Chapter 5

Once they reached the front of the bridge, the true majesty of the castle-like Academy became visible. It looked like she was about to meet a King. A long flight of stairs led up to a set of doors that would herald the start of Anna's magical journey.

There were only a few men and women in what Anna assumed to be traditional mage robes managing desks where each person in line was checked on a sheet of paper, presumably checked into the building. Luckily, they were in the process of setting up a few more points.

One glance backward sent a shiver down Anna's spine. She felt slightly bad for skipping that line, but she'd be miserable having to wait back there! It reminded her of waiting in line for popular attractions at a carnival.

A tall woman with platinum blonde hair tied into a ponytail stepped through one of the many side doors and headed straight for them. She had a pair of rectangular glasses over her steely... pink eyes. Her clothing was a fancy black and white suit, which made her look like one of those guys who manage celebrities. Not to mention the clipboard in her hand, cementing that image.

"Nora," Aria said, following Anna's gaze. "She's one of the highest-ranking teachers in the Academy. She's in charge of mana control. "

"So… a big shot." Anna swallowed her nervous lump. She looked like the kind of person who would yell at them for skipping in line!

As expected, those pink eyes met Anna's and squinted. She beckoned them toward her, her brows furrowed at Aria but with an expression that seemed she was used to dealing with the girl.

"Don't worry."

An impossible task. Anna lowered her voice, whispering, "If anybody asks, this was all your idea!"

Aria nodded, and they silently approached the tall lady.

"Aria..." She sounded exasperated as if dealing with Aria's whims was a norm. "What do you think you're doing?" That was a voice like steel, a strict educator but not so much as to be unpleasant on the ears. Quite the opposite—it was almost seductive. "And you brought..." She checked her clipboard for a moment, and her eyes briefly flashed. "Annabelle Frost with you."

Her name was on that small clipboard? Among the likely thousands of people entering the Academy? And the way she reacted—she knew Anna beforehand. She had to ask why, but that could wait until after the scolding.

"Yes. We're here for the opening," Aria responded without a change in her tone. "Then we will head to the dorm. I did not want to wait in that line."

A total lack of decorum.

Anna slapped her forehead.

Nora's hands went to her hips, a signature move for an incoming lecture. However, after a moment, she just sighed. "You aren't above our rules anymore, Aria. You are now a student like every other person in that line and will receive no special treatment from me or any faculty."

"Special treatment? Me?" Aria asked rhetorically, a trace of mockery in her tone. There was definitely a history there—Aria almost sounded bitter. "Our names are already present; we don't need to wait."

Anna tried to make herself as invisible as possible, but that didn't last long as those pink eyes turned to her. "Miss Frost, what about you?"

"Uh..." There wasn't a point in lying, nor would Anna actually throw Aria under the bus. "I would die if forced to stand in a line for longer than 20 minutes... I think." She practically whispered the last part. However, all she received was a glare that made her shrink a little. "Sorry."

It was a strange feeling to be in a situation where none of her background meant anything; who her parents were, where she lived, who she was close with. All of it meant nothing in the new world. Being stared at like that really cemented it.

The weight of that realization gripped her tightly—it was easy to forget how much she could get away with back on Earth.

For the first time in her life, she felt small. It wasn't bad, actually. To know that no decisions were being made by others on account of who she was. Just that… she'd like that realization to hit in a less serious situation!

"Aria was technically correct; you two are already on the list." She sighed, shaking her head. "But you didn't know that. That is why I came out here—to get you... However, if you pull any stunts again, your punishment will not be as light as mere detention, you hear me? Both of you."

Aria nodded. "Yes."

"Yes, Ma'am!" Anna tilted forward in a slight bow. She had to stay on the good side of those at the top of the Academy. Hopefully, Nora didn't care too much.

Nora chuckled. "Good. This sort of self-importance will result in disciplinary action, the worst of which could lead to expulsion and having your memory of magic wiped. Don't let whatever you had on Earth affect your behavior here—you will not get away with it. You are all equal in our eyes. Humans."

That was…harsh. Anna once again nervously swallowed. "I didn't mean anything by it."

Even if Bastion did treat her specially, she wouldn't let that dictate how she interacted with her peers, nor would she behave as if treated differently. She knew full well how it could affect others.

Nora stared for a second longer as if to gauge Anna's response as genuine. After a few seconds, she nodded and took her hands off her hips. "I believe you, Annabelle."

"Can we go?" Aria stepped forward and asked.

Nora squinted at Aria. "You better not influence our newcomers poorly, Aria. Alisha might just kill you this time." She turned around and beckoned them to follow. "Come with me; I'll take you guys to the stadium for the opening ceremony. After that, since your temporary schedules have already been created, you will head straight to the dorms—do not wander yet—to get yourselves comfortable for classes tomorrow."

She led the duo up the stone stairs and into the magnificent great hall of Bastion Academy.

Anna felt like she just cleared the first hurdle... kind of.

Aria and Anna found themselves sitting among the first rows of seats, sandwiched between the clamoring crowds of people. Aria looked like she wished to leave but was being forced into attendance. Well, she probably knew most of what would be said in the introduction.

The stadium was just as grand in size as the rest of the Academy, a circular gladiator-esque structure at the back of the island, entered via a straight hall from the entrance. Yet even this massive building couldn't fit all the students Bastion wanted for their first year. Nora informed Anna that they had to do this in waves, so the opening wouldn't be anything too grand, at least not this year.

Rows upon rows in the spectator stands were already filled with people, and at the top of the arena were private boxes with tinted windows. The erupting crowd was the most expansive Anna had ever seen; even football games didn't have such an attendance!

The energy was infectious—Anna could barely hold still.

Inside the arena was a simple, circular stone platform surrounded by deep water with a circular ring of golden lights beneath it.

According to Nora, smaller arenas were scattered around the island for classes, tournaments, and other uses. But the massive one they arrived at was only for grand events, such as ceremonies and anticipated battles.

Sparring was common enough that they had many arenas scattered across the island. Nora informed them that they could expect to see themselves fighting their peers at least once a week, multiple times.

Anna wasn't sure what that entailed since she wasn't even sure how magic worked yet. Hopefully, it didn't mean getting her face beat in every week. That... or she would be the one beating

in faces; a comedic image. Her question received a foreboding smile from Nora.