The dawn fog hung heavy, a white shroud that smelled of damp stone and the distant salt of the sea. Lumen City loomed ahead, its bronze-capped walls catching the first weak rays of sunlight like a crown. Caravans lined the main road, oxen lowing and bells testing the morning quiet.
Adrian pulled his hood lower, the shadows of the Noctis Expanse still clinging to the edges of his cloak. He reached the main checkpoint where the Sol Crown Empire guards stood in gleaming plate.
The Gate Captain says: Papers. Move along, kid, I don't have all morning.
Adrian offered a folded parchment with a neat, dark seal. Adrian says: Transfer candidate. Arclight University.
The Gate Captain squints at the ink, his brows furrowing. The Gate Captain says: Nightfall transit mark? That's a long way from the central hubs. Funny place to come from.
Adrian replies: Geography isn't destiny, Captain.
Merlin, her voice a silver thread only Adrian could hear, comments: Good line. A bit dramatic, but keep it. It suits the "mysterious wanderer" look.
From the side lane, a teenager with tousled brown hair and a bright, honest grin leans against a crate. He wears the standard trainee tunic of the university.
Jason says: Cap, the registrar hates late students more than you hate forged stamps. "Adrian, transfer"—I saw that name on the admissions board this morning. Let him through or we'll both be writing apologies to Headmaster Rowan.
The Gate Captain glances between them, grunts, and stamps the pass with a heavy thud. The Gate Captain says: Fine. Try not to ignite anything with your feelings, transfer.
Adrian replies: I'll do my best.
Jason, already walking and gesturing for Adrian to follow, says: Come on. I'm Jason. If you get lost in this maze, I charge exactly one meat pie per rescue.
Adrian answers: Adrian. Deal.
[Fast. Friendly. Useful. A good start.]
They slipped into streets alive with the chaos of the human world. Bakery steam, hawkers screaming about fresh fruit, and street mages warming kettles with minor sparks. Above the rooftops, a massive white spire speared the sky—the heart of the Arclight University.
Jason points and says: Arclight's North Spire. Admissions lives under it like a dragon on a gold hoard. You got a sponsor?
Adrian answers: Just a letter.
Jason says: Then we let the paper do the talking. Left—watch the cart—yeah, that's a goat. Right here.
Merlin teases: Try to look less like a prince when you dodge livestock, Adrian. You're supposed to be blending in, not judging the cleanliness of the street.
Adrian thinks [Noted.]
They reached a broad marble plaza. Brass placards marked the different wings: ENROLLMENT, HOUSING, BADGES, and the AEGIS GUILD LIAISON. A large chalk slate showed the rank badges for the year.
Jason says low: Badges are trial-based here. No points, just skill. Start at Provisional Bronze. Don't worry; everyone looks underdressed the first week.
Adrian says: I'm good at being underdressed.
Merlin says fondly: You're actually terrible at it. You look like a god pretending to be a peasant.
Inside the Enrollment hall, the air was thick with the scent of old parchment.
The Enrollment Clerk asks: Name?
Adrian answers: Adrian.
The Clerk asks dryly: Family name? Or are you just "Adrian"?
Adrian, after a short breath, replies: …None registered.
The Clerk nods as if he's heard it a thousand times. The Clerk says: Transfer letter?
Adrian hands it over. The Clerk stamps it twice and says: Orientation is at the fifth bell. Diagnostics tomorrow, second bell. Provisional trainee status pending a health check. Housing preference?
Jason whispers aside: S-Block is quiet. F-Block has better soup. The soup is still bad, but it's better bad.
Adrian says: S-Block, please.
The Clerk replies: S-12. Pick up your key at Housing. Next!
In a small health alcove, a healer painted a quick rune on Adrian's wrist. It pulsed white and then faded.
The Healer says: No curses, no active plagues. Eat more than bread, you're too pale. Next.
Merlin adds: She's right. You look like you haven't seen the sun in fifteen years. Oh wait, you haven't.
At the badge counter, a bored assistant slid a small velvet case across the wood.
The Assistant says: Provisional emblem. Bronze, no stars. Pin it on your left chest, level with the heart. Try not to stab yourself.
Adrian pins the bronze badge. A faint hum vibrates through the metal, touching his dual nature for a second before settling into a quiet rhythm.
Jason says: Suits you. Quiet, stubborn.
Adrian asks: The badge or me?
Jason answers: Yes.
Across the plaza, the crowd suddenly parted. A small imperial retinue approached. At its center, a girl in a crisp, high-collared academy cloak walked with effortless grace. A sun-sigil brooch caught the light, gleaming with fire-light energy.
Students whisper: That's Elena. The Princess. Is she actually enrolling with the commoners?
Elena paused to help a first-year student who had dropped a stack of books, her smile brief but genuine. As she stood, her gaze brushed past Adrian's for a heartbeat—curious, measuring—before she moved on.
Merlin says softly, intrigued: That one burns like daybreak, Adrian. Be careful. She has sharp eyes.
Adrian thinks [Don't look twice. Stay invisible.]
Jason nudges him: You just looked at royalty without fainting. Impressive.
Adrian replies: I'm new. I don't know who I'm supposed to faint for yet.
Jason laughs: Keep that attitude. It's healthier.
At the Housing desk, the clerk pushed a heavy iron key across the counter.
The Clerk says: Curfew isn't a myth here. It's an excuse for the proctors to catch you. Don't make me enjoy my job by breaking it.
Adrian answers: I won't.
Outside, the city bells began to count the hour.
Jason says: I'm in S-10. Knock if you need maps, rumors, or bread that pretends to be bread. Orientation at the fifth bell—meet me by the fountain?
Adrian replies: I'll be there.
Jason, walking away, calls out: Welcome to Arclight, Adrian!
Adrian looks up at the massive spire, the bronze badge feeling heavy on his chest. Adrian says softly: Thanks.
Merlin whispers: You hid your aura well. They have no idea.
Adrian thinks [I didn't lie to them. I just didn't hand them the whole sky.]
Merlin answers: We'll hand it to them when they deserve it.
Adrian says low: Or when they try to take it.
He closes his fingers around the bronze badge, sets his shoulders, and steps toward S-Block.
Merlin says warmly: One year, little sun. Learn their roads. Learn their hearts.
Adrian thinks [And then, I'll choose mine.]