Academy's Dormatory

The journey ahead was pretty peaceful. Soon after, they finally reached the main city of the kingdom of Ashveil. The main city was both lively and peaceful, which was pretty much expected of a kingdom recognized as one of the greatest kingdoms in the entire world.

Velrath looked around the city; his face looked quite surprised as he scanned his surroundings. Meanwhile, Zane was simply sitting quietly at the carriage; he seemed to be in deep thoughts; his tongue was resting on his hand as he looked below at the ground.

[Woah, this city has sure changed a lot, huh?]

Zane looked towards Velrath, surprised by his statement. He then responded in his thoughts.

[You've been here, Velrath?]

Zane and Velrath could now communicate with each other simply on their thoughts. Last night, when Velrath was teaching Zane the remaining barrier spells he had been trying to learn, Velrath tried experimenting with their connections. Considering that he was able to possess his body and look at his memories as he was inside his body last night, it wasn't impossible for their thoughts to collide together.

And he was right. The process was actually pretty simple; it was technically just like how he had possessed his body back then, except all they needed to do was connect their mana to each other, colliding their thoughts together. Zane could also cut that mana connection anytime he wanted, so just in case he was thinking of something important, Velrath wouldn't be able to know.

Velrath smiled; he then said.

[Of course, back then things were a lot different. But it was still as lively as ever.]

Zane looked towards the window in the carriage, looking at the lively city outside. Outside the window, people filled the streets—merchants calling out their wares, children laughing as they ran past, and musicians playing cheerful tunes. The air smelled of fresh bread and blooming flowers, and the sunlight made the stone buildings glow warmly. Despite the activity, the city felt peaceful, like everything moved in perfect harmony.

[Yeah, it sure is lively.]

Zane said with a casual tone; it sounded mixed. As if anguish and happiness were colliding together as he said those words.

Many people knew him because he was the youngest son of Vern Thaleward. Vern Thaleward only had two children, Zane and his older sister Eris. Vern was very well known in the kingdom of Ashveil since he was the person currently holding the title Sovereign Sorcerer, the current strongest mage in the kingdom of Ashveil. Which would make people expect a lot from his children as well, and unfortunately, Zane never really reached their expectations.

Velrath knew that because he saw his memories once. That's why he didn't really say anything afterwards after Zane responded to him. Velrath's gaze shifted towards Zane as he gazed at the window, looking outside the city. He then looked away afterwards.

Velrath stayed quiet after that, and the whole ride was quiet, heading towards the academy.

...

Soon after, they finally arrived at the academy. The carriage left right after dropping Zane at the entrance gate.

Looking at the large gate in front of him, he couldn't help but release a big sigh. This was his second day of his third year, but he already felt tired.

There weren't really that many people in front of the gate since the dormitory was inside the academy.

[Hoo, is this your academy, Zane? It looks a lot better seeing it for real.

Zane looked towards Velrath; he then said.

[Well, of course. This academy is the most prestigious academy in the kingdom of Ashveil. A lot of people would die to be in this academy, but I am the opposite.]

Velrath smirked; he then said.

[Alright, alright... You hate school; I get it.]

Zane then went inside the academy, heading towards the academy's dormitory. Later after that, he finally arrived at the dormitory.

He stood before it for a while, admiring the beautiful structure of the building.

The academy dormitory was a grand, elegant building made of smooth white stone, with tall windows and golden lanterns glowing softly by the doors. Ivy and blooming flowers decorated the walls, and the polished wooden floors inside shone under the light of enchanted chandeliers.

There were a few students outside of the academy's dormitory, and they all looked at Zane. Well, for obvious reasons. However, just like what Zane always did, he chose to ignore them.

He then headed inside of the academy's dormitory, and as he went inside, there were many students looking towards him. Some simply chose to ignore his existence, but I guess some people really can't mind their own business.

Still ignoring them, he headed towards his room. Soon after, he arrived at the front door of his room.

"Hopefully, Vale is still here. Or else I will have to go back and get the key from the receptionist."

Knock!

Knock!

After knocking on the door, he waited for a while. He then heard footsteps, growing louder as seconds went by.

"Coming!"

Creak!

Vale's eyes widened. Seeing that Zane was in front of him, a smile appeared on his face. He then said in a surprised tone.

"Zane?! My gosh, dude, I thought you were not coming back for a week!"

Zane smiled; he then said.

"Honestly, I thought so too."

Zane then went inside the room, heading towards their bed. Along the way there, he asked Vale.

"I thought you'd already be inside the classroom by this hour. Why are you still here?"

Vale looked towards him; he then grinned and said.

"I was waiting for you, dude! I was actually just about to leave when suddenly you arrived."

Zane smiled, although he didn't really respond back. The reason why Zane came to the dormitory instead of the academy was because he actually needed his notebook and his wand that he just lost yesterday.

"Anyways, Vale, I lost my wand yesterday. Have you seen it perhaps?"

Vale paused for a bit; he then responded.

"Ah, that's right! Yes, yes. I actually took it after you passed out. Thought I might give it to you after you came back."

Vale then headed to their closet; he then took out a box and opened it. There a wand can be seen resting.

The wand lay inside a velvet-lined box, its deep blue surface smooth and polished. Delicate spirals ran along its length, with a small golden accent near the center. A bright blue crystal was set into the handle, catching the light like a hidden star. Made of alder wood and infused with stardust.

Seeing the wand in front of him, a soft smile appeared on his lips. The reason why Zane was so puzzled about losing his wand was because this wand was a personal gift from his mother. This wand was very expensive and custom-made just for him.

Zane slowly held the wand and looked at it for a while.

[Hmm... That's quite a beautiful wand you got.]

Zane's expression remained unchanged; he then responded in his thoughts.

[Yeah, it's a gift from my mom.]

Zane then looked towards Vale; he then said.

"Thanks, Vale! I really owe you one!"

Vale smiled; he then responded.

"No problem, man. I kept it hidden because I knew it was important to you. Hell, if I lost such an expensive wand like that, I would cry for a week!"

Zane paused for a bit; he then responded.

"Anyways, we should probably head to the classroom now. Or else we will be late."

Vale nodded; he then said.

"I think we are already late though? Ah, we are going to get in trouble for sure..."

Zane looked at him with confusion; he then said.

"Huh? Isn't it still 8:00 AM?"

Vale looked at him dumbfounded. He then looked towards the clock ticking on their walls.

"Zane... It's already 9:08..."

Zane and Vale's eyes widened in fear. Their class starts at 9:00, which means they were already late.

Without wasting any seconds, Zane and Vale ran out of their dormitory, heading to their classroom.

Velrath watched as the two of them ran off as fast as they could, heading to their classrooms. Velrath couldn't help but let out a chuckle. He was somehow reminded of the distant past; however, it wasn't a past that would make him somber, but something that would make him let out a soft smile.

"Such lively kids. Ah... I used to be like that before, but I guess everyone just grows old, huh."