The morning air was crisp as Lucian made his way through the quiet corridors of the academy. His boots clicked rhythmically against the stone floor, the sound echoing off the high arches of the empty hallways.
He had intentionally left early. Though Lady Tresca's letter had explicitly instructed him to proceed directly to the classroom and await her arrival, showing up anywhere near the time she did was out of the question. For a personal servant, arriving after one's master was a failure in basic discipline. It simply would not look good.
Lucian quickly reached the academy district, his steady, long strides eating up the distance in half the usual time. Pausing near the central fountain, he checked the position of the morning sun and silently admitted to himself that he had arrived entirely too early. Even for his usual standards, the grounds were practically empty at this hour.
With time to spare, he decided to walk around the perimeter of the courtyard rather than sit idly in an empty room.
Lucian slowed his pace, his eyes narrowing slightly as the faint sound drifted through the damp morning air.
It was a gentle hymn, clear and steady, floating from the far side of the stone courtyard near the chapel gardens. The melody was calm, almost reverent, cutting softly through the silence of the early hour.
Curious, Lucian shifted his direction, keeping his steps silent as he approached the source of the tune.
Rounding the corner of the stone archway, Lucian stepped into a hidden garden of red and white roses situated at the very heart of the academy.
The manicured flowerbeds were still glistening with morning dew, enclosed by high stone walls that kept the cool air trapped within. At the center of the garden stood a small stone bench surrounded by blooming vines, where the gentle humming echoed clearest.
Lucian stopped just short of entering the main path, keeping to the shadow of the entrance as his eyes scanned the quiet sanctuary for the singer.
Seated on the stone bench was a young woman, her back turned slightly toward him as she tended to a cluster of crimson petals. She wore the refined uniform of the academy, though the gold trim along her collar set her apart, signifying her royal blood.
As if sensing his presence, the humming ceased. She turned her head, revealing striking, delicate features and calm, luminous golden eyes.
Rosina Valery Rosenquartz.
Lucian recognized her immediately. Not only was she a princess and a senior student, but she also held the top rank in the entire academy
formal greeting, Rosina tilted her head slightly, her gaze focusing on the shadow near the archway.
"You may come out," Rosina said calmly, her tone soft yet carrying natural authority. "There is no need to hide behind that wall."
Realizing his presence had been fully noticed, Lucian stepped smoothly out from the shadows into the open morning light, keeping his posture formal and eyes lowered in respect.
"I apologise for the intrusion. I did not mean to disturb your Highness's peace," Lucian said, keeping his gaze lowered in a disciplined bow.
Rosina let out a soft, melodic chuckle, an amused smile touching her lips as she looked at him.
"It is quite alright," she replied softly. "It happens more often than you might think. Though, to be entirely honest, most people usually turn and run away the moment I call out to them."
"That would be far too rude, Your Highness," Lucian replied smoothly, maintaining his composed, respectful stance.
Rosina's smile widened slightly, a faint glimmer of irony in her golden eyes. "Indeed, it would be," she conceded softly. "Though I suppose it cannot be helped. Facing me directly seems to bring far too much pressure for most."
"May I ask your name?" Rosina inquired, tilting her head slightly as her golden eyes appraised him with quiet curiosity.
"My name is Lucian, Your Highness," he answered without hesitation, keeping his voice level and respectful. "I am a personal servant under the service of Lady Tresca Evergard."
Rosina nodded slowly, her expression remaining pleasant yet distant.
"I see," she said smoothly, shifting her focus back toward the crimson petals in her hands. "You may go now, Lucian."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Have a pleasant morning," Lucian replied, giving a swift, precise bow before turning to exit the garden.
As he walked past the stone archway and stepped back onto the main path, the soft, gentle hymn resonated behind him once more. The calm melody drifted lightly through the morning air, following his quiet footsteps as he made his way toward the academy building.
Lucian arrived at the classroom shortly after leaving the central garden. Standing before the heavy oak doors, he paused and glanced through the tall glass panel to inspect the interior. The desks remained vacant, bathed only in the pale morning light coming through the tall windows.
Confirming the room was empty, he refrained from entering. Instead, Lucian took his place beside the entrance, standing upright with his hands resting neatly behind his back.
He settled into the quiet hallway, maintaining a composed, attentive posture as he waited for Lady Tresca and Lady Lucelle to arrive.
After some time, the quiet hallway began to fill as students from his class and neighboring rooms started to arrive. The corridor gradually grew noisy with the chatter of nobles and high-ranking scholars.
Amidst the moving crowd, Lucian caught sight of a familiar streak of platinum-blonde hair.
Recognizing Lady Tresca immediately, he closed the distance with swift, controlled steps. Halting a respectful distance before her, Lucian dropped into a smooth, practiced bow.
"Good morning, Lady Tresca," he greeted calmly, his voice easily cutting through the surrounding commotion.
Lucian then turned slightly, inclining his head toward her companion with equal precision.
"Good morning to you as well, Lady Lucelle," he added, keeping his tone perfectly balanced and deferential.
"Good morning, Lucian," Lady Tresca replied with a brief nod, while Lady Lucelle offered a warm smile in return.
The trio entered the classroom. Once Lady Tresca and Lady Lucelle chose their seats, Lucian took his place quietly behind them, waiting for the morning session to begin.
...
Today was homeroom—a session held only at the end of each weekday.
Professor Mary stepped into the room, wearing her usual warm smile as she made her way to the podium. She placed her files on the desk, looked across the rows of seated students, and greeted the class with her customary gentle tone.
"Good morning, everyone," Mary said, her smile broadening as she addressed the room. "Before we begin today's updates, have you all filled out the forms I gave you last Wednesday?"
She scanned the classroom, clasping her hands together. "If you have them ready, please raise your hand and pass them forward."
She paused, letting the students pass their papers up to the front, before continuing.
"For those of you who haven't filled them out yet, you will need to stay after class today," Mary added, her tone remaining patient. "I need to know why they weren't completed, and if you're having trouble choosing, I can help you with that."
Mary gathered the submitted papers and neatly stacked them on her desk before turning back to the class.
"As a reminder, homeroom is specifically set aside for all of you to bring up any personal matters, academic concerns, or other questions you might have so I can assist you," she explained, leaning lightly against the podium.
She glanced around the quiet room, waiting a moment to see if anyone would raise a hand.
"Since it seems no one has any pressing concerns today, we won't let this time go to waste," Mary continued, picking up a piece of chalk. "We'll use the remaining hours to go over our scheduled lesson instead."
Turning to the blackboard, she drew a large central circle, labeling it Energy. Around it, she added three smaller circles orbiting the center: Aura, Mana, and Cosmic.
She tapped the central circle with her chalk. "As you know, humans and other species possess the biological organs necessary to refine raw Energy—this large central form—into specific usable types. Primarily, Mana or Aura."
Mary pointed to the small circle labeled Mana, then raised a hand to her head. "Mana is processed through the brain, requiring mental focus and enhancing the user's cognitive abilities in the process."
She then shifted her hand down to her chest, tapping the circle labeled Aura. "Aura, on the other hand, is processed directly through the heart, relying on physical circulation and enhancing the person's physical capabilities."
Mary tapped the board once more, drawing a vertical line next to the diagram to list seven numbered tiers.
"As you are all aware, both paths progress through seven distinct levels," she explained, writing as she spoke.
"Level 1 is the Initial Stage. At this phase, you begin to sense, expel, or circulate these energies throughout your system."
"Level 2 is the Forming Stage. Rather than simply expelling or circulating energy, this stage allows you to manipulate it directly within your body."
"Level 3 is the Maturation Stage. Here, you achieve free manipulation of your internal energy, alongside the ability to sense energy existing outside your body."
"Level 4 is the Mature Stage. You gain complete mastery over the energy inside your body, which in turn allows you to manipulate the energy surrounding you."
"Level 5 is the Metamorphosis Stage. Your body begins undergoing a qualitative change, actively preparing itself for the process of enlightenment."
She paused, writing a small sub-tier on the board.
"Level 5.5 is the Pre-Enlightenment Stage. Your body has mutated sufficiently to transform into a Mana or Aura body, granting you partial access to the abilities unlocked in the next stage."
"Level 6 is the Enlightened State, where you achieve full mastery over your Mana or Aura body."
"And finally, Level 7 is the Saint Stage."
Mary stepped away from the board, resting her chalk against the ledge as she addressed the class directly.
"And finally, Level 7 is the Saint Stage—a level that is, quite frankly, indescribable," she said, her expression growing more serious. "Saints can perform miracles at will, commanding power on a conceptual level. They possess the ability to permanently alter the physical environment around them."
She turned back toward the students, scanning the room to see if they were following.
"A prominent historical example of this is the Snowfield Domain," Mary continued. "According to records, Saint Snowfield unleashed a single attack in the northern mountains to slay a frost dragon inhabiting the peak—a strike so powerful it shattered the region's climate. Today, the exact site of that battle remains the Snowfield Domain, an area that stays warm despite being surrounded entirely by ice and snow."