The airship did not head directly toward its final destination.
Instead, after leaving Evan's city behind, it descended once more toward another large settlement nestled between rolling hills and wide plains. From the transparent shielding, Evan could see the city walls below—older than his own city, thicker, with watchtowers standing like silent sentinels.
"We're picking up another batch," Fred said cheerfully, stretching in his seat. "Happens every year."
The airship slowed and hovered, lowering its boarding platform. One by one, students from the second city stepped aboard. Their expressions mirrored Evan's own feelings from earlier—excitement poorly concealed behind nervousness, ambition mixed with uncertainty.
As the newcomers settled in, Fred leaned closer, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper.
"You know," he said, eyes darting around as if afraid someone might overhear, "this year's batch is special."
Evan raised an eyebrow. "Special how?"
Fred grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "I heard that the academy personally recruited someone this year."
Evan's interest was piqued. "Recruited? Without the examination?"
Fred nodded. "Yep. Handpicked."
"That's rare," Evan said slowly.
"It is," Fred replied, puffing up slightly. "The academy usually only does that when they see ridiculous potential. Monsters among monsters."
Evan pressed further. "Do you know who it is?"
Fred immediately leaned back, folding his arms. "Ah-ah. That's all I know."
"That's it?"
"The rest is confidential," Fred said smugly. "Or so I was told."
Evan chuckled. "You're enjoying this far too much."
Fred laughed loudly. "Of course I am. Life's boring if you don't stir things up a little."
After that, Fred's conversation drifted into trivial matters—food from his hometown, rumors about academy instructors, exaggerated tales of awakeners who supposedly fought monsters barehanded. The journey, which might have felt long and tense, passed surprisingly quickly.
Even the earlier aerial battle faded into memory.
With Fred around, boredom simply did not exist.
When the airship finally began its descent once more, a hush fell over the cabin.
Outside, the scenery changed.
Gone were city walls and crowded streets. Instead, vast stretches of forest spread beneath them—sparse but ancient, trees standing tall and silent as if guarding something sacred. In the heart of this wilderness, massive structures emerged.
The Broken Sword Academy.
Evan's breath caught.
The academy was enormous.
Towering buildings rose from the forest floor, crafted from pale stone reinforced with dark metallic frameworks. Training grounds sprawled openly between them—wide, scarred fields that bore the marks of countless battles. Weapon racks, sparring arenas, and towering platforms dotted the landscape.
This was not a school.
This was a fortress.
Multiple airships descended one after another, landing on designated platforms. Students disembarked, their heads tilted upward as they took in the sight. Awe was written clearly on every face.
Once everyone was gathered on the ground, Instructor Justin stepped forward.
"You have arrived," he announced. "From this moment on, you are provisional students of the Broken Sword Academy."
He gestured toward the structures behind him. "You will now undergo registration. Dormitories are assigned with two students per room. Follow instructions. Any disorder will be punished."
Groups were organized quickly.
Evan noticed figures moving among the registration tables—students wearing dark uniforms adorned with the academy's insignia. Unlike the new arrivals, their movements were crisp, disciplined, their gazes sharp.
"These are second-year students," Fred whispered. "Look at them. Like soldiers."
Evan nodded silently.
They truly did not feel like ordinary students.
When Evan stepped forward, a young woman sat behind the registration desk. Her posture was straight, her expression cold and professional. She glanced up briefly, eyes sharp.
"Name," she said.
"Evan Windback."
Her fingers moved swiftly across a glowing panel. "Affinity?"
"Wind."
She nodded, noting something down. Evan hesitated, then spoke.
"May I know your—"
Her gaze snapped up, piercing.
Evan stopped mid-sentence.
"…Never mind," he said quickly.
She stared at him for a moment longer before returning to her work. "Dormitory number 317. East Wing."
A small token was placed on the table.
"Proceed to inspection."
Evan moved along, cheeks warming slightly. Fred, watching from behind, tried—and failed—to stifle his laughter.
The inspection was thorough.
Students were ordered to place all belongings on designated platforms. Anything beyond basic clothing was confiscated—credits, tools, trinkets, even personal keepsakes. Evan watched as items vanished into storage containers, understanding that from this point onward, the academy would provide everything.
Once finished, they were waved through.
"You will find further instructions inside your dormitory," one of the senior students said calmly. "Do not wander."
With that, the newly registered students were dismissed.
The moment they were released, the orderly lines dissolved into chaos.
Students rushed in all directions, scanning signs, arguing over directions, some already lost within minutes. Evan stood still for a moment, clutching his dorm token.
317. East Wing.
He turned left.
Then right.
Then left again.
After several minutes, the noise faded. The corridors grew quieter, then silent. Evan realized with a sinking feeling that he was alone.
"…I'm lost," he muttered.
After several wrong turns and more than a little frustration, Evan finally found the correct wing. Room numbers climbed steadily until he reached his destination.
The door was open.
He stepped inside—and froze.
Fred was already there.
The chubby boy lay sprawled across one of the beds, reading a thin manual with intense focus. He looked up, eyes widening.
"EVAN?!" he exclaimed. "No way!"
Evan blinked. Then laughed. "You're my roommate?"
"Looks like fate approves of us," Fred said proudly.
They quickly claimed their respective beds, arranging the sparse furnishings. The room was simple but clean—two beds, two desks, storage compartments, and a window overlooking the training grounds.
Fred held up the manual. "By the way, you should have one of these."
Evan looked down at his desk.
Sure enough, a similar manual rested there.
"What is it?" Evan asked.
"Academy rules, schedules, merit usage, survival tips," Fred rattled off. "But don't read it now."
"Why not?"
Fred stood up. "Because if you do, you'll miss dinner. And trust me—you do not want to miss academy food on your first day."
Evan hesitated, then smiled. "Alright."
As they left the dormitory together, Fred slung an arm around Evan's shoulder.
"Guess we're friends now," he said casually.
Evan glanced at him, then nodded. "Seems like it."
For the first time since arriving, Evan felt something settle within him.
The academy was harsh. Dangerous. Unforgiving.
But he wasn't alone.
And that made all the difference.