The Preliminary academy

One Month Later

The sun had barely risen over the grand Valtoria Mansion when Arthur awoke, his heart pounding with excitement. Today was the day he had been waiting for—the day he would finally attend the Preliminary Academy.

He sat up, stretched, and threw off his blankets. The room was dimly lit, the golden glow of dawn seeping through the curtains. Without wasting time, he hurried to get dressed, choosing a simple yet elegant outfit suited for travel. As he adjusted the cuffs of his tunic, he called out, "Elizabeth, send some maids to clean my room while I'm gone." His voice was filled with energy, and the moment he stepped into the hallway, his excitement was evident on his face.

Elizabeth, the ever-diligent head maid, chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Young master, you seem more eager than usual today."

Arthur grinned. "Of course, I am! This is the first step toward becoming a sword mage."

As he made his way down the long marble hallway, he passed by portraits of his ancestors, their piercing gazes seemingly watching over him. He turned a corner and saw his parents waiting for him in the main hall. His father, Duke Aldric Valtoria, stood tall, dressed in a regal white and gold robe, exuding authority. His mother, Lady Verona, was poised beside him, her eyes gleaming with pride.

"Are you ready?" Aldric asked, his deep voice carrying a weight of expectation.

Arthur nodded confidently. "Yes, father."

Before they could continue, a small voice rang through the air. "Big brother, good luck!"

Arthur turned just in time to see his little sister, Evelyn, running toward him. She leaped into his arms, hugging him tightly. Her soft golden curls bounced as she pulled away, her bright blue eyes sparkling. Arthur smiled, ruffling her hair before waving goodbye.

Moments later, he boarded the grand Valtoria chariot, the crest of his family embroidered on its deep blue velvet interior. The journey was smooth, yet Arthur couldn't help but tap his fingers on his lap, his anticipation growing with every passing moment.

When they finally arrived, the contrast between the commoners' entrance and the nobles' reception was stark. The first building was small, modest, and filled with children lined up in an orderly fashion. Arthur had instinctively stepped forward to join them when one of the attendants stopped him.

"Young master, that is the commoners' reception. The nobles' entrance is at the northern gate."

Arthur furrowed his brows. "Why the separation?"

"That's just how it is," the attendant replied without further explanation.

Arthur exhaled but decided not to dwell on it. Instead, he proceeded to the northern gate, where the noble children were being welcomed. The building here was grander, lined with intricate pillars and banners symbolizing the noble families. The moment he stepped inside, his eyes were drawn to a particular figure—wild red hair, sharp black eyes, and a proud stance.

'Where have I seen him before?' Arthur wondered.

He stepped forward to ask, but before he could say a word, the boy gave him a sharp glance, his expression cold and unapproachable. He then walked past Arthur without a single word, his presence carrying a sense of superiority. Arthur clenched his jaw. 'That look… It felt like déjà vu.'

Pushing the thought aside, he continued toward the reception desk.

Behind the desk sat a young man with neatly combed black hair and piercing dark eyes. His posture was straight, his expression unreadable. He exuded discipline, and the moment he spoke, his voice was firm and commanding.

"Welcome to the Preliminary Academy. My name is Varian Steele, and I will be overseeing your registration process. Here is a manual that details how the academy operates. Read it thoroughly."

Arthur took the manual and quickly scanned through it. The receptionist continued, "Rooms will be shared—two per room. However, exceptions have been made for nobles, who will have individual rooms."

Arthur nodded, but when he glanced at the notice board to find his room number, he was taken aback. Room Four. Paired. His eyes trailed down to his assigned roommate's name. It wasn't a noble's name.

'Why am I paired with someone if nobles are supposed to get their own rooms?' he thought, puzzled. He tried to make sense of the decision but found no clear pattern.

Deciding not to dwell on it, he made his way to Room Four. As he reached the door, he hesitated for a moment before pushing it open. Inside, a boy with messy black hair and striking yellow eyes sat on the edge of his bed, tossing a small rock between his hands. The boy looked up, his expression curious.

Arthur stepped in, placing his bag down. The boy grinned and stood up. "Hey! You must be my roommate. Name's Felix Arden."

Arthur raised an eyebrow at how casual and energetic the boy was. "Arthur Valtoria."

The moment Felix heard the name, his eyes widened, and he quickly stood straight, bowing. "Oh! I-I didn't realize! My apologies, Lord Arthur!"

Arthur immediately shook his head, waving his hand dismissively. "Drop the formalities. Just call me Arthur."

Felix hesitated. "Are you sure? I mean, you're a noble…"

Arthur smirked. "Doesn't mean we can't be friends."

Felix blinked before breaking into a grin. "Alright, Arthur! Nice to meet you."

The two boys quickly hit it off, chatting about their backgrounds. Felix explained that he was from the common realm, and his father was a skilled swordsmith. "I grew up watching my father forge weapons, so I've always wanted to wield a great one myself," Felix said excitedly.

Arthur nodded. "That's amazing. I want to be a sword mage too. Tomorrow, we'll finally get our blades."

Felix flopped onto his bed. "Yeah… Kinda nervous about that."

Arthur chuckled. "Same."

As the night deepened, Arthur lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted to tomorrow's ceremony, where they would receive their katanas. His heart pounded with excitement and uncertainty. 'What kind of blade will I manifest?'

He closed his eyes, determined to find out.

Tomorrow would be the first step toward his destiny.