After the midterm exams concluded, the academy announced a study group program—a suggestion from none other than the head of the academy, Arsene von Braveheart.
I couldn’t help but feel there was a hidden agenda behind his proposal. This didn’t seem like the right ti for a study group. But regardless, I decided to participate. After all, I still had a quest to uncover the source of the shadows and reveal the true culprit behind the recent student kidnappings.
Professor Aldin explained the details to our class. The students were thrilled—this was the first study group in over a year. Excitent buzzed through the room.
Then ca the announcent: we would be traveling to the Grand Kingdom of Solara, ho to the fad Solara Magic Academy.
Solara was a neutral kingdom, one of the few places we could safely visit, given the ongoing conflict between Braveheart and the rcenary Kingdom of Gildoria.
The purpose of the study group was to deepen our understanding of magic. Solara, being the center of modern magical developnt, was the perfect destination.
The program would last one week and involve students from all years—first to third. That ant I’d be crossing paths with underclassn like Milly and Aisha.
The professors and class supervisors from each grade would also accompany us, including Instructor Morgan. I confided in Alia that this might be Arsene’s plan to investigate the mastermind behind the kidnappings. Alia agreed, saying it was a pri opportunity to keep an eye on Morgan.
To foster teamwork, the students were to be randomly divided into study groups of seven, with each group assigned specific tasks.
When the groups were announced, I braced myself. Lyra and Freya looked disheartened, fearing we’d be separated. anwhile, Alia wore her usual enigmatic smile.
And then...
I was stunned to find myself grouped with Alia, Freya, Lyra, Luna, Marius, and unexpectedly, Kael.
This was no coincidence. It had to be Alia’s doing. The power of the royal family truly was terrifying.
Lyra and Freya imdiately ran up to , their faces lighting up with joy.
"We’re in the sa group again, Naoki!" they exclaid, their excitent infectious.
Marius seed equally thrilled, Luna remained her stoic self, and Kael... just stood there, frozen. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here.
Alia approached with a calm expression. "I’m glad we’re all in the sa group, aren’t you, Naoki?" she said, her tone chillingly polite. Her words sent a shiver down my spine.
Our group’s assignnt was soon revealed: we were tasked with researching and summarizing the properties of Grimoires—powerful magical items capable of enhancing a mage’s abilities, though only those deed worthy could wield them.
My group seed eager to tackle the task, their enthusiasm contagious. Perhaps this study group would be more enjoyable than I anticipated.
The following day, we set off for the Grand Kingdom of Solara.
Given the large number of Braveheart students, we traveled in multiple caravans, with third-year students departing in the final session.
I found myself sharing a carriage with my group. Another of Alia’s "arrangents," no doubt.
The journey took an entire day. As we set out in the morning, the excitent in the air was palpable.
Lyra, Freya, and Alia insisted on sitting beside during the ride.
Freya claid she didn’t handle long trips well. Lyra said she wasn’t feeling great. Alia? She didn’t bother with an excuse—she simply leaned close to without a word.
Marius and Luna exchanged puzzled glances, while Kael looked downright annoyed, refusing to even glance in my direction.
By nightfall, we arrived at the gates of the Grand Kingdom of Solara.
The sight was awe-inspiring. The massive gates opened with magic, revealing a city protected by an imnse barrier that prevented aerial attacks. Solara’s defenses were impressive—sothing Braveheart could learn from.
Our caravan proceeded to the grand inn reserved for Braveheart students. The building was enormous, rivaling the size of our academy dormitories.
Once inside, the third-year students were directed to their rooms.
I ended up sharing a room with Marius and Kael. The atmosphere was tense at first, but surprisingly, Kael acted nonchalant, as if our rivalry no longer mattered.
Perhaps the animosity between us had faded... though I suspected he was still bitter. After all, I had burned his hair off during a duel—though that was thanks to Envi’s influence.
That night, we rested in preparation for the next day’s opening ceremony at Solara Magic Academy.
The following morning, we gathered in the academy’s grand hall for the ceremony.
The mont we stepped inside, we were srized.
The academy was filled with magical conveniences: lamps that lit up as we passed, staircases that moved on their own to take us to our destinations—there was no need to climb.
And then there were the students of Solara Magic Academy themselves.
They soared through the air on enchanted broomsticks, going about their daily routines with effortless grace.
The students of Braveheart Knight Academy, including my team, were left speechless. The seamless integration of magic into everyday life was truly a marvel to behold.
I noticed a huge difference in this area. In the Kingdom of Braveheart, magic is only used for combat, but in the Kingdom of Solara, magic is used in everyday life. Seeing this made realize how much this kingdom has advanced.
When we arrived at the hall for the opening ceremony, we were astonished by how large and grand the hall was, brightly lit and magnificent.
The students were already seated quietly, waiting for the speech from the Headmaster of the Solara Magic Academy.
Suddenly, the lights in the hall went out, and a magical light appeared in the circle above the stage. Then, an explosion of light scattered magical sparkles throughout the room. In the middle of it all, a man with a long white hair, golden eyes, holding a golden staff and wearing a wizard’s hat, appeared.
It was a dramatic entrance, and the person introduced himself.
"Good morning, students of Braveheart Knight Academy. I am Xerion von Solara, the second prince of the Grand Kingdom of Solara, and also the Headmaster of the Solara Magic Academy. It is a pleasure to et all of you." Xerion said elegantly.
All the students were in awe of him. He was probably around the sa age as Arsene and still looked young. The female students seed intrigued by him. However, when I looked at Lyra, Freya, Luna, and Alia, none of them seed to react.
"You will be divided into classes at this academy based on your year. First-year students will study in the Beginner’s Class, second-year students in the Advanced Class, and third-year students in the Master’s Class."
From his explanation, I understood that Solara Magic Academy doesn’t use A, B, and C class systems. They only have one class per year. However, their classrooms are spacious, and they are equipped with magical devices like projectors that display the instructors clearly, so their classrooms are well-suited for many students at once.
"Alright, I hope you will learn many new things here. Ask about magic from the teachers or the students here. We welco you with open arms! Together, let us advance magic! Well then, see you!" Xerion said with dignity before leaving the stage in another dramatic fashion, with another burst of light.
...
After that, we all went to our respective classes according to the previous divisions. I saw Milly and Aisha with their group entering the Beginner’s Class. I waved at them, but only Aisha waved back, while Milly pretended not to care.
I entered the Master’s Class with my teammates and other students from classes 3-B and 3-C.
Before entering, we third-year students had a brief eting with each other, sothing that rarely happens at the academy, and we introduced ourselves.
I learned that there are so key students in each class. For example, in Class 3-A, the central figure is Julius von Starlight. He is from the Starlight family, a family of heroes in the Kingdom of Braveheart, said to be the strongest family after the Braveheart family.
Then, in Class 3-B, there is a girl nad Termina von Stormheim. She is also from the Stormheim family, another hero family from the Kingdom of Braveheart.
I rarely et them, I just often hear that they prefer not to stand out and never cause trouble. This is very different from .
We greeted each other. They seed to already know about . Well, after all, they probably heard about the bad rumors surrounding .
Luna seed to tremble slightly when she t Julius. I asked her about it, and she explained that Julius was her cousin and that he was intimidating. She warned not to get on his bad side. I understood why she felt that way, but I’d think about it later.
Finally, we all entered the classroom. As I expected, the class was very large. The students were free to sit wherever they wanted. There were many seats, even a second level. However, only about half of the seats were occupied, so we easily filled the empty ones.
But as we entered, the other students stared at us coldly. So even looked at us with disgust, which left us confused.
I sensed that sothing was wrong with the students here.
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