The carriage lurched to a halt, and Shaun leaned out, his jaw dropping.
"Woah…"
"Magnificent, isn't it?" Natasha's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the towering gates before them.
The Silver Heaven Academy rose like a dream — golden gates carved with celestial beings, vermilion halls crowned with yellow-glazed roofs, fountains spraying arcs of rainbow-kissed mist.
"Just three copper coins, young lady," the old coachman said, tugging his reins with a smile. "First day at the academy, eh? Then I wish you both success in your magical dreams… and maybe even a little love."
Natasha flushed, quickly pressing the coins into his hand.
"T-Thank you, Grandpa."
"Farewell, young squirrels!" he called, and the carriage clattered away down the road.
Left before the majestic gates, Natasha slipped her hand into Shaun's. "Shall we?"
Shaun's face warmed at the simple touch. "Y-Yeah."
The gates creaked open, revealing a courtyard awash in drifting pink petals. Cherry blossoms swirled like snow, the cobblestones gleaming beneath a soft carpet of petals.
Natasha twirled beneath the falling blossoms, her laughter light. "It's like a pink snowstorm! Back home we only had a few little trees. But this… this is incredible."
Shaun smiled quietly, watching her joy. "Yeah… it's even more beautiful than I imagined."
Ahead, the grand halls loomed, their vermilion walls glowing in the morning light. Around them, fellow disciples gawked and whispered, wide-eyed with the same wonder.
Natasha clasped her hands behind her back, her ponytail swaying. "Just imagine, Shaun… thunder magic training, new friends, maybe even some rivals…"
Shaun's lips curved into a grin. "Rivals, huh? Then I guess I'll have to keep up. Come on — let's not be late."
Together, they walked on, petals falling like blessings, the sweet scent of cherry blossoms heralding the beginning of their journey.
**************
Silver Heaven Academy. A sanctum where dreams were forged and futures tested, its name whispered with reverence across the realm.
Nestled within twenty-eight thousand acres of sacred land, the Academy was more than a place of study — it was a fortress of wisdom, sanctioned by the Monarchy itself and built to honour the Elemental Gods after the dust of Ragnarok had finally settled.
Its gates opened to reveal a breath-taking expanse: tiered courtyards lined with vermilion pillars, their wood lacquered to a mirror sheen, roofs sweeping like the wings of dragons, every edge adorned with yellow-glazed tiles that caught the sun like fire.
Guardian lion statues, carved from jade and obsidian, stood watch at every entrance, their eyes aglow with faint enchantments that had endured for centuries.
At the heart of the Academy towered the Hall of Celestial Wisdom, a sprawling palace crowned with golden finials, its walls carved with the likeness of phoenixes, Qulin, and heavenly beings.
Bridges arched gracefully over koi-filled lotus ponds, while streams of crystalline water flowed from hidden springs, feeding grand fountains whose spray scattered prismatic rainbows into the air.
Yet beyond the splendour lurked an unyielding truth. Only two hundred disciples were chosen each year, selected from thousands across Silver Heaven and the neighbouring Crystal Mount Region.
For three gruelling years, they would endure trials that pressed body, spirit, and magic to the brink. Some would rise to glory; others would break, expelled in shame, their dreams shattered like porcelain.
Lineage offered no shield. Though royals, nobles, and aristocrats filled the ranks, carrying ancient bloodlines rich with spell craft, their ancestral wisdom was but a torch — one easily extinguished. Here, every disciple stood equal before the trials, their worth judged not by their name, but by their strength.
Those who emerged victorious left forever changed. Some donned the silver armour of the Imperial Army, guardians of the throne and borders. Some bent knee to the Emperor and Lords, wielding their arts within the hallowed halls of power. Others returned to their families as masters, carrying the torch of tradition into the next age.
And presiding over all of it were the Three Supreme Mages — unfathomable beings whose command of magic rivalled the fury of storms and the calm of mountains. With the backing of the five great royal families, they oversaw the Academy, ensuring that the path of each disciple was forged like steel in fire.
It was not merely a school. It was a crucible. A place where legends were shaped, and the unworthy cast aside. A place where the fate of the Silver Heaven Region itself was decided.
**********
The Silver Heaven Academy campus buzzed with anticipation. Disciples from every corner of the realm filled the vast courtyard before the main building. Senior disciples gathered in familiar circles, their confident voices carrying over the crowd, while newcomers huddled together, wide-eyed and restless, each clutching dreams of glory.
"Just look at all these disciples! It's astonishing how they've all gathered here with the same goal," Natasha's eyes swept across the lively scene.
Before them, the Main Hall loomed — a vermilion giant rising proudly upon a raised stone platform. Its mighty timber frame, supported by thick carved pillars, exuded strength and tradition.
The elegantly curved roof, tiled in gleaming yellow glazed ceramics, shimmered in the sunlight like a golden crown reaching toward the heavens. Every beam, every carving told stories of ancient wisdom and the academy's enduring legacy.
Scattered across the sprawling campus, other buildings of similar style rose between manicured gardens. Fragrant blooms perfumed the air, and winding paths seemed to stretch endlessly, leading toward training grounds, classrooms, and secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Shaun and Natasha paused to take it all in, their footsteps slowing as awe settled over them. For a moment, the clamour of the courtyard faded into a gentle hum.
"It's even more magnificent than I imagined," Natasha whispered, her lips curving into a small smile. "I bet it would take days just to explore the whole campus."
"Yeah," Shaun nodded, his gaze trailing over the grounds. "I wonder what kind of training they do here… I bet it's intense." He scratched his head, curiosity gleaming in his dark eyes. Then, clearing his throat, he tried to sound casual. "So, um… where's the Summoning Hall?"
Natasha tapped her chin, then brightened. "This way! I saw a signpost earlier pointing towards it. The list should be posted near the main building entrance." With purposeful strides, she gestured down the paved path.
"All right then, let's go!" Shaun grinned, his earlier nervousness replaced by excitement. "The sooner we find our batches, the sooner we can start exploring."
Together, they strode toward the towering hall, their anticipation beating in time with the rhythm of their steps, ready to step deeper into the unknown world of Silver Heaven Academy.
**********
As they made their way toward the towering main hall, Natasha walked a step ahead, her excitement practically bubbling over, while Shaun followed, his heart thumping in sync with the buzz around them.
"I wonder which batch we'll be in. I hope we're together," Natasha mused, tapping her chin with mock seriousness.
"Me too," Shaun admitted, glancing around at the sea of strangers. His nervousness crept back in, but he forced a smile.
The path wound through a throng of disciples — confident seniors laughing loudly, and wide-eyed newcomers clutching their satchels with anxious determination. The air was thick with chatter, ambition, and dreams.
"Can you believe it, Shaun?" Natasha twirled once, her yellow hanfu fluttering like a ribbon in the breeze.
"We're actually here! I mean, I knew I'd get in, but still—it feels unreal! Just imagine the adventures waiting for us inside these walls. I can't wait to start this new chapter of our lives together!" She pumped her fist, her grin as radiant as the blossoms drifting through the courtyard.
Her voice carried, drawing curious glances and smiles from a few nearby disciples. The sheer energy of her excitement was infectious, a spark igniting the morning air.
Shaun chuckled softly at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, me too. I can't wait to see what this academy has in store for us." His eyes lingered on the intricate carvings etched into the ancient beams of the building ahead, then swept over the bustling courtyard alive with life and colour.
I need to remember every detail of this day, Shaun thought, his chest swelling with both nerves and wonder. My first day at Silver Heaven Academy… and with Natasha by my side.
**********
In the heart of Silver Heaven Academy, the campus buzzed with youthful energy and anticipation. Amidst the lush landscape and towering architecture, Natasha Ikazuchi walked with confident steps, her voice bright as she chattered about the life awaiting them.
Her laughter rang like a sweet melody through the rustling leaves, drawing glances from a few curious disciples. Shaun trailed just behind, content to let her excitement carry them forward—until a gentle breeze rustled the branches of an ancient cherry blossom tree.
Its branches were heavy with pink blooms, and beneath them stood a girl. Shaun froze.
Bathed in drifting petals and soft sunlight, the mysterious girl seemed almost ethereal. Dressed in a flowing pink hanfu with translucent lavender sleeves, her long black hair shimmered as it caught the breeze.
Her delicate face was framed with an expression of quiet sorrow, her eyes lifted toward the sky as though searching for something beyond reach.
A single petal settled in her outstretched hand, fragile and fleeting. The blossoms swirled around her like a protective veil, amplifying her aura of solitude. Shaun's breath caught.
"Who… who is she?" he whispered, rooted in place, Natasha's voice fading from his ears.
Drawn by an unexplainable pull, he took a small step closer.
"Wow… she's… so beautiful…" The words slipped out before he realized it.
But just as he found his voice, a sudden gust sent petals cascading between them in a dazzling curtain of pink. By the time it cleared— She was gone.
"Shaun? What are you doing just standing here?" Natasha's familiar voice cut sharply through his reverie.
He spun around, startled, finding her watching him with a tilted head and curious eyes.
"Natasha! I… uh…" His face burned red, his gaze darting nervously back toward the empty tree.
"I thought you were following me." She crossed her arms, her yellow hanfu fluttering with the breeze, and frowned. "I looked back and you weren't there, so I got worried."
Shaun's pulse raced. He remembered her fierce protectiveness—how even as children she'd declared herself his future wife, how quick she was to glare at any girl who dared get too close.
"Uh… no, it's nothing, Natasha! I just—" He rubbed his eyes again, staring at the vacant spot. "Wait… where did she go?" he muttered under his breath.
"Shaun? Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost," Natasha asked, her frown softening with concern.
"Just… spaced out for a second," Shaun blurted, forcing a weak smile.
"Spaced out, huh?" She narrowed her eyes. "You space out so much, sometimes I wonder if you're even in the same realm as me."
Shaun laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "I… was just admiring the blossoms. They're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Oh, yes! They really are," Natasha glanced up, her expression melting into a smile. Relief washed over Shaun, though the vision of the mysterious girl still haunted him.
"Yeah… beautiful," he murmured, stealing one last glance at the empty space beneath the tree.
Natasha, oblivious, twirled once beneath the falling petals. "Imagine, Shaun—getting married under these blossoms one day. I'll be the most beautiful bride, and you'll be the World's Strongest Magus!"
"M-Married?" Shaun stammered, his face heating up again.
"Of course!" Natasha's grip tightened on his hand, her eyes sparkling with playful determination. Her mind flickered back to the cherry blossom tree by their childhood river, where Shaun once pretended to be her Arcane Guard, fighting off the 'evil' falling petals.
Both drifted into the memory for a heartbeat, before Natasha gasped.
"Oh no! The batch lists! They're being posted today—we have to hurry!"
"Wait up, Natasha!" Shaun called as she tugged him along, petals swirling at their feet. He stole one last glance back at the ancient tree, confusion still lingering in his eyes.
"…Yeah. I suppose I've seen enough trees for one day," he muttered, before following her into the crowd.
***********
Natasha's eyes darted over the glowing runes, her lips moving silently as she traced the list with her finger.
Shaun leaned closer, his heart hammering in his chest. The crowd's chatter blurred into a distant hum as all he could focus on was that single tablet of fate.
"Do you… see our names?" Shaun asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
Natasha's eyes widened suddenly, her hand frozen mid-scan. She turned to Shaun, a playful yet knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"Found them."
Shaun swallowed hard, bracing himself. This was it—the first step into the life they had dreamed of.
**********