I was in the middle of my morning workout when Hyun Woo slowly approached me, a small smile on his face. "Can we talk?" he asked.
I paused my training and sat down on a wooden chair, wiping the sweat from my forehead.
"We're really sorry for making a decision so quickly without you," he continued. "The enrollment starts tomorrow, so we didn't have enough time to discuss it properly."
I shrugged. "It's alright. Your plan makes sense. I'd have agreed too if it were me."
Hyun Woo's eyes brightened. "Do you know there are three academies here?"
"Really?" I asked, curious.
"Yeah," he said, glancing around. "The first is Myrren Academy, right in the capital. It's the most prestigious—students there can master all kinds of magic, from elemental spells to healing. Only the most talented get in."
"And the other two?" I asked.
"Astralis Collegium in the northern cliffs focuses on precision and advanced research. They experiment with rare and even dangerous magic, producing some of the Empire's most innovative mages. Then there's Verdant Spire Academy, hidden in the Verdant Forest. They specialize in nature magic—summoning, life-force control, and using plants and animals in combat. Their students are calm, disciplined, and incredibly skilled with living magic."
I nodded slowly, thinking of Minji and the others. "So if someone wanted to become really strong in magic…"
"You'd want one of these schools," Hyun Woo said with a smirk. "But only the gifted ever get in."
When I heard about the academies, a thought struck me—maybe Leon and the others had studied at one of them. The idea made my chest tighten with a strange mix of curiosity.
breaking my thoughts. "Wait… didn't you say there's a fee for enrollment?"
Hyun Woo nodded, eyes glinting. "Yeah. It's expensive. That's why we're planning to apply for scholarships. Honestly, I think we can handle it. All you need is overwhelming talent… and we have that." He smirked, the confidence in his tone making it almost infectious.
I waved a hand lazily, stretching my shoulders as I stepped away. "Alright… just let me know if you need anything. Or, if you want to borrow money," I said, my voice calm but my mind already moving elsewhere.
Hyun Woo called after me, concern layered in his tone. "Where are you going?"
I paused, letting the sunlight hit my face. "Anywhere," I replied softly.
I wandered toward the Adventurer's Guild, but my mind wandered too. Yesterday, I'd noticed a small shop tucked along the corner of the street, and curiosity nudged me forward. The bell above the door jingled as I pushed it open. The faint scent of leather and herbs hit me first—a strange mix, comforting in its simplicity.
"Hello… do you happen to have gloves?" I asked, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet store.
An old man stepped out from behind a cluttered counter, holding a worn pair of gloves in one hand. His hands were rough and calloused, each line on his face telling a story of decades in the trade. "Ah… what grade?" he asked, his tone cautious, like he was sizing me up.
"Grade?" I repeated, blinking.
He chuckled softly, a low, gravelly sound. "Yeah. We've only got B, C, and D."
I looked down at my three gold coins, weighing my options. Is this even enough? I thought, but I had to ask. "How much for a B-rank?"
The man's gaze sharpened, almost piercing. "Are you serious? One gold for a B-rank?"
One gold for a B-rank… My mind raced. I had no real concept of its value yet, only that it was expensive. But I nodded. "Alright… and do you have a robe? I don't want heavy armor. Just something light, something I can move in."
He nodded slowly, as if approving of my choice. "Yes. We have a B-rank robe. Can deflect forty percent of any spell. Made from the skin of a level 40 lizard. Tough, yet light. Perfect for someone who needs agility over brute strength."
The robe felt almost alive in my hands as I held it up. Its texture was smooth but resilient, the leather almost humming faintly with magic. The gloves were supple, perfectly fitted to my hands as I slid them on. I flexed my fingers, feeling the subtle energy coursing through the seams. A small spark of mana tingled across my skin—just enough to remind me that this wasn't ordinary equipment.
Finally, maybe, I could start pushing my own limits, testing my skills in a real fight. I felt a small thrill of anticipation run through me. The city buzzed faintly outside, unaware of the quiet promise I felt building inside.