The sun had already dipped into a violet haze, painting the academy walls gold and crimson as the day came to its quiet close.
Klaus and Sofie, exhausted but steady, walked side by side with the other participants through the academy gates.
An announcement had already been made: results would be released in two days' time.
Until then, all they could do was wait.
Waiting… and wondering.
At the gates, the familiar carriage stood gleaming, the Ignar crest embroidered on its banners.
The head butler bowed stiffly as they approached, his formal smile never faltering.
"Master Klaus. Lady Sofie. I trust your examinations went well?"
Sofie half-yawned, rubbing her belly. "I'd say decent… if you don't count the part where Klaus demolished the entire exam hall." She sent him a teasing side glance, earning a small, rare chuckle from him.
The butler helped them aboard, and soon, the carriage rolled away into the settling dusk.
Inside Eryndor Academy – Principal's Chamber
The air here was different. Silent, refined, and laced with an aura of power that pressed against the senses.
The chamber itself was vast, the ceiling framed with arched obsidian beams, glass lanterns burning with pale-blue fire that never flickered.
At the center, behind a desk carved of midnight oak, sat the Principal of Eryndor Academy.
Her presence was… imperial. Even as she did nothing more than sip delicately from a porcelain teacup, the very air around her seemed disciplined, orderly, unwilling to stir unless she allowed it.
Her long hair shimmered with streaks of silver and black, her posture elegant, her eyes sharp enough to slice through parchment.
Stacks of documents and crystal tablets lined her desk.
Her gaze lingered on one of the fresh reports of the physical examinations.
"Hmm…" She breathed out slowly, as though the results she read amused her.
"So. This boy… Klaus Aetherion."
Her lips curved, faint but noticeable, into something between intrigue and acknowledgment.
A sudden knock at the door cut through the silence.
Tap. Tap.
Without raising her voice, she said "Enter."
The door opened, and a woman in academy robes stumbled inside, clutching her chest as though she'd run the entire breadth of the academy.
She was breathless, her face pale, her words tumbling out in gasps.
"P–Principal…" she exhaled, bowing quickly, "I… I came as fast as I could."
The Principal set her teacup down with an elegant clink.
Her gaze did not waver, her voice calm and resonant as a blade drawn from its sheath.
"Compose yourself, Alina. And speak."
The woman Alina lifted her head, still trying to catch her breath.
"Yes…Lady Anastasia Vortan."
---
The silence of the chamber thickened after Alina gasped out her news.
"Principal… Anastasia," she said, trying to steady her voice, "one of the candidates—he… he shattered the records. Every last one."
Anastasia Vortan did not look surprised. She simply rose from her chair, her robes falling around her like a tide of midnight silk.
Slowly, she began to pace, the echo of her heels sharp against the marble floor.
"I am aware," she said, voice calm as if she had been waiting for this. "In fact, I felt it myself."
Alina froze. "…Felt it?"
Anastasia's lips curved slightly, a dangerous elegance in her expression.
"His Ryōki."
Alina's eyes widened, her body stiffening.
"What? That strange, suffocating energy Ryōki is… it's exclusive to Japonica's bloodlines, to their warriors. It can't… it shouldn't exist here."
Anastasia stopped pacing, turning her sharp gaze onto her subordinate. She gave a single, deliberate nod.
"And yet… it does. And not just a faint whisper. His was powerful. Refined."
Alina's pulse spiked. Her throat felt dry.
"Then… then the rumors—"
"Yes." Anastasia's voice cut across her like a blade. "They are true."
She turned toward the tall, arched window that overlooked the academy grounds.
Beyond the glass, the last remnants of dusk surrendered to the coming night.
"That boy… Klaus Aetherion. Fifteen years old, and he stood toe to toe with a Monarch. Now, he walks under the wing of Japonica's Sword Saint, Kurozane Arashi."
Alina's knees nearly gave. "So… it's him."
Anastasia's words carried weight, every syllable sharp. "Even my husband has taken an interest in him. That alone should tell you enough."
For a moment, neither spoke, the only sound the faint crackle of the blue lanterns in the chamber.
Then, slowly, Alina let out a breathless laugh half disbelief, half hope.
"Then this time… this time, we can actually win it, can't we?"
Anastasia did not turn immediately. She placed her hand on the glass, her reflection overlapping with the darkened skyline.
Her eyes gleamed with restrained pride.
"Yes. Most definitely."
Her words carried across the chamber like a vow.
"The Apex Tournament, three years from now… Klaus will stand at its heart. His potential is limitless and today's display?" A rare, faint smile touched her lips.
"That was not the full measure of his power. Not even close."
Alina swallowed hard, her mind racing with the implications.
The chamber returned to silence, but the weight of destiny hung heavy in the air.
---
Two days slipped by like a quiet breeze.
On the third day, the results of the entrance exams finally arrived.
Sofie was pacing across the drawing room, clutching her hands together, dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn't slept since the exams.
Klaus, meanwhile, lounged calmly on the sofa, legs crossed, his face the very picture of indifference.
Lady Sera leaned over and hugged Sofie gently. "You will be accepted, dear. I am sure of it."
Varion nodded firmly. "Your effort speaks for itself. And Klaus…" His gaze shifted to the boy, the atmosphere shifting as though it was man-to-man. "Those records you broke at the academy—"
"They were easy," Klaus said flatly, as though it meant nothing.
Lady Sera giggled behind her hand. Sofie, however, looked as though she were about to faint.
Just then, the head butler rushed in and bowed deeply. "The letters have arrived."
Everyone immediately stood, anticipation sharp in the air.
Klaus snatched his envelope, the wax seal bearing the Eryndor Academy's crest.
Without hesitation, he tore it open and scanned the words.
"You have passed the entrance exam."
Varion and Lady Sera both smiled broadly.
"Congratulations!"
Sofie's trembling hands clutched her letter.
She closed her eyes tight, cracked it open, and read the first line through squinted eyes.
"You have been accepted to the academy."
Tears welled in her eyes as Varion and Lady
Sera wrapped her into a tight embrace.
Sofie laughed and cried at once while everyone congratulated her.
Two more days passed, and the morning of departure finally arrived.
At the gates, Lady Sera and Varion stood waiting. Sofie adjusted her new academy uniform nervously, while Klaus stood with Varnyx lazily sprawled across his head like a crown.
"We'll be coming later today to witness something," Lady Sera said mysteriously.
Klaus and Sofie blinked. "Witness what?"
Neither Varion nor Lady Sera gave an answer.
They simply smiled, bidding their farewells as the head butler escorted the two students into the car.
Varnyx yawned and wagged his tail. "As long as I get food and pampering, I'm good," he muttered lazily, curling back into Klaus's hair.
The ride carried them through the bustling city streets until the academy's colossal gates came into view.
Standing there was a lanky young man with spiky brown hair and a goofy smile.
"Yo! You must be Klaus and Sofie. I'm your guide today."
Both exchanged a glance. Klaus narrowed his eyes. "…Where the hell were you on entrance exam day?"
The boy scratched his neck and laughed awkwardly. "Ahaha… I, uh, ate something bad. Had to… y'know… stay on the toilet for a while."
Sofie burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching her stomach.
Klaus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Unbelievable."
"Name's Ryan, by the way!" the boy added brightly as he led them forward.
The walk carried them through wide marble pathways lined with statues and banners until they arrived at the Royal Suite dormitory building.
Reserved for noble heirs and merchant prodigies, it was the pinnacle of luxury.
Yet Klaus, despite not being tied to any family, was granted access through the Ignar crest Varion had entrusted him.
Rayan's jaw dropped the instant Klaus showed it. "Wha—?! That's… that's a direct house crest! How the hell did you—?!"
Klaus tucked it away calmly. "Don't concern yourself."
The suite itself was overwhelming:
A master bedroom with velvet curtains and a king-sized bed.
A living room with plush sofas, bookshelves, and glowing crystal lamps.
A private kitchen fully stocked with enchanted appliances.
And a sweeping balcony view overlooking the sprawling academy grounds.
Klaus wasted no time. He stripped off his shirt, took a steaming shower, and collapsed onto the bed. Sleep claimed him instantly.
A knock came at the door some hours later.
Still drowsy, Klaus shuffled to open it.
Standing there was a girl in a wheelchair, her silver hair falling neatly to her shoulders, her face delicate and flushed bright red.
She was blushing furiously.
Klaus blinked. "…What?"
The girl pointed at him.
He looked down realizing he was in nothing but his underwear.
His eyes widened. The door slammed shut.
A few minutes later, he reemerged, clothed properly, scratching the back of his head.
"Right. Uh. Sorry about that. What's wrong?"
The girl raised her hands and moved them in fluid motions—hand signs. Klaus frowned.
"…Huh?"
She sighed softly, then pulled out a small notebook and scribbled quickly. She tore the page and handed it to him.
"Would you kindly help me bring my belongings into my room?"
Klaus shrugged. "Sure. But don't you have personal butlers for that? This is the Royal Suite."
She wrote again. "Outsiders can't enter. Only parents or guardians. Not staff."
Klaus tilted his head. "What about your parents?"
The girl froze. Her hand hesitated. Then she lowered the pen, her expression shadowed.
Klaus realized immediately. "…Got it. Forget I asked. I'll help."
The girl looked up, eyes wide, almost shining, and nodded gratefully.