That morning, the Solstice palace buzzed like a beehive. Servants hurried back and forth, preparing luggage, horses, and carriages adorned with the family crest. The sun had just risen, yet the atmosphere was chaotic, as if a grand festival were underway.
I stood at the doorway of my room, my long white hair flowing, golden eyes watching the commotion with a… gloomy expression.
> "Tch… why today?" I muttered, leaning my back against the doorframe.
The day of my departure to the Academy had finally arrived. An academy supposedly full of gifted children. Hmph… gifted? To me, they were like ants.
I trudged into the main hall, where my father awaited with his stern expression, Mother Ivy with her warm smile, and of course, Allesa, half-asleep yet still clutching her worn rabbit doll.
I looked at them, then—without hesitation—I dashed toward Mother, dropping to my knees and hugging her dress.
> "Mother… don't send me there!"
All the passing servants immediately stifled laughter, some nearly dropping their trays.
Ivy blinked slowly, then bent down to look at me with an amused expression.
> "Oh? Since when does my arrogant son whine like this?"
I fixed my most dramatic expression.
> "Mother, think! What am I supposed to do there? Children my age? They're just… ants! Imagine me sitting in class with those ants, Mother!"
My father, Arwind, snorted, crossing his arms.
> "Ants or not, you must go, Gren."
I turned to him with a face full of betrayal.
> "Father! How can you! Don't you care that your son—the youngest Regnum User on the continent—might be forced to socialize with snot-nosed brats who haven't even activated their stigma?"
Allesa yawned widely, then suddenly spoke:
> "Grren… cute ants~"
The hall erupted with laughter.
I, of course, did not give up. I looked at Mother again, this time pleading with my eyes.
> "Mother, you know… I'd rather train my powers at home. I can watch over Allesa, accompany you in the garden, duel Father… why the academy? Isn't the world already small enough for me?"
Ivy covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, gently stroking my hair.
> "Darling… precisely because the world feels small to you, you must see it from another angle. The academy isn't just a place to fight, but also a place to learn… to understand others, and perhaps…" —she smiled meaningfully— "to meet someone."
I immediately squinted.
> "Mother… you deliberately emphasized the word someone, didn't you?"
Father added in a flat yet clearly teasing tone:
> "After all, all other Grand Duke's sons have already left. Is Solstice the only exception?"
I scoffed, turned, and spoke arrogantly:
> "Hmph. Fine. But don't blame me if the entire academy becomes my playground."
Ivy smiled, patting my cheek.
> "That's up to you, Gren. But remember… don't be too arrogant. The world is bigger than you think."
I stood reluctantly, stepping toward the carriage as if walking to an execution. Allesa waved slightly, calling softly:
> "Grren… bring an ant for Allesa~!"
I nearly stumbled at hearing that.
> "Tch… this family really doesn't appreciate my suffering."
And so—with a heavy heart, a little drama, and my unchanging arrogance—I, Gren Solstice, finally left home for the academy.
The Solstice family carriage stood proudly in the yard, decorated with a sun-and-moon emblem in gold and silver. The luggage was loaded, horses stamping impatiently. All the servants lined up neatly, ready to see us off.
I stood on the carriage steps, hands gripping the door edge. My arrogant aura was clear on my face, but inside… there was another feeling.
> "Grren~!"
That shout made me turn. Allesa ran toward me, her silver eyes already wet. Her worn rabbit doll was clutched tightly in her arms.
She collided with my legs, then tilted her head up, voice broken:
> "Don't… don't go… Grren…"
For a moment, I froze. The world may be small for me… but those tiny eyes, those tiny tears… felt heavier than anything.
I crouched to meet her gaze. My hand gently stroked her soft white hair.
> "Allesa… listen to me."
She shook her head quickly, tears flowing harder.
> "I don't want to! Grren stay here!"
I smiled faintly, patting her cheek gently.
> "I must go. But listen carefully… I promise, I will always make you smile. Even if I'm far away, I, Gren Solstice… remain your brother—still me—who will protect you. So don't cry, Allesa."
Allesa sniffled, then hugged my robe tightly.
> "Promise…?"
I nodded firmly, looking into her golden eyes filled with determination.
> "Promise. And Gren Solstice's promises never fail, right?"
For the first time, Allesa smiled amid her tears. She nodded slowly, then hugged me tightly before Mother let her go.
Ivy smiled warmly, watching the two of us.
> "Hm… you are stubborn, Gren, but when with your sister… your heart is always most honest."
I only gave a faint smile, pretending to be arrogant.
> "Hmph. I just don't like seeing the Solstice family crybabies, that's all."
Father sighed deeply, then patted my shoulder firmly.
> "It's time. Stop making drama in front of everyone."
> "Me? Drama? Wrong person, Father," I replied quickly, with a serious face.
And then Henry, my personal servant since childhood, suddenly stepped forward. His eyes were red, nose wet, and he shouted with a cracking voice:
> "Young master… I… I am not allowed to go! How can I live without the young master!? I… I swore to prepare warm tea for you every night!"
I covered my face with my hands.
> "Henry… truly, you're more pathetic than Allesa."
Arwind patted his forehead resignedly, while Ivy laughed uproariously.
> "Oh, Henry, don't cry like that… you'll make my son even more full of himself."
> "NO!" Henry dramatized, kneeling, voice loud. "He's already full of himself by birth, Madam!"
All the servants burst into laughter. I stood on the carriage steps, smirking.
> "Hmph. The world may be small… but this family always makes it feel lively. Alright… I'm off."
I glanced once more at Allesa, nodding as if reaffirming my promise.
The carriage began moving slowly, wheels creaking, horses stepping proudly. Cheers from the servants, Mother's warm smile, Father's stern gaze, Allesa's small cries, and Henry's comical drama… all accompanied me as I left the Solstice palace.
> "The academy, huh…" I muttered, staring at the blue sky. "Let's see… if there's truly anything out there that can match Gren Solstice."
The long journey finally brought me to a sight that… well, at least didn't immediately bore me.
The main gate of Astrea Academy towered high, carved from black stone with ancient stars, decorated with a crossed sun-and-moon emblem. Atop it, ancient runes glowed softly, as if judging every student who stepped inside.
The Solstice family carriage stopped at the noble lane—but I could clearly see, even here, status hardly mattered. Students in robes of various colors—symbols of their class—stood in line, faces filled with curiosity, arrogance, or fear.
A silver-haired man in a long black robe stood on a grand podium, his gaze piercing as if drilling into every student's soul. That was Seone, Headmaster of Astrea Academy.
His voice echoed, amplified by acoustic runes:
> "Welcome, new generation. From this day on, your blood, wealth, and family mean nothing. Within Astrea's walls… only your power will define who you are."
The new students shivered. Some swallowed hard. Me? Of course, I merely grinned faintly.
> "Hm. Standard speech. I'm bored before even entering," I muttered softly.
Seone raised his hand, and the sky above the welcoming arena instantly transformed. Starlight, normally invisible in daylight, flickered clearly. Cosmic runes formed, creating constellations in the sky, emitting blue light to every student.
> "This is our tradition. The Star Oath. From this moment, you bind a vow to the world. A vow to grow, a vow to prove yourself, or… fall into oblivion."
The aura pressed down. Many students gasped, knees trembling.
I raised my face, staring at the constellations above. Pressure? Heh. Felt like a gentle breeze.
> "Ridiculous. The world should be swearing an oath to Gren Solstice, not the other way around."
Several students nearby looked at me, shocked and annoyed. But I merely put my hands in my pockets, relaxed as if nothing had happened.
The ceremony continued, and after the Star Oath, all students were directed to the Celestial Arena for class placement tests.
The arena was vast, like a colossal stadium surrounded by a transparent barrier. Thousands of students sat in the stands, while prospective students were called one by one to display their powers on the central stage.
The supervisor's voice echoed:
> "All new students… prepare. The test is simple. Show your power. Let your Ars speak, and the system will place you in the class you deserve. Do not expect mercy—if your Ars is weak, even your family name cannot save you."
One by one, students stepped forward, showing their element Ars. Some controlled fire, ice, wind, earth… some were impressive, others disappointing.
I sat relaxed in the VIP bench provided for noble families, yet even from here I could sense the fear, nervousness, and despair of many students.
> "Hm. So… this is how it begins. The ants who will accompany me," I muttered with a faint smirk.
And I knew, soon enough, my name would be called.
> "Next student… Gren Solstice."
Cheers, whispers, and curiosity immediately filled the air. All eyes were on me. Child of Grand Duke Solstice. The one rumored to have reached Core Regnum User at fifteen.
I rose slowly, straightened my robe calmly, and walked to the center of the arena. My footsteps echoed, and it felt as though the whole world waited to see what I would do.
I looked up at the blue sky, still dotted with stars.
> "Alright… let's make this little stage more… interesting."