The morning sun spilled through the tall window of Aaron's room, washing over the furniture until its warmth reached his face. He stirred, his eyelids fluttering open, and sat up slowly. After washing his face in the small adjoining bathroom, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. The faint marks of yesterday's fatigue had not yet faded, but his eyes carried a spark of resolve.
When he stepped out of his room, he found Pierce waiting downstairs. The man was holding a neatly folded set of dark-green clothes trimmed with gold, the academy's crest—a sun within a star—embroidered on the right sleeve.
"Excuse me, sir," Aaron asked curiously, "what are these clothes for?"
Pierce smiled faintly. "That's the official uniform of Gaity Academy. You'll be attending today. I brought it while you and the others were out yesterday."
Aaron blinked in surprise. "Wait, today? Already? But you said I'd need a disguise—a wig and glasses—so no one would recognize me."
"I did," Pierce replied, calm as ever. "Kane took care of it. He should be here any minute."
Right on cue, Kane entered the room carrying a small brown bag. "Got what you asked for," he said, handing it to Pierce. Inside were a short brown wig and a pair of round glasses.
Pierce turned to the stairs and called out, "Ashen! Did you bring the thing I told you about?"
Ashen appeared from above, holding a pair of black-rimmed glasses and a quiet smile. "Here. And Aaron, starting today, our treatment toward you and Ashen will be different. You're not just helpers anymore. You're family."
Aaron froze for a moment, taken aback. "Really?"
Pierce nodded, and both Aaron and Ashen bowed lightly. "Thank you, sir," they said in unison.
"Now go get dressed," Pierce said, waving his hand. "You and Kane will leave soon. Don't keep the academy waiting."
Aaron hurried upstairs, changing into the uniform. The fabric fit comfortably, the weight of the crest heavy on his sleeve. When he put on the wig and glasses, he looked back at the mirror and almost didn't recognize himself.
"Well," he muttered dryly, adjusting the frames, "I look like… a total failure."
He left the room and went down the stairs. The moment Kane, Pierce, and Ashen saw him, they burst out laughing.
Pierce chuckled. "Who's this man? I don't see Aaron anywhere."
Aaron crossed his arms, sighing. "From now on," he declared dramatically, "my name is John Rail—the Great Loser."
The three laughed even harder. Aaron looked away, annoyed. "How are they enjoying this so much…?"
A few minutes later, Aaron and Kane stood outside the mansion's gate while Pierce and Ashen waved from the doorway. The two travelers waved back before climbing into a small carriage bound for Gaity Academy.
As the wheels began to turn, Kane turned serious. "Listen carefully, Aaron. You need to understand how things work in Gaity Academy."
"I'm listening."
"There'll be entrance exams. If you fail completely, you're rejected. If you pass with low marks, you'll still get in—but you'll be placed in a special remedial class. You can move up later if you improve."
He paused, then continued.
"The academy is divided into five main tiers of classes:
Platinum Class – the top students, usually nobles or geniuses. Their magic level ranges from 45 to 60.
Gold Class – second tier, ranging from level 30 to 44.
Silver Class – levels 20 to 29.
Bronze Class – the lowest, levels 0 to 19. They're often mocked by higher students, especially by the Platinum and Gold groups.
If you meet the Queen at any point, you must stay in disguise and act as if you're a completely different person. Understand?"
Aaron nodded. "Got it."
Moments later, the carriage slowed to a stop. Through the window, Aaron saw Gaity Academy rise before him like a fortress of marble and light. Vast gardens framed tall towers, their banners fluttering proudly in the wind. It was more than a school—it was a city of scholars and warriors.
Kane patted his shoulder. "I'll leave you here, brother. Make sure you survive your first day."
Aaron smiled faintly. "I'll try not to get expelled before lunch."
They exchanged a short handshake before Kane climbed back into the carriage. As it rolled away, Aaron turned to face the academy's massive front gate. Students were streaming inside, laughter and chatter filling the air.
"What's going on?" he murmured to himself, noticing the crowd moving toward a wide courtyard. "Is it… some kind of welcoming ceremony?"
He decided to follow.
The courtyard was vast, lined with white stone and surrounded by rows of stands filled with students. The noise was a sea of voices. Aaron scanned the area for an empty seat and found one near the edge. He squeezed past a group of students and sat down, trying to blend in.
From his position, he could see a raised platform at the center of the courtyard. A few elegantly dressed nobles stood there—among them, the King and Queen themselves. The sight froze Aaron's blood.
He turned his face quickly, praying they wouldn't notice him.
To his right, a boy about his age was lounging casually with his arms behind his head. His hair was black streaked with faint pink strands, and his eyes were calm but sharp.
"Uh, excuse me," Aaron said quietly, tapping his shoulder. "Can I ask what's going on?"
The boy glanced at him, then grinned. "New here, huh? They're holding a ceremony to welcome the new students—and the Princess Sasa. Big day for everyone."
"I see. Thanks." Aaron extended a hand. "I'm John Rail. Nice to meet you."
"Waliano," the boy replied with a friendly nod. "Welcome to Gaity Academy, John."
Aaron smiled faintly, unaware that this would be the beginning of another chapter in his unpredictable fate.