The New Year Begins
George stood at the edge of the Academy's great oak doors, his belongings gripped firmly in hand. The sun over Alexia was a warm weight on his shoulders, casting a brilliant glow across the stone masonry of the spires. He let out a long, shaky breath, his chest swelling with a pride he could barely contain.
"I can't believe I've made it this far," he thought.
The memories of the cold warehouse district, the chilling porcelain masks of the Coffin gang, and the desperate flight through the woods felt a lifetime away, yet they had forged the resolve he carried now. As he stepped inside, the sheer weight of the Academy's atmosphere took shape. A tidal wave of students flooded the halls like an incoming ocean—a chaotic symphony of chatter and rushing feet. The uniforms were crisp, dark, and smelled of fresh starch—a sharp contrast to the grimy, battle-worn clothes he had survived in during the break. Navigating through the crowd, George's eyes caught two familiar figures near the central corridor. Onyx Lovell stood before the main bulletin board, his dark, intense eyes focused with the precision of a honing device. His distinctive afro had grown noticeably fuller, and the small, mysterious symbol on his forehead reflected the sun's light like a polished coin. Beside him stood Ren Kasukabe, looking as effortlessly rebellious as ever. His uniform was slightly disheveled, and his red-tinted glasses reflected the morning rays, masking his eyes but not his confident smirk. The intricate tattoos on Ren's arms, peeking from his rolled-up sleeves, seemed to shimmer with dormant mana. The two boys smiled as they noticed George. Ren clapped him on the shoulder, joking that he actually looked like he'd gotten some sleep for once. Onyx offered a firm nod, his gaze finally breaking from the board to say it was good to see him, though he noted the year was already starting with a heavy hand. George looked at the bulletin board where Onyx had been staring and felt his heart drop. A warning poster stood out among the club notices, cautioning that a criminal was at large and wanted for kidnapping and the murder of thirty-eight people. Beneath the text was a grainy, chilling image of Maliik and the Coffin Gang. The air in the hallway suddenly felt thin. The memory of the children in the cages and the oppressive dampening field of the warehouse flashed through George's mind. Ren noticed the tension and tightened his grip on George's shoulder, whispering that Maliik couldn't touch them here because the Academy was the safest place in the city. George nodded hesitantly, though his mind drifted toward his grandfather, wondering if the shadows they had escaped were truly gone or if the upcoming trials were simply drawing them closer to a larger, inevitable conflict.
The Reunion at the Fountain
The trio moved through the halls and out into the courtyard, heading toward the central fountain. There, bathed in the light, were the rest of their circle. Kayn Alabaster leaned against the stone basin, his messy black hair absorbing the sun's rays. The jagged scar over his eye was visible in the light—a permanent trophy of their survival. Beside him, Faust Fangula was already in his analytical element, adjusting his spectacles as he scanned the courtyard, noting the boys' arrival before anyone else.
George broke into a jog, calling out to Nana, Kayn, and Faust. Nana Ravenspear turned with a brilliant smile, her vibrant purple braids woven into a stunning, complex new pattern. She rushed forward and pulled George into a fierce embrace, exclaiming her disbelief that they were finally third-year students and would no longer be considered the "untested rookies" of the school. As they exchanged stories, the deep, resonant toll of the Academy bell shattered the air. The playfulness vanished, replaced by the solemn realization that their reprieve was over. They made their way to the Third Year Student Hall, where the polished stone floors gleamed under the soft hum of magical sconces. George nudged Nana as they walked, with Kayn flanking them like a silent guardian. George murmured that they were starting all over again, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. Nana grinned, a spark of amber light dancing in her eyes as she teased Kayn about another year and another chance to blow something up. Kayn merely grunted, his dark hair falling over his brow as the corner of his mouth twitched upward in a rare shadow of a smile.
The Assembly of the Nine Orders
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was electric. Most of their classmates were already seated as Mrs. Eberheart stood at the front at the podium, her presence as sharp and formidable as a spearhead. She tapped the wood to silence the chatter and boomed a welcome to the third years, telling them it was a pleasure to see their bright, eager faces. She surveyed the assembly, her gaze resting briefly on each student. One by one, they stood as she called their names, their uniforms pristine: Flynn Nightwing, Nora Silverstone, Claudius Zelretch, Davina Petrova, Ren Kasukabe, Elvira Renfiele, Freda Reid, Jamil Nikolett, Judith Faustina, Niko Dashkov, Onyx Lovell, and Faust Fangula, along with George, Nana, and Kayn. Mrs. Eberheart then gestured to the formidable figures arrayed behind her, reintroducing the faculty. She pointed out the dignified Headmaster Joseph Crane with his shimmering silver hair, followed by Log Crane of General Studies, who looked as though he had memorized every book in the world. Then came Ky Iron-heart, the Combat Magic Professor, his battle-worn face acting as a map of countless duels. Jinx Starwind, the Conjuration Professor, offered a mischievous wink, while Zorro Diego, the Solidification Professor, leaned against a pillar with his usual whimsical poise. Mrs. Eberheart continued by explaining that they would delve deeper into the complexities of magic this year, but she emphasized that the Harvest Festival would undoubtedly capture their attention. A ripple of murmurs spread through the hall as she described it as a ritual conducted toward the end of the year where participants, known as Harvesters or Candidates, engage in trials to test their magic, wits, and physical prowess. She explained it as an opportunity for each country to discover the elite representatives among them. George exchanged a heavy look with Nana at the mention of the word Candidate. She then shifted focus to the Magic Houses of Larrisa, detailing the specialized branches of their society. She began with the Order of the Sword led by Captain William Marshal, which handles asset protection and insurgency, followed by the Order of the Wings led by Captain Rook Starwind, which deals in political surveillance and diplomacy. The Order of the Stone under Captain Isaac Moriah focuses on the research of weapons, magic, and history, while the Order of the Shield led by Captain Aaron Knight is tasked with protecting the royal castle. A cold shiver ran down George's spine as she mentioned the Order of the Shadow led by Captain Bishop Gun, describing them as the black ops unit for interrogations and assassinations. She moved on to the Order of the Rose led by Joan Orléans for citizen defense, and the Order of the Law led by Captain Apollo Griffith, which serves as the police force and first line of defense. Finally, she introduced the Order of the Healer led by Captain Odessa Dumont for medical and supply needs, and the Order of the Claw led by Captain Theo BlackQueen, which deals with war and maintains ties to major merchant families. Mrs. Eberheart warned that the year would be tougher than the last and that their preparation would be arduous. As she offered her final welcome, the students erupted in a deafening cheer. The third year had officially begun.