The Academy Awakens

The morning light poured through the windows of a small inn on the eastern side of Libra's capital. Kael Vidarson, now clothed in a robe of black, red, gold, and ivory white—the official uniform of Astral Sanctum Academy—stood before a mirror, adjusting his collar. The outfit shimmered lightly under the sunlight, its elegant design radiating nobility and power, despite his background.

He sighed softly, brushing his fingers across the insignia stitched over his chest: a star woven in golden threads—symbol of the Academy's authority.

Stepping out, he made his way through the streets toward the Academy. Libra's capital was unlike any city he'd ever seen. It wasn't just big—it was otherworldly. Every building glowed with a subtle magic. Magic-operated lifts, floating market carts, spellbound fountains, and roaming arcane sentinels—every element reminded him he wasn't in RagDon anymore.

As he entered the gates of Astral Sanctum, a voice called out.

"Hey! First day too?" a boy asked, jogging up beside him.

He was a commoner by the looks of his clothes, with unkempt brown hair and an eager smile.

"Yeah," Kael replied.

"I'm Ner, by the way. You're Kael, right? Heard about you already," he said, glancing toward Kael's bandaged right eye.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "That fast?"

"Word travels fast when it involves someone who scarred rumors and caught the attention of nobles," Ner chuckled. "This year's entrance? It's not normal. All Eight Great Families have sent their descendants."

Kael narrowed his eyes. "Even the ones from the Great Forest?"

Nev nodded. "Yep. Demi-humans, dragons, vampires—Raghas' strongest bloodlines and two princesses from Eronel's Murim/Martial continent . They call them the 'Twelve Beauties of the Era.', and they're all in Class S—specifically the SCORPIO Division.

"Ten are from Raghas, and two are from Eronel, the martial/murim continent. They were all pre-selected for S-Class."

Kael blinked. "Twelve… in one class?"

"Yep. SCORPIO allows up to 16, so 4 slots are still open."

"Could I join?"

Nev laughed. "Even if you're strong, it's hopeless. SCORPIO's master—Hailey—only selects women. She's the one with the eye-patch and red eyes. A total demon in training, but insanely powerful."

"S-Class?" Kael asked.

"There are three S-Class divisions this year: SCORPIO, VIPER, and LAGANDER. Each S-Class has 16 slots. The first one—SCORPIO—is already mostly filled."

Ner paused dramatically. "That class is led by Hailey, a powerful woman known as the 'Queen of poison.' She also trains students in the inner training ground. Rumor is, she only chooses females."

Kael blinked. "So I can't join?"

Ner laughed. "Unless you change genders, no. It's said she only chose four members this year outside the princesses, and one of them is a maid—Rem. Not confirmed though."

Kael grunted. "What about Vaelion?"

"Ah yes, your favorite guy." Ner smirked. "He's been placed directly into VIPER, led by Madam Melin—a cold-blooded, silver-haired woman with eyes like gold. Her class is known for tactical warfare and raw destructive magic."

Kael clenched his fist silently.

Ner continued. "And the final S-Class is LAGANDER, under a male instructor with long orange-gold hair. They say he's from a forgotten war clan. He accepted the youngest son of the Runcal family, a prodigy with unmatched aura control."

Kael looked away. "Tch. So Vaelion's already in S-Class… with Clara. That's one class I'm staying far away from."

They reached the Grand Auditorium, already filled with hundreds of students. A hush fell over the crowd as the doors parted and Headmaster Raelis Thornhart entered—tall, lean, with deep emerald eyes and a gaze that could slice through steel. He raised his hand, and silence fell like a spell.

"Welcome," he said, his voice echoing, "to Astral Sanctum Academy, governed under the watchful eye of the Libra family."

The atmosphere tensed as a new figure stepped forth—Aureliana Libra, the Matriarch of Libra. She was stunning—tall, elegant, dressed in flowing gold and white robes. Her blonde hair cascaded like a river of sunlight, and her golden eyes shimmered with an ancient wisdom.

"I am Aureliana Libra," she said calmly. "This is my domain. The domain of law, balance, and knowledge. Welcome to the most sacred institution in Raghas. Prove yourselves worthy."

The crowd erupted in applause. Even Kael found himself staring, not with awe—but with a quiet resolve.

Then came the announcement.

"The top student of the year so far," Headmaster Raelis declared, "Vaelion Elarion—heir of the central Elarion family!"

Vaelion stepped forward, dressed like royalty—dark cyan hair flowing behind him, wearing a black noble uniform lined with silver and emerald. The cheers were deafening.

He looked down at the crowd—and locked eyes with Kael.

Kael's heart pounded.

"To the students," Vaelion said, smiling, "I offer one piece of advice: You are not special—until you force the world to acknowledge you. Good luck."

Kael's jaw clenched. The nobles whispered, "Isn't that Kael? The one he scarred?" They laughed.

Lady Sofia Libra, standing beside her brother William, smirked. "Told you this year would be interesting."

The Evaluation

The class evaluation began.

When Kael's name was called, some nobles in the audience chuckled.

"That's the bastard Vaelion scarred.""He's still here?""Maybe he'll cry again."

Kael ignored them. He walked into the testing platform where a massive Runic Golem stood—powered by spells and reinforced with enchanted steel.

"You may begin," one instructor said.

Kael gripped the hilt of his sword. The crowd was still, expecting him to fail.

He whispered under his breath:

"Baskan Sword – First Form…" sword techniques can be strong and weak but the difference is weak ones are easy to learn but the strong ones are hard to learn and find. 

His magenta aura exploded outward.

The entire hall gasped.

Kael stood before a crowd of instructors and class leaders. 

He gripped his sword tightly, recalling the form left to him by his master—Eorun.

His aura flared—a burst of magenta lit the stage, shocking the crowd.

The color alone caused immediate tension.

Raelis Thornhart headmaster, Aureliana, and the S-Class leaders looked stunned.

Hailey—leader of SCORPIO—raised her visible eye, the red iris glowing under her black hair. Her eyepatch twitched slightly.

Madam Melin of VIPER narrowed her golden eyes.

The male instructor of LAGANDER, with his long orange-gold hair, muttered, "Magenta… it can't be…"

Kael moved.

"Baskan Sword: First Form – Flurring Gush!"

His blade howled with aura, slicing through the golem with magic . The energy shot forward like tearing hounds, shredding the enchanted construct into fragments.

Gasps filled the room.

Headmaster Raelis stepped forward. "A magenta aura… A forbidden lineage perhaps… yet undeniable mastery. Who taught you?"

Kael answered firmly, "Eorun Van Jo Han."

Silence.

Aureliana smiled. "So the old man still takes disciples. Interesting."

She vanished with a whisper of teleportation magic.

Lady Sofa whispered to William, "Didn't I say this year's students would be fun to watch?"

William nodded..

Hailey remained seated. Her eye lingered on Kael.

"Why… does that aura feel so familiar?" she muttered.

Kael sheathed his blade and looked up toward the S-Class balconies. One day, he would stand among them—not by birthright, but by strength.