The Divinia Magical Academy stood unrivaled among the world's institutions of arcane learning. Only the most exceptional talents earned admission here, and only the greatest mages were permitted to teach or research within its crystalline halls.
The academy uniform followed the classic sailor style, but with slight distinctive flourishes—crisp white fabric accented by elemental-themed colors on skirts, trousers, ribbons, sashes, and brooches.
Red signified fire, deep blue water, vibrant yellow lightning, brown for earth, and so on.
There were a few cases when the same—if not similar, colour could be used for two or more elements.
For example, shared hues carried nuance—light green for wind, richer emerald for nature magic, and so on through the spectrum of affinities.
As long as one was talented enough, the age of enrollment was irrelevant. Of course, one needed to be old enough to awaken the ability to use magic first, or be knowledgeable in magic theorems.
Hence why the ages of students and staff alike would range from as little as 7 years old, to as old as 65 years old.
Aside from being a student or a teacher, one could instead be a researcher. This was made for those who primarily can't use magic, but still had complex magic theorem comparable, if not higher, than a mage's. Of course, if a mage wanted to be, they could also be a researcher.
Seraphina, known across the continent as the Mistress of Ice, served as the headmaster of this particular magic academy.
Though barely into her twenties, her mastery of magical theory and application eclipsed even the academy's most senior professors. It was precisely that brilliance that had convinced the previous headmaster to name her both disciple, as well as successor.
Her frost-white hair shimmered as though dusted with perpetual winter. Her sky-blue eyes gleamed like chips of glacial ice, glowing faintly whenever she drew on her power.
She wore a midnight-blue, medium-length coat trimmed with soft white fur, paired with a fitted mini skirt. Sleek stockings and elegant winter heel boots with a thick white sole completed the look, giving her an air of refined confidence.
She sat alone in her office, buried deep beneath stacks of paperwork, as a faint crease of frustration appears between her brows. Just as she was busy with her tedious work, a sharp knock at the door offered a much welcomed reprieve.
"Come in." she called, slipping off her reading glasses.
A young man entered the room. His long golden hair caught the lamplight, and majestic white and gold armor polished to a soft glow.
Seraphina's expression brightened instantly. "It can't be... Can it...?"
"Greetings, Headmaster." the young man offered a warm, gentle smile. "How have you been?"
She pouted playfully as she rose and crossed the room. "I told you to call me by name. Especially now that you're no longer enrolled in this academy."
"Right... Sorry, old habits." He inclined his head. "How are you, Sera?"
"Much better." her expression brightened once more. "I'm good, much better now that I got to see you again after such a long time." A faint blush colored her cheeks as she stepped forward and immediately wrapped her arms around him in a brief, fierce embrace.
He returned it carefully, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. "I'm glad to hear it."
She gestured to the low couch facing a small table. "Have a sit. I'll have my assistant bring us some refreshments."
"Thanks."
The young man settled onto the cushions. Sera sat close beside him—close enough that their shoulders nearly brushed.
This caused him to blinked in surprise.
"Is this… appropriate?" he asked with a worried tone.
"If anyone has a problem with this," she said lightly, "then they're welcome to leave my academy."
He chuckled softly. "Understood."
"Also..."
"Also?"
"It's just that... I haven't seen you in a while." she started, her expression low.
"Not since the day I left..." he added.
"So, how have you been?" she changed the topic, not wanting to focus on negative things.
They talked easily, laughter threading through memories of his days as the academy's undisputed top student, as well as the many adventures he's been on since the day he left.
The snacks—brought by her assistant, arrived and vanished unnoticed.
At some point, Sera also quietly instructed her staff that she was in a very important meeting—no interruptions or disturbances would be tolerated from both them, and the students.
Eventually, the conversation turned serious.
"Now then, are you finally going to tell me why you're really here, Vlad?" she asked, her expression turning serious. "Seeing as you're finally back, does that mean...?"
He raised a hand. "Wait."
Golden light flared around them, weaving into a perfect spherical barrier that sealed the room from the outside world. Sound, sight, even mana signatures—nothing would penetrate or escape.
Sera's eyes widened. "This is new."
"I call it, Holy Barrier." he said. "It's an advanced version of the simple, Mana Shield you once taught me."
"Oh, how so?" she asked, curious to hear about his growth.
"Long story short, it creates a small pocket dimension separate from reality." he said, actively trying not to sound smug.
"That's... really impressive." Sera admitted, genuinely stunned at the spell's description. Then realization dawned at her. "Wait, for you to use such a powerful spell... This means that this must be a very serious conversation."
"That's right." he affirmed, the smug from earlier replaced with seriousness. "It's about the Demon King."
Her breath caught. "The Demon King?! What about him?"
Vlad explained the mission entrusted to him by the Sacred Church's council.
Feeling that demons have been plotting behind the scenes for a long time—as the priests' connections had informed them, they decided to summon Vlad back, and have him finally fulfill his true purpose in life.
He was to gather and train allies to be strong enough to withstand the Demon King's crushing aura and be capable of fighting by his side. If time permitted, he would also infiltrate the citadel and strike before the enemy fully recovered his strength.
Sera listened in silence, her expression unreadable.
"I see," she said at last. "So that's why you came to me personally." A small, teasing smile curved her lips. "And here I hoped you visited simply because you had missed me."
"I'm sorry." he apologized, his tone low.
"Don't be. I was just joking about that." She leaned forward, her voice softening.
"You're the strongest person I know, and the one I would trust with my life. I need your help, desperately." he expressed.
Funny you say that, because your the strongest person I know, as well as the only one I could truly entrust my life to as well. she thought with a warm expression. "Alright. I will gladly help you."
He exhaled. "Thank you, and sorry about this. I hate having to drag you into this kind of situation."
She caught both his hands in hers. "There's no need for you to apologize. After all, this is my choice. Whatever you need—whatever it takes, I'll stand with you. Even if it means risking everything to save the world, I will always be beside you." Her voice was quiet and steady, yet her gaze was calm.
"Thank you, Sera. Truly."
"Besides, there's nothing I hate more than doing paperwork." she glanced at the unfinished mountain of piled papers. "Now I can just push all of it to someone else instead."
Vlad chuckled in response, then...
Their eyes met.
Time seemed to slow.
Sera flushed, a delicate rose tint spreading across her pale cheeks, and looked away first, her frost-white lashes casting soft shadows.
Oh no… not now. she thought, her heart fluttering traitorously beneath her composed exterior. Why does he still have this effect on me? Even after all this time…
But in truth, she didn't hate the fact that the feelings that were dormant in her heart for so long, were finally welling up once more. If anything, she welcomed them. Though, after such a long time had passed, she didn't quite know how to express them as she once used to.
And Vlad was in the same situation as her.
Vlad's heart stuttered in his chest, a sudden, traitorous flutter he hadn't expected. The barrier's golden glow cast a warm light over her features, making her look almost ethereal.
He pressed a hand to his chest, steadying himself. Calm down, Vlad. You need to keep it cool.
Yet even as he thought that, he couldn't quite pull his gaze away from the faint curve of her lips, or the way her fingers still rested near his.
Indeed, he had long since missed these feelings that always made themselves present whenever Sera was with him.
Unfortunately for the pair, the moment was short lived, and they had to start the preparations for Sera leaving with him for the mission.
Sera moved quickly after that.
She summoned the faculty and student body, announcing a prolonged absence to "Travel the world and deepen her understanding of magic."
She named professor Harry—someone who's also considered a genius, as acting headmaster.
The academy accepted the news with grace. Within a single day, students, staff, and alumni from across the continent—those who were available, organized a grand farewell party in her honor.
No expense or effort was spared. Authority dissolved for the night as everyone was simply a person celebrating Seraphina and all she had given them.
Vlad, in disguise, attended as well. He was careful not to steal all the focus away from her. The celebration lasted from dawn to dawn—music, laughter, and fireworks blooming above the crystal spires.
By morning, the two were already gone.
They left Divinia in a pickup truck—steel body, large rubber tires, and powered by a humming wind mana stone. It seated five inside, with an open cargo bed behind. Thrice as fast as the finest racehorse—and capable of more under skilled hands, they steered it toward the open road.
"Are you sure you're okay leaving everything behind like this?" Vlad asked, his hands steady on the wheel.
"It's fine. I trust Harry to hold the academy together while I'm gone." she replied. "He was Arcanus's other disciple, after all."
It was the same Arcanus who bought the previous Hero time to fight the Demon King undisturbed by holding entire demon and monster hordes at bay all by himself.
After the war had ended, he came back missing an arm and with only half of his former strength… and he turned that sacrifice into a lifetime of teaching the next generation in hopes of nurturing talent that would aide the next Hero fight in the war.
His hope was that they would succeed where he himself had failed. In the end, he died due to old age, but not before having two disciples—which he had trained and taught everything that he possibly could.
Given the fact that one of his students was now traveling with the Hero on a mission to fight and kill the Demon King, it could be said that Arcanus had succeeded in his mission.
Vlad nodded slowly.
"He doesn't look like much," Sera continued with a fond smile. "With his round glasses, frail body, and that old scar across his forehead. But if he ever went all out, he could give even me trouble."
"That's impressive." Vlad mused.
"Of course," she added quickly. "I'd still win."
Vlad laughed softly. "There's not a single doubt in my mind."
"Good." She turned to stare out the window, her cheeks faintly pink. I hope he doesn't think I was trying too hard… She stole a quick glance at his profile, then looked away again just as fast.
Unseen and unfelt, the dark male silhouette occupied the center rear seat, riding silently between them as Vlad kept his eyes on the horizon and Sera gazed out the side window.
Seems like the two of them won't meet up after all, at least for now that is. I won't say I'm not disappointed at this turn of events, considering how excited I was.
That said, maybe them not meeting up early on will make things far more interesting later on? You never know.