Akitsu Shouga walked through the town streets, the morning light spilling gently between tall stone buildings.

  The city had already awakened. Merchants called out as they prepared their stalls, students in red-trimmed uniforms hurried past in groups, and the rhythmic clatter of carriage wheels echoed across the road. Compared to the quiet village they had stayed in before, the town felt overwhelmingly alive.

  He wore his usual white zip-up sweatshirt and sweat pants, hands tucked into his pockets as he walked.

  “Today is the first day that I’m going to an academy,” he murmured.

  “How will it be like…?”

  The thought lingered uneasily in his chest.

  Soon, the gates of their new residence came into view.

  The mansion was enormous—far larger than the one they had lost. Polished stone walls gleamed in the sunlight, and the iron gates bore elegant patterns that spoke of wealth and status.

  Akitsu stepped inside and climbed the wide staircase.

  “This new mansion is bigger than the previous one,” he muttered.

  “How does Renjiro-san even afford to live in luxury…?”

  He entered his room and closed the door behind him.

  The room was spacious, almost excessive. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating the neatly arranged furniture. For a brief moment, everything felt unreal—too peaceful for someone like him.

  He changed clothes, then paused.

  His eyes fell on the pink charm bracelet around his wrist.

  Kaoru’s bracelet.

  His fingers brushed against it unconsciously.

  On the bed, Seraphine Orion lay sprawled out in her small white kitsune form, tail flicking lazily as if she owned the place.

  “Don’t be late today, alright??” she said.

  “Get out of my room!” Akitsu snapped.

  “This is not your room,” Seraphine replied smugly.

  “It’s my room now!”

  Akitsu ignored her and put on his Fiester Academy uniform.

  A white button-up shirt.

  A red blazer that felt strangely heavy on his shoulders.

  Black pants that made everything feel far more formal than he liked.

  Once dressed, he left the room.

  Kaoru was just stepping out of hers.

  She wore the academy uniform as well, her movements hesitant but composed. When she walked toward him, there was a faint tension in her posture—nervousness carefully hidden.

  “Let’s go eat,” she said.

  “I can’t go on an empty stomach.”

  “Okay.”

  They went downstairs together and sat next to each other at the dining table.

  Rikuya soon arrived with plates of eggs and toast, placing them gently in front of each of them.

  Renjiro watched the scene with softened eyes.

  “I never thought I’d see Kaoru going to school,” he said quietly.

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  “This moves my heart.”

  “Yes,” Rikuya added.

  “It’s certainly rare.”

  Akitsu glanced at Kaoru.

  “Why doesn’t Kaoru go to school?” he asked.

  Renjiro hesitated.

  “Well, that’s because something happened when she was little,” he said.

  “From that day onwards she never wanted to go to school.”

  Kaoru stared down at her plate, fingers tightening slightly around her fork.

  Akitsu straightened.

  “Alright,” he said firmly.

  “If anything happens to Kaoru I’ll take care of it.”

  Rikuya smiled faintly, relief showing through her concern.

  “Please do. We’re worried about her.”

  “Yes,” Akitsu replied.

  After breakfast, Akitsu and Kaoru walked toward Fiester Academy together.

  The streets grew busier the closer they got. Students in uniform filled the roads, laughter and conversation weaving together into a lively hum.

  “How are you feeling, Kaoru?” Akitsu asked.

  “I’m fine,” she replied.

  “You don’t need to worry about me all the time, Shouga-kun… You should instead enjoy it.”

  “I can’t really do that unless I know you’re doing alright,” he said.

  Something caught his attention.

  A narrow alleyway.

  Dark. Silent. Too still compared to the surrounding streets.

  “I wonder what that’s about?” he whispered.

  “It’s too dark inside there, I can’t see what’s inside…”

  “The academy is up ahead,” Kaoru said.

  “There sure are a lot of people around.”

  “Yeah… there is.”

  They passed through the academy gates.

  Fiester Academy spread out before them in breathtaking scale.

  Massive buildings rose into the sky, connected by stone paths and bridges. Students filled the grounds in every direction. At the center stood a towering statue of a man in robes, one hand raised as if guiding the future.

  Akitsu felt a subtle pressure settle in his chest.

  An old woman in a blue robe approached them.

  Her face was deeply wrinkled, yet her posture was perfect, her presence commanding without force.

  “Excuse me,” she said kindly.

  “Are you Ryozen Kaoru?”

  “Yes, I am…” Kaoru replied.

  “Are you acquainted to my father?”

  “Yes,” the woman smiled.

  “I’m Shiraishi, Itsuki Shiraishi. Your father told me all about you and he was very happy that you finally decided to go to our academy.”

  “Is that so?” Kaoru asked.

  “Did he say anything personal about me?”

  “No, he didn’t,” Itsuki replied.

  “And you must be Kaoru’s husband, right?”

  Kaoru’s cheeks turned bright red.

  “Yes,” Akitsu said calmly.

  “It’s a pleasure meeting you. Headmaster.”

  “Oh my,” Itsuki laughed.

  “How did you find out that I’m the headmaster? You must be a smart young lad, aren’t you?”

  Akitsu chuckled.

  “It’s easy to figure it out since every single student is staring at us.”

  “Please follow me to the auditorium.”

  They followed her through wide halls into a massive auditorium filled with students.

  “Please sit here,” Itsuki said.

  “You’re our special guests for today.”

  They took their seats in the front row alongside several teachers.

  The headmaster stepped onto the stage and stood behind the podium.

  Then she spoke.

  *“Welcome, new students of Fiester Academy.

  Today, you stand at the threshold of a new chapter—one that will test your strength, sharpen your minds, and define the kind of people you will become. Beyond these gates lies not just an academy, but a crucible where potential is forged into purpose.

  Fiester Academy was not built merely to teach power. Power alone is fragile. Power without discipline becomes ruin. Here, we teach control, judgment, and responsibility. Whether you possess magic, martial skill, intellect, or something rarer still, understand this: talent may open the door, but only effort will allow you to walk through it.

  Many of you arrive with dreams—of becoming heroes, protectors, leaders, or legends whispered about in taverns and recorded in history. Others arrive burdened by doubt, fear, or expectations placed upon you by your family or your past. Let me be clear: at Fiester Academy, your past does not define you. What you choose to do from this moment forward does.

  You will face trials here. Some will challenge your body until it screams for rest. Others will challenge your mind, your morals, and your resolve. You will fail. That is not a possibility—it is a certainty. But failure here is not disgrace. It is instruction. What matters is whether you rise wiser than before.

  Look around you. The students standing beside you today may one day be your greatest rivals—or your most trusted allies. Bonds formed within these walls have changed the fate of nations. Treat one another with respect, because strength is multiplied when shared.

  Remember this above all else: Fiester Academy does not exist to create weapons. It exists to create guardians—individuals capable of choosing restraint when destruction would be easier, and courage when fear would be safer.

  As headmaster, I welcome you not as children, but as apprentices standing on the edge of greatness. Earn your place here. Honor this academy. And never forget that the power you gain must serve something greater than yourself.

  Now, before you begin your journey, there is someone you must know—someone who embodies the academy’s law, discipline, and unwavering standards. He ensures that order is maintained, that rules are upheld, and that those who walk the path of power do not stray into chaos.

  Students of Fiester Academy, please rise and prepare yourselves.

  It is my honor to welcome the Head of the Disciplinary Committee—Kael Ardent.”*

  The auditorium fell into complete silence.

  Akitsu’s heart beat once—hard.

  So this was it.

  The beginning of everything.