The Academy Unveiled

The Arrival

Aihana clutched her parents’ hands as they approached the Academy. At first glance, it looked ordinary: clean white walls, manicured courtyards, students wandering through hallways with backpacks. Nothing hinted at the hidden world of angels and Guardians.

But Aihana felt it beneath her skin. A subtle edge. A hum. Something not-quite-human drifting among her new “classmates.”

Akihiro watched her first steps, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Beside him, the Headmaster greeted her parents warmly, his aura faintly shimmering—polite yet powerful.

“Welcome,” he said. “Please, follow me.”

Aihana stepped forward hesitantly, soothed by Akihiro’s quiet presence.

Her mother whispered, “I think Aihana will be in good hands.”

The Headmaster inclined his head. “We’ll do everything we can to help her adjust.”

Something clicked inside Aihana. A turning page. A new beginning. Akihiro stayed just behind her, silent guardian.

Finally, she turned to her parents. Tears burned behind her eyes. She hugged them tightly, longer than she wanted others to see.

Akihiro approached the Headmaster. “Thank you for your cooperation. We’ll call for you again when needed.”

Aihana blinked. The Headmaster… bowed? Then turned and left.

“Isn’t he the Headmaster?”

“Only when humans are present. He had to appear human for your parents,” Akihiro explained.

The realization sent a strange chill down her spine. “So… this is truly a different world.”

“You’re safe here,” Akihiro said.

Inside, the Academy looked normal—bright windows, rows of classrooms. Then Akihiro touched her shoulder. “Look again.”

The illusion melted.

Walls shimmered into gold-veined marble. Floors glowed with crystalline mosaics. Ancient sigils pulsed softly. Students revealed wings—white, silver, gold-tipped. Laughter echoed differently here, tinged with magic.

“It’s… beautiful.”

“This is the real A-Academy. The veil hides it from human eyes. Here, you’ll learn what it means to be a Guardian,” Akihiro said.

He led her to one of the training halls. Four girls finished training under Rei’s supervision. They rushed toward Aihana with warm, excited smiles, as if they had known her forever.

Aihana bowed instinctively.

Kaori grinned. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

Mizuki nudged her teasingly. “Kaori, let her breathe. Let’s introduce ourselves properly.”

They formed a semicircle around Aihana.

Sora stepped forward. “I’m Sora. Guardian of Wind.”

Mizuki followed. “I’m Mizuki. My power flows with water.”

Hikari winked. “Hikari. Fire burns with me.”

Kaori, steady and calm. “I am Kaori. Earth answers to my call.”

Sora placed her hand on Aihana’s shoulder. “And you… are the one we’ve waited for. The Fifth Guardian.”

Aihana froze. Her heart stuttered. “M-my element…?”

The girls exchanged excited glances. Rei studied her, expression sharp. Akihiro’s gaze suggested he knew more than he let on.

“It’s alright,” Mizuki said brightly. “You’ll find your element soon enough.”

Akihiro added gently, “For now, it’s enough that you’re here. Your element will reveal itself in time.”

The girls took her arms. “Come on! We have something to show you,” Hikari laughed.

They led her to a shared suite—sunlight, soft couches, a sleek kitchen, and hallways to individual bedrooms.

“This is where we live,” Hikari said.

“And this,” Mizuki opened a door, “is yours.”

The room was simple but full of light: bed, desk, wardrobe, a softly glowing candle. Blank walls waited for her art.

Kaori smiled. “We’re family now.”

Aihana swallowed a sob. From the doorway, Akihiro watched silently. Relief crossed his features. He left without disturbing them, footsteps carrying him to the Control Hall.

There, Queen Hinako appeared in hologram. Akihiro bowed.

“Your Majesty. The fifth Guardian has been found. It’s time for the next phase.”

“They must learn to control their powers,” Hinako said softly.

“Yes. We begin immediately,” Akihiro confirmed.

Meanwhile, the girls dragged Aihana through the Academy—laughing, pointing out enchanted halls, training halls shimmering with energy. Eventually, they reached the garden.

Aihana stopped. The world before her was unreal: a crystal stream, glowing grass, whispering flowers, trees blooming with starlight. Sunset wrapped everything in liquid gold.

“I… I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“None of us had,” Hikari said softly.

Aihana knelt by the stream, her reflection shimmering in the rippling water, a soft glow of light radiating around her. This place… it feels like home.

On the balcony, Akihiro watched quietly, last rays of sun catching his eyes. “She’ll find her place,” he murmured. Peace settled over him for the first time in a long while.

Aihana lingered beside the stream. Then—a chill. Someone was watching.

Her gaze lifted. On the balcony stood Akihiro. Tall, composed, wrapped in quiet mystery. His eyes held warmth she wasn’t prepared for.

It hit her like a rush, fluttering beneath her ribs. Her cheeks flushed. She let a small, shy smile touch her lips—a silent thank you.

Akihiro froze. Her smile stopped him for a heartbeat. Then a faint answering smile ghosted over his lips. Enough to tell her he understood. An invisible thread formed between them, unbroken by distance.

Night settled over the Academy. Aihana reached her room. She closed the door softly. Her suitcase rested beside the bed. A desk waited with untouched paper glowing softly.

Exhaustion hit her. Sleep refused. Laughter of the other girls slipped through the door, warm and distant. Her heart raced, anxious, eager, afraid of what tomorrow would bring. Thoughts drifted back to the garden, to the balcony, to him. To Akihiro’s steady silhouette, to his almost-hidden smile.

She stepped onto the balcony, letting the cool night air run through her hair. A shadow moved across the garden—Akihiro noticed her silhouette and rose into the air, cutting through moonlight like a quiet gust.

Aihana jumped. “Are you trying to make me scream loud enough to wake the entire Academy?”

A faint, amused smile curved his lips. “You didn’t even squeak. My apologies.”

She huffed. “Guess I’ll have to get used to… unusual entrances.”

Akihiro landed beside the balcony—soundless, windlike. His expression serious, yet soft smile lingered.

“You’re right,” he said gently. “Here, unusual is normal.”

Aihana tightened her grip. “Today was… a lot. So many faces. So many things I don’t understand. But somehow… everything feels familiar. Like home. And I don’t know whether that comforts me or scares me.”

Akihiro followed her gaze to the garden. “This is your world. It may seem new, but none of it is foreign. You’ll understand in time.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I know.”

Her face warmed. “…Then I’ll try.”

Akihiro nodded, pleased. He stepped closer, still respectful.

“Tomorrow is your first real day. Don’t expect just combat training. Rei handles physical conditioning… I’ll help you learn something deeper.”

“Deeper?”

“Your heart already knows the answers. You just need to hear them.”

A breeze carried cherry blossom petals. One landed in her palm. She stared at it.

Akihiro watched her. “Don’t be afraid. You’re not alone. You never were.”

Her heartbeat quickened. “…If you keep talking like that, I’ll start thinking you’re a prophet instead of a warrior.”

Akihiro laughed softly. “A prophet? Hardly. Prophets are usually more patient than I am.”

Aihana bit back a smile. Warmth eased her chest tightness.

“Get some rest. Tomorrow will be demanding. And you’ll handle it,” Akihiro said.

He stepped back, wings unfurling lightly, lifting into the air. Aihana pressed the cherry blossom petal to her chest, staying long after him, staring at his moonlit silhouette.