Dawn had arrived beneath a gray sky.
The city moved as it did on any other day: people walking to work, students running so they wouldn't miss the subway, and others simply letting time pass without direction. Everything was routine, monotonous—nothing out of the ordinary.
"More average than I expected," the boy muttered as he adjusted the strap of his bag and walked through the underground subway terminal.
His name was Kain.
He had dark brown hair, slightly messy, with rebellious strands falling over his forehead. He wore black-rimmed glasses, and a pair of matching black headphones hung around his neck. His bright emerald-green eyes contrasted with his calm expression. He wasn't handsome, but not ugly either—just someone who would easily blend into a crowd.
After checking the contents of his backpack, he pressed a button on his PDA.
A small bluish hologram projected above his wrist, displaying his contacts. He selected his mother's name and brought the device closer to his ear.
Click.
"Mom, I've arrived at Academy City's terminal. Where's my sister? I don't see her anywhere."
"She had a small setback," replied the woman's voice on the other end. "Go on ahead, dear. It's hard to get lost—there are signs everywhere. I also sent the address to your PDA."
"All right. Thanks, Mom."
With a simple gesture, he closed the holographic projection, and the light from the device faded from his wrist.
Kain glanced at his PDA, which doubled as a wristwatch; a small holographic map unfolded over the screen, showing the route to the Academy.
"About twenty minutes on foot… Should I take a taxi?"
He thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. "Nah, better to walk. I'll save some money."
It wasn't that he lacked money, but he hated overspending. He had that kind of practical mindset—bordering on stingy.
As he walked along the wide streets of Academy City, he admired the towering glass-covered buildings and the floating signs advertising shops, cafés, and workshops. It was a place so advanced it almost felt unreal.
But the most fascinating things weren't the skyscrapers or the technology—it was the small floating islands in the sky, the magical creatures gliding through the air, and other wonders that defied the laws of physics.
"Two hours until the ceremony… I wonder if Aiden's already here," he thought with a faint smile.
Thirty minutes later, the urban scenery gave way to a massive complex surrounded by stone walls and towers engraved with glowing runes.
Arcania Academy.
Kain stopped for a moment at the entrance.
The place was breathtaking, to say the least—white walls that seemed to reflect light itself, statues of ancient heroes, and a golden emblem carved above a gate over ten meters tall.
"It's… huge," he murmured in awe.
And rightfully so—Arcania was the most prestigious institution on the continent, the place where future heroes, strategists, sorcerers, and warriors were trained—the very ones who would later shape the fate of the world.
Even the so-called Academy City had grown around the Academy itself, like a natural extension—born from people moving nearby and merchants settling in the surrounding area. Over time, Academy City had flourished, managed directly by the Academy; a place that quite literally hadn't existed before the institution was founded.
The guards at the gate barely glanced at him once they saw the insignia on his uniform.
"Go ahead, cadet," one of them said with a slight nod.
Kain nodded back and continued walking toward the grand auditorium where the entrance ceremony would take place.
The interior was breathtaking.
The ceiling rose so high that the floating lights looked like suspended stars. The walls were decorated with murals depicting former Academy cadets who had achieved feats great enough to become part of history. There were hundreds—perhaps thousands—of people gathered, yet the place didn't feel crowded.
"Spatial magic," he murmured, noticing the disproportionate size of the hall.
It was obvious—the building couldn't physically contain that many people, so the interior had been expanded through some kind of dimensional spell.
Kain looked around for an empty seat and settled at the end of a row, in a quieter section.
The seats closest to the stage were filled with cadets, restless and eager, while in the upper stands sat the professors, civilians, and other distinguished guests.
It was only natural that an event of such importance would include not just students but also parents, sponsors, talent scouts, and even journalists hoping to capture the start of the new academic cycle.
As he made himself comfortable, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Kain, you finally made it! I thought you weren't coming."
The young man turned his head and smiled. "Hey, Aiden. You're early, as always."
The newcomer—Aiden—dropped into the seat beside him.
"It's not that I'm early," he replied with a half-smile. "You're just late."
Kain chuckled softly. "Come on, there's still an hour before it starts."
"I know," Aiden said, stretching with a sigh. "But the best seats were taken three hours ago. I had to give them up to come find you."
"Huh? If I'd known, I would've gone to your section. Why didn't you tell me?"
Aiden shrugged, smiling in that carefree way of his. "And miss the chance to sit with my best friend? Not a chance."
Kain shook his head with a resigned smile. "You're still as dramatic as ever."
"And you're still as slow."
They both laughed. The tension in the air melted away, and for several minutes they chatted about all sorts of things—their expectations for the Academy, rumors about the instructors, and the cadets who would soon become their classmates.
Eventually, the lights in the auditorium began to dim. A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"Looks like it's starting," said Aiden, straightening in his seat.
"Get ready," Kain replied with an easy smile. "The welcome speeches here are pretty long. They're fun at first, but after a while… staying awake becomes a challenge."
"Seriously?" Aiden asked.
Kain didn't answer—he just smiled, waiting.
The stage lit up with an intense bluish glow, and the entrance ceremony officially began.