Chapter Title: From Ashes to Ambition – The Journey to Empress University (Year Two Begins)
It was the beginning of Karlous's second year at Empress University.
Which, frankly, was a miracle.
He had somehow survived year one—not that anyone believed he would. Not even himself, at times. The rumors said he only passed because the goddess of chaos got bored and decided to play dice with the academy's grading system.
Now, standing just outside Dormitory H—also known as The Pit of Mild Regret—Karlous yawned like a man about to attend his own wedding. Or funeral. Or both.
He cracked open the door and dragged his trunk inside, only to find his roommate had already redecorated.
"Why are there twelve spirit foxes sleeping on my bed?" Karlous muttered.
A sleepy voice came from behind a pile of scrolls. "Because the cats wanted privacy. You got the foxes. Be grateful—they cuddle."
It was Brann, his new roommate. Apparently a second-year spirit art major who'd been exiled from three dorms for excessive incense use and singing lullabies to vegetables.
Karlous dropped his bag. "I miss being unpopular. At least no one used to speak to me."
Before long, his door burst open and in came Sera.
"You're alive," she said, looking both relieved and annoyed.
"You sound disappointed."
"I bet on your expulsion. I was this close to winning five gold."
Then came Nox, regal as ever, arms crossed. "Heard you tripped on the academy gates last year."
Karlous grinned. "It was a trap. Magical. Ancient. Definitely not just me falling flat."
Nox rolled his eyes, Sera chuckled, and Brann offered everyone tea made from 'emotionally stable herbs.'
As they sat, the banter flowed.
Sera leaned forward. "So, what's your plan this year?"
Karlous smirked. "Fewer explosions. Slightly fewer. Also, I've decided I'm charging people for information."
Nox blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You want to know what happened with Frey and the giant golden dragon moment from the Phoenix estate last week?"
Sera nodded.
Karlous held out his hand. "One enchanted item, please."
"Are you blackmailing us?"
"No. I'm monetizing trauma."
Just then, the door opened again—and in limped the actual Captain of the 3rd Quadrant.
Wrapped in bandages from head to toe like an ancient scroll someone had tried to erase with a warhammer, he huffed. "Phoenix. You."
Karlous blinked. "Me?"
"You were unconscious, weren't you?"
"Yup."
"You didn't see Frey summon Fafnir and wreck my squad singlehandedly?"
"Not a thing."
"Lucky bastard."
Sera cleared her throat. "Captain, you might want to rest—"
"I haven't rested since he blinked and dislocated my jaw with wind pressure."
Karlous pointed. "Do you… want tea?"
"No. I want vengeance."
"But tea has vengeance-flavored honey today."
The captain groaned. "You're all mad."
Just as the captain left (dramatically, of course), a royal scroll popped through the window and smacked Karlous in the face.
He unrolled it. A seal of the Empress.
Meanwhile, in the Capital — Royal Citadel
Empress Aranya Vael'Thora leaned back on her divine-laced throne, holding a chilled goblet and an amused expression.
Across from her, Vice Captain Velrun Saylis of the Blue Magic Tower adjusted his glasses. "Your Highness, your order to monitor divine beast activity resulted in my top mage almost having a heart attack."
Aranya raised a brow. "Did he at least record the aura?"
"Yes. And he peed himself doing it."
The Empress chuckled. "Efficient and dramatic. I like him."
Velrun deadpanned. "The entire capital trembled, and now the Phoenix household is on fire. Again."
"Frey was there, wasn't he?"
"Yes."
"Then I'd call that a controlled outcome."
Velrun sighed. "I'm too old for this."
"You're 26."
"My bones are 80 from dealing with you."
Aranya sipped her drink. "Send him flowers. The phoenix boy. And maybe a fruit basket. Heroes love fruit."
Back at the University, Karlous opened his scroll.
Nox and Sera leaned over his shoulder.
"What does it say?"
Karlous frowned. "It's a formal thank you for not dying during Frey's last visit."
Sera added, "There's also a voucher for a 'Post-Crisis Counseling Session with Professor Theron.'"
Karlous grinned. "Guess they're expecting me to cause more problems."
Nox replied, "They're not expecting. They're preparing."
Karlous stretched his arms, walked to the window, and looked at the tower rising over the horizon.
Empress University.
He smirked. "Round Two, baby. Let's make some memories. Preferably non-lethal this time."
The Journey (Flashback Segment):
A week ago…
Karlous stood outside the Phoenix estate's main gate, luggage in hand, nervous excitement in his chest—and a pair of spirit foxes clinging to his ankles.
"Seriously?" he groaned.
"They've imprinted," said his mother flatly, watching from the doorway.
Nox arrived with a royal carriage, elegantly dressed. "Are you bringing your pets or your shame?"
Karlous grinned. "Why not both?"
Sera arrived next, tossing her bag into the carriage. "If he drools in his sleep again, I'm jumping off mid-route."
Karlous blinked. "Wait—you're riding with me?"
"Unfortunately."
The ride began.
Nox sat like a king. Sera hogged the window. Karlous sat in the middle… and got elbowed. A lot.
Sera offered him a sweet. "Want candy?"
He reached out.
She popped it in her mouth. "Too slow."
Karlous muttered, "Your kindness is overwhelming."
Meanwhile, Nox tried reading a strategy book.
Karlous leaned over. "Page six says you're wrong."
Nox narrowed his eyes. "Page seven says shut up."
Along the journey, they passed small towns, giant mana beasts grazing on glowing hills, and even a merchant who tried to sell Karlous a 'genuine feather of Isundra.'
"It's a chicken feather dyed gold," Karlous deadpanned.
"Rare divine poultry," said the merchant.
They reached the capital gates by sunset. Towering walls gleamed with enchantments. The banner of Aryavratra waved proud in the air.
Inside, the city buzzed with life—marketplaces, floating platforms, mana trains zipping across bridges. The Imperial Tower loomed in the center, majestic and vast.
As they reached the university gates, Sera leaned over and whispered, "Don't fall again."
Karlous nodded seriously. "I'll make it more dramatic this time."
And with that…
Year Two began.