After the tense entrance exam, today marked the first day at the esteemed Academy, where the air was electric with anticipation. Military trumpets blared a stirring tune in the background, setting an authoritative tone.
"Good morning, dear students," the headmaster announced, his voice cutting through the lingering notes of the trumpets. "I'm truly glad to see each of you gathered here again." He paused, glancing at a stack of papers, his brow furrowing. "I won't keep you here long, but there's a slight issue. You'll all be forming just one class this year." He scratched his thinning hair in frustration. "I made a calculation mistake and only selected ten individuals, which means we don't have enough students to create more than one class this time. My sincerest apologies for that."
The new students exchanged bewildered glances, their nerves palpable in the charged atmosphere. In stark contrast, the older students observed the newcomers with a mix of emotions; some shot them disdainful glares, while others wore indifferent expressions. A few older students assessed the newcomers closely, their curiosity piqued.
"Alright, second- and third-year students, please head inside," the headmaster ordered. "You're already familiar with your teachers, so you don't require further guidance. But to be frank, I doubt you care much about the details." With that, he stepped aside, allowing Meliora, the Academy's deputy head, to take charge.
"Thank you, Rafael," Meliora responded, his voice steady and authoritative. "Now, let's begin the introductions. Mira," she called, signaling a girl with striking silver-white hair cascading over her shoulders, her violet eyes sparkling like gems but filled with a hint of shyness. "Kael," a red-haired boy stepped forward, his fiery personality evident from the confident gleam in his eyes. "Lira," a mysterious girl with long black hair obscuring half her face, stepped into the light, adding an air of intrigue to the group. "Ryo," a muscular boy with short brown hair and a determined expression, exuded strength and resilience. "Faye," a petite girl with vibrant green hair and bright emerald eyes, stood with her hands clasped, looking ready for anything. "Noah," a timid boy of average height, shuffled forward, glancing nervously at the ground as he adjusted his glasses. "Elara," a poised girl from a well-respected noble family, strode confidently, her elegant demeanor setting her apart. Lastly, we have Albert, Sidonia, and Ajin. You will be under the supervision of Yami."
Yami, an A-rank sorcerer with a reputation that preceded him, was in his forties. Known for his laid-back demeanor, he preferred to avoid conflicts whenever possible and often engaged in the simplest of pleasures, such as lounging about with a book or sipping his favorite apple juice while enjoying the peacefulness of the Academy surroundings. Despite his disinterest in the routine hustle, his wisdom and power were respected by faculty and students alike.
"Now let me introduce Yami," Meliora proclaimed, his voice resonating through the spacious auditorium, charged with an electric atmosphere of anticipation that danced among the crowd. He shot a pointed look at Rafael, who returned the gaze with an indifferent shrug, uncertainty flickering across his features like shadows in a dim light. "I don't know?" Rafael responded, the lack of conviction in his tone evident to anyone listening. Frustration bubbled within Meliora, reaching a boiling point as he leaned closer, his hand instinctively covering the microphone to ensure his words remained hidden from the audience. "I don't care how you do it. Just bring Yami here right now!"
With a reluctant nod, Rafael set off on a quest through the sprawling halls of the Academy, navigating the intricate maze of corridors and classrooms adorned with posters of illustrious past scholars. After what felt like an eternity spent searching through the dimly lit spaces, he finally stumbled upon Yami lounging in an upstairs lecture room. The sight was almost comical; Yami had his feet propped up on a weathered oak desk, the chair tilted precariously backward, swaying as if it were about to tumble. A thick book, its spine cracked and pages yellowed with age, shielded his face, a silent testament to his utter disregard for the passage of time.
"YAMI! What are you doing sleeping again?" Rafael exclaimed, shaking Yami with urgency until he tumbled off the chair, crashing into the floor with a soft, muffled thud that echoed through the empty room.
"AAH! What's happening? Can't a man sleep in peace, by the Primordial One?" Yami sputtered, confusion mingling with annoyance as he rubbed his bleary eyes, struggling to shake off the remnants of slumber. Pushing the book away from his disheveled face, he revealed his slightly rumpled appearance; his hair was tousled and wild, each strand telling a story of his carefree attitude. Grabbing the hefty tome from the floor filled with ancient texts and adorned with cryptic illustrations that seemed to carry the weight of centuries, he placed it back on the desk with a resigned sigh, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his lips.
"What day is it?" Rafael inquired, raising an eyebrow in disbelief at his friend's nonchalant demeanor amid the pressing urgency of the moment.
"The thirtieth day of the eleventh month, year 102," Yami replied, still groggy but gradually piecing his mind back together, the remnants of sleep fading like mist in the morning light.
"Good. Today, you're taking your new students," Rafael informed him, trying to infuse his voice with a sense of pressing urgency, his hands clenched in determination.
Yami ambled around the room, stretching his limbs with the grace of a cat as he absorbed the familiar surroundings, walls lined with scrolls and artifacts he had studied over the years. "So what? Just bring them here," he said with a casual shrug, effortlessly shifting his focus toward the coffee maker perched on a shelf, its familiar presence a beacon of comfort. The rich, invigorating aroma of brewing coffee soon filled the air, wrapping around him like a warm blanket as he prepared himself a steaming cup, clearly signaling that he was not yet ready to abandon his leisurely pace for the responsibilities that awaited him.
"I found Yami," Rafael announced, his voice barely concealing a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "He was in classroom twelve, fast asleep."
Meliora's posture stiffened for an instant, his expression morphing into one of weary resignation. There was an unmistakable familiarity in his gaze, akin to someone who had long ago come to terms with the recurring antics of a particularly troublesome student. He pressed a hand to his temple, inhaling deeply before exhaling slowly, his breath laced with quiet frustration. As he murmured something under his breath, words that sounded suspiciously like a curse, the fatigue etched on his face deepened.
"Of course he was," he finally said, his tone deceptively calm but threaded with irritation. "Sleeping. Perfect." He drew in another deep breath, willing himself to maintain his composure in front of the students, who exchanged puzzled looks, their curiosity piqued by the unfolding drama.
"Alright," he continued after a beat, straightening his back as if drawing strength from the very air around him. "Take the students to classroom twelve." A soft chuckle escaped Rafael's lips, half amusement and half apprehension. "Understood." He turned toward the group of bewildered students, gesturing for them to follow him as they started to shuffle away, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. For a moment, Meliora remained rooted to the spot, rubbing his temples as if to ease the weight of an all-too-familiar burden. "Typical Yami," he muttered to himself, shaking his head.
Every new year brought a fresh crop of eager students and unforeseen challenges, yet Yami remained an unwavering constant, a troublesome yet oddly comforting presence. Somehow, that blend of constancy was both a source of relief and a persistent headache.
"Sir, a message from King Adris," the academy guard interjected, his expression serious. "Is there something urgent about a new student?"
Meliora took the letter, his brow furrowing as he absently made his way to his office, seeking refuge in its familiar confines. As he settled down and unfolded the letter, he hoped for a moment of respite to gather his thoughts amidst the chaos of the day.