As Michael and Alice left the infirmary and made their way toward Headmistress Halden's office, the first thing that struck him was how massive this place truly was. He couldn't even see the outer walls from where he stood—it felt more like a city than an academy. The buildings were constructed in the old British Gothic style: detailed, ornate, with intricate stonework crowning the tops of gigantic windows. Most of the structures were made of pale gray brick, giving the entire place a solemn yet majestic aura.
Alice noticed his stoic expression and smiled.
"Impressive, isn't it? I think we all had the same face you're making when we first saw this place."
"Yeah... are you sure this is just an academy and not a city? Why is everything so big?"
Then he saw it : an open courtyard not far from the infirmary where students were meditating, manipulating water from levitating fountains. Further off, others were sparring, fire and earth clashing and intertwining in a dazzling spectacle. Though the duels seemed controlled, the imagery was breathtaking.
For the first time in what felt like ages, Michael was acting his age, just a 13-year-old kid, wide-eyed and captivated. He grinned as magical elements collided and danced before him, gasping at things he never imagined he'd witness.
Murmuring under his breath, he asked,
"Where are we, really?"
Alice, who never thought she'd see the cold and aloof boy like this, burst into laughter. Holding her waist, she teased,
"Oh my god, Michael. I never imagined you like this. I thought you were some stoic kid from a rich family."
Still caught up in wonder, Michael said in the same excited tone,
"Is this even real? Is this magic? I mean, I knew it existed, but I never imagined it would look like this."
"Alright, calm down tiger," she said, chuckling. "I'm pretty sure you'll get all your answers once you meet the Old Woman—" She stopped herself mid-sentence, eyes wide. "I mean, Headmistress Halden." She glanced around quickly and lowered her voice. "Don't tell her I called her that. I'll never hear the end of it."
"I don't make any promises," Michael replied, starting to come down from the emotional high. "It really is an amazing place... but there's got to be a reason for Edward's warning."
Alice didn't bother defending herself about the nickname. At least I know he can actually act like a kid sometimes... she thought. Turning around and waving, she called over her shoulder,
"Well, I've got to go. Good luck finding your way there!"
Still pondering Edward's warning, Michael didn't respond—he simply waved back, his thoughts racing. Maybe the teachers here are cruel or known to use the students... but that wouldn't make sense. Why would Edward send me here if that were the case?
Then, like a lightning strike, a sudden realization hit him. He turned around just in time to see Alice disappearing into the distance.
"Thank you for bringing me here!" he shouted after her.
She only responded with a wave.
"Wow, not even a reply," he muttered to himself, nodding as if his logic was sound. "Well, she is definitely crazy anyway."
Turning around as he scanned the area, hoping to find a map or a sign that would point him in the right direction. As he walked through the greenery of the open space, he noticed something strange—the air felt different. It was heavier, almost thick with energy, but every breath he took left him feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Then he spotted a blonde girl who looked about his age, sitting alone on a bench tucked beside a row of hedges. She seemed lost in thought.
Hesitating only a moment, Michael walked up to her.
"Hum… hello. I'm sorry to bother you. Would you happen to know where the Headmistress's office is?"
The girl blinked and looked up at him with a flat expression.
"Are you new here? I thought the entrance exams weren't for a few more months. Are you here on a dare or just trying to bother me?"
Taken aback by her barrage of questions, he held up his hands.
"Well, yeah, I am new here, but I don't know anything about all that. I just need to find Headmistress Halden. She's expecting me."
Her eyes widened.
"Ohhhh, you're the one! The kid who saved that adventurer in the dungeon nearby!"
She stared at him, her gaze sharp and curious.
"Well, I'm Sabaya, but everyone just calls me Sab. Come on—I'll show you the way. It's not far, and I was heading to the library anyway."
Michael wasn't sure if he should trust her, but she seemed genuine enough. As he followed her, he studied her more closely. Her blonde hair had subtle red streaks that only caught the light at certain angles, and her eyes were a warm, deep maroon. She was beautiful by his standards—but something about her felt... off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
They walked in silence for a while, the path between them growing awkward, until Sab finally turned to him, her curiosity too strong to hold back.
"By the way, what core level are you? I can barely feel your mana. But the rumors say you fought a Goblin Chieftain alone and saved a medium-ranked adventurer." Her tone shifted, growing more animated. "But I doubt you could even handle a regular goblin unless... unless you have a rare magic!"
Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"So what is it? Tell me! Please! I won't tell anyone, I promise."
Michael blinked, startled again by her sudden change in energy. He hesitated. Should I tell her? Do I even know what I am? The truth was—he didn't.
Quietly, almost unsure of himself, he replied,
"I... I think I stop time. At least, that's what it felt like."
He glanced at her.
Sab's mouth dropped open in disbelief. She stared at him for several seconds before stammering,
"You—you can control time?"
Then, like a switch had been flipped, she burst into giggles.
"Oh, that's a good one. Nobody ever jokes about that. You got me—seriously. That caught me so off guard!"
She grinned, amused and disarmed.
"What's your name, by the way?"
Speechless at first, Michael stared at her, unsure how to respond. She thinks I'm joking...? He had said it softly, but he meant every word. The way she laughed—not mocking, but genuinely entertained—left him confused. Still, he decided to let it go.
"…Michael," he finally said, quietly.
She gave him a smirk, her eyes still sparkling with amusement. "Well I'll give you that Michael, you've got a great sense of humor"
He just nodded, unsure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
They continued walking for a bit, their footsteps echoing softly on the stone path bringing to the academy's towering spires looming before them. The silence between them now felt less awkward, more like a temporary truce between two people who didn't quite know what to make of each other yet.
Eventually, Sab pointed toward a large, arched building nestled between two grand towers. Stained glass windows shimmered along the upper walls, and ivy curled up its stone pillars. The heavy double doors at the front looked like they belonged to a cathedral more than a school.
"That's it," she said, nodding toward the building. "Headmistress Halden's office is on the third floor, up the spiral stairs and down the hall to the right. You'll know you're there when you see the giant griffin statue glaring at you."
Michael looked at the doors, then back at Sab.
"Thanks."
Sab gave a casual shrug, her maroon eyes locking with his. "Don't mention it. Seriously—don't. I have a reputation to maintain."
He couldn't help but smile. "I'll keep that in mind."
She turned to go, already half a step away, then paused.
"And Michael?" she added without turning around.
"Yeah?"
"You might want to be careful what you say around here. Joking about time magic? Even if you are kidding—some people won't laugh." She finally looked back, just for a second. "See you around."
With that, she vanished down the path toward the library, her blonde hair catching the light as she went.
Michael stood there for a moment longer, staring at the doors ahead.
Time magic... even I'm not sure I wasn't imagining it.