“Welcome... — to Terminus,” I said. 

“It’s twenty-three degrees all day, every day. The sun never sets. Seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year. We don’t fully understand how it works, but it’s consistent. If you ask me, it’s perfect weather.”

“A lot has changed since this place opened to the public two years ago. More people are coming to learn about Oblivion and the Ethirials, just like you.” 

I remember chuckling quietly to myself. Even though Terminus was open to the public, not everyone could join the Academy — or its extracurricular classes. Those were reserved for people with exceptional skills.

“New species have appeared around the island, and discoveries about the Ethirials are coming faster than ever.”

After the brief introduction, it was time to measure their knowledge.
Some were brimming with excitement; others, were eager to prove themselves.

There was a girl, delicate as Sakura blooms, whose intuition let her guess the surprise I had in store — a sudden pop quiz.

I remember the regal one in demeanor as if born to lead, who answered without hesitation. Nor the reaction of the young one, bursting with the reckless courage of a turtle’s pupil, an heir already marked by heroism. He darted forward, ever eager to go ten steps ahead of everyone else.

I watched their reactions with quiet amusement.
Then a gentle girl with a magical aura raised her hand to ask something, but I had to dismiss her for the moment, as we had to continue with the program.
After playing dumb for a second, I asked my first question to break the ice.

“Can someone tell me the names of the five tribes?”

Almost instantly, a scrawny-looking kid, like a scarecrow, sharp-eyed and brimming with knowledge, answered as if he’d descended from a hidden village.
“The main five are the Okeanis, Veroldin, Exomata, Caelestis, and Tenebrae,” he said confidently. Then, almost as an afterthought, added, “We also have two new tribes, the Arcantur and the Razerkers.”

A clever boy indeed. That had been a trick question, but he saw right through me.
“Well done,” I said with a smile.

“My next question,” I continued, “How does a duel begin?”

That one was easy. After all, they all knew about the Oblivion Card Game. Why else would they be here?

The girl with the cherry scent lifted her hand. “First, both players decide how many creatures they’ll use in battle. Then, each player positions their Ethirials according to turn order. Once everything’s set, the Ethirial with the highest speed attacks first.”

Speechless at her flawless answer, I managed only, “Wonderful.”

“Last question,” I said. “How many species of Ethirials are there?”

Suddenly, a frail boy spoke up, carrying the heart of a warrior, though his voice wavered with a faint hiccup.
“Originally, there were only five — Muriba, Spurr, Nowad, Antes, and Deabloon. But now, we’ve discovered 100 new species.”

“Excellent,” I replied.

After blatantly avoiding the sweet girl with the red bow and that gentle, witch-next-door energy, I panicked — half expecting her to take off on a broom and never forgive me. So I closed the pop quiz and went back to her before she could fly away.
“Now that the pop quiz is over, it’s time for your questions. Sorry about that", I said as I excused myself. "It’s easier for everyone to focus if we cover the basics first.”

She tilted her head innocently. “When do we get our pets?” she asked, referring to their Ethirial partners.

Delighted, I replied, “That’s a good question, and I have a good answer.”

Being new students at the Academy, they weren’t here for regular classes, so I explained the special process.
“First, you’ll take what we call The Affinity Test. We’ll evaluate your personality and match you with the tribe that reflects your traits. After that, you’ll choose your career path, and we’ll help you grow. Whether you wish to become a scholar, an archivist, an instructor, or a psychian.”

In the middle of my explanation, I became aware of the scene around me.
The sun was high, washing the field in golden light. The students shifted excitedly, fidgeting, whispering. Some trying way too hard to look confident.
I couldn’t help but smile. They reminded me of… well, me.

I’d already made them sweat a little with the quiz, teased them about training. But this, this part, was what I’d been waiting for. The one that would stay with them.

“Each and every one of you has the potential for greatness,” I told them, as my voice sounded steadier than I felt.
“That’s why you came to the Academy, to unleash your destiny.”

A hush fell over the courtyard.

I lifted my gaze to the sky. Back then, it was pure instinct, but the moment I did, something strange and beautiful happened.
The sunlight softened. For an instant, the world seemed to breathe with me.

“Wherever you are in your journey,” I said, “remember — we are not marked by the choices of our past, but by the choices of our present.”

The wind stilled. The sounds faded. And in my mind, the blue sky gave way to a sea of stars.
They aligned one by one, forming three glowing constellations. Future faces. Future legends.
Back then, I didn’t know their names. But somehow… it felt like they were waiting for us.

“So rise up,” I said, heart pounding.
“Become warriors. Knights. Symbols of hope. Legends beyond time. Inspire others to become better versions of themselves. Destiny has a funny way of finding its path.”

The constellations pulsed softly, light warm and fierce.
I whispered the words that had been passed down for generations:

“After all… we are—”
I let the silence hang, the stars holding their breath with me.
“…Asters.”

The word echoed, not just through the courtyard, but across something larger.
I didn’t know it then, but far away, someone else’s story was already being written.

Two figures stood facing each other, cards in hand, the air charged with the quiet tension that always comes before the first move.
I wasn’t there to see it. But my words… my words carried.