Morning sunlight slipped gently through the wooden window frame, spilling across the floor in soft streaks of pale gold. Dust motes drifted lazily in the warm light, rising and falling like tiny, weightless stars. Outside, the wind moved through the branches that grew straight through the house's living walls. Leaves brushed against one another with a soothing rustle, a natural lullaby layered over the distant sounds of the waking countryside.
Somewhere far off, a rooster crowed—loud, rough, unapologetically real. Not a digital alarm. Not a ringtone. Just a living creature announcing the start of another day.
It was a strangely peaceful morning.
Peaceful enough to almost make them forget they weren't home.
Duke groaned softly, rolling onto his side before suddenly jolting upright in bed. His hair stuck out in every direction, and his eyes were only half open, unfocused and glassy with sleep.
Duke: H–huh…?
He blinked slowly at the unfamiliar ceiling. Thin roots crept along the wooden beams above him, faintly glowing with a soft green hue where sunlight filtered through the leaves outside. The gentle sway of shadows across the walls made the room feel alive.
Duke: …Morning already?
He dragged a hand down his face and swung his legs off the bed, feet hitting the cool wooden floor. For a brief second, he forgot where he was.
Then it came back.
The summoning circle.
The blinding light.
The witch's calm, commanding voice.
This world.
He exhaled through his nose and stood up.
The hallway upstairs was quiet, touched by golden light from the round window at the far end. Duke shuffled over to the first door on the right—Kai's room—and knocked firmly.
Duke: Wake up, idiot. First day of school.
There was silence.
Then the sound of something bumping into furniture.
The door creaked open.
Kai stood there with his hair completely unmanageable, eyes half-lidded, expression blank. He looked like someone who had just been dragged out of a dream he didn't want to leave.
Kai: School…? What school…?
Duke sighed.
Duke: Don't tell me you forgot what that witch said.
Kai frowned faintly, trying to piece together fragmented memories. A magic circle glowing beneath their feet. Symbols he couldn't read. That woman's voice—gentle but absolute.
"You will enroll at the Academy."
Kai's jaw tightened.
Kai: …No.
Duke leaned against the wall, folding his arms.
Duke: Look. I know you're still pissed about being stuck here. I am too. But we can't just stand around doing nothing. If this is how things work here, then we play along for now. At least until we figure something out.
Kai didn't respond immediately.
His gaze dropped to the floor.
In his mind flashed images of his old bedroom. The familiar clutter. The faint hum of electronics. The street outside his apartment. The life he used to complain about.
It hadn't been exciting.
It hadn't been special.
But it had been his.
After a long silence, he gave a small nod.
Kai: …Fine.
Duke pushed off the wall, relieved.
Duke: Good. Now go wake that damn dog.
It took another fifteen minutes before all three of them were properly awake.
Mike stumbled down the stairs last, still yawning widely, scratching his head.
Mike: Why does morning even exist…
Kai was already in the kitchen.
The space was small but thoughtfully designed. Smooth wooden counters curved naturally along the walls. Sunlight poured in through a large circular window, illuminating the simple shelves and neatly arranged utensils.
And there—
Kai's eyes locked onto it.
A refrigerator.
Not stainless steel. Not plastic.
This one was a blend of polished wood and subtle metallic seams, etched with delicate leaf patterns along its surface. A faint green line pulsed softly near the handle, indicating stored energy.
Kai hesitated before opening it.
A rush of cold air met his face.
He froze.
Inside, everything was chilled—milk stored in glass bottles, eggs carefully placed in woven holders, vegetables wrapped in thin biodegradable sheets.
It was familiar.
Kai: it look just like the one in my ho…
He shut the door gently and stood still for a moment, breathing slowly.
He had promised Duke.
Just for today.
He pulled the fridge open again and took out milk, flour, and eggs. His movements became automatic—crack, whisk, pour. The rhythm of cooking grounded him. The sound of batter sizzling in a pan filled the kitchen.
The smell of warm bread rose into the air.
Footsteps approached.
Mike leaned against the doorway.
Mike: What are you making?
Kai: Bread. And milk.
Duke blinked in surprise.
Duke: Since when can you cook?
Kai didn't look up.
Kai: Shut up and eat.
Soon, three plates of warm bread and three glasses of milk sat on the small round table in the living room.
Kai:uh….let…eat.
They did.
No jokes.
Just the quiet clink of glass and soft chewing.
It felt strange.
Like breakfast at home.
And that familiarity hurt more than the strangeness ever could.
After cleaning up, they changed into the uniforms provided by the Academy—simple but well-tailored garments with subtle green embroidery along the sleeves.
They stepped outside together.
The fields behind their house glowed in the morning light. Dew shimmered like scattered diamonds on the grass. The massive tree behind their home cast a long protective shadow over the roof.
Duke stretched.
Duke: Alright. Let's find this school.
At the same time, in the very heart of Solarpunk's capital, stood a luxurious two-story residence woven seamlessly into nature. Large windows framed in moss-covered wood reflected the morning sun. Living vines curled elegantly around the balcony railings.
Inside, three young men were finishing breakfast.
Chad leaned back in his chair.
Chad: I still can't believe you got this place, Daniel.
Daniel smiled faintly, sipping from a cup of tea.
Daniel: It wasn't difficult.
This was the very house Kai, Duke, and Mike had nearly lost their minds over the previous day.
Through careful negotiation—and a sharp ability to read the seller—Daniel had secured it for a fraction of the original price.
Hajime watched him thoughtfully.
Hajime: You're more capable than you let on.
Daniel set his cup down calmly.
Daniel: It's just experience, i know that butler is try to scam us so call him out and use that to make him lower the price….oh i love these kind of victory.
Unlike the other trio, they had already obtained a city map and information about the Academy's entrance procedures.
Daniel unfolded the map on the table.
Daniel: We'll head east from the central plaza. It's a direct route.
Meanwhile, on the outer roads, Duke was arguing with a passerby.
Duke: So we turn left at the waterwheel?
Local: No, no. After the greenhouse dome.
Mike scratched his head.
Mike: Didn't someone tell us the opposite five minutes ago?
Kai rubbed his temples.
Kai: Just pick a direction.
Eventually—
Both groups arrived.
The Academy stood before them in breathtaking grandeur.
Tall towers wrapped in spirals of greenery pierced the sky. Suspended walkways connected buildings high above the ground. Crystal panels shimmered between branches, channeling sunlight into radiant patterns across the courtyard.
The air felt different here.
Heavier.
Charged with authority and knowledge.
Students gathered near the gates, their uniforms immaculate, their eyes sharp and observant.
Without realizing it, the six of them formed a loose horizontal line before the entrance.
Kai stepped forward first—then paused.
He glanced to his right.
Three figures stood there.
Confident.
Composed.
Daniel met his gaze calmly.
Hajime's eyes narrowed slightly.
Chad smirked.
In the minds of Kai, Duke, and Mike:
Those three are…
At the same time, in the minds of Daniel, Hajime, and Chad:
Those guys are…
No one spoke.
But something unspoken passed between them.
Tension.
The Academy gates slowly opened with a low, resonant hum.
The six of them walked forward.