Part 1
A week passed in a blink.
Between explosions, misplaced spirit seals, and grueling training sessions with Morgana, the group barely had a moment to rest.
And yet, something had changed.
Kaito could feel it in his stride. In his breath. In the way he could now look straight ahead without hesitation.
And in how he saw himself in the mirror.
"Father… Mother… It's time to start my own journey," he whispered, adjusting the collar of the white uniform with dark blue trim from Virtus Academy.
In his hand, an old photo worn down by travel. He smiled with nostalgia, then tucked it into his wallet.
When he stepped out of the bathroom, two familiar figures were waiting in the hallway.
"Well, well! Look who took half a lifetime to get dressed," Seri teased in her usual mocking tone.
Her Virtus mage uniform could barely contain her energy: the jacket dangled loosely off her left shoulder, and the red brooch quivered with every step she took.
"Are we ready? Today's the opening ceremony," Kaito asked, regaining his composure.
"Yeah, though… I can't say I'm too thrilled about it," Seri admitted, a rare grimace on her face.
"Why's that?"
"Being surrounded by humans… not exactly my idea of fun."
"Don't worry. I'll be with you the whole time," said Kaito, his smile not one of comfort, but of shared burden.
Ayame approached from behind, calm as the breeze that accompanies the dawn. Her priestess uniform, adapted for the academy, gave her an air of quiet mysticism.
"I don't trust humans much either," she said, not with hatred, just truth. "But as long as we have each other, we'll be fine."
Kaito and Seri nodded. And for a moment, the tension melted away.
Waiting by the door were the girls from the household. Eve, ever composed, and her sisters, each clumsily adjusting their tiny aprons.
"Master Kaito," Eve began in her monotone voice, "please don't worry. While you're at the academy, my sisters and I will keep the house in perfect condition."
"And when we can, we'll take guild missions to bring in extra income!" added one of the smaller ones, raising a fist in enthusiasm.
Kaito stepped forward and gently patted each of the small automatons on the head, their bodies trembling ever so slightly with excitement.
"I trust you all… but don't overdo it," he said softly.
When he reached the tallest one, he raised an eyebrow. He clearly couldn't reach. The young maid tilted her head with mechanical precision, as if it were part of her programming.
"Thanks for cooperating," he said, giving her his customary pat.
"Don't worry, Master," Eve replied, stepping forward. "I won't let anything happen to my little sisters."
Her words were emotionless. But in her eyes, there was a gleam of determination that seemed almost… human.
"I hope so, Eve. But don't push yourself too hard."
"Yes, Master."
And then, as if the moment had gone on too long...
"Besides, when you return, a warm meal and a hot bath… with me… will be waiting," Eve added, striking a provocative pose that ended in a stumble.
"EVE!! I knew you couldn't be serious for more than a minute!" Seri shouted, giving her a playful smack on the forehead.
"What a wild elf…" the automaton replied, one hand to her brow as she collapsed theatrically.
Laughter burst out, uninvited. They all laughed. One last time, before setting off.
Kaito took a deep breath. He looked at his group, then at the makeshift home they were leaving behind… and finally, took his first step toward Aldoria.
The campus of Virtus Academy was majestic, with white columns, floating magical gardens on elevated platforms, and marble pathways where students walked in gleaming robes with airs of superiority.
And, as expected… the stares began.
Whispers. Nudges. Averted gazes.As if they were a walking plague.
"Great… not even five minutes in and we're already being judged," Seri muttered, her brow furrowed.
A young man with glasses approached them, examining them like merchandise in a display case. His eyes locked on Ayame, scanning her from head to toe with nauseating boldness.
"How much for the slave?" he finally asked, looking at Kaito as if addressing a servant.
Kaito ignored him. Didn't even glance his way.
"Hey! Dirty baron! I'm talking to you!" the young man snapped, clearly offended by the dismissal.
Two more figures emerged behind him: a redheaded boy with a smug expression and a brunette girl with wavy hair who looked around as if everything reeked.
"Unbelievable..." Kaito muttered.
The boy with glasses took a step forward, proudly flashing a golden insignia.
"Harvin DeAlberan. First son of Duke DeAlberan. And in case you didn't know... I'm not used to hearing the word 'no.'"
He stood in front of Kaito, waiting for a reaction. Kaito just sighed.
"Please move. We don't want any trouble."
"Sell me your slave and there won't be any trouble," Harvin replied with a crooked smile. "I've always wanted to own a Kitsune."
That was enough.
Seri stepped forward, the heat around her body rippling the air.
"I don't know who you think you are, but Ayame isn't a slave. So why don't you go back to playing with your porcelain dolls, you spoiled little brat."
Harvin's companions stepped forward, but he halted them with a raised hand.
"Oh… a fire elf. They say you're fierce warriors… though you look more like the type who lights campfires and not much else."
Seri cracked her knuckles, her volcanic staff appearing in a flash of orange.
"Wanna find out?"
"Now, now," Ayame interjected calmly. "No need to cause a scene."
And just as the tension was about to snap—
"Kaito~! Seri~! Ayame~! Yahoooo~!" came a shrill voice from the distance.
Everyone turned.
A girl with pink hair and golden eyes came running toward them, waving her arms like the very concept of dignity had never crossed her mind. Her uniform struggled to keep up with the pace of her… enthusiasm.
"Ugh, it's that busty airhead again…" Seri groaned, placing a hand over her face. "Why does she always run like she's in a romance novel?"
"Look at that potential," Kaito muttered without thinking.
Mirai reached them and clasped Ayame's hands in hers.
"It's been so long! I thought you weren't going to make it into the academy!"
"And who are you? Don't you see you're interrupting?"
Mirai froze mid-motion, tilting her head as if she'd just noticed Harvin for the first time. She touched her chin with a theatrical pout.
"Interrupting what? Your failed intimidation routine? Oh dear, I thought this was a drama club performance."
Kaito and Seri stifled a laugh. Ayame blinked.
Harvin clenched his teeth.
"How rude! Do you know who I am?! My father is the Duke of Burgus! A very respected merchant in Estelaris!"
"Who?"
The silence was brutal.
The brunette girl leaned in and whispered something in Harvin's ear. His face changed instantly. He went pale. Swallowed hard.
"Oh wow, would you look at the time..." he muttered, pulling out an imaginary pocket watch. "The opening ceremony's about to start… yeah, yeah… see you later, trash."
And they left in a hurry, like someone had just released a basilisk.
Kaito crossed his arms, still processing what had just happened.
"Who are you, really?"
She winked at him with a mischievous smile.
"That's a secret..."
"Also, the ceremony's starting! Let's goooo!" she added, grabbing Kaito's hand and dragging him without warning toward the main building.