Time passed so quickly.
The sky slowly changed color, bright blue gradations melting into golden orange as the sun began to slip toward the western horizon. Below, in the middle of a vast lake with calm waters, the Royal Celestia Academy revealed its true form.
A magnificent, isolated artificial island.
From the height of the airship, the island looked like a crown placed on the water. Surrounded by tall, sturdy white walls and protected by a thin transparent dome—a physical manifestation of illusion magic.
As the airship penetrated the protective barrier, a magical sensation ran through the skin of every passenger. The air felt denser, rich with pure mana supplied by the Core at the heart of the island.
"We're here..." murmured a student next to me in awe.
The airship slowly descended, gently maneuvering to land at the main harbor jutting out into the lake.
What I never expected, even as the writer who designed this place, was the scale of the welcome.
The dock was not just a place to park ships. It was a festival stage.
Hundreds of magical crystal lights glowed in various colors, floating in the air like stringless lanterns. Giant banners bearing the Academy's emblem, the crossed symbols of the Sword and the Magic Wand, fluttered proudly in the afternoon breeze. The sound of a classical orchestra echoed, played by Automaton musicians lined up neatly along the main road.
"Amazing," I thought to myself, half praising myself, half horrified at how vivid my imagination was. "I remember writing 'a grand welcome', but I didn't expect it to be this luxurious."
As soon as the ship's ladder was lowered, a wave of new students began to descend. The hustle and bustle of footsteps, the dragging of suitcases, and gasps of admiration filled the air.
Since my goal from the beginning was to be a shadow, like a supporting character that no one remembers, I deliberately waited until the queue thinned out. I adjusted the bag I was carrying, put on a convincing tired face, then stepped down, blending in with the crowd of other students who looked awkward amid this luxury.
The airship did not linger. After unloading its last cargo, its engines roared again, preparing to turn back to Vena.
I walked along the Grand Plaza, the main square with a floor made of polished white marble. Around me, nobles walked with their chins held high, while their servants busily carried goods.
However, in the midst of the welcoming festivities, my eyes caught that strangeness again.
Seraphina Vox Winters.
The silver-haired girl did not join any social circle. She sat alone on an iron-carved park bench, under the shade of a tree that began to emit a dim blue light.
She sat upright, graceful, and perfect like a porcelain doll. But her gaze was empty, fixed on the fountain in the center of the plaza. No guards, no friends, no one dared to approach her.
As if an invisible wall separated her from the world.
My hands clenched in my pockets.
The events on the ship replayed in my head. When the red-haired girl was about to humiliate Seraphina further, I couldn't hold back. Even though I was determined not to change the plot too drastically at the beginning, seeing my key character treated like trash made my blood boil.
So, I made a small intervention.
From behind the ship's ventilation pillar, I snapped my fingers and cast a wind spell.
It wasn't a deadly attack. Just a small, precise gust of wind that hit the red-haired girl's foot. She slipped, dropping her juice glass onto her friend's dress, and created an embarrassing commotion that sent them running away, leaving Seraphina alone.
It was a safe intervention. No traces. No one knew it was me.
But now, seeing her sitting alone in the academy garden, doubt struck me again.
"Don't go near her, Leon," I warned myself. "You don't know how broken this world is yet. If you go near her now, you might trigger an event you're not ready to face."
I turned my face away, forcing my feet to keep walking away from the garden. My main mission was to protect, and the best way to protect her right now was to gather information, not play the hero.
I decided to spend my time wandering around the academy's public areas until further instructions.
One sentence I can give. This place is completely insane.
I passed the "Clock Tower," a fifty-meter-tall structure whose hands were powered by mana. I saw the library building, whose outer walls were made of stained glass that changed color according to the weather. I even stopped by the outdoor cafeteria and bought a skewer of grilled meat for 5 silver coins—a very expensive price for street food, but it was worth it.
As I chewed on the grilled meat while looking at the boys' dormitory map, the evening sky finally gave way to night.
The streetlights flickered on simultaneously, transforming the academy into a sea of romantic yet mysterious light.
DING! DING! DING! DING!
The giant bell of the Clock Tower rang four times, stopping all activity in the plaza. The students' conversations slowly fell silent.
On the main balcony of the rector's office overlooking the plaza, a giant projected magic circle appeared in the air.
A figure referred to as the rector wore a cloak that covered his entire face. It was as if he was preventing any leakage of identity to enemies who had infiltrated the academy.
"Welcome, young sprouts of future hope," the principal's voice echoed throughout the place with gravity and authority.
"Tonight, you may have fun. You may admire the beauty of Royal Celestia. You may dream of the bright future that awaits you."
There was a moment of awkward silence.
"However, keep those dreams safe. Because reality will begin when the sun rises tomorrow."
The atmosphere of the academy, which had been warm, suddenly turned cold and tense.
"Considering the late hour, the selection and class placement process will be carried out tomorrow morning. Prepare yourselves physically and mentally. In this academy, family name and wealth will not save you. Only strength and ability will speak."
There was a small, condescending laugh at the end of that voice.
"For those who are late, the academy gates will be closed forever to you. Please proceed to the designated temporary dormitory. Have a good rest."
The projection faded, leaving a suffocating silence among the thousands of new students. The official welcome party had ended. The reality of competition had just begun.
I sighed deeply, tossing my skewer into the nearest trash can.
"Tomorrow, then..." I muttered softly, staring at the temporary dormitory building.
In my head, I could already see the written exam questions and the golem attack patterns from the practical exam that had been written before.
Hilda told me not to waste the organization's money.
I gave a thin smile under the dim streetlight.
"Alright. Let's see if this world still follows my rules, or if it has other surprises in store."
I turned and walked away, leaving the plaza now filled with the whispers of fear from the new students. Tomorrow, the real game would finally begin.
*****
Support me to continue this novel by subscribing to my p@treon!
https://[email protected]/SilentWitch17
Replace "@" with "a" to visit the p@treon page.
By the way, you can access the latest chapter early there.