Breakfast the next morning is another buffet spread in my room. Everyone gathers around, loading plates with food and discussing the day ahead.
We're leaving the inn today. Heading to Selenith to check out the magic academy where Yuki will be studying.
The Spirit Kings and Queens left last night. Apparently Jyne sent them a message asking how long they planned to laze around. They scattered pretty quickly after that. Sylphaeris left too, though she promised she'd be back for lunch.
As we're eating breakfast, I turn to Eldrin.
[Wright] "By the way, which city is the magic academy in?"
[Eldrin] "Arcanis. The capital of Selenith. The academy is situated at the heart of the city."
[Eldrin] "It'll be a short flight. Usually, we'd have to walk around the mountain range, but since we're traveling by dragon, we can just fly over it and head directly to the capital."
Yuki's practically vibrating with excitement.
[Yuki] "I can't wait! A real magic academy! Do you think they'll have a library? What about practice arenas? Oh, I wonder what kind of spells they teach!"
[Takeshi] "You're way too excited about school."
[Yuki] "It's not just school. It's a magic academy!"
There's a knock at the door. Demon Lord Kaelith and Chancellor Velira enter.
[Kaelith] "Good morning. We've come to escort you to the plaza for your departure. We've made arrangements to clear the area so Ignatia can take off without issue."
[Wright] "Thanks. We appreciate it."
[Velira] "We've alerted everyone about a dragon appearing, so there should be no surprise this time."
We finish breakfast and gather our things. As we make our way through the inn toward the exit, staff members pause in their work to watch us pass. I spot Madame Therys near the entrance, standing with perfect professional posture.
[Wright] "Madame Therys. Thank you for everything. This place is incredible. The hospitality was extraordinary."
[Therys] "You are most welcome. It has been our honor to host you."
She bows slightly, her composure absolutely flawless. What an amazing owner.
[Eldrin] "Your establishment truly lives up to its reputation."
[Seraphina] "The accommodations were exceptional."
[Therys] "We are delighted to have exceeded your expectations. You are welcome to return at any time."
We exchange final goodbyes with the staff and make our way to the plaza. The area has been cleared as promised, giving Ignatia plenty of space. Though a crowd has gathered around the perimeter, eager to see the dragon. Guess you just can't stop curiosity.
Ignatia floats forward in her small form, then transforms. Her body expands, scales gleaming like polished rubies, wings unfurling with majestic grace. She lowers her tail, creating a ramp for us to climb. Shouts of oohs and ahhs ring out from the crowd.
Everyone boards. The kids are getting used to this now, climbing up without hesitation. Even Vesper manages without complaining, though she does mutter something about it being too early.
Ignatia takes off, powerful wings beating as we rise into the air. The city of Luminara spreads out below us, steam rising from various hot springs throughout the streets. Then we're over the mountains, heading southeast toward Selenith.
---
The flight is short. An hour, maybe two.
Arcanis comes into view gradually. The city is different from Luminara. Where Luminara was built around natural hot springs, Arcanis is built around arcane engineering.
Towers rise from the city center, some of them floating without any visible support. Crystalline structures catch the sunlight and refract it in impossible ways, creating rainbows that arc across the sky. Even from this distance, I can see the shimmer of magical barriers and wards protecting the city.
[Eldrin] "According to Supreme Mage Lysara, we're to land in the field outside the city. She'll be waiting with carriages."
[Ignatia] "I see them."
She circles, descending in a controlled spiral.
Several carriages are arranged in the field, along with a small group of people. One figure stands slightly apart from the others, distinctive even at this distance.
Ignatia lands a short distance away, settling onto the grass with surprising gentleness for something her size. We dismount, and I can see the horses attached to the carriages reacting to her presence. They whinny and pull against their reins, eyes rolling. The handlers work to calm them, speaking in soothing tones.
After a few moments, the horses settle, though they keep glancing nervously in my direction. Are they afraid of me and not Ignatia? Rude.
The woman I assume is Supreme Mage Lysara approaches. She's striking. Long platinum hair that seems to shimmer with residual magic, like there's light woven into the strands themselves. Violet eyes that focus on me with unsettling intensity, scrutinizing every little detail. She wears dark robes embroidered with arcane symbols that actually move, dancing across the fabric like tiny stars.
Her fingers tap against her side in a rhythmic pattern.
[Lysara] "Welcome to Selenith. I'm Supreme Mage Lysara."
Her voice carries quiet authority.
[Wright] "Thank you for having us."
[Lysara] "The pleasure is ours. Eldrin speaks highly of you, and anyone he recommends is worth meeting."
She glances at the rest of the group, her eyes pausing briefly on each person as if cataloging them.
[Lysara] "Please, the carriages are ready. We'll head into the city."
We board the carriages. I end up in one with the Supreme Mage, Eldrin, and Yuki. The interior is comfortable, with cushioned seats and windows that provide a clear view of the passing scenery.
As we roll through the city gates, I get a better look at Arcanis.
Street lamps that float without posts, their light adjusting automatically as we pass. Buildings with impossible architecture, some with sections that rotate slowly, others with walls that shimmer like water. A fountain in a plaza shoots water upward in defiance of gravity, the streams twisting into complex patterns before falling back down.
People on the streets wear robes in various colors, many embroidered with symbols similar to the Supreme Mage's. Students, probably. Some of them point as our carriages pass, whispering to each other.
[Lysara] "I've prepared rooms for you within the academy. Yuki, you can attend some trial classes over the next day or two, see how you like the curriculum."
[Yuki] "Really? That would be amazing!"
[Lysara] "The timing is actually quite fortunate. We're ending the school year this week, so formal enrollment won't happen until after summer break. That gives you a few months to prepare."
She pauses, her fingers tapping against the armrest.
[Lysara] "There will be a graduation ball in two days. A celebration for the students completing their studies. I'd be honored if you would all attend."
Yuki's face lights up.
[Yuki] "A ball? Really? I'd love to go!"
Yuki turns to me, her eyes pleading. I know, I get it. A ball at a magic academy is a cornerstone of every academy manga. Of course she's excited. I'd like to see it too. But we're on a schedule. We have to visit the academy in Rathen and then head to Respera for trade talks. I look toward Eldrin instead.
Eldrin, sensing my gaze, sighs and responds.
[Eldrin] "The trade talks in Respera will happen in about a week from now. We'll have enough time to stay for the ball and to visit Rathen's academy for a couple of days as well."
[Lysara] "Excellent. I was delighted to hear about trade talks being opened. I'll be heading to Respera myself to participate."
[Wright] "Thank you for working out the details of the trip, Eldrin."
I make a mental note to be better at planning out the details of trips. I can't keep burdening Eldrin with my whims.
---
We arrive at the academy, and it looks incredible.
The main building is a massive structure that seems to defy physics. Multiple towers rise from a central courtyard, some of them connected by bridges that hang suspended in the air without supports. The towers themselves spiral upward, their walls covered in glowing runes that pulse with rhythmic light. Some sections of the building are transparent, showing multiple floors stacked impossibly on top of each other.
Floating platforms drift through the air between buildings, carrying students and faculty from one location to another. Gardens grow on vertical surfaces, plants thriving on walls where they should fall. A massive astronomical device rotates slowly above the main courtyard.
The entire academy sits within a dome of shimmering magical energy, barely visible but definitely present. Protective wards, probably.
Supreme Mage Lysara gestures toward one of the floating platforms drifting nearby.
[Lysara] "We'll take the platform to the student dormitory first. It's faster than walking."
The platform glides over to us, settling at ground level. It's a circular disc about fifteen feet across, with a waist-high railing around the edge. Runes glow softly along its surface.
We step on, and the platform rises smoothly into the air. No jolt, no sensation of movement beyond the visual cues. It's eerily stable, like standing on solid ground.
Yuki immediately moves to the railing, looking down at the campus spreading out below.
[Yuki] "This is amazing! Look how high we are!"
[Aiko] "The view is incredible."
The platform carries us between buildings, past other platforms carrying students who wave as we pass. Some of them do double-takes when they recognize who's on our platform.
[Student] "Is that the Supreme Mage?"
[Student] "Who are those people with her?"
We glide toward a building on the eastern side of campus. The platform descends gently, settling at an entrance.
We're shown to the student dormitory, a building that's somewhat more normal-looking than the main academy structure. They're given a large shared space with individual rooms for each of them.
[Yuki] "This is so cool! Look, there's a common area!"
[Aiko] "The view overlooks the practice fields."
[Takeshi] "Not bad."
Snow immediately flies to the window, her wings create tiny frost patterns on the glass. Umbra melts into the shadows of the room, his gem glowing faintly as he explores the corners.
Ignatia, in her small form, floats around examining everything with critical eyes.
[Ignatia] "The accommodations are acceptable. The magical wards are well-constructed."
[Yuki] "You like it?"
[Ignatia] "It will suffice."
Coming from Ignatia, that's high praise.
We then head to the teachers' housing area where the rest of the group will stay. This section of the campus has smaller buildings arranged around a central green. We're given a mansion. An actual mansion, complete with multiple bedrooms, a common area, a kitchen, and a study.
[Vesper] "Now this is more like it."
She immediately claims one of the sofas, flopping onto it with a satisfied sigh.
It's almost lunchtime when we finish settling in. Supreme Mage Lysara, who's been waiting patiently, asks a question.
[Lysara] "Would you prefer to dine here, or would you like to see the school cafeteria?"
Yuki answers before anyone else can.
[Yuki] "The school cafeteria! I want to see inside the school too."
[Lysara] "Very well. I'll give you a tour on the way."
We follow her through the academy grounds. She points out various buildings and facilities as we walk.
[Lysara] "The main classroom building is there, with lecture halls on the lower floors and specialized study rooms above."
Students are moving between classes, and as we pass, whispers start.
[Student] "Is that the Supreme Mage? What's she doing out here?"
[Student] "Look who's with her! That's Eldrin!"
[Student] "Who's the guy in front? The normal-looking one?"
[Student] "No idea. Must be important if he's walking with all of them."
We continue walking. The Supreme Mage gestures to our right.
[Lysara] "The practice fields are to the east, with different sections for elemental magic, combat magic, and experimental spell work."
We pass an open area where students are practicing. Some are levitating objects, others creating elaborate illusions. One student accidentally sets their practice dummy on fire and has to frantically put it out.
More whispers follow us.
[Student] "Oh wow, it's Seraphina and Lucien! From Grivers!"
[Student] "The legendary adventuring group? Here?"
[Lysara] "The training arenas are underground, warded heavily to contain more dangerous magic. We have simulation rooms that can recreate various environments and scenarios."
We pass through a covered walkway with murals on the walls depicting famous magical discoveries.
[Student] "Wait, is that Vesper? The genius arcane artificer?"
[Student] "I heard she revolutionized preservation theory!"
Vesper looks mildly annoyed by the attention.
[Student] "Is that a dragon on that girl's shoulder?"
[Student] "It looks so small and cute!"
We enter a building that houses various laboratories and research facilities. I can see students working on experiments through glass windows, carefully measuring ingredients or channeling magic into complex arrays.
The whispers continue to follow us as we make our way through campus. More students stop to stare, some pointing, others pulling out what look like notebooks to take notes.
[Lysara] "Please excuse the students. It's not often we have such distinguished visitors."
[Eldrin] "It's quite alright."
Finally, we reach a large building at the center of campus.
[Lysara] "The cafeteria."
She pushes open the doors, and we step inside.