The end of the beginning!

✦ A Banquet of Questions ✦

✦ The first question, clear as day

As the last echoes of cheerful conversation drifted through the chandelier-lit cafeteria, a new hush seemed to fall over the assembled students and guests. Plates sat nearly empty, cups half-lifted, yet no one dared take a sip. Their eyes were all drawn to the stately figure sitting among them — the Dean herself, who moments ago had magnanimously declared:

"You may all ask me anything you wish tonight — within reason, of course."

It was an offer so startling, so far outside the realm of normal academy decorum, that it took a moment before anyone found the courage to seize it.

Then, with a confident gleam in her sapphire eyes, Claire stood from her seat. She placed her hands politely on the table's edge and tilted forward, her voice ringing out clear and direct.

"Dean, I heard that this year's familiar choosing ceremony is going to be different from the previous ones. Is it true? And if it is — can we know why?"

There was no giggle of nerves, no hesitant stutter. Claire's tone was crisp, almost businesslike, catching several around her by surprise. Even Aether raised an eyebrow, amused.

"That's Claire for you. She doesn't waste time on small talk when it matters," he thought, watching his sister with a flicker of pride.

✦ A shifting atmosphere

As soon as the question settled in the air, small murmurs rose all across the hall. Heads turned from student to student, eyebrows knit together in confusion or curiosity. It seemed many hadn't even heard rumors of any changes to the ceremony.

"Familiar choosing… different this year? What's she mean?" whispered a dark-haired boy from a nearby table.

"Wait, I thought the ceremony was always the same. Did we miss something in the announcements?" fretted a girl beside him, anxiously twisting her napkin.

The Dean folded her hands together atop the pristine tablecloth, her aged fingers interlocking. Her eyes swept over the curious faces before settling fondly on Claire. Then she let out a soft, almost grandmotherly sigh.

"Hmm… yes, the news you heard is indeed true," she began, voice carrying effortlessly through the wide hall.

A silence more complete than any before settled. Not a fork shifted, not a chair squeaked.

✦ The Dean reveals the truth

"This year's familiar choosing ceremony will be different from the previous ones. Traditionally, as you all know, familiars were given only to the chosen ones upon reaching their fourth year at this academy. It was considered a rite of passage — a reward, but also a grave responsibility, bestowed after years of training."

Her gaze turned thoughtful, and she traced a slow circle on the tablecloth with her finger, as if sketching invisible runes.

"However, this year, all students from year one through year four will be given the opportunity to bond with a familiar at once."

A collective gasp broke across the hall, dozens of mouths parting in stunned astonishment.

The Dean lifted her head, meeting the wide eyes that ringed her from every angle.

"Yes… this is unprecedented. Never before in Himwarry Academy's long history have we offered familiars so early to so many at once. It is such a monumental shift that even the new King and Queen themselves are coming to observe the ceremony."

She paused, letting that sink in — the implication of national eyes upon them.

Then, her smile turned rueful, a flicker of gentle apology passing across her face.

"As for the reason behind this change… I must admit it cannot be revealed at this time. That knowledge is still classified among only a handful of our kingdom's highest authorities."

✦ Shock and naive delight

The shock rippled through the hall like heat through summer stone. Students looked to each other, mouths opening, closing, unable to quite process the magnitude of what they'd heard.

Then, slowly, tentative smiles began to break out.

"Familiars so soon? That's amazing…"

"I always thought we'd have to wait three more years. Imagine having a mana beast partner now!"

"It'll make us look so cool, and so much stronger…"

Yes, to many of the young hearts gathered there, it was little more than a thrilling prospect. A new toy. A badge of power and promise.

But as Aether listened to the excited babble that erupted, he leaned back in his chair, dark eyes narrowing. His mind was already whirring, tracing uneasy possibilities.

✦ Aether's wary thoughts

"Familiars — mana beasts, creatures that channel magic alongside their bonded partners…" he mused silently.

His hand curled loosely on his lap. He could almost feel the phantom weight of metal and wires there instead, as if even his thoughts defaulted to blueprints and gears.

"They wouldn't rush such a sacred ritual for no reason. The academy is too old, too rigid for sudden changes. The only explanation…"

He let out a tiny breath.

"Monsters in the border legions… something must be getting worse than they're telling us. If they're trying to accelerate students' combat readiness by handing out familiars early, it's not simply generosity at work. It's preparation."

✦ A small aside on familiars

[Scholar's Note:]

In this world, a familiar — or mana beast — is more than just a magical pet. It is a partner that can enhance a mage's innate capabilities, drawing out hidden reserves of power. The academy typically provides these to their most promising chosen ones by year four. Familiars aren't just tools of battle; they are living companions, often forming deep bonds that last lifetimes. But to rush such pairings… means stakes have grown dangerously high.

✦ Olivia's question and the year 5 elites

While Aether spiraled into his own suspicions, another soft voice rose at the table.

Olivia, still perched a little stiffly on her chair, had found her courage.

"Um… Dean? I also heard that the year five chosen ones are coming back soon from their training outside. Is it really true?"

The Dean turned to her with a nod, lips quirking at the corners.

"Ah, yes. It is indeed about time for them to return. If my reports are accurate, it should be within this very week. They'll be rejoining us to help instruct all of you on proper bonding practices, oversee the familiar ceremony, and of course — stand by in case anything goes awry."

✦ Another wave of whispers

Excitement and nervousness blended together in the cafeteria like rich cream swirling into coffee.

"Year fives… the academy's elites."

"They spend almost all their time outside, fighting monsters directly. They must be terrifyingly strong."

"Imagine them standing beside us, evaluating our partnerships…"

✦ Aether's private dread

Aether leaned back again, exhaling through his nose.

"Year fives, huh. They're practically the next tier under the instructors themselves. The strongest students in Himwarry besides the teachers… and the Dean."

His brow twitched faintly.

"I just hope they don't decide to cause me trouble. Again. Ugh, one disaster at a time, please."

✦ Olivia's eager hopes

At Aether's table, Olivia was glowing with enthusiasm.

"Ohh! It means we can learn so many things from them!" she beamed.

The Dean gave her a serene nod. "That's right. It should be an excellent chance for everyone here to see first-hand the fruits of dedicated training — and perhaps be inspired."

✦ A calm after the feast

Soon after, the last plates were scraped clean, cups drained. Laughter mellowed into tired smiles. One by one, students began standing, offering farewells and bows to the Dean before departing for their dormitories. The hall slowly emptied, leaving only the soft clatter of servers beginning to clear away dishes.

In the end, it was just Aether and the Dean lingering by a quiet table near the windows. Moonlight pooled across the floor tiles like spilled milk.

✦ An unexpected earnest moment

Aether, stretching with a content sigh, offered the Dean a small, genuine grin.

"Thanks for the meal today, by the way."

The Dean lifted her brows in exaggerated offense.

"Ohh? Now you want to thank me, hm?"

Her lips broke into warm laughter, eyes crinkling. Then she settled into a more appraising look, fingers steepled.

"Aether… aren't you curious why the ceremony's truly changing? Why I'm telling all this to someone like you?"

Aether tilted his head slightly, his grin shifting into something wry.

"I am curious. But I think I've already figured it out."

✦ Hints of a growing storm

The Dean's expression softened. She folded her hands together, shoulders dipping under an invisible weight.

"As I suspected. You're sharper than you let on. Yes — the activities of monsters along our borders have increased over these past months. To a degree that troubles even our most seasoned knights."

Her eyes met Aether's, and for just a heartbeat, they looked impossibly tired — like those of someone who'd carried secrets for decades.

✦ The Dean's quiet hopes

Aether ran a hand through his tousled hair, exhaling again.

"Hmph. This is gonna be a pain, isn't it? Still… why tell me? I'm nothing but a non-mage who tinkers with metal and glass."

At that, the Dean's lips twitched. She rose from her seat, stepping lightly around the table to stand beside him. Then, almost conspiratorially, she leaned down to whisper near his ear.

"That's exactly why I'm putting my hopes on you, Aether. Everyone has something they must protect — and you do too, whether you admit it or not. Become strong enough to keep those things safe."

She drew back, eyes twinkling with quiet, stubborn faith.

✦ As they part ways

Aether watched her leave, her robes trailing behind like drifting twilight. Then he sighed once more, rubbing at his neck.

"Great. Now even the Dean's roped me into her hopes. Life just keeps getting harder, huh…?"

But he couldn't quite hide the tiny smile playing at his lips.

Above them, the moon shone down on Himwarry Academy, its pale light falling on stone towers, library domes, and far beyond — the dark forests where beasts prowled and greater mysteries waited.

In that delicate moment, a single thought rang through Aether's mind, half a grumble, half a reluctant spark of resolve:

"Well… if this is where it all begins, I guess I'll just have to keep moving forward."