The next morning, the academy looked different.
The rain had stopped.
Sunlight fell on the tall buildings, making them shine.
Arin stood near the entrance, holding a small bag.
He looked around quietly.
Everything felt new.
Students were walking in groups, talking and laughing.
Some were already showing their magic like it was normal.
Arin tightened his grip on his bag.
"So this is my new life…" he thought.
A loud bell rang across the academy.
All the new students were told to gather in a large hall.
Arin followed the crowd and stood at the back.
A teacher walked to the front.
"Welcome to the Magic Academy," he said.
"From today, you are all students here."
Some students smiled proudly.
Others looked nervous.
"Your classes will begin today. You will be divided into groups."
Names started getting called again.
Arin waited silently.
Then—
"Arin. Group C."
He stepped forward.
Some students in the same group looked at him.
One of them whispered, "That's the strange guy from yesterday."
Arin pretended not to hear.
After the groups were made, everyone moved to their classrooms.
Group C's classroom was on the second floor.
Arin walked in slowly and sat in the last seat.
The room was big and clean.
Students were talking to each other.
No one came to Arin.
He was used to that.
Just as he was looking outside the window, someone stopped near his desk.
"Is this seat empty?" a soft voice asked.
Arin looked up.
A girl was standing there.
She had calm eyes and a gentle expression.
"Yes," Arin said.
She smiled a little and sat next to him.
"I'm Leya," she said.
Arin nodded.
"Arin."
There was a small silence.
Then she spoke again.
"You were the one yesterday, right?"
Arin looked at her.
"The crystal… and the test," she added.
Arin felt a little uncomfortable.
"I don't really understand it myself," he said.
Leya didn't laugh.
Instead, she looked curious.
"It didn't look like normal magic," she said.
Before Arin could reply, the classroom door opened.
A teacher walked in.
"Class will begin," he said.
Everyone became quiet.
Arin looked forward, but he could feel something again.
That same cold feeling.
Very light…
but still there.
He slowly looked at his hand under the desk.
For a second, he thought he saw a small dark spark again.
Then it disappeared.
Arin frowned slightly.
"What is this power…?" he thought.
Beside him, Leya quietly glanced at him.
She had noticed something too.