"Wake up, Narihu!"
I opened my eyes slowly, feeling Rei poke my shoulder, shaking me from a half-dream.
"Alright, alright, I'm up," I muttered, rubbing my eyes. "Why are you up so early anyway?"
Rei frowned, panic already in his voice. "Because we overslept! The entrance ceremony's about to start!"
It took a moment for his words to sink in.
"Wait—what?!" I jumped out of bed so fast I nearly tripped over my boots. "Damn it, we can't be late on the first day!"
I scrambled to find my clothes, throwing things aside until Rei sighed and tossed something my way.
"Don't wear that," he said. "Here—this is the Academy uniform."
The fabric shone under the morning light, pure white with gold embroidery that looked almost royal. I just stared at it.
"This is ours?" I asked, eyes wide.
Rei nodded with a small grin.
"I didn't think commoners like us would ever get to wear something this nice…" I said quietly, slipping into the uniform. It felt almost too perfect to touch.
Then I noticed the small bronze badge pinned to the chest.
"What's this?" I asked, tilting my head.
Rei's smile faded. "Probably how they tell us apart from the nobles."
He sighed, fixing his sleeves. "I'm ready. You coming, or should I go ahead?"
"Go. I'll be right behind you," I said, still searching for my sword.
"Don't be late, okay?" Rei warned, though his tone said he already knew the answer. He waved and walked out the door.
I clasped my necklace around my neck, sheathed my sword, and stopped in front of the mirror.
"I can't believe it," I whispered to my reflection. "I'll get to study with Rei and Senna every day. I've never even been to a school before…"
I smiled, then ran out the door.
By the time I reached the main arena, my lungs burned from sprinting — but at least it hadn't started yet. The arena was enormous, filled with upper-year students and spectators. High above, three royal families sat in a grandstand.
I scanned the crowd for Rei and Senna, focusing my mana to sharpen my senses. Once I found theie mana, I started pushing through the crowd — and ran straight into someone.
"Watch where you're going, idiot!" a sharp voice snapped.
When my vision cleared, I saw a girl with brown hair and an aura of arrogance so thick it almost radiated.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention," I said quickly, offering her my hand. "Are you hurt?"
She slapped my hand away and stood up, her eyes flicking to the bronze badge on my chest. Her lips twisted into a cruel smile.
"Hah. A commoner. Then kneel. Beg for forgiveness."
That old, familiar disgust burned in my chest. I clenched my jaw.
"No."
That was all I said — then I turned to walk away.
Her laughter cut through the air like a knife. "How dare you refuse me? I am Luna Arashi, princess of Asterin!"
Her followers stepped in front of me, blocking my path. A crowd gathered, eager to see how the 'peasant' would be humiliated.
I stood still, but every muscle in my face was tense. The nobles were all the same except Saya. She was the only one different.
"What's wrong? Too scared to move?" Luna taunted, a smug grin stretching across her face. "Kneel now, kiss my shoe, and maybe I'll forgive you."
The laughter around us grew louder. My mana began to leak out unconsciously, the air around me trembling. I was about to challenge her right there but then, a hand touched my shoulder.
"That's enough. Don't touch what's mine."
Saya's voice was calm but sharp. She stood beside me, facing Luna.
"Yours?" Luna mocked. "Since when does the princess of Eldora care about a filthy commoner?"
"In my eyes, every citizen of Eldora is equal," Saya said, fire in her tone. Then she glanced at me — and for a moment, that fire turned to light. "Come on. They're not worth our time."
She took my hand and pulled me away. For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
She was everything I imagined a true noble to be.
Luna said something behind us, but I didn't hear it, just laughter fading into the distance.
"Thanks for stepping in," I said quietly.
"I didn't do anything. I just couldn't stand watching Luna treat you like that," she replied. Her voice was soft, but I heard the guilt in it.
"Uh… mind letting go of my hand?" I asked awkwardly.
"Ah—sorry!" she said quickly, her cheeks turning red. We both fell silent. Thankfully, that was when Headmaster Yuren appeared and stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome, everyone, to Lunaris Academy one of Elysea's proudest institutions," Yuren began, his voice echoing through the arena.
"Today is not just the beginning of a new school year. It's the day new stories begin the day the next heroes of Elysea take their first steps toward destiny."
He paused, scanning the crowd.
"Today, we'll be testing the mana strength,potential and combat skills of all new students. Based on your results, you'll be assigned to classes suited to your abilities."
"Lunaris has never been just about power. It's about purpose. For decades, this Academy has been the pride of Elysea, producing countless heroes. Four of the Six Vanguards our continent's greatest defenders were once students here."
"This place is more than a school. It's where fate is forged. Among you may be the next Vanguard... or someone who will surpass them."
He smiled warmly. "Thank you to the kings and Vanguards who joined us today. Please, give them a round of applause and let's begin the mana assessment."
The audience erupted in clapping. My heart pounded.
One by one, students were called onto the stage.
"Next, Senna Lee."
Senna stepped up, placing her hand on the crystal sphere. It glowed a deep blue steady and calm.
"Blue rank, fourth mana orb," Yuren announced. A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd. Then, the Potential Crystal shifted to black.
Even Yuren blinked in surprise.
"Black potential…" he murmured. "Impressive."
"Eiden Cross, step forward."
A red-haired noble walked up confidently. The crystal glowed bright blue even deeper than Senna's.
"Blue rank, fifth mana orb," Yuren said. Eiden smirked.
"This is the power of royal blood. Remember that, peasants you'll never reach me!" he boasted, puffing out his chest.
But when his potential was revealed, the crystal showed only violet. A simple violet.
"What? How can my potential be lower than her?" he shouted, pointing at Senna. "She's a commoner!"
Before Yuren could respond, a voice came from the royal booth.
"Eiden! How much more shame will you bring upon our family?!"
The King of Velmor's furious voice echoed through the hall.
Eiden froze. "I...I'm sorry, Father." His face burned with humiliation as he stepped down.
"Rei Kaido, you're next," Yuren called.
Rei stepped up with determination. The crystal gleamed blue fifth mana orb. Same as Eiden's.
His jaw tightened, unsatisfied. But then, the Potential Crystal turned black. Pure, perfect black.
Rei's expression softened. He smiled, proud but silent, as the crowd whispered in disbelief.
Two commoners both with black potential.
"Next, Saya Rin."
Saya placed her hand on the crystal. A noble blue light flared, elegant and steady it matched her perfectly.
"Blue rank, fifth mana orb," Yuren announced.
Then, the Potential Crystal began to swirl black and Crimson intertwining without blending.
Yuren's eyes widened. "I've… never seen this before," he said quietly. "We'll classify it as Crimson, for now."
Saya took first place on the rankings.
Now only Luna and I remained.
Luna climbed the stairs, glancing at Saya with a smirk.
"Watch closely," she said. "I'll show you the difference between us."
The crystal flared green — shocking the entire arena.
"Green rank, first mana orb!" Yuren said, his tone impressed.
Then the Potential Crystal shone bright Crimson flawless and vibrant.
Applause thundered through the hall. Luna turned to Saya, mouthing:
"That's the difference between Asterin and Eldora."
Her smile made my blood boil.
"Last student Narihu Mizuhara."
No one cared anymore. Everyone was still talking about Luna's result.
As I walked up the stairs, Luna brushed past me, flicking her hair.
"If you want to survive here," she whispered, "you know what to do."
Her smirk said everything the same arrogance as before.
"I don't think I'll need your help," I said calmly, locking eyes with her. "Watch closely."
She laughed and walked off, not taking me seriously.
I placed my hand on the crystal.
The air around me grew heavy the wind began to stir.
The crystal glowed green, faint yet powerful.
Gasps filled the arena. Even the kings stood from their seats.
"Green rank, second mana orb," Yuren said, his voice trembling slightly.
"Is it broken?" someone asked.
"No," Yuren replied firmly. "It's working perfectly. Narihu has the strongest mana among all new students."
He smiled. "Now, Narihu place your hand on the Potential Crystal."
I nodded, focusing my mana once more.
The sky outside darkened.
The crystal turned black then Crimson and then it shattered.
Silence.
No one moved. No one breathed.
Yuren's expression was unreadable, but his eyes gleamed with awe.
"This potential… it surpasses Crimson," one of the assistants whispered.
The entire arena froze in stunned disbelief.
Finally, Yuren broke the silence. "The assessment is complete. Our top student is Narihu Mizuhara."
He reached out, shaking my hand firmly. "Congratulations, son. I can't wait to see what you'll become."
His words filled me with warmth… and a strange weight on my chest.
As I walked back down, Luna crossed my path.
"So, what do you think now?" I asked arrogantly. "A peasant stronger than you."
"That's impossible! You must've cheated somehow!" she hissed.
I didn't answer just smiled and walked away.
"Nice job, Narihu," Rei said, grinning.
"You should've seen their faces," he laughed. "Especially the noble."
"Yeah," Senna added, patting my head. "Guess all that training paid off."
Then I heard a soft voice behind me.
"Narihu…" Saya stood there, her face red. "I didn't know you were that strong."
She bowed slightly. "I'm sorry for looking down on you before. I thought you couldn't protect yourself."
I lifted her chin gently.
"You followed your heart, Saya. I'm grateful for that. Who knows what would've happened if you hadn't stepped in back then."
She smiled faintly. "Sometimes following my heart makes me do stupid things... but thank you, Narihu. You showed Luna that Eldora isn't weak.... even if I couldn't."
I took her hand lightly. She looked up at me, surprised.
"A true ruler doesn't rely on strength," I said. "They rely on allies."
Her eyes softened, glowing with warmth.
"You're just like my father," she said, smiling.
And for a moment just a moment her smile made me forget the world around us.