The scale of Horizon Primary Academy was easy to underestimate when sequestered in a single classroom. As the "Tour of the Pillars" continued, the true scope of the UCC's educational machine revealed itself. This wasn't just a school; it was a sprawling, vibrant ecosystem designed to house thousands of students across five year-groups.
The facility breathed with the energy of children aged five to nine, all moving toward the same distant peak: Level 100.
The Faculty Hierarchy
While Professors Vane, Marcus, Andrew, and Elena were the "Faces" of the academy, they functioned as the Heads of Faculty. They were the masters of their respective domains, overseeing vast staffs of specialists who handled the day-to-day instruction for the thousands of students divided into various sections.
Because Kaelen and Mina were in the Primary Core Section, they were under the direct tutelage of these Heads. It wasn't a source of stress for Kaelen; rather, it was a source of quiet fascination. He watched how the staff moved—hundreds of experts in economics, nutrition, and neural-stability—all working in perfect synchronization. To Kaelen, the school was like a massive, beautifully designed clock, and he was eager to see how all the gears turned.
The Four Houses
"You are no longer just individuals," Professor Vane announced as they reached the Great Quadrangle, a space so large it had its own localized weather stabilizers. "To foster the spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition, you have been divided into the Four Houses of the Core."
Four massive banners snapped in the artificial breeze, each representing a pillar of their future society:
House Ignis (Red): The House of Will and Integration.
House Terra (Yellow): The House of Fortification and Endurance.
House Ventus (Blue): The House of Intelligence and Strategy.
House Aqua (Silver): The House of Adaptability and Flow.
"Throughout the year, you will compete in sports, quizzes, debates, and resource simulations," Vane explained. "There are no student clubs yet—the Academy believes you must first master the fundamentals of the House before you can lead your own groups."
There were no "End-Term Exams" here. The UCC's philosophy for primary education was simple: Total Immersion. If a student followed the curriculum, the results would manifest naturally. Real academic filtration wouldn't begin until Secondary School; for now, the goal was to enjoy the process of growth.
The Red House Common Room
Kaelen and Mina found themselves assigned to House Ignis. As they entered the common room, Kaelen felt a surge of genuine interest. The room was a warm, circular hall with floating light-globes and walls made of interactive amber glass.
"Red looks good on us," Mina said, smoothing out her new uniform which featured a stylized flame wrapped in a Ribbon lattice. She wasn't worried about the future; she was excited about the "Yearly Games" and the prospect of making their House the best in the school.
Kaelen nodded, his silver-gray eyes taking in the vibrant atmosphere. He didn't feel a sense of urgency—his father hadn't burdened him with the weight of the coming war or the secrets of the Veyron line. Instead, Kaelen felt a deep sense of hope.
For the first time, he was surrounded by peers who thought as fast as he did. He saw nine-year-old seniors walking through the halls, their Threads so dense they were nearly visible, acting as mentors to the younger children. They looked happy, powerful, and ready.
"It's a good system," Kaelen remarked softly.
"Is that a smile, Kael?" Mina teased, nudging him. "The 'math' finally adding up to something fun?"
"It's just... efficient," he replied, though a small smile did tug at the corner of his mouth. "The way the House stimulates growth through play instead of just lectures. It makes me wonder what the Level 100 milestone actually feels like."
The Spirit of Ignis
Kaelen sat by one of the large windows, watching a group of older students practicing a synchronized Ribbon-flow exercise in the courtyard. He wasn't looking for flaws; he was admiring the grace of it.
He didn't know about the Level 500+ entities or the crumbling borders of the universe. To him, the Academy was a place of endless possibility. He wanted to learn the history Vane talked about, he wanted to master the finance Marcus lectured on, and he wanted to see how far his Crimson Thread could stretch under Professor Andrew's guidance.
The Academy wasn't a cage to him. It was an invitation.
"Come on," Mina said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward a group of other Ignis five-year-olds who were starting a practice debate for the upcoming House Cup. "If we're going to be the best House, we have to start practicing."
Kaelen followed, his heart light. He didn't have a plan to save the world—he just wanted to see what he was capable of. And in the warm, glowing halls of House Ignis, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.