✦ The Return of the Elites ✦
✦ A week of calm… or something like it
A week had passed since that grand spectacle of the tournament — and the equally unforgettable banquet that followed. In that short span of days, the academy returned to its usual rhythm. Teachers bustled from corridor to corridor, lessons resumed their grueling pace, and students went back to their books, duels, and gossips.
If one strolled through Himwarry's wide stone courtyards, they might never suspect that anything unusual had happened at all. Even Lucas — typically a roiling storm of arrogance and half-shouted threats — had been oddly subdued since that day.
As for Ryan? Well.
"Bet that coward's holed up somewhere, probably pissing his pants."
Aether smirked to himself as he tinkered away at his desk, tiny metal parts scattered like stars over blueprints. A small note to the reader here: if you've forgotten Ryan (easy to do, given his habit of fading into the scenery the moment trouble arrived), he's the very genius who started that whole mess about Aether's relationship with Claire.
Truly a visionary. Or a rat. The line was thin.
✦ Aether's quiet week
So yes — for Aether, life in the last seven days meant nothing but mechanical components, measurements, and the familiar scent of oil and hot iron. He spent hours refining new mechanisms for the academy, partly to keep his mind busy, partly to rack up contribution points. Aether liked money. Money bought freedom. And spare parts.
He didn't bother crowding around like the rest of the students today. Let them stand out there squealing in excitement at the gates if they wanted.
✦ The real reason for the crowd
Because today was not just any day.
Today was the day the year 5 Childs of Lights — the academy's most elite chosen ones — finally returned.
It was almost ceremonial, the way the entire academy shifted for their arrival. Word had spread like wildfire days ago, students whispering breathlessly in hallways, teachers tapping nervous patterns against their desks. Even Claire and Olivia seemed swept up by it.
So there it was. By morning's end, nearly every student had assembled by the grand front gates — a throng of eager faces pressed behind the wrought-iron fence. Teachers stood along the paths too, stiff with anticipation.
✦ Their first sight of the elites
It wasn't long before someone shouted, voice breaking with excitement.
"Hey! Look over there — it's them! The year 5 chosen ones. They're finally here!"
A ripple of breathless awe swept the crowd.
And then they emerged, striding up the cobblestone walkway that led to the academy gates. Their uniforms were the same standard black and gold as every other student, yet they wore them differently somehow — with a quiet dominance that turned every head. Each carried themselves with a confidence that bordered on royalty.
When they lifted their hands to wave, it was as though kings and queens were acknowledging their loyal subjects.
No, scratch that. Given how these students practically fell over themselves in delight, maybe that wasn't even an exaggeration.
✦ The aura of power
There was no denying it. Each one of them felt powerful.
Not just in physique — though many did boast the corded strength of seasoned combatants — but in the subtle way the air seemed to bend around them. The kind of presence that made you instinctively check your posture. That made even loudmouths like Lucas hold their tongue.
Aether, still back at his workshop, only half-listened to the distant clamor drifting in through his window. He could imagine the scene well enough.
"They're just people," he muttered under his breath, tightening a bolt.
But even he couldn't quite suppress a tiny twitch of curiosity.
✦ The headmaster's greeting
At the gates, the academy's headmaster himself stepped forward, robes rustling. His face bore the forced solemnity of a man who'd spent hours practicing in the mirror.
"Welcome back. All of you — thank you for your tireless work these past months. Himwarry is grateful for your service."
The year 5s bowed in perfect sync — almost like it had been rehearsed. Their leader, a young man with striking silver hair tied neatly at the nape of his neck, straightened first.
"We are glad to be home, Headmaster."
With that, they were escorted through the courtyard, the crowd parting like waves. Whispers buzzed in their wake, students marveling, speculating, dreaming of someday standing in their shoes.
✦ Before the dean
The year 5s did not linger to bask in fame. Their first stop was straight to the top: the dean's office, where the one person who could overshadow them waited.
Inside that grand, sun-dappled chamber, the silver-haired president of the year 5s stepped forward. His name was Luke Jean — and his sharp grey eyes shone with both confidence and respect.
"We're back, Dean. I trust you've been well."
The dean smiled gently at them, eyes twinkling.
"Welcome home. And thank you all for your hard work. I've kept the academy running safely in your absence, but it's always better with my strongest here. Submit your reports, then go rest. You've earned it."
With practiced grace, they handed over thick dossiers filled with monster assessments, supply ledgers, even small maps marked in red. Then, one by one, they filed out, bowing deeply.
✦ A private order
But just outside the office doors, Luke paused. He turned to his vice president, a striking young woman with jet-black hair and calm teal eyes. Her name was Shanny Rin.
"Shanny," Luke said in a low voice only their group could hear. "Arrange a meeting. I want all chosen ones gathered tomorrow, from first year to fourth. Make it mandatory."
Shanny gave a short nod. "Understood."
Within the hour, notices went out, delivered by bustling staff. And just like that, every chosen one in the academy — from trembling first years to cocksure fourths — was summoned.
✦ About the meeting room
[Tiny narrator aside:]
If you're wondering, this meeting room is a special chamber built exclusively for the Childs of Lights. Heavy oak doors, sound-proofed walls, a long dark table that gleamed like obsidian under oil lamps. Only the chosen ones were permitted entry, unless by direct invitation from their leaders, the headmaster, or the dean herself.
✦ The day of the meeting
So came the next day.
The room filled quickly — first years clustering together nervously, second and third years more composed but still shifting under the immense pressure. Even Lucas, normally so quick to bark snide remarks or flex his status, sat almost meekly. The atmosphere was thick enough to chew.
Claire leaned back in her chair, arms crossed behind her head with deceptive ease. Beside her, Olivia fidgeted, then leaned over to whisper:
"Is it just me or… this is the first time all of us are gathered like this? The pressure's insane. Why hold a meeting right after they returned? It must be something really important."
Claire gave her a little nudge.
"Well, for you it probably is the first time. You'll get used to it. …Maybe."
✦ Luke takes the stage
Then, without fanfare, the double doors at the far end swung open. Luke Jean strode in, Shanny close at his side, followed by the other year 5 elites.
Instantly, silence fell like a dropped guillotine blade.
Luke let the hush linger. He surveyed the room — noting who sat up straighter, who couldn't meet his eye. Finally, he set both hands on the table's edge and spoke.
"Thank you for assembling on such short notice. I trust you all understand that when I call a meeting, it is not for idle chatter."
Even Lucas only nodded stiffly, lips pressed thin.
✦ The leaders introduce themselves
Luke's grey gaze moved to the cluster of wide-eyed first years.
"Most of you know us already by reputation. But formalities matter. I am Luke Jean, president of the year 5 chosen ones — the highest rank among your peers."
He then gestured smoothly to Shanny.
"This is Shanny Rin, my vice president. When she speaks, it is as if I have spoken myself."
Shanny dipped her head, voice low but clear. "Hello, all. I look forward to seeing your progress."
Around the room, a slow ripple of nervous "y-yes ma'ams" and small bows followed. Even Lucas was strangely well-behaved.
✦ Why this meeting matters
Luke let it all settle. Then his expression hardened, losing its diplomatic veneer.
"Now. The reason I called you here is simple: things are changing. Quickly, and perhaps dangerously. You've all heard whispers — about the upcoming familiar choosing ceremony being moved up, about increased monster sightings beyond the borders. I'm here to tell you those whispers are not just rumors."
He paused, sweeping his eyes across them all.
"This academy is about to be tested. Each of you will carry heavier burdens than your predecessors did at your age. And if you fail to rise to it, you won't only risk your own lives. You'll risk the lives of everyone who depends on our strength."
✦ The atmosphere grows serious
A shiver ran through even the more confident students. Olivia swallowed hard, her earlier excitement dampened by the grim note in Luke's voice.
Even Claire's joking posture slipped, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"He's not sugarcoating it," she muttered under her breath. "Guess that's what makes him the top dog."
✦ A quick author aside
[Cheeky note from your narrator:]
Don't worry that I didn't drop a full roster of the Child of Lights here. You'll get that in its own chapter later — a big, sprawling introduction scene with all their quirks and backstories. Otherwise, you'd need a diagram and a snack to keep up. For now, just trust there's plenty of them, and they're all looking very serious around that long table.
✦ The meeting's end
By the time Luke finally dismissed them, there was a heavy sense of duty lingering over the room. Chairs scraped back cautiously. Small knots of students clustered together, whispering about familiars, about the monsters, about what this meant for them.
As they filed out, Lucas gave a tense little laugh — the first noise he'd dared all day.
"Tch. So that's the famous Luke Jean… guy's as intense as they say."
✦ And the days move on…
Outside the meeting hall, sunlight still fell warm on the academy's ancient stones. But inside many hearts, a cold weight had begun to settle.
Some saw it as thrilling — a chance to prove themselves. Others only felt dread. But none of them, not even the proudest among them, doubted that the days ahead would be unlike any Himwarry had seen in years.