Sunlight seeped through the gaps of the curtain.

Zeres buried his head deeper on the soft pillow.

"Five more minutes" he said groggily, his long white hair tangled up from his yesterday’s sleep.

His eyelids slowly fluttered open, blood rubies eyes staring blankly at the curtains.

Just then, the memory of last nights events surfaced on his mind.

The melody from the banquet hall fading, the heavy silence settling between them.

"You can pull your hands now" she had said.

"But you’re tightly holding it"

Zeres scratched the back of his head, a memory of him extending his hands towards Aeliz in a pinky promise.

He had confidently said it’s a symbol of promise. A promise he’ll uphold no matter what.

"Urghh I want to sleep more" he yawned, but there was already a class—the lectures have already begun.

"Can’t believe I have to study again, I could have just settled on a barony and lived there quietly—just who in the world possessed me for me to make that decision?" He muttered under his breath.

Knock knock

The sound of knocking echoed outside of his room as he stood up.

"What is it? "

"Brother, a letter has been sent from the academy." Ryu handed him a piece of yellow envelope.

The seal of the letter confirmed it was from the academy.

A crescent moon cradling five stars enclosed within a runic circle.

"Hmm, I’ll read it later" he took it casually, then he threw it straight on his table.

"Coffee? " Ryu asked, then he stepped outside of his room.

"A strong one"

"Urghh, this is tiring" he clicked his tongue, crossing his room, he arrived before a tall dark-oak wardrobe.

Inside the wardrobe hung several tailored coats in shades of black, silver, and deep crimson. The garments were expensive, yet surprisingly modest. There were no jewels or excessive embroidery, only fine fabrics and precise craftsmanship.

Scanning the clothes, his hands grabbed his uniform.

A black suit adorned with golden embroidery, with the academy’s crest on its chest: a crescent moon and five stars hovering beside it.

He stared at it for a moment, then he threw it at his bed before he turned, heading at his room’s bathroom.

"It still felt surreal" he mumbled, barely audible as steam rose from the bathtub he dove in.

He still couldn’t believed he had survive one semester of the academy.

"It’s fast, I didn’t even notice it passing"

________

The sound of door creaking open echoed as Zeres stepped out of his own room, he wore the uniform lazily, ubottoned suit and the academy’s jacket hanging on his broad shoulders.

His gaze drifted down the letter on his hand before he went down.

"Your coffee’s here" Ryu slid in a hot coffee, two soft breads on a ceramic plate.

"The customers we previously mentioned agreed on our terms, I just got a letter that we’ll have a customer for the moonveil chambers." Ryndol informed before passing a letter beside Zeres.

"Hmm, that’s great but what customer? A vagrant or a noble? " he asked, tearing off the soft bread, it revealed the fluffy inside of the bread.

"A noble"

"I see, a noble—wait? A noble?" Zeres’ head snapped at Ryndol, his eyes sharpening.

"Yes, a noble, they said she’s a viscountess and that there’s a possibility she’ll be bringing in assassins with her."

"Must be plotting something behind the scenes" Zeres nodded.

He really didn’t care much about the noble’s affairs, as long as they bring him income he will welcome them—but if they dared to give him a hard time, he’ll pay it back threefolds.

"When’s the date? "

"Tomorrow" Ryndol replied.

"That’s a great news, we’re just starting out and the first customer is a noble! " Ryu beamed on his seat.

"Wrong, it means more headache" Zeres ruffled his short auburn hair while sipping a coffee in a exquisite ceramic mag with saucer.

At first, he wanted Ryu to take charge, but his age was not appropriate—or else the customer might not take him seriously, and that’s how he assigned Ryndol to take care of it.

"Ryndol, you need to hire more trusted peoples, Ryu won’t be able to handle the workload from serving all of the customers."

"You can leave that to me" Ryndol nodded.

"Great, then I’ll be going now" a soft smile tugged at his lips before he stood up.

"Ohh, also Ryndol, find me a coachman worker—it’s troublesome to always wait for the carriages to arrive."

"That will be done"

_______________

Crossing the stone pavement, he walked out of the gate then headed straight at the entrance of the district.

He yawned across the silent street of Helva district, then he arrived at the place where carriages line up like ants.

"To the academy" he passed two Helva coins on the coachman as he entered the most stable looking carriage.

"Ohh, right I have this." He mumbled, his hand searching on his pockets as he pued out a yellow envelope.

The academy’s crest was on its seal: a crescent moon with five start howering beside it.

"Just what’s the content of this? "

=======To Cadet Zeres=======

May this letter find you in good health.

On behalf of Lunaire Academy, allow me to extend our sincere congratulations regarding your performance during the Luminary Trial. Your accomplishments throughout the examination have been duly recognized by the faculty and administration of the academy.

By the authority vested in the Office of the Headmaster, you are hereby requested to attend a private audience with Headmaster Arthur Thorne.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the reward granted to you during the banquet, as well as matters pertaining to your achievements during the Trial.

Your presence is requested on the morning following the banquet, at the ninth bell, in the Headmaster’s Office located within the Central Tower.

We kindly ask that you arrive punctually.

Lunaire Academy remains committed to guiding and nurturing gifted individuals who demonstrate exceptional promise. It is our hope that this meeting shall prove beneficial to your future development within the academy.

Once again, please accept our congratulations on your accomplishments.

May the moon guide your path and wisdom accompany your steps.

Respectfully,

Professor Elyssa Thorne

Office of the Headmaster

Lunaire Academy

============

"Wow, the parchments space was wasted just for pleasantries."