The morning sun shone softly over Astral Academy, tinting the grand towers and blue-tiled roofs in a golden hue. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint hum of birds and distant chatter of students hurrying across the wide courtyard. It was finally the first official day of classes — the true beginning of their academy life.
Elara stood in front of room 1239, the same gentle impatience written all over her face. She wore her uniform neatly — the red coat and skirt perfectly pressed, her white shirt shining clean, her long socks reaching just below her knees. Her golden hair was tied back in a tidy ponytail, and her dark eyes gleamed with determination.
"No way am I letting him skip today," she murmured to herself, tapping her foot lightly against the marble floor.
The door slid open after a few moments with a soft hiss.
Ethan stepped out, looking calm as ever. His hair was neatly combed for once, his red coat buttoned properly over a crisp white shirt, red tie resting perfectly centered, and his trousers ironed straight. The faint smell of soap and fresh air followed him.
Elara's face instantly brightened, though she crossed her arms. "You almost made me wait again."
Ethan gave a faint, playful smile. "You're getting too good at this, Elara. Maybe I should start hiding earlier."
She pouted but laughed softly. "You won't get away that easily this time."
"Alright, alright," he said, adjusting his bag. "Let's go."
Elara grabbed his hand before he could even think about slipping off somewhere again. Her grip was small but firm, and Ethan didn't resist. They walked together down the long corridor — the lights gently reflecting off the polished floors, the voices of other students echoing faintly through the hallways.
When they finally stepped outside the Sky Wing Dorm, the sunlight greeted them warmly. The courtyard was already filled with students wearing the same red-and-white uniform, chatting excitedly, some running toward the main building.
Near the large stone fountain, Cole and Amanda were waiting.
Cole stood tall with his usual confident stance, his dark blue eyes sharp under his short brown hair. His uniform was slightly undone — the tie loose, the sleeves folded to his elbows. Amanda, beside him, looked radiant as always — her light brown hair tied in a loose bun, her red coat perfectly fitted, her silver earrings glinting in the sun.
"Hey! Elara!" Amanda called, waving. Her voice was cheerful — until she spotted Ethan beside her. Her expression turned playful. "Oh? And who's this mysterious guy finally showing up?"
Cole smirked. "Didn't think you'd actually come, man. What happened? Lost your phone? Or just ignoring messages?"
Amanda crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed. "Seriously, Ethan! I called you, like, ten times yesterday!"
Elara laughed awkwardly, trying to calm the situation. "Guys, don't start teasing him this early in the morning—"
But Ethan didn't seem flustered. His face stayed calm, his tone even. "Look, it's getting late. We should go before the bell rings."
Amanda blinked, then sighed dramatically. "You're no fun."
Cole chuckled. "Fine, fine, let's go before he walks off without us."
The four of them started walking together across the academy grounds. The white paths gleamed under the sun, surrounded by gardens filled with silver-leaf plants and crystal flowers that glowed faintly when touched by light.
Around them, hundreds of students moved — some in groups, some alone — all heading toward the main building where the first-year classrooms were located. The towering walls of Astral Academy stretched high, shimmering faintly with enchantments that danced like mist.
Amanda tilted her head slightly as she walked beside Elara. "I still can't believe we're finally here," she said softly.
Elara smiled, glancing at her brother walking a few steps ahead. "Yeah… it feels kind of unreal."
Ethan didn't say anything. He simply walked forward — his hand resting lightly on the strap of his bag, his eyes steady and calm. Inside, though, a quiet resolve stirred in him.
This time, things would be different.
As the four of them crossed the bridge toward the main academic building, the golden bell rang from above — a soft, melodic sound that echoed through the academy grounds.
The first day had begun.
The hallway leading to the first-year classroom was quiet, filled with the soft sound of shoes brushing against the smooth floor. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, painting warm golden lines across the walls.
Elara walked beside Ethan, her excitement almost glowing through her bright eyes. Cole and Amanda followed just behind, talking softly, their voices mixing with the distant chatter of other students.
After a short walk, they reached a large silver door that shimmered faintly with a rune carved at its center — Class 1-A. Elara pushed the door open, and the four of them stepped inside.
The classroom was far more beautiful than any of them had imagined. The walls were painted a deep blue, almost like the color of the evening sky, giving the whole room a calm and rich feeling. Small lights along the ceiling glowed softly, and the faint reflection from the walls made it seem as if the whole room had its own quiet rhythm.
At the front stood a large smart board, sleek and shining.
The room itself was hexagon in shape , the desks were placed on small levels like steps going upward, so everyone could clearly see the front. There were three long rows, and each row had six desks, large enough to seat five or six students each. The seats were polished and smooth, with faint engravings of the academy's crest — a star split into three fragments.
A quiet excitement filled the air. Many students were already seated, some chatting nervously, some looking around in awe. The gentle sound of chairs moving and bags being placed down echoed softly.
Amanda was the first to break the silence between them. Her brown eyes sparkled as she leaned slightly forward and whispered loudly, "Guys! Look — there's an empty seat right there!"
She pointed to a desk near the front — the middle front row, fourth desk . It was perfectly placed, not too close to the teacher's area but still in clear view of the board.
"Good spot," Cole said, grinning. "Let's take it before someone else does."
Without waiting, Amanda led the way, moving quickly but carefully through the narrow aisles between the desks.
Cole followed right behind her, his hand in his pocket, a lazy smile on his face.
Elara and Ethan walked after them, quietly taking in the room as they passed other students who were already sitting and whispering to one another.
When they reached the desk, Amanda slid into the seat first, brushing her hair back with a satisfied smile. Cole took the seat next to her, stretching his arms slightly. Elara sat beside Cole, neatly placing her bag at her feet. Ethan took the seat at the edge — calm and silent as usual.
There were still two empty seats beside them, waiting for whoever would come next.
For a moment, Ethan didn't move. He rested his hands on the desk and looked around the classroom again. His eyes stopped at the large window beside their row.
Through it, a vast green field stretched outside — bright grass swaying gently in the morning breeze. Beyond it stood tall trees with golden leaves that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. The view was peaceful, almost too peaceful
" It's the same "
The words came out of Ethan's mouth without even trying