The Fall Quarter Begin
The newly appeared young woman was Maya, a living legend at Greenhold Academy.
Not only was her ethereal loveliness renowned, but so too was her unparalleled genius. Since she set foot at the academy, she had consistently aced all the Fall Quarter Exam tests, year by year, a trail of wonder and whispers behind her.
"Beauty?" The middle-aged professor regarded Kai Dawnsworn with a puzzled face, his eyes lingering on Maya.
"Professor, she's too beautiful to be human," Kai said with a chuckle, a mischievous glint in his gold eyes. He could feel there was some kind of familiarity between the professor and Maya, and only proper to pay such a compliment.
"Okay. Appears you know how to talk," the professor said with a gentle smile, taking a dainty sip of tea. He faced Kai again, voice calm but inviting. "Anybody here could be your master. If you ever want to learn more in the future, drop by. You can call me master if you'd like."
Maya's brow furrowed slightly. Her father had long stopped accepting students—how talented would Kai have to be to receive such an exception?
"Greetings from Kai Dawnsworn, your humble student," Kai said, bowing with precise formality.
The professor nodded, though he seemed unconcerned by such formalities. "I've never cared for unnecessary gestures. The Fall Quarter Exam is about to begin. Prepare yourself."
"What? Today?" Kai's eyes widened in shock, realizing just how long he had slept.
At that moment, the academy bell rang, ding, ding, ding, echoing across the campus like a herald of destiny. Kai's gaze swept toward the horizon. The time had finally come.
"Maya, send him out," the professor instructed.
Kai noticed a glint of pride in Maya's expression as she moved to lead him.
"Come on, let's go," she said, moving elegantly ahead.
"I haven't changed yet," Kai reminded her, looking down at the borrowed clothes thrown over him—they obviously belonged to the professor.
"Then go change," Maya said icily, her feet unhesitating.
Kai had caught up with her by the time he cracked his usual joke. "So, what do I call you? Ms. Maya Senior or Ms. Maya Junior?"
"Neither," she said without looking back.
"Okay then… Fox it is," Kai shrugged, his eyes dancing with amusement. "By the way, what plane are you in now, Fox?"
Maya paid him no mind, her stride unbroken, her gaze unwavering.
Kai had more to say. "They say you're a Blade-Seer. True?" Still nothing.
He kept going. "Have you ever gone out with anyone? No comment means yes, right?"
Maya bit her lip slightly, glaring at him. "No."
"Me neither. What a coincidence," said Kai, his smile broadening. The rosy flush on her face made him all the more brazen.
Maya stopped mid-stride as if caught in an unseen trap. Kai turned back and saw her face bathed in the soft light of morning sun, her features bright and almost otherworldly. For an instant, he forgot all else.
You are seriously shameless," she said, whirling around on her heel and stalking off. Kai could not help but grin as he stood there watching her slowly fade into the throngs of academy grounds.
The academy today was alive as never before. People poured through gates, their voices a chorus of excitement and anticipation.
The Fall Quarter Exam had drawn the city's upper class. Large chiefs of Greenhold, student parents—everyone came to see the next batch of prodigies. Those excluded from attending waited outside, looking in, watching to see who among the students would become famous.
Even though the participants were mostly kids, the oldest not yet eighteen, they would go on to become Greenhold's future stars. The test garnered attention from all quarters of the city, and rumors hung in the air.
"The famous Greenhold Academy girl, Maya, has cleared the written test every three years. She will leave us gasping again this time," a viewer said.
"Veena has been her closest rival for three years. Perhaps he will finally overcome her," another said.
"Gary, a scion of the influential Vellore clan, is already in the Nullforge Plane and qualifies to be an official student. However, rumor has it that he declined to be certified unless he would compete against the reigning champion. This might be his last opportunity," a voice explained.
"Don't forget the son of the Dawnsworn chamberlain, Boomer. He would've been official last Spring if it weren't for Kai. And he's not even sixteen," another chimed in.
The crowd's conversation made clear just how powerful Greenhold Academy was—its reach and reputation across the whole city.
Kai went back to his dorm to discover Boomer waiting. Relief washed over Boomer's face. "Are you okay?"
"I'm better than alright," Kai laughed. Thunder cracked through his body, resonating with perfect control. Bolts of energy coursed along his skin, a tangible hum of power radiating from him.
"Wow… that's the Invincible Plane's power!" Boomer exclaimed. The recent encounter with the dragon had clearly amplified Kai's abilities, merging raw power with refined control.
"You can try some basic spells now," Boomer suggested.
"No time for that," Kai replied, determination flashing in his gold eyes. "The Fall Exam has already begun."
"Your father is coming to watch you," Boomer added.
"He's coming?" Kai's eyes widened in surprise, then a slow, confident smile spread across his face. This exam might just become a momentous surprise for him—and for everyone else.