The train ride to Eclipse Academy felt longer than it should've. Jiwoo leaned against the window, watching the city fade in the distance. A week had passed since the acceptance letter, but part of him still didn't believe it.
When the stop was announced, he stood, grabbed his bag, and left the station. After a short walk, the academy gates appeared — tall, marked with the crescent moon symbol.
At the entrance, a staff member stopped him.
"Name?"
"Han Jiwoo."
"Dormitory, Sector B, Room 214. Orientation at ten. Don't be late. Also, you're Class B."
"Understood."
The dormitory sat at the edge of the campus, overlooking a grove of trees. Inside, the building was neat but old — polished floors, tall windows, wooden desks that still carried faint marks of past students. His assigned room was empty for now. He placed his bag down and opened the window. The morning breeze carried the scent of dew and old stone.
"So this is Eclipse."
At ten, he joined the other freshmen in the auditorium.
"Welcome to Eclipse Academy," he said. "I am Vice Headmaster Lee Hyun, speaking on behalf of Headmaster Elias Kain."
A ripple of recognition moved through the crowd at the name.
Even Jiwoo had heard it before — Elias Kain, a veteran combatant from the Monarch War era. Though he hadn't been chosen as one of the Nine Heroes, his strength and leadership earned him deep respect among them.
After the war, he turned away from battle and began teaching, eventually becoming the headmaster of Eclipse Academy. Many called him "the man who built heroes," a title he carried with quiet pride.
Now, that same name carried the weight of legacy more than fame.
Lee Hyun continued, "Eclipse has seen better days, but our purpose remains the same — to shape those with power into protectors. Not for fame, not for status, but for duty."
He let the words hang before adding, "Classes begin tomorrow. Today is for orientation and settling in. You'll meet your instructors shortly."
The students rose as the speech ended. Jiwoo stayed still a moment longer, letting the words sink in before leaving with the crowd.
Outside, the campus gleamed under the noon sun. The atmosphere felt lighter now — laughter, chatter, the shuffle of uniforms against stone.
Outside, sunlight spilled over the courtyard as students poured out of the auditorium in noisy clusters. Laughter and chatter filled the air — first-years already forming groups, upperclassmen watching from the balconies above like hawks measuring prey.
Jiwoo lingered at the edge of the flow, his pace unhurried. He was scanning the open yard when a voice cut through the noise.
"Jiwoo!" He looked up to see his sister weaving through the crowd — Han Jiwon, nineteen, third year, and the family's golden child. She looked exactly the same as always, the kind of confidence that made people step aside without realizing it.
You could've told me you were enrolling here."
"I didn't know myself. Mom and Dad handled it."
"Figures." She smiled. "Still, it's good to have you here."
He shrugged. "Or bad, depending on how competitive you get."
"Please. I'm always competitive."
They walked together until she asked,
"How was your awakening?"
"E-rank. Dual Class."
Jiwon stopped mid-step. "E?"
Her expression flickered — disbelief, then frustration, then something quieter. "That doesn't make sense. You've trained longer than most first-years here. You—" She caught herself, exhaled slowly. "You don't deserve that rank, and... What's that Dual Class?"
"They said it's Unknown also deserve's got nothing to do with it. The crystal gave its answer. That's all."
For a moment, neither spoke. Around them, laughter echoed from the far side of the yard. The world kept moving.
Finally, Jiwon spoke, "Then prove it wrong." Her tone was steady, but her eyes had that familiar glint — the same one she used to get before a match. "If faith still means something, make it see what the Association couldn't."
"That's the plan."
"Good. Because I don't intend to go easy on my little brother"
He almost laughed. "Didn't know it was a competition."
"With you? It always was even when we're in kendo back in the days." She tapped his shoulder lightly — a hit that carried both affection and challenge — before turning away. "Don't fall behind, Jiwoo."
When she left, Jiwoo exhaled. "E-rank or not, this is where it starts."
***
After lunch, the students toured the campus. Jiwoo focused on the facilities — training yard, mana archive, dorm sectors. During the demonstration, the same pulse from his awakening flickered faintly in his chest, then vanished.
Jiwoo was on his way to his assigned dorm when someone bumped into his shoulder. The impact was solid — the guy reeked of sweat and mana burn, probably fresh from training. The upperclassman turned, frowning.
"Hey watch where you're going. Wait I haven't seen your face here before. You a freshman?"
"Yeah."
"Wow. Then where's your respect? I'm your senior."
Jiwoo blinked once. "Sorry. I didn't know."
The senior snorted. "Didn't know, my ass. Hand me a thousand won a day for the month and I'll forgive you."
Jiwoo tilted his head slightly. "And if I don't want to?"
The senior grinned, drawing his practice sword. "You talk big for a freshman." He swung without warning.
Jiwoo sidestepped — a half-step, clean and efficient. The blade cut air. Before the senior could react, Jiwoo grabbed his wrist, twisted, and pulled the sword free in one motion. The weapon's tip stopped a finger's breadth from the man's throat. For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Jiwoo said flatly, "Pathetic."
He dropped the sword at the senior's feet and walked away.
The upperclassman's face turned red.
"You bastard—just you wait!"
Jiwoo didn't look back. "Then don't keep me waiting."
He disappeared into the dorm corridor, leaving the senior standing there, too stunned to speak.
When he arrived in his dorm. A new suitcase sat by the other bed. The door opened, and a cheerful boy stepped in.
"Oh hey! You must be my roommate. Seo Minjae."
"Han Jiwoo."
Minjae's eyes lit up. "Wait, the Association kid? The one who blew up the chamber?"
Jiwoo sighed. "That story's still going around?"
"Pretty much." Minjae grinned. "Anyway, welcome to Eclipse. Hope you're not one of those quiet types."
"I'm quiet when I need to be."
"Good enough."
As night fell, Jiwoo looked out the window. The academy lights flickered across the campus. His hand pressed against his chest — the faint warmth still pulsing. Let's see what I become here.