Chapter 50: Chapter 47: 'Child' Principal
The grand gates of Evigheden Academy loomed before Yuna, made of black iron and decorated with intricate golden designs.
Beyond them stretched a vast academic ground so large it felt like a small village. Towering buildings of pale stone stood in regal splendor, their facades marked with arcane symbols and colorful stained-glass windows.
The sky above was a soft twilight blue, and the air hummed with an unseen energy.
The academy was a perfect blend of civilization and nature.
Thick, ancient trees lined the stone-paved paths, their canopies forming a green ceiling that cast dappled shadows on the ground.
Vines wrapped around archways, and wildflowers grew freely in well-maintained patches. It felt as though the academy had grown naturally from the land rather than being built upon it.
Yuna's breath hitched as she stepped forward, her boots clicking against the polished stone road.
She had imagined Evigheden to be magnificent, but reality far exceeded her expectations.
Indeed, as expected of fantasy academy. She expected no less!
Around her, other new students stared in awe, their eyes darting between the grand buildings and the lush greenery. Some murmured excitedly, while others stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all.
To her right, a boy with sandy blond hair let out a low whistle. "This place is insane. It's like a kingdom on its own."
He was right.
If someone told her Evigheden was build upon a past kingdom land, she will believe it.
A girl with twin braids adjusted the heavy books in her arms. "No, it's more than that. Look at those runes on the buildings! This entire place is filled with ancient magic. Even the trees... they feel different."
Right now, Yuna truly feel as if she is in a fantasy world.
Indeed, it is the environment that makes one feel whether they truly are in a fantasy world or just ancient European vibe world with no magic.
Yuna reached out hesitantly, running her fingers along the rough bark of a nearby oak. A faint warmth pulsed beneath her touch, as if the tree itself was aware of her presence. A shiver ran up her spine. This was no ordinary forest, and Evigheden was no ordinary school.
Being an elementalist and sensitive to plants, every trees and blade of grass seems alive.
The academy grounds stretched far into the distance. She could see more breathtaking structures—a massive domed library with enchanted glass, a towering observatory with golden spires, and various study halls, each entrance flanked by statues of scholars and mythical beasts. Each building stood apart, yet they all seemed connected, woven into the land itself.
A voice rang out over the murmuring crowd. "Welcome, students, to Evigheden Academy. This will be your home, your sanctuary, and your greatest challenge. Step forward, and let your journey begin."
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the underbrush nearby. A small, snow-white bunny emerged, its fur almost glowing. The creature's large, intelligent eyes surveyed the crowd before hopping forward with a sense of purpose.
Gasps and whispers spread among the students as the bunny stopped in front of them.
Then, as if responding to an unseen command, it turned and began hopping toward a grand hall in the distance. Its movements were graceful, almost otherworldly, as though it carried a deeper significance than just an ordinary animal.
"Is it leading us somewhere?" A student asked in wonder.
A tall boy with pointed ears and sharp, observant eyes stepped forward. He wore a leather bracer adorned with tiny carved animal figures—a clear mark of a beast tamer. "It wants us to follow," he said confidently. "Trust me, creatures like this don't act without reason."
He took the first step after the bunny, his expression calm and assured. His certainty seemed to dissolve the hesitation in others, and soon more students followed, murmuring with excitement. One by one, they fell in line, their curiosity overcoming any doubts.
Just as Yuna hesitated, feeling unsure, a firm but gentle hand grasped hers. Without even needing to guess, she knows its Austin.
She turned to see Austin, giving her an encouraging smile. "Come on," he said, pulling her along with the rest of the crowd. His grip was steady, and for some reason, it eased the tension in her chest.
The magnificent place and the emerging rabbit somehow make her nervous.
The bunny guided them past towering marble columns and under ivy-covered archways, its tiny paws barely making a sound against the stone. As they neared the grand hall, its massive doors slowly creaked open, revealing a breathtaking interior filled with chandeliers, intricate carvings, and a ceiling painted like a star-studded sky.
With one last glance back at the students, the bunny hopped inside, disappearing into the grand hall's vast space. Yuna inhaled deeply and stepped forward, her hand still in Austin's.
.....
The grand hall of Evigheden Academy was vast, its high ceilings adorned with enchanted chandeliers that bathed the room in a soft, golden glow.
Hundreds of students gathered in neat rows, murmuring among themselves as they took in the grandeur of their surroundings. Towering marble columns supported the arched ceiling, and intricate carvings of magical creatures lined the walls.
The air carried an electric energy, the anticipation thick among the new students.
At the front of the hall stood a grand podium, framed by an elaborately carved wooden stage. Behind it, a line of teachers stood, though none looked quite how one might expect from an institution of such prestige. They were a peculiar, mismatched bunch.
One teacher leaned lazily against a column, yawning with an almost uninterested air, his robes disheveled.
It's that teacher who is in charge of registration.
Another stood tall with an air of arrogance, dressed in an outfit more suited for a noble's ballroom than an academy.
A woman with icy blue eyes and a face devoid of emotion observed the students with a calculating gaze, her cold presence sending shivers down the spines of those who met her eyes.
Next to her, a masked figure stood completely still, their robes flowing unnaturally, as if moved by an invisible wind.
Some teachers looked strikingly casual, dressed in simple, everyday clothes, their relaxed postures clashing with the grand setting.
And then, there were those who smiled too sweetly, their expressions unreadable—welcoming, yet unsettling all the same.
Despite their strange appearances, one thing was clear—each of them exuded a powerful aura, making it impossible to ignore their presence. The students shifted nervously, exchanging glances, uncertain whether they should feel reassured or wary.
Looking at the teachers one by one, Yuna felt a palpitation in her heart. This bunch of teachers looks as if they came out of some dark fantasy novels.
She thought the teachers will look like those from rofan light fantasy novel.
But…she likes this kind of style more. Rofan novel teachers look copy pasted, each one almost similar to one another.
This teacher, they each have their own distinctive unique charm.
She like this kind of genre! She gave a LIKE!
A hush fell over the students as a small figure stepped forward onto the podium. At first glance, she appeared to be a mere child—no older than thirteen—but the way she carried herself spoke of authority beyond her years.
While others have confused expression on why a child takes on the centre of the podium, Yuna, the old readers was quick to catch on the clue.
'OMG! A Lolita principal! It is the iconic Lolita principal!' Yuna screamed internally, excited in seeing the Lolita principal setting.
The lolita wore an elegant pink gothic-style dress, its layers of frilled fabric contrasting sharply with the small black bunny cradled in her arms.
With a radiant smile, the young-looking principal raised a hand in greeting. "Welcome, welcome, my dear new students!" Her voice was high and cheerful, carrying effortlessly across the hall. "I am Lilith Noir, the principal of Evigheden Academy! And oh, how delighted I am to see so many bright faces!"
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd, some students exchanging incredulous looks at the sight of their seemingly childlike headmistress. The black bunny in her arms twitched its nose before settling comfortably against her.
Lilith continued, unfazed by their reactions. "I know you must be excited! Nervous! Maybe even a little scared?" She giggled, hugging the bunny close. "But fear not, little ones! Evigheden Academy is not just a school—it is a sanctuary, a place for you to learn, grow, and forge your own destiny!"
She twirled slightly on the stage, her dress flowing around her. "However!" she added with playful emphasis, "I must be honest with you all. The first few weeks of your stay here will be a probationary period. If, for any reason, you find that Evigheden is not the right place for you, you are free to leave! We do not hold prisoners here!"
That was known by all.
Some students exhaled in relief, while others straightened their backs in determination. Yuna listened intently, feeling a mixture of excitement and curiosity.
'Wow, this academy looks more interesting than what I gave the credit for' she kind of wants to witness how this interesting academy will unfold layer by layer.
Her reader soul churn wildly.
This school should have a lot of interesting things happening especially with the main character, the crown prince, the Arryn siblings and others attending the academy.
Look! The important characters in the plot gathered in one place!
Lilith beamed at the crowd. "But I truly hope you will stay! Because I just know that each and every one of you has the potential to shine! So, let's make this a fantastic beginning, shall we?" She clapped her hands together, and the enchanted chandeliers flickered in response, casting a shimmering light across the hall.