The morning mist clung to the stone road like a veil as the Lin Family carriage rolled forward.
Mei Lin sat inside, dressed in a simple yet elegant academy uniform tailored for noble applicants. At fifteen years old, her posture was calm, her expression composed—but beneath that calm, her thoughts were sharp and alert.
Outside the window, towering spires slowly emerged from the fog.
The Royal Magic Academy of Hiroshima.
It stood upon a floating stone plateau anchored by ancient magic, its walls etched with runes older than the kingdom itself. Massive bridges connected the academy to the land below, and thousands of students—nobles, royals, and exceptional talents—gathered before its gates.
This was where destinies were shaped.
And broken.
---
Arrival
The carriage stopped.
"Lady Mei Lin," a guard said respectfully, opening the door.
She stepped down.
Instantly, eyes turned.
Some curious.
Some wary.
Some disdainful.
"She's from the Lin Family…"
"I heard their land recovered."
"Isn't she the one from the tournament years ago?"
Mei Lin ignored the whispers.
Her gaze fixed on the academy gates—and then—
She felt it.
A ripple in the wind.
Her heart skipped.
That presence…
---
A Familiar Stranger
Not far away, another noble carriage arrived—black and silver, bearing the crest of the Chaos Family.
Luo Chaos stepped out.
He had grown.
Taller. Broader shoulders. Sharper features. His silver-gray hair caught the light as wind instinctively gathered around him, responding to his presence like a loyal companion.
Students instinctively made space.
"Chaos Family…" "That's the heir." "I heard his wind affinity is legendary."
Luo's eyes scanned the crowd without intention.
Then—
They met hers.
For a brief moment, the world stilled.
Wind froze mid-air. Sound dulled. Time hesitated.
Mei Lin's breath caught.
"…Luo."
Luo frowned slightly, his chest tightening for reasons he couldn't name.
Her…
He didn't remember her.
Not truly.
But his soul did.
"Do we… know each other?" he asked, his voice calm yet uncertain.
Mei Lin smiled—soft, controlled, hiding something deeper.
"We've met," she replied. "A long time ago."
Something in her eyes made him look away first.
"…I see."
Yet the wind betrayed him, curling gently toward her.
---
System Notification
> [High-Compatibility Individual Detected.]
[Emotional Resonance: Dormant.]
[Warning: External Fate Bindings Detected.]
Mei Lin's fingers tightened slightly.
So it has already begun.
---
The Entrance Trial
A booming voice echoed across the plaza.
"Applicants! The entrance trial will begin!"
Students were divided into groups and guided into a massive open arena. Floating platforms hovered above engraved circles, and at the center stood a colossal mana crystal obelisk.
"The trial consists of three parts," an examiner announced. "Mana control. Combat aptitude. Mental assessment."
Nervous murmurs spread.
---
Mana Control
When it was Mei Lin's turn, she stepped forward and placed her hand on the crystal.
She didn't release overwhelming power.
She refined it.
Wind, water, earth—layered, controlled, optimized.
The crystal glowed blue-green-gold, stable and precise.
The examiners exchanged looks.
"…Perfect mana efficiency," one whispered.
Luo followed.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
The air exploded.
Wind surged upward like a pillar connecting earth to sky, yet it didn't rage—it listened.
"Legendary Wind Affinity," the examiner announced, stunned.
The crowd erupted.
---
Combat Aptitude
Pairs were assigned randomly.
Fate, however, had a sense of humor.
"Applicant Mei Lin Lin." "Applicant Luo Chaos."
They stood facing each other.
Silence.
"Do you want to switch?" Luo asked quietly.
Mei Lin shook her head. "No."
They bowed.
The match began.
They didn't fight.
They flowed.
Her elemental redirection. His wind control.
Attacks dissolved. Movement synchronized.
The instructors stared in disbelief.
"They're adapting to each other instantly." "No hostility… just understanding."
The match was called early.
"Pass," the examiner said hoarsely.
---
Unseen Eyes
From a high balcony, King Arthur watched.
"So they've met again…"
Beside him, Queen Maria's expression was unreadable.
"They fit too well," she said softly. "You can still stop this."
Arthur said nothing.
---
A Promise of Trouble
As the day ended, acceptance tokens were distributed.
Mei Lin held hers calmly.
Luo stared at his, then looked at her again.
"I don't know why," he said, "but I feel like meeting you again was… inevitable."
Mei Lin met his gaze, steady and unreadable.
"It was."
Far above them, the academy bells rang.
And somewhere deep within the system—
> [Major Narrative Node Activated.]
The academy doors opened.
And the future stepped inside.