The academy's registration hall was grand but surprisingly efficient. A vaulted ceiling hung overhead, sunlight filtering through stained-glass windows depicting scenes of mythical battles and arcane rituals. Clerks in blue robes sat behind marble desks, scribbling on slates while enchanted quills hovered nearby, recording student information automatically.
Caldus led Akito through the quieter wing of the registration hall.
Behind one of the counters sat a middle-aged woman with a sharp, fox-like gaze and sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her auburn hair was pinned in a tight bun, though a few rebellious strands curled around her cheekbones. The moment she looked up and spotted Caldus, her brows lifted.
"Wait. No way." Her eyes flicked between the professor and Akito. "You brought a student? By yourself?"
Caldus grunted. "Don't sound so shocked, Alira. I do that occasionally."
She folded her arms and leaned forward with an incredulous grin. "You haven't brought in a student in—what—four years? And the last one made it two weeks before you scared him into switching to beast taming."
Caldus shrugged. "He's just not worth my time."
Alira turned her attention to Akito, now looking at him like a curiously shaped puzzle piece. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Either that or you've been tricked."
"I'm still deciding," Akito said dryly, earning a chuckle from her.
"At least I got access to the library and courses in both magic and swordsmanship."
Alira grinned, clearly enjoying herself. "Hmm. You've got the look of a smart one. Or at least someone who's good at pretending. You do that thing—tilt your head when you listen, like you're cataloging everything I say."
Akito raised an eyebrow. "You've gotten all that from thirty seconds?"
"Oh, honey," she said with a wink. "I've had students try to lie, bluff, flirt, and bribe their way through registration. You're not the first to pretend you've got it all figured out."
"I'm not pretending," Akito said, straightening slightly. "I know I don't."
That made her pause, then let out a surprised laugh. "Alright, I like this one. He's honest about being a mess."
"He's more than that," Caldus muttered, tapping the counter. "Get him registered. He's taking both tracks—magic and sword."
Her eyes widened. "You're serious?"
"I don't joke."
She chuckled as she began inscribing runes onto the plaque. "This is your student ID. Gets you into most of the grounds—library, lecture halls, dorms, training fields. It updates on its own as you qualify for more access. Don't lose it, and don't try to use it as a coaster. They crack if you spill anything on them."
Akito took the plaque and tucked it into the inside of his coat. "Thanks. I'll try not to embarrass my terrifying new sponsor."
Alira leaned her elbows on the desk and smirked. "Sweetheart, I give you two weeks before you're sleep-deprived, regretting your life choices, and asking me how to drop one track."
Akito smirked back. "Then I'll just make sure to sleep faster."
She barked a laugh. "Okay, you've got some bite. I'm officially invested. Do your best, Rookie. Or at least make your downfall entertaining."
As they walked out of the hall into the bright courtyard again, he turned to Caldus with a sudden question. "So, wait. If I had this from the start, couldn't I have just used it at the guild?"
Caldus blinked, then chuckled sheepishly. "Ah. Right. That... didn't really cross my mind."
"You're joking."
"Don't sweat it," he said, brushing it off with a wave of his hand. "But yes, students who graduate from the academy and register at the guild afterward are typically assigned Rank C immediately. Formal training, official records—it's expected."
Akito groaned. "So registering early just stuck me with a D?"
"Afraid so. Guild rankings aren't flexible once stamped unless you test into a higher tier. It's not the end of the world. You'll rise quickly."
"I better," Akito muttered, dragging a hand through his hair. "So much for strategy."
Caldus grinned. "You'll survive. That's your specialty, right?"
They reached a crossroads in the stone path—a branching trail where students filtered off toward training fields, research towers, and dormitories. Caldus stopped, resting a hand lightly on Akito's shoulder.
"Settle in. Get a feel for the place. I'll call on you when we're ready to begin research."
Akito nodded, eyes scanning the campus with a mix of anticipation and quiet wariness. "Thanks… Professor Marrenvar."
Caldus gave a short wave as he turned, walking off with the steady gait of a man who belonged to every inch of this place.
Alone now, Akito followed the winding path toward the dormitories. The dorm tower stood tall and quiet at the edge of the academy, ivy curling around its base like green veins against pale stone. A student liaison guided him to a modest room on the third floor: a bed, a desk, a bookshelf, a small enchanted lantern hanging from the ceiling. Spartan, but serviceable.
It was a quiet morning in the eastern wing of the academy, where a single testing chamber waited with glowing circles etched into the polished stone floor. Normally, aptitude assessments were held in groups at the start of each semester—but with this being the middle term, only one student stood in the center of the room.
Akito adjusted the collar of his fresh academy uniform. He could feel the attention of the three evaluators seated behind a low arcane barrier. They looked half-bored, as if they'd rather be grading essays or sipping tea.
One of them—a sharp-eyed man with streaks of white in his beard—glanced at his identification plaque and frowned.
"No class listed," he noted aloud. "Undecided focus. No weapon registered… and no elemental signature detected."
"Is this student really recommended by him?," another murmured, brushing her fingers across a glowing slate.
"I have the letter. The Marrenvar recommendation explains it, I suppose," the third added, more to herself than to anyone in particular.
Akito didn't say anything. He just stood still, hands loosely at his sides, waiting.
"Very well," the lead professor said. "Aptitude evaluation, beginning. Step into the central ring."
The glowing circle flared to life beneath his feet.
"Mana measurement, first."
A palm was raised toward him. A wave of ethereal energy pulsed outward—soft, probing, thorough. Akito felt it pass through him like a breeze, cool and without friction.
A moment passed. Then the ring flickered… and dimmed.
The professor's brow furrowed. "No mana. Zero affinity detected."
"Try a minor spell," the female professor instructed, gesturing toward a training wand on the side table.
Akito took the wand and flicked it according to the illustrated rune guide: a basic light spell. Nothing happened.
He tried again. And again. The wand remained inert in his hands, as if mocking his efforts.
"Confirmed. No spellcasting capacity."
The third evaluator made a quick note. "Sword test, then."
A conjured target dummy shimmered into existence at the edge of the circle, and a training sword was handed to him. Akito weighed it, awkward at first, then mimicked the stance he'd seen others use. He adjusted his grip, calculated the arc, and swung—not with power, but with intention.
The strike landed, slightly off-center, and bounced with a dull thud.
"Formally untrained," the evaluator muttered. "Muscle control is clean, though. No wasted motion."
"Possibly self-taught. Very basic foundation."
Akito stepped back, wiping a sheen of sweat from his brow.
The lead professor folded his hands. "Assessment complete. Based on mana null status, lack of magical aptitude, and novice-level swordsmanship, student will be placed in the Third Tier."
There was no fanfare. No disappointment in their tone. Just classification. Routine.
Akito swallowed.
The Third Tier was the lowest level of the academy's class hierarchy—composed almost entirely of commoners with minimal aptitude. They learned the basics: channeling exercises, safety handling for mana conductors, and fundamental sword drills. It was a place where potential rarely bloomed.
Above that, the Second Tier held those with tangible gifts—noble-borns, promising commoners, and students with recognized potential.
And at the very top, the First Tier: the geniuses, the elite, the royal blooded and magically blessed. The prodigies.
Furthermore, each tier of class divided by the first year, second year, and third year. after finishing 3 years and graduate, the students officially recognized as a capable adventurer.
Akito didn't react. He only nodded once, silent, and turned to leave.
The room stayed quiet behind him.