The morning sun was just about to rise through the horizon; the breeze was cold and confronting.
The road to the capital was long, passing through deep forests, sleeping farmlands, and vast open fields that shimmered in the early morning light. Sei sat in the carriage beside the Grandmaster, watching the trees blur past, arms crossed, his mind lost.
It had been a quiet departure. His mother hadn't said much—only hugged him longer than usual.
He turned to the sky, watching clouds drift lazily.
"The new king…" Sei thought, clenching his jaw. "Eradicating villages to save gold. What kind of ruler sacrifices his people to balance books?"
He clutched the small pendant his mother had placed in his hand before he boarded the carriage that morning. It was a tiny sapphire shard, smoothed over time, hanging from a leather cord.
Sei hadn't cried. He didn't want her to see him falter.
But now, alone with his thoughts, it hurt.
They reached the capital around noon. It rose from the earth like a dream, white stone towers gleaming under the sun, golden banners swaying high in the breeze. Streets bustled with life, filled with merchants, sellers, adventurers.
The carriage stopped at the gate of The Luminar Academy, which stood like a fortress from a forgotten age. The Academy was enormous. The gigantic walls clad in white marble, encasing the grand tall towers.
Carriages lined the square. Parents, nobles, merchants—all had come to see off their children.
A wide, flower-lined path led to its front gates, filled with students from all over the kingdom.
The Grandmaster gave a final nod. "You'll be fine."
Sei stepped out alone.
His first thought was how small he suddenly felt. 'Damn, my school in my last life would be like an ant to this academy.'
"BOO."
A high-pitched voice squeaked in his ear.
"Wha—?!" Sei flinched, reaching for his bag—
Only to see a furry, smug face peeking out of his bag.
"Fari?!"
She climbed up and plopped herself squarely on his head.
"I knew you'd miss me before lunch," she chirped.
Sei sighed, brushing a hand over his face. "You were supposed to stay behind! I asked you to watch after Mom."
"I am watching them," she said proudly. "My fur's everywhere. Trees, houses, pots—even that old man's beard. If anything moves out of place, I'll know."
"Ewww."
"What was that, you brat?"
He groaned but cracked a small smile. "Fine. But don't talk loudly here."
"Pfft. Those kids can't see me, remember?"
Sei grabbed her. "And what about the teachers? Huh?" he snapped, pushing her in the bag. But she escaped onto his head again as if she belonged there.
"Why did you do that to me?" she pouted.
Sei sighed. "You're insane."
As they entered the Academy gates, Sei was marveled by the sheer crowd. In the center was a flag fluttering in the breeze, the emblem of the Academy: "A tree rooted in storm clouds."
Hundreds of new students filled the ground—some nervous, some excited, others already trying to look important.
Sei could feel the flow of Nature Energy raging in the air. Unlike the peaceful and calm energy in his village, the capital had less restrained and calm energy. Even the air felt heavier.
He instantly knew it would be hard to fully control the energy here.
A loud chime rang out across the plaza. On the grand platform in the front, a tall, imposing woman with snow-white hair and green suits stepped forward.
"I welcome you all," the woman said, her voice reaching even the far corner without effort, "to Luminar Academy."
All the voices fell silent. Every pair of eyes turned toward her.
"I am Principal Lavanthia Caular. And you all are standing at the gates of the kingdom's most sacred institution of Nature Energy cultivation."
Sei stood straighter. He could feel the ground beneath his feet responding to the woman's presence.
"You have been chosen not for your family name or your lineage, but for your potential. Let me be clear. Nature Energy is not a tool. It is life. It surrounds us and listens. It is not meant to be controlled—it must be respected."
Lavanthia's expression hardened.
"In one year, only half of you will remain."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. A few students glanced at each other.
"You are not here to be comfortable. You are here to learn, and those who can't learn will not be nurtured here."
She stepped back, and instructors began calling out names, assigning numbers and dorms. Sei followed his group into the north tower, through a staircase that opened into a long hallway of alternate doors.
Sei was assigned Dormitory 3-A.
As he stepped into the quiet marble hallway that led to his assigned room, he noticed someone was already there, struggling with the door.
She had long crimson hair and deep red eyes, the kind that flickered like firelight when they caught the sun.
She instantly looked away when Sei noticed her.
"I-I think… this is my dorm too," Sei said quietly.
"Uh… hi," she said, startled by his presence.
"You must be my roommate?"
She nodded quickly. "I'm Navi."
A short pause.
"…Nice to meet you, I am Sei," Sei said awkwardly, still adjusting to being social again.
They entered the room. It was surprisingly spacious—two beds, separate tall cupboards, a shared study area, tall windows with regal curtains.
Sei took the left bed, throwing his bag and starting to unpack.
Navi kept stealing glances at him. Finally, she spoke slowly, "So… um… there's a… squirrel? On your… head?"
Sei froze mid-unpacking.
His face turned white. He slowly tilted his neck to look at Navi, her posture stiffened.
"Heh," he said slowly, grabbing Fari from his head.
"You mean this," he waved Fari with both his hands, "This is just a toy."
Fari acted completely in sync, like a real toy.
Navi nearly shrieked. "I-I didn't mean to offend you! I thought—I mean, I thought you had a pet—!"
Fari immediately snapped, "I am not a pet! I am Fari, the Elder Nature Spirit. I'm his partner! He doesn't deserve me, but I'm here anyway."
Fari felt something getting tighter around her waist. She looked back at Sei's face, laced with disappointment.
He sighed, "Can you really see her?" he asked.
"Uh… yes, I can." Navi blinked, then whispered, "Am I in trouble for seeing her?"
Sei smirked. "Only if she bites."
"Hey," Fari snapped.
"Well, it's complicated. Not everyone can see her. Only people who have a high affinity to Nature Energy can see her. So, uh… maybe don't go telling everyone."
Navi had her hands up in mock surrender. "My lips are sealed."
Fari sniffed and walked up to her. "Good. I like you. You're quiet. Not annoying like this brat here."
Sei groaned. "You are impossible."
Silence followed. The awkward tension melted slightly.
"Thanks," Navi said softly after a moment.
"For what?"
"For… not making it weird. Most people don't really talk to me."
"Well," Sei shrugged, "we're stuck in the same room for a while. Might as well be friends."
She smiled—small, but warm. "Okay."
"Why don't people talk to you?" Sei asked slowly.
"I… am a failure," she spoke, looking down. "I can't even channel Pyro Nature Energy."
"So, you have a Pyro Core?" Sei asked.
Navi looked at him with pitiful eyes. "No, I have dual cores, an abnormality," she spoke slowly.
Sei squinted his eyes. 'A dual core abnormality… I should probably hide that I have an empty core.'
"Oh, but isn't that a good thing? That you can channel two types of Nature Energy?" he spoke.
"No, I can't even control one type because of it. I am just a failure."
"Don't think like that. You are yourself. Live freely," Sei said with a smile.
"Thanks."
Outside, the sun dipped lower, casting a golden hue over the capital. The swirl of destiny, and the quiet beginnings of friendships stirred in the air.
Sei sat by the window, watching the clouds go one by one in the sky.
Tomorrow, classes would begin. Trials would come. Foes and challenges would rise. But for now, he allowed himself a rare moment of peace.