The sun rose over Golden Crest Academy, illuminating its sprawling grounds and majestic towers. Lucas stood outside his dormitory, taking a deep breath as he gazed up at the impressive architecture. Excitement and nervousness swirled in his chest; today marked the start of a new chapter in his life.
“Ready for the first day?” Aveline asked, stepping up beside him with a bright smile. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Yeah, I think so,” Lucas replied, still absorbing the grandeur of the academy. “It’s hard to believe we’re actually here.”
“Come on! Let’s not waste any more time. We have classes to attend!” Aveline grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the main entrance.
As they entered the grand hall, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Students filled the space, chatting and laughing, while banners of different houses hung from the ceiling.
“Look at all these students!” Lucas exclaimed, his eyes wide. “It’s like a whole new world.”
Aveline nodded, scanning the crowd. “We should find Nephy and the others. I’m sure they’re just as excited as we are.”
“Good idea. I want to stick together as much as possible,” Lucas agreed, glancing around for their friends.
After a few moments of searching, they spotted Nephy, Rael, and Zara gathered by a large map of the academy. 
“There you are!” Nephy waved them over, her face beaming. “I thought you guys would get lost in all this excitement!”
“Not yet!” Aveline replied, grinning as she joined them. “What’s the plan for today?”
Zara pointed to the map. “We have our class schedules, but first, we need to attend the welcome ceremony in the auditorium. After that, it’s straight to our classes.”
“Welcome ceremony? Sounds like a bunch of speeches,” Rael groaned. “But I guess it’s important.”
“I’m sure they’ll introduce the professors and explain the academy’s rules,” Nephy added, her tone serious. “Let’s make sure we pay attention.”
“Alright, let’s get to the auditorium then!” Lucas said, eager to start their journey at the academy.
As they made their way through the halls, Lucas couldn’t help but admire the beauty around him. The walls were adorned with magical paintings that seemed to come alive, and the air hummed with a magical energy.
“This place is incredible,” he remarked, glancing at Aveline. “I can’t believe we’re actually going to learn here.”
“Just wait until we get to our first class,” Aveline replied, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. “I’ve heard the instructors are the best in the country!”
They entered the auditorium, which was vast and filled with rows of seats. A large stage dominated the front, and a podium stood ready for the headmaster’s address.
“Find a seat!” Nephy called out, motioning for them to sit together in the middle row.
As they settled in, the auditorium filled with chatter until the headmaster stepped onto the stage. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him.
“Welcome, students, to Golden Crest Academy!” His voice boomed across the hall, rich and commanding. “Today marks the beginning of your journey toward greatness. Here, you will learn to harness your abilities and face the challenges ahead.”
Lucas felt a thrill of excitement at the headmaster’s words. 
“We have some of the most talented instructors and magical resources at your disposal. Embrace every opportunity and challenge that comes your way. You are the future of our kingdom!”
After a series of speeches from various instructors, Lucas leaned toward Aveline. “I hope we don’t have to sit through all this every day.”
Aveline chuckled quietly. “Just think of it as motivation. We’re going to learn so much!”
Finally, the welcome ceremony concluded, and students began to disperse to their first classes.
“Let’s check our schedules,” Zara said, pulling out a piece of parchment. “We need to find out where our first class is.”
Lucas took out his own schedule, glancing at it. “Looks like we’re all in Magical Theory together.”
“Great! We can sit together again,” Nephy said, smiling. “Let’s head to the classroom.”
As they walked through the hallways, Lucas couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with his friends. It was comforting to know they were all in this together.
When they arrived at the classroom, they found desks arranged in a semicircle facing the front. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls.
“Looks like we’re in the right place,” Rael said, taking a seat near the front.
Moments later, a tall woman with flowing silver hair entered the room, her presence commanding. She wore elegant robes adorned with intricate symbols.
“Welcome, students,” she said, her voice smooth and confident. “I am Professor Lysandra, your Magical Theory instructor.”
Lucas leaned forward, intrigued. “She looks like she knows her stuff,” he whispered to Aveline.
“Definitely,” Aveline replied, her eyes focused on the professor.
Professor Lysandra began her lecture, explaining the fundamental concepts of magic and its various schools. “Magic is not just a tool; it is a force that shapes our world. Understanding its nature is crucial for all aspiring mages.”
As she spoke, Lucas felt captivated by the information. He took notes diligently, eager to absorb everything.
After the class, the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. 
“First class down! What did you think?” Nephy asked, her eyes sparkling.
“I loved it! She explained everything so clearly,” Lucas said, feeling energized. “I can’t wait for the next class.”
“Let’s grab lunch before we head to the next one,” Rael suggested, leading the way out of the classroom.
They made their way to the dining hall, which was bustling with students. Long tables filled with food stretched across the room, and the aroma made Lucas’s stomach growl.
“This looks amazing!” Aveline exclaimed, eyeing a platter of roasted chicken.
“I’ll take some of that,” Lucas said, grabbing a plate and filling it with food. 
As they sat together, Lucas couldn’t shake the feeling of excitement. “I still can’t believe we’re here. This is a dream come true.”
“I know what you mean,” Zara replied, biting into a piece of fruit. “I’ve always wanted to attend this academy.”
After lunch, they headed to their next class: Combat Techniques. The classroom was spacious, with training dummies set up and weapons hanging on the walls.
As they entered, a burly man with a thick beard stood at the front. “I’m Instructor Garrick. You’re here to learn how to defend yourselves and become skilled fighters,” he announced, his voice booming.
“Uh-oh, I can already tell he means business,” Lucas whispered to Aveline.
“Let’s just focus on learning,” she replied, a determined look in her eyes.
Instructor Garrick led them through various drills, emphasizing technique and strategy. Lucas found himself enjoying the physical challenge, and his confidence grew as he practiced with his friends.
“Great job, Lucas! You’ve got the hang of it,” Rael encouraged, giving him a fist bump after a successful sparring match.
“Thanks! I couldn’t have done it without Aveline’s tips,” Lucas said, grinning. 
After a long day of classes, they gathered outside, exhausted but exhilarated.
“First day complete!” Nephy declared, raising her arms in victory.
“Can you believe how much we learned?” Zara said, her excitement bubbling over. 
“I feel like I’ve already grown so much,” Lucas admitted, reflecting on the day. “And we’re just getting started.”
“Let’s celebrate our first day! How about a trip to the training grounds after dinner?” Aveline suggested.
“Sounds good to me,” Rael said, nodding in agreement.
As they made their way back to the dormitory, Lucas felt a sense of belonging. He was surrounded by friends, and for the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful about the future.
That night, as he lay in his bed, Lucas smiled to himself. The academy was everything he had hoped for and more. Together with Aveline and their friends, he was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead. Tomorrow would be another adventure, and he couldn’t wait to see what it would bring.