After several days of training, the first day at the academy finally arrived. Allen was ready for his first day, confident that he can train to become even stronger and pass his conditions he was given.

The academy gave the new students access to their new dorms a day prior to the academy's first day to allow everyone to settle in. The dorms were nice, a very spacious room with a bed, a desk, and a dresser. On top of his dresser sat his academy uniform, which he would then put on for his first day.

The uniform consisted of the usual pants, shirt, jacket, and tie. The shirt was white and the pants black, while the jacket and tie were gray. A pin on the right side of the jacket has the letter "1F" on it, which seems to indicate one's year and ranking.

Allen was glad to finally have his uniform. It was like another way of reassuring him that he is now at the academy, and he can now train as much as he can to finally achieve his lifelong goal of becoming a magical knight.

Of course, he also had several other goals in mind. Firstly, finding evidence of who his mom was. William had mentioned at one point he had known his mother and she was a magical knight like him. She had at one point attended this academy, similar to William. She also used to own the sword Allen now carries.

His second other goal was one that would take probably the longest. This one would be difficult, as he would need to first graduate the school and then rise through the magical knights ranks. He wanted to restore fire magic as it should be - an officially recognized element.

He finally exited his dorm to head out to begin his first day at the school. He had an opening ceremony that was going to begin before they were to begin their classes. He headed out to the main school building.

All sorts of students everywhere were all across the various areas of the academy. Practicing, chatting, or simply just waiting for the opening ceremony to start. It seemed the jacket and tie color indicated your element, as he saw others with blue, brown, and gray colors. He saw mainly blue and brown, with the occasional gray. For the girls they wore skirts, and instead of a tie it was a bow. Most of those with gray looked like they came from prestigious families, similar to what he saw at the entrance exam.

He was going to get some extra practice in, but it seemed like the opening ceremony was going to begin soon, as students were shuffling into the main auditorium. He made his way in as well.

As he made his way in, some senior looking students, maybe third years helping out the student council, were directing students to various areas of the seating areas based on rank and element.

"Oh, an F rank?", a third year helping out asked.

"Um yes, that's correct", Allen responded.

"And a first year? Well, your seating area will be over there", she pointed towards the back.

"Thanks", Allen said as he made his way to his seating area.

His seating area was very small, with only a few seats. There were only a few people sitting back there, one guy and two girls. Both the guy and one of the girls were second years, while the other girl was a first year. It seemed that element didn't matter as much in the F ranks, as they all varied in element. He saw an open seat, to the right of the first year girl.

"This seat taken?", he asked the first year girl.

At first the girl didn't respond. It seemed like she was wrapped up in her mind, as if it was drifting around and round, as she kept trying to process her thoughts. Her long, light blue hair complimented her light blue eyes which shined like a pure stream of water.

"Hey, is this seat taken?", he asked her once more, talking a little louder.

"Oh sorry, no you're fine go ahead", she finally realized he was talking to her.

"Thank you", Allen responded as he sat down.

Just as all the students were all situated, a familiar face ran inside not even a minute before the ceremony started. He seemed to be looking for his area, as he was talking to a senior student. She promptly directed him towards Allen's area. He then shuffled over.

"Hey nice to see you again Thomas", Allen said while he saw Thomas walking over.

"Oh hey Allen, nice to see you as well", he said while sitting down next to Allen.

"F rank as well, huh?", Allen asked him.

"Well, it's a long story…", he started, but before he finished he looked over at the girl next to Allen and his face seemed to show surprise.

"Lily, is that you?", he asked her.

"Uh wait, Tom?", she looked over at him in surprise as well.

"You two know each other?", Allen looked back and forth at them.

"Yeah, something like that", Thomas responded.

"Like how so?", Allen asked.

Both of them were about to answer, but the girl let Thomas explain.

"Yeah we're sort of like childhood friends in a way. We've known each other for awhile", Thomas responded while shrugging.

"Yeah, we have known each other since our families-", the girl started to say before Thomas interrupted her.

"Yeah our families just know each other. Anyways, this is Cecily. I call her Lily for short", Thomas told Allen.

Cecily was a little surprised for Thomas interrupting her but seemed to shrug it off like she kind of knew why he may have interrupted her.

"Nice to meet you, as Tom said my name is Cecily", she looked over at Allen with a smile.

"Nice to meet you as well, my name is Allen", he told her.

"F rank as well, huh?", Thomas asked her.

"Well, you know because-", she started to say, but the ceremony was beginning.

Up on the stage stood a girl holding some sort of device. The device seemed to project her voice across the room as she spoke.

"Hello everyone, returning students and first years alike! I am one of your announcers, Lisa!", she spoke very loudly and with a sort of cute voice which seemed like she did it on purpose.

"It's Lisa!"

"Our favorite announcer!"

"I'm a big fan, Lisa!"

Several students' voices filled the room in praise for this girl.

"Anyway, now that everyone's settled in, it's time for our introduction from our student council president, Rose Marion!"

Up on the stage walked a girl wearing a blue jacket, indicating she was a water mage. Her uniform was a little more professional, most likely due to her being the student council president.

As she was getting ready to start talking, whispers went throughout the room.

"Isn't that The Blue Rose?"

"She's one of the most powerful water mages at this academy!"

"No wonder she's the student council president"

Several of the students in the audience were talking about her and her status. She finally started to speak.

"Welcome back everyone for another great year! And also a warm welcome to our new first years, who will of course be joining us for this year. My name is Rose Marion, and I am your student council president!", she announced.

"That's the Blue Rose for you"

"Always good on exam scores and she's the president"

"Not to mention she's from a prestigious family"

More whispers filled the room.

"Anyways, like usual you'll attend your normal basic classes and train throughout the year. Of course, we will have our annual Magical Knights Tournament."

Excitement filled the room. Many were excited for the tournament. Whether it was to participate or watch, it seemed like a large event.

Ah, this is what I have to participate in, Allen thought to himself.

"Just remember, every single student is allowed to participate, however you must be of at least rank D to participate!", she added.

Well, that's not the case for me, Allen thought.

"Although, I've heard word that a certain F ranked student is being forced to participate in order to be able to graduate to his second year", she said with a curious look on her face.

"An F rank in the tournament?"

"Why is an F rank forced into the tournament?"

���And it's a graduation requirement? I've never heard of such a thing"

Several voices filled the room in curiosity.

"Anyways, I look forward to another great year! Now a word from our first year representative, Stephen Windblade!", Rose announced, while stepping to the side as a figure approached the stage.

"Stephen Windblade? Isn't he the only son to William Windblade?"

"Stephen is the son of the director of the academy!"

"I heard he was placed immediately into A rank after the exam!"

Allen almost immediately recognized the boy. He was the only one who didn't mock him during the examination, and the one who approached him before the duel part of the exam began. Allen didn't recall seeing him take part in the duel part of the exam. Maybe he wasn't paying attention?

The boy, apparently named Stephen, got onto the stage standing next to Rose and began to speak.

"Hello everyone, my name is Stephen Windblade, and I was elected as this year's first year representative for the opening ceremony. Some of you may know I am the director's son, but I can assure you that has no part in my ranking or me being chosen", he spoke in a rather cold tone, seeming like he didn't want to be up there, and perhaps a rather cold tone towards mentioning his father? He continued.

"I look forward to this year and improving to become a magical knight. As such, I wanted to add that I will be participating in the annual Magical Knights Tournament later this year"

Shock went around the room.

"He's also participating? No wonder..."

"He's an A rank, of course he would participate!"

"That'll just make winning the tournament harder!"

Stephen seemed to glare around the room, as if he were looking for something, or rather someone. His eyes stopped when they seemed to be looking at Allen.

"Allen Fleming, was it? I remember you from the exam", he said while definitely looking over at Allen.

The audience was curious at the mentioning of Allen's name.

"Who is Allen? I haven't heard of him"

"Wasn't he the F rank that was accepted at the exam?"

"Why is Stephen mentioning an F rank then?"

Allen was shocked at Stephen mentioning his name. What could he possibly want with him?

"Do you know him, Allen?", Thomas looked over at Allen.

"Sort of, I met him at the exam, only briefly", he responded, still wondering why Stephen is mentioning him.

"I heard Allen here is the F rank participating in the tournament. You have to win 4 consecutive battles, correct? Or else you won't graduate to your second year? Either way, I look forward to seeing you in the tournament Allen", he said with a small smirk on his face.

"He's the F ranked student that's participating in the tournament?"

"Did he say he has to win 4 battles?"

"Win 4 to graduate? Seriously?"

"How's an F ranked knight going to win 4 battles? All up against tough opponents too!"

Allen kind of slumped down in his chair to avoid the eyes wandering over to look at him, even if it didn't help.

"Well, aren't you the popular one, Allen", Thomas grinned at him.

"I wouldn't call that popularity, Thomas", Allen responded, nervous with all the wandering eyes.

Rose started to speak again after Stephen promptly got off the stage.

"Well, wasn't that interesting? That's Stephen Windblade for you! Anyways, good luck everyone! And have a great time here at the academy!", she spoke as she waved everyone off the stage.

Everyone started to exit, while chatting amongst each other. Stuff about the tournament, the president, Stephen, and even Allen.

(Continued in Part 2 of Chapter 4 due to 15,000 Character Limit on Chapters!)