Morning sunlight filtered over the academy walls as the Caelthron siblings walked together toward the S-Class building. Kaelen, Lyra, and Allaric kept an easy pace, their matching uniforms crisp and well-kept. Selianne hurried to join them midway, her cheerful smile brightening the group. Soon the classroom filled with chatter as the other students trickled in.
The door opened with a firm click. Mirelle Astoria, draped in her polished military coat, strode inside with commanding presence. Her voice was sharp, yet calm:"Today's schedule is as follows: Theory of Magic, followed by practical training. In the afternoon, swordsmanship instruction and then—group exercises."
Her gaze swept over the students, pausing at Kaelen for half a breath longer than the others before continuing.
"Attendance."
She began calling names.
"Allaric Caelthron."
"Present."
"Clara Nivelle."
"Here!"
"Kaelen Caelthron."
"Yes."
"Selianne Thalorie."
"Present!" she answered quickly, straightening her back, eager not to stand out too much.
The list went on, until the roll ended and Mirelle's chalk struck the board.
Magic Theory
"Today," Mirelle began, "you will learn about the three foundations magic circles : trap circles, enchantment circles, and casting circles. In addition, we will review the theory behind basic barrier spells—your first line of defense in battle."
Diagrams filled the blackboard. Lines, runes, and channels intersected in mesmerizing patterns. Students scribbled notes furiously, some more lost than others.
By noon, they filed into the practice yard where their task was simple: conjure and maintain a Mana Barrier.
Dozens of shimmering domes flickered into existence. Some collapsed in seconds; others glowed unsteadily. After nearly an hour of sweat and concentration, most had mastered the basics. Kaelen's barrier, however, stood pristine, flawless in form. He could see Mirelle's faint smirk of approval before she dismissed them.
In the dining hall, Kaelen's eyes wandered. Amidst the lively chatter of his peers, several senior students caught his attention—not their faces, but their auras. They burned brighter, steadier, filled with lethal potential. Kaelen narrowed his eyes, silently cataloging each one.
"Something wrong?" Lyra asked, noticing his distracted look.
"…No. Just observing," he muttered, though his mind was far from at ease.
Swordsmanship Training
Their next session began with a shout.
"Oi! You're late! One minute and forty-five seconds!"
The class turned to see a young man leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, steel-gray eyes sharp beneath tousled hair. His armor gleamed faintly, a light blue cloak draped over his shoulder.
Kaelen instinctively activated [All-Seeing Eye: Chrono-Dissector]. Immediately, streams of aura swirled into focus.(He's strong… An Enlightened for sure. Maybe even close to Saint evolution.)
Deactivating his eye, Kaelen narrowed his gaze.
The young man pushed off the wall and introduced himself.
"Name's Seraphis Draven. I'll be shaping your swordsmanship. Today, we test your physical condition. Tomorrow—sparring. I expect you all to be alive by the end of it."
A few students paled at his casual tone.
The next hours were grueling: sprints across the yard, weight tests, endurance drills, weapon basics. Seraphis corrected their stances with sharp precision, never wasting words. Finally, exhausted, the students were dismissed back to class.
The Herb Collection Quest
Mirelle awaited them with folded arms. "Good. You're back. Now that your back take rest for a while, and for your group assignments: each team will head outside the territory to collect specific herbs. This will serve both as practice and as your first cooperative mission."
The Caelthron siblings and Selianne saddled horses and set off. Hours passed under the green canopy of the forest. They collected dozens of herbs with ease until, after thirty minutes more of searching, they found the final rare herb.
It grew innocently by the mouth of a shadowy den.
Kaelen's senses prickled immediately. He whispered, "Something's wrong."Activating Universal Perception, he felt the subtle, oppressive pressure radiating from within. His heart sank.
(A dragon… weak, but still a dragon. If I used Dragon Form V1, I could kill it. But that might draw Velgrynd's attention. Too risky…)
Allaric grimaced. "Figures. Always near something nasty."
He crouched, pointing. "Alright—here's the plan. One of us grabs the herb. If the dragon comes out, the rest of us throw distractions and run like hell. Simple."
The group exchanged uneasy glances before nodding. Allaric volunteered and crept forward. His hand plucked the herb free—no response. Relief washed over them—until the cave trembled.A scaled head emerged, eyes glowing like molten gold. The dragon's growl shook the trees as it stepped into the light.
"Run!" Kaelen barked.
The students bolted, but the dragon surged after them, wings spreading wide. Its sheer bulk tore through the forest like paper.
"Allaric, Kaelen—we can't outrun it!" Lyra shouted.
"Exactly why we'll stop it here," Allaric growled, skidding to a halt.
"Are you insane!?" Lyra snapped.
Kaelen's jaw tightened. He turned to her. "…Sorry, sis."
Before she could react, Kaelen struck the side of her neck with a precise chop. Lyra slumped unconscious into his arms. Gritting his teeth, he heaved her onto a horse, motioning for Selianne to ride.
"Take her back. Don't look behind you."
Selianne's eyes trembled. "Kaelen…"
"Go." His voice brooked no argument.
With a sharp whip of the reins, the horse carried them both away.
Now only Kaelen and Allaric remained.
The dragon's shadow loomed, its maw steaming with heat.
Allaric drew his blade, his grin feral. "Kaelen… don't you dare hold back this time. We can't afford it."
Kaelen's eyes glimmered dangerously. "…I know.Remember to survive."
Allaric chuckled darkly. "Of Course ."
Their swords gleamed as the two siblings stood shoulder to shoulder. The ground trembled beneath the dragon's steps.
Kaelen whispered, almost eagerly, "Let's show it what Caelthrons are made of."
The dragon roared, and the fight about to begin.