Enter Apollo!
As he walked down the bustling streets, he found himself utterly captivated by the mesmerizing sight of the capital of Lotus kingdom unfolding before his eyes.
"So, this is what the main capital looks like, huh?" he thought to himself, his eyes taking in the grandeur of the cityscape before him.
As he took a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of the capital, the thought of finding the academy he sought crossed his mind. Amidst the throngs of people and the vibrant energy of the city, he resolved to locate the prestigious institution he had been searching for.
Upon locating the academy he had been seeking, he stepped through its entrance, feeling a surge of anticipation and determination coursing through him. The grandeur of the institution's architecture and the scholarly atmosphere within only fueled his eagerness to embark on this new chapter of his journey.
"Can I see your identification for survey purposes?" the guard of the academy asked him politely, standing at attention with an air of authority.
"Yes, here it is," he replied, handing his family crest to the guard. The guard's expression shifted to one of surprise, clearly taken aback by the prestigious lineage represented by the crest.
"Young Master Grimwald, I apologize for the delay in your entrance," the guard said, his tone now respectful and deferential as he recognized the noble status of the visitor.
"It's quite alright," Young Master Grimwald replied graciously, offering a reassuring smile to the guard before proceeding into the academy with a sense of purpose.
As he wandered through the academy grounds, he noticed a crowd of people circled around something, their attention focused intently on whatever lay at the center. Intrigued, he approached the gathering to discover what had captured their interest, his curiosity piqued by the sense of anticipation radiating from the assembled onlookers.
As he drew closer to the group of people, he witnessed two individuals engaged in a captivating display of mana manipulation. Their hands danced with ethereal energy, weaving intricate patterns in the air as they showcased their mastery over the mystical forces at their command.
"It's fascinating to witness others with such impressive mana control. I wonder what elemental affinities they possess," he mused to himself, intrigued by the diversity of abilities showcased by the individuals before him. Curiosity sparked within him as he pondered the unique talents and elemental connections of the practitioners displaying their prowess.
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine as he caught sight of a woman passing by. Her presence commanded attention, radiating an aura of regal grace and authority that left him momentarily awestruck. He couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence in her presence, his heart quickening with a mixture of admiration.
He muttered under his breath, barely audible, "She seems to have the greatest control over everyone here, doesn't she?" His observation was tinged with a hint of admiration and perhaps a touch of apprehension, acknowledging the woman's undeniable influence over those around her.
As if in response to his muttered comment, the woman suddenly turned around, her piercing gaze locking onto him. "Are you talking about me?"
He offered a sheepish smile and replied, "Yes."
With a graceful nod, the woman turned away once more, her regal demeanor undisturbed by their brief exchange. As she resumed her stroll through the academy grounds, he couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue lingering in the air, sparked by their fleeting encounter and the mysteries it held.
Continuing on his way, the man's gaze shifted to the bulletin board, where a myriad of notices and announcements were pinned. Among them, he searched for the list of classrooms, eager to locate the one where his next lesson awaited.
"So, I'm in class 1-B this year," he murmured to himself, taking note of the assigned classroom with a sense of satisfaction.
As he entered the classroom, he couldn't help but notice that all the faces were unfamiliar to him. A wave of excitement mingled with a hint of nervousness washed over him as he realized he was surrounded by new peers, each representing a potential friend, ally, or rival in the academic year ahead.
Taking a seat among the unfamiliar faces, he settled in, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead in this new academic environment.
As he settled into his seat, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of surprise when he noticed the woman he had encountered earlier in the main hall was seated beside him.
"You're the woman who walked past me earlier," he remarked, his voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and intrigue as he turned towards her.
Her words cut through the air like icy shards as she repeated, "Yes, is there a problem?" her voice carrying a frigid edge that sent a shiver down his spine, leaving him to wonder what had provoked such a chilly reception.
"N-no, I was just surprised to see you again," he stammered, his response tinged with a hint of uncertainty in the face of her frosty demeanor.
"By the way, nice to meet you. I'm Apollo Grimwald," he offered with a warm smile, extending his hand in a gesture of greeting, hoping to thaw the frostiness that lingered between them.
"Nice to meet you too, I'm Caroline Lockhart," she replied with a frosty tone, her handshake firm but lacking warmth.
"You're the daughter of Grand Duke Anthony Lockhart?" he exclaimed, his surprise evident in his voice as he recalled the distinguished name associated with Caroline.
"Yes," she replied, her tone still frosty, betraying none of the warmth one might expect from a conversation about family.
As they exchanged introductions, a heavy atmosphere settled over the room with the arrival of an unexpected visitor. The sudden intrusion disrupted the tentative rapport between Apollo and Caroline, casting a pall of tension over their interaction as they turned their attention towards the newcomer, their curiosity piqued by the interruption.
"Hello there, everyone!" came the cheerful voice of the newcomer, breaking the tension in the room with its warm and welcoming tone.
After the cheerful greeting, a heavy silence descended upon the room, as if the atmosphere had suddenly shifted. It seemed as though everyone present had picked up on something amiss, their senses attuned to an underlying tension that lingered beneath the surface.
"Why is everyone silent?" he asked in a cheerful voice tinged with curiosity, his gaze sweeping the room in search of an answer.
"Are you our classmate too, or are you in the wrong room?" came the interruption from one of the students, their voice tinged with skepticism as they eyed the newcomer.
He let out a hearty laugh before responding, "No! I'm your homeroom teacher for the rest of your whole academy years here" his cheerful voice ringing out with a sense of reassurance. The revelation brought a collective sigh of relief from the students, the tension in the room dissipating as they realized the true nature of the newcomer's presence.
Another voice chimed in, expressing the observation, "You seem to be around our age, sir." This comment stirred a ripple of curiosity among the students, prompting them to scrutinize their new teacher with newfound interest.
"Well, you're right, but I was assigned to this class," he replied with a chuckle, his tone light and jovial.
Apollo's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation. He hadn't expected their new teacher to be of a similar age to the students, let alone to share their classroom.
"So, let's introduce ourselves. I'll go first. My name is Edmund Phoenix, and I'll be your adviser for your four years of stay here. Nice to meet you, everyone," he announced with a warm smile, setting the tone for the introductions to follow.
As the introductions progressed around the room, Apollo patiently awaited his turn, taking note of each classmate's name and background with interest. When his moment arrived, he stood up with confidence, his voice steady as he introduced himself to the group.
Following Apollo's introduction, Caroline Lockhart rose from her seat, her demeanor composed yet distant.
"I'm Caroline Lockhart," she stated simply, her cold voice carrying a hint of formality. "I'm here to learn and excel in my studies," she added, her gaze briefly meeting Apollo's before returning to the rest of the class.
After the introductions concluded, the professor's voice filled the room, brimming with optimism and assurance as he addressed his students.
"Given that we have a few nobles among us," the professor remarked, his tone thoughtful yet inclusive, "let's commence with our lesson. Today's topic is mana history." With that, he set the stage for their academic exploration.
TBC---