Unbeknownst to Aston, far away in Shale City, a certain name had begun to draw unwanted attention. But for now, within the sanctuary of Dawn Crest Academy, his world was simple—training, learning, and surviving.

His first week in the academy passed in a blur of motion and silence.

Each morning, he rose early—sometimes before sunrise—and took long walks across the sprawling campus, guided by instinct more than destination. The academy's terraced design stretched from lake-fed gardens to winding crystal-lit tunnels, and every pathway held its own pulse of energy.

Some days, he trained in the open plazas, practicing movements he remembered from those he'd seen in manuals and those in the Spirit Combat arenas. Other times, he sat beneath spirit-woven trees, Gray curled against his side while Mirage perched quietly above, wings tucked as if listening to the wind.

Seria and Rowan invited him to spar or tour deeper sections of the city, to which he went.

Every night, from his dorm window, he could hear voices from an instructor—different every night— addressing small groups of new arrivals, and explaining the academy's rules, layout, and rankings. The once-empty dormitory had slowly become bustling as the first day of class approached.

His roommate, Ren, is oftentimes out whenever he is in, only appearing with his cat in the morning under the blankets.

By the time the seventh day arrived, the academy grounds had transformed. Students—hundreds of them—now filled the dorm halls, courtyards, and training fields. There were groups that toured the whole campus.

—

On the next day, Aston woke up early. He glanced at Ren's bed and found that it was already empty, probably went ahead. He took a shower, donned his academy uniform and his Scouting Arts Division robes, and went out of the room together with Mirage and Gray. He grabbed his meal at the cafeteria and waited until the ceremony started.

At 6:30 AM sharp, the opening ceremony began.

Central Field, by the Monument.

The once-empty field was now filled with tiered stones. Students are seated with their freshly issued robes. Their spirit beasts stood beside them or hovered nearby—an army of feathers, scales, fur, and flowing forms.

At the heart of the field stood the Monument of Legacy—a small monument of obsidian crystal reaching into the sky, engraved with the names of legendary alumni and topped with a floating flame that never dimmed.

A low chime echoed across the grounds.

Elders began to emerge from the sides—figures draped in differently colored robes accented with golden threads. Each one carried a presence, a pressure that made even the rowdiest student fall silent.

Finally, at the foot of the monument, a mature man stepped forward.

He was tall, with long streaks of silver hairs mottled into dark hair, and eyes that glowed faintly beneath rimless lenses. His voice was calm, clipped, and carried without amplification.

"First years," he said. "You stand at the base of a thousand paths. Not all of you will reach the top."

He let the words hang.

"But every path begins with a step. And here, we teach you not just to walk—but to ascend."

He glanced across the crowd, expression unreadable.

"You have two months to settle. After that, excuses end."

Then, without flourish or farewell, he turned around and left. One of the elders took charge on the stage.

"Thank you for your words, principal. Now, next on…"

The ceremony continued until 7:30 AM. The students, along with their instructors, professors, and elders, went back to the campus to continue with classes.

—

Scouting Arts Division – Year 1, Semester 1

Weekly Schedule

Time

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Monday / Wednesday / Friday

Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday

08:00 - 09:00

Foundational Spirit Theory

Scouting Tactics & Terrain Adaptation

09:15 - 10:15

Spirit Bond Synchronization Techniques

Spirit Beast Integration for Recon

10:30 - 11:30

Essence Channeling & Core Cultivation

Long Range Observation & Risk Profile

11:30 - 13:00

Lunch/Free Study Period

Lunch/Free Study Period

13:00 - 14:00

Beast Communication & Resonance

Tactical Field Drills (Instructor Rotation)

14:15 - 15:15

History - Epochs of Spirit Civilization

Tactical Field Drills (Instructor Rotation)

15:30 - 16:30

Applied Battle Tactics

Weekly Recon Simulations (Saturday only)

Instructor Pairings

Course Code

Course Title

Instructor Name

FOU-100

Foundational Spirit Theory

Cael Windermere

FOU-101

Spirit Bond Synchronization Techniques

Nyra Talvine

FOU-102

Essence Channeling & Core Cultivation

Veris Kaon

FOU-103

Beast Communication & Resonance

Levi Ralden

FOU-104

History - Epochs of Spirit Civilization

Senn Alder

FOU-105

Applied Battle Tactics

Gorran Tull

SAD-100

Scouting Tactics & Terrain Adaptation

Oscar Valen

SAD-101

Spirit Beast Integration for Recon

Ilyen Vey

SAD-102

Long Range Observation & Risk Profile

Elric Dane

—

Aston glanced over the schedule that had just been updated in his student portal as he walked towards the campus.

"Guess it begins now," he murmured to himself.

Gray gave a meow of agreement. Mirage, from his shoulders, turned its head slightly as if it already knew what the week would bring.

His first class was Foundational Spirit Theory (FOU-100), scheduled for 8:00 AM sharp. His destination—the campus where the Spire of Dawn is located—the central terrace, the towering centerpiece of the academy.

The closer he walked toward the spire, the more the atmosphere changed.

The students here were different—more composed, more disciplined. Spirit beasts moved in careful sync with their partners, and the walkways were wide and immaculate, lined with spirit-inscribed obelisks that gently pulsed with runes and sigils.

Foundational courses, such as Foundational Spirit Theory (FOU-100) were mandatory for all first-year students, regardless of division. Whether destined for the Scouting Arts, Spirit Combat, Enchantment Arts, or Trade and Commerce, everyone passed through the same gates of knowledge at the start.

Aston walked with measured steps up the marble pathway, noting how groups of students naturally gravitated together as they moved toward the spire's lower rings where the Foundational Halls stood.

Some were chatting in hushed excitement, clutching their phones and tablets, or reviewing preliminary texts. Others, like Aston, moved in quiet observation.

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