Karma found himself wandering the mansion's corridors, drawn by restlessness he couldn't quite name. The entrance exam had been three days ago, and now all that remained was waiting, and the upcoming interview.
His feet carried him to the art gallery, a room he rarely visited despite its grandeur. Shizuku had kept it exactly as it had been when she'd inherited the estate after the Last War, a museum of someone else's history that she'd chosen to preserve.
The gallery walls were lined with works by famous artists, landscapes, still lifes, abstract pieces that spoke of wealth and refined taste. But it was the far wall that caught his attention, where three giant portraits dominated the space with only small gaps between them.
The leftmost portrait showed the Whitmire Family in their prime, two adults seated regally, three children standing beside them with the confident bearing of those born to privilege. The painting was old, its colors slightly faded, dating from just before the end of the Victorian era. All five faces stared out with the certainty of people who believed their dynasty would last forever.
They had been wrong.
"Why did she still keep this family's portrait?" Karma murmured, studying their faces. After the Last War had decimated the old noble houses, Shizuku had been given this estate as part of her service commendation. She could have removed every trace of the previous owners, but instead she'd preserved their memory.
The right portrait was more recent, painted just two years ago. It showed Karma and Shizuku in formal attire, she sat elegantly in a flowing red maxi dress, while he stood beside her in a black suit with a crisp white shirt. Their hands were joined, and though Karma had been only sixteen then, already taller than most boys his age, there was something protective in how Shizuku held his hand.
"That was the day this family of two became official," he said softly. The day she'd formally adopted him, giving him not just her name but her legacy, her burdens, her secrets.
But it was the center portrait that truly captured his attention, larger than the other two, commanding the space between past and present. It depicted a goddess-like figure: a female warrior of devastating beauty riding a magnificent tiger. She wore a red saree that seemed to flow with divine wind, and possessed eight arms, each holding a different weapon—sword, trident, bow, discus, conch, mace, lotus, and chakra. Her expression was both benevolent and terrible, a protector and destroyer in equal measure.
On the bottom of the portrait's ornate frame, a golden plate bore the inscription: 'Ashtabhuja Devi'
"It's really symbolic," Karma mused, understanding the arrangement now. The old noble family on the left, extinct, their legacy ended. Himself and Shizuku on the right, the new family, still being written. And in the center, larger than both, the divine figure that represented something beyond mortal concerns, power, protection, the eternal struggle between creation and destruction.
As he left the hall he found her at the dining table, already halfway through her breakfast, reading correspondence on a tablet while she ate.
Karma sat beside her without ceremony, the comfortable familiarity of family.
She stopped eating and set down her fork, giving him her full attention. "How did your exam go?"
"I think I passed," he said, trying to sound casual despite the nervous energy thrumming under his skin. "They asked for a family interview next week."
She was quiet for a moment.
"Good. I'll adjust my schedule for that."
Before he could respond, Lily appeared from seemingly nowhere, setting a plate before him with practiced grace.
"How do you always come without getting noticed, Lily?" Karma asked, genuinely curious. It was almost supernatural how she could materialize exactly when needed.
"Karma." Shizuku's tone carried a mild reproach, a reminder about respect.
"My bad." He offered Lily an apologetic smile, which she accepted with a slight blush and nod.
"After eating, we'll practice for this interview," Shizuku said, returning to business mode. "These assessments aren't just about your magical aptitude. They want to understand your family context, your support system, your stability."
"Alright."
Lily moved around the table with quiet efficiency, serving food and asking softly which dishes he preferred, attending to his needs with the same devoted care she'd shown since his first day at the estate.
Over the following days, they practiced.
Shizuku would sit across from him in the study, firing questions about his background, his motivations, his understanding of magical responsibility. She corrected his posture, refined his answers, taught him the delicate art of revealing enough to satisfy while protecting what needed to remain private.
On the morning of the interview, a woman arrived at the mansion, sharp-featured and impeccably dressed, carrying a leather briefcase that probably cost more than most people's monthly salary.
"Remember," she told Karma as they stood in the foyer, "you have the right to decline any question you don't wish to answer. You're not on trial here. They need to assess your suitability, but you're also assessing whether they're suitable for you."
Margaret Chen had been Shizuku's personal lawyer for over a decade, handling everything from estate matters to the more delicate legal situations that arose from running her company and information network. She was one of the few people outside the household who knew the full extent of Shizuku's operations.
"Questions about your past, your biological family, the circumstances that brought you to Shizuku's care, these are sensitive," Margaret continued. "Answer what you're comfortable with. If they press, I've prepared language about privacy and trauma-informed care that even academics can't argue against."
Karma nodded, appreciating the shield she was building around his secrets.
"And Karma?" Margaret's expression softened slightly. "You've earned this opportunity. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."
After Margaret left, Karma and Shizuku prepared to depart. The sky had turned heavy and gray, clouds pressing down like a lid on a pot about to boil over. It looked like it would rain at any moment, the air thick with anticipation.
They settled into her car, the same sleek black vehicle they'd used for the career tour, now feeling like a familiar sanctuary. Thomas, their driver, took his position behind the wheel with the quiet professionalism that characterized everything he did.
As they pulled away from the estate, Karma felt exhaustion catch up with him. The nervous energy of the past week, the late nights reviewing magical theory, the endless interview practice, it all crashed down at once.
He leaned his head on Shizuku's shoulder, his long hair falling across his face like a curtain. She didn't object, simply adjusted her position slightly to make him more comfortable, one hand resting protectively on his arm.
The city passed by in a blur of gray stone and darker gray sky.
"Karma. We're here."
Shizuku's gentle voice pulled him from sleep. He blinked, disoriented, and saw they'd stopped before the Academy's imposing gates.
Thomas opened Shizuku's door with practiced courtesy. Karma exited from his side, staring up at the Arcanum University.
As Shizuku approached the gates, the two guards on duty straightened to attention. Then their eyes fell on the pendant she wore, a silver medallion bearing the seal of the Guardian Corps, an elite magical enforcement organization that reported directly to the Continental Council.
"...Guardian rank?" one murmured to the other, surprise evident in his tone.
They entered the grounds together, walking past students who stopped to stare, some at Shizuku's pendant, some at Karma.
The main building was a masterpiece of architectural magic, with halls that seemed to extend further than the exterior dimensions should allow. Staff members moved with purpose.
At the reception desk, Shizuku stated their business with calm authority. "Interview appointment for Karma, prospective student. Four o'clock."
The receptionist checked her ledger, made a note, then called someone via a communication crystal. Within moments, a young man in staff robes appeared, offering to guide them.
They ascended through the building, first floor, second, third. Each level seemed dedicated to different aspects of magical study.
The fourth floor was different. Quieter. More reserved.
Their guide led them through a hallway lined with portraits of former headmasters and distinguished faculty, their painted eyes seeming to track the visitors' progress. At the very end of the corridor stood a heavy oak door, carved with protective runes that pulsed faintly.
The guide knocked once, then opened the door. "Your four o'clock appointment, honored faculty."
The room beyond was spacious but currently dim, the large windows obscured by the gathering storm outside. Five people sat behind a curved table, with two empty chairs positioned before them like seats of judgment.
"Please, sit," said the elderly man in the center, his voice carrying quiet authority.
As Karma and Shizuku took their seats, his eyes adjusted to the dimness, taking in each panel member.
The central figure was clearly the Principal, an old man with a long white beard and eyes that held the weight of decades of magical knowledge. He wore simple robes, but power radiated from him like heat from a forge.
To his right sat a blonde woman in her forties, her hair pulled back in a severe bun. "Maria Robert," she introduced herself with a professional smile. "Head of the Research Department. I oversee experimental magic and theoretical applications."
Next was a blue-haired woman whose eyes narrowed the moment they settled on Shizuku. "Helena Blavatsky," she said coolly. "Head of the Magician Students Department."
On the Principal's left sat a man wearing a blindfold, yet somehow Karma felt certain those covered eyes could see more than normal vision allowed. "Sasaki Kojiro," he said with a slight bow of his head. "Head of the Martial Department. I teach the integration of physical and magical disciplines."
Finally, a middle-aged man with kind eyes and scholar's hands. "Kai Bowen, Head of Academic Department. I ensure our students receive a well-rounded education beyond just magical instruction."
As the last introduction finished, the clouds outside grew heavier, stealing the remaining light from the windows. The room darkened considerably, lit now only by a few magical lights that sprang to life along the walls.
The Principal folded his hands before him. "This interview serves a dual purpose," he began, his voice grave but not unkind. "We must determine if the Academy is the right environment for young Karma's development and safety. But equally important, you must determine if we are worthy of your trust. Magic is a profound responsibility, and teaching it to young minds even more so."
He paused, his eyes settling on first Karma, then Shizuku.
"Therefore, we require honest opinions and honest answers from both of you. Some questions may be uncomfortable. You may decline to answer anything you wish, but understand that silence itself tells us something."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
The old principal folded his hands together, his eyes settling on Karma with the weight of someone who had seen countless young mages pass through these halls.
The dark clouds outside slowly covered the last traces of sunlight entering the room, as if the world itself was leaning in to listen.
"Tell us about your education."
Karma sat straight in his chair, hands resting calmly in his lap despite the nervous energy thrumming beneath his skin.
"I was homeschooled. I spent most of my time studying books from different fields on my own." His voice was steady, practiced. "History, mathematics, languages, philosophy. Whatever I could find in the estate's library."
Maria Robert adjusted her glasses slightly, the lenses catching the dim magical light.
"And why did you make that decision, Lady Shizuku? Most noble families prefer prestigious preparatory academies."
Shizuku paused for a moment, choosing her words with visible care.
"…I was told he was not in the mental state to be placed in a social environment at the time."
The admission hung in the air like smoke. It was honest, painfully so, and several of the panel members exchanged glances.
Helena Blavatsky narrowed her eyes slightly at that answer but remained silent, though Karma could see her pen moving across her notepad.
The principal continued calmly, as if Shizuku had said nothing unusual.
"Why do you wish to join this academy?"
Karma looked toward the window for a brief second before answering.
"I like learning new things. Magic seems to hold endless possibilities, and there is still much about it left undiscovered."
He turned back to face the panel, meeting the principal's eyes directly.
"I have goals of my own. Learning is one of them. Becoming a part of this world is another."
The phrasing was careful, becoming a part of this world, not rejoining it. As if he'd been outside it for some time.
Maria wrote something down, her expression thoughtful.
"And why choose this academy specifically? There are other magical institutions, some perhaps more... accommodating to unusual circumstances."
This time Shizuku answered, her voice carrying quiet pride.
"We visited several institutions and branches before making a decision. He wished to pursue magic seriously, not casually."
Her eyes briefly moved across the room, taking in each panel member's reaction.
"And your academy is considered the best place for that. I would accept nothing less for him."
Helena finally spoke, her voice carrying a sharpness that cut through the professional atmosphere.
"What exactly is your relationship with this child?"
Karma answered before Shizuku could, his response immediate and firm.
"I'm her adopted son."
A brief silence followed. The formality of the phrasing, adoptive son rather than just son created a small distance that everyone in the room noticed.
Shizuku's expression visibly hardened, though whether from the question or Karma's answer was unclear.
Helena leaned back slightly in her chair, a thin smile playing at her lips.
"A former Guardian-ranked knight disappearing from public view for years… only to suddenly appear for a child's admission."
Her gaze sharpened like a blade being drawn.
"Interesting."
Shizuku's tone immediately turned colder, each word measured and precise.
"I am here for an interview, not an interrogation. My service record is a matter of public record. My private life is not."
The atmosphere in the room tightened like a drawn bowstring. The principal lightly tapped his cane against the floor once.
The sharp sound broke the spell.
Silence returned, but it was fragile, like ice over deep water.
Then Kai Bowen spoke for the first time, his voice gentle compared to Helena's interrogation.
"What do you fear the most, Karma?"
Karma blinked slightly at the unexpected question. Not about his magic, not about his past, about his fear.
"…I suppose I have ordinary fears like anyone else."
He paused briefly, searching for honesty that wouldn't reveal too much.
"But I never explored the world enough to truly know what frightens me."
For the first time, his voice lowered slightly, becoming something more vulnerable than the composed answers he'd been giving.
"If there is one thing… perhaps being alone."
The admission cost him something to say. Even Helena's expression softened for a fraction of a second, and Maria stopped writing mid-sentence.
The principal observed him quietly, as if that single answer had told him more than all the previous ones combined.
"And what are your goals?"
Karma thought for a moment, aware that this was a trap disguised as a simple question. They wanted to know if he sought power, recognition, revenge, all the dangerous motivations young mages sometimes carried.
"For now… learning."
Shizuku sighed quietly, the sound carrying both exasperation and fondness.
"He spends most of his time reading. His room became a library before I realized it.
A small smile almost appeared on Maria's face, the first crack in her professional demeanor.
The principal continued, pressing deeper.
"And what kind of person do you wish to become?"
Karma remained silent for several seconds, considering the question seriously rather than offering a prepared answer.
"…I do not think people truly know what they will become in life."
His fingers lightly tapped against the armrest, a nervous tell he couldn't quite suppress.
"So I try not to expect too much from the future."
He glanced toward Shizuku, and something in his expression softened.
"I would rather focus on the present. For myself… and for Mother."
The room fell silent.
Even Helena stopped writing, her pen hovering above the page.
It was the first time he'd called her that without the qualifier adoptive. The word hung in the air like a declaration, or perhaps a defense.
Sasaki Kojiro finally spoke, his blindfolded face turning toward Karma with uncanny precision.
"According to your examinations, your martial aptitude is exceptional. Far beyond what we typically see in untrained applicants."
His voice carried no judgment, only curiosity.
"Where did you learn swordsmanship?"
Karma's shoulders stiffened slightly—the first visible crack in his composure.
"I…"
His fingers moved unconsciously, curling into his palm.
Shizuku immediately noticed the tell and smoothly interjected.
"He trains daily under the observation of my butler, Thomas. He was once a knight of the Order of the Silver Dawn before entering my service."
Kojiro gave a slow nod, but his expression suggested he knew there was more to the story.
Then Helena suddenly asked, her voice cutting through like a knife.
"Who taught you mana control?"
The question was far more dangerous than it seemed. Mana control wasn't something one learned from books. It required direct instruction from someone with significant magical knowledge, and the method of teaching often revealed the teacher's allegiance, philosophy, even their moral alignment.
Shizuku's expression visibly changed, a flash of something, anger? fear? Crossing her face before she could suppress it.
Karma answered calmly, his voice steady despite the trap he'd just walked into.
"…I would prefer not to answer that question."
Helena's eyes narrowed, triumph flickering across her features.
"Interesting."
Kai Bowen calmly interjected before the tension could rise further, his tone deliberately casual.
"What do you think of this academy, Lady Shizuku?"
The question was a lifeline, pulling the conversation back to safer ground.
"It is well known for its educational standards and facilities," Shizuku replied, her voice carefully neutral. "The faculty's expertise is unmatched."
"And you, Karma?"
Karma answered simply, his gaze steady on the principal rather than Helena.
"I trust her choice."
The principal finally closed the file before him with quiet finality.
"Thank you for your honesty."
He slowly looked toward Shizuku, his ancient eyes unreadable.
"Lady Shizuku, there are several matters we would like to discuss privately. Standard procedure for all applicants. You may wait outside."
Karma nodded before standing as they left the room. The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Silence lingered briefly, heavy with unspoken questions. Then Helena spoke first, her voice sharp with vindication.
"He speaks like someone trained to conceal information."
Kojiro crossed his arms, his blindfolded face still directed toward where Karma had been sitting.
"The boy's movements are disciplined. Far too disciplined for someone who supposedly learned from occasional training sessions. Those aren't the reflexes of a casual student."
Maria looked through the documents again, flipping pages with increasing interest.
"And unusually composed for his age. Most eighteen-year-olds can't maintain that level of emotional control under interro-" She paused. "Under interview conditions."
"What department did he select?" Kojiro asked, though his tone suggested he already knew and was disappointed by it.
"Magic," Maria answered, confirming his suspicion.
Kojiro exhaled quietly, shaking his head.
"A shame. His martial potential is exceptional. With proper training, he could have been extraordinary in combat disciplines."
"The student's preference takes priority," the principal replied calmly, his voice carrying the weight of institutional policy. "We do not assign students against their will."
Kai Bowen rested his chin against his hand thoughtfully, his scholar's mind working through the puzzle.
"He was not reluctant to speak about his personal life."
His eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses.
"He was reluctant to speak about himself. There's a difference."
The observation was astute. Karma had answered questions about his education, his relationship with Shizuku, even his fears, but he'd been evasive about anything that revealed his own abilities, his own past, his own power.
The principal finally spoke again, his voice carrying a note of decision.
"…An interesting child."