The hallway leading to the West Wing was wide and framed by tall stone arches that let in the crisp morning air. Banners bearing the crest of Agyrion Academy hung between the pillars, fluttering slightly as students trickled toward their designated homerooms.
Tresca walked with an easy stride, her boots clicking rhythmically against the polished stone floor.
"A brief note of appreciation in your next letter should suffice, Lady Tresca," Lucian replied, matching her pace a step behind. "Though knowing the Count, he likely considers securing your comfort and security at the academy as mere due diligence."
"I know," Tresca said, slowing her pace slightly so she could look back at him with an affectionate smile. "But I just want to express that I'm happy with this arrangement."
Lucian met her eyes and offered a subtle nod. "As am I, Lady Tresca. It ensures I can carry out my duties without unnecessary complications."
"So cold. So you're only here because of obligations?" she asked teasingly, turning slightly to look back at him.
"Yes," Lucian replied without missing a beat, his voice steady. "That, and my loyalty to the Count's family—and to you, my lady."
"Loyalty, is it?" Tresca murmured, a small, satisfied smirk playing on her lips. "I suppose that will have to do for now."
She stopped in front of the heavy oak double doors marked Room 104 and waited as Lucian stepped forward to push them open.
Inside, the classroom was arranged in tiered wooden desks facing a large blackboard. A few early arrivals were already scattered across the middle rows, murmuring quietly among themselves as the two entered.
"I want a seat somewhere at the front, right beside the window," Tresca said, pointing toward the bright desks near the podium.
"As you wish, Lady Tresca," Lucian replied, guiding her down the front aisle.
They took their seats at the double desk nearest the front-left window, offering a direct view of both the instructor's desk and the sunny courtyard outside. Shortly after, the heavy iron bells in the central tower chimed, signaling the start of the morning session, and the classroom doors swung open as our homeroom teacher arrived.
A woman of average height walked up to the podium. Her brown hair was styled into a single braid draped neatly over one shoulder, and her soft, hazelnut eyes swept across the rows of desks with a calm, inviting warmth. Unlike the rigid demeanor typical of military instructors, she radiated a gentle, motherly atmosphere that immediately put the room at ease.
She set her thick ledger onto the desk with a soft, careful touch.
"Good morning, Class 1-C," she said, her tone warm and soothing, though clear enough to reach every corner of the room. "I am Instructor Mary. For this term, I will be your homeroom teacher as well as your instructor for Gate Theory."
She offered a small, reassuring smile to the class before opening the ledger in front of her.
"Today will strictly be a classroom orientation," Instructor Mary explained softly, glancing up from the pages. "As your class supervisor, I will be guiding Class 1-C through your academic years here until your graduation. My role is to ensure each of you adapts well and stays on track."
She smoothed down the ledger page with her palm and held up a piece of chalk.
"Before we go over our daily schedule or dive into any rules, let's go through attendance to make sure everyone is properly accounted for," Instructor Mary continued gently. "When I call your name, please stand up and state your full name."
Lucian observed each response silently from his seat, categorizing the background and demeanor of their classmates. Most were children of minor nobility or prominent merchant houses, but a few names stood out.
"Lucelle Aria Moonfield," Instructor Mary read aloud, her voice soft.
A short girl near the center row stood up. She had striking snow-white skin, pale platinum hair that caught the morning light, and sharp golden eyes characteristic of royal bloodlines.
"Lucelle Aria Moonfield," she stated simply, her voice small but distinct, before taking her seat.
Lucian noted the details instantly. The Moonfield family maintained close, direct blood ties to the Rosenquartz royal house, essentially serving as their cousins. The Moonfield territory was situated far in the cold, desolate northern reaches, yet their central domain was famous for being an anomaly—a warm, blooming sanctuary thriving in the middle of a blazing winter. Because of this unique climate, the Moonfields stood as the primary supplier of fresh flowers and rare flora for the entire kingdom.
Lucian looked over at Tresca and saw a subtle shift in her posture. She, too, recognized the name and knew that Lucelle was someone she should at least approach and greet later for formalities.
"Lucian," Instructor Mary called out next, scanning her page.
Lucian stood up with practiced poise. He carried no family surname, signaling his status as an orphan, but his composure remained entirely steady.
"Lucian," he announced clearly to the room. "Retainer of the Evergard household."
He resumed his seat without unnecessary flair. A few faint whispers broke out among the minor nobles from various countships and lower houses who had already given their own introductions, but Instructor Mary simply offered a welcoming nod before returning to the ledger.
"Tresca Vi Evergard," Instructor Mary read next.
Tresca stood up smoothly, her posture relaxed yet carrying the natural dignity of her bloodline.
"Tresca Vi Evergard," she announced, her voice confident and clear across the classroom.
She offered Instructor Mary a polite, courteous nod before taking her seat beside Lucian once more.
Instructor Mary marked the ledger with a warm smile. "Thank you, Lady Tresca. Now, moving on to our next student..."
Once attendance concluded, Instructor Mary carefully closed the ledger, set her piece of chalk on the podium, and turned her full attention to the class.
"Now that we have properly introduced ourselves, let us begin our orientation," Instructor Mary said, her gentle voice commanding instant quiet. "Agyrion does not operate like a traditional academy with fixed class schedules for every student."
She turned to the blackboard, picking up the chalk to write two broad headings.
"You are given the freedom to select whichever subjects you wish to specialize in," she continued, looking back at the class with a warm smile. "You may take as many or as few as you believe you can handle, provided they prepare you to pass the mandatory yearly evaluations."
She tapped the two terms written on the board: Combat and Scholar.
"Your end-of-year evaluations will be based strictly on the track you choose to apply for. There are two primary categories:"
1. Combat Path: Evaluates physical prowess, practical magic application, field tactics, and active combat capabilities.
2. Scholar Path: Evaluates theoretical knowledge, research, resource management, and strategic analysis.
"You may choose one track to focus on, or if you possess the ambition and capability, you may select both," Instructor Mary explained softly. "However, keep in mind that attempting a dual track doubles your evaluation requirements. Choose wisely according to your strengths and goals."
Instructor Mary paused, allowing the students time to process the information.
Throughout the room, subtle shifts in posture revealed the unspoken weight of her words. For the noble students, there was very little real choice. Selecting only a single path—especially sticking solely to theoretical studies or avoiding physical martial training—would be seen as taking the easy way out, bringing shame to their house's reputation. Consequently, most nobles were bound by pride and politics to select both tracks.
For the commoner students, the situation was different. Free from the burden of high-society expectations, they could focus entirely on a single specialization without fear of judgment. Yet, a few among them glanced at the board with quiet determination. Choosing both paths was brutal, but it was also a rare chance to maximize their time at Agyrion and forge a better future.
"Take time to review the course catalog before submitting your track selections by the end of the week," Instructor Mary added gently, resting her hands on the podium.
She raised her hand with a light, fluid motion. A faint, soft glow enveloped a stack of thick parchment on her desk, separating into neat, individual sets that floated gracefully through the air, landing gently on each student's desk.
Tresca picked up her set, casually flipping through the pages as Lucian leaned in slightly to inspect the document. The course catalog was clearly divided into three distinct categories:
Magic-Related: Specialized in mana manipulation, spellcraft theory, elemental alignment, and gate energy research.
Aura-Related: Focused on physical reinforcement, martial techniques, channel control, and aura-enhanced combat.
General: Covered a broad spectrum of disciplines, ranging from weapons mastery and field tactics to economics, political history, and resource logistics.
"Review the prerequisites carefully," Instructor Mary instructed, watching the students skim through the material. "Some advanced combat or scholarly courses require foundational subjects from the General category before you can enroll."
"That's all for today. I'll collect your selections on Friday," Instructor Mary said, her gentle voice carrying a warm, encouraging tone. "You have two days to explore the academy grounds while thinking about which courses to select."
With a motherly smile, she gathered her ledger from the podium.
"Class is dismissed. Please enjoy your remaining afternoon, everyone."
As Instructor Mary stepped out of the room, the quiet atmosphere dissolved into a flurry of motion and excited chatter across the tiered rows, students opening their catalogs and whispering amongst themselves as they prepared to head out.
Before heading out, Lady Tresca turned slightly toward Lucian, keeping her voice low.
"I'm going to greet Lady Lucelle first," she said softly.
Lucian gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, stepping back just enough to fall into position a step behind her. Tresca adjusted her posture, offering a polite, pleasant expression as she began walking across the classroom toward the small, platinum-haired girl.
The two minor nobles finished their pleasantries, offered synchronized, bowed farewells, and turned to leave the room, whispering quietly between themselves as they passed.
With the space now clear, Tresca took a composed step forward, stepping into Lucelle's line of sight with a polite, natural smile. Lucian followed half a pace behind, maintaining his silent posture as her retainer.
"Lady Lucelle," Tresca said, her voice smooth and clearly measured. "I am Tresca Vi Evergard. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Lucelle's golden eyes shifted up from her desk to meet Tresca's, her platinum hair catching the light as she offered a brief, polite nod in return.
Noticing Lucelle's quiet demeanor and solitary posture, Tresca sought to confirm whether the young heiress was truly unattended.
"And this is my retainer, Lucian," Tresca introduced, gesturing slightly toward him.
Lucian offered a precise, respectful bow.
"If I may ask, Lady Lucelle," Tresca continued, her tone light and conversational, "did you bring a retainer with you to the academy as well, or are you attending on your own?"
Lucelle's golden eyes drifted briefly from Tresca to Lucian before returning to the Evergard heiress.
"I brought my personal maid," Lucelle replied, her voice soft and even. "However, she is only staying at our town residence to manage the household. She will not be attending classes alongside me."
Tresca smiled warmly, recognizing the immediate opportunity.
"I see," Tresca said smoothly. "If you don't have prior arrangements, Lucian and I were just about to head out to explore the grounds and find somewhere for lunch. Would you care to join us, Lady Lucelle?"
Lucelle paused for a moment, her golden eyes quietly observing Tresca and Lucian as she considered the offer.
Lucelle gave a small, graceful nod. "I would be glad to join you, Lady Tresca."
With the quiet invitation accepted, the three of them walked out into the corridor toward the sprawling academy grounds, marking the end of their first morning at the academy.