At Felix's home,
A young boy looked up at his mother and asked,
"Mom, I'm seventeen now. So please tell me—why did the Griffin allow two people to cross the portal but block the third one?"
He pointed at an old drawing she had made years ago.
His mother's eyes filled with tears as memories flooded back. She blinked, realizing it was finally time to reveal the truth.
She took a deep breath and began, her voice trembling.
"My little one, you've grown so fast… I still remember your childhood like it was yesterday. But now, listen carefully. Never go near the back of the academy. There's an apple tree there—a cursed one. It's brought only tragedy for years. Promise me, Felix, don't go near it. I couldn't bear to lose you too."
Her words were full of fear. Felix stared into her deep blue eyes, confused by her sudden change in tone. He decided not to press further. Instead, he told her he was heading to the academy—it was his first day, after all.
On the Way to the Academy
Felix walked alone, his mind looping through his mother's strange behavior.
Why was she afraid? Afraid of what? he thought. I saw the tears in her eyes… was she remembering something—or someone?
Lost in thought, he didn't notice the approaching truck until someone yanked him backward and slapped his cheek.
Snapping back to reality, Felix turned to see who had done it.
"So this is how you welcome me after three months?" he said with a playful smile.
The girl glared at him.
"Instead of attending the first class of our favorite academy, you were about to die under a truck! Are you serious right now?"
Felix chuckled and bowed slightly. "Alright, alright. I'll never do that again, okay?" he said, ruffling her hair.
Her face turned pink. "Fine," she muttered. "Let's go. Luke's been waiting at the gate for over an hour."
At the Gate Entrance
Luke stood trapped in a circle of admiring girls, unable to escape. As Felix and Esther approached, Felix grinned.
"Look at your brother, Esther. Didn't even wait for us—just basking in his fan club."
Esther rolled her eyes. "Stop teasing him! Come on, we should help." She grabbed Felix's arm and pulled him toward the crowd.
While Esther tried to push through, Felix simply called out to the academy's student council president for help.
The president's voice boomed across the courtyard:
"I'm counting from one to ten. If anyone's still outside the campus by then, you're expelled!"
In seconds, the courtyard emptied.
Luke looked at Felix as if he were a guardian angel sent to save him. But before they could celebrate, the council president added,
"That count includes you three as well!"
The trio exchanged panicked looks, then bolted toward their classroom—laughing as they ran.