Gradually, the moonlight faded away, replaced by the brilliant glare of the rising sun. The students were still fast asleep when suddenly, Lucas's voice boomed through the room's intercom.
"Wake up, everyone! You don't want to miss the first day of the school year! All classes, report to the Common Room to pick up your schedules."
The announcement jolted everyone awake. Kai yanked his curtains open, his eyes half-closed with sleepiness and his bright red hair sticking up in every direction. Simon opened his curtains too, feeling the heavy fatigue of their late-night talk; he was severely sleep-deprived. To his surprise, Jack was already fully dressed in his uniform. He picked up his book bag and headed out of the room without a word.
"Wait, since when was Jackie awake?" Kai asked, glancing at Simon. Simon simply shook his head. Oliver also left without sparing them a glance, while Finn gave them a quick wave before heading out to prepare for class. Simon climbed down the ladder. The leftovers from last night's meal were gone, likely cleared away by magic.
When he reached the floor, his eyes fell upon his desk. There sat his uniform, untouched since last night. He stared at it for a moment, a haunting thought crossing his mind: Does the son of a murderer truly deserve to wear this?
"Simon! What are you standing there daydreaming for? Hurry up! We're going to be late!"
At Kai's shout, Simon snapped out of it, nodded quickly, and rushed toward the bathroom.
After freshening up, they put on their uniforms. Their uniforms were strikingly intricate. The outermost layer was a waist-length flowing black cape with vibrant orange lining and trim. A hood, black on the outside and orange on the inside, draped softly over their shoulders. The cape was fastened at the center by a single button embossed with the Fyrnic emblem of two crossed spears, from which two short orange cords dangled like elegant ribbons.
Beneath the cape, they wore a knee-length flowing coat. It had no collar or standard buttons; instead, a sleek horizontal bar-button held the lapels together at the chest. The wide, flowing sleeves were finished with orange detailing at the cuffs. The base layer consisted of a crisp white shirt paired with tailored black trousers. Students were permitted to wear their own choice of footwear.
Kai looked down at the multiple layers of his attire and commented, "Well, I've never seen a uniform with three layers before. Guess that's just the Mythaion style."
Simon nodded, looking at his own reflection. He might face the families of the Chosens whom his father had murdered, all while wearing this very uniform. Guilt and sorrow swirled within him, but he steeled his resolve. With Kai standing firmly by his side, he couldn't afford to be weak anymore.
He and Kai left the room together and headed for the elevator. Following Lucas's instructions, they made their way up to the Common Room. Through the balcony, they could see the lush green forests and the hazy blue mountain ranges, with snow-capped peaks looming majestically in the far distance—a breathtaking morning view.
Inside, a few students had already gathered, receiving small cards from Lucas. When Lucas spotted them, he offered a bright smile and handed over two cards.
"Here are your first-year schedules. Go grab some breakfast first. Classes start at 9:00 AM sharp."
Kai and Simon nodded, took their cards, and stepped out of the Common Room. As they approached the elevator and placed their palms on the scanner to input the floor number, a senior student hurried toward them, clutching his own schedule card.
"Wait! Press three, please. I'll head up with you guys."
Simon and Kai turned to look at him. The senior was taller than both of them, with golden-brown hair that reached the nape of his neck. The top half was gathered into a messy half-ponytail, while shorter strands of hair that escaped the tie fluttered over his forehead. What stood out the most, however, was a horizontal scar stretching from the center of his forehead down to his left eyebrow. Far from making him look unattractive, the scar served as a distinctive mark that made him easy to remember.
Dressed in the same three-layered Fyrnic uniform as them, he offered a friendly smile.
"Sorry about that. Mind if I tag along?"
"Sure!" Kai chirped, pressing the number three.
The elevator doors slid open, and the three of them stepped inside. Kai was about to break the silence, but the senior beat him to it.
"First years?"
"Yeah. I'm Kai Peterson, and this is Simon—"
"Blackburn. I know who you are," the senior interjected, looking at Simon with a knowing smile.
"I'm Dean Vexlay, a fifth-year student. It must be exhausting, being a Blackburn. But don't worry… things will get better in time."
With a reassuring smile, Dean gave Simon's shoulder a firm, supportive pat. Just then, the elevator reached its floor, and the doors opened.
"Study hard, first years," Dean called out as he stepped out into the hallway.
Kai watched him disappear before turning to Simon. "Why are the seniors so much nicer and more polite than the kids our age? Is that just a Mythaion thing?"
"I don't know," Simon replied softly.
He could still feel the warmth of Dean's hand on his shoulder. A wave of relief washed over him, knowing that there were still people who didn't judge him solely for his father's sins. Dean's words had provided a flicker of warmth in his otherwise cold and uncertain world.
They followed the stream of students toward the Dining Hall, which was located to the left of the Mother Hall's main entrance—directly facing the corridor that led back to the dormitories. Simon walked across the grand hallway at the castle entrance, opposite Mother Hall. Following the straight path to the intersection, they saw a set of massive, wide-open doors where students were pouring in. This was the Dining Hall. Other students veered off into the left and right corridors at the intersection, heading toward their respective classrooms. The area around the junction was spacious, allowing the crowd to move freely.
Inside the Dining Hall, long tables were arranged vertically across the length of the hall, each accommodating about six students. The central aisle was a buzz of activity, swarming with students. At the far end of the hall, rows of platters filled with steaming food were laid out.
"I'm starving!" Kai exclaimed, rushing toward the food table. Simon hurried after him, keeping close behind.
Kai and Simon grabbed their trays and utensils, moving down the line of food. Kai, true to his appetite, piled two or three servings of everything onto his plate. Simon, however, took only what he knew he could finish. As they were serving themselves, the hushed whispers of nearby students drifted into their ears.
"Isn't that the boy? The Blackburn?" one student murmured. "Surely he won't turn out like his father... right?"
"Who knows? Bad blood runs deep. I'm honestly terrified. What if he starts killing Chosens to steal their magic, just like his father did?"
"Best to keep our distance then..." another added.
Simon's grip on his tray tightened until his knuckles turned white. Kai, having overheard every word, shot the gossiping group a fierce scowl before turning his attention back to Simon.
"Simon," he said softly.
"I'm okay, Kai. I knew I'd have to face this. It doesn't feel great, but... I can handle it."
Kai stared at him for a moment before a wide smirk split his face, his deep dimple showing prominently.
"That's my boy! You really are worthy of being my friend, Sir Knight Simon Blackburn."
Despite the weight in his chest, Simon couldn't help but smile and shake his head at Kai's antics.
"Come on, let's finish up and eat. I'm starving."
"Alright, alright!"
They finished gathering their meal, grabbed some fruit juice cartons as a final touch, and began looking for a place to sit. They scanned the room for a place to sit, but most of the tables were packed, making it difficult to find a spot. Finally, they spotted a table with only three students. But as they approached, the students there quickly slapped their hands onto the two empty chairs, staring them down.
"Occupied. Go find another table," one of the boys snapped, scowling.
Kai, who had zero tolerance for that kind of attitude, didn't back down. He made an exaggerated show of looking around.
"Where? I don't see anyone. Are they invisible like the tiny people from Gulliver's Travels or something?" he quipped sarcastically.
The boy's face twisted in irritation. "They're coming soon. We're saving the seats."
"Oh, what loyal friends you are. How sweet. But since you don't own these tables, you can't exactly call dibs like that," Kai shot back.
"What would a puny first-year like you know?"
"A lot more than you, apparently."
Sensing that Kai was about to spark a full-blown confrontation with the seniors, Simon, who had been silent until now, stepped in. He spoke softly to Kai, pulling at his sleeve.
"Come on, Kai. Let's just find another table."
"But they're being total jerks!"
"Let it go... please," Simon urged.
Kai let out a frustrated huff and stomped away from the table. They continued their search, but it was hard to tell if the tables were truly full or if the students were just making them look that way to avoid sitting with them. Then, Kai spotted a familiar head of light brown hair. Even while eating breakfast, he had a book propped open in front of him—it was Jack. At Jack's table, Toad and Finn were also present, though they hadn't noticed Kai and Simon yet. Further away, Oliver was sitting with a group from another Chamber, likely fellow "Old-Bloods."
"Come on, let's go to Jackie's table," Kai decided.
Simon hesitated. The knowledge that his father was the one who had murdered Jack's uncle made every step feel like lead. Kai noticed him lagging behind and turned around.
"Simon, come on!"
"Kai, I... I don't think..."
"Just move it!" Kai insisted, stepping behind Simon and using his elbow to nudge him forward, literally pushing him toward the table.
As soon as they reached the table, Kai slid into the seat next to Jack without a word. Deep in his book, Jack jumped slightly at the sudden presence beside him and looked up. Kai simply flashed him a grin. Jack scowled, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Simon taking the seat directly opposite him. He shifted his gaze to Simon, who was looking back at him with an uncertain, hesitant expression. After a brief, silent stare, Jack wordlessly returned his attention to his book.
"Good morning!" Finn greeted them with a bright smile.
"Morning," Toad added.
Both Simon and Kai echoed the greeting. But within moments, Kai's eyes darted toward Jack.
"Well, well," Kai quipped sarcastically, "while everyone else is being so welcoming, there's one person who won't even lift his head to say hello. How rude."
Jack knew perfectly well that Kai was talking to him. He calmly flipped a page of his book, not once glancing at Kai as he spoke.
"How amusing. To hear such a lecture from someone who didn't even bother to ask for permission before sitting down. I suppose this is what they mean when they say even a dog's mouth can occasionally spout heavenly words."
Silence fell over the table for a moment. Finn and Toad exchanged glances, watching the tension build. When several seconds passed without a comeback from Kai, Jack finally looked up—only to find Kai staring back at him with a wide, mischievous grin. That deep dimple of his was on full display.
"There we go! That's more like it," Kai laughed. "Why were you being so cold, little Jackie? To be honest, I've only known you for a few days, but I was actually missing your sharp tongue. It felt like something was missing when I didn't hear you being sarcastic."
Jack stared at Kai, his mouth hanging slightly open in disbelief. Finn watched them with wide, blinking eyes while chewing his food heartily, while Toad suppressed a smirk at the bizarre dynamic unfolding between Kai and Jack.
"Unbelievable," Jack muttered under his breath, finally retreating back into the pages of his book. Kai shot Simon a triumphant look, raising his eyebrows as if to say, 'See? I win.' Simon could only offer a faint smile and a soft sigh in response to his friend's antics.
They continued their breakfast in relative peace. Jack made no further comment about Simon's presence, though Simon found himself glancing at Jack every few minutes. As they finished their meal, Jack snapped his book shut. Checking his watch, he saw it was already 8:30—time to head to class.
"Finish up quickly," Jack advised. "It's not a good look to be late on your first day."
"Sure thing, darling!" Kai chirped back.
Jack shot him a sharp, piercing glare.
"Shut up," he snapped, before standing up and heading out. Kai remained behind, wearing a smug, mischievous grin.
Only after Jack had left the Dining Hall did Kai turn to Simon with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Teasing him is honestly the highlight of my day. When we first met, I couldn't stand how prickly he was, but now that's exactly what I love about him. You should try getting a rise out of him sometime too."
Simon shook his head vigorously. "No thanks. I have a feeling that keeping him from getting angry is the best strategy for me."
"Aw, look at you being a scaredy-cat," Kai teased with a laugh. Simon just smiled and shook his head. They began clearing their trays. Since Finn and Toad had already slipped away even before Jack left, the two of them were the only ones remaining at the table.
Simon and Kai headed back to their dorm to gather their supplies: textbooks for Mythaion Language, notebooks, quill pens, and ink bottles. However, the sheer scale of the castle soon had them walking in circles.
"Simon, is that the same lamp we just passed?" Kai asked, squinting.
"I... I don't think so," Simon replied, sounding uncertain.
"It is! I'm getting dizzy, Simon. My energy is drained. Oh, the agony!" Kai leaned dramatically against the wall, playing up his exhaustion. Simon could only sigh and shake his head. He thought of the map Mr. Ox had given him, but realized it was a general map of Mythaion and didn't detail the labyrinthine corridors of Willowgate.
Fortunately, Dean appeared, seemingly on his way to his own class.
"Oh, hey! What are you guys doing here?"
"Thank the gods! They've sent an angel to save us," Kai exclaimed.
Simon looked at Dean. "We're lost. We're trying to find the Mythaion Language class."
Dean raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you look at the indicators?"
"What indicators?" they asked in unison.
Dean smiled and let out a soft sigh, pointing to the stone wall beside them.
"There"
When Simon and Kai looked closer, they saw a subtle, embossed arrow on the wall, pointing in the opposite direction they had been heading.
"It's pointing toward your classroom. If you're ever lost in Willowgate, the castle itself will guide you. It's an ancient magic woven into the foundation by Daven when he built this place. Those of us who've been here a while don't really need it anymore, though."
Realization dawned on them, and they nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you so much!"
"No problem. Now hurry up! You're already running late. You have Master Valandor for Mythaion Language. You're lucky; he's incredibly patient and kind. If you had Master Marrick, he'd probably given you detetation."
The two of them nodded and hurried along the path indicated by the arrows. Moments later, they arrived at a large classroom. Stepping inside, they saw the elf-like man who had welcomed them at the gates the day before—preparing to start the lesson. He wore a deep crimson robe, and his silver hair, which reached his waist, was neatly brushed and styled with intricate braids. His calm, hazel eyes settled on them. He was their Mythaion Language teacher—Master Valandor.
"Got yourselves lost?" he asked gently.
"Yes, sir," they replied in unison.
"Go on, take your seats. We're about to begin."
Dean was right; Master Valandor was indeed kind. Scanning the room, they spotted Jack sitting in the front row with a student from Daven Chamber. The desks were arranged in pairs, and just as Simon and Kai were about to sit together, Valandor's voice stopped them.
"Oh, no sitting with your own Chamber-mates today. We have students from Daven here as well, so please pair up with them instead."
Simon and Kai exchanged a brief glance before parting ways, searching for empty seats among the strangers.
Kai quickly claimed a seat next to a girl from Daven Chamber. Simon, however, felt his heart skip a beat at the mention of "Daven." His eyes immediately scanned the room for one person: the boy with the striking green eyes, Henry Evering.
It didn't take long to find him. Henry was sitting by the window, a vacant seat right next to him. Simon swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. There was something about Henry's calm, commanding presence that made Simon hesitate, but he forced himself to move. He walked slowly toward the desk by the window, every step feeling heavier than the last.
As Simon took his seat, Henry spared him only a single, frosty glance. It wasn't an intentional slight; Simon had noticed back at Bo's Bookie that Henry simply possessed a naturally cold and distant gaze. Sitting so close now, the faint, lingering scent of night-blooming jasmine drifted from Henry once again.
Master Valandor turned to the chalkboard and began inscribing several ancient characters to start the lesson. Simon hurriedly flipped open his notebook and reached for his quill, but his hand met only emptiness. He searched between the pages, under his desk, and in his bag, but it was gone. He must have dropped it during their frantic search for the classroom.
A wave of frustration washed over him, and he felt like crying. Why am I so unlucky? he muttered to himself. He hadn't even had the chance to use the quill yet, and the thought of losing itespecially since it had cost him five Sevansstung. Simon glanced over at Kai, but his friend was preoccupied, struggling to figure out how to properly grip his own quill as he focused intently on the board.
With Kai clearly too busy wrestling with his own quill to be of any help, Simon turned to his only other option: Henry. Up until that point, Henry hadn't spared a single glance toward Simon's frantic searching. Steeling his resolve, Simon leaned in slightly closer.
"Um... excuse me... could I possibly borrow a quil? Mine... I think I lost it," he murmured, his voice barely audible and trembling with hesitation.
At that, Henry's emerald eyes shifted toward Simon. They were as cold and unreadable as ever. A chill ran down Simon's spine, yet the familiar scent of night-blooming jasmine clinging to Henry acted as a strange, soothing balm to his nerves. Without uttering a single word, Henry reached into his bag and pulled something out. It wasn't a quill, but a sleek, jet-black fountain pen that radiated elegance. He held it out toward Simon in silence.
Simon took the pen, offering a soft, brief "Thank you." His voice was faint but carried a gentle warmth. Henry acknowledged him with a curt nod and immediately shifted his focus back to Master Valandor's lecture.
Simon began to write with the borrowed fountain pen. Having never used one before, he struggled to find the right grip, focusing intently on every stroke. Henry watched him out of the corner of his eye, though Simon was too preoccupied to notice.
"Don't press so hard."
The sudden sound of Henry's voice caught Simon off guard. His dark eyes widened as he looked at Henry, who stared back with his usual cold composure before continuing.
"Hold the nib straight. If you apply too much pressure, it'll snap. Write lightly... the ink flows on its own."
This was the first time Simon had truly heard Henry speak. Like the boy himself, his voice was cool and distant, yet it possessed a steady, grounding calm that sent a strange ripple through Simon's chest.
As Simon followed Henry's instructions and lightened his grip, the pen glided smoothly across the paper. Henry, watching from the corner of his eye, seemed satisfied that Simon had listened to him. His cold, rigid expression softenedjust a fraction. Feeling a wave of relief, Simon turned toward Henry and offered a genuine, gentle smile. He didn't have Kai's deep dimple, but his eyes curved into beautiful crescents whenever he smiled like that, radiating a quiet charm.
"Thank you."
Henry stared at Simon's face for a lingering moment before abruptly turning away. Though his stoic expression remained largely unchanged, the tips of his ears had turned a faint, unmistakable shade of red.
Simon remained oblivious to Henry's reddened ears, his focus shifting entirely back to his notebook. On the chalkboard, Master Valandor had inscribed characters that bore no resemblance to the English alphabet. They were curved and flowing, looking like a meticulous arrangement of moons and suns. Yet, they possessed a certain sharpness at their edgesan elegant, formidable beauty.
"Now, these are the fundamental alphabets of Mythaion," Valandor explained. "The Mythaion language has existed since the era of the Ancient Gods and remains in use to this day. While Elves, Dwarves, and other beings speak their own native tongues, Mythaion serves as the ultimate bridge when different races meet. That is why its mastery is essential for you."
The classroom was shrouded in a respectful silence.
"Think of Mythaion as the 'English' of our realm. Just as Chosens from various lands use English to communicate with one another, so too is Mythaion used here. However, once a Chosen becomes proficient in Mythaion, they often prefer it over any other tongue. You will frequently hear your seniors conversing in this ancient language."
The room filled with the rhythmic nodding of students absorbed in the lecture. Master Valandor's explanation finally cleared something up for Simon; he remembered passing a group of seniors on the way to the Dining Hall who were speaking in a tongue he didn't recognize. He had assumed it was just a foreign language, but now he realized it was Mythaion.
For today's lesson, Master Valandor focused solely on the pronunciation and the strokes of the individual characters. To ensure they grasped the basics, he assigned five full pages of writing practice for homework. Kai looked like he was about to faint at the mere mention of five pages. To him, it felt like a grueling marathon. Jack, on the other hand, felt that five pages were barely enough. He firmly believed that to truly master the elegance of these scripts, one ought to practice at least ten pages.
Once the lesson concluded and the teacher was dismissed, everyone began packing their books. Simon caught the sharp sound of Oliver's voice nearby, while Finn and Toad called out to Kai from across the room. But Simon's focus was elsewhere. He carefully wiped the nib of the fountain pen clean, capped it, and hurriedly held it out to Henry, who was just about to leave his desk.
"Thank you so much."
Henry looked down at the pen in Simon's hand before shifting his gaze up to meet Simon's eyes. His hands remained still at his sides, showing no intention of reaching for the pen.
"Keep it," Henry said simply. "I don't make a habit of taking back things I've given."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Simon standing there in a daze, clutching the elegant pen.
Simon stood rooted to the spot, his gaze lingering on Henry's retreating back before shifting to the pen in his hand. Amidst a sea of students who either hated or feared him, Henry's indifference felt like a strange form of warmth. Though Henry spoke with the cold arrogance of the wealthy, Simon didn't feel the sharp sting of malice that usually accompanied the words of others. He gripped the pen tightly, whispering a silent promise to Henry: "I'll take good care of it."
Just then, Kai, Finn, and Toad swarmed him, their eyes immediately landing on the pen.
"Wait, did Evering just give that to you?" Toad asked, eyes wide with disbelief. Simon gave a small, hesitant nod.
"Whoa, Simon! You actually caught that stunning guy's attention?" Kai teased, leaning in with a grin.
"If I were in your shoes, I'd have fainted right then and there."
Simon looked at Kai and thought to himself, 'To be honest, I nearly did.'