Aiden struggled to stay on his feet. His head spun, and nausea rolled through him from the effects of teleportation—but he fought it back.
What he saw next, however, stole the breath from his lungs.
Before him stretched the City of Light — Vermalion.
He had arrived.
Aiden stood within the capital city, awestruck. Crowds bustled around him: beastkin of every kind—cats, lions, wolves—walked side by side with elves and humans. Despite the diversity, the city moved with a quiet order. No chaos, no shouting. Just peace and purpose.
He approached the teleportation center's payment counter, where a young woman sat. She had grey hair and grey eyes—the most common traits in this world. She was soft-featured, somewhat beautiful in a quiet way.
After receiving his ten gold coins, she smiled politely.
"Thank you for your travels."
"Thank you," Aiden replied, and turned to leave.
Outside the center, he glanced around and approached a knight nearby. Without looking too closely, he asked,
"Hello! Sir Knight, could you tell me where the Solstice Knight Hall is?"
He immediately regretted the casual tone.
The knight turned toward him—a young man in his early twenties with snow-white hair, deep red eyes, and a long ponytail. His gaze felt like it could swallow the abyss. Aiden stiffened. He finally looked at the knight's nameplate, and his heart skipped.
Liam de Wetherstone Clearwater.
A name from one of the Empire's seven great noble families—just like his own. The name Clearwater suggested purity... but the rumors said otherwise.
Liam said nothing at first. Instead, he looked behind Aiden, prompting him to turn.
And then Aiden saw her.
A girl around his age walked toward them. Angelically beautiful, but with a devilish coldness in her expression. Her long, snow-white hair flowed like silk. Her deep red eyes were piercing, emotionless, like they could see through the soul. She was his height, and about his age.
Aiden stared, stunned. But then he calmed himself.
Mother and Lucia are also beautiful, he reminded himself. No need to act like a fool.
Liam gestured to the girl.
"She's my sister."
Then, with a more formal tone, he added,
"Oh! I haven't introduced myself properly yet."
Placing a hand on his chest, he spoke with grandeur:
"I'm Liam de Wetherstone Clearwater. And this is Calista de Wetherstone Clearwater."
He paused, waiting.
Aiden blinked.
"Oh! Right. I'm—"
He cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed.
"I'm Aiden de Ravenspire Winrose."
Calista, who had been silent, showed a brief flicker of emotion—but quickly composed herself.
Liam chuckled.
"So you're Aaron's younger brother?"
"Yes," Aiden replied simply.
"Aaron and I were classmates. We graduated together from Solstice Knight Hall. Good guy, your brother."
He turned to Calista.
"You two should become friends. I'd say… this is a fateful meeting."
Aiden could only manage an awkward smile and nod.
"Follow me," Liam said. "I'm escorting my sister to the academy as well. Let's go, Calista."
The three began walking. As they passed through the city, people instinctively stepped aside, offering space and respect wherever Liam went.
After fifteen minutes, they arrived.
Aiden stood before the grand gate of Solstice Knight Hall—twenty meters tall and thirty meters wide. It was the largest gate he had ever seen.
Liam escorted them inside, then turned to both.
"Good luck to you both. Take care."
He patted Calista's head gently.
"Be sure to make some friends."
And with that, he left.
Aiden and Calista walked side by side in silence. In less than a minute, they reached the front desk where a man sat, reviewing paperwork. They each handed over a sealed letter bearing the academy's crest.
Aiden examined the man—mid-thirties, noble appearance, purple hair and eyes. He noticed the nameplate:
Evender Ashgale Hollowcrest.
A member of the Hollowcrest family... Aiden thought.
Evender glanced up.
"Calista de Wetherstone Clearwater," he said smoothly. "Your class and dormitory information are written here."
He handed her a paper.
"If anything is unclear, go to The Dominion Hall. They'll assist you."
"You may go now."
Calista gave a respectful,
"Thank you, sir," and left.
Evender then turned to Aiden.
"Aiden de Ravenspire Winrose," he said, handing over a similar paper. "Same instructions."
"Thank you, sir," Aiden said, then turned to leave.
---
After searching for a while, Aiden found his dormitory. He was assigned Room 7—though "room" was a humble word. It was practically a small home, complete with a kitchen.
They're clearly expecting self-sufficiency, he thought, unpacking his belongings from his storage bracelet.
With everything in place, he headed to The Ember Hall, where the opening ceremony was to be held.
But just before reaching the hall—
—someone crashed into him.
And who could it be?