutes."

  "More like three years," Nero said dryly.

  Jaris let out a weak chuckle. "Not like it matters. I'll probably be expelled before the semester's over anyway."

  Iris flicked his forehead without hesitation. "You won't."

  Jaris groaned, rubbing the spot. "Optimistic, aren't you?"

  Iris crossed her arms. "Realistic."

  Nero smirked. "Besides, if anyone's getting kicked out, it's definitely not gonna be the guy who slept through half the orientation. That takes talent."

  Jaris grinned. "True, true. I should get an award for this."

  Zeke, who had been quiet, was still staring at the stage, lost in thought.

  Nero nudged his shoulder. "What, pnning to overthrow the administration already?"

  Zeke blinked, snapping out of it. "Something like that." He rolled his shoulders before standing up. "Let's just go."

  With that, the four of them rose from their seats and made their way toward their first css.