The Academy bell rang just as the first rays of sunlight reached the rooftops of New Haven.
Its deep, melodic tone rolled across the city.
For countless students…
It marked the beginning of a new chapter.
For Noah…
It meant one thing.
“BIG BROTHER’S FIRST DAY!” The five-year-old burst into Kael’s room without knocking.
Again.
Kael looked up from fastening the last button of his Academy uniform.
“You know…” “I know.” Noah nodded.
“I forgot to knock.” “You remembered.” “I remembered after opening the door.” “…Progress.” “I think so.” — The uniform fit perfectly.
Black with silver trim.
The Academy crest rested over his heart.
A silver wolf badge gleamed beneath it, identifying him as a member of the Royal Division.
Kael adjusted the collar one final time before looking into the mirror.
For a moment…
He barely recognized himself.
Not because of the uniform.
Because of the expression looking back at him.
Calm.
Focused.
Hopeful.
Ethan Cole rarely looked hopeful.
Kael Draven did.
— Downstairs, breakfast was already waiting.
Marcus looked up from his tea and smiled.
“It suits you.” Elara nodded in agreement.
“It really does.” Lyra grinned.
“You finally look like a student instead of someone who wandered into a library by accident.” “I did that once.” “I know.” “You were there.” “I was laughing.” — Noah circled Kael twice.
“Hmm.” “What?” “You look taller.” “I don’t.” “You definitely do.” Marcus chuckled.
“That’s pride.” “Oh.” Noah nodded wisely.
“It makes people taller.” — Breakfast passed quickly.
Everyone seemed unusually cheerful.
Even Marcus, who normally preferred quiet mornings, kept the conversation going.
“You remember your schedule?” “Yes.” “Student badge?” Kael tapped his pocket.
“Here.” “Emergency money?” “Also here.” Marcus nodded approvingly.
“Good.” Elara handed Kael a neatly wrapped lunch.
“You don’t have to eat in the dining hall today.” Kael accepted it.
“Thanks.” “It’s your first day.” She smiled warmly.
“I wanted to make something familiar.” — When they stepped outside, the streets were already alive.
Students filled every road leading toward the Academy.
Some walked confidently.
Others nervously reread their schedules.
Parents offered last-minute advice.
Friends searched for one another among the crowd.
The entire city seemed to be moving in the same direction.
Toward New Haven Beast Academy.
— Halfway there, a familiar voice called out.
“Kael!” He turned.
Rex.
Already wearing his uniform.
Already carrying far too many bags.
“Morning!” “Morning.” Rex scratched the back of his head.
“My mom packed enough food for three days.” “…Why?” “She thinks I’ll forget to eat.” Kael looked at the bags.
“I don’t think that’s possible.” “Me neither.” — Another familiar figure approached from the opposite side of the street.
Aria.
She offered a small wave.
“Good morning.” “Morning.” Rex smiled.
“Now we’re missing one.” Almost on cue— “You’re standing in the middle of the road.” Adrian.
He sighed as he approached.
“If we’re going to be late on the first day…” “I’d rather not do it because Rex became distracted.” “I wasn’t distracted.” Rex pointed toward a pastry shop.
“I was considering important life decisions.” Adrian followed his gaze.
“…I see.” — The four continued toward the Academy together.
Around them, conversations filled the streets.
“I heard the combat instructors are terrifying.” “My cousin said first-years have to run five kilometers every morning.” “That’s impossible.” “No, that’s the second-years.” Rex’s expression slowly changed.
“…I suddenly have concerns.” — Soon, the silver gates of New Haven Beast Academy came into view.
Unlike Registration Day, today felt different.
There were no tour guides waiting.
No welcoming speeches.
Students walked through the gates on their own.
Some laughing.
Some nervous.
Some silent.
Today…
They weren’t visitors.
They belonged here.
— As Kael stepped through the gates…
His student badge vibrated gently.
A soft chime followed.
A floating crystal sphere drifted toward him.
Identity confirmed.
Welcome, Kael Draven.
Royal Division.
First Year.
The sphere rotated once.
Classroom: Royal Training Hall.
Then it floated away toward another arriving student.
Rex stared after it.
“It knows our names.” “The badge communicates with it,” Adrian explained.
“The Academy network.” Kael quietly examined his badge.
Beast Crystal technology.
Far more advanced than it first appeared.
— Students flowed across the campus.
Some toward dormitories.
Others toward classrooms.
The Academy, which had seemed peaceful during Registration Day, now pulsed with energy.
Instructors crossed the courtyards carrying stacks of books.
Senior students greeted friends they hadn’t seen since the previous term.
Training fields already echoed with the sounds of practice.
Life had begun.
— The four reached the Royal Training Hall.
The massive silver doors stood open.
Inside, nearly two hundred first-year Royal Division students were already taking their seats.
Unlike traditional classrooms, the arena remained at the center.
The students sat around it in ascending rows.
Rex looked around.
“…Where do we sit?” A nearby instructor pointed toward several empty seats.
“Anywhere.” “After today, you’ll probably choose your usual places.” The four naturally sat together.
None of them questioned it.
— The Academy bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The conversations gradually faded.
Professor Edwin Hale stepped into the arena.
He looked around the hall with a satisfied smile.
“I see everyone survived the journey.” A few students laughed.
“Excellent.” He folded his hands behind his back.
“Today isn’t about testing your strength.” Several students visibly relaxed.
“It isn’t about comparing Beast Souls.” More relieved expressions appeared.
“Today…” He smiled.
“…is about getting to know one another.” A ripple of confusion spread through the hall.
Professor Hale continued.
“For the next hour…” “I don’t want rivals.” “I don’t want nobles.” “I don’t want commoners.” “I want classmates.” Kael noticed Adrian listening very carefully.
“So.” Professor Hale clapped once.
“The first assignment of your Academy life is remarkably difficult.” Several students leaned forward.
“I want each of you…” “…to introduce yourselves.” Silence.
Then— A collective groan echoed through the entire hall.
Even Kael almost smiled.
Rex buried his face in his hands.
“I’d rather fight monsters.” Laughter erupted throughout the room.
Even the instructors couldn’t hide their smiles.
For the first time since entering the Academy…
The nervous atmosphere disappeared completely.
They weren’t warriors.
They weren’t future heroes.
At least not today.
Today…
They were simply a room full of sixteen-year-olds meeting one another for the very first time.
«End of Chapter 18»