A strange atmosphere settled over the Headmaster's office.
The door had just closed behind the newcomer.
An elf.
Long ears, pale hair falling neatly behind his back, sharp features paired with a cold, composed expression. His gaze swept across the room before briefly stopping on Kael and Renar.
"I have arrived, Headmaster."
His voice was calm, clear, devoid of unnecessary emotion.
Headmaster Solmire smiled faintly and set down his teacup.
"Perfect timing, Mildar."
He turned to Kael and Renar.
"This is Instructor Mildar — a young but exceptionally talented mage."
Solmire tilted his head slightly, as if choosing his words.
"He can wield the elements of fire, wind… and is among the few capable of using the light element."
Renar flinched slightly.
Light…?
An element he had only ever heard about in distant stories.
Mildar showed little reaction. He inclined his head.
"Headmaster, I am merely a mage with enough skill to teach students. I am not worthy of such embellished praise."
Solmire let out a soft chuckle.
"Now, now, no need to be so modest."
He gestured toward the seat.
"Come, sit. Let me introduce you to my honored guests."
Mildar stepped forward and took the seat to Solmire's left.
His eyes once again rested on the two before him.
Solmire spoke:
"This is Kael and Renar. They are friends of Sill, and they have come here to resolve certain matters."
Mildar frowned slightly.
"Sill… Sill…"
He paused for a moment, then his expression shifted faintly.
"Ah… I remember."
"The academy's top lightning prodigy from before."
A trace of regret lingered in his voice.
"But unfortunately… he chose the path of a warrior instead."
Kael and Renar exchanged glances.
Neither could hide their surprise.
Sill… had once been a top-tier mage?
Mildar continued, his tone steady:
"So, you two must be here because you need assistance with something?"
Solmire nodded and began explaining.
He spoke about Renar.
About his intention to study magic.
About the potential Sivall had seen in him.
Mildar turned his gaze to Renar.
"What kind of magic can you use?"
Renar hesitated.
"I… don't know."
He clenched his hand slightly.
"In fact… I'm not even sure if I can use magic at all."
The room fell silent for a brief moment.
Mildar said nothing immediately.
Solmire then spoke calmly:
"I intend to place Renar in your class."
Mildar paused.
His gaze darkened slightly.
"…My class."
A short silence followed.
He leaned back slightly, thinking.
"Headmaster… the class I am currently in charge of… is not stable."
His voice remained calm, but there was hesitation beneath it.
"I am not certain whether accepting a new student… would be beneficial for him."
Renar tightened his grip slightly.
He stepped forward.
"I… I'll be fine."
His voice was not loud, but it was firm.
"If I can join your class… I'd be very happy."
Mildar looked at him.
Their eyes met.
No longer cold.
Now… evaluating.
After a moment—
Mildar let out a quiet breath.
"…Very well."
He nodded.
"I will accept you."
Renar froze for a split second, then his expression lit up.
Solmire smiled in satisfaction.
"Excellent."
He looked at Mildar.
"I hope you will take care of and guide Renar during his time here."
Mildar nodded slightly.
"I understand."
He stood up and looked at Renar.
"Come with me."
Renar turned to Kael.
Kael gave a small nod.
"Go on."
Renar followed Mildar toward the door.
Just before it closed—
Kael spoke:
"I'll wait for you at the inn we rented earlier."
Renar turned back and nodded firmly.
The door shut.
Now only Kael and Solmire remained.
The room grew quieter.
Kael took a light breath.
"Headmaster… I came here for an important matter."
Solmire looked at him, saying nothing.
Kael continued:
"I need access to a large enough source of information… to investigate a mysterious creature."
His eyes grew serious.
"That thing… appeared in the place I once stayed."
Solmire frowned slightly.
"A mysterious creature…"
He was silent for a moment.
Then said:
"If it is information you seek… there is only one place suitable."
"The Library of Knowledge."
Kael tilted his head slightly.
"The Library…?"
Solmire nodded.
"It is a facility owned by the Magic Council."
"It contains an immense amount of information… dating back to ancient times."
He looked directly at Kael.
"If what you are searching for has ever existed… there will be traces of it there."
Kael tightened his hand slightly.
"Then… how do I gain access?"
Solmire smiled.
"I will write you a letter of introduction."
"To Maelis — a distinguished historian and one of the academy's elite members."
"She will assist you."
Kael bowed his head.
"Thank you, Headmaster."
Meanwhile—
Along the corridor leading to the classroom.
Mildar walked ahead.
Renar followed, slightly nervous.
"There is a clear ranking system here."
Mildar spoke.
"For new students, you will be called White Hats."
Renar listened attentively.
"After one semester and passing the evaluation exam… you will advance to Yellow Hats."
"That is the common rank for mages."
They continued walking.
"After that… if you believe yourself capable, you may take the test to achieve Green Hat."
"The title that nearly every mage aspires to."
Renar swallowed.
Mildar continued:
"Above that is Red Hat — the rank of instructors."
"And Purple Hat… the highest rank attainable through examination."
His voice lowered slightly.
"The pillars of the magical world… mostly stand at that level."
Renar barely blinked.
"Is there… anything higher?"
Mildar paused.
"Yes."
"Black Hat."
"Not something achieved through exams."
"It is a title granted directly by the Magic Council."
He stared forward.
"They… are the elite among elites."
"The higher they stand… the greater their power and authority."
"To the point… they can start a war… or end one."
Renar stood still.
A completely different world… had opened before him.
They stopped in front of a door.
Old.
Worn.
Scratches marked its surface.
From inside—
Noise spilled out.
Mildar opened the door.
Instantly—
The entire class fell silent.
He stepped in.
"From today onward… our class will have a new member."
Whispers immediately rose.
Bang!
Mildar struck the desk lightly.
"Silence."
The room quieted again.
He looked toward the door.
"Come in."
Renar took a deep breath… and stepped inside.
All eyes turned toward him.
Curious.
Excited.
And… suspicious.
Renar stood in the middle of the classroom.
He gave a small bow.
"My name is Renar… nice to meet you."
Far away—
In an unnamed forest.
Darkness thick in the air.
A man was running.
His breathing ragged.
His body covered in wounds, blood still flowing.
Yet he did not stop.
In his arms…
He carried something.
Held tightly… like an infant.
Behind him—
Something was chasing.
No clear form.
Only a presence.
Heavy.
Terrifying.
The man gritted his teeth.
And kept running.
Even as his legs trembled from exhaustion.
Even as his body screamed in pain.
He continued.
As if—
If he stopped…
Everything would end.