Chapter 76: To the Starlight Academy
The evening air was warm, and a soft breeze made the trees down below rustle. The sun had just set, and the citizens of Solaria began to go home and enjoy their evening.
High in the castle, overseeing the city below, a boy sat on a balcony. He had long, silver-white hair that glistened in the moonlight. His head was adorned with two onyx horns with a slight curl; underneath the onyx shell, a soft purple light came out in vein-like patterns.
His slitted, cosmic purple eyes watched the buildings in a relaxed manner as a miniature galaxy slowly moved in his irises.
He wore a black silky nightrobe and loose pants. The robe was half open, as he didn’t bother to tie it shut, revealing the chiseled abs beneath.
Valerian exhaled a soft breath, basking in the warm and relaxed atmosphere.
-Tomorrow is the day.-
Valerie’s voice echoed in his head, but it didn’t take him out of his relaxation.
’Yeah, the Starlight Academy... things will change after tomorrow.’
After what happened in the Voidwoods, Valerian couldn’t wait to finally go to the academy. And his excitement wasn’t because he wanted to learn what they taught or to make lots of friends.
It was one person that kept him up at night: Sylas Starlight, the mysterious principal of the Starlight Academy.
And for some reason, this principal had some form of connection to the Celestials, or at least Azuriel, the ancient phoenix, sent him to this man.
-She will be there, too...-
A slight smile played on Valerian’s beautiful face. He knew exactly who Valerie was talking about, and he would lie if the thought of meeting her again didn’t make him a bit nervous after what happened when they last saw each other.
-Did that light kiss make your heart flutter? Aww, little Val has his first crush, hehe.-
A frown found its way onto Valerian’s face as he tried to ignore the voice in his head. But maybe his annoying sister was right, though who knew, they had only met once.
With a sigh, he stood up from his seat and walked back into his room. It was the same room he had slept in for the last ten years, and he would leave this place to attend the academy for the next three years.
All the memories of the past decade ran through his head: from the first nights where nightmares plagued him every night, to the countless nights he spent meditating to deepen his connection to mana.
The first time he gained a new affinity after the duel with Captain Ford, and also when he bound Twilight to his soul.
And his unique-skill-turned-sister was always there with him. Even though she couldn’t communicate with him back then, she, too, witnessed everything—every failure, every success. Like Valerian, she, too, was excited to go to the academy.
So much had happened, and now Valerian was a little bit sad to leave it all behind. But the prospect of the academy turned the sadness into excitement for the journey ahead.
He walked up to his massive bed and let himself be swallowed by the soft mattress and sheets.
His eyes got heavy, and soon his mind was taken by sleep.
The morning didn’t exactly go perfectly, as Valerian was rudely awakened by Arthur as he stormed into his room screaming.
"WE ARE LATE! GET THE FUCK UP!!"
The words took a moment to register inside Valerian’s head, but once they did, his eyes went wide with panic and he jumped from his bed.
"Why did no one wake me?!"
He moved hastily, throwing away his sleepwear and conjuring a new outfit with the help of Twilight. Loose black pants with gold and silver embroidery appeared around his legs, and a black robe with purple markings formed around his body. It looked regal while also not being tight, formal noble attire.
From his pocket space, he also took out a few rings for his fingers, a silver earring with a purple crystal at the end, and lastly, a necklace with a similar purple gem appeared around his neck, finishing the look.
Thanks to his inability to sweat, he didn’t really have to shower, but he still created a ball of water to quickly wash his hair.
"Hurry up, you idiot!"
Arthur was already ready to depart, as he had woken up a few minutes ago, but when he saw the clock, he quickly made his way to Valerian’s room.
When he was finished washing his hair, a warm gust of wind dried it and let it fall down his back in smooth waves, accentuating his onyx horns in a regal manner.
Together with Arthur, they quickly left the room and sprinted down the hallway, when a thought crossed Valerian’s mind.
"Wait a second, what time is it?"
Arthur stopped in his tracks and turned around to Valerian.
"It’s 9:03. The registration for the academy starts at 10:00!"
Valerian smacked his hand against his forehead and looked at his friend with a disappointed face.
"And here I thought we were about to be late. Thanks for ruining my morning."
Arthur looked at Valerian with a questioning expression; he wasn’t sure why Valerian had such a reaction and wasn’t as panicked as he was.
"What do you mean? Don’t we have to travel there?"
Valerian walked past Arthur and smacked him on the head while walking.
"Did you forget that we have teleportation gates?"
Arthur looked at Valerian for a second as the meaning behind his words slowly registered, and he realized the crucial mistake he made.
’Fuck, I forgot. I was in panic mode when I saw the time.’
When Arthur woke up and saw that it was almost 9:00, his mind forgot for a moment that teleportation gates existed, and his brain went right back into his Earth mindset.
And in the panic, he didn’t even think twice and just ran to Valerian’s room. With an embarrassed face, Arthur walked behind Valerian to the breakfast table.
After their quiet walk, they reached the dining table. Freya, Helias, and Elena were already there, waiting for them both to arrive.
"Finally awake? I was about to send a maid to wake you up," Helias said from the head of the table.
Valerian sat down and began to put meat on his plate.
"As if I would ever oversleep. I think you are losing your mind, old man."
"You lit-"
Before Helias could say anything, he was silenced by Freya’s cold stare. He was the king of one of the most powerful nations on the planet, but even he, who like his wife was at the Ascendant rank, backed off when she gave him the look.
After that, their breakfast continued without any incidents. And now they were standing in the teleportation chamber, ready to leave the castle.
Leaving was especially hard for Arthur, as he had fallen in love with the life of royalty: the wonderful food, having no duties, and being able to just relax for the whole day. During the short stay, he had truly fallen for the life of the rich.
"Goodbye, my beautiful luxury. I swear I will become rich, and then we will meet again."
The others just ignored Arthur as he said his goodbyes with teary eyes.
Freya pulled Valerian into one last tight hug, like she was sending her son off to war, while Valerian just tried not to be crushed by the Ascendant Rank who was trying to suffocate him.
"Eat well, and don’t let yourself be pushed around, and make friends, and learn well, and-"
"I think he gets it, honey."
Helias tried to intervene, gently pulling her away to give Valerian room to expand his nonexistent lungs.
"Thanks..."
Helias laughed loudly and put a hand on Valerian’s shoulder.
"Be good, okay? And Freya wasn’t wrong, you know. Don’t let others push you around just because they think they are better than you. Show them who you are."
Valerian smiled confidently.
"Of course. I will make them kneel before me."
"Okay, maybe not so extreme..."
Helias backed up a bit, and Elena took his place instantly, wrapping her arms around Valerian.
"When will you be back?"
Valerian looked down at her with warm eyes and gently stroked her head.
"I’m not sure. The academy lasts for three years, but I should be able to visit from time to time."
"Okay..."
Begrudgingly, Elena accepted the answer and separated from Valerian.
The portal behind him activated, and a swirling vortex of space mana appeared.
Valerian turned around and looked at the portal with an excited face. Arthur, who saw the portal, moved to Valerian’s side. His expression was more nervous than Valerian’s, but he, too, was excited to go to one of the academies he had read so much about back on Earth.
"You ready?" Valerian asked, not looking at Arthur.
"I was born ready."
Valerian grinned at his friend’s confident answer, and then, at the same time, they both stepped forward through the portal and entered the academy grounds.