"Oke, I'm ready," Kaiser said, pulling his suitcase behind him.
He looked surprisingly calm, considering what happened an hour ago.
Yesterday, everything had gone smoothly. He'd visited the hospital, said his goodbyes, handled everything he needed to handle. It was emotional, but peaceful. He'd even thought: Maybe life is finally giving me a break?
Then morning arrived.
And along with it… Divah's version of an alarm clock.
One minute Kaiser was dreaming of a warm beach, and the next—
SPLOOOSH!
Ice-cold water drenched him like he'd been thrown into the Arctic Ocean.
He jolted up, gasping and flailing.
His first thought was: I'm dying.
His second thought was: Why the hell is she smiling?
Divah stood beside his bed, an empty metal bucket in her hand, and a bright satisfied grin on her face.
"No more destroying alarm clocks," she had said.
Kaiser still shuddered at the memory. His clothes—still drying—were proof of his suffering.
And now here he was, standing at the entrance of the building with a small suitcase, dark circles under his eyes, and trauma in his soul.
Divah clapped her hands once.
"Let's go! Destination: Solara Academy!"
"Yeah, great… looking forward to it," Kaiser muttered. He wasn't sure whether his sarcasm was obvious, but Divah either didn't notice—or pretended not to.
They got into the same sleek black car as yesterday. Divah drove; Kaiser took the passenger seat, staring out the window as the city began to fade behind them.
"Is Solara far?" he asked, mostly to break the silence.
"A few hours," she replied cheerfully. "Enjoy the scenery. It's the last time you'll see this city for a while."
Kaiser leaned his head back against the seat. The sunrise poured golden light through the windows. It was strangely peaceful despite his exhaustion.
"So," he asked eventually, "what's the academy like?"
Divah's eyes sparkled in the rear-view mirror.
"You'll see. Solara isn't just any academy. It's where Saints learn to use their gifts properly. There will be classes, tests, missions… and a lot of training."
Then she smirked. "Try not to destroy any alarm clocks while you're there."
He groaned.
"Is this going to become a running joke?"
"Oh definitely."
The highway stretched long ahead of them, lined by mountains and endless greenery. The deeper they traveled, the more Kaiser felt like he was being pulled toward something big, something he wasn't ready for—but had no choice but to face.
His hand subconsciously slid into his pocket where the silver pendant rested. The one he'd been given when he was chosen… saved… reborn. He still didn't understand why him, why a useless street survivor with no family awake to cheer for him.
Maybe this is my chance, he thought.
My chance to change everything.
Hours passed. At some point, exhaustion finally caught up with him, and his eyes slowly closed. He drifted into a light sleep, his head tilted toward the window.
He didn't notice Divah glancing at him now and then, a quiet, unreadable smile on her lips.
"Sleep while you can," she whispered softly.
"The real challenge begins soon."
──────────────
When Kaiser woke up again, Divah tapped his shoulder.
"We're here."
Kaiser blinked, stretching his stiff neck. Then he looked outside— and his breath caught.
Before him rose towering white structures that looked like a fusion between a cathedral and a futuristic fortress. Tall spires pierced the sky. Stained-glass windows shimmered with symbols of light. Fountains sparkled with crystal-clear water, and banners fluttered proudly from every height.
It was nothing like the gray, worn city he'd grown up in.
"Welcome," Divah declared with pride.
"To Solara Academy—home of the Saints."
Something inside Kaiser surged—fear, excitement, and destiny all tangled together.
He swallowed hard.
This was no ordinary school.
This was the place where his life would change forever.
The moment Divah and Kaiser stepped through the academy gates, dozens of heads turned.
Whispers spread faster than wildfire.
"Whoa, look—it's Divah Lawson!"
"I know, she's gorgeous."
"Her silver hair looks even better in person."
"Wait… who's the guy walking next to her?"
"Her brother? Did she even have a brother?"
The buzz grew louder as they made their way across the marble courtyard. Everywhere Kaiser looked, students were staring—some with admiration, others with jealousy.
He leaned closer to Divah and muttered with a teasing grin, "You're pretty famous, huh? If only they knew what you're really like."
Divah narrowed her eyes. "What was that, you little—"
"Nothing~," Kaiser cut her off quickly, pretending to admire the scenery.
It didn't help that Divah looked like she walked straight out of a legend—tall, confident, her silver hair shining under the morning sun. She wore a long white coat trimmed with blue, the emblem of the Saint Order glimmering on her sleeve. Every student they passed seemed ready to kneel or faint.
Kaiser, on the other hand, wore a simple black hoodie and jeans, dragging his suitcase behind him.
He looked more like a lost tourist than a hero-in-training.
Still, seeing how everyone adored Divah gave him an idea.
A terrible, but funny idea.
He suddenly raised his voice, making sure the students around could hear.
"Big sis, where are we going next?"
Divah froze.
"What did you just call me?"
"Big sister," Kaiser repeated innocently. "Isn't that what I should call you, since you're looking after me?"
Before she could yell at him, he acted fast—grabbing her hand dramatically and shouting, "Big sister, watch out!"
Divah blinked in confusion, then realized—too late—that she'd been about to walk right into a wall.
The crowd gasped.
Kaiser "saved" her at the last second, pulling her away gently.
The onlookers went wild.
"Oh my god, he is her little brother!"
"They're so close!"
"That's so sweet—he saved her from bumping her head!"
Divah's face turned crimson. "Kaiser. I swear, if you ever—"
But it was too late. The rumor had already taken root.
Kaiser tried not to laugh as they continued walking through the academy halls. Students waved and whispered as they passed.
"Hey, he's kinda cute."
"Must run in the family!"
Divah muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, I'm going to kill him.
Finally, they reached the large double doors marked Director's Office. Divah took a deep breath, composed herself, and knocked.
Inside, Kaiser caught glimpses of golden furniture, bookshelves filled with ancient tomes, and a tall man with glowing eyes who spoke with quiet authority. They exchanged a few words—Kaiser couldn't hear much—but Divah's posture changed, becoming respectful and professional. Whatever they were talking about, it seemed serious.
A few minutes later, Divah stepped out, crossed her arms, and sighed.
"Alright," she said. "You're registered. You'll get your dorm key and schedule soon. Classes start tomorrow."
"Great," Kaiser said. "Where's my room?"
"Ask around. Figure it out yourself," she said, already walking away.
"What? You're just leaving me here?"
Divah looked over her shoulder with a smirk.
"Good luck, little brother. Oh, and—try not to flirt your way into trouble."
"Flirt? I'd never—"
But she was gone.
Kaiser stood there, feeling abandoned, holding his suitcase like a lost child. Around him, students were still whispering and glancing his way. Some smiled; others looked ready to start a fight.
He sighed. "Guess I'm on my own now."
That's when a tall student stepped out from the crowd, blocking his path. He had sharp features, long dark hair, and eyes that shimmered faintly red—a trait that made Kaiser instinctively tense.
"So," the stranger said with a confident grin, "you're the rumored little brother of the Ice Goddess."
"Ice Goddess?" Kaiser echoed.
"That's what we call Divah Lawson here. One of the strongest Saints in Solara—and, apparently, your dear sister."
The guy chuckled, his voice dripping with arrogance.
"Tell me, little brother… what's your level? Let's see if the Goddess's bloodline lives up to the legend."
Kaiser blinked slowly. "Oh no," he muttered, rubbing his temple.
"Not another weirdo."
The crowd started gathering again, excitement buzzing in the air.
And Kaiser realized—his first day at Solara Academy wasn't going to be peaceful.