The descent from the mountain took most of the morning. The winding path that once showed the city as a distant jewel now brought it closer with every step. Stone walls rose higher, roads widened, and soon the air was filled with voices, footsteps, and the sounds of trade. Along the way, Izan and Sayaka helped travelers, guided lost families, and assisted merchants who had dropped their wares, earning grateful smiles and thanks as they passed.

  Over the past few months, Izan had grown noticeably. His clothes no longer fit properly—sleeves too short, hems frayed from travel. Sayaka noticed immediately.

  Before long, they were weaving through crowded streets lined with shops. Sayaka stopped in front of a clothing store and gently guided Izan inside.

  "Try these," she said, handing him a fresh set of clothes—simple but sturdy. "You'll need proper ones from now on."

  Izan's eyes lit up. "New clothes?"

  "Yes. And school supplies too," she added.

  By the time they left, Izan wore clean, well-fitted clothes, his old ones folded neatly away. Sayaka herself had changed outfits as well—something practical, yet elegant in its simplicity.

  As they walked closer to the ocean, the atmosphere changed. Shops became fewer, streets quieter. The salty scent of seawater filled the air, and the sound of waves repced the noise of crowds.

  Sayaka stopped in front of a small shop near the docks. A sign hung crookedly on the door:

  CLOSED

  She pushed the door open anyway.

  "Hey—! You can't just walk in!" a loud voice snapped.

  Before Sayaka could respond, the shopkeeper froze. Her expression shifted instantly into a wide grin.

  "…Sayaka?"

  In a blur of motion, the woman leapt over the counter and wrapped her arms around Sayaka, spinning herself around enthusiastically while holding her. "You're alive! You're really here!"

  Sayaka stood stiffly, expression completely bnk. "Get off me."

  The woman ughed, setting herself back and stepping aside to look Sayaka over. "Well, I'll be damned. If it isn't Sayaka."

  Her gaze shifted to Izan. "And who's this little man?"

  Izan stared, dumbfounded. He tugged lightly on Sayaka's sleeve. "Is… is she your friend?"

  Sayaka sighed. "She's just someone I knew from back when your mother was your age."

  "HEY!" the woman shouted. "I am not an old dy! I'm only forty!"

  She crossed her arms with a huff. "Hmph! The name's Yara."

  She crouched slightly to Izan's level, eyes sharp but curious. "Let me guess—you're here to enroll him in the academy, huh?"

  Sayaka nodded.

  Yara's pyful expression softened. "Wait… you said his mother went there too. What was her name?"

  Sayaka hesitated. "Aremi. She passed away two years ago. People were after her."

  Yara's smile faded completely. "…I see."

  She knelt and gently hugged Izan. "I'm sorry, kid. You've been through a lot. You're strong—for your age."

  Izan nodded quietly.

  "What's your name?" Yara asked, her tone gentle now.

  "Izan… Izan Arakami."

  Yara smiled. "Well then, Izan Arakami… I'll try to get you into the school."

  Sayaka frowned. "Try?"

  Yara scratched the back of her head. "The school year started a month ago. You know how strict they are—te admissions are rare."

  Sayaka exhaled slowly. "Then tell them I'm his spirit guardian. That should interest whoever the principal is."

  Yara paused. "…The principal is Valeria."

  Sayaka froze.

  "…The same Valeria who was Aremi's friend?"

  Yara nodded.

  Izan looked between them. "Who's Valeria?"

  Sayaka crouched beside him. "She was your mother's first friend when she entered the academy. They stayed close after that… though I can't remember much more. I'm sorry."

  "It's okay," Izan said softly.

  Sayaka turned back to Yara. "Thanks. You helped me remember something."

  Yara tilted her head. "You lost your memories?"

  "When my previous user dies and I'm passed on," Sayaka expined, "memories tied to them fade. I can only recover fragments—through hints, emotions, or familiar situations."

  Yara smiled reassuringly. "Then Valeria will help. And me too—we're best friends!"

  Sayaka shot her an annoyed look.

  "Alright, alright," Yara ughed. She closed the shop. "Let's move. I'll get you across the ocean."

  She secured the fastest two-seat boat avaible. Izan sat between Sayaka's legs as Yara took the helm.

  The boat shot forward at full speed.

  "Yara—slow down," Sayaka warned. "I don't like getting wet."

  "Aww," Yara ughed, steering wildly. "Is the kitty scared of the ocean?"

  Sayaka grabbed her by the hair. "Focus."

  "I am!" Yara ughed harder.

  Izan giggled softly, watching the two reunite like old times.

  Soon, they reached the docks across the water. Before them stood massive gates—so rge the nd beyond seemed endless. Yara unlocked them, and they stepped inside.

  The academy grounds were eerily quiet.

  They climbed to the second floor and entered the principal's office.

  "Learn some manners," a calm voice said.

  The chair spun around.

  Valeria froze the moment she saw them.

  "…How?" she whispered. "…Why?"

  Yara closed the door and expined everything—Aremi, Izan, Sayaka, the lost memories.

  Valeria approached Izan slowly, still stunned. She gently lifted his chin. "I'm sorry… for everything you've endured."

  She hugged him, then turned to Sayaka. "Thank you. For protecting him."

  Valeria studied Izan quietly, her eyes narrowing just slightly as if sensing something deeper. After a moment, she stepped closer.

  "You really are your mother's son," Valeria said softly. "Not by appearance… but by your aura. I can still feel Aremi inside you."

  Izan blinked, caught off guard. His cheeks slowly warmed, and he turned his face away, embarrassed.

  Yara noticed instantly and grinned. "Oh? So he does blush," she teased, leaning forward. "Didn't expect that from you, kid."

  Valeria allowed herself a faint smile before straightening. "He'll start tomorrow," she said calmly. "No exceptions."

  Sayaka inclined her head slightly. "Thank you."

  Valeria shook her head, her expression softening as she looked at Sayaka. "No… thank you," she said quietly. "For protecting him all this time. For saving my life—more than once." She paused, voice lowering. "And for saving Velmira. I won't forget that."

  Izan swallowed and bowed his head slightly. "Thank you," he said, his voice small but sincere.

  Valeria opened the folder and looked at Izan. "Do you want to pick your csses yourself, or… should Sayaka?"

  Izan shook his head quickly. "Let Sayaka do it. She knows what's best for me, after all."

  Valeria nodded with a faint smile. "Very well." She turned to the folder and began selecting the teachers carefully.

  "First," she said, "Aurelia—Control Magic and Healing. She'll teach you how to manage your mana, control your powers, and maintain your health."

  "Next is Drex, your Archery instructor. Precision, focus, and patience—he'll sharpen your aim."

  "Then Raikuro, Strength and Hand-to-Hand Combat. Expect intense physical training; he doesn't go easy on anyone."

  "Following him is Yueri. Stealth and Magic—she specializes in subtlety and trickery, teaching you to think several steps ahead of your opponent."

  "Jinhai comes next—Speed. Reflexes and movement will be pushed to their limits."

  "And finally, Xialian Zhen, master of the sword. Discipline, technique, and precision—he'll teach you how to handle a bde perfectly."

  Izan gnced at Sayaka. "So… which ones?"

  Sayaka looked over the list once more. “Aurelia, Raikuro, and Yurei. They’re the best fit for you.”

  She tapped the folder. "Aurelia first—Control Magic and Healing. He must learn to manage his mana properly."

  "Then Raikuro, for Strength and Hand-to-Hand Combat. Physical power is just as important as magic."

  "And finally, Yurei, Stealth and Magic. He needs to know how to move unseen and think strategically. These csses will also help him practice and control the new power he will soon awaken, though its full extent will only reveal itself during the ritual."

  Izan nodded, trusting her completely. "Sounds good. That's all?"

  "For now," Sayaka replied. "The others will come ter. Step by step."

  Valeria nodded approvingly. "Very well. With these three, we can start organizing the schedule immediately."

  She opened the folder again, adjusting a few pages before speaking.

  "Your day will be divided into three parts."

  "Homeroom runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is where you'll learn the foundations—world history, mathematics, geography, power systems, and how society functions beyond combat."

  "After that, you'll have a thirty-minute lunch break. Use it to rest, eat, or prepare mentally for training."

  She tapped the next page.

  "From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, you will attend one specialized css per day."

  "On Mondays, you'll train under Aurelia in Control Magic and Healing."

  "Tuesdays are reserved for Raikuro's Strength and Hand-to-Hand Combat."

  "Wednesdays are for Yueri's Stealth and Magic."

  "The schedule then cycles back."

  She closed the folder, meeting Izan's eyes. "This system exists so students can focus fully on one discipline at a time. Power grows faster when the mind isn't split."

  "After csses end, you may return to your dorm or stay for an extra hour with any teacher for additional study or credit."

  Izan listened intently, gncing between Sayaka and Valeria. "Extra hour… sounds tough, but I'll try if I need it."

  Valeria smiled faintly. "Good. Discipline and effort will serve you well here."

  Her eyes meeting Izan's with a seriousness that made him sit straighter. "Now, before you officially start csses, there is something important. After Yara gives you the tour of the academy grounds, we will perform a ritual to determine your true powers and elemental affinities. This will show not only your potential but also how your abilities can develop most efficiently. It is crucial for your growth here."

  Izan blinked, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside him. "A ritual… to find my powers?"

  "Yes," Valeria said calmly. "It will not harm you. Think of it as a mirror—reflecting what is already inside, but waiting to be awakened. During this ritual, you will also summon your own animal or insect companion. Every student here has one—they serve as messengers, helpers, and guides. Some are birds, others are insects, or other creatures. They are bound to their master and can carry important messages across distances. You will summon yours as part of discovering your power, and it will accompany you throughout your journey."

  Sayaka pced a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll be right there with you."

  "Yara," she said calmly, "give Izan a tour of the academy grounds."

  Yara straightened immediately. "Yes, Headmistress."

  Izan slid off his seat, gncing between them. Sayaka met his eyes and gave a small nod—steady, reassuring.

  "Come on," Yara said, already turning toward the door. "I'll show you where you'll actually be surviving most of your days."

  Izan followed her to the door. Just before leaving, he looked back at Sayaka. She gave him a small, confident nod.

  The door closed.

  The room grew quiet.

  Valeria's expression turned serious.

  "I believe Izan's father… and the people after him," Valeria said slowly, her eyes darkening, "were after his entire family… specifically, they wanted his head. They intended to erase the bloodline completely." She said this with her hands csped together, leaning on the counter, her chin resting lightly atop them.