A large crowd had already gathered outside the gates, filling the air with chatters.
Kids around the same age stood everywhere.
some looked incredibly nervous, while others were practically bouncing with excitement and most of them wore exceptionally expensive clothing that clearly screamed that they belonged to high noble families.
Shinazu unconsciously looked down at his own new clothes.
For once, he didn’t stand out like a sore thumb and the realization felt quite strange to him.
Minato noticed his quiet observation.
“You look worried.”
“There are a lot of people.”
“There will be more,” Minato replied dryly.
Shinazu immediately regretted saying anything.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted drastically.
“Look there,” A boy pointed and a sudden murmur spread through the crowd.
Two incredibly luxurious carriages accompanied by a few small escort of guards, approaching from the main road, bearing golden sun crests decorated upon their doors.
“Hinokami Royal Crests” A boy spoke and the word’s were enough to shift the crowd’s attention immediately, halting every conversation they were having and quickly moving aside.
The first carriage came to a halt before the crowd elegantly.
The children looked at it with sheer excitement.
A royal guard stepped out and gradually opened its door.
The crowd leaned in their faces to see who it is and then a young man stepped out of the carriage, with his long silvery-white hair flowing past his shoulders, piercing sapphire-blue eyes, and refined features that carried a mature elegance.
Dressed in an exquisitely tailored dark suit embellished with ornate golden insignias and decorations, he exuded an air of effortless authority and quiet intelligence.
Every movement he made seemed deliberate and refined making him appear far more patient and observant than those around him..
The noble girls nearby immediately began whispering excitedly.
“Look, look!
It’s Prince Hayame!”
“He’s so handsome!”
Hayame offered the crowd a polite smile, and dozens of girls immediately clutched their chests, trying to calm their pounding hearts.
But then right behind him, a second boy stepped out.
His short silver hair partially veiled his sharp golden eyes, wearing a spotless outfit draped with a crimson cape, heavy with intricate gold embroidery and extravagantly luxurious ornaments that practically screamed royalty.
A confident smirk on his face with, his lazy and relaxed posture carrying the unmistakable arrogance of someone who enjoyed provoking others.
Several noble boys rushed forward eagerly to greet him.
“Prince Haruka, it’s a great honor to meet you!”
Haruka looked thoroughly smug.
The second carriage as well halted before the gates.
This time, a prince and a princess stepped out together.
The princess had long, flowing golden hair cascading down her back, gentle sapphire blue eyes, and graceful features that radiated quiet elegance.
She wore a flowing white dress stitched with gold flowers, paired with delicate sapphire jewelry and an intricate floral hairpiece that gave her a refined, otherworldly beauty.
Her soft smile and calm presence radiated pure kindness and quiet dignity, making her seem like the kind of person who naturally brought comfort and serenity to those around her.
Meanwhile, the prince beside her had tousled golden hair, striking sapphire-blue eyes, and a handsome youthful face that carried an effortless charm.
Clad in a finely tailored royal-blue suit adorned with golden embroidery, sapphire ornaments and a white fur mantle, his royal appearance reflected both elegance and prestige.
His gentle smile and relaxed posture gave him made him appear more like a talented elder brother than an intimidating noble.
“Isn’t it my little brother Kousuke and elder sister Minara?” Hayame said, smiling warmly as he walked toward the two.
“It’s hard to believe my eyes how much you two have changed since we last met.”
“Have you already forgotten us, Hayame?” Minara asked with a gentle smile.
“How could I ever forget my elder sister, especially when she is an unparalleled beauty throughout the entire Hinokami Kingdom?”
“Of course!
Who could possibly compare to my sister?” Kousuke added, looking smug.
Haruka scoffed, “Well, you certainly didn’t inherit any of her grace.” openly mocking Kousuke. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Kousuke turned, narrowing his eyes.
“Oh, you’re here too, Haruka?
I thought you were just another random person in the crowd.
My apologies, I didn’t notice you.”
“Watch your mouth!” Haruka flared up in anger, but he was quickly cut off by Hayame.
“I see brother Kousuke is as lively as young days,” Hayame said smoothly to defuse the tension.
He then turned back to Minara.
“Elder sister, where is Akira?
Didn’t she come with you?”
She looked backwards “Her carriage was right behind ours,” Minara replied.
“She must have stopped somewhere along the way…”
As the royal siblings exchanged their greetings, Shinazu listened quietly from the crowd.
But before the royals could converse any further, a loud voice interrupted them.
“Everyone seems exceptionally energetic today,” Minato said, stepping forward with a calm smile.
“But don’t gather up and block the main gates.
Get moving.
You can chat inside the academy all you want.”
Haruka glared at him, blurting out arrogantly, “And who do you think you are to order us around?”
“I am Minato Takahashi, a Professor at this academy,” Minato replied calmly.
The surrounding crowd gasped in shock.
Haruka instantly began sweating buckets, he didn’t want to offend a high-ranking professor on his very first day, so he quickly moved along without another word.
Normally, a royal prince wouldn’t care about anyone of a lower social status, but in the magic world, true status was determined by power.
Being a professor at the prestigious Himetsu Royal Academy was no small feat, even the ruling royal families across the continent deeply respected such talented and powerful individuals.
“Minato-sensei!
You’re finally back from your research tour,” a gate guard said, approaching them with a smile as crowd moved inside the gates.
“Kaizel,” Minato greeted him.
Shinazu’s heart jumped to throat.
Kaizel?, He is here!
The name struck him like a bolt of lightning, and his heartbeat accelerated to a frantic pace.
For one horrifying moment, he thought his relentless pursuer had somehow tracked him down across the kingdom.
He instinctively stepped behind Minato’s tall frame, his pulse thundering loudly in his ears.
“Who’s this?” the guard asked, looking down toward Shinazu.
“A new student,” Minato answered smoothly.
Realizing the person didn’t seem to notice him, he peered out cautiously, he realized the approaching guard looked absolutely nothing like the vicious town lord he remembered.
He had a completely different face, a different voice, and was an entirely different person.
Shinazu slowly forced his tense muscles to relax.
The guard examined the boy curiously.
“He seems quite young.”
“That’s because he is.”
The guard laughed.
“What element does he have?”
“Fire.” The answer came from Minato without a single shred of hesitation.
“Just Fire?” the guard sneered, a look of disappointment crossing his face.
Shinazu nearly flinched, but a wave of relief washed over him.
The celestial bracelet is working perfectly.
Minato adjusted his glasses, his tone turning firm.
“He has immense talent.”
The guard gave Shinazu one last critical look, then shrugged.
“If you say so, then he must be” Before stepping back, the guard offered a standard smile.
“Welcome to Himetsu.”
Shinazu nodded politely in return.
Only after the man walked completely away did he finally let out the breath he was holding.
A few moments later, the large crowd had seemed to filed inside and Minato looked toward the gates and turned toward Shinazu.
“Ready?”
The boy stared through the open gates, looking toward the grand future that awaited him, the place where he would finally learn magic, grow stronger, and uncover the countless secrets waiting for him.
He gave a firm, resolute nod to Minato.
Together, they stepped through the gates of Himetsu Royal Academy, neither of them realizing that the gears of fate had already begun to move around them.
After stepping past the main gates, Shinazu quickly discovered that the institution was even larger than it appeared from the outside.
Far larger.
Wide stone pathways led between towering buildings that looked more like castles than classrooms.
Beautiful, lush green gardens spread out across the whole academy filled with rare beautiful flower and trees which he had never seen before, while students, armored guards, and robed instructors strolled past as if the sheer size of the place were completely normal.
Shinazu did not know where to look first because everywhere he looked he saw some wonderful thing.
“Don’t get lost,” Minato’s voice suddenly snapped him back to reality.
“I won’t,” Shinazu replied quickly.
Yet, five minutes later, Shinazu realized he had absolutely no idea where they were.
The academy layout seemed completely endless and after making several sharp turns and passing multiple grand structures, they eventually arrived at a much quieter section of the campus.
Compared to the roaring excitement outside, this area felt almost completely deserted.
They stopped in front of a wooden door.
Minato produced a key from his storage ring, and the key itself radiated a dense amount of magical energy.
After unlocking the door, Minato stepped inside, and Shinazu followed closely behind.
The moment he crossed the door’s threshold, he froze.
Inside the room it was pure chaos.
Everywhere.
Cluttered books, strange artifacts, enchanted tools, glowing crystals, ancient scrolls, and objects he couldn’t even identify were fighting with each other for some organized space, though none of them were lucky enough to get it as the chaotic room looked like a den of a slob nerd.
“Don’t mind the chaos here,” Minato said, clearing a small space.
“This is my private chamber.”
Even though the room was a total mess, Shinazu’s eyes couldn’t rest for a single moment as such things immediately awakened curiosity in him.
Minato noticed the intense gleam in the boy’s eyes and instantly regretted bringing him inside.
“Now, wait right here while I go get things arranged for you,” Minato warned, pointing a finger at him.
“And do not touch anything.”
Shinazu shook his head innocently, putting on the face of a child who knew absolutely nothing.
“I won’t.”
“Good.
Wait here, I need to finish a few official matters.” Minato nodded and headed back toward the door, but before leaving, he paused to give one final warning.
“Seriously, Shinazu.
Don’t wander off, and absolutely do not touch any artifact.”
The boy nodded obediently once again, and the heavy door closed firmly behind the professor.