Class A was quiet.
Not the uncomfortable silence of strangers forced into the same room, but the deliberate stillness of people who understood where they stood. Every student seated inside the classroom knew what Class A meant.
It meant expectation.
It meant pressure.
It meant that everyone here had been judged—by mana, by aptitude, by potential—and found worthy of standing at the very top of their generation.
Aster Snowflake Wynfall sat at the very back of the room, leaning slightly against the chair, silver eyes calmly observing everything. He was not tense. He was not nervous. If anything, he looked detached, as though he were an audience member rather than a participant.
Beside him, Astra sat with perfect posture, hands folded neatly atop her desk. Her expression was gentle, but there was a quiet sharpness in her eyes—a discipline cultivated through years of practice and restraint.
Lea Kingscrown lounged comfortably, arms crossed behind her head, legs stretched forward. Physical magic users rarely struggled with confidence, and she was no exception.
Rain Lancelot sat upright, composed, blue eyes reflecting the morning light streaming through the tall academy windows. Unlike many noble students, she neither sought attention nor avoided it.
Four students.
One bench.
Already, their presence subtly altered the atmosphere around them.
Across the room, other students whispered quietly.
Some glanced back repeatedly.
Some avoided looking at all.
Some studied the Snowflakes openly, as though evaluating a phenomenon.
They were not just students.
They were already symbols.
Then—
The classroom door opened.
Footsteps echoed softly across the polished stone floor.
Conversation died instantly.
Every student straightened in their seat.
A woman entered.
She was neither imposing nor fragile, neither overly stern nor casually relaxed. Her academy coat was worn but immaculate, its silver-lined edges marking her as a senior instructor. Long ash-blonde hair was tied behind her back, revealing sharp, observant eyes.
She carried no visible weapon.
Yet the air around her felt… anchored.
Stable.
As if mana itself behaved more politely in her presence.
She placed a thin spellbook and a crystal pointer on the desk, then turned toward the class.
"My name is Professor Elira Vael," she said calmly. "I will be your homeroom instructor."
Her voice was not loud.
But it didn't need to be.
"I specialize in applied mana theory and magical integration."
A subtle ripple moved through the room.
Not combat.
Not dueling.
Not battle magic.
Aster's interest sharpened instantly.
Elira's gaze swept across the classroom, taking in every posture, every expression.
"You may relax," she continued. "This is not a battlefield."
A few students exhaled quietly.
"But before we begin," she said, tapping the desk once, "there is something I need to clarify."
She raised the crystal pointer.
A rune flared to life on the board behind her, projecting glowing words into the air.
The world does not revolve around fighters.
The sentence hovered there, heavy with intent.
Several students frowned.
Some exchanged glances.
Others leaned forward.
Elira continued walking slowly across the front of the room.
"This academy is famous for producing powerful mages and elite warriors. That reputation is deserved."
She paused.
"But it is incomplete."
Another gesture.
Images replaced the text.
— Rune engineers engraving magic stones
— Healers stabilizing soldiers after battle
— Strategists mapping supply routes
— Scholars recording mana fluctuations
— Artificers constructing devices
(She showed these as illusions to the students, it is null magic everyone iwth mana can use but they need a lot of practice and concentration to do it, and she did it easily)
"Wars are not won by strength alone," Elira said evenly. "They are won by preparation, intelligence, healing, innovation, and restraint."
Aster nodded faintly.
"This is why," she continued, "students here are not separated based solely on combat ability."
The images faded.
New text appeared.
Mana Control
Cognitive Capacity
Adaptability
Specialized Talent
Attribute Compatibility
"Some of you could defeat students from other classes in direct combat," Elira said calmly. "Some of you could not."
A few students stiffened.
"But all of you," she said firmly, "have the potential to become irreplaceable."
Her gaze lingered briefly on Aster and Astra.
Then she smiled faintly.
"Which brings us to introductions."
She folded her hands behind her back.
"I want each of you to stand, introduce yourselves, your family name if applicable, and your magical attribute."
She raised one finger.
"No boasting. No intimidation. No demonstrations."
A few disappointed expressions appeared.
"We are classmates," Elira said. "Not rivals. At least—not yet."
She turned slightly toward the front row.
"Begin."
***
The first student stood.
A tall boy with neatly combed brown hair and confident posture.
"My name is Cedric Halwyn," he said clearly. "From House Halwyn. Wind magic."
He bowed slightly and sat.
Next—
A girl with crimson hair tied into a high ponytail stood.
"Mirella Thorncrest. Fire magic. Baron family."
Her tone was sharp. Competitive.
Aster noted her stance immediately.
Aggressive. High output type.
One by one, students stood.
Earth mages.
Lightning users.
Light and shadow manipulators.
Illusionists.
Physical enhancement specialists.
Some spoke proudly, shoulders squared.
Others spoke quietly, eyes darting.
Some avoided looking toward the back bench.
Some deliberately looked.
Then—
Lea Kingscrown stood.
"My name is Lea Kingscrown," she said brightly. "Physical enhancement magic."
A ripple passed through the room.
Kingscrown was a well-known name.
She grinned, clearly enjoying the attention, and sat down.
Next—
Rain Lancelot stood.
Her movements were smooth, controlled, unhurried.
"My name is *Rain Lancelot," she said calmly. "From House Lancelot. Water magic."
Her voice was even.
No pride.
No hesitation.
Several students exchanged glances.
Water mages were rare—and extremely valued.
Rain inclined her head slightly and sat.
Then—
The atmosphere subtly shifted.
Astra stood.
"My name is Astra Snowflake Wynfall," she said softly. "My attribute is sound magic."
The room stirred.
Whispers rippled outward.
Sound magic.
Rare. Unconventional. Poorly understood.
Astra bowed slightly and sat.
Then—
Aster stood.
Silence deepened.
He did not rush.
"My name is Aster Snowflake Wynfall," he said calmly. "Sound magic."
He paused, then added—
"I also specialize in rune engraving and magic device design."
The reaction was immediate.
Murmurs.
Surprise.
Skepticism.
Interest.
Rune engraving at fourteen was almost unheard of.
Professor Elira's eyes sharpened.
Aster sat down.
The remaining students introduced themselves, but the room never quite returned to its earlier balance.
***
When the last student sat, Elira clasped her hands.
"Good."
She surveyed the room.
"Now you know each other—at least on the surface."
The board shifted again.
Your First Lesson: Understanding Your Role.
"You may believe that being placed in Class A means superiority," Elira said evenly.
Several students stiffened.
"It does not."
She walked slowly between the rows.
"It means expectation."
She stopped near the middle.
"You will be given harder material. Broader responsibilities. Greater scrutiny."
She continued walking.
"Those who rely solely on raw power will struggle."
Her gaze passed briefly over Mirella.
"Those who refuse to adapt will fail."
She glanced toward a cluster of proud-looking nobles.
"And those who believe status matters more than contribution…"
She smiled thinly.
"…will be corrected."
Aster suppressed a smile.
Elira returned to the front.
"For today, there will be no practical lesson."
A collective exhale spread through the room.
"Instead," she said, "you will receive your schedules and be dismissed early. Use the time to explore the academy."
She paused.
"But remember—everything you do here is observed."
The bell rang.
***
Conversation erupted immediately.
Students stood, forming clusters.
Some gathered around powerful-looking peers.
Others approached Aster and Astra cautiously.
"Your concert was incredible."
"I didn't know sound magic could do that."
"Are your inventions really self-made?"
Aster responded politely but briefly.
Astra smiled warmly.
Elsewhere—
Some students whispered.
"They don't act like nobles…"
"Rune engraving? Sounds exaggerated…"
(but they didn't openly, say anything to their faces)
Lea cracked her knuckles.
"Already irritating," she muttered.
Rain spoke quietly, "They're insecure."
Aster glanced at her.
She met his gaze calmly.
"People fear what doesn't fit their expectations," Rain said simply.
Aster nodded.
***
As they exited the classroom, sunlight flooded the corridor through tall arched windows.
Students flowed outward, laughter and tension mixing freely.
Professor Elira watched the back bench thoughtfully.
Sound magic.
Rune engineering.
Physical enhancement.
Water control.
An unusual convergence, she thought.
As Aster stepped into the corridor, he felt something settle in his chest.
Not excitement.
Not fear.
Anticipation.
This academy was not just a school.
It was a crucible.
A place where ideals collided.
Where power without understanding would break.
Astra walked beside him.
Lea laughed loudly at something trivial.
Rain followed calmly.
The first day ended peacefully.
But Aster knew—
Peace never lasted long in places meant to shape the future.
And Class A…
Was already beginning to move.
That evening, back in Snowflake Mansion, the atmosphere was calm and warm.
Arlienne listened quietly as Aster and Astra told her about their first day—about the academy halls, the assembly, their new classmates, and the teacher who said the world did not revolve around fighters alone.
Astra spoke softly, describing the classroom and the people they met, while Aster explained the lessons, the class system, and how the academy valued knowledge as much as strength.
Arlienne smiled as she listened, relief and pride mixing in her eyes.
"I'm glad," she said gently. "An academy that teaches you how to think is far more incredible than one that only teaches you how to fight."
Aster nodded, feeling a quiet sense of reassurance.
Astra leaned closer to her mother and smiled.
"It was a good first day."
And for the first time since entering the Royal Academy, Aster felt it clearly—
No matter how vast the world became,
Snowflake Mansion would always be the place he returned to.