Welcome to Emberlight University, Young Man!

After stepping out of the one-of-a-kind Bugatti Chiron, Kirie was greeted by a vast expanse of private land, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Before him stood man-made walls—ancient, resilient—built by history and reinforced with magic. They were a testament to the blend of human ingenuity and adaptation, standing strong against the passage of time while seamlessly coexisting with nature.

Beyond those walls, a breathtaking campus unfolded.

Towering buildings of varied architecture rose high, each one a distinct monument to its specialty. Some hummed with archaic, mystical energy, their surfaces etched with runic symbols pulsing faintly in the morning light. Others, in stark contrast, were monuments of technological innovation, sleek and gleaming with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The paved roads were alive with movement, inscribed with sigils of wind magic that boosted the strides of students and faculty alike, allowing them to glide effortlessly toward their destinations.

Lamps, elegantly floating within sturdy poles, shifted in hue and temperature, adapting in real time to counteract the sweltering heat of summer or the biting cold of winter.

Doors, sensitive to both motion and magic, parted smoothly as people approached, responding with precision and ease.

Above it all, floating islands drifted in controlled orbits, each one repurposed into personal training chambers. They provided the ultimate freedom for students to hone their abilities without risking harm to others.

This was Emberlight University.

A utopia for Kirie.

A place where he could make his mother's vision a reality, and he would do everything in his power to bring her blueprints to life.

He could see many other students wearing pieces of clothing that might be uniforms, like matching white blazers and pants, while their inner garments were color coded seemingly by year. Lilac, cyan, rose gold, and midnight blue.

Everyone wore some type of accessory that showcased a little of their personality. Many wore magical accents, enchanted pieces of armor, or even tech that subjected the blazers to be modified.

Kirie scanned the crowd of students moving through the vast campus, his eyes drawn to the matching white blazers and pants that hinted at a uniform. Yet, it was the inner garments—subtle but striking—that set them apart.

Lilac, cyan, rose gold, midnight blue.

A clear hierarchy of years, woven seamlessly into their attire.

Beyond the colors, the students expressed their individuality through carefully chosen accessories. Some wore magical accents—floating sigils orbiting their wrists, enchanted brooches that shimmered with latent power. Others incorporated pieces of armor, runed gauntlets or plated shoulder guards blending seamlessly with the sleek uniform.

For the more technologically inclined, advanced mods redefined the blazers entirely. Fabric-shifting nanotech, integrated holo-displays, or exo-skeletal enhancements—each innovation subtly shaping their presence.

No two students looked the same, yet together, they embodied the fusion of magic and progress that defined Emberlight University.

And soon, Kirie would be one of them.

The crowd of students all seemed to be moving in the same direction as the towering bell above them chimed, its deep, resounding toll cutting through the air.

Perched high above the campus, the grand bell tower stood as a silent overseer, its aged metal surface intricately carved with an analog clock. Yet, beside the old-world craftsmanship, a holographic display shimmered to life, overlaying modern convenience onto history.

[ MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE GRAND THEATRE FOR ORIENTATION ]

The bold announcement flashed across the projection, followed by a final ringing chime.

Kirie exhaled sharply, his eyes lighting up with unrestrained excitement.

"This is it...!"

His radiant smile was so blindingly bright that the four women behind him instinctively squinted.

But before he could take a single step—

"One moment, Young Master." / "Just a moment, Master Kirie."

Mille and Freda, moving in perfect sync, both dropped to a knee, their hands already smoothing out his attire before he had a chance to protest.

Mille adjusted the folds of his blazer, running her fingers along the fabric with practiced ease, ensuring every crease was immaculate. Freda, ever the perfectionist, reached up to fix his hair, carefully tucking stray strands into place with the kind of precision that came from years of discipline.

They really didn't miss a single detail.

Kirie blinked, looking away with a blush, their different types of charm like a one-two punch. It made him wonder—no, seriously question—just how and where his father, Sora, had managed to gather such a variety of women to serve him.

Not just any women, but ones who were all taller than him, stronger than most men, and drop-dead gorgeous. Each one unique in personality, yet equally overwhelming in presence.

And what was that nonsense about "payment"?!

His face flushed hot as the memory resurfaced, his body still tingling from their so-called "compensation."

What kind of deal had his Casanova of a father struck with these four?!

…Wait.

Was Freda part of such a deal too?!

His stomach twisted. The thought sent an entirely different kind of shiver down his spine.

"Tidying complete. Walk with pride, Young Master." Both stoic women nodded amongst each other before letting him pass between them.

"T-Thank you..." Kirie muttered, scratching his cheek before stepping forward to take the lead. He managed about a dozen steps before the unmistakable sound of multiple footsteps echoed behind him.

Four sets.

His brow twitched.

Surely, they weren't following him—

He glanced over his shoulder.

They were. All four of them.

Kirie sighed, pressing two fingers to his temple. "Girls..."

"Ya need an entourage for this typa thing, lil' boss." Panthera grinned, hands thrown casually behind her head as if the matter was already settled. "Show 'em what ya got just with us bein' witcha."

"We must account for everything that will happen around you, Young Master." Mille nodded, her tone perfectly composed—too composed.

"It would be wise to have all of us with you for your first day," Freda added, keeping a steady hand on the sheathed sword resting at her hip. The weapon glowed faintly with restrained power, the magical sheath acting as a conduit, a battery, and a seal all at once. She wasn't just coming along—she was prepared for battle.

And then—

"Sounds fun, so I'm tagging along~" Kelly smiled brightly, hands clasped together, looking utterly pleased with herself.

Kirie exhaled slowly.

So much for making a low-profile entrance.

He can't find it. A reason to deny them all. They seem fixated on guarding him for the whole day—worse, until they deem the campus grounds safe for his intentions. It was giving the male a headache, leading to a yielding sigh.

"Just... be on standby, okay? Nothing unnecessary, please..." The male pleads to them all.

The four women nodded in silent agreement, falling into step behind Kirie as they made their way toward the Grand Theatre.

Navigating the sprawling campus should have been a daunting task, but Emberlight University had its own way of guiding students.

The paved walkways pulsed faintly with arcane energy, their embedded sigils subtly adjusting Kirie's stride, nudging him in the right direction. Overhead, floating lanterns shifted in hue, marking paths and intersections with a soft, guiding glow.

Even in its design, this place was a seamless blend of magic and technology.

And as Kirie stepped through the towering entrance of the Grand Theatre, he couldn't help but feel it—

The weight of something far greater than himself settling over his shoulders.

Grandiose.

The Opera Theatre was a breathtaking fusion of state-of-the-art technology and arcane spectacle. While its technical aspects relied on the latest innovations, its true magnificence lay in the seamless integration of magic, woven into the very foundation of its design.

The seating levels alone stretched high and wide, easily accommodating over five thousand people.

A truly mind-numbing number.

Just imagining a public performance on that stage—all those eyes watching, judging, waiting for a misstep—sent a strange chill down Kirie's spine.

Pushing the thought aside, he made his way toward the Freshmen's section, where others his age were already settling in.

Or at least, he assumed they were his age.

The four women accompanying him, however, made no move to occupy the nearby seats. Instead, they took up position by the wall closest to him, their presence imposing yet silent, a protective formation that made it abundantly clear— They weren't just here for moral support.

Kirie exhaled, sinking into his seat.

Low profile? Yeah, right.

"Hey, pssst!"

A small voice from Kirie's right caught his attention.

He turned, his gaze landing on a quaint girl, certainly on the smaller side, roughly as petite as Isdis.

Her sky-blue hair was soft and fluffy like clouds, a stark contrast to the bright, golden warmth in her eyes.

Kirie blinked in surprise before flashing his father-patented, million-dollar smile. "Oh, hi!"

Without hesitation, the girl grinned back, her radiance matching his own.

"Name's Zaela! Nice to meet you!"

She dipped into a light, polite bow, her voice carrying the same energy as a sunrise—refreshing, warm, effortlessly bright.

Kirie mirrored her gesture, placing a hand over his chest as he bowed with her. "I'm Kirie! Nice to meet you too, Zaela!"

She extended a hand, and he took it, her grip soft yet steady.

Their hands lingered for a moment—

Then, just as quickly, she tilted her head playfully, her sunny gaze filled with curiosity.

"So... are those four bodyguards yours?" Her grin was triumphant. It was almost annoying.

Kirie scratched his cheek, the warmth spreading fast—too fast. His skin practically matched his hair.

"I… I don't know what to say, but yes, they are mine… Ahaha…"

The second the words left his mouth, he internally cringed.

What the hell did I just say?!

He wanted to turn away, bury himself in the nearest hole, pretend that sentence never happened—anything to escape the burning heat crawling up his neck.

But Zaela was still watching him.

And she looked far too entertained.

Her lips curled into a mischievous grin, eyes glinting like sunlight on water. She leaned in slightly, voice teasing.

"Oho~? They're yours, huh?"

Kirie opened his mouth—closed it—opened it again. Nothing. Absolutely nothing came out.

Mille and Kelly, either oblivious or enjoying his suffering, happily waved at Zaela, their smiles warm and welcoming.

Meanwhile, Freda and Panthera stood frozen.

Heat crept up their necks, pooling across their faces, their normally composed exteriors cracking just enough to betray their thoughts.

Freda's fingers twitched against the hilt of her sword, her posture unnaturally stiff. The disciplined knight's mind raced, her own voice replaying his words over and over.

They are mine.

She inhaled sharply. What a dangerous way to phrase it.

On the other hand, Panthera's amber eyes flickered with something unreadable. Her usual cocky smirk widened, like she was enjoying that forwardness. Even she wasn't sure if she was reacting out of embarrassment or something else entirely.

Zaela, oblivious to the mini emotional crisis happening behind her, tilted her head playfully.

"You sure do know how to pick 'em, huh, Kirie? Tall, strong, and ridiculously attractive?" She winked. "Some guys have all the luck."

"I swear it's not like that…!" Kirie groaned internally.

Zaela snorted. "Oh? Then what's it like?"

He struggled. He really struggled to find the right words, but every possible explanation sounded worse than the last.

Freda and Panthera were still suspiciously quiet.

Too quiet.

Kirie barely stole a glance at them, only to catch the way Freda's grip tightened on her sword, Panthera's jaw clenched just a little too hard. Did they take that the wrong way?!

Kirie exhaled through his nose, forcing himself to look ahead.

A sharp, crackling sound echoed from the front podium, instantly drawing the attention of every student in the Grand Theatre.

Then—

Multitudes of petals burst into the air, swirling from various directions, blooming behind them like a grand illusion.

And from the heart of the spectacle, a single figure emerged.

A man, striking in presence, bold in style, strode onto the stage. His suit, half-tailored as a kimono, half as a sleek modern ensemble, moved with his every step, effortlessly blending tradition with flair.

His hair—combed back to perfection, yet just unruly enough to suggest mischief. His smile, wide and knowing, exuded the kind of confidence only a seasoned showman could carry.

Kirie's jaw tightened.

Wait.

That suit. That ridiculously flashy entrance. That charming, yet infuriatingly loud presence.

No way.

Uncle Deb?!

The one and only Gravity Magician—the very same man who authored The Language of Flowers, a definitive guide to magical herbalism that also serves as a comprehensive biography of every flower known and unknown to the world?

His uncle?

The principal of Emberlight University?!

Oh no.

Of all people, it had to be him—the wacky magician who could literally talk someone's ear off.

"Welcome, one and all!"

Deb's arms shot wide open, and with the motion, a fresh wave of flowers and confetti exploded into the air, cascading over the students in a dazzling display.

"To Emberlight University! The proving ground for magicians and technomancers alike! A place where your dreams will be honed into a blade—tempered by challenge, bent by will, and recast by perseverance into a weapon, a belief, a testament to your mark upon the world!"

His voice boomed across the theatre, each word dripping with theatrical flair.

Kirie sighed internally.

Yup. This was definitely Uncle Deb.

"I am stoked to have you all!" Deb continued, gesturing grandly as if commanding an invisible orchestra. "Especially you freshmen, who have placed your trust and aspirations into Emberlight, daring to test its resilience, its brilliance, and—most importantly—its lifespan!"

The air shifted.

His grin sharpened, just slightly.

"Will you realize your dream? Will you attain a new one? Or will you break beneath its weight, heavier than life itself?"

A hushed murmur rippled through the crowd.

Deb spread his arms once more, exuding boundless enthusiasm. "I extend my open arms to you, alongside my ever-capable professors, to witness what you will accomplish in our humble training ground!"

As if on cue, teachers began stepping onto the stage from both sides.

Some walked with measured grace, their gazes filled with wisdom and scrutiny. Others strode with power, exuding an aura of authority that demanded respect.

Kirie's eyes scanned the growing lineup.

And then— His face warped. First in surprise. Then in abject horror.

That's—!

His aunts. His uncles.

They were among the professors.

Was this the real reason Sora enrolled him here?!

Kirie felt a chill creep down his spine.

He was so screwed.