You're the first to arrive

The carriage bumped gently along the cobbled road, but I barely noticed. My excitement buzzed like electricity, and I could hardly sit still. I leaned toward Galen, who sat across from me, arms crossed and a patient expression plastered on his face.

"So, what's it like?" I asked, my words tumbling out faster than I could think. "What are the classes like?

Are the teachers strict? Do we get a lot of homework? Oh, do they have dueling lessons? What's the cafeteria food like? Is it true the library is enchanted?"

Galen sighed, rubbing his temple. "Ren, it's a school. You go to class, do your work, and try not to get into trouble."

I scoffed. "That's so boring. You're no help."

"You've been asking questions for the last fifteen minutes," he replied with a smirk. "Let me guess: next, you'll want to know if the uniforms have a magical cleaning charm."

My eyes widened. "Wait—do they?"

"Ren!" he groaned, laughing despite himself.

"Fine, fine," I said, leaning back in my seat. But my excitement couldn't be contained. "I just can't believe I'm finally going! A real magic school! I've waited for this my whole life."

"Well, technically, it's only been ten years," Galen quipped.

"Details." I waved him off, peering out the window.

The moment the carriage rounded a corner, the school came into view, and my breath caught. It was breathtaking.

The school, called Lunaris Academy, sprawled across a massive, verdant campus. A grand central building of white stone gleamed in the morning sun, its tall spires piercing the sky. Intricate carvings adorned the walls, depicting magical creatures and ancient runes.

Surrounding it were smaller buildings connected by arched walkways, their roofs glittering with tiles that seemed to shimmer like starlight.

Above the entrance, an enormous crescent moon crest sparkled, made entirely of glowing silver light. Magic was everywhere from floating lanterns that lit the paths to students casting small spells in the open courtyard.

"This is amazing," I whispered, practically bouncing in my seat.

Galen chuckled as the carriage rolled to a stop. "Alright, kiddo. Time to show them what you're made of."

The driver opened the door, and I practically leapt out, landing on the cobblestone path. Around me, students moved in groups, chatting and laughing.

They were the most fascinating mix of people I'd ever seen. Humans with faint magical auras, dragonkin with gleaming scales, elves with long, elegant ears, and even half-slimes with translucent skin that shimmered under the light.

I spotted a boy with fiery red hair and small salamander-like horns, as well as a tall girl with wolf ears and a tail that flicked as she walked.

Some students had wings, others had glowing eyes, and a few carried enchanted weapons casually over their shoulders.

"Ren ?" a voice called, pulling my attention.

I turned to see a tall, regal-looking woman striding toward me. Her posture was impeccable, and her sharp eyes glimmered with authority.

Her uniform, a more formal variation of the student attire, suggested she was part of the faculty.

"Yes, that's me," I said, standing a little straighter.

"New student?" she asked, glancing at a clipboard in her hand.

I nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"And your family name?"

"Khasar," I replied.

Her eyes flicked to me again, a hint of interest passing across her face. "Follow me, please."

I glanced at Galen, who gave me an encouraging nod, before hurrying after her.

As we walked through the courtyard and into the main building, she began asking questions.

"What type of magic do you possess?"

"Red flames," I said, feeling a swell of pride.

"Interesting," she murmured. "And your age?"

"Ten."

She raised an eyebrow. "You're young. Have you used your magic in combat situations?"

"Uh, yes," I said, recalling the countless training sessions with Valeria.

"Do you know swordsmanship or hand-to-hand combat?"

I couldn't help but grimace. "Let's just say I learned the hard way."

Her lips twitched as if suppressing a smile, but she said nothing more.

We continued through a series of hallways, the walls lined with paintings that moved ever so slightly. Portraits of past headmasters watched us pass, their expressions shifting in faint acknowledgment.

The air hummed with latent magic, and I felt a slight tingle every time we crossed a shimmering threshold.

Finally, we reached a classroom. The woman opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

Inside, the room was spacious and well-lit, with large arched windows that overlooked the sprawling campus. Desks were arranged in neat rows, each equipped with a small magical orb that glowed faintly.

At the front of the room stood the teacher a tall woman with dark red skin and curling black horns that framed her face.

Her eyes, a deep gold, glinted with intelligence as she looked up from the papers she was arranging on her desk.

She was stunning, but there was an edge to her beauty that made her seem both captivating and dangerous.

Her long, sleek black hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp features were accentuated by the faint markings of demonic lineage etched into her skin.

"This is Ren Khasar," the faculty member announced.

The teacher's gaze pinned me in place. "A new student?" Her voice was smooth, but there was a slight rasp to it, like embers smoldering in a fire.

"Yes, ma'am," I said, suddenly feeling very small.

"You're the first to arrive," she said, motioning toward the desks. "Pick a seat. The others will be here shortly."

I nodded and made my way to a seat near the middle, trying not to let my excitement show too much.

Just as I settled in, the door creaked open again. I turned to see a girl entering, and my heart skipped a beat.

Xyra Eldarion.

Her platinum blonde hair glimmered like spun silver, falling in perfect waves around her shoulders.

Her icy blue eyes swept across the room, and her expression was as cold as I remembered. She moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural, her posture straight and commanding.

It was her the villainess of the game.

She glanced at me briefly, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smirk before she walked to a desk at the far side of the room. My stomach churned, and I had to remind myself to breathe.

I should keep my distance for the moment if I don't want her to recognize me.