We had to leave at four in the morning to get here.
The morning sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting a gentle glow on the grand gates of Arcanum Academy—a scene so surreal it felt like stepping into a dream. The towering gates were forged from obsidian-black metal, etched with ancient magical runes that shimmered faintly as people passed through.
Inside the academy was a world unto itself—majestic stone buildings with white facades and curved red rooftops reminiscent of European palaces. Lush greenery stretched everywhere, meticulously maintained, accented by glowing enchanted flowers that sparkled like stars in the night sky.
The students, all dressed in refined uniforms, bustled about the grounds. The boys wore dark blue cloaks or formal jackets with ties, while the girls donned elegant Japanese-style uniforms, each with a silver emblem of twin wings and crossed staves embroidered over their hearts. Every student carried a spellbook or an intricately crafted wand, their faces glowing with anticipation and excitement.
I couldn't help but gaze up at the Tower of Knowledge—the central spire where renowned scholars and mages taught. Magic-infused birds soared in circles around its peak, adding to the otherworldly scenery.
"It's beautiful..." I whispered.
Sachi giggled beside me.
"This is just the main campus, you know~ There's still the training grounds, the ancient library, and the enchanted gardens!"
As the two made their way to the central plaza for orientation, my eyes caught a striking figure among the crowd—a tall young man with golden hair and piercing, icy eyes.
He stood there silently, his presence so intense that those around him instinctively stepped aside.
"Dan…"
I recognized him instantly—a prominent character from the original novel. Cold, proud, and immensely powerful. Even without a word, his aura seemed to weigh down the very air around him.
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
And in that fleeting instant, I felt an invisible pressure settle over me—as if the other boy had seen through me completely.
Then Dan turned away, his cold gaze retreating as if none of it mattered.
"You know him?" Sachi tilted her head.
"No… Just heard about him," I replied, clenching his fist.
"In this world… I need to become stronger. Or I'll always be left behind."
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The grand auditorium of Arcanum Academy resembled a magnificent ceremonial hall. A vaulted ceiling arched high above, adorned with sparkling crystal chandeliers casting magical hues across the room. Ancient runes engraved on the walls glowed faintly, imbuing the space with an air both solemn and mystical.
Hundreds of students had taken their seats, their quiet chatter rising and falling like ocean waves. Sachi and I sat side by side in the center rows, observing the surroundings with a strange mix of awe and nervous anticipation.
"It's huge…"
I murmured, my eyes trailing up toward the seemingly endless ceiling.
"Feels like we're sitting in the temple of some divine being, huh?"
Sachi chuckled softly and nodded.
A bell rang—its sound ethereal, as if echoing from beyond. The main stage doors opened slowly under a silver glow, and a woman stepped onto the podium to thunderous applause.
She had long, straight white hair and a sharp, regal face. Her piercing eyes held a commanding presence. Draped in a violet cloak embroidered with silver threads, she radiated nobility and authority. This was none other than Headmistress Victoria Alvarest—the head of Arcanum Academy.
With just a gentle lift of her hand, the room fell into complete silence.
"Welcome, new students, to Arcanum—where talent is honed and where magic and ambition intertwine."
Her voice echoed across the hall, every word laced with an intangible power that compelled even the most distracted students to listen intently.
"The path ahead will not be easy. But if you have the courage to walk it, this academy will offer you a future far beyond your imagination."
My heart beat faster. Her words weren't just encouragement—they felt like a prophecy marking the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
"I've truly stepped into another world…"
As she stepped down, a female student walked up to the stage. Short white hair, ice-blue eyes, and a posture that exuded unwavering confidence—every gaze in the hall followed her steps.
The announcer spoke:
"Next, a speech from the top student of this year—Kiana Weiss."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the student body.
"Kiana Weiss? The one who topped the entrance exams?"
"She looks so cold… who'd dare talk to her?"
I recognized the name immediately. In the original novel, Kiana was one of the heroines—a magical prodigy who had once defeated high-level monsters at the age of sixteen.
She stood at the podium without a single greeting or sign of hesitation.
"I have only one thing to say."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the silence like a blade—clear and chilling as midwinter frost.
"Arcanum is a place for the chosen. If you're not strong enough, leave before things truly begin."
A heavy silence blanketed the auditorium. No flowery words. No well wishes. Just a stark, biting truth wrapped in pride.
Some students lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact. Others clenched their fists, their eyes flashing with resolve.
Kiana finished and turned away, her stride unshaken, leaving behind a tension so thick it felt like the air might snap.
Sachi swallowed hard.
"Whoa… she's seriously intense. Guess that's what it means to be number one."
I stayed quiet.
I won't let myself fall behind. No matter what.