Chapter 3 — The Departure
The sun barely passed through the curtains when Zayn slammed his suitcase shut with a sharp motion.
— Well… today's the day.
Aaron Kill was leaning against the door, arms crossed, looking as serious as usual.
— Try not to get expelled on the first day.
Zayn raised his eyes.
— Me? Impossible. I'm a role model.
Aaron sighed.
A few minutes later, the train sped north, heading toward the secret Academy of Paladins.
Next to Zayn, a blond boy with clear eyes had settled. He had a gentle smile.
— I'm Eothe. And you?
— Zayn. Future living legend.
Eothe chuckled lightly.
His gaze dropped to the strange watch on Zayn's wrist.
— That's weird… it radiates energy.
Zayn held it up proudly.
— This? That's the Guilthitree.
He paused dramatically.
— Well… its real name is Borealis.
Eothe's eyes shone.
— An artifact?
Zayn shrugged.
— Let's just say it's complicated.
The train cut through the dawn like a silent blade.
Through the window, the landscapes changed. Forests became cities. Cities became skyscrapers. Skyscrapers became cathedrals of steel.
Then it appeared.
New York.
Not just a city.
A gigantic breath.
A vertical jungle.
A heart beating beneath thousands of lights.
The glass towers reflected the sky as if trying to steal it. Suspended bridges looked like ropes stretched between two worlds. The streets vibrated with an almost mystical energy.
Zayn pressed his forehead against the window.
— Wooooow… it's bigger than in the movies.
Eothe smiled.
— This is where our real life begins.
Zayn shrugged.
— Or our death. Depends.
The train slowed.
The station swallowed the students like a monumental mouth.
They got off into organized chaos. Hundreds of teenagers carrying suitcases, some excited, others terrified.
Then a clear voice rose.
— Welcome to the United States.
The students turned.
A woman stood before them. Elegant figure. Calm but piercing gaze. Her dark hair swayed slightly in the urban wind.
— I am Himaru Haruihiho.
Her voice was soft… yet carried an invisible authority.
— Official presenter and high-rank Paladin.
A murmur ran through the crowd.
Zayn yawned.
— Presenter? Are we in a show or what…
Himaru raised her hand.
The city noise seemed to fade.
— Before discovering your true destination… you must understand where you are stepping.
---
The Museum
They walked for a long time through Manhattan.
The yellow taxis flashed like terrestrial lightning. Giant screens flickered at Times Square. Buildings cast their shadows like silent giants.
They entered a huge museum.
White columns. Colossal dome. Historical frescoes.
Himaru spoke.
— The United States is a land of power.
— A land of conflicts.
— A land of ambition.
She explained wars, revolutions, science, technology, nuclear energy, space.
Zayn looked at the ceiling.
Then the floor.
Then his watch.
Then the ceiling again.
— This is long…
Eothe listened attentively.
— Don't you find it fascinating?
— Yes… if I were 80 years old.
Himaru suddenly fixed her gaze on Zayn.
He straightened immediately.
— I was joking, madam ultra-charismatic presenter.
A few students laughed.
Himaru gave a slight smile.
---
The Invisible Border
At dusk, they left the museum.
The orange light of the dying sun bathed the city.
They walked toward Central Park.
The skyscrapers faded behind them.
The trees grew more numerous.
The air fresher.
They stopped at the north border of the park.
Himaru raised her hand.
— What you are about to see does not exist.
The wind rose.
Leaves trembled.
The air vibrated.
A distortion appeared in front of them.
As if space itself was bending.
Zayn blinked.
— Wait… wait… wait… what is this?!
Himaru stepped forward.
And crossed the void.
The students hesitated.
Then one by one…
They entered.
---
The Hidden City
The world changed.
The city noise disappeared.
Before them stretched a city invisible to the world.
Luminous cobbled streets.
Floating lampposts casting a violet glow.
Ancient buildings mixed with mystical structures.
And at the center…
A castle.
Immense.
Slender towers pierced the night sky.
Stained glass radiated amethyst light.
Ancient symbols floated around the walls.
It was alive.
Powerful.
Eternal.
— The Paladin Academy, announced Himaru.
A total silence fell.
Even the most arrogant were left speechless.
Zayn opened his mouth wide.
— …It's illegal to be this stylish.
His eyes shone like a child in front of a treasure.
— It's… IT'S A MAGIC CASTLE?! IN NEW YORK?! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!
Some students whispered.
Others were afraid.
The magic in the air was dense.
Almost heavy.
---
The Sorting
In the main hall, floating chandeliers illuminated aligned tables.
Runes carved into the floor lit up.
— The dormitory sorting will begin.
Names appeared in the air.
One by one, students moved toward their respective towers.
D'amande
— Zayn.
His name echoed.
He raised his hand.
— Present!
— East Tower. Room 17.
He grabbed his suitcase.
— East Tower? Sounds classy.
---
The Dormitory
The hallway was silent.
The black walls bore golden symbols.
The air was colder here.
Zayn opened the door.
It creaked slightly.
The room was large.
Two beds.
A large window overlooking the mystical forest.
Talismans hung from the ceiling.
And on one of the beds…
A boy sat.
Silent.
Upright posture.
Heavy presence.
He wore a strange helmet on his head. Not a headset.
Something more complex.
Metal lines ran across the surface. Fine glowing inscriptions pulsed faintly.
He didn't look at Zayn.
But the atmosphere changed immediately.
— Oh.
Zayn entered.
— Hi roommate.
No answer.
— The helmet is to listen to what? Mystic rock?
Silence.
Then finally…
— It's not for listening.
His voice was calm. Sharp.
Zayn squinted.
— Then what is it for?
The boy turned his head slightly.
His eyes were deep red.
— To limit.
A shiver ran through the room.
— Limit what?
Silence.
Then simply:
— Me.
Zayn froze.
Then a smile stretched across his face.
— OHHHHH. I like you.
He set down his suitcase.
— I'm Zayn. Future legendary hero.
The boy replied:
— Yojuro.
A simple name.
But heavy.
The moonlight shone through the window.
Two completely different energies now shared the same space.
One explosive.
The other contained.
Fate had locked them together.
And somewhere, in the depths of the castle…
Something was awakening.
---