The ship docked smoothly in the bustling harbor of Farland. With a final wave and a heartfelt thanks to the captain, who wished us luck with a wide, genuine smile, Enchidna, Raika, and I disembarked. The transition from the sea's rhythmic rocking to the solid ground of the human capital was immediate.
Farland was enormous, a sprawling tapestry of stone and life. Its sheer scale dwarfed the City of Eldr, reflecting the diverse and numerous Humarein population. We joined a stream of other students, all heading in the same direction, towards the most prominent structure in the cityscape: the Unity Academy. It was a massive castle, even larger than our own back home, a testament to its purpose as a gathering place for all races.
As we walked, my eyes absorbed the incredible variety around us. This was truly a different world from Eldr.
First, I saw them. A group of Iskirian ladies, moving with an otherworldly grace. "My grandpa was right," I whispered to myself, unable to hide my awe. They possessed the white-silver hair, elegant figures, pale blue eyes, and soft, almost translucent white skin he'd described. They walked beautifully, their forms draped in light blue robes, an embodiment of elegance. A cool aura, like the crisp air of a winter's morn, seemed to emanate from them as they passed. We knew the Iskiran guarded Lake Eden in the north, rumored to be direct descendants of elves and fairies, which explained their ethereal beauty. They had a natural affinity for the Water Bind, and their capital city, the Holy City of Fleur, was said to be entirely underwater.
Then, the air filled with a chattering, murmuring, and the distinct clanking sound of tools. It was the Kaynari. They were neither notably tall nor particularly short, though some had the sturdy, broad builds I associated with dwarves, while most were lean and agile. Many wore goggles pushed up onto their bald or close-cropped heads, engrossed in fervent discussions about things I couldn't even comprehend: "machine tolerances," "electrical efficiencies," "mana conduits." It all sounded like technical jargon to me. Legend said their ancestors were indeed dwarves, which explained their lives near mountains, within vast caves and deep mines where they extracted Aether, a magical resource. They had built sprawling cities around these industrial hubs, with talk of trains and advanced machinery. Their capital was called Guaree, the City of Progress, and they had a natural affinity with the Earth Bind.
Next came the Aetherian, tall and regal, with magnificent pairs of wings unfurled or folded neatly behind them. They moved with an almost arrogant swagger, encased in gleaming gold and silver armor. "What a bunch of pricks," I whispered to Enchidna.
She nudged me with her elbow, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Tell me about it, Ven," she muttered back, her voice barely a breath. "All that preening and those fancy wings. You'd think they were the only ones blessed by the sky."
I couldn't help but grin, a warmth spreading through me at her shared disdain.
They lived atop the highest mountains, in places like Herra, the ancient city of Galewind, and were said to be descendants of angels. They possessed a natural affinity for the Wind and Lightning Binds, and they notoriously despised Drakarians because, somehow, we also shared an affinity for Lightning.
Lastly, there were the Humarein. They walked with a confident, brave stride, an air of focused charisma about them. Many were clad in various forms of armor and bore visible weapons, looking as if they were perpetually ready for war. Their capital city, Farland, was truly a diverse melting pot of all races, a bustling hub of commerce and power.
We continued our walk, following the flow of students until we reached the grand Academy Hall. It was an immense chamber, truly breathtaking. In the center stood five colossal statues, each a towering figure representing one of the great races. My gaze immediately fixed on the central one: a Drakarian figure with long, crimson blood hair, a tall, sturdy body, and a grand fur coat over an all-black military uniform. The curled horns confirmed it without a doubt. It was undoubtedly Sigurd himself.
Enchidna, ever unable to resist a moment of levity, nudged my arm. "Trying to get tips from the old man already, Ven?" she whispered, a playful glint in her eyes. I just rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips.
Suddenly, a man stepped onto a podium placed directly in front of the statues, commanding the attention of the assembled students. He was a Human, broad-shouldered and powerfully built, radiating an aura of calm authority. His long black hair was neatly tied back, and a distinctive scar ran down his left eye, hinting at a storied past. He introduced himself, his voice a deep, resonant baritone that filled the immense hall without needing to be raised: "I am Gallahad Von Astraad, Headmaster of Unity Academy. Welcome, first years!"
He then gestured to the statues, beginning to introduce them, outlining the history of this place. "These statues," he announced, his voice carrying across the hall, "represent the five great leaders who signed the Peace Treaty of Eldr."
He started from the left. "First, the Human king: a colossal figure of The Wise King Arthur. He stood with a commanding posture, his slicked-back golden hair and regal crown carved with an almost lifelike precision. A grand fur cape billowed behind his broad shoulders, and beside him, a mighty gryphon soared, its stone wings seemingly poised for flight. The statue radiated an aura of unyielding strength and ancient wisdom, a silent testament to his legendary reign."
"Next," Gallahad continued, "is the Iskiran queen." My eyes were drawn to her immediately: a breathtakingly beautiful woman with cascading white-silver hair and mesmerizing pale blue eyes. Her elegant figure was draped in flowing stone robes that seemed to ripple with an ethereal grace, and she was the only statue among them that bore a truly gentle, serene smile. A palpable sense of calm and otherworldly beauty seemed to emanate from her, like the quiet stillness of a frozen lake. "The Mist Queen, Yvonne de la Tiente," the Headmaster proclaimed.
"Following her," Gallahad announced, "is the Aetherian leader." This figure was a man of immense power, his magnificent pairs of wings unfurled as if caught in an eternal updraft, their stone feathers gleaming. He held a crimson blood halberd with a warrior's grip, clad in gleaming golden and silver armor that seemed to shimmer even in the hall's light. His long, flowing blue hair was carved with striking detail—and it was then, a jolt of ice water through my veins, that I truly saw it: it was the exact same shade of blue as Raika's hair. My breath hitched. This was Seraph Galegaard, the Thunderstorm of Sky. The connection was undeniable: Raika's unusual blue hair, her tall, lean build so unlike other Drakarian women, and her Lightning Bind—all mirrored in this ancient Aetherian leader.. The puzzle of her identity, already complex, now twisted into an even tighter knot, a profound contradiction staring back at me from the stone.
"Next," Gallahad's voice boomed, "is the Kaynari King: King Blitz, the Greed King." This statue was a formidable sight, a figure of unyielding strength and raw power. He stood sturdy and broad, his magnificently braided beard flowing like a river of stone. He was depicted riding a fearsome two-headed groundwolf, its twin heads snarling, muscles rippling even in sculpted stone, conveying a sense of untamed, primal force. King Blitz himself held a colossal hammer, ready to strike, and was clad in heavy, intricate armor that seemed forged from the very mountains themselves. The statue exuded an aura of indomitable will and relentless ambition, a true embodiment of the earth's stubborn might and the Kaynari's drive for progress.armor. "King Blitz, the Greed King," the Headmaster stated, a slight shift in his tone.
And finally, my gaze returned to the central figure, the one I had instantly recognized. "And last, but certainly not least," Gallahad concluded, his voice deepening with reverence, "our own Voidwalker, King Sigurd."
Gallahad then wished us good luck in the academy. No sooner had his words faded than, with a sudden flash of movement, a new figure appeared at the podium. She was a Drakarian woman of formidable presence, her sturdy, athletic build evident even beneath the dark, practical robes of a Unity Academy Professor. Her long, raven-black hair was pulled back in a severe braid, emphasizing the sharp angles of her face and her straight, uncurled horns that marked her as a common Drakarian. Her breasts were full and prominent, a powerful curve beneath her robes, yet they added to her imposing stature rather than softening it. Without a word, she let loose a burst of blue fire at a Kaynari student who had been murmuring to himself in the crowd. The fire erupted near him, startling him into silence.
"Quiet," she commanded, her voice a deep, gravelly rumble, like grinding stone or distant thunder. It was a sound that demanded absolute obedience. "I am Professor Inka Thorkelssoon."
The name "Thorkelssoon" immediately rang a bell. It was the family name of Gustav, my trainer and the vice-general of the Drakarian Royal Guard. I could feel her gaze on me, sharp and assessing, somehow carrying the same chilling aura that Gustav did, giving me goosebumps. Could she be his sister? I thought, given the resemblance in their demeanor.
Then, with a low rumble, the entire room shifted. The five colossal statues of the treaty leaders rotated and receded, replaced by three different statues that rose from the floor.
"In this academy," Professor Thorkelssoon announced, her voice unwavering, "you are all not just students, but a symbol of peace. Each of you will be assigned to one of three different dormitories here, each of which will have students from all of the races."
She then introduced the dorms, gesturing to the newly revealed statues. "The first statue," she began, pointing to an old man with a flowing robe, wielding a staff, and wearing a pointed hat with a long beard – a Human figure. This was Merlin, carved with an expression of profound contemplation, his eyes seeming to hold the weight of ages. A faint aura of ancient magic and deep intellect seemed to shimmer around the stone. "This is the Merlin Dorm." As she spoke, a magnificent, deep sapphire blue banner unfurled from the ceiling, displaying the crest of a majestic owl with outstretched wings, symbolizing wisdom, knowledge, and the relentless pursuit of mastery. "Named," she continued, "after Merlin, the first Headmaster of Unity and the founder himself."
My eyes drifted to the second statue. I whispered to myself, "Another Iskiran beauty." This woman, unlike the ethereal Queen Yvonne, possessed a striking beauty of a different kind. Her skin was of a pure, unblemished snow-white, a stark contrast to Yvonne's slightly warmer, light brown tone. Her flowing white silk hair cascaded down her back like a frozen waterfall, and she was clad in pristine white robes, her expression one of serene determination rather than gentle calm. A powerful, yet controlled, aura of icy resolve and unwavering purity seemed to emanate from her. Professor Thorkelssoon introduced her. "This is the second dorm, Armania Dorm." A pristine gleaming white banner with the powerful crest of a regal Lion descended, representing bravery, humility, and unwavering leadership. "Named," the professor explained, "after Armania de la Rose, the first truly exceptional student of Unity Academy, who later became the revered Iskiran queen, the Ice Queen."
Finally, the professor gestured to the last statue: a Kaynari man, lean and wiry, wearing goggles, holding a scroll filled with complex schematics, and with a bag overflowing with intricate tools. He was Bernard Dolores, his posture one of thoughtful innovation. A subtle aura of ingenious creativity and meticulous design seemed to hum around the stone. "And this," she stated, "is the Dolorian Dorm." A vibrant rich purple banner unfurled, bearing the crest of a wise, watchful Wolf, symbolizing boundless creativity and the strong bonds of family. "Named after Bernard Dolores," she concluded, "the one who not only built this academy but also designed the capital of Farland itself, and who was the first professor of Unity – brother of King Blitz.""