The port city of Solara had always been alive with trade, but on this day, it thrummed with an excitement rarely seen even during festival weeks. Merchants abandoned their stalls to crane their necks. Dockworkers paused mid-haul, sweat dripping, just to gape. Even street urchins scampered onto rooftops to catch a better glimpse of the sight that dominated the harbor.
Anchored proudly at the center was a ship unlike any mortal vessel — a leviathan of silversteel and whitewood, easily three times the length of any merchant galley. Its hull gleamed under the morning sun, and emerald runes carved into its sides pulsed with living light. The sails shimmered as if woven from starlight itself, shifting colors between blue and silver whenever the wind caught them.
But it was the crest that commanded the most attention: a silver book crossed with an emerald quill, surrounded by a ring of glyphs. The emblem of Mervilin Ace Academy.
It was no mere ship. It was a floating fortress of arcane craft, one that could glide across oceans and soar through the skies when mana conduits were fully awakened. The sight of it alone was enough to silence crowds.
Children whispered, "That's the ship that carries geniuses to the Academy…" while nobles in embroidered cloaks murmured blessings or comparisons to their own youth.
For the gathered students of the Aurelius Empire, this ship was more than transport. It was the threshold of destiny.
And Lucien Davisus was walking straight toward it.
The Davisus heir cut a striking figure as he strode down the golden-carpeted pier, attendants following behind with carefully packed trunks. His uniform was not yet the Academy's green and silver but rather the formal black and gold of House Davisus. On his chest gleamed the sigil of the golden griffon, wings outstretched as if already in flight.
From the balcony of the port's governor's mansion, Marcus Davisus and Lady Helena watched their son's steps. Marcus stood tall, fists crossed in salute, his booming voice carrying even above the surf.
"Lucien! Remember, a Davisus never bows — not to nobles, not to crowns, not even to destiny!"
Helena's eyes glistened, though her smile was calm. "Write to us, Lucien. And keep your father from boasting to every noble in Aurelius before you've even passed your first exam."
Lucien inclined his head just enough to acknowledge them. His smirk — faint, unreadable — was the only reply.
This is the first move, he thought, eyes already on the leviathan ship. The board is set, the pieces scattered. Time to gather them in my hand.
"Lucien!"
The voice carried easily over the din, clear and confident. A boy of similar age weaved through the crowd, his dark hair tied back, his uniform tailored in the deep blue and gold of his kingdom. His family crest — a lion leaping over waves — marked him as Cassian Valerius of House Valerius, heir to the greatest seafaring merchants in the western kingdom of Thalos.
Lucien allowed the faintest smile to cross his lips. "Cassian."
The two clasped hands firmly, the kind of grip born not just from friendship but familiarity. Their families' trade alliances had ensured they spent summers together — one on the decks of Valerius fleets, the other amidst Davisus caravans.
"You didn't tell me you'd already passed the entrance exams," Cassian said with mock reproach. "I thought you'd send word. Instead, I had to hear from some gossiping nobles that the 'Golden Griffon Heir' aced the written and practical trials."
"And deprive you of the surprise?" Lucien replied dryly. "Where would the fun be in that?"
Cassian chuckled. "Still smug as ever. Some things never change."
For all Lucien's cold pragmatism, Cassian was one of the few people he tolerated as more than a tool. A useful friend, sharp enough not to bore him.
As they neared the gangway, a group of older students stood waiting. Their cloaks bore emerald trims, and on their chests gleamed silver pins shaped like quills. Prefects — chosen from among the second and third-years to guide the incoming first-years.
"Names," one of them barked, quill hovering over a floating ledger. The enchanted parchment glowed each time a new student spoke.
"Lucien Davisus. Cassian Valerius," Lucien answered smoothly.
The prefect scanned the list, then nodded. "Cabin Seven, lower deck. Four per cabin. Keep your trunks against the wall and don't block the aisles. Disputes will be settled by duel — or by the sea if you insist on wasting our time."
Lucien's lips quirked at the bluntness. The Academy wasted no effort on mollycoddling.
Cabin Seven was compact but finely wrought, with polished wooden bunks carved with faint sigils of comfort wards. A single crystal lamp bathed the room in soft light.
Already inside sat a boy with unruly brown hair and eyes that practically sparkled with mischief. The moment Lucien stepped through the door, the boy leapt up dramatically, pointing a finger at him.
"You! Lucien Davisus!"
Lucien blinked once, unimpressed. "…Yes?"
"I am Tobias Reed! From this day forth, I declare myself your number one fan!" Tobias shouted with such sincerity it bordered on absurd. "I studied your exam scores. Genius! Dual affinity! The youngest prodigy of the capital! I—"
Lucien raised a hand, cutting him off. "Spare me the monologue."
But Tobias was undeterred. "Spare? Spare? Ha! My lord, I am already yours in spirit! Your lackey, your shadow, your loyal dog if need be! The moment I saw your name, I swore I'd follow you to the ends of the Marcivic Ocean!"
Cassian burst out laughing, nearly doubling over. Lucien, however, simply regarded Tobias with cool amusement.
"…Very well. From this moment, you are Lackey Number One."
Tobias's jaw dropped, then his grin widened until it seemed his face would split. He actually dropped to his knees in mock reverence."YES! A title! I've been acknowledged!"
Cassian wheezed, trying and failing to stifle his laughter. "Lucien… you've doomed yourself."
Lucien only smirked faintly, though inwardly he mused, At least he'll provide entertainment. And every king needs pawns.
The peace lasted only minutes.
The door of the cabin opposite them slammed open. In swept Selene Veradis, emerald gown swishing like blades of grass in the wind. Her eyes immediately narrowed.
"This cabin? With them?"
Behind her stepped Aurelia Astralis, silver hair cascading like moonlight, her posture regal as if the room itself bowed. She sniffed. "Of course. The Academy believes chaos builds character. Clearly, they've put us together to test my patience."
A third voice interjected, calm but sharp. "Correction: the Academy placed us here to observe our cooperation. Which is already failing." Seraphina Mervilin, quill in hand, scribbled furiously on her floating notebook.
The last to squeeze in was Elira Calvus, quiet and pale, clutching her satchel. She murmured, "I-I thought this was supposed to be temporary housing until we reach the Academy proper…"
The air thickened instantly.
Selene and Aurelia squared off, sparks practically leaping from their glares."Don't breathe near my side of the cabin.""Don't speak near mine."
Seraphina muttered, "Hypothesis: within one week, fatalities may occur."
Elira squeaked softly, retreating toward the corner.
Lucien leaned lazily against his bunk, utterly silent, watching the flames of conflict lick higher.
It might have remained a war of stares and mutters — until Cassian, unable to help himself, laughed.
The sound echoed through the cramped cabin. All four girls froze, then slowly turned in perfect synchronization to face him.
"…What," Aurelia said icily, "was so funny?"
Cassian's grin faltered. "Ah… well… I just thought—"
Selene's eyes narrowed dangerously.Seraphina scribbled, "Observation: male subject has poor survival instincts."Even Elira gave him a tiny disapproving pout.
Lucien's smirk widened ever so slightly as he thought, Poor fool. Wrong time, wrong place.
The girls' collective wrath descended on Cassian in a storm of words — accusations of rudeness, disrespect, arrogance.
Cassian raised his hands defensively, sputtering, "It was just a laugh! You were glaring at each other like— like cats fighting over fish!"
That only made it worse.
Tobias was practically rolling on the floor, wheezing with delight. "He's dead! Your friend's a dead man,Lord Lucien!"
Lucien said nothing, merely folding his arms and observing. But inwardly, he offered a moment of pity for his childhood friend's disastrous timing.
The arguments were still echoing when the ship itself shuddered. Outside, horns sounded, and mana engines thrummed with deep, resonant power.
Students rushed to portholes and deck windows. With a lurch, the leviathan ship lifted from the water, sails glowing as it rose into the sky. Gasps filled the air as Solara harbor shrank beneath them, waves sparkling far below.
The ship turned eastward, out across the endless blue of the Marcivic Ocean. The horizon was vast, the journey long, but the destination certain: Mervilin Ace Academy.
In Cabin Seven, chaos had already found its place — nobility, commoner, genius, beauty, and fool, all crammed together.
Lucien leaned back, fingers tapping his pouch of gold. His smirk returned.
"Seven years," he murmured, just loud enough for himself. "Let's see what profits I can reap before graduation."
The ship surged forward into destiny.