The Isle of Lodis—an island that was itself considered its own small-scale continent, governed by the Principality of Estoria.
Rix’s ship sailed from the Levar Peninsula, which lay on the eastern edge of the Isle of Lodis, south through the Bay of Orth on the continental side of the island, and arrived at a large city port.
It landed at the city of Estorheim: the capital of the Principality of Estoria.
The atmosphere was different from that of the Aldran Empire, which was respected for its quality construction and unadorned austerity, and still different from the Kingdom of Forceus, which boasted beautiful old-fashioned architecture reminiscent of its traditional aristocracy.
The city was on the cutting edge of the age.
The city streets were organized in a grid pattern, with houses and buildings with many spires, arches, and sharp-angled roofs lining the roads. The architecture was luxurious and artistic yet sophisticated.
The city of Estorheim was generally divided into four main districts.
First, in the south was the industrial district. It was a part of the city that never slept, and it housed the ports of entry—which connected the principality to the rest of the continent—Adventurers Guilds, and business districts, all of which operated at all hours of the day.
Next, in the east was the residential district. There were many public squares and natural parks, and compared to the southern district, it had a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
To the north was the governmental district. All of Estoria’s administrative facilities were housed here, including Estorland Palace where the ruler of Estoria resided, the aristocracy’s townhouses, consulates of various kingdoms, and other administrative agencies. The area’s architecture and atmosphere were refined and gorgeous.
Then, away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city was Estoria Academy of Magic, in the western suburbs.
The academy was a three-year boarding school for prospective mages and the world’s leading magical research institution.
And as fate would have it, Rix was heading for that very academy, together with Annie and Randy.
Using a stagecoach that regularly traveled back and forth from the nearby student district, they meandered through the school route, enveloped by deep, silent forests, before finally reaching the front gate of the academy.
“So this is Estoria Academy of Magic,” said Rix.
Among the lush, beautiful natural landscape, Rix and the others were greeted by a huge school building that resembled a castle, standing tall in the vast grounds of the academy, which were surrounded by a large wall.
After passing through the tall, ornate gate, Rix and his classmates were met in the front yard by older students who were to act as their guides, and they were soon being led through the school building.
The school building was built primarily of stone, and its interior was luxurious like some kind of aristocratic mansion.
Eventually, they made their way to the school office. There, Rix, Randy, and Annie parted ways temporarily to individually go over the various procedures relating to their matriculation and entrance into the dormitories.
Once that was completed, Rix was provided with a white robe and instructed to put it on and head to a large hall.
Following a map of the school grounds, he walked through the labyrinthian building before finally reaching the hall.
It looked like the place where the school held banquets and other large gatherings. The space was extravagant and spacious, with high ceilings.
There were already many people who looked like new students, like Rix, gathered in the hall.
There must have been about one hundred and twenty people in attendance.
Some were wearing the same white robe as Rix, while others were in blue or red robes. Among the three colors, there were forty students each, all chatting pleasantly.
“Heeey! Rix! Over here!”
“Riiix!”
Rix turned around toward the voices calling his name. Randy and Annie were there, waving over at him. They were both wearing the same white robe as Rix.
“Ha! So you’re in the White Class, too!”
“Hee-hee! Looks like we’ll be spending the next three years together!”
Randy and Annie looked happily at Rix, but he just stared back at them blankly.
“What, you didn’t know? The academy is divided into three classes: White, Red, and Blue. Then each color has all their lessons together,” said Randy. “The dormitories are separated by each color, too.”
“Ah-ha-ha, the dorms are also separated by gender, of course,” added Annie. “But still, students who end up in the same class inevitably spend a lot more time together.”
“I see… So the robe colors are how we’re separated into the class and dormitory we belong to.” Rix frowned. “But white, huh…? White Class…? Hrm…”
“What’s wrong? Something bothering you? What, you don’t want to be in the same class as us?” Randy asked.
“No, I’m happy about that part. I was just thinking that if I could choose, I’d rather be in the Red Class.”
“Huh? Why’s that?”
“I mean, blood spatter kinda stands out against white robes, right?”
“…”
“…”
“And like, if you’re wearing red, it’s a little less, y’know?” Rix added cheerfully, even though Randy and Annie were recoiling.
“A-a little less what…?” Annie stammered.
“Does every single thing you say have to be so disturbing and violent?” Randy asked.
Then:
“Oh-ho-ho! It has been too long! Waiting for me, were you?”
A bright and rather pompous-sounding voice called out to them.
They didn’t even need to turn around to know it was Serephina.
She wore a white robe, the same as Rix and the others, and stood in a commanding and fearless pose with her arms crossed.
“P-Princess?!”
“Princess Serephina?! U-um, how is Her Highness doing on this fine day?”
Annie and Randy hurriedly straightened their postures to greet her.
“Hmph… No need for titles or all that politeness,” Serephina told them. “Here, I am not royalty—I’m simply Serephina. I’m just another student striving to master the magic arts, the same as you.”
“True. We’re all students here, yeah? So no need to get all worked up or anxious around each other!” Rix cheekily wrapped his arm around Serephina’s shoulder, giving a bright smile and a thumbs-up. “Isn’t that right, Serephina?”
“Perhaps you should mind your manners a bit more… On second thought, fine. I’ll allow this.” Serephina’s face stiffened as she stared back at Rix.
“Um…so it looks like you’re in the White Class with us, too, Serephina…,” Annie noted.
“Correct. To be honest, I believe the noble colors of the Red Class would suit me much better… But it seems I was fated to wear white instead,” Serephina said with an exaggerated nod. “Thanks to that, it looks like I’ll be spending the next three years with you all. I am most pleased.”
“Man…who would have thought four people who randomly met on that ship would somehow end up in the same class…? It almost feels like someone set this up, am I right?” Randy joked.
Serephina’s shoulders twitched, then she started to flail her arms and rattle off an explanation.
“C-certainly not!! There’s absolutely no way that, for instance, I was originally in the Red Class but used my wealth and influence to be moved into the same class as Rix! That is simply impossible! What a preposterous idea!”
“Pfft! She’s right! What are you even suggesting, Randy?” said Rix. “There’s no way all that overly specific stuff that Serephina just said is what actually happened! Get real! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
And in response…
“…This is giving me a headache.”
“Ah-ha-ha-ha… It seems like the next three years are going to be pretty interesting…”