The sun continued its descent, gilding the road in honeyed light. Dane walked with his hands in his pockets, idly kicking a loose stone down the path, while Kael strolled backward beside him, grinning like he was seconds away from causing a minor incident. Serah moved in step with Virellia, silent and vigilant, while Lia remained close, riding the horse with perfect posture.
"So," Dane said casually, glancing over at Lia, "random question—does this country have a magic school? Y'know, the kind where you get robes, arcane drama, and maybe the occasional life-threatening dungeon test?"
Virellia—Lia now—tilted her head. "There is. The Arcanis Lyceum. It's a prestigious academy just north of the capital. Why?"
Kael perked up. "Wait, seriously?"
"I'm enrolling in the autumn term," she added. "It's quite important to all noble since it is a requirement ."
Serah spoke up, her tone unreadable as always. "I'll be stationed there as her guard."
Kael spun around mid-step. "You're telling me there's a magical school—filled with spells, monsters, probably at least one forbidden library—and you two are both going?"
Lia nodded. "Yes."
Dane made a sound halfway between a gasp and a fanboy squeal. "Why was this not mentioned earlier? This is vital quest information!"
Kael flung his arms wide. "This is the dream! This is the actual dream! Wandering adventurer-turned-magical transfer student? I am ready to emotionally invest in that subplot!"
Dane pointed to the horizon. "Somewhere out there is a cursed book that wants me to open it, and I'm gonna disappoint it by doing it on purpose."
"Somewhere out there," Kael added, equally serious, "there's a teacher with a dark secret who's going to inexplicably trust me with something dangerous."
Lia laughed. "Is that your idea of academic ambition?"
Kael: "I want to marry this school."
"You'll have to duel it first," Dane said solemnly.
Serah didn't look up. "Enrollment is selective. Rigorously so."
Kael winked. "We're rigorously reckless. Surely that counts for something."
Dane nudged Lia with an elbow. "Come on. Throw us a bone. We'll be on our best behavior."
Lia raised an eyebrow. "Your best behavior?"
"Best-ish," Dane amended. "We won't set anything important on fire."
Lia pretended to think. "Hmm. A Golden Retriever and a Chaos Goblin in a centuries-old magical institution…"
Kael grinned. "That's not trouble. That's a legacy waiting to happen."
"I call dibs on the brooding professor with a tragic past," Dane said.
"You'd last five minutes before being cursed," Serah muttered.
Dane nodded. "And I'd learn so much."
Lia shook her head, but the smile on her face was impossible to hide. "Well… I suppose I could put in a word."
Kael gasped. "Are we getting referrals?! Like real adult applications?!"
Dane turned to Serah. "Would you vouch for us?"
Serah didn't break stride. "Only if there's a no-refunds clause."
Kael raised his fists in the air. "It's happening. It's really happening. We're going to wizard college!"
"I need ominous robes," Dane muttered. "Preferably black, maybe with some impractical layers."
"I want a jacket with at least seven buckles," Kael said. "You know. One that screams 'I read forbidden scrolls recreationally.'"
Lia sighed, voice fond. "You two are going to be insufferable."
"In unison," Dane and Kael chimed: "Always."
📱Group Chat: JIGGLYPUFFS
🟢 Status: Active
👥 Members: Jax, Alex, Riley, Kael, Dane (recently unbanned)
Kael:
🧙♂️ New mission: infiltrate the Arcanis Lyceum.
🎯 Objectives: magical education, forbidden lore, and dangerously attractive wizards.
Riley:
🔥 Nice! New story arc unlocked in our Isekai lives. Send me the details later I'm currently unconscious, being bridal-carried by a tall, muscular wolf-woman radiating GOD OF WAR energy. ❤️🐺💪🔥
Alex: (also KO'd)
📹 Sends video: Riley flirting with said wolf-woman like he's in a dating sim on hard mode. 10/10.
Jax:
💢 SON OF A GOBLIN-SUCKING WRAITH!!! HOW IN THE BLAZING NAME OF BURNING PIXIES DID YOU TWO GET CARRIED OFF BY A WOLF AMAZON?!
I'm still stuck in the prologue!
I SWEAR I'M GONNA BLOW UP THIS WHOLE DAMN TOWN!!! 💣🔥🔥😤
Dane:
🧊 Cool it, firecracker. You'll get your monster waifu arc eventually. Probably. Meanwhile, the Lyceum is the real deal: 📜 Robes, 🥊 duels, 🧩 arcane riddles, 💀 ancient curses, and maybe a suspiciously flirty potions professor.
Kael:
🏰 It's called the Arcanis Lyceum.
Location: north of the capital. Super elite, super shady.
Lia's enrolled. Serah's tagging along as her bodyguard. Total fantasy school drama vibes. 💅🎭
Jax:
😤😤😤Let me get this straight. Kael's off to wizard Hogwarts, Dane's collecting side quests, Riley's being manhandled by a goddess-tier wolf-lady... And ME?! I'm stuck as a side character in a cursed comedy arc with:
❌ Zero romantic interests
❌ Zero cursed tomes
✅ ONE demon-possessed chicken
Riley:
🐔 Don't worry, bro. The chicken seems really into you. 😘
Kael:
⚔️ The Lyceum has sword mages and battle trials. You'd love it. Might blow something up in your first hour. Maybe even yourself. 💥
Dane:
💫 Bonus: every student gets their own magical focus. You know:
🪄 Wand? ✅
🪄 Staff? ✅
🗡️ Screaming sword that howls during combat? ✅✅✅
Jax:
👀 …I'm listening. So, magic, combat, secret cults, probable explosions...
Do they allow emotionally unstable berserkers with anger issues who scream at enchanted trees?
Kael:
🎓 That's probably part of the admission criteria.
Dane:
✨ Join us.
We'll be the worst study group in magical history. But we'll look fabulous doing it. 💅🔥
Jax:
…Fine. But if I don't get a magical girlfriend by the end of the semester, I'm torching the cafeteria. This is your final warning. 🧨❤️🔥
Riley:
📚✨ TO MAGIC SCHOOL, BITCHES!!! 🎉🧙♀️🧨
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"FINALLY THE TOWN!" Dane screamed, his murderous boredom and urge to burn everything bubbling to the surface.
"Chill, bro," Kael said, grinning despite himself. "No need to scream like a banshee itching to torch the place."
"Welcome to Eldermoor," Lia said, her voice calm but filled with the subtle pride of one who knew its secrets.
The town's cobblestone streets stretched ahead, bustling with merchants, adventurers, and townsfolk. Lanterns began to glow in preparation for nightfall, casting long shadows beneath the timber-framed buildings. The scent of fresh bread mixed with smoky hearth fires.
Dane took a deep breath, eyes scanning the lively scene. "Finally — somewhere to cause calm chaos."
Virellia's voice interrupted, tinged with a mix of caution and curiosity. "Please, don't cause trouble here. It would be… very troublesome. But since we're here, what will you both do? Enrollment isn't for another three months."
Kael shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "For now, we'll explore the town, find some entertainment. We're staying here for a week before heading back to meet the others."
Dane's grin widened. ""And since the enrollment in the magical school of witchcraft and wizardry is three months from now. I plan on doing a bit of exploring and maybe picking up some new magic. Especially fire magic. You know, for burning things." He added the last part with an adorably sinister smile.
Serah shivered subtly at the expression but couldn't resist teasing, "Has anyone ever told you your smile is downright creepy?"
Dane shrugged with a playful smirk. "Girl, I'm adorable"
Lia's smile faltered just a bit. "I suppose this is where we part ways—for now. I'll be staying at Augusta Mansion until the school term starts. You're welcome to visit anytime."
A quiet pause settled over them, the weight of parting lingering in the cooling air.
Kael cleared his throat dramatically, stepping forward and striking a mock heroic pose. "Ah, dear Lia and steadfast Serah! Though fate pulls us apart for now, our hearts remain bound by the promise of future mischief and magical mayhem! Until we meet again—may your days be safe, and your nights filled with arcane wonder!"
Dane followed with a smooth bow, his gaze lingering on Lia just a moment longer than necessary. "And Lia, if I had a star for every time you brightened my day, I'd hold the entire night sky in my hands. Consider this a promise: I'll return—triumphant, maybe a little singed, but definitely yours to tease."
Lia's cheeks flushed a warm rose, her breath catching slightly as she averted her eyes, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
Dane gave one last cheeky grin. "We'll be back before you can say 'forbidden spellbook.'"
Serah rolled her eyes with a dry smile. "If you two spent half as much effort on studying as you do on theatrics and flirting, you might actually pass the enrollment."
Kael chuckled, clapping Dane on the shoulder. "Guess it's time to make the most of this town. Who knows what secrets Eldermoor is hiding?"
Dane's eyes gleamed with eager anticipation. "Yeah. Let's burn some candles… and maybe a few other things."
"Goodbye, Dane. Goodbye, Kael," Lia said softly, her smile bittersweet.
Serah nodded and waved casually, the faintest smirk on her lips.
As the sun slipped below the horizon, the group slowly dispersed into the winding alleys of Eldermoor, unaware that the town held more than just quaint streets and welcoming inns. Beneath its cobblestones, ancient magic stirred, and the shadows whispered secrets waiting to be uncovered.