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[FLASHBACK – 2 YEARS AGO]
The afternoon wind swept across the uneven road, carrying with it a dry, scorching heat that clung stubbornly to skin and fabric alike. Dust rose in faint clouds beneath the wheels of the carriages, the scent of sun-baked earth lingering thick in the air. Though the wind blew steadily, it offered no comfort—only the reminder that the sun still ruled the sky with merciless intensity.
A small procession of noble carriages traveled along the rugged path, their formation orderly as they made their way back toward Crown Capital City. Polished wood and metal gleamed faintly beneath the sunlight, banners fluttering weakly as the journey stretched onward.
Vacation had ended.
In three days', time, a new school year would begin. The Academy gates would open once more, welcoming noble children back into a world of lectures, training grounds, and expectations that weighed heavier than steel.
