January 1, 1967, according to the modern calendar—the first day of classes in the new year at the Academy of Magic and Military Mastery of Asteris. This academy stands as the most prestigious institution in the Levimus Empire, perhaps even in the entire world. It has produced history's greatest researchers, soldiers, and military wizards. What sets Asteris apart, however, is that it remains the only academy in the empire open to all, regardless of noble lineage. Here, neither family name nor the bloodline matters—only talent. If an applicant possesses enough aptitude and a strong affinity for magic, the academy not only accepts them but also covers all their expenses.
Through the academy's grand entrance gate, a small girl walks timidly, her heart racing as she heads toward the ceremonial hall, where the new class of mages will soon be welcomed. Visibly nervous, she pauses every so often to take a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her long blonde hair cascades down her back, and her bright blue eyes resemble the clearest sky. She wears the female uniform: a blue jacket adorned with elegant trimmings and a matching skirt.
Around her, other children dressed in similar uniforms stream through the gates. The girls wear the same blue jackets and skirts, while the boys are outfitted in coordinated sets consisting of shirts and trousers in the same color. She keeps her gaze low, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the other students, hoping to stay unnoticed. Yet, despite her efforts, she feels their stares—some curious, others merely passing glances—which only heightens her anxiety.
Suddenly, something catches her eye: a small ornament pinned to the shoulder of a passing girl—a delicate blue rose.
"What a nice brooch..." she mutters under her breath.
But as her eyes drift to other students, her stomach twists with dread. Almost every student she sees—boys and girls alike—is wearing the same blue rose brooch.
Her thoughts race.
Is that part of the uniform? Did they give me one and I forgot to wear it?
Her initial nervousness gives way to full-blown panic.
No... Did I mess up my uniform on the first day?
Standing frozen in place, just outside the entrance to the gym where the ceremony will take place, she tries to compose herself. But her mind is spiraling.
What should I do now? There's no time to run back to the dorm and check the other clothes! The entrance ceremony is about to start... Why did I have to forget it?!
Her vision blurs with tears forming at the corners of her eyes, but she fights them back. This is not the time to fall apart. Determined to push forward, she pulls a crumpled piece of paper from the pocket of her skirt. On it are instructions on how to get to the hall where the welcome ceremony will take place. Clutching the paper tightly, she hurries off, following the directions as best as she can.
In one of the grand halls of the academy, a woman sat reading through documents that had been handed to her moments ago. The room exuded an air of nobility, its walls adorned with gold-plated decorations and ancient bookshelves that seemed to have withstood the test of centuries. The stillness of the room was absolute, as if silence itself paid respect to the woman's presence.
She appeared to be in her late twenties, with long red hair cascading over her shoulders and sharp crimson eyes that mirrored her intensity. Her desk was cluttered with a variety of mysterious magical tools, one of which began to tremble and emit a distinct chime, like the ringing of delicate bells. It was a magic communicator—a device capable of transmitting voices across great distances.
"What is it, Camila?" the woman asked, addressing the other person on the line with cool authority.
On the other end of the communicator sat a young woman in a reception room, her brown hair tied neatly and her green eyes attentive. The plaque on her desk read: "Camila – Secretary."
"Director Maria, there's a man here at reception. He claims to be an old acquaintance and insists on meeting with you immediately."
Seated before the secretary was a tall man, likely in his early twenties or perhaps younger. Despite his youthful face, his physique told a different story—broad shoulders, a powerful build, and a height nearing 1.9 meters. A black overcoat draped over his frame, though it did little to hide the defined musculature beneath, visible in his chest and arms. His hair and eyes were as dark as midnight, and he stood still, quietly watching the secretary with an unwavering gaze.
Maria's expression remained neutral. "Hm? What's his name?"
"Well... he didn't give it. He only said he needs to speak with you."
Camila squirmed slightly, uncomfortable under the weight of the man's unrelenting stare.
"Today is the opening ceremony, Camila. I don't have time for uninvited visitors," Maria said firmly. "You know how busy I am. I still need to attend the welcome event for the new students. Don't bother me with trivial matters."
"I'm sorry, Director, but... he's quite insistent."
"Tell him to leave his name and come back another day. He's probably some noble father looking for favors. I don't have time for that."
"Understood, Director. I'll let him know immediately and—huh? Where did he go?" Camila's voice faltered in surprise.
The man, who had been standing right in front of her just moments ago, was suddenly gone. She scanned the room, glancing left and right in confusion.
"You've got to be kidding me, Camila," Maria muttered. "Call security."
"I'm sorry, Director! I-I'm so useless. You were so kind to give me this job, and now I've messed up in my first week. I'm sorry, sorry, sorry…"
Maria sighed as Camila's voice cracked with desperation, the apologies pouring out like a flood.
"Hey, Camila, calm down—it's not that serious."
"Pardon, pardon, pardon..." Camila's words tumbled out in a frantic loop as tears began to well in her eyes.
Maria closed her eyes for a moment and exhaled deeply.
Ahh... this girl. I need to be more careful next time I correct her.
"Camila!" Maria's sharp tone snapped through the communicator.
"AAAAH!" Camila shrieked, startled into silence.
"Feeling better now? Stop crying and listen to me. You're not going to lose your job. Just call security and follow protocol."
"Right! Understood, Director Maria! I'm sorry for my incompetence..."
"It's fine. Just do what I asked."
"This won't happen again, I swear! I... I just followed everything the man said, and I ended up calling you because... well, he had a way with words. I did exactly what he wanted."
Maria's eyes narrowed. "Camila, this is an academy full of nobles. You'll need to get used to their charm. And please, be more cautious—you can't do everything a man tells you to do. It worries me."
"Yes, Director! I'm so sorry! But... there was something different about him, even compared to the nobles I've met. It was like... he had a presence, a kind of authority in his voice. Oh! And he said he came to collect a debt from you, Director. That's why I thought you knew him."
"A debt?" Maria echoed, her brow furrowing in thought.
Camila's words lingered in Maria's mind.
A debt? All my life, I've made sure to handle everything on my own, without relying on anyone. My teacher has long passed, and she would be the only person I might owe anything to. Could there really be someone to whom I owe a debt? Even the emperor has done me no favors—our relationship is strictly professional. I've never accepted charity from anyone. So why would someone choose now to claim a debt?
As these thoughts swirled in her mind, a single image flashed in Maria's memory, and clarity settled over her expression.
I see...
Her reflection was interrupted by Camila's voice.
"Director Maria, should I alert security or—?"
"It's not necessary."
"Oh?" Camila responded, puzzled.
"Don't tell anyone. I know who he is."
"Oh... um, okay. Should I try to find him and send him your way?"
"That won't be necessary. He'll find me." Maria leaned back slightly in her chair. "Carry on with your work, Camila. I'll head to the welcome event soon."
"Understood, Director."
The communicator went silent as Maria ended the transmission, leaving Camila sitting at her desk, still processing the strange encounter.
Huh. So... I didn't mess up after all?
The moment Maria turned off the communicator, she let the pen she'd been using slip from her fingers and looked toward the center of the room. There, a tea set sat atop a low table surrounded by plush sofas, likely arranged to host important visitors. Seated comfortably on one of the sofas was the very man she had just discussed with Camila. He was quietly brewing tea, arranging two cups as if he had all the time in the world.
"At least knock next time," Maria said, her voice flat.
"You were talking to someone. It would've been rude to interrupt."
"And barging in without permission isn't rude?" she replied dryly. "Not to mention, the whole issue with Camila is your fault. You could've just explained yourself."
Without responding to her complaint, the man calmly placed a cup of tea in front of Maria and resumed his seat, taking a leisurely sip from his own cup.
"Hmm... very smooth. Your taste in tea is still impeccable, Maria."
Maria sighed, knowing her protest had fallen on deaf ears. She took the offered cup and, after a brief hesitation, tasted the tea herself.
"You, lecturing me on politeness? This cup is practically overflowing. It's going to spill any second."
"We both like tea, and I know how much you enjoy these leaves. Why not fill your cup now and save yourself a second trip?"
"As always, your idea of politeness is whatever suits you." She shook her head but allowed a small, reluctant smile to form. "Still, I have to admit—these leaves really are good."
The man smiled, a knowing glint in his dark eyes as he continued to sip his tea.
"Yuki, what are you doing here?" she asked at last, setting her cup down on the table.
"I've come to collect on our debt."
Maria sighed deeply, staring into the swirling steam that rose from her tea.
"Why now? When we made that deal, I thought it would be decades before you'd come for it."
"I decided now is the right time. I need to..." Yuki trailed off, his gaze distant, as if he were looking beyond the room to something only he could see.
"I need to keep my promise to her."
That single sentence struck Maria deeply. It would seem meaningless to anyone else, but she knew exactly what Yuki meant—and whom he meant.
"I see... If this is what you've decided, I'll honor our agreement."
"Thank you, Maria."
This time, his smile was different—gentler, almost grateful. It wasn't the playful, teasing grin she was used to. It was genuine, surprising her with its sincerity.
How long has it been since I last saw him smile like that? she wondered. Years? Maybe even longer... Before the world stole what little happiness he had left—for the second time.
As Maria reflected on their shared past, she suddenly noticed Yuki's gaze fixed on her, causing her to cough lightly and look away in embarrassment.
"I'm just fulfilling my part of the deal," she muttered. "No need to thank me for that."
"You're right," Yuki replied with a quiet chuckle. "I'm just here to collect a debt, after all."
Maria couldn't help but share a small smile with him, even as she shook her head in exasperation.
"You really do have terrible timing, though," she said, massaging her temples. "This is the worst possible time for you to show up. Are you sure you can't wait a few more years?"
"No. In fact, the timing is perfect. A turbulent period like this is exactly why I need to act now."
Maria groaned, pressing her hand to her forehead. "As complicated as ever... Just imagining how I'll explain this to the students—and their parents—gives me a headache."
"Come on, Saint Maria Rosenfold. Head of the largest magic academy in the world—you can handle anything!"
Maria shot him a sharp look. "It doesn't help when it's you saying that. Lip service doesn't make my job any easier. And let's not forget that the problem is exactly that—this being the largest academy in the world. Do you know who most of these students' parents are? Nobles. And just because I'm famous doesn't mean I'm immune to their nonsense."
"A Saint mage of noble blood and a war heroine can handle a few nobles."
She glared at him, a flicker of irritation in her eyes. "You're going to make me deal with everything on my own, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Maria sighed in defeat. "At least when I tell them who you are, that might make it easier. Until they get to know your personality, of course."
"Don't tell them anything yet."
"What?"
"I don't want you to mention any details about who I am. Just introduce me as a temporary staff member. I want to observe things without anyone knowing me."
Maria blinked, taken aback. "You can't be serious. How am I supposed to explain your presence without saying who you are?"
"You've dealt with noble councils for how many decades now?" Yuki teased.
"Don't talk about my age like that!" Maria snapped. "I'm not some old woman!"
"I'm not lying, though. You've been doing this long enough to be approaching your hundr—"
"Shut up!" Maria interrupted, flustered.
Yuki smirked, but his tone softened as he continued. "Regardless, my decision stands. Just introduce me as a temporary replacement."
Maria threw up her hands in exasperation. "Fine. But why all the secrecy?"
"I want to experience the academy from the perspective of an outsider. I need to see the hierarchy and dynamics for myself."
"You just want to have some fun... Please don't cause any more trouble. I'll be the one stuck dealing with it later," Maria sighed.
"I can't make any promises. Some things here have already stressed me out—and it's only my first day," Yukiko replied with a grin.
"Oh God... If this keeps up, I'll be sleepless for days."
"Don't worry; Saints don't even need sleep."
"That's not the point! I like sleeping, even if I don't need it! It helps me relax..." Maria shook her head, exasperated. "But it's true—there have been so many things happening lately that I can't seem to control anymore."
Yukiko's expression shifted, more serious now. "The brooch system strikes me as especially disgusting."
"Yes... but as the director, my hands are tied. The council even suggested segregated uniforms to distinguish noble and non-noble students. I managed to stop that, but the academy allows small personal freedoms. As long as they wear the official uniform, students can accessorize however they want."
"I see."
Maria leaned back slightly, rubbing her temples. "War always leaves its mark. On the one hand, schools like ours open more spots for non-noble students since wars demand numbers and talent above all else. Some of the best soldiers come from humble backgrounds. But at the same time, the high nobility—families with generations of powerful wizards—become more arrogant. Their pride turns into prejudice, and they persecute those they think don't belong."
Yukiko took another sip of tea, nodding thoughtfully. "Some powerful families make all nobles feel superior. But it's ironic—many of their children are far less talented than commoners. Or maybe that's exactly the reason. That inferiority eats away at them. They need something to prop themselves up—that's why they wear those brooches."
"Exactly."
A quiet moment settled between the two. The only sound was the faint clink of teacups on porcelain. Then, a knock broke the silence.
"Director Maria?" a voice called from outside.
"Camila, come in," Maria answered.
The door opened, and Camila stepped inside. The young secretary froze when she saw Yukiko sitting comfortably on the couch, sipping tea as if he owned the place.
"Hmm..."
"What is it, Camila?" Maria asked, raising an eyebrow.
Camila blinked in disbelief but quickly composed herself. "Oh, right! The ceremony is about to start, Director. They're waiting for you."
"Oh, I forgot about that."
Yukiko gave a playful smirk. "You just enjoy my company too much, Maria. Time flies when you're with me."
Maria shot him a glare. "Finish your tea and stop talking nonsense. We need to go."
"Fine."
Camila stood awkwardly, still processing what she'd just witnessed.
Who talks to the director like that? And how does he get away with calling her just 'Maria'? Just who is this man...
Yukiko noticed her confusion and grinned. "Come here for a moment, Miss Secretary."
"Huh? Uh... okay." Camila hesitated but slowly approached.
"Sit down. Have a cup of tea before it gets cold."
"Oh, um, thank you."
Camila cautiously sat on the couch, taking a small sip from the cup in front of her. She let out a soft sigh as the warm aroma filled her senses.
Ahh, what a wonderful scent... Fresh leaves. This tea is amazing.
"You look exhausted," Yukiko observed gently.
"Yes, it's been such a busy day," Camila admitted. "I barely had a moment to rest, and Director Maria kept giving me tasks. I couldn't catch my breath."
"That sounds rough. It must be hard working for Maria."
"You have no idea..." Camila started, but then a shiver ran down her spine. Slowly, she turned her head—and froze when she saw Maria staring at her, utterly perplexed.
"Oh?! When did I sit here?" Camila stammered, realizing her mistake too late. "What was I saying?"
Maria's expression remained neutral, though there was a dangerous glint in her eye. "You look very comfortable, Camila. Sitting there, drinking tea, and complaining about me."
Oh, dear God... Camila's thoughts raced.
Please, Lord, protect me!
"Sorry, Director!" she yelped, leaping to her feet and nearly spilling the tea. She placed the cup back on the table and dropped to her knees. "Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me, forgive me...!"
"Just get up, Camila," Maria sighed, exasperated. "We need to head to the event hall."
"Yes, ma'am! Right away!" Camila scrambled to her feet.
"Yukiko, you're coming too," Maria added. "It's better to introduce you now than later."
"Fine by me," Yukiko replied with a grin.
As the three of them moved toward the door, Camila couldn't help but steal another glance at Yukiko.
Just who is this man? she wondered, bewildered. How does he get away with this...?
"It should be here... If I followed the instructions correctly, of course..."
Standing before the academy's main hall, Rose double-checks the instructions on the crumpled piece of paper in her hand. After reading through it twice more, she finally steps inside. As she crosses the threshold, she freezes, stunned by the sheer scale of the space.
It's huge... How many students can fit in here? This hall could probably hold more people than my entire village.
Trying to avoid attention, Rose scans the room for a seat and decides to take one near the back. As she walks quietly to her chosen spot, something catches her attention.
Most students are wearing that brooch... Is it some accessory the academy forgot to send me?
She frowns slightly.
I thought I might have just forgotten it, but not everyone is wearing one... Could that many students have forgotten a uniform piece on the first day? That doesn't seem likely.
"Good morning! Is this seat taken?"
Lost in thought, Rose jumps a little at the friendly voice beside her. A girl stands nearby, smiling warmly as she gestures toward the seat next to Rose.
"Oh! No, no one's sitting there. Please, make yourself comfortable."
"Thanks!"
The girl sits down gracefully, and Rose notices something with relief—she's not wearing the brooch on her shoulder either.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Frederica Menston. May I ask your name?"
The girl, with sleek black hair and striking green eyes, offers a polite smile as she introduces herself.
"Oh, of course! I'm Rose Stevans. It's a pleasure to meet you too!"
For a brief moment, Rose feels a wave of nervousness. She isn't used to the refined manner in which Frederica speaks and carries herself.
What lovely behavior... Even the way she moves is so elegant.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Stevans," Frederica responds with a gentle smile.
"You can just call me Rose, if you don't mind, Miss Menston."
"Understood. Then I shall call you Miss Rose, and you may call me Frederica."
"Okay!"
I meant you could stop with the 'Miss' too... Rose thinks with mild exasperation but smiles nonetheless.
After a brief lull in their conversation, Frederica breaks the silence.
"Miss Rose, may I ask you a question?"
"Hmm? Of course!"
"Are you from outside Asteris?"
"Yes! I'm from a small village called Sutra, about a week's journey by carriage to the north."
"I see..."
"Did you guess that from my accent or manners?" Rose asks with a lighthearted laugh.
"No, not at all! Your behavior is impeccable. If I offended you in any way, I apologize. I only asked because of your family name. I'm familiar with many of the families here in Asteris, and I was curious since I hadn't heard your name before."
"Oh, I see! Yes, Stevans isn't exactly a common name around here. My parents are originally from even farther north."
"Ah, that explains it."
Rose feels comfortable enough now to ask the question that has been nagging at her.
"Frederica, can I ask you something too?"
"Of course, Miss Rose."
Rose takes a deep breath before speaking. "Something caught my attention when I arrived on campus. I noticed that, aside from the differences between the male and female uniforms, they all seem identical. But a lot of students are wearing this blue rose brooch on their shoulder. Do you know what it is? Is it some kind of accessory they sell here?"
For a moment, Frederica's expression darkens, a shadow of seriousness crossing her face.
"Did you just arrive at the academy, Miss Rose?"
"Yes, I got here two days ago."
"That makes sense, then."
Frederica glances down at her hands resting on her lap, as if gathering her thoughts. Finally, she looks up and answers Rose's question.
"Miss Rose, do you know why the Asteris Academy is one of the most prestigious in the world?"
"Hmm... Well, I know that the academy is responsible for training some of the most powerful mages in the empire, so I assume it's because the teachers and facilities are exceptional?"
"That's part of it, yes. But other academies also have outstanding teachers and facilities. What sets Asteris apart is something else."
"What is it?"
"Selection."
"Selection?" Rose repeats, confused.
Frederica nods. "Asteris Academy is one of the only schools in the world with a single entry requirement: talent."
Rose, unfamiliar with the inner workings of the empire, didn't immediately grasp Frederica's meaning.
The only test I had to take to enter was a magic affinity test. Is it different at other academies? Wouldn't selecting the students with the highest magical aptitude be the obvious approach for all magic schools?
"In all other academies in the Levimus Empire, there is an additional requirement," Frederica explained.
"An extra requirement? Besides aptitude?"
"Yes—nobility."
It took a moment, but at last, Rose understood the significance of Frederica's words. Nobility... It was a term she had heard many times while growing up. In her mind, nobles were powerful people: politicians, landowners, and famous warriors. The noble responsible for her family's land governed their lives—something that had always weighed heavily on her. With her parents growing old, they would soon no longer be able to work the fields. And once they became unable to produce crops, they would be evicted from their land, just like everyone else in their situation. Rose knew she needed to graduate and become strong, learning healing magic and serving in the war was one of her only options. She needed to earn a stable income to support her family.
"So that's why this academy is different," Rose murmured. "My father told me this was the only school I could get into... Now I understand why."
"Yes. For a commoner who wants to learn magic, Asteris Academy is the only option," Frederica said. "And because of that, the academy has become exceptional. No one fully understands how or why magic manifests, but we do know that only about 10% of the population can in some way sense the elements in the air. An only just 1% can interact with them and use magic. Many of those born with talent are never given the chance to study it, and everyone knows how important early education is for proper development."
Frederica continued, "By setting talent as the only criterion for admission, Asteris began attracting the most gifted mages in the empire—both nobles and commoners alike. Only the best can study here."
"Hmm... That does make sense," Rose admitted, nodding thoughtfully.
Frederica leaned in slightly, her expression more serious. "But, Miss Rose, do you think this arrangement could create problems?"
"Problems?" Rose repeated, unsure what Frederica meant.
"Yes. For example, only about 10% of the students here are commoners. This year was a historic milestone—nearly 20% of the incoming students are not nobles."
"And would that cause problems?"
"What do you think?" Frederica asked, tilting her head.
Rose frowned, recalling how the noble who oversaw her village treated the locals with disdain, as though they were less than human. Whenever he came to inspect the fields, his disgust toward the villagers was unmistakable.
"I suppose... It would be unacceptable to some nobles if a commoner took their spot, especially if it was because the commoner had more talent."
"Exactly. But the real problem isn't the students who failed to get in," Frederica said. "They're outside the academy's walls. They can complain all they want, but we don't have to deal with them."
"Oh... you're right," Rose murmured.
"The issue lies with the nobles who did get in," Frederica explained. "Do you think they would have a problem with the non-noble students?"
Rose furrowed her brow, struggling to follow Frederica's logic.
What exactly does she mean?
Frederica smiled gently. "Look to your right. Do you see that group of girls sitting together? They've been watching us for a while. If you look at them, you'll understand."
Rose turned her head and spotted them—a group of five girls, each wearing the blue rose brooch on their shoulders. The moment Rose's gaze met one of theirs, she felt a cold wave of recognition.
That look... It's the same look the noble from my village gave us—disgust.
"You can stop looking, Miss Rose," Frederica whispered. "If you stare too long, you'll irritate them, and they won't hesitate to punish you."
"Punish me?" Rose asked, startled.
"Yes. They could easily claim you insulted them, and they might retaliate—burn your hair or ruin your clothes, something along those lines."
"Wouldn't the academy stop them?"
"Not officially. But if they claim it was self-defense, the academy would allow it. And they'd have no trouble finding witnesses to support their story."
"But... how?" Rose asked, bewildered.
Frederica gave her a knowing look. "Remember what I told you—90% of the students here are nobles. All of the professors are, too. They'd have no shortage of people willing to back them up."
Rose's heart sank. "I see..."
"That, Miss Rose, is the meaning of the brooch."
"Oh?" Rose said, glancing again at the blue roses pinned to the students' shoulders.
"The nobles see themselves as roses—beautiful flowers blooming in a field of dirt and grass, which they think represents commoners. The blue symbolizes their blood. There's a saying: 'The nobles have blue blood.' The brooch serves to remind everyone that they are different—and better than us."
Oh, I see... That's why. It's not that I didn't receive the brooch—it's that I was never meant to wear one.
"Oh, us?" Rose asked, tilting her head.
"Hmm? Yes, Miss Rose. I'm a commoner too," Frederica answered with a warm smile.
"What? I was certain you were a noble, Miss Frederica! You carry yourself with such grace and etiquette!"
Frederica chuckled softly. "I come from a family of merchants, Miss Rose. I was taught proper manners from a young age so I could interact with nobles effectively."
"I see... My father warned me that things might be difficult because of where I come from, but I didn't imagine the prejudice would be this serious here."
"I'm sorry if I upset you, Miss Rose."
"Oh, don't worry, Miss Frederica! I need to graduate from here, and I will graduate—whether I'm a noble or not. Thank you so much for explaining all this to me!"
Rose suddenly reached out and clasped Frederica's hands, her smile so radiant that Frederica flinched in surprise.
How adorable... Is she an angel? Frederica thought, momentarily stunned.
After gathering herself, Frederica returned the smile. "Well said, Miss Rose!"
The two new friends exchanged cheerful smiles, chatting easily about their families and backgrounds. As they continued their conversation, the hall gradually filled with students, and soon every seat was occupied.
"The ceremony is about to begin, Miss Rose!" Frederica whispered, her excitement barely contained.
"Yes!" Rose whispered back, her heart racing in anticipation.
The tolling of a bell echoed throughout the hall, signaling the start of the event. Conversations ceased, and every eye turned toward the stage, where a long red curtain concealed what lay beyond. A voice, amplified by the same magical devices that had produced the bell's chime, resonated throughout the room.
"Attention, students! Please remain silent as we begin the opening ceremony!"
The students sat in rapt attention, their focus entirely on the stage. Slowly, the crimson curtain began to rise, revealing the academy's faculty in full view.
For some, the opening of the curtain represented more than just the beginning of a ceremony—it symbolized the first step into a new life as aspiring mages. But in hindsight, this moment would be known for far more than that. It would mark the birth of a generation unlike any other in the history of Asteris Academy—a generation destined to leave an indelible mark on the continent and the world.
This was the beginning of the Gold Generation, a group of mages whose feats would become the stuff of legend.