A cool breeze swept through the crystal corridors of the Angel Administration Bureau, carrying the scent of metallic dew and stardust. Light reflected off the transparent walls, giving the impression that the entire building was breathing — slow, deep, like a living being.
Lyria bent down, adjusting Elior's collar. Her breath carried a hint of ginger tea, and the morning light fell on her neatly arranged hair.
"I've been summoned by Remiel," she said softly. "You go ahead. There's a Seraph Cab waiting just outside the gate — just tell it the address, and we're on our way."
Elior watched her go, feeling an unusual emptiness inside.
"You… will be back soon, right?"
"If Remiel doesn't make me write a three-hundred-page report, probably," Lyria smiled, stepping forward, her black cloak gliding lightly like mist.
"Remember — Trường An Lưu House, Đăng Thiên Street. Don't get lost in another cloud layer."
Elior took a deep breath and stepped into the bustling crowd of angels. White, gray, and sometimes faintly black wings flashed, forming a crisscross of light. Laughter, the flutter of wings, and calls echoed together in a magical symphony, making him feel as small as a speck of dust in a sea of light.
Before long, Elior collided with another boy, and they both tumbled onto the crystal floor.
"Oh no! Sorry! I didn't mean to teleport right in the middle of the corridor!"
The boy laughed, his bright blue eyes sparkling like stars, hair messy and golden. His robe had silver-blue trims with a black belt, and on his chest was the emblem of Astra Midworld Academy.
"No problem! I'm used to it! Every time I use Flash Step — instantaneous teleportation — I end up hitting someone," he said cheerfully. "Lucky I didn't crash into a wall today."
Elior looked puzzled. "Flash Step?"
"Instant teleportation! Though sometimes a little unpredictable," the boy smiled brightly. "I'm Lucen Varell, a first-year angel. I just got my ID card this morning!"
Elior smiled faintly and held out his hand.
"I'm Elior… I just got mine too."
Lucen cheered: "Really? Two rookies in the same class! You study at Astra?"
"Astra… what's that?" Elior asked, a little confused.
"It's the Midworld Academy, where angels, demons, and neutral beings are trained! Everyone knows it!" Lucen's eyes widened, his voice rapid and excited.
"Even… demons study together?"
"Yeah, but don't worry, the professors keep everything under control. They want us to understand each other to reduce wars."
Lucen checked his watch. "Oh no! We're late! If we don't register our abilities on the ninth floor now, the Aurum Coin allowance will be cut!"
Elior frowned. "Allowance… gold?"
"Yep, the stipend for first-year students. Without it, forget about having dinner at Nectar & Wing!"
As Lucen said this, he shoved some documents into his bag and strapped a training shield onto his back. When it touched him, a silver light shimmered, making a soft "whoosh" sound.
Elior stepped back half a pace, eyes wide. "You… are a warrior?"
"Kind of. A trainee guardian, let's say. This shield is just for practice, doesn't have a real spirit yet. But looks cool, right?" Lucen grinned.
"Really cool," Elior laughed.
Lucen winked. "So, Elior, where are you headed?"
"Ah, I was planning to go home."
"Perfect! Come with me! I know the fastest way to call a Seraph Cab in the city."