[Act V: Noren Academy]

Ellis Vane drifted off to the rhythmic lullaby of the train, a sleep so deep she only stirred when sunlight pooled on her lashes. The carriage stood still at a platform emblazoned with an academy crest.

Professor Miro tapped her shoulder with a knuckle. Rubbing sleep from the corners of her eyes, she followed him out.

Sunlight streamed through the vaulted skylight overhead, filtered into golden silk that draped over the shoulders and hair of the bustling crowd.

Watching the train vanish into a shimmering blue rift behind them, a thought struck her: "If you can drive a dimensional train, couldn't you have just teleported us here directly?"

"Wanted to build some rapport with the new recruit!" Professor Miro grinned. "Besides, large-scale teleportation burns through a lot of mana crystals..." He avoided her gaze, prompting an exasperated eye-roll from Ellis. That sounded exactly like him.

Stepping out of the station, dawn light flowed along the razor edges of towering skyscrapers, their glass facades glowing amber.

Magical currents intertwined with steam pipes crisscrossing the streets; the air hummed with the metallic tang of alchemy. Professor Miro spread his arms wide, gesturing towards the skyline, his voice booming: "Welcome to Hephaestia City—where magic waltzes with steam!"

The sight pinned Ellis in place. This kaleidoscopic cityscape washed over her memories of drab greys like a flood. Though the gesticulating middle-aged man beside her was admittedly more conspicuous...

"Don't you wear uniforms here?" Ellis tugged his sleeve, curiosity threading her voice.

"See those badges on collars?" Professor Miro fished a badge engraved with an owl insignia from his briefcase, giving it a proud little shake. "Here's your pass. Just pin it on."

Ellis took the badge, securing it to her hoodie. A strange, complex wave of emotion washed over her. How many times had she dreamed of this? "So now... I'm a student of Noren Academy." Her voice was soft, laden with unspoken history.

As they walked, conversation flowed easily—from the mysteries of magic to the uncertainties of the future. Unnoticed, their steps led them to the academy's imposing gates.

Carved from deep grey granite, the gates were a frozen forest, intricate vines and leaves seeming to pulse with verdant life under the sun. The seams in the stone hinted at green tendrils, inviting a touch to feel the subtle thrum of energy within.

A quiet awe settled over Ellis. This was the threshold to another world, an unknown destiny.

"This is Noren Advanced Academy of Magic—the cradle of Elements and Arcana!" Professor Miro stopped abruptly, executing a ridiculous pirouette that drew a surprised laugh from Ellis.

"You really don't need to introduce it like I'm a kid..." she sighed, half-amused, half-embarrassed.

"Nonsense! Making new students feel welcome is this legendary mentor's sacred duty!" He struck a pose that was both pompous and absurd, embodying his self-appointed role as "ambassador."

Professor Miro guided her inside, pointing out landmarks. "That's the main lecture hall. The circular fountain out front is one of the academy's icons." He gestured towards the mist-shrouded fountain, its spray softening the laughing students nearby into hazy silhouettes gilded by the late afternoon sun.

"To our right, the library. That glass facade makes it look like a giant sliver of amber in the sunlight." Ellis followed his gaze. The building reflected the sky's light, mirroring the students moving past. A faint scent of spring blossoms and sweetness hung in the air.

"Come on, time's getting on. Let's see your room." Professor Miro led her into the lecture hall building, then abruptly turned right down an unremarkable corridor. They climbed stairs to the fifth floor.

"Dorms... inside the lecture hall?" Ellis frowned, suspicion narrowing her eyes as she looked at Professor Miro.

"Well..." He rubbed his hands together, looking sheepish.

"West Campus dorms are full. You're... exceptionally admitted." He pushed open a heavy wooden door ahead, dislodging a shower of dust motes. "But look at the perk! Told you! Genuine single room!"

Ellis stepped inside. Four bare metal bed frames stood in a row against one wall. She pressed a hand to her forehead. "This is a single?"

"It's empty now. Soon, you'll be the sole occupant!" Professor Miro rubbed his gleaming scalp, an awkward chuckle escaping him.

"And these four beds? They're just... holding space for potential future roommates! Finding the right one takes... serendipity!"

He winked, giving her a thumbs-up. The fading sunlight caught his face, lending it a warm glow. "Anyway... it's definitely better than that leaky rented room."

"Starting today, I'm officially your mentor!" Before Ellis could react, Professor Miro attempted a formal bow. His round belly and tight waistcoat conspired against him, resulting in a comically stiff movement.

"So! I'll leave you to settle in. Pleasure to have you aboard!" He turned and lumbered down the corridor, his slightly clumsy figure disappearing around the corner.

Ellis watched him go, then turned to survey her new space. Two bunk beds faced each other. Square windows let in the deepening twilight. Simple, clean, surprisingly spacious.

She stood by the window, watching lights flicker on across the distant academy buildings. A complex, unnamed feeling swelled within her.

"This," she murmured softly, "is where my new life begins."

She moved further into the room, beginning to explore this new world that was hers. Standing in the center, she glanced around, a mix of uncertainty and quiet anticipation stirring within her.

Her fingertips brushed the cold metal edge of a bed frame, as if testing the reality of the space.She casually picked up the school map left by Professor Miro, her eyes falling on the paper with a faint ink scent.

Her fingers lightly traced the intricate lines and annotations — Noren Academy of Advanced Magic consists of three campuses:

Verdandi Campus — Main Campus (Academic and Research Center, housing various colleges, laboratories, and functional facilities)

Urd Campus — Dormitory and Living Area (Features multiple club activity rooms, lounges, and open-air courtyards, serving as a vital space for student socialization and relaxation)

Skuld Campus — Humanities and Arts Campus (Includes open-air theaters, concert halls, galleries, poetry corners, handicraft workshops, teahouses, bookstores, cafes, small theaters, and exhibition halls, acting as the academy's 'cultural heart')

By the time she snapped back to the present, the last crimson streaks of sunset had faded from the window frame, replaced by cool, silver moonlight spilling inside. Her fingertip brushed the cat-paw earring on her left earlobe.

A seam opened in the air. Her duffel bag, folded clothes, and toiletries tumbled onto the bedsheet, stirring up fine dust motes that danced in the moonlight, as if time itself trembled slightly.

She placed the dragon-lizard crystal Professor Miro had given her on the nightstand. The tiny creature seemed exhausted, curled tightly in sleep, its little belly rising and falling with each breath, as if even its dreams held a warm rhythm.

The night breeze carried the scent of ink and paper, mingling with the pine resin smell from the bed frame. Somehow, it blended into a lullaby as potent as aged wine.

The girl curled up like a shrimp, strands of her hair still carrying sycamore fluff from the journey. Finally, like a dried salted fish, she sprawled out in her own small, square world.

"Sis... see that?" she whispered, her eyelashes casting delicate shadows in the moonlight. "In this room... geckos will always survive the rainy season."

[Region • Board of Directors]

"The girl who wields black magic has arrived at school today, right?" A poised, middle-aged woman with golden hair asked in a voice laced with hidden gravity.

"Yes, I just arranged her dormitory." Professor Miro hurried to respond.

"Has the information leaked?"

"Rest assured, we sealed the news immediately after the 'Destiny' event and avoided crowds, using the dimensional magic train. Almost no one would notice."

"Still, we can't be careless... I hope this rumor spreads even more slowly." The woman's voice carried a tinge of concern.

"Is it really necessary to be so cautious? Our academy has the strongest guard force. Even the 'Steam Parliament' lunatics wouldn't dare act rashly, right?"

"You still don't understand, Miro," the woman shook her head, a complex flicker passing through her eyes, "The moment we accepted her, we've drawn the attention of different organizations, nations — even entire races."

"If that's the case, we must be even more careful about this power falling into extremist hands! Her magic holds infinite potential!" Professor Miro exclaimed, startled.

"Her magic... truly has the potential to comprehend all magic?" the woman asked, her tone both inquisitive and contemplative.

"Yes, according to our tests, Vane's magic can resonate with nearly all elements and all types of magic. Moreover... it's like a abyss, boundless and capable of swallowing every magical attribute."

"Vane? She wasn't called 'Blackie'?"

"Well..." Professor Miro paused, a faintly mocking smile tugging at his lips, "Stray cat... rummaging through trash... what was that phrase again?"

"Never mind, what she's called doesn't matter," the woman sighed softly, her tone suddenly mellowing, "An abyss that devours all magic is also a convergence of all spectrums, a beacon of hope." She lifted her gaze slightly toward the moonlight outside the window, as if waiting for something... the echo of fate, silently descending.

[The Next Day]

Sunlight stabbed through her eyelids. Ellis Vane shot upright like a spring, her heart lurching into her throat as she registered the blinding light outside the window.

Crap! How long did I sleep?! She kicked off the tangled sheets and bolted from the dorm.

"Left out the door, then right... Damn it! Where is this stupid theory classroom?" Her canvas shoes slapped a frantic rhythm on the empty hallway tiles, each step chasing lost time.

She clutched the crumpled parchment schedule Professor Miro had given her yesterday, her palm slick with sweat.

"Ah! Found it!" She skidded to a halt, eyes locking onto a faintly glowing sign above a classroom door: Elemental Fundamentals. The words seemed glaringly bright in the dim corridor.

Blue light spilled from the front door, stretching her shadow long and thin. Inside, a magi-screen displayed elemental theory diagrams.

Ellis ducked low, slinking through the back door like a stray cat trying to go unnoticed. Holding her breath, she edged along the wall, every movement calculated for silence.

"The student entering via the back door... Late on the very first day?"

The homeroom teacher's voice cut through the air, laced with dry amusement. A tap of her finger froze the screen.

Her gaze, sharp as blades behind her spectacles, pinned Ellis mid-crouch in the corner.

A rustle swept through the room. Every head swiveled in unison, spotlights of attention fixing on her.

Ellis froze. Cold sweat soaked the parchment in her hand. Slowly, she pushed herself upright using a desk, forcing a weak smile. "Time... is relative, right? Maybe... I'm not late. Maybe you all..." she swallowed, "...arrived early?"

Silence. Deafening silence. Even the hum of the ceiling fan seemed amplified. The combined weight of everyone's stares + a joke that bombed = peak social humiliation.

Then, from the back right corner: "Pffft!"

It sounded like a crystal wind chime hitting glass—clear, bright, and utterly irreverent. The sound shattered the awkward tension.

The lavender-haired girl who'd laughed clapped a textbook over her face, the tips of her ears turning pink. Fumbling to open the book, she looked like a startled doll.

"Find a seat. We're reviewing magical fundamentals today." The homeroom teacher's voice held quiet authority as she tapped the remote. The holographic projection flickered back to life.

Head down, Ellis hurried to the back row, sliding into an empty seat. As she sat, she realized her neighbor was the girl who'd just laughed.

"I like that joke," the purple-haired girl murmured, leaning slightly towards her without looking away from the front.

"Thanks. It's... from a movie I like," Ellis replied softly, a tiny, genuine smile touching her lips.

The homeroom teacher chose that moment to walk directly between their desks. Both girls flinched and ducked their heads in perfect unison, like startled woodland creatures.

Ellis risked a sideways glance. Her neighbor's hair was a breathtaking ombre: blue-violet fading seamlessly from roots to tips, like mist over sunset. It fell just past her shoulders in lazy, sea-kissed waves.

The left side framed her face softly, highlighting delicate features. The right side was tucked behind a pale ear, revealing a slender neck. Plump cheeks hinted at youthfulness, but a straight, determined nose and a precisely shaped tip suggested a spark of sharp intelligence.

Her eyes were the palest blue, like cornflowers touched by morning dew—cool yet strangely captivating, balancing sharpness and softness.

A single white pearl stud on her left earlobe caught the light like captured starlight, shimmering with her slightest movement.

The sudden shriek of the dismissal bell yanked Ellis out of her observation.

Shouldn't have bothered coming in if class was ending anyway... Ellis groaned internally, covering her face with her hands, the muffled complaint barely audible.

"Want to grab lunch together?" A honeyed voice brushed against her ear.

Ellis Vane jerked her head up just as strands of lavender hair cascaded from the bent frame of the purple-haired girl.

Backlit by the window, her eyelashes glowed gold, and her pale blue eyes shimmered like ice lakes holding melted galaxies. Even the laugh lines at her lips seemed dipped in honeyed light.

"Didn't realize it was so late…" Ellis rasped, the words scraping her throat. Heat flooded her cheeks.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Lumi," the girl chimed, her smile luminous—sunlight breaking through clouds to warm the soul.

"Ellis—Ellis Vane!" Ellis blurted her full name.

"C'mon, Ellis. Latecomers get the sad leftovers," Lumi said, spinning away. Her skirt grazed the desk edge as a breeze of citrus swept past.

Ellis followed without protest. Lumi moved with a melody in her step, an aura of freshness softening the air around her. Sunlight stretched her slender shadow, painting it long and delicate across the floor.

Her oversized lilac V-neck sweater draped lazily over a white lace camisole, like dawn mist caught at noon. Lavender-scented languor seemed to radiate from the knit. Rolled sleeves revealed a silver chain dancing at her wrist—a liquid shimmer tracing her arm with each stride.

Matte-black tights hugged her legs, sleek as midnight yet hinting at hidden luster under the light. Below, sky-blue canvas sneakers offered a playful contrast, gentle against the tights' depth.

"You're pretty late today. Trouble finding the place?" Lumi glanced back, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

Ellis's gaze fixed nervously on Lumi's cheek. No way I can admit I overslept!

"Um...got a bit lost?" she mumbled, the lie brittle even to her own ears.

"Same! Took me forever to find this room~" Lumi's laugh was a warm balm, kind as if soothing a lost child.

Loose laces. Messy hair. She'd seen the signs. But she only arched a brow, eyes sparkling with unspoken amusement.

That little rush of chaos? That's youth for you.

Their footsteps echoed through empty halls—a silent dialogue of teenage hesitations. Sunlight gilded the corridor, turning their shadows into a path of gold leaf leading to the cafeteria.

Inside, the world sharpened. Savory steam hung thick—soy sauce, broth, fresh greens—a comforting embrace. Ellis trailed Lumi, her steps suddenly leaden.

The cafeteria roared. Laughter ebbed and flowed like waves, battering her unguarded nerves. Solitude was her refuge: quiet, predictable, free. Now she'd been tossed into a churning sea, every breath a struggle.

Her eyes darted—searching for escape, yet clinging to this unfamiliar anchor. Students clutched lunchboxes, waved to friends, debated over trays. Beyond the scent of food hung a buzz of life, vibrant and alien, already weaving itself into her world.

Ahead, Lumi moved with easy grace, nodding to passing faces. Her lilac sweater glowed softly—a beacon of belonging. Ellis watched, drawn yet distant, an outsider nursing a quiet ache of envy.

"Hey, what're you craving?" Lumi turned, voice bright as wind chimes.

Ellis scanned the crowded serving counters. "Anything's fine," she murmured.

"Leave it to me." Lumi's eyes softened. She didn't press, just turned to collect trays, fluid as a dancer.

Watching her, Ellis breathed easier. Lumi's presence simplified the noise.

Soon they sat by a sun-drenched window, light dappling the table. Lumi slid a tray between them: two plates of kung pao chicken over rice, a bowl of mapo tofu, crisp cucumber salad. Simple. Honest.

"You seem tense," Lumi said, plucking a chicken piece with her chopsticks. "Still adjusting to academy life?"

Ellis offered an awkward smile, about to answer, when a male voice cut in.

"Don't tell me you opened a convenience store branch here?" A boy with green hair sauntered towards them, his tone dripping with sarcasm and disdain.

It was Barry. Her kindergarten classmate. The first to call her Blackie. He had a knack for appearing at her most vulnerable moments—like last year, when she'd slipped into a muddy puddle during a downpour. Instead of helping, he'd stood five paces away, kicking muddy water with his boot, like teasing a trapped fish.

Though Ellis had always treated him with cold indifference, Barry persisted. He seemed to relish her discomfort, like watching a carefully staged farce—even if the lead refused to play along, he stubbornly waited backstage for the moment his words would crack her facade.

"Looks like you've made a new friend. That is a rare sight," he sneered, narrowing his eyes at Ellis before shifting his gaze to Lumi, a smirk playing on his lips. "Don't tell me you actually think skills like yours could get you into this academy?"

Seems the past isn't done with me yet, Ellis thought, bracing for a retort. But a clear voice cut through the air beside her ear—

"Hey! That's no way to talk to someone." Lumi met the boy's gaze, her tone gentle but layered with steel—as if drawing an unbreakable line with the softest touch.

Barry's brow furrowed as he turned to her, impatience sharp in his voice. "Oh? And who're you? I've known her for over a decade. This doesn't concern you, Purple."

Lumi's expression cooled, her reply momentarily held. It was Ellis who rose then, her calm gaze locking onto his face like a blade finding its sheath.

"Still clinging to that nasty habit of slapping labels on people, I see." Her voice was low, frost threading through each word.

"If you've got a problem, bring it to me." She spoke evenly, as if discussing the weather, yet her stare pierced through any hint of malice. "And her name is Lumi."

"Well, well! Look who grew a backbone, Blackie!" Barry raised an eyebrow, a mocking grin spreading. "Talking tough now?"

"The only one who hasn't grown up is you. Finding amusement in provoking and mocking others... is that lifestyle really so fulfilling? Though I suppose it suits you."

Ellis's voice remained calm, her words light as a dragonfly skimming water, yet they sent ripples through his composure.

Lumi blinked, surprised. She'd pegged Ellis as gentle, easygoing, perhaps even a bit soft. But now, she was like a mirror, reflecting an unexpected sharpness beneath the gentle surface.

Barry's lip twitched, as if bitten, but he struggled to maintain his arrogant sneer. "Fine! Just you wait! Hope I run into you during the upcoming combat drills!"

He turned and walked away. His steps were steady, but the slight stiffness in his retreat betrayed a hint of fluster.

"Anytime," Ellis's gaze followed his retreating back, her voice soft as the wind yet heavy as the night.

Conflict, crowds—they weren't her preference. She'd rather be a lazy cat in a corner, watching the wind slip through her fingers.

But when something she valued was threatened, she became a wolf, teeth bared. It wasn't about hardness; her past had taught her—gentleness wasn't an excuse for weakness.

"Sorry you had to see that," Ellis turned back to Lumi, a trace of lingering embarrassment in her smile.

"Haha, I'm fine!" Lumi's voice was bright and clear, instantly dispelling the tension. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Ellis. "And you? You were really cool just now."

"I just..." Ellis's voice dropped, speeding up slightly, "did what needed doing. Said what needed saying." She turned her face slightly away from Lumi's direct gaze, her long lashes lowering, casting trembling shadows on her cheeks.

"Sometimes," Lumi propped her chin on her hands, leaning forward slightly. Her clear eyes reflected Ellis's faintly flushed profile and the steam rising from their cups. "'What needs doing' and 'what needs saying'... that's precisely where the most courage is needed."

Her fingertip tapped lightly against her teacup, making a tiny, clear sound. "Like this hot tea. It looks quiet and gentle. But holding it steady, not letting it burn you or spill... that takes a little skill too." Her analogy was childishly playful, yet hit the mark.

Ellis finally lifted her gaze, meeting Lumi's smiling eyes. There was no probing, no judgment—only pure understanding and support, clear almost to transparency.

Like early spring sunshine, not blazing, but enough to chase away the lingering chill, warming seeds beneath frozen earth. The string of embarrassment that had tightened within Ellis loosened under that candid gaze.

She didn't reply to Lumi's words. Instead, she gently blew across the surface of her tea. Then, finally, a genuine, unforced smile touched her lips.

It was faint but real, like a petal dropped onto still water, the ripples brightening and softening the whole space. She lowered her head and took a sip of the warm tea. The liquid flowed down, carrying its clean aroma and a subtle sweetness, warming a corner of her heart long accustomed to solitary frost.