He got home late—far later than he expected. The moment he stepped into the room, he didn't even bother to remove his jacket. He dropped face-first onto the bed, exhaustion consuming every breath, and sleep snatched him instantly like a cold hand from the void.
Morning came with soft light cutting through the curtains. Lior opened his eyes, strangely refreshed, his body reborn after the fatigue of the previous day. He pushed himself up, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and stepped out of his room.
In the common living area, he found one roommate—shirt plastered to his chest with sweat, shaker cup in hand, protein shake sloshing.
"You finally woke up?" the boy said with a casual grin.
Before Lior could answer, he noticed Rain—exactly where he'd left him last night—sitting at his gaming console… but now asleep in that same position, controller still in hand.
The athletic boy chuckled. "Looks like Rain continued his all-night gaming habit. Again."
He straightened and held out a hand."I'm Jason, by the way."
"Lior," he replied. "Just… call me Lior."
"Great. There's food in the kitchen, by the way."
Lior nodded and reached for the small clock perched on the shelf near the wall. The moment his eyes landed on the numbers—he froze.
It was late.
Way too late.
Jason noticed his expression twist with horror and asked, "What time is it?"Lior simply held the clock toward him. Jason's eyes widened.
In one swift motion Jason spun and gave Rain a heavy knock on the head.
"UP. NOW!"
He grabbed the back of Rain's shirt and dragged his limp, reluctant body across the room.
Meanwhile Lior raced to dress—throwing clothes on with frantic speed, barely fixing his hair. Rain was still lazily stretching and yawning as though he had infinite time. Jason gritted his teeth.
"Forget him," Jason said. "Just GO."
But Lior hated the thought of leaving someone behind. He hesitated.
They rushed out the door—only to arrive at the hall…
…where Rain was already standing.
Perfect posture. Calm expression. Zero sign he had ever been half-asleep.That was the moment Lior finally understood Jason's warning:
Don't worry about Rain.
Orientation began minutes later.
Hundreds of new students filled the grand auditorium. Runes shimmered on the walls like floating constellations. Banners of Elemental Crests hung above them—Water, Wind, Earth and Fire.
After long introductions, rules, expectations, and speeches, the announcer stepped forward.
"And now, the top three candidates—ranked at the highest for admissions."
Whispers filled the room.
"First—Orelia Sterling."
A silver-haired girl with golden eyes rose elegantly. Light magic flickered at her fingertips like she was born a star.
"Second—Ryan Spark."
A blue-jacketed water magic user stood, hands in pockets, arrogant smile across his face.
"And third…"The hall grew tense.
"Rain Wilford."
Silence. Disbelief. Then shock.
Lior's eyes widened.He knew Rain was strong. But after everything—the gaming, the laziness, the jokes—he couldn't believe it.
After orientation ended, Lior almost went home to visit his mother… but then remembered:
He had accepted the one-week Adventure Tour Camp—a sponsored deal to relieve his mother from carrying the stress of his stay. He sighed and turned back toward the dorm.
"Hey," Rain called casually from behind. "We're heading out. If you don't mind… join us."
Lior hesitated. But he had no plan. No reason to say no.
"…Sure."
Rain, Jason, and Lior began their tour.Shop to shop. Street food. Merchant booths selling rune charms. Rain joked through most of it, Jason lectured like a responsible parent, and Lior—quietly—felt something he hadn't felt in years:
He belonged.
They finished the evening at a cinema—watching a magical combat film projected by floating crystal screens.
And, of course—They all fell asleep.
Jason awoke first—eyes snapping open in panic.
"WAKE UP— IT'S NINE!"
Rule #1 of Vayrion Institute: Students must be indoors by 7 PM.
They sprinted across city blocks, Jason shouting, Lior gasping—
—and Rain?Laughing.
They reached the entrance. Somehow dodged the first checkpoint. But as they attempted the second—ALARMS SCREAMED.
Security poured out like a flood of armored guards.They ran.
Chased through corridors, dodging patrol golems—
Until—
Rain placed a hand on the ground.
A glowing rune circle expanded—
A tunnel ripped into existence.
Jason stared. "Why—why would you create tunnels below the institute—?!"
Rain shrugged. Smirked."Because I was bored."
Jason thought to himself:
…He wanted this to happen.
The tunnel spat them out inside their room.When security reached their dorm and knocked—hardly seconds later—
Jason opened the door, hair messy, voice sleepy, yawning.
"…What's the commotion? People are trying to sleep."
Lior and Rain stepped out—stretching, fake yawns perfectly timed.
Security left. Doors closed.
Silence.
Then Rain burst into laughter, rolling onto the couch.
THE NEXT DAY
Training began.Hard. Brutal. Relentless.
Lior, Rain, and Jason arrived already exhausted from the previous night's escapade—but no exceptions were made.
After hours of physical drills, magical circles, summoner meditation tests, elemental alignment exams—
The head instructor announced:
"Tomorrow will begin the Battle of Dorms.Twenty-four teams. One champion."
Gasps echoed.
Victory meant glory. Privileges. Resources.Losers… were ignored, forgotten, invisible.
A timer appeared above the arena door—glowing crimson numbers ticking down.
00 : 30 : 00
Thirty minutes until it begins.
Jason stood silent.Lior felt his heart pounding.Rain smiled like a predator.
And somewhere in Lior's chest—
A faint blue glow trembled.
Aqua… are you watching…