A new day had dawned, golden sunlight filtering through the towering trees of the Sylmare Forest. The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves.
Velren sat on the usual bench near Gramps' small garden, resting his hands on his knees as he stared up at the clear blue sky.
'This is really it, huh?'
Today, he would be leaving for the capital once more. This time, however, it wouldn't just be a visit. This time, he was going there to stay.
A strange feeling settled in his chest—a mix of anticipation and unease.
He had spent years living in the forest, away from the bustling noise of cities, away from the rules and order of structured life. Now, he would be thrown back into a world that, in some ways, should have been familiar—but wasn't.
'The academy... A school...'
The thought made him wonder.
How had his school life been in his past world?
Had he been the type to blend in with the class? The quiet, gloomy one in the back? Smart? Average?
It was strange that he couldn't recall.
Did he enjoyed it? Hated it? Did he once have classmates, friends? Did he ever find himself frustrated over homework, or excited about something as simple as lunch breaks?
He exhaled softly.
What would the old him think about that kind of life?
Would he have wanted to return to it?
"Kid."
Velren turned at the familiar voice to see both wolves approaching him.
He blinked in surprise.
"Aren't you two supposed to be out hunting at this time of day?"
Skoll scoffed.
"That can wait."
He gave Velren an unimpressed look.
"What, did you think you were just gonna leave without saying goodbye?"
Velren chuckled at that, shaking his head as a small smile tugged at his lips.
"Well, I figured I'd see you guys again soon enough."
Skoll rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
Then, Fenrir spoke.
"Listen, kid."
Velren turned to him.
"I don't know much about academy life," the black wolf admitted, studying Velren with his golden eye carefully before he continued.
"But what I do know is this—strength isn't just about how well you wield a blade or how fast you move in battle. Out there, you'll be surrounded by people, by expectations, by rules that are different from the ones you've lived by in the forest. You'll have to learn to navigate them, just like you've learned to track prey and read the wind here."
He paused, then added:
"Trust your instincts, but don't let pride blind you. Observe before you act. And don't pick fights you don't need to—at least, not without knowing what you're up against."
Velren listened quietly.
"Most importantly," Fenrir continued.
"Don't forget what you've learned here. The way you move, the way you think, the way you fight—it's all a part of you. The academy might teach you new things, but don't lose sight of what you already know."
Skoll smirked.
"Basically, don't let a bunch of city folks turn you soft."
Velren huffed a small laugh, shaking his head.
"Yeah, yeah… I get it."
But despite his casual response, he felt something tightening in his chest.
These wolves had been his family for his whole life. And now, for the first time in a long time, he was stepping into something new.
Skoll tilted his head.
"Say, when are you even supposed to leave, anyway?"
Velren let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"Still waiting for Gramps' old ass to get ready."
At that, Skoll blinked in confusion.
"Huh? If you're talking about the Grandmaster, I heard him snoring when I passed by the hut earlier."
Velren's face twitched.
'That damned geezer!'
***
It took a very forceful wake-up call—along with a well-placed bite from Fenrir on Gramps' foot—before the old man finally stopped snoring and got out of bed. And now, hours later, they were on the move.
The journey through Sylmare Forest was familiar, but this time, the weight on Velren's chest felt different. It wasn't like the usual scouting trips, nor was it a casual visit to the outskirts. This was his departure.
Velren walked beside Gramps, holding up the brochure the old man had given him earlier. His eyes scanned over the neatly written words, taking in the details.
Elyndra Grand Academy: A Legacy of Excellence
Elyndra Grand Academy—It wasn't just some run-of-the-mill training school. No, from the description alone, it was the kingdom's most prestigious academy, known for producing some of history's finest warriors, scholars, and tacticians.
The academy followed a holistic curriculum—a blend of practical combat, magic studies, scholarly disciplines, and specialized training paths that allowed students to carve out their own strengths.
At its core, every student was expected to be proficient in combat—whether they specialized in swordsmanship, archery, magic, or even unarmed combat, they had to prove themselves capable of holding their ground. But beyond that, they were also required to engage in academic studies, refining not just their physical prowess, but also their intellect.
The curriculum was split into three key sections:
General Studies: Covering history, strategy, politics, and even subjects like magical ethics and philosophy. It ensured that students didn't just grow into warriors, but also into individuals capable of making calculated decisions.
Combat and Magic Training: A structured but flexible program that helped students develop their unique fighting styles, regardless of whether they wielded a blade, a bow, or magic. Sparring sessions, dungeon simulations, and real-world tactical exercises were a part of this.
Specialized Disciplines: Students could take additional courses based on their personal interests—alchemy, monster studies, runic crafting, beast taming, enchantment, and even fields like mechanical engineering or political diplomacy.
There were also extracurricular activities, allowing students to expand their skills beyond standard training. Some were purely for practical benefits, while others were meant to foster camaraderie or strategic thinking.
Velren's eyes flicked over to the dormitory system section next.
Each student was assigned a dormitory, but unlike what he had expected, it wasn't as strict as locking them in the academy all year. While weekdays were dedicated to intense training and learning, weekends allowed students to roam freely. As long as they returned before curfew, they could explore the city, take private tutoring sessions, or even accept minor adventurer quests.
Next, he reached the grading system.
The academy followed a four-year structure, similar to a traditional education system. Each year was divided into two semesters, and students had to complete a minimum number of credits per semester to advance.
First-Year Students – Focused on foundational skills, both in combat and academics.
Second-Year Students – Expected to begin specialization, choosing advanced training paths.
Third-Year Students – Took on leadership roles, often leading lower-class students in practical exercises.
Fourth-Year Students – The final stage before graduation, where students had to complete high-stakes assignments and commissions to prove themselves.
And then, there was the commission system.
Students weren't limited to just training within the academy walls. Instead, they were encouraged to take on commissions—tasks issued by the academy itself, external organizations, or even private clients.
These commissions varied in difficulty and type. Some were combat-related, such as hunting dangerous creatures outside the city, while others involved research, artifact retrieval, or even escorting VIPs.
By completing commissions, students could earn: Monetary rewards, grade boosts, even a prestige points.
Come to think of it, when he was ten, he and Gramps had once stumbled upon three students battling against the Vaelith Bears in the depths of Sylmare Forest.
At the time, he hadn't thought much of it. But now, he's starting to wondered if those people were once students of this very same academy too.
Velren exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
The more he read, the more this felt less like a school… and more like a proving ground.
'Am i going to be alright...?'