After weeks of dusty roads and the jolting rhythm of horse-drawn carriages, Hyoga and Naomi finally saw the massive silhouette of the Kingdom of Luxon on the horizon. Oakhaven had been a peaceful and modest sanctuary, but Luxon was a titan of stone and magic that defied the very heavens. As they passed through the city gates, Hyoga held his breath at the sight. The streets were wide, and the buildings were crafted from white marble adorned with shimmering crystals. During a short carriage tour, they watched small communication spheres hovering in the air, shops illuminated by magical runes, and cloaked figures clutching staves hurrying to their destinations.
Finally, they stood before the most magnificent structure of all: Luxon Magic Academy. The entrance was made of ebony wood with silver engravings, guarded by two massive dragon statues. The academy's towers reached into the clouds, each emitting plumes of magical smoke in various colors.
Hyoga looked around with eyes full of wonder. "Naomi, do you see this? It's not just a school; it's like a city of its own. The architecture... it's leagues beyond Oakhaven."
Naomi adjusted the cloak on her shoulders and nodded with a smile. "I agree, Hyoga. It's truly grand. But isn't it a bit intimidating? How are we going to stand out among all these people?"
Hyoga placed his hand on his chin, adopting the serious expression he had learned from Noah. "First we think about surviving, then about standing out. I think our first task is to register."
Inside, they found the vast courtyard filled with children their own age. Some were swirling small flames at their fingertips, while others held crystals aloft, playing with beams of light. At a large desk near the entrance sat a middle-aged man who looked extremely organized behind his spectacles. Hyoga and Naomi approached the desk.
"Good day, sir," Hyoga said politely. "I am Hyoga, and this is Naomi. We have come to enroll in the academy. Do you know Archmage Lola from Oakhaven? She told us to come here."
The man at the desk raised his head and peered at the children over his glasses. "Good day to you too, children. My name is Ethan. I am responsible for registration and the general welfare of the students. Archmage Lola? Of course I know her. She is one of the most respected mages this academy has ever produced. Are you the 'special children' she mentioned?"
Naomi interjected immediately. "Yes! My mother must have informed you of our arrival."
Mr. Ethan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You... you are Archmage Lola's daughter?"
Naomi smiled proudly. "Yes, I am."
The registrar quickly pulled out several parchments and processed Hyoga and Naomi's information. When the registration was complete, he handed them both heavy silver keys engraved with room numbers.
Naomi looked at the key, surprised. "Will we be staying in different rooms?"
Mr. Ethan nodded solemnly. "In this academy, boys and girls stay in separate dormitory buildings. Discipline and focus are our strictest rules. This has been an unchanging law of our academy for centuries."
Hyoga and Naomi looked at each other. For two children who had faced every hardship side-by-side for years, this separation was unexpected. Accepting the situation, Hyoga handed the gold pouch Lola had given him to Mr. Ethan. "I understand, sir. There's nothing we can do, Naomi; we'll only be apart while we sleep."
After taking the gold, Ethan snapped his fingers. "Alright children, I will now call a guide to show you around."
Minutes later, a student approached through the crowd with confident strides. The boy stood out immediately with his high-quality clothes that shimmered like silk and his wealthy appearance. "Children, this is your classmate Ryusui," Ethan said. "It is his second month at the academy, so he is considered a first-year just like you. Ryusui, these are Hyoga and Naomi. Would you give them a short tour? I have a meeting I must attend urgently."
As Mr. Ethan walked away, Ryusui stared into Hyoga's eyes with a profound silence. His gaze felt as if it were weighing Hyoga's very soul. "My instincts never fail me," Ryusui said, his voice confident and slightly arrogant, yet sincere. "I think you and I are going to get along very well."
Ryusui extended his hand. Although Hyoga was slightly taken aback by this sudden friendliness, he shook it. "My name is Hyoga. Nice to meet you, Ryusui. I hope you're right."
Ryusui then turned to Naomi. He took her hand gently and planted a gallant little kiss on it. "And you, young lady... I get a very pleasant and energetic feeling from you. Welcome among us."
Naomi's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Growing up among the rough adventurers of Oakhaven, she had never encountered such politeness. "You're quite the gentleman, Ryusui," she stammered. "I'm Naomi... Nice to meet you."
Ryusui turned around and swept his cloak. "Let's go then, team! I'll personally show you why this academy is the center of the world!"
The academy tour passed like a dream. Ryusui first took them to the Infinite Library. The ceilings were so high that flying ladders and small cloud platforms were used to reach the top shelves. Then they moved to the Elemental Laboratories, where chemistry and magic merged, and colorful smoke rose from glass tubes. Ryusui showed them the massive dining hall, the magnificent halls where mages gathered, and the classrooms, each a work of art.
As the sun began to set, Ryusui and Hyoga dropped Naomi off in front of the girls' dormitory. As the final light of day painted the towers in shades of crimson, Ryusui and Hyoga sat on a high stone in the garden. A light breeze ruffled their hair. Ryusui spoke while looking into the distance.
"Hyoga, I wonder... tell me your philosophy of life. Why do you live? What are your ideals?"
Hyoga was caught off guard by the depth of the question. He thought of Emily, Noah, and the family he had lost. "I just... want to prevent harm from coming to those I love. That is the focus of my life. To be strong enough to protect them."
Ryusui turned his head and looked at Hyoga. "That is a truly respectable and pure goal. But mine is very different. My lifestyle is built entirely on greed. I want everything, Hyoga. All the magical power, the ultimate physical abilities... whatever exists, I want to possess it."
Hyoga smiled. "Really? I suppose the 'Greed' aspect of the Seven Deadly Sins has completely manifested in your body."
Ryusui loved the comparison and chuckled softly. "I suppose you're right. That's exactly why I want you by my side, Hyoga."
Hyoga extended his hand. "Alright then, King of Greed. I suppose I'm choosing you as my first friend at the academy."
That evening, using his family's influence and a bit of gold, Ryusui convinced the dorm warden to move his room next to Hyoga's. As they arranged their rooms under the moonlight, Hyoga continued to settle in.
"Hey Ryusui," Hyoga said. "You're more experienced than I am. What awaits us tomorrow?"
Ryusui sat on his bed. "According to my feelings; tomorrow, there will be a magic power exam for all new students who have been here for less than three months. This exam applies to me as well."
Hyoga's gaze turned serious. "I see. Then tomorrow is a very important day for us."
Ryusui nodded. "Exactly. That's why we should sleep early."
Hyoga lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Ryusui was an interesting boy, but how much could he trust him? For now, he seemed like a good friend. As he closed his eyes, his consciousness slowly faded.
Suddenly, Hyoga found himself in the middle of a massive arena. The arena was so large that its end was invisible. And standing right in front of him was that familiar, faceless figure.
"Hey," said the figure. "I suppose there will be a big change tomorrow, am I right?"
The figure began to pace slowly around the arena. "You're right, little soul. Tomorrow will be an important day. I think you're starting to grasp the logic of this world."
The figure approached and looked into Hyoga's eyes. "Do you trust that new friend of yours?"
Hyoga put his hand to his chin. "He doesn't seem like a bad person. I'd like him to remain my friend but... I don't fully trust him yet."
The figure leaned in curiously. "There will be an exam tomorrow. What will you do?"
"I don't know," Hyoga said. "Ryusui said it was just about magic power."
The figure suddenly drew closer and placed a hand over Hyoga's heart. Its voice echoed like a warning: "Little soul, I want you to know... Tomorrow's exam is not just about magic power. Knowing that should be enough."
At that moment, massive clouds of dust began to cover the arena. The figure was receding. Hyoga shouted: "Hey! Wait! What is the exam about then?"
Without receiving an answer, he suddenly bolted upright in his bed. He was drenched in sweat. There was only moonlight in the room and the distant, silent glow of the academy. He reached for the glass on the table and took a sip of water. He looked out the window at the dark towers.
"Whatever happens, I will succeed," he said to himself, clenching his fist tightly. "I will pass that exam tomorrow no matter what. ."