In the upper corridors of the Academy, Class I made its way to the meeting point to receive their uniforms and dormitory numbers. Everyone seemed eager and excited to see where they would be living for the next few years, as well as the outfits they would wear—though their well-known design was already familiar across the Kingdom.

Among the students following Professor Erica Mistale, Rei walked at the back of the group, with Emi close behind.

"I feel like you were worried about being separated, Emi."

"I was more afraid that Sayo might have made a mistake…" Emi muttered.

"That wouldn’t have happened. She knows I need you with me," Rei replied with confidence.

Interested in their conversation, Gabriel didn’t hesitate to join them, just as he had before. He walked alongside Rei, matching her pace.

"It seems fate has brought us together once again. Surely, this is destiny…"

Rei took a slow breath, as if already tired of such nonsense. Still, she answered him honestly.

"It takes more than that to impress me. You must be aware of the level expected from every member of the Grand Temple."

Gabriel grinned at her words. Moving closer, he raised a hand, making a bright white light appear in his palm. The glow danced between his fingers as he looked at Rei with amusement.

"Oh, I know. And I’m sure that once you see what I can do, you won’t want to be without m—…"

His smug remark was cut short by a sudden force of pure energy. Threads of light wrapped around him, locking him in place. In an instant, Rei had trapped him, making his display seem weak in comparison to her power. She leaned in, her eyes—usually different colours—now glowing gold and white.

"Be careful with your words. You are close to being insolent."

No more words were spoken. As suddenly as it had appeared, Rei’s power vanished. She continued walking, the confident click of her heels echoing on the stone floor. Emi followed immediately, throwing a look of contempt at Gabriel.

As they turned another corner, Rei’s sharp gaze fell on the lively group of Class II students wandering through the halls. Kazuko and Mikuami walked ahead, chatting happily, surrounded by their classmates.

Once they had passed, Rei, still watching them, spoke in a colder tone.

"Is something wrong, miss?" Emi asked.

"I was told there would be many demons… yet even after ten years in the Grand Temple, I still can’t get used to it. But it doesn’t matter. We have a mission to complete."

Her expression darkened. With determination, she continued walking, speaking the true purpose that drove her.

"For the good of this Kingdom and the angels… I will find her. And when I do… I will finally destroy the source of this world's evil."

Emi walked beside her, listening carefully. A troubled expression appeared on her face, and she murmured, her voice filled with hesitation.

"Yes… It must be difficult for you, as an angel of the Grand Temple of Light. I’m sorry if my presence bothers y—"

Rei interrupted her, gently taking her chin in her right hand, forcing Emi to lift her head.

"Do not belittle yourself, Emi. You are not like them. Even if demon blood runs through your veins, you do not carry the evil that defines them. To me, you are not a demon."

Without another word, Rei resumed walking. Emi, blushing, followed her, heart pounding, her mind unsettled by these unexpected words.

"Even though I am half-demon, half-angel, Miss Rei still supports me and keeps me by her side… She has such a kind heart…" Emi thought, her eyes shining with admiration. "I must assist her as best as I can in her mission… No matter what she asks of me, I will obey without hesitation. » Together, they walked on.

Elsewhere in the Academy, Mikuami and Kazuko moved forward with the lively Class II, their steps light and carefree. Kazuko, fascinated by the Academy’s grand architecture, eagerly listed all the wonders of the place to Mikuami.

"I heard that, besides classrooms, the Academy has sports facilities, libraries, lounges, and even clubs… Everything you could dream of for the perfect learning environment! But the greatest honour is, without a doubt, staying in the legendary dormitories! I can’t wait to see everyone’s abilities! It’s going to be amazing!"

She suddenly stopped and turned to Mikuami, curious.

"But tell me, Mikuami… I just realised I still don’t know the source of your magical potential! What type is it?! I bet you have a powerful magic, considering your family!"

Caught off guard, Mikuami hesitated, lost in thought.

"Mr. Adler told me never to reveal my true power to anyone… I don’t know Kazuko well yet… I should just say what I was told to."

She answered, "Well… It’s not very impressive, but I have Shadow energy, like my parents…"

Kazuko’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Not very impressive?! But Shadow is one of the most powerful sources on the demon side! As for me, if you must know, I belong to the Raw Force category!" she declared proudly, puffing out her chest. "I draw my magical potential from pure strength, which enhances both my physical and magical abilities."

Mikuami, intrigued, narrowed her eyes.

"The energy source of Raw Force… That sounds familiar…"

"It’s well-known, but few inherit it. It’s a power as strong as it is difficult to control!" Kazuko grinned mischievously. "Personally, I’m very proud of it—it suits me perfectly."

"It suits you? You mean your personality?"

"Exactly! They say that our energy sources shape our character and influence who we become."

Mikuami remained silent, deep in thought.

"A magical force that reflects who we are... If Kazuko has inherited a force magic, it certainly explains her temperament... But me... If my magic draws its power from the origins of evil, what does that say about me? Why has Monsieur Adler never explained this to me?"

Kazuko, caught up in her excitement, exclaimed:
"Finally, with all that, I can't wait to see you in action! Your magic is powerful, I wonder what it looks like when it's at work!"

Mikuami averted her gaze, a slight anxiety crossing her face.
"Ah... that's true... Despite my training with Monsieur Adler, there will come a time when I'll have to reveal my magic to everyone... I'll really have to manage to hide my true powers..."

Kazuko suddenly regained her confidence.
"Come on, let's hurry and get our things, I can't wait to see my dorm and see you in your uniform, haha!"

"What?! But why?!"

Kazuko replied with a laugh and grabbed her hand. The two of them started running at the front of the group, and Mikuami had no choice but to follow. Behind them, a group of three well-dressed boys walked and chatted.

"What's wrong, Hiro? What are you looking at?" one of them asked the one in the middle.

It was immediately recognized as the boy Mikuami had bumped into earlier. He couldn't help but stare at the two friends running ahead of them. With a slightly disdainful and annoyed look, he replied:
"Nothing. I wasn't looking at anything. Let's just move on."

The wide hallways were now filled with students, some new, others in uniform, betraying their seniority at the Academy. For this new batch, everyone was waiting their turn to access the information offices.
"We've arrived right in the middle of the rush, it seems..." Kazuko sighed, observing the crowd. However, she didn't have time to complain any further as an older student came toward them.

"Hey, you two! Can I help you? You seem a little lost, haha."

"That's true, we're first years, and we still don't know how things work around here."

"Like almost everyone else here, but don't worry, I'm here to guide you! Let me introduce myself: Alysse d'Ormis, fourth-year student and president of the student council!" the young girl announced, full of charm and contagious energy.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Kazuko Ashimido!"

"And I'm Mikuami Ayademi. Thanks for helping us."

Alysse's eyes brightened. "Ayademi? From the ducal Ayademi family?!" Her smile widened, and overwhelmed with joy, Alysse grabbed Mikuami's hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you! I'd heard the heir of the Ayademi family would come study at Hatsu, but I never imagined it would really happen! Your parents were former students and contributed greatly to the evolution of the student council's role at the Academy! They've done so much for us, and even now, their financial support still reaches us, even though..." She stopped abruptly, realizing she was about to touch on a delicate subject.

Mikuami reassured her.  »Don't worry, my parents passed away years ago, you can talk about them freely."
"I have to relax her. I have no memories of them due to my accident, so it doesn't bother me if they're mentioned. However, I didn't hear from Monsieur Adler that my parents remained so closely tied to the Academy after graduating. It's him who continues to manage the family's administrative and financial affairs, and thus contributes these funds to the Academy."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude... Your parents were wonderful people, and I'm proud, as president of the student council, to be the heir to a little of their legacy. Oh, I just remembered, I have to introduce you to the rest of the group!"

"Oh... that's not necessary, you know..." Mikuami replied, but she was immediately interrupted by Kazuko, who exclaimed. 

"What a great idea!" she said, forcing Mikuami to follow Alysse before whispering. "This way, they'll help us get our stuff faster!"

They entered a room where Alysse called out.  »CLAIRE, HIMISHI, AND EVERYONE ELSE! YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHO I'M BRINGING!"

Himishi, a tall boy with a serious and neat appearance, stepped forward.  "I'd say, by the looks of it, two students since they're standing right behind you."

Claire, a smaller and more delicate girl, exclaimed.  »Oh, tell me everything! Who are you introducing us to?"

Alysse took a proud stance. "I have the honor of introducing you to Mikuami Ayademi, a first-year student!"

A silence fell, and Claire and Himishi's faces turned pale.

"Um... hello," Mikuami ventured, feeling awkward.

But suddenly, both of them rushed toward her. "You're really from the Ayademi family?! It's incredible... If you only knew all that your parents..."

Alysse interrupted them. "Yes, I've already told them all about that, but admit, it's something! And alongside her is Kazuko Ashimido, her friend."

Claire approached her. "From the Ashimido blacksmith family, in service to the royal family? An honor!"

"Yes, that's right! Mikuami and I could really use some help with our uniforms and the rest," Kazuko said, smiling.

"No problem, that's our role after all!" Claire replied before Himishi placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It would be our pleasure to help you..." he said before continuing. "But... we can't let such an opportunity pass..."

All the members of the student council exchanged glances and seemed to agree with Himishi's words. Alysse took the lead.

"Mikuami, it would be an honor for us to count the heir of the Ayademi family among the new members of the student council!"

Mikuami and Kazuko watched the scene, equally surprised and bewildered.