Elara stood in front of the tall mirror inside her dorm room, the morning light spilling softly through the curtains. She had just finished getting ready for the orientation day.
Her new uniform fit perfectly — a red coat trimmed with gold at the edges, a white shirt neatly tucked in, and a black ribbon tied under her collar. Her skirt matched the coat, and her long black socks reached just above her knees, ending in polished black shoes that clicked lightly when she walked.
Her blonde hair was tied tightly into a neat ponytail that shimmered faintly under the morning glow. She tilted her head slightly, fixing a few loose strands before smiling faintly at her reflection. Her black eyes, deep and calm, stared back at her — they always reminded her of her Father's. For a moment, she wondered if her brother had even started getting ready yet.
Taking her phone, she typed quickly —
"Brother, hurry up! I'm waiting outside the dorm!"
She slipped her phone into her coat pocket, grabbed her small shoulder bag, and stepped out of her room.
The hallway was bright, filled with the faint hum of other students talking and laughing. Some were still adjusting their uniforms, others rushing past with sleepy faces. Elara took the elevator down, her heart beating fast with excitement.
When she finally stepped outside the Sky Wing dorm, the fresh air hit her softly — cool and light. The academy grounds were lively, banners of red and blue hanging from the lamp posts. She spotted two familiar figures waiting near the courtyard gate.
It was Cole and Amanda.
Cole stood tall, his uniform perfectly fitted, the red coat open slightly to show the silver chain hanging from his belt.
His hair was blonde, short, and neatly brushed, while his eyes — a dark, piercing blue — seemed colder than she remembered. His sharp features and confident stance drew the attention of other students passing by.
Beside him stood Amanda, her light black hair tied in a loose braid over her shoulder. Her green eyes looked bright and warm, her face carrying that same kind smile Elara remembered from before.
The red coat she wore looked elegant, and she had a calm, collected air about her — like she already belonged here.
"Elara!" Amanda waved, smiling brightly. "You look great in the uniform!"
"Thank you," Elara said shyly, smiling back. "You both look really good too."
Cole grinned. "Well, of course. We're students of Astral Academy now — gotta look the part."
Elara laughed softly, her voice light. It felt nice talking to them, even though something deep inside her remembered how hesitant Ethan was to meet these two. He never told her why, but she knew he didn't like being around them. Still, she pushed the thought away.
Amanda looked around curiously. "Where's your brother, Elara? I tried calling him twice, but he's not answering."
"Oh—uh," Elara blinked, quickly making something up, "he's… still getting ready, I think. Maybe his phone's on silent again." She chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "You know how lazy he can be."
Cole raised an eyebrow but smirked. "Still the same old Ethan, huh?"
"Yeah…" she said softly, looking toward the dorm doors as if he might appear any second.
They stood there for a while, chatting lightly about the academy, the orientation, and how grand everything looked.
But even as Elara smiled and joined their laughter, a quiet thought lingered in her mind — Why do I feel like Ethan doesn't trust them?
She didn't know the answer, but she hoped that when her brother finally came out, everything would be fine.
Ding!
Elara's phone vibrated softly in her hand. She glanced down and saw a new message pop up from her brother.
> Ethan: "Actually, Elara, there's some work in the administrative office, so I can't join right now. Go ahead with Amanda and Cole. I'll directly meet you at the orientation. Sorry. Love you, byee."
Elara's brows furrowed as she stared at the message. "Seriously, brother?" she muttered under her breath, a little frown forming on her lips.
Amanda, noticing the change in her expression, leaned slightly closer. "What happened? Is something wrong?"
Cole crossed his arms. "Yeah, what's with that face?"
Elara sighed, lowering her phone. "Brother said he won't come with us. He's got some work in the administrative office. He said he'll meet us directly at the orientation."
Amanda groaned softly, rolling her eyes. "Seriously? That guy…"
Cole chuckled. "Well, can't say I'm surprised. He always has something else going on." Then he smiled and nodded toward the road leading to the main campus. "Come on, we shouldn't be late. Let's get going."
Elara nodded, tucking her phone away as the three of them began walking toward the main academy grounds.
–––
The path ahead opened into a grand sight that made all three of them stop for a moment.
The main building of Astral Academy stood tall and wide, bathed in the golden morning light. Its massive walls shimmered faintly, a blend of white stone and silver crystal that reflected the colors of the sky. Wide glass panels ran across the front, and carved symbols of ancient fragments gleamed above the huge gate — symbols of knowledge, power, and unity.
Long banners hung from the upper balconies — red and blue silk embroidered with the academy's emblem: a radiant star surrounded by a ring of light. The front courtyard was paved with smooth marble tiles that glowed faintly, like soft moonlight. Hundreds of students walked along the paths, their uniforms bright under the sun, voices mixing in cheerful excitement.
"Wow…" Elara breathed, her black eyes wide in awe.
Amanda smiled beside her. "It's beautiful. Even better than I imagined."
"Yeah," Cole said, his gaze traveling up the tall walls. "I've seen pictures before, but in person… it's something else."
Amanda laughed softly. "Even though I unlocked my fragment last year, I didn't join immediately. So it's my first time seeing this too."
Elara nodded, still looking around with wonder. "Will we even be able to find the seminar hall inside? Look at this place. It's huge."
She wasn't wrong — the building stretched far and wide, five floors tall but almost endless lengthwise. Long glass corridors linked one section to another, and at every turn were glowing boards showing student names, ranks, and schedules.
Cole grinned. "We'll probably have to ask someone for directions."
"Or just follow the crowd," Amanda added with a soft laugh.
They walked through the tall entrance gates, their shoes clicking against the polished floor. The inside of the academy was even more majestic.
The walls were lined with large paintings of famous heroes — each one surrounded by shimmering fragments floating like light particles. The floor beneath them was smooth and white, reflecting their steps. On both sides, tall crystal pillars stretched up to the ceiling, pulsing faintly with blue light.
Students filled the halls, chatting excitedly, checking maps on their smart cards, and taking pictures in front of the banners. The air smelled faintly of clean stone and lavender, a calming scent that made the space feel alive.
"Look there," Amanda pointed ahead, "everyone seems to be heading in the same direction. That must be where the seminar hall is."
Elara nodded, clutching her bag strap a little tighter. "Let's follow them, then."
The three moved along with the stream of students, turning corners, passing through long hallways where sunlight poured through the glass roof above. Finally, they stepped through a tall archway — and there it was.
The seminar hall spread before them like a giant dome of light. Rows upon rows of seats curved upward in layers, glowing softly under the giant crystal lights hanging from the ceiling. The walls shimmered with shifting patterns of stars and fragments, giving the hall a dreamlike feel. At the front stood a wide stage with banners of the academy hanging proudly.
Elara, Amanda, and Cole stopped for a moment at the doorway, taking it all in.
"It's… huge," Elara whispered, her voice almost lost in the hum of students talking.
Cole smiled slightly. "Welcome to Astral Academy, I guess."
Amanda nodded. "Yeah… this is where everything begins."
And as the three of them walked inside, the faint sound of chatter, footsteps, and excitement filled the massive hall — the first step into a new chapter of their lives.