“Today’s the day Regulus, today’s the day!” Zach chanted as he waited for his ride to arrive.

“Y-Yes. I know Zach.” Regulus managed to stutter out, he had gotten much better at talking to the hyperactive boy in the past year.

“Where's your excitement? We’ve been waiting for this moment for years!” 

“B-But I am excited…” He muttered.

Just then, the sound of galloping horses caught our attention.

“Looks like our carriage is here. Are you ready Regulus?” 

"S-sure." He said quietly, following behind Zach.

“He has been a lot happier ever since he met that boy hasn’t he?” A black-haired woman commented, staring at Zach.

“Getting a friend has helped Zach a lot.” A brown-haired man replied, nodding at the woman.

“Does Brother have to go?” A ten-year-old girl, with the same black hair as her mother, pouted.

Her mother kneeled down to her level, “Your brother will only be gone for three months before coming back.” She tried to reassure her.

“Why can’t I go too?” 

“Well, you see…” Her mother trailed off.

“Is it because of me not being able to be a mage?” She said, tears accumulating in her eyes. 

“Oh Mia, it has nothing to do with that.” Her mother tried to hug her, but she shrugged it off.

“Liar. I know it’s because of that.” She bolted into the house, tears flowing from her eyes.

All the while, her brother hadn’t turned back once or he would have noticed.

Hazel POV:

“Today is the day Boba. I’m excited.” I exclaimed with a wide smile.

“It came faster than I thought it would… Wow, 4 years have already passed.” Boba said, baffled.

“Ahh I wonder what kind of people I will meet. I hope they are interesting.”

“The people there will be interesting, I promise.” Boba said.

I still can’t believe how fast time passed. I got taken in by Boba, she taught me things like to read and write. She told me about Sanctity, and now I am going there. After 4 years of waiting, I can finally go there.

“It looks like our carriage is here. Do you have everything?” Boba had to speak a bit louder because of the carriage’s horses galloping.

“Yup.” I responded as we boarded the carriage, heading towards Sanctity.

Ryoto POV : 

“Morning Batenda.” I greeted the neon-haired man as I walked past him.

“Morning Ryoto, have you given a thought to-”

I interrupted before he could go to his tirade about his goddess, Tessera.

“Yes, and I’m still not interested. It’s been 4 years now, you should realize that I won't be changing my mind.” I deadpanned at him.

He chuckled sheepishly, “Force of habit.”

More like you’re hoping I will get frustrated enough to actually join it one day.

“Anyways, aren’t you graduating today?” I asked.

“Huh? Oh yeah. I need to go, see you Ryo-I mean Ryan.” He stumbled over his words.

He is one of the only people who know about my true identity, which I kept hidden for obvious reasons.

He actually eavesdropped on me and Daniel talking one time, and figured it out, confronting me later.  

He did agree to keep it a secret, and I trust him with that much at least.

Even if he does rat me out, I don’t exactly look the same way I did four years ago, courtesy of illusion magic.

I constantly use my race’s signature ability to hide my ears and make me look like a human with auburn hair and red eyes.

That along with the alias of Ryan prevented anyone from finding out who I am unless they eavesdrop like Batenda.

Today would mark my ‘official’ entry into the academy, of course, the other instructors knew of my presence the day I arrived.

I had sent home a letter quite a while ago, explaining how I was alive and what exactly happened that day. At the same time requesting that my survival be kept a secret.

I never got a response, probably because I didn’t give them an address to reply to.

Anyways, today the new first years would arrive. I hope I don’t run into someone I know.

I walked into the room where the initiation ceremony and the graduation would take place.

Well calling it a room wouldn’t do it justice, it was much bigger and grander than that, able to house a thousand people at any given time with room to spare.

I walked to the center of the room, seating myself on the edge, and propped my legs on the table, my hands behind my head.

“I would suggest not doing that if you don't want to stand out.”

I withheld a sigh, and put my legs down, “Morning Master Dan.”

“Good Morning Ryoto.” He greeted back, “How does it feel to be officially a part of Sanctity?”

I shrugged, “Doesn’t really feel as exciting as I thought.”

“You have been staying here for years I suppose.” He commented.

“Yeah, that probably took away the excitement.” I replied, glancing towards the door which was now spilling first years.

Noticing this, Daniel began walking away, “Come to the basement once you are done, there's somewhat of a surprise waiting for you."

“Okay?” 

I wonder what he meant.

“The newbies this year do have outlandish appearances.” I muttered dryly to myself.

Who has hair that color?

Silver? A human? 

Probably dyed it.

No, wait.

After taking a better look at the silver-haired human, I recognized some of his features.

What the hell is he doing here?!

Alright, alright calm down.

He can't recognize you anyways.

Yeah, the illusion will keep me unrecognized.

Unless he uses his 'authority', I might slip up then.

I won't let that happen, I am a kitsune, master of lies and deception, I won't be defeated by something like that.

During my inner monologue, the first years had already seated themselves.

Thankfully no one sat beside me, courtesy of the glare on my face.

Sighing, I relaxed my facial expression back to its neutral state as Headmaster Grey began his speech.

Master Grey looked like a man in his twenties, with neatly combed black hair accompanied with stormy grey eyes.

"Today we welcome hundreds of students into our academy while we say goodbye to dozens more. Today is a day of celebration, for those who have just arrived here and for those who shall be leaving this place after years of studying here…"

It's the same every time.

I proceeded to tune away most of his speech, as I took a look around me.

They don't even bother to hide their mana hearts.

I shook my head as I thought that.

But a few people caught my eye, these people actually hid their mana. And in a room full of brightly glowing figures, the ones void of any light stood out.

A brown-haired human boy, a white-haired elf, my cousin, and a light blue-haired drake.

They seem interesting…

"Batenda Tezaya!" Master Grey called out, breaking me out of my musings.

It was hard to miss the neon boy as he made his way towards the stage.

As he reached the stage he was handed his documents, diplomas, and the like.

"Do you have anything to say to the first years?" 

Batenda nodded and leaned towards the mic, "Have any of you ever thought about joining the Tessera sect?"

…

Seriously man? That's all you have to say?

When no one answered he continued, "Well, I would like you to think about it. We welcome any and all who want to join us. You can talk to my good friends Baera or Tota if you want more information. "

As he stepped off the stage, he glanced in my direction.

Only to see me deadpanning at him.

He chuckled silently, rubbing the back of his head.

I shook my head, typical Batenda.

All that was of importance was that 5 people would be chosen based on merit and recommendations for some extra classes.

There was no one else of importance after that, and I managed to get some sleep during the rest of the ceremony.

.

.

I should really stop pulling more all-nighters.

I yawned as I exited the hall, heading towards the basement as Master Dan ordered.

What did he mean by surprise?

I guess I'll be finding out soon.

Once inside my room, I picked up my daggers from my desk, along with a few vials of non-lethal poison, and faced the indentation on the wall.

Placing my hand on the door-shaped outline, I willed some of my mana into the wall.

There was a sound of rotating gears as the wall split to reveal a staircase.

Sheathing the daggers behind my waist, and the vials in pouches attached to my belt, I headed down.

I walked through the basement hallways while fidgeting with my ring, the one Father had passed on to me.

"Ah, you're here." Master Dan spoke as I entered the open room.

Taking a look around I noticed the rest of the instructors standing there, along with the five first years who had caught my eye.

Noticing my confused expression, Master Dan explained, "They will be coming here often from now. They are the best we have this year, as such they will be trained individually by the other instructors."

"Oh, thanks Master Dan." 

I'll have to keep up my illusion even while training now. It's hard but doable.

"You don't need to hide who you are here." Master Dan said as if reading my thoughts.

"How do I know they are trustworthy?" I shot back.

"You don't. You need to take that first step, offer the olive branch. Trust is a two way street, you need to trust them for them to trust you." He said sagely.

"Isn't the risk a bit too great here?" I whispered to him.

"What's the risk? Even if they do reveal who you are, who will believe them?" 

"My family would…" I muttered.

"It's better to get this out of the way now, isn't it?"

I had no argument against that.

There's a very high chance I would slip up during one of my spars.

"Fine then." I sighed, dropping the illusion.

Regulus stepped forward, "Ryoto? Ryoto Inari?"

I nodded, "In the flesh."

In an instant he rushed over to me, wrapping his arms around me.

"Whoa there big guy!" I exclaimed taken off guard by his actions.

Chuckling, I patted his back, "Yeah, missed you too buddy."

"I've never seen him be this affectionate with anyone, he didn't even stutter." The brown-haired boy commented as he walked forward.

"I'm Zacharias Gotha by the way, you can call me Zach."

As Regulus released me from his embrace, I extended an arm towards Zach, "I'm Ryoto Inari, as Regulus here mentioned."

"You two know each other?" 

"Yeah, he's my cousin who went missing eight years ago." I gave him a look, before sighing, "Not like I can say anything, I've done the same thing." 

"You're the missing prince?" The female Drake spoke, stepping towards me.

I nodded, "Yeah, I've been staying in sanctity ever since I disappeared."

"Everyone in Zaseon thinks you're dead." She commented.

I shrugged, "My family knows I'm alive."

"Why haven't they said anything then?"

"I asked them to keep my survival a secret. Besides, they don't know where I am, only that I'm alive." I answered.

"Why?" 

"Because if I did tell them where I am, I would have been taken back to the palace never to set foot outside again." 

"Boba was right, you guys are interesting." The elf commented.

"I wouldn't describe myself as interesting, but sure." I shrugged.

"Two of you are princes of Zaseon who ran away after their Father's death. Then we have a literal dragon, and that talkative guy." She pointed out.

"Well when you put it like that…" I trailed off.

"We do seem like an interesting bunch." Zach finished my sentence.

"Hazel Demaria." She introduced herself.

"And I'm Ryla Ryugami." 

"Re-Regulus Ne-Nemea." Regulus stuttered.

"You still haven't gotten rid of your stutter?" 

He shook his head.

"I've been his friend for a whole year, and he's only gotten a bit better at speaking to me." Zach commented.

"If you guys are done introducing yourselves, may we start?" Master Grey interrupted.

"Of course Master Grey." I inclined my head, walking over to Master Dan.

I pity whoever Master Grey is training, he's rather strict.

"So, what do we work on today?" I asked.

"Today, we are going to focus more on your offensive magic."

I shrugged, getting into my stance, "Fine by me."

All around us, steel sparked and mana ran rampant as five instructors taught five prodigies.