Years later...
In a peaceful room with an open window, sunlight poured in, filling the space with warmth.
"Lucien! Lucien!"
A familiar voice rang out.
"Wake up! It's time to go! Today's our first day at the academy, remember?!"
"Huh…?"
I opened my eyes groggily, Thorne's excited voice still echoing in my ears.
"Don't tell me you forgot! It's the first day of the academy!"
"…Ah. Right. Wait for me—I'll get ready."
I sat up quickly, blinking the sleep from my eyes. Thorne, seeing I was finally awake, dashed out of the room with a grin.
"Hurry, hurry! I'll wake Caelan too!"
His voice and footsteps faded down the hallway.
I stretched with a sigh. "What's the rush? It's not like the academy's going anywhere."
I headed to the bathroom for a quick bath. Inside, I turned toward the mirror and paused.
A tall young man looked back at me—broad shoulders, short hair, and calm, even features. I wasn't handsome in the traditional sense, but there was a quiet, grounded confidence in my expression.
I was already fourteen now. Half a head taller than Thorne and Caelan.
Though they were clearly more handsome and naturally charming, I had at least been gifted with height.
After getting dressed, I glanced at myself one last time in the mirror.
A white and gold uniform — formal, crisp, and perfectly tailored. Over it, I wore a black jacket that wasn't part of the official academy attire. But it felt more like me. And as the Duke's son, I figured the academy would overlook something that small.
I made my way outside to the small garden dining area, where a modest table sat beneath a lace-draped canopy.
"My little baby, here's your breakfast!"
My mother, Seraphina, greeted me with a beaming smile as the maids laid out the dishes.
"We're already grown, Mom. Don't call us babies anymore," Caelan muttered as he sat beside me, clearly used to this conversation.
"You'll always be my babies—even when you're married with children," Seraphina teased, ignoring his protest entirely.
Then her eyes turned toward me.
"Lucien, why are you wearing that jacket over your uniform?" she asked, squinting slightly. "You know it lowers your charm points, right? There'll be lots of beautiful girls at the academy."
I glanced down at my outfit.
"I like it this way," I replied simply, but unzipped the middle halfway to reveal the shining Academy badge pinned over my chest.
After breakfast, my father — Duke Valerius — appeared in his formal robes, a faint shimmer of teleportation magic still clinging to his shoulders.
"The academy transport is here," he said calmly.
We stood and followed him outside.
With a brief flash, we were teleported to the outskirts of the Misty Forest.
And there—
Rising into the clouds—
Stood a massive, otherworldly structure.
Its full form was impossible to see. Towering spires pierced the sky and vanished into the mist, while the base pulsed with golden lights like a slumbering beast. Magic circuits flickered across its hull — not carved or constructed, but grown — like a living fortress.
"That," Father said, pointing toward the floating monolith, "is the vessel that will take you to Luxendar Crown Academy."
I stared, awestruck.
But before we could take a step forward, a loud, wild voice rang out.
"Oii! Valerius! Long time no see, huh?!"
A tall, broad-shouldered man stomped toward us. His crimson hair looked like it had been struck by lightning — wild and crackling with heat. His voice grated like steel on stone.
He looked us over — Caelan, Thorne, and me — with visible disdain.
"These your sons? Hah! They look flimsy compared to my apprentice."
Behind him stood a young man about my height. Muscular, confident, and with eyes that glowed faintly with overwhelming strength. From his posture alone, you could tell — he was a powerhouse of our generation.
My father didn't flinch.
"Oh?" he said calmly, almost bored. "Last time you boasted, I left you crying in the snow. Forgot already?"
A shadow passed over the man's face. His smirk twitched—clearly remembering something he'd rather forget.
"Tch. We'll see," he growled. "My apprentice will wipe the floor with your son. Don't blame me when he ends up crying."
He shot one last glare at us before turning sharply and storming toward the cloud-shrouded vessel. His apprentice followed silently.
My father didn't hold back.
"Keep walking, loser," he called, still calm, but with an edge like a drawn blade. "Try not to trip on your pride again."
The man's shoulders stiffened, but he said nothing. He disappeared into the mist.
Caelan leaned closer and whispered, "Who was that?"
"An old rival," Father said simply. "He hasn't changed since the day I beat him. Still chasing a shadow."
Then he turned to me.
"Be careful with his apprentice. He's not ordinary."
I nodded.
"But Father," Caelan asked, "if you're stronger, why don't you just kill him? Isn't it dangerous to let someone like that roam free?"
Valerius chuckled softly.
"I can't kill him casually. He holds a position at the academy. But don't worry — he won't harm you. For all his arrogance, he's one of the most principled men I know."
His tone darkened slightly.
"But if he ever breaks those principles…"
A cold pause.
"I'll end him."
Then he smiled again.
"Your transport's here… good luck. And boys — bring home a girl or two when you return, alright? It's time this family started growing, haha."
Of course, maybe he wasn't really joking.
"With a face like mine, more than a few girls will cry over me," Thorne grinned, playing along.
Valerius laughed. "Alright, don't keep the vessel waiting. Crush the crystal already."
"Okay. Goodbye, Father," we said together.
I closed my hand around the smooth, cool crystal — then crushed it.
The flash of light faded.
I found myself standing in a grand hall. The floor beneath me gleamed like polished glass, reflecting golden sunlight streaming through towering windows that stretched from floor to ceiling.
Luxurious tables were spaced across the room — each set at least ten meters apart — adorned with plates of colorful, unfamiliar food. Some dishes still steamed; others glowed faintly with magic. Pitchers of water shimmered with condensation.
"A new guy just came in."
"Wait… isn't that the Duke of Echo's sons?"
"Huh? Now that you mention it, it is them. I saw their faces once while browsing the virtual store."
"Is that the Duke's son?" murmured a girl with short red hair falling just past her jaw.
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted. Whispers spread like wildfire. Every gaze turned to us — curious, cautious, but none of them approached. Too intimidated, maybe.
"So these are our potential classmates and rivals, huh? They do look impressive," Carla muttered beside me, his eyes glowing faintly blue.
Meanwhile, Thorne had already slipped away and joined a nearby group. He was laughing and chatting like they were old friends. I caught one of the girls giggling at almost everything he said.
After a few moments, someone finally stepped forward. Seeing how casually Thorne fit in, they must've assumed the rest of us weren't too different.
"Hello! I'm Mireya," said the red-haired girl with a cheerful smile, bowing slightly. "You must be a little confused, right?"
"I'll explain everything for you. Let's sit over there," she added, pointing to an empty table off to the side.
"Ah, no actually—" I started to say. We didn't really need an explanation. We already knew this vessel was just transporting us to the Academy. Nothing more.
"Yes, thank you. We really need that," Carla cut in smoothly, smiling as he accepted her offer.
That seemed to cheer Mireya up even more. She nodded eagerly and began leading us to the table, launching into an energetic explanation. But as she spoke, I noticed her eyes kept drifting toward Caelan. Her voice, her posture — everything was clearly directed more at him than us.
Damn. This feels so sour and awkward. I'm like the third wheel here.
I stood with a quiet sigh.
"Lucien, where are you going?" Caelan asked, frowning slightly.
"Just taking a walk. Don't mind me — stay right there," I replied casually.
Mireya looked a little concerned, like she thought I might pull Caelan away. I quickly added:
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
That reassured her. She smiled again.
"Oh, alright! Just don't go too far. If you get lost, the teleport anchors near the corner pillars will help. Oh, and check out the observatory on the second floor — it's beautiful!"
I gave a nod and walked off, hands tucked into my jacket pockets.
Around me, students in white-and-gold uniforms came and went, chatting, laughing, even bickering over trivial things.
A boy walking backward while arguing bumped into me.
"Ah—sorry, man!" he said, nodding quickly before continuing his rant without waiting for a response.
I nodded back, unfazed.
The hallway curved gently, lined with tall windows on one side. Beyond them was a sky unlike anything I remembered. Thick clouds floated below us, not above. And far off in the distance, islands drifted gently in the air.
"Guess this thing's flying over the mainland…" I muttered.
Near the windows, a girl snapped pictures with a crystal tablet. "I heard this is one of the oldest vessels still running," she said to her friend. "Some say it was built from the bones of a flying beast."
"Gross. Why would anyone ride on bones?" her friend replied, shivering.
I moved on.
Eventually, I came across a cozy open area — a common room of sorts. Couches, tables, and a snack bar stood nearby. A glowing vending circle pulsed gently, and students lined up for drinks and steamed buns.
I wasn't hungry, so I kept walking — until a loud crash echoed behind me, the sound of tables scattering.
I froze.
Curious, I turned along with several others and moved toward the source of the noise. A crowd had formed near the snack bar.
In the center of it all was a student in a soaked uniform, water dripping from his collar. Towering over him stood another student with an arrogant smirk on his face.
"That guy again?" someone whispered.
"Yeah, House Vandel's heir. Always picking fights."
"What's he mad about now?"
"He tried to cut the line and offered a magic crystal as compensation. The other guy rejected it."
"Seriously? Idiot. Should've just taken it."
"Nah, I heard the commoner called it 'pity money.' Said he didn't need handouts."
The noble sneered, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Lowly commoner. Do you understand your place now? Out of the kindness of my noble heart, I offered you a crystal — and you threw it away like trash."
His voice trembled with rising anger. His foot began to glow with magical energy, preparing to stomp down.
But before it could land—
The soaked boy caught it. With one hand.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Did you see that?"
"He stopped it?!"
"No chant, no core flare..."
"I think it was raw strength."
"That's not beginner level..."
"Out of touch with reality, aren't you?" the soaked student said in a cold voice.
He shoved the glowing foot aside and slowly stood up, brushing off his sleeve. Before the noble could react, he stepped forward and seized him by the throat with a single fluid motion.
"You—! Do you know who I am!? Let me go!" the noble choked out.
He swung, wild and panicked — but the soaked guy tilted his head effortlessly. The punch missed.
"Let me remind you," he said quietly, tightening his grip. "This isn't your backyard. What's your status worth here? Think your family will teleport in before I snap your neck?"
The crowd held its breath.
The noble's face paled, his knees trembling.
"W-wait! I-I get it now! I was wrong! Please—!"
The grip tightened again.
Just before it went too far, someone stepped forward — tall, calm, with sharp features and an effortless confidence.
"This brother," he said casually, "how about letting him go? If you kill someone here, the staff won't let it slide."
The soaked guy turned his head slightly and noticed the academy staff nearby. One of them, wearing a sleek dark uniform, was already staring in their direction with narrowed eyes.
"They don't care about small scuffles," the confident student continued, "but if it turns into a murder… they'll step in. And fast."
He glanced at the noble.
"You probably don't know, but his father's the revenge-hungry type. He'll drag you down with him."
The crowd murmured.
"That guy's brave… but he won't really kill someone, right?"
"He won't. That's Roland from the Seventh Branch. Calmest one in the top ten."
"If he did kill him, that'd be wild though..."
The soaked student held his grip a second longer... then let go.
The noble dropped like a sack of potatoes, coughing and gasping for air.
"Thanks for the reminder," the soaked boy said flatly, then walked away, vanishing into the crowd.
Roland chuckled quietly. "No problem. You're lucky he didn't use his blade."
He turned and walked off too.
I had watched the whole thing from a distance, arms folded.
As the crowd began dispersing — buzzing with excitement, probably eager to retell it all to their friends — I smiled to myself.
The people here are really something.
Just the first day and there's already drama.
I exhaled softly, lips curling into a faint grin.
I'm really looking forward to what comes next.