### **Enrolling at the Academy**

  Aida stood at the doorstep, her bag packed with books and magical tools. Lina and Garrett watched her with pride, though worry flickered in their eyes.

  **Lina (softly):** *"You can always come back. We’re here."*

  **Garrett (placing a hand on her shoulder):** *"Seek knowledge, but don’t lose yourself."*

  Aida nodded, her once-crimson hair now dyed ash-blonde swaying in the wind. She turned toward the carriage where other students waited, clutching the figurine Hiro had given her in her pocket.

  *The carriage rolled away, leaving home behind. Aida—now Eliana—stared out the window, her thoughts already racing toward the towering spires of the Arcane Academy of Ranoa, where she hoped to find answers.*

  ---

  ### **First Day**

  Eliana stood before the academy’s massive gates. Towers of white stone pierced the clouds, and students in robes whispered about her strange, bright-red eyes.

  **Classmate (whispering):** *"Look, it’s the new girl. They say her parents were adventurers."*

  She ignored the stares.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Inside, the headmaster tested her. A duel in the training hall—her opponent, a girl her age.

  **"Begin!"**

  A water sphere shot toward Eliana. She countered with fire.

  **BOOM.**

  The fireball overpowered the water, sending her opponent stumbling back, singed but quickly healed by the floor’s recovery seal.

  **Eliana (thoughts):** *"Have I… gotten this strong?"*

  Assigned to a dorm and class, she began her new life.

  ---

  ### **Rumors of the Void God**

  Weeks passed. Eliana adapted, befriending Luna, a fellow student. But whispers followed her—especially about *him*.

  **Girl 1:** *"Did you hear about the Void God?"*

  **Girl 2:** *"The adventurer who hit A-rank in three months?"*

  **Girl 1:** *"They say he’s vanished. Probably clearing the Dragon God’s Maw dungeon."*

  **Girl 2:** *"That’s one of the deadliest!"*

  Nearby, Cliff—Eliana’s assigned partner—leaned in.

  **Cliff:** *"I’ve seen him."*

  The girls gasped. *"What’s he look like?!"*

  Eliana pretended to read, but her ears burned.

  **Cliff:** *"Black-and-purple hair. Pink-violet eyes that glow. A natural mage *and* swordsman."*

  Her heart pounded. *"Could it be…?"*

  ---

  ### **The Library**

  Eliana scoured the archives, finally finding a map of slave trade routes—the key to tracking Hiro’s old prison.

  **Luna (suddenly behind her):** *"What’re you doing?"*

  **Eliana:** *"Just… researching that adventurer they mentioned."*

  **Luna (grinning):** *"Don’t tell me you’re in love! He’s dangerous!"*

  **Eliana (laughing nervously):** *"Of course not!"*

  But that night, she wrote to her adoptive parents:

  *"Remember the boy from my past? I found a map to locate him. (Though I could’ve just asked you.) Classes go well—sword training included. Don’t worry. I’m okay."*

  She tucked the letter away, fingers brushing Hiro’s figurine.

  ---

  ### **Meanwhile, in a Snowbound Hut**

  Far from the academy, in a cabin cluttered with weapons, spellbooks, and empty wine bottles.