Chapter: 8 The Imperial Academia Magic

Volume 1: The Boy Summoned by Mistake
Episode 8:The Imperial Academy of Magic
The letter was still on the table.
Kazuki stared at it as if it were a threat.
—I don't want to go.
Nero yawned.
—Thanks for your support.
The wolf wagged its tail.
Kazuki sighed.
—Traitor.
The door opened.
Lyra entered carrying several neatly folded clothes.
—Good morning.
—No.
—No what?
—I don't want to go to the academy.
Lyra placed the clothes on the bed.
—I didn't ask.
—That was cruel.
—We need to get ready.
Kazuki picked up the letter.
—Why does the emperor want me to go?
—Probably to evaluate your magic.
—What if I say no?
Lyra looked at him.
—Then he'll probably send more soldiers.
Kazuki sighed.
—I guess we're going.
—Exactly.
An hour later.
Kazuki stood in front of the mirror.
He was wearing a black uniform with blue details.
—Not bad.
Lyra looked at him.
—You finally look like an Astravian student.
Kazuki adjusted his collar.
—I prefer my school uniform.
Lyra smiled.
—You'll get used to it.
—Everyone keeps saying that.
Nero was sitting beside the door.
Kazuki pointed at the wolf.
—Can he come with me?
—No.
—Why?
—Because it's an academy.
—He's well-behaved.
Nero barked.
—See?
Lyra shook her head.
—No.
Kazuki crouched down.
—I’ll be back soon.
Nero tilted his head.
—Take care of the house.
The wolf sat down.
Kazuki smiled.
—Good boy.
Elaris was much livelier in the morning.
Kazuki walked alongside Lyra and Kael.
—Is there always this many people?
—It's the capital, Lyra replied.
—Makes sense.
They passed a huge plaza.
In the center stood a statue.
Kazuki stopped.
It was a statue of a man holding a black sword.
His eyes were violet.
Kazuki felt a chill.
—It's him.
Lyra followed his gaze.
—Astra Veyron.
Kazuki approached.
There was an inscription on the statue.
"To the King who challenged the heavens."
Kazuki slowly read it.
—Do they worship him?
Kael shook his head.
—No.
—Then why does he have a statue?
—To remember what happened.
Kazuki stared at the stone face.
—He doesn't look like a monster.
Kael looked at him.
—Monsters don't always look like monsters.
Kazuki fell silent.
The Imperial Academy appeared before them.
It was enormous.
White towers.
Floating bridges.
Magical crystals.
Huge courtyards.
Hundreds of students entered through the gates.
Kazuki looked up.
—This is a school.
—Yes.
—It looks like a castle.
—It is one too.
—How much does it cost to study here?
Kael answered:
—You don't have to worry about that.
—Why?
—The emperor will pay for your education.
Kazuki's eyes widened.
—Really?
—Yes.
—Then...
He smiled.
—I like the emperor more now.
Lyra laughed.
—Don't trust him that much.
—Right.
They entered.
The students began looking at them.
—Is that him?
—The boy from yesterday?
—They say he appeared out of nowhere.
—Is it true that he uses forbidden magic?
—I heard he defeated a huge monster.
Kazuki began walking faster.
—I don't like this.
Lyra moved closer.
—Ignore them.
—It's hard when they're talking about me.
A voice came from behind.
—So you're Kazuki.
Kazuki turned around.
A blond-haired boy stood before him.
He wore the academy uniform.
A sword hung at his side.
—My name is Leon Arclight.
Kazuki blinked.
—Hi.
Leon extended his hand.
—Nice to meet you.
Kazuki shook his hand.
—Likewise.
Leon smiled.
—I've heard a lot about you.
Kazuki sighed.
—I hope it's not all bad.
—Depends.
—On what?
—On whether you're really as strong as they say.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
—Are you challenging me?
—Not yet.
Leon released his hand.
—First, I want to find out for myself.
A girl appeared behind him.
She had dark brown hair and green eyes.
—Leon.
—Yes?
—We have class.
—I know.
She looked at Kazuki.
—Is he the new student?
Leon nodded.
—Yes.
The girl gave a small bow.
—I'm Elena.
Kazuki replied.
—Kazuki.
Elena smiled.
—Welcome to the Imperial Academy.
For some reason...
Kazuki felt like he had seen her before.
He didn't know where.
—Have we met?
Elena shook her head.
—I don't think so.
Kazuki kept staring at her.
Something didn't feel right.
But he couldn't think about it any longer.
A bell rang.
DONG!
The students began entering the building.
Lyra pointed toward it.
—It's time.
Kazuki sighed.
—Alright.
He walked toward the classrooms.
Unaware that, somewhere inside the building...
A silver-haired girl was watching from a window.
Her eyes were fixed on Kazuki.
—So you finally arrived.
A teacher appeared behind her.
—Do you know him?
The girl smiled.
—Not yet.
—Then why are you looking at him like that?
She replied:
—Because I dreamed about him.
The teacher frowned.
—Again?
The girl nodded.
—In my dreams...
She looked toward the sky.
—He always appears in front of the same door.
The teacher turned pale.
—The black door...
The girl closed her eyes.
—And this time...
She opened them.
—It was open.