A few minutes later, Olivia and Lilian return to the room and see Velion awake.
"Is something wrong? You look like something's bothering you," Olivia asked as she sat on the edge of the bed. Lilian stood beside her, watching. Velion sat up.
"Tell me, is something wrong?" Olivia asked again, gently stroking his hair.
"It's nothing, Mother. I was just thinking about the academy and stuff," Velion replied.
Olivia smiled softly and took a deep breath. "Everything will be fine. You've awakened an advanced-grade element, so the academy will be easier for you than most."
"I know… I just wanted to ask, how long do I have to stay there? When will I graduate from Orbis Academy?"
"It takes ten years to graduate," Olivia replied. "But as I told you before, you can visit us whenever you like. I've signed all the enrollment papers—you'll start tomorrow."
"...Okay. I understand." Velion smiled faintly and lay back down, closing his eyes.
He suddenly felt something warm on both sides. Opening his eyes, he saw Olivia and Lilian lying beside him.
"What ar—" he began, but Olivia pulled him into a soft, gentle hug.
"Do you mind if I do this?" she asked, hugging him a little tighter.
"I don't mind."
Lilian wrapped her arms around him from behind. Velion said nothing, but the warmth made it hard to speak.
"It's your last night with us—sort of. This reminds me of when you were a baby. We used to hug you like this while you slept."
"I remember that..." he whispered.
The three of them drifted into sleep.
[The Next Morning]
Everyone sat at the table for breakfast. Velion, still half-asleep, was lying across Lilian's lap as she fed him.
"Well, Velion, today's your first day at the academy. How do you feel?" Olivia asked.
Velion hesitated. "I don't know. It's hard to say."
"That's okay," Veldor said, stroking his beard.
"We'll be leaving before you go," Olivia said. "But don't forget to visit us often."
"Master, whenever you come home, I'll cook you a feast!" Lilian added before shoving another bite of food into his mouth.
After breakfast, Olivia and Lilian stood outside, ready to leave. Before going, Lilian handed Velion a lunchbox.
"It's tuna fish. Don't forget to eat it at lunch—I made it with all my love!" she said with a wink.
Then, Olivia and Lilian climbed into a carriage and left.
[Arrival at Orbis Academy]
"Are you ready, Velion?" Veldor asked, ruffling his hair.
"Yeah. I'm ready," Velion nodded.
When they arrived, Velion was stunned. The academy looked more like a majestic red-and-white castle, with a huge garden and a powerful magical barrier surrounding it. Students milled about, laughing and chatting.
"What's that barrier for?" Velion asked.
"Oh, that? I created it with my light element but I had to use my full power. It protects the academy from outside threats and can withstand even advanced-grade magic attacks. It also repels monsters."
"I see..."
"I have some work to do. I'll return for the opening ceremony," Veldor said.
Velion nodded and walked into the academy.
[The Bump: First Encounter with spoiled brat]
While walking through the halls, Velion accidentally bumped into someone. He looked up—and saw a girl his age, with long golden hair and piercing pink eyes.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" the girl said, rubbing her head. "People really need to pay attention these days."
"Shut up. You're the one who wasn't looking. I was walking straight," Velion snapped back.
The girl stood up and brushed her clothes off. "How dare you talk to me like that?! Don't you know who I am? Let me educate you."
She flipped her hair dramatically.
"I amCelestina Violette de Grandiose, daughter ofAlaris von de Grandiose, the current leader of the Seven Knights!"
Velion placed a hand on her shoulder. "I don't care who you are. King, knight, or god—you're not special to me. And for the record, I never want to hear that name again."
"Ew! Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" she said, slapping his hand away.
"You're such a spoiled brat."
"I don't care what you think!" Celestina huffed and stormed off.
Velion sighed and continued walking.
[Opening Ceremony]
Inside the assembly hall, Veldor gave a speech using a voice amplifier.
"Welcome to Orbis Academy! I'm glad to see all of you here. Let me explain the rules.
"Students who've awakened a Runic Grade element will be in the Runic Class. Those with Advanced Grade and Special Grade elements will be in the Royal Class.
"You'll be here for ten years. Dorms are assigned—two per room. There are also practice rooms for combat and magic training. Now, proceed to your classes."
As students left, Velion entered his Royal Class and noticed Celestina—and Shin—were there too.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Velion muttered to Celestina.
"Did you forget? Students with special or advanced grades are in the same class," she smirked.
"Still... they should've made a separate class for edgy girls like you."
"What did you just say?!"
"I said they should've made a different class for an edgy girl like you."
"How dare you—!"
"Look at you two children arguing," Shin interrupted smugly. "You're not even worthy to sit in the same room as me. I'm too perfect for this world."
Velion (internally): This guy's just a cheap knockoff of someone I know.
[Magic Practice Begins]
The class moved to the practice area. A woman with long black hair and crimson eyes stood before them, holding a magic wand.
"I am Miss Wanda, your magic instructor. I'll teach you how to control and cast spells."
"Let's start with Shin," she continued. "As a Special Grade student, he has immense Mana."
Shin focused and produced a glowing mana orb.
"Very good, Shin!" Wanda clapped. Shin looked smugly at Velion.
"Now, everyone try!"
Most students struggled, but both Velion and Celestina created mana balls instantly.
"Impressive! You two might actually be able to compete with Shin."
[Lunch Break]
Velion quietly opened his lunchbox and smiled as he ate Lilian's tuna fish. "Still warm... she really put her heart into this."
[History Class]
"In this very land, a hundred years ago, stood the Kingdom of Velarion," the history teacher began. "But it was destroyed during the clash between Dragon King Valkath and the Hero of the World—Lucen Argrave. Legend says Lucen defeated Valkath in one strike, without even using 20% of his power."
Velion's eyes widened. "What nonsense is this? He clearly used his full power and that defeating is that monkey got lucky—I went easy on him and got caught off guard. If I was serious, he wouldn't have lasted ten seconds."
[Dorm Room Surprise]
After class, Velion made his way to dorm room 027 and opened the door.
Celestina was already there.
"What are you doing in my room?" Velion asked.
"That's my line! What are you doing here?" she snapped.
They both froze.
"...We're roommates? Impossible!"
"...We're roommates? Impossible!" they shouted in unison.
After a few awkward moments, they calmed down.
"Listen," Celestina said, "we're living here together, but don't interfere with what I do."
"I wasn't planning on it."