Mana lamps hung from the arched ceiling, glowing with soft gold and pale blue light. The air was warm, still, and silent heavy with incense and anticipation. Rows upon rows of wooden seats filled the grand hall, every one occupied by a student in fresh academy robes, backs straight, hands folded over their knees.
Kaito sat beside Mikele, his legs bouncing restlessly against the oak floorboards.
"I can't tell if I'm excited or terrified," he muttered.
"Probably both," Mikele said, eyes scanning the room like a predator in a forest.
Banners displaying Sanctus's crest, three interlocking rings, draped from each stone pillar. At the far end of the hall, beneath a towering stained-glass window of the dragon Onsen, stood a raised platform.
Elder Akusa stepped forward first.
"Kusa?! How did he get here so fast?" Kaito whispered, before Mikele lightly punched him in the side.
"Be quiet dumbass."
Small in stature, long white hair tied loosely, adorned in ceremonial white and gold robes; yet something about him quieted the hall without effort. His voice carried warmth through the mana-lit chamber.
"Welcome, children of Madrigal," he said. "Today, you do not only begin a journey. You begin to find your purpose.
The students leaned forward.
"Here at Onsen's Academy, you will learn how to wield strength… but also why. Strength without compassion is hollow. Compassion without will is helpless." Akusa's eyes fell just for a second on Kaito. The boy froze.
Akusa continued, "Look to your left and to your right. These are the people that will go through these trials with you. They will bleed, they will fall, and they will get up stronger. There is so much potential in youth, and I truly believe that you all can become the people you are meant to be… if you don't quit."
His young features furrowed, a seriousness taking over his warm tone. "Do not think passiveness will slide under the eyes of Onsen. You must give your all, and fight to become the person Sanctus wills you to be. Honor your families, honor yourself, and most of all, honor the God that gave us the opportunity to repay his kindness."
He stepped back.
The air shifted.
Heavy footsteps approached the podium.
The wooden boards groaned under the weight of Elder Glorgnir.
Nine feet tall. Half orc half man. Skin like weathered stone. A braid of black hair thick as rope trailing across the floorboards. When he spoke, the mana lamps flickered.
"Strength," he rumbled, "is what defines our faith."
Every breath in the room stilled.
"Sanctus does not bless the comfortable. You will fight, bleed, break, rebuild. That is the cost of His light." His dark eyes scanned the rows of students.
"By tomorrow," he said coldly, "half of these seats will be empty."
A quiet gasp spread through the room.
"And by graduation?" His lips formed something neither smile nor frown. "Only a handful of you will remain to wear the crest of Onsen."
Kaito's throat tightened. Mikele only smirked.
Glorgnir stepped aside. "We elders will watch from a distance. Your progress. Your failures. Your resolve. We will not guide you." He turned slightly, voice deepening. "She, however… will be watching you closely."
The enormous wooden doors at the hall's rear opened with a whisper.
She entered.
Headmaster Seraphine Althensia.
Tall and young. Curved like sculpted marble. Robes black and crimson, trimmed with silver thread. A wide-brimmed wizard's hat shadowed her face, though the silver hair cascading from beneath it shimmered under the mana lights.
Her violet eyes held no warmth.
When she spoke, her voice was calm, almost kind, yet carried a truth that made the room feel colder.
"Children of Madrigal, 15 years has passed since your birth year which deems you eligible to try for a spot in our academy. Within these walls, your names, your bloodlines, your noble houses, mean nothing."
Every word was precise. Controlled. Icy.
"Here, only merit speaks. Only will remains. Those who survive are not only the chosen of Sanctus… they are those who refused to break. Your entrance exams will begin at dawn. Hence why at least half of you will immediately be expelled by tomorrow afternoon."
A flicker of movement caught Kaito's eye.
Near the front, sitting alone… was a girl in white robes. Pale skin. Long cobalt hair. Three silver bands around her arm, the mark of a White Mage.
Sumire.
Students around her leaned away, whispering behind sleeves.
A few rows back, a tall girl, dark-skinned, nearly six feet, sat perfectly upright, jaw set, fists clenched on her knees. Armor plates were strapped beneath her academy cloak. Determination burned in her golden eyes. The seats around her were empty.
We have a lot of interesting people in our class...
Seraphine's gaze passed over the students… paused… then moved on.
"Tomorrow, your trials begin," she said. "Eat well. Pray, if it will bring you comfort. And sleep, if you can."
She turned.
"And remember," her voice echoed once more, soft as frost, "Onsen the messenger of Sanctus sees all.
And so do I."
The moment Headmaster Seraphine exited the hall, the tension finally broke. Students began whispering, shifting in their seats, some clinging to their bags like lifelines.
A voice cut through the noise.
"First-years, on your feet. House groups will assemble at the doors. If you get lost now, you will definitely get lost tomorrow."
The speaker was a woman with sharp amber eyes and auburn hair tied into a low, messy braid. Her robes were dark navy trimmed in silver, and a thin wooden staff rested against her shoulder like it weighed nothing.
"I am Instructor Vaela. If you survive tomorrow, you will see a lot of me."
Students hesitated, unsure whether it was a joke.
Vaela smirked. "That was not a joke."
Kaito and Mikele found their names pinned to a board by the entrance.
Kaito – House Dormis, Room 12B
Mikele – House Dormis, Room 12A
"We are next to each other," Kaito said.
"Kusa definitely worked his magic with this one." Mikele replied.
They were swept along with the others as Instructor Vaela led them out of the grand hall and into the open campus. Lanterns lit the stone paths with warm golden light. The night sky above Madrigal was clear, the 3 moons peering subtly through the blue sky.
"Welcome to Onsen's Academy grounds," Vaela said as they walked. "Past this archway is academy territory. Once you pass through, your safety becomes a polite suggestion rather than a guarantee."
Some students laughed nervously.
She kept walking.
"To the east are the training fields. Combat classes, mana control, elemental specialization. If you attempt to use magic without supervision and explode, I will not feel sorry for you."
A few students gulped.
"To the west are the dormitories. House Dormis, House Ascalon, and House Veyra. Your rooms are assigned. Your roommates are your problem. If you start a fire, you put it out. If you break a window, repair it before sunrise. If you summon a demon, please make sure it stays inside your room until staff can safely execute it."
Kaito grinned. Some students looked pale.
"And further north," Vaela added casually, "lies the House of the White Palm, the resting grounds for any white mages that attend."
Kaito looked up.
A single tower stood separated from the rest of the dormitories. No banners. No lights in any windows. Only one lantern burned at its entrance, pale and silent.
"A dorm with only one occupant," Mikele muttered.
Sumire.
She walked several paces ahead of them, white robes trailing behind her. Her cobalt hair moved slightly in the wind, but she did not look back. Students instinctively stepped aside to give her space.
Instructor Vaela did not lower her voice.
"White Mages do not share quarters. They serve directly under the gods. If you are thinking of visiting her dorm out of curiosity or romance, do not."
Kaito slowed his steps.
Mikele grabbed his sleeve. "Whatever you're upset about, keep it to yourself."
"I was not going to do anything," Kaito whispered sharply.
"Sure."
They continued past the tower, back into the living quarters of ordinary students. Dorm lanterns flickered to life one by one. Voices echoed vaguely across the courtyard as students searched for their room numbers.
"Curfew is in one hour," Vaela said, stopping at the entrance to House Dormis. "Eat, unpack, cry quietly into your pillows if needed."
She started to leave, then turned.
"By sunrise, the first exam begins. If you sleep in, do not worry. Someone will drag your unconscious body to the arena. Probably me."Instructor Vaela turned to leave…
"Churr."
A small shadow landed neatly on the flagstones beside Kaito.
Pina. Tail lifted proudly, a crushed beetle dangling from her mouth like a trophy.
A few students yelped.
One girl actually jumped behind her friend.
Vaela's eyes narrowed. The entire group held its breath.
The instructor crouched down.
"Pina."
Her voice, for the first time, softened.
The parreton trotted forward and headbutted her knee affectionately.
Vaela scratched Pina behind the ears with the care of someone disarming a divine relic.
Then, without looking up, she said to the students, "This creature is Elder Akusa's companion. If any of you so much as think about kicking, trapping, or testing spells on her, I will personally test fire magic on you."
Every student straightened instantly.
"Yes, Instructor!" several squeaked.
Kaito blinked. "Wait… you like her?"
Vaela stood, expression flat. "No. I respect her. She bites people I do not like. We understand each other."
Mikele snorted.
Pina chirred proudly and climbed on Kaito's arm like it was the most natural thing in the world.
One brave student raised a hand. "So… is she allowed in the dorms?"
Vaela nodded once. "She comes and goes as she pleases. If Elder Akusa's parreton chooses to stay with you, consider it a blessing."
The courtyard slowly emptied once Instructor Vaela dismissed them. Students broke into small clusters, some excitedly whispering about tomorrow, others already pale with anxiety, as they filtered toward their assigned dormitories.
Kaito adjusted the strap of his bag. "She really just said we might die and walked away."
Mikele watched Vaela's distant silhouette disappear around a corner. "At least she's honest."
Pina trotted ahead of them, tail high like she owned the building.
House Dormis loomed before them three stories tall, lanterns glowing in every window. The oak doors creaked softly when Kaito pushed them open. Warmth met them, stew cooking somewhere, distant footsteps, muffled voices.
Inside, the dorm foyer split into two hallways: one leading to the shared kitchen and bath, the other toward the sleeping rooms.
A wooden plaque on the wall read:
HOUSE DORMIS RULES
Curfew is at Ninth Bell.
Shared bath closes midnight.
Clean your dishes.
No unauthorized spellcasting indoors.
Pina may go wherever she pleases. (Signed: Elder Akusa)
Kaito smirked slightly. "He really wrote that?"
Mikele didn't laugh, but a corner of his mouth twitched. "Of course he did."
They headed down the right hallway. Their rooms were near the end.
Room 12A.
Room 12B.
Mikele opened his first. Small bed, desk, one window overlooking the courtyard. No roommate. No decorations yet.
Kaito pushed into his own across the hall. Identical layout. Pina hopped onto his bed instantly, kneading the blanket like she owned it.
Kaito leaned in the doorway. "Kind of nice."
Mikele nodded. "It is."
Kaito's eye drifted to the ground as he fiddled with the hem of his shirt.
Mikele stepped into the hallway again. "You're doing that thing again where you avoid making eye contact. What dumb thing are you planning?"
Kaito blinked. "I wasn't—"
Mikele looked at him.
Kaito sighed. "Okay. Maybe I was thinking… of visiting the White Palm Dorm."
Mikele crossed his arms. "To see her. That girl. That's what upset you earlier isn't it."'
Kaito didn't deny it.
"I actually met her last night." Kaito said quietly. "She didn't seem dangerous Mikele. Just… lonely."
Mikele's voice lowered, but it lost none of its sharpness. "Look. Most people avoid white mages because they don't know whether to fear them or hate them. Sometimes they are right to be wary."
"I know. But Sumire isn't—"
"You don't know that either."
Silence.
Pina chirred. As if she could feel the tension.
Kaito glanced down the hall toward the kitchen door. "Maybe I'll make tea first, and think on it—"
Mikele didn't even let him finish. "No."
"What?"
"I do not trust you to make anything in that kitchen without wrecking it."
"It's just tea…"
"No. You boil water like you fight. Loud. Reckless. Dangerous."
Pina chirred in agreement.
Kaito scowled. "Fine. No tea."
Mikele nodded in satisfaction. "I'm not going to be able to talk you out of this am I? You realize this is an incredibly stupid thing to do."
"You won't."
"Then I will come with you. I'm pretty good at telling when people are near. You will have to enter the dorms alone so I can keep an eye out. Are you okay with risking being alone with a white mage?
Kaito looked up, surprised. "Yeah. And thanks. I'll owe you."
Mikele shrugged. "Someone has to make sure you don't get smited by Vaela on your first night."
A bell rang in the distance, deep, echoing.
Curfew.
Doors closed. Coolness washed upon the campus. Footsteps faded into rooms.
Kaito sat on his bed. Pina curled against his leg, tail twitching. His heart wouldn't settle.
Outside his window, the White Palm dorm tower stood isolated beyond the courtyard.
One lantern glowed in its highest window.
Still awake.
Mikele leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You're still thinking about it."
Kaito didn't deny it. "If I don't go tonight, I'll talk myself out of it."
Mikele exhaled slowly through his nose. "You realize this is an incredibly stupid idea."
"I know."
"And you're going anyway."
Kaito looked at him. "Yeah."
Mikele rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I'm not saying yes. I'm saying I'd rather you don't get killed or expelled because you snuck out alone at midnight to visit a white mage."
Kaito blinked. "I'm glad you're coming with me though."
"This is not approval Kaito. This is supervision."
Pina jumped from the bed and onto Kaito's shoulder with a chirp.
Mikele glared at her. "Perfect. The death parade is complete."
***
The Dormis hallway was dark except for the soft blue glow of the mana lamps.
Mikele moved silently, like he'd done this before.
Kaito yelped as his knee banged against furniture.
"Quiet," Mikele hissed.
"That was a chair."
"Then maybe don't walk into it."
They reached the stairwell, leading from the house, to the campus.
Through the tall window at the landing, the courtyard stretched before them, quiet, silvered by moonlight.
And beyond it, separated from the rest of campus by a small stone bridge, stood the lonely tower of the White Palm dorm.
Sumire.
Mikele followed Kaito's gaze and said nothing for a moment.
Then, lowly…
"You get ten minutes. If she tries to kill you, scream in a heroic way so I know where to drag the body."
"That's… comforting."
"Also, if Vaela catches us, I'm blaming you."
"I'd rather her not notice me anymore…"
"Then don't get caught."
They pushed open the dorm door.
Cold air swept in.
The courtyard stretched vast and silent, cobblestone walkways, trimmed hedges, crescent-shaped lamps glowing gently. In the distance, the main academy towers stood like watchful giants.
Far to the north, the White Palm dorm tower loomed, no banners, and no noise.
They moved in the shadowed path along the hedges.
A patrol rounded the far corner, two senior students in silver uniforms, torches in hand.
Mikele grabbed Kaito's sleeve.
"Left. Now."
They slipped behind a pillar draped in ivy. Pina froze, ears flat.
The patrol passed.
Kaito let out a breath.
Mikele didn't. He just whispered, "You breathe like a dying flute."
"What does that even mean?"
"It means be quieter."
They stood before the tower.
No guards.
No sound.
Just the soft wind, tugging at their cloaks.
Mikele stopped. "This is as far as I go."
"You're not coming in?"
"No. I have to watch for patrol. I do not know if they roam around the White palm, and if they do, I'll have to be the one to let you know."
Kaito hesitated.
Mikele's voice softened a fraction, not warm, just truthful.
"I still think this is stupid. But if you're going to do it… don't make it worthless."
Kaito nodded.
He stepped toward the door.
It wasn't locked.
He took a breath.
And pushed.
The door opened without a sound.
Cool air brushed past his face.
White marble walls. A spiraling staircase, candles floating silently along its center.
No footsteps.
No voices.
But someone was awake.
At the top, the faint light still flickered.
Kaito glanced back.
Mikele stood in the shadows beneath the archway, arms folded, eyes sharp.
Pina pressed her head against Kaito's cheek as if telling him to go.
Kaito swallowed.
One step.
Then another.
Up the white stairwell.
Toward the light.
Toward her.
The door closed behind Kaito with a soft click.
Silence.
Not the sleepy hush of a dorm at night — but absolute, deliberate quiet.
The entry hall stretched before him, built of polished white stone veined with faint gold. Mana chandeliers floated along the ceiling like stars in glass, glowing with gentle ivory light. No dust. No scuffs. Not a single footprint.
Pina's claws clicked softly against the marble floor. Even that sounded too loud.
Kaito stepped forward.
Each door lining the hallway bore symbols of white lilies and silver rings, the crest of the Palm. Each one opened into a bedroom.
He peeked inside the first.
A room larger than his entire house back in Madrigal. Ivory sheets untouched. A wardrobe carved from moonwood. A writing desk facing a window that overlooked the academy.
Perfect.
Empty.
The next room was the same.
And the next.
He moved further in, past a spiraling staircase of white stone.
The silence followed him.
Halfway through the second corridor, the hallway widened into a grand common area.
Furniture of dark polished oak and velvet cushions arranged around a marble hearth, illuminated by a red fireplace, reflecting almost eerily off of the floor.
No food or table set.
No mugs on the tables.
No warmth.
To the right — a kitchen.
Kaito stopped.
It was beautiful. Copper pots hung above spotless counters. A long table of marble and dark walnut. Silver utensils lined in perfect symmetry. A polished kettle that had never been boiled.
Pina sniffed the air.
No spices. No tea. No trace of anyone… living here.
Kaito's chest tightened.
"This is… all for one person?"
His voice echoed softly.
He moved on.
Past the kitchen was a glass-walled conservatory. Moonlight poured over rows of flowers — lilies, orchids, frost-white roses. Each one perfectly preserved by enchanted soil.
Not a single petal had been touched, as if the entire garden had been frozen in time.
A recitation hall, with harps, violins, a grand piano — strings untouched.
A training room, lined with weighted dummies and divine steel blades — not a scratch on any of them.
Bedrooms for thirty.
Beds filled by none.
Except one.
At the far end of the dorm, a staircase spiraled up toward the solitary lantern flickering from the tower's top floor.
Kaito placed a hand on the railing.
Pina pressed against his neck, as if the silence unsettled her too.
He climbed.
Soft candlelight glowed under a door at the end of the hallway.
He swallowed.
Knock.
The sound was small.
But in the silence, it echoed like thunder.
For a moment, nothing.
Then—
Footsteps.
Soft.
Bare.
Closer.
The door cracked open.
A pale face. Cobalt hair falling over one shoulder. Her eyes widened.
"…Kaito?"