Whimwood Preacademy was more than just towering libraries and mana-fueled cssrooms—it was a city of youth within stone walls. Dorms stood in a crescent yout near the east gardens, each named after ancient magical beasts. Kagami’s was Dorm Kelmir, named after a long-extinct fme wyvern.

  As the day’s lessons wrapped and students dispersed with excited chatter, Kagami, Minna, and Iren followed the warden's directions through winding cobblestone paths.

  “You’ll be in Dorm Kelmir,” Minna said brightly, “I’m in Dorm Avenya, with a bunch of pnt-magic girls.”

  “I’m in Dorm Bront,” Iren added with a dramatic sigh. “It’s underground. Earth-magic types. Smells like mud already.”

  They reached a wide archway crowned with a wyvern sculpture. A pair of dorm stewards in blue vests stood at the entrance.

  “Kagami,” one said, checking a clipboard, “Room 5B. Top floor.”

  Minna and Iren waved him off with promises to meet tomorrow. Kagami lugged his pack up the spiral stairs, reaching a wooden door carved with shifting runes.

  Room 5B.

  He turned the knob and stepped in.

  “About time,” a voice drawled.

  The room was surprisingly tidy—two beds, two desks, and a window overlooking the training fields. Sitting cross-legged on the bed near the window was a boy with ash-grey hair, pale green eyes, and a book hovering in front of him without his hands.

  “I’m Arven Vale,” the boy said. “You’re the lightning-water explosion kid, right?”

  Kagami blinked. “That’s... not how I’d describe myself.”

  Arven shrugged. “It’s how everyone describes you. I saw it. Mana affinity stormed out of you like a busted arc furnace. You’re either a magical genius or a living hazard.”

  Kagami dropped his pack. “You’re not afraid?”

  “Nope. I like chaos.” He grinned. “Besides, I’m a prodigy too. They told me so in Year Zero.”

  Kagami raised an eyebrow. “That’s a thing?”

  “Yep. Private prep for rich families. I spent a year learning runes and wand technique before even stepping in here.”

  Arven snapped his fingers. A pen from Kagami’s desk lifted, floated toward him, and scribbled his name in the air.

  “But I bet you don’t need runes, do you?”

  Kagami chuckled awkwardly. “I... do things a little differently.”

  The conversation was interrupted by a loud bang below. Then shouting.

  They rushed to the window—students had gathered near the sparring square.

  There stood Leo Ferrowind, arms crossed, sneering. “I told everyone he’d fluke again,” he shouted. “One wild fre doesn’t make you a true mage!”

  Kagami groaned.

  Arven, beside him, smirked. “Let me guess… the firebrand?”

  “Leo Ferrowind,” Kagami muttered. “Thinks we have some rivalry. I barely remember him.”

  “Well,” Arven said, pushing his floating book aside, “you might not care, but he sure does. Word is, he’s going to try and challenge you soon—officially. Duel match in the arena.”

  “I’m not interested.”

  “That’s not how it works here, Kagami.” Arven’s grin turned sly. “You’ve already made waves. Now the school’s watching to see if you sink or rise.”

  That night, as moonlight snted through the window, Kagami y awake, arms crossed behind his head. Arven had fallen asleep, his spellbook still hovering in zy loops.

  Kagami stared at the ceiling, murmuring to himself:

  “Dorm life… cssmates… rivals… friends.”

  He reached under his pillow and felt the armband sewn with his cn’s crest.

  Stay strong. Train harder. Become more.

  Because soon, Whimwood would not just see him as the odd kid with unstable magic.

  They would remember his name.

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