A New Beginning at Aether Academy

Chapter 25: A New Beginning at Aether Academy

The entrance exam was over.

The battlefield had disappeared, the announcements had faded, and for the first time in days, the surviving students were allowed to breathe.

Rei Kurogane, battered but standing, stepped into the grand main hall of Aether Academy.

Rei (thinking): We made it. We actually made it.

He glanced at Souta and Akari, who looked just as exhausted.

Souta (grinning weakly): "Well… that was fun."

Akari (deadpan): "You call that fun?"

Souta (laughing): "Hey, we didn't die, right? That's a win in my book."

Rei adjusted his glasses, his mind already racing ahead.

They had secured the scholarship.They had entered Aether Academy.

But their journey was just beginning.

Dorm Assignments – Team 4B

Inside the academy hall, a massive holographic screen displayed the new student dorm assignments.

📜 Aether Academy Dormitory ListRei Kurogane – Dorm 4BSouta Arclight – Dorm 4BAkari Kisaragi – Dorm 4B

Rei (raising an eyebrow): "We're in the same dorm?"

Souta (grinning): "Oh, hell yeah! Team 4B, let's go!"

Akari (crossing arms): "This could either be really good or really annoying."

Rei was quiet, but in truth, he was relieved.

Being alone in this academy would be a nightmare.

At least with Souta and Akari, he knew where he stood.

Rei (thinking): We survived the entrance exam together. We can survive this place too.

First Interactions – Rivals and New Faces

Before heading to their dorm, they were approached.

The first to step forward was Lina Veras.

Lina (grinning): "Tch. Second place, huh? Not bad, but don't think I'll let you stay there for long."

Rei (calmly): "I expected nothing less."

Souta, meanwhile, was laughing with Kenji Arata, exchanging light punches.

Kenji: "You guys really pushed through that exam, huh? Almost thought you'd beat Kozuki."

Souta (grinning): "Almost."

Kenji (cracking his knuckles): "Next time, no 'almost.' Let's see if you're actually that good."

As the group bantered, Rei's eyes locked onto one person.

Kozuki Renjou.

Unlike the others, Kozuki didn't congratulate or mock him.

He simply stood silently.

Then, without a word, he turned and walked away.

Rei (thinking): He still doesn't acknowledge me as a threat.

Rei clenched his fists.

One day, that would change.

Arriving at the Dorm – A Moment of Rest

Dorm 4B was simple but comfortable.

Three separate rooms connected to a common area.A massive window overlooking the academy grounds.A private training space for practice.

Souta (throwing himself on the couch): "Ahhh… finally. A bed that isn't made of dirt."

Akari (sitting quietly): "The academy wasted no time. We're officially students now."

Rei sat down, staring at the Aether Academy emblem on the wall.

They had made it.

But the hardest part?

Was still ahead.

Tomorrow, their first official day as Aether Academy students would begin.

And Rei had no idea what was waiting for them next.