They arrive at their dorm room moments later. Jasper opens the door to a shocking but very welcoming surprise. The room that used to be depressingly institutional with an overall rustic feel to it has been transformed to accommodate the new student. 

The room now has a predominantly golden color scheme with lavish Victorian architecture. A wonderful and regal feeling permeates every corner of the room. And to call it a room now would be an understatement. A large yet empty common area sprawled out before them with two circular staircases on both sides. 

The circular staircase led to their rooms which are empty, blank canvases except for the bed of course. Although small and airy, each room had a personal bathroom and a tiny walk-in closet.

“Oh. It seems they’ve renovated the place already.” Zachry says in a calmly shocked manner.

“In such a short amount of time?” August questions.

“Yeah. It’s the work of Headmaster Ashfrey. He can manipulate space to a certain degree. Didn’t you feel the sudden shift in the concentration of aether when you entered the room?”

“Yeah I understand how he made the space larger but he couldn’t possibly have changed the layout of the room to such an extent.” August challenges.

“That’s the work of the artifact used to create the building. Same with the Grand training hall, all rooms and areas within the building can be reconstructed or renovated easily.”

‘So I guessed correctly after all, but what kind of artifact could hold such power? It couldn’t possibly be… could it?’

“Hey since you’re a foreigner and all. You must have seen all kinds of things on your way here right?” Jasper who’s now shirtless asks enthusiastically.

August goes to answer him but pauses after seeing the tattoos on his chest. They consist of what looks to be a big tree with roots that entwine with branches that form a circle on his chest. Then six angelic wings of differing sizes encircle the tree.

‘He’s a descendant of the Northern Viking Tribes…’

“I’ve seen quite a lot on my way here. I took the time to visit most of the cities on the way. I’ve learned about their culture and listened to their tales of old. The monsters, the fauna, as well as the natural formation of the land are such beautiful things to behold. The act of confining yourself to the city limits is, in my eyes, pure treachery towards mother earth.” August says religiously.

“So what you’re saying is that all people living a peaceful life in the cities should be executed for treason?” A serene and effeminate voice challenges.

They all look towards the top of the circular staircase where the voice came from. And standing there is the third student in the class peering down at them with magnificent golden eyes. Although the third student is a male, his features would tell you otherwise.

“You’re finally awake,” Zachry says as he turns to look at August, “This is Clover Metyr. He’s a gentle soul, even though he keeps for most of the day.”

‘A gentle soul? No, a snake perhaps.’

He glances at August one last time before turning around and entering the room on the far left. 

“He should stop sleeping so much, he needs to stay limber. Contrary to what I just said, I think it’s time we all went to bed.” Zachry advises, “We have a lot to do tomorrow so let's get as much rest as we can.”

***

On the other side of the academy, in a vast, darkly lighted common area, three pupils are gathered. Taking a sip from the glass in his hand, a young man reclined on a plush camelback sofa in his bathrobe.

He sighs happily as he removes the goblet from his mouth and a red liquid runs down his chin, contrasting with his porcelain complexion. “What do you guys think we should do about Leo’s situation?” He asks offhandedly.

“Leonard’s predicament has nothing to do with us.” A young woman answers, with a voice as gentle as the autumn breeze. “He should’ve never underestimated him even though he did look like a beggar.” She finishes while flipping through her notebook, “Oh my. It seems some of my debtors have yet to pay their dues.”

“As expected, the only you care for is money.” He says as he takes another sip from his goblet.

“Ooh don’t say that~~” She moaned while shifting a few strands of her emerald green hair.

“How about you Baal? Any thoughts on the matter?” He asks the third student.

Seated on a throne with a soft pink undertone and a golden accent, a peculiar young man with supple, white skin with a rose tint. Upon hearing the question, he crosses his knees and puts his head in his palm while grinning strangely. 

“This August, in my opinion, has trampled on the honor owed to us as the heirs.” A voice with a spectral undertone permeates his soft lips, “A distinction that not even the royal family can match. But do not worry, Gozen; despite the fact that Ashfrey is the least powerful of us, his name is incredibly powerful. Such contempt will not be tolerated by the knights of House Ashfrey.”

The young man rises from his throne as his long blonde hair falls gracefully. He takes a few steps to the edge of the elevated platform he’s on and meets Gozen’s blue eyes with his deep black eyes.

“And if he dares try to challenge our rule we’ll end him like all the others!”

Gozen, the young man, sips from his goblet one last time before setting it down on the table in front of him. In addition to a threatening grin, a twisted look can be seen in his eyes as he runs his hand through his wild black ombre hair.

“I wish he would.” He says with a slight impatience.

***

The soft rays of the early sun, shine through August's window. He is sitting in the middle of the room, folded-legged and partially naked, in what some might call a meditative attitude. As his concentration sharpens, a bead of sweat runs down the side of his face.

‘Volatile Red,’ He begins chanting in his mind, ‘The rage, the physical, and the empowerment.’

The very moment he finishes chanting a ring of flaring red aura appears on the ground around him. His etheric pressure starts to pronounce itself ever so slightly as another beyond the red one begins to form.

‘Neutral Blue, the fair-minded, the balance, and the protector.’ The other ring ultimately forms, but unlike the first one, it is a simple, unwavering ring of blue light.

At this point, August becomes drenched in sweat as his muscles and veins start to tremble. With his brows furrowed and his exhaustion evident, he continues to chant.

‘Calming Green, the caring, the spiritual, and the healing.’ 

The pressure he’s releasing starts to shake the room as the windows clatter. He grits his teeth as a strained expression appears on his face. 

Finally, a faint green ring appears beyond the blue one. August pours all his focus into making it more pronounced but he fails and all the rings dissipate as well as the pressure. He falls on his back and begins panting heavily almost as if he had just run a marathon.

‘Whew… it’s been almost two years since I mastered Neutral Blue. For two years I’ve been practicing Calming Green. At this rate, I won’t master aura until I become an old coot.’ He stands and wipes the sweat from his face.

“I need to hurry and find the Solace Library.”

A sudden knock on his door interrupts him.

“A package is here for you August.” A voice says.

It’s Zachry, though August knew who it was beforehand. He opens the door to see Zachry holding a box while wearing an apron. 

“A package? For me?” He asks while ignoring the topic of Zachry’s apron.

“Yeah, I think it’s your uniform… among other things. That aside you should hurry and come down, breakfast’s almost ready.” He says while handing the package over to August.

“Thanks. I’ll be down in a minute.”

***

Shortly after, August makes his way downstairs. Having had a shower he’s now fully dressed in the school uniform.

It's a long, tailored white overcoat with black accents. The school crest is embroidered on the back, while a black wolf brooch is affixed to the front. The school uniform is completed by black pants and the wearer's preferred pair of shoes.

When August reaches the bottom of the stairs, he notices that the previously empty common space has been filled with furnishings.

“How–”

Before he could complete his query, his senses were assaulted by the aroma of a delectable meal. 

“What is that fragrance?!”

“Oh, you’re already down. I’ll be there in a second.” Zachry says out of view.

Following the sound of his voice, August reaches a small kitchenette off to the left of the stairs. Still in the apron, Zachry is standing by the stove preparing breakfast.

“Am I the first one down?” August asks the moment he takes a seat at the small counter.

“No. Clover came down for his and went back to his room, and Jasper’s just out monster hunting.” He answers while still maintaining focus on his cooking.

“Monster hunting?”

“Yeah, as students of the academy getting a monster hunter’s license is surprisingly easy.” He says as he finishes cooking and begins sharing out August’s portion, “It’s also a great way to train and get experience despite the obvious risk of dying or getting gravely injured.” He finishes as he slides a plate of food over to August.

He takes a bite out of the meal in front of him and is bewildered by the variety of tastes assaulting his taste buds. Only a single thought ran through his head as he stuffed the food in his mouth.

‘Delicious!’

“But what’s the use of a license? Can’t people come and go as they see fit?” He asks after chugging down a glass of water.

“Yeah, regular people, but since we are students of the academy we aren’t permitted to leave without an instructor or an official license.” He takes a sip of his coffee before continuing, “I know what you’re thinking. Wouldn’t the students abuse this? They would… if they could”

‘He’s just a wealth of information…’

“You see, in order for one to attain a monster hunter’s license they must first pass a test. But from what I’ve heard, only people ranked Knight can pass it.”

“But isn’t Jasper a Squire rank?”

“In his case, he has the control and technique of someone ranked Knight. But his aether reserves are low compared to other Knight ranks and another thing. And if he were to fight a Knight ranked, he would have to resort to his Glacial Armament Technique and that’s only a technique he can use five times per day.”

‘Glacial Armament Technique…?’

The memory of Jasper’s ice great bow runs through his head. It was truly a magnificent use of his element, and certainly unorthodox.

“So what about you?” He asks completely switching the flow of the conversation.

“Me?” Zachry asks with a puzzled look on his face.

“Yeah. What rank are you?” He asks with a level of seriousness.

Upon hearing his question, Zachry’s expression dampens slightly as his gaze shifts from August to the wall behind him. His eyes meet the hanging clock on the wall as he recalls they have somewhere to be.

“Look at the time. We have class at twelve, so we only have an hour or two. Come on let’s hurry up and go to the library.” He says in an orderly fashion as he begins walking to the door.

‘He completely ignored my question…’