A Day Well Spent

After the introductions and initial orientation, the first years were finally dismissed. The students naturally began splitting off, heading toward their respective dormitories.

Nero, Iris, and Jaris stood together for a moment before saying their goodbyes.

"Guess this is it for now," Iris said, stretching her arms behind her head. "Dorm assignments and all that."

Jaris nodded, adjusting the strap of his satchel. "Yeah, but at least we have our IDs. Makes it easy to stay in touch."

Their new student badges weren't just identification—they also functioned like personal devices, capable of messaging, navigation, and various academy-related functions. Nero had already tested his, exchanging contact information with both of them.

"Yeah. We'll catch up later," Nero said, giving them a small wave before turning away.

With that, they each headed off to their respective dorm buildings.

The first-year dormitory was a massive structure, mirroring the general design of the upper-year dorms but with fewer perks. It consisted of four interconnected buildings, each forming a wing, and was located centrally for easy access. As Nero walked through the entrance, he took a moment to look around.

It made sense—the sheer number of first years demanded a facility of this scale. Based on a rough estimate, there had to be well over a hundred thousand students in his year alone.

He made his way toward Wing Three, following the signs and the soft guidance of his ID's navigation system. The sheer size of the dorm complex became more apparent as he walked—each hallway stretched endlessly, lined with identical rooms. Fortunately, multiple elevators and well-placed stairwells made it easier to traverse.

Floor 14. Room 432.

He stepped out of the elevator and turned down a long, well-lit corridor. The walls were sleek but warm in color, avoiding the clinical feel of some of the more modern buildings in the city. As he approached his assigned room, he noticed something odd—the door wasn't fully shut.

It was slightly ajar.

Maybe his roommate had already arrived?

Nero stepped into the room, his gaze flicking over the neatly arranged shelves and the open suitcase resting on one of the beds. The dorm was spacious, especially considering the number of students at Skyreach, with enough room for two large beds, a study desk for each occupant, and a wide window overlooking the eastern side of the academy grounds.

The sound of movement drew his attention to the other side of the room. A tall figure stood by the shelves, adjusting a row of books. He had blackish-blond hair, sharp features, and a composed demeanor that immediately set him apart. When he noticed Nero at the door, he turned slightly, giving him a quick once-over.

"You must be my roommate." His voice was calm, steady.

"Yeah," Nero nodded, stepping fully inside. "Nero."

The guy gave a small nod in return. "Zeke." Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Zeke Amos."

Nero froze for half a second, his eyes widening before he could stop himself. Amos? That was one of the Ten Great Families—practically royalty.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Zeke caught the look immediately and let out a short sigh. "You don't have to bother with any honorifics or whatever. I don't really care about the whole 'great family' thing." He shut his suitcase with a firm snap before turning back to Nero. "Just treat me like any other student."

Nero hesitated, then let out a small breath. Zeke didn't carry himself like someone expecting special treatment. If anything, his tone carried a hint of irritation, like he was used to people reacting to his last name.

"Alright," Nero said, offering a grin. "If you say so."

That seemed to settle things, and just like that, the tension eased.

As they continued unpacking, they fell into casual conversation. Nero learned that Zeke had spent most of his life training under his family's expectations but never cared for the prestige attached to their name. He wasn't cold, but there was a certain sharpness in the way he spoke—focused, intense, like someone who carried a constant, concentrated energy.

At some point, the conversation naturally drifted toward their awakenings.

"So, what mark did you get?" Zeke asked, glancing over as he placed a small metal case onto the shelf.

Nero tensed for a fraction of a second.

Zeke noticed immediately. He studied Nero's expression before giving a small shrug. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

Nero exhaled slowly before answering. "...Orvian."

Zeke stopped what he was doing. His eyes flicked toward Nero, scanning him for a moment before he leaned against the desk. "...That's rough."

Nero let out a dry chuckle. "You're not the first to say that."

Zeke tilted his head slightly. "I mean, it's not bad. Just… different. You'll have to deal with a lot of shit."

"Yeah," Nero muttered. "I figured."

Zeke didn't push further. Instead, he shifted the conversation.

"Since we're on the subject—yeah, I'm an Amos," he said, crossing his arms. "So, no surprise here, but my patron god is Leravel."

Nero nodded, the name immediately clicking into place.

Leravel, the God of the Hunt.

That meant Zeke's abilities would be centered around precision, tracking, and pursuit. The Amos family was famous for producing some of the deadliest hunters and strategists in Faltheris. They weren't just skilled in archery or ranged combat—they could track a target across miles, sense shifts in the battlefield, and strike with terrifying accuracy.

Zeke didn't say any of that himself, but Nero already knew. Anyone even remotely aware of the Great Families did.

"Guess that means you're good at hitting things from a mile away," Nero said, half-joking.

Zeke smirked slightly. "Something like that."

The conversation lulled for a moment before Nero let himself relax.

He had no idea what kind of person Zeke really was yet, but one thing was clear—he wasn't like the arrogant, untouchable elites most people imagined when they heard "Great Family."

And that?

That was a relief.

After a while, they were done setting up their stuff. Zeke stretched his arms and grabbed his ID badge from the desk.

"I'm heading out to check the place out. You coming?"

Nero, who had just finished syncing his badge to his tablet, looked up. "Yep."

With that, the two stepped out of their dorm, making their way down the hall toward the elevators. The building was massive, but it was designed efficiently—multiple elevators and stairwells ensured students could move between floors without issue.

The ground and first floors were dedicated entirely to amenities. The moment they stepped out onto the first floor, Nero's eyes widened.

There was a full-sized gym, training courts, and even a recovery center. The dormitories alone had everything a student could need to stay in shape. Of course, the actual training rooms and combat fields were located deeper within the academy. Using powers inside the dorms was strictly forbidden, likely to prevent any unnecessary destruction.

Speaking of powers…

Some people awakened their abilities the moment they received their mark, while others took time. Although they couldn't use those powers on Earth, their potential still lingered beneath the surface. Nero hadn't awakened his yet, but it wasn't uncommon—there were plenty of people who needed practice before their abilities fully manifested.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was lagging behind.

They made their way down to the cafeteria on the ground floor.

The place was already bustling with people, filled with the murmur of voices and the clatter of trays. No surprise—it was around 3 PM, meaning most first-years had finally finished unpacking and were grabbing a late lunch after all the travel.

Nero's attention was immediately drawn to the rows of digital dispensers, sleek screens lining the walls, displaying an almost endless list of meal options. Students tapped their selections, and within moments, their trays were filled with freshly prepared food.

"This is so cool," Nero muttered, watching someone receive a steaming bowl of soup within seconds.

Zeke hummed in agreement, already scrolling through the options. "Convenient as hell, too."

After a minute of browsing, they both grabbed a mix of different meals—a little bit of everything to try. Holding their trays, they turned to find a place to sit when—

"Zeke Amos."

The voice was smooth, almost amused.

Zeke didn't even turn around. "You're here too, huh, Seras."

Nero glanced over as a figure approached them.

A tall guy with dark raven hair and sharp, calculating eyes. His uniform was perfectly neat, and his movements carried a casual confidence, like someone used to being the center of attention.

He completely ignored Nero and walked right up to Zeke, his easygoing smile never faltering.

"You never mentioned you were heading to Skyreach," Seras said, tilting his head slightly.

"Didn't think it was worth mentioning," Zeke replied, tone flat.

Seras chuckled like he expected that response. Then, his gaze finally flickered toward Nero.

He looked him up and down, smirked—then turned away without a word.

Nero arched a brow. What the hell was that?

Zeke sighed. "Seras Nariel. Another one from the Great Families."

Nero groaned. Of course, he was.

Zeke shook his head. "Almost all of them are like that. Arrogant, noble, and convinced they're better than everyone else."

Nero picked up his fork. "I mean… they do have the right to be, I guess."

"They do," Zeke admitted. "But that doesn't make them superior."

Nero stabbed a piece of food before muttering, "Well, I'm just glad he wasn't in your place."

After finishing their meals, Zeke and Nero wandered outside, taking in the sheer scale of the campus. The pathways were filled with students exploring, chatting, and getting familiar with their new home. Towering buildings surrounded them, each with its own purpose—training halls, lecture centers, research labs. Everything about Skyreach felt alive, teeming with energy.

Nero stretched his arms behind his head. "One more week till orientation, then classes start. Makes sense, though—getting this many students settled was always gonna take time."

Zeke shook his head. "They should've just started earlier. I want to get stronger as fast as possible."

Nero glanced at him. "Why?"

Zeke just winked. "For a reason."

Nero sighed. "Oh, real informative."

Before Zeke could respond, a sudden wave of cheers and shouts erupted from somewhere nearby. Excited voices filled the air, a mix of oohs, boos, and sharp whistles.

Both of them turned toward the noise.

"That sounded fun," Nero mused.

Zeke grinned. "Let's check it out."

They made their way toward the source, weaving through the growing crowd until they reached an open-air arena. It was huge—built like a coliseum, with rows of seating surrounding a circular combat ground. At the center, two figures in purple robes were already engaged in a fierce duel.

"Second-years," Nero noted. "Figures. Duels must be common here."

Zeke's eyes were locked onto the fight, excitement bubbling in his chest.

One of the duelists wielded ice magic—five frozen swords hovered in a tight formation around him, shifting and striking at his command. The air near him was frigid, mist curling around his movements.

His opponent was a complete contrast—he used wood magic. Thick branches and vines shot up from the ground, twisting into barriers that intercepted the ice swords with perfect precision.

"Damn," Zeke muttered. "They're fast."

"Yeah," Nero agreed. "Ice guy's attacking non-stop, but wood guy's not letting a single hit land."

Around them, students were talking among themselves.

"Ice mage is Eren Velos," someone murmured. "He's been undefeated in his division."

"Yeah, but Rhys is a monster in defense," another replied. "Wood magic isn't flashy, but his control is ridiculous. He can outlast almost anyone."

Nero barely heard them. His focus was locked on the fight, watching the way they moved, the way they controlled their magic so effortlessly.

The fight continued for a while longer, both duelists pushing their limits. Ice met wood in a dazzling display—blades of frozen energy clashing against twisting roots, sending bursts of frost and splinters into the air. But no matter how hard they tried to overpower each other, neither could land a decisive blow.

Eventually, they both stepped back, panting. The ice mage let out a sharp breath, his floating swords melting into mist, while the wood user shook off the frost clinging to his arms.

The referee raised a hand. "That's a draw!"

The crowd responded with a mix of cheers and groans. Some had clearly been hoping for a victor, but in the end, it had just been a friendly spar.

Nero let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "That was so cool…" he muttered.

"Yeah," Zeke agreed, his gaze lingering on the fighters. "They were good."

They turned and started walking again, still caught up in the excitement of what they'd just seen.

* * *

After the duel ended, Nero and Zeke wandered off, eager to explore more of the academy.

The next few hours passing in a blur.

—They visited the massive training grounds, where students were testing their abilities under supervision. Some practiced elemental magic, while others sparred in combat rings, their strikes fast and precise. Nero and Zeke watched as a second-year effortlessly shot down moving targets with lightning-quick arrows, his purple robe fluttering behind him.

—They found the library, a towering structure with floating shelves that moved on their own, shifting books between sections. A few students sat in silence, deeply engrossed in their studies, while others whispered about upcoming lessons. Zeke took one look at the endless rows of books and groaned. "Let's get out of here before we accidentally learn something." Nero just chuckled and dragged him along.

—They checked out one of the recreational areas, where students were playing various sports on enchanted fields that adjusted to the players' movements. Some used magic to enhance their agility, while others relied purely on skill. Zeke nudged Nero. "Think we'll have time to join a team?" "Let's survive first," Nero replied, half-joking.

—They grabbed some drinks from a vending station that materialized their orders out of thin air. Zeke took a sip, then made a face. "Tastes weird." "You picked 'mystery berry,' what did you expect?"

—They ended up at a terrace overlooking the academy, where they could see the distant glow of Eternia's city lights. The twin moons hung overhead, casting a soft light across the campus. It was strangely peaceful.

By the time they checked the time, it was already past 9 PM.

Zeke stretched. "Guess we should head back before we pass out in the middle of the road."

"Yeah," Nero agreed, stifling a yawn. They had spent the entire day walking around, and exhaustion was finally creeping in.