Chapter 1 – "Beginning of Story" Part 1

Moonveil Arcane Institute.

An academy that trained nobles, heirs of the empire’s most prestigious families, and only the strongest. Graduates were rewarded with unrivaled opportunities, influence, and wealth after seven years of rigorous study.

And I… was a commoner.

My name was Moon Nox, and somehow, I had been granted a special admission by the headmaster herself—Lady Velmira Lunacrest, a family friend of my father. She had simply arrived in winter, smiled gently, and said my father must send me here. Compared to the alternative—studying abroad in some cold foreign land—this was at least tolerable.

But tolerance didn’t stop the stares.

From the moment I set foot in the grand reception hall, dozens of eyes turned toward me. The weight of their gazes was thick—hostile, curious, and clearly amused. I had expected nothing less. After all, a commoner wandering into an elite noble academy was bound to draw attention.

I ignored them and approached the reception desk.

“Hello. I… this is my admission letter,” I said, handing over the folded parchment.

The receptionist, a young woman with sharp features, took it and scanned the details. Then, her eyes widened, and she spoke loudly enough for others to hear:

“Special admission by Headmaster Lunacrest?”

Immediately, whispers rose like wildfire. Heads turned, and the aristocratic students nearby began gossiping.

I didn’t care. Let them talk. After all, what did they know about me? About the kind of magic I could wield?

The receptionist, realizing perhaps she had overstepped, cleared her throat. “I… I apologize. Your uniform and ID card will be prepared immediately.”

“It's fine,” I replied calmly. “It’s not like I can hide something like this. Please, just give me the locker number and ID card.”

She nodded, bowed, and hurried off. Soon, she returned with a neatly folded uniform and an engraved Stopwatch—the symbol of Moonveil Arcane Institute. Every student carried one. It wasn’t just a tool; it was proof of belonging.

“Thank you for your help,” I said, taking it carefully.

She smiled faintly, then pointed toward my dorm room. I nodded in acknowledgment and started walking.

And immediately, trouble found me.

A boy barreled toward me, likely in a rush to the dorm. I sidestepped with reflexes I hadn’t even realized I had, and he slipped and fell flat on the polished floor.

“Oh—looks like the floor is slippery,” I said softly, shooting a glance at the receptionist. She gave a discreet smile but said nothing. I continued on, determined to avoid any further disturbances.

---

On my way, I noticed a group of girls—nobles, by the look of their impeccable uniforms and perfectly styled hair—flanking someone as if she were royalty.

I instinctively stepped aside, intending to wait for them to pass. But minutes slipped by, and they lingered.

Reluctantly, I moved closer. “Excuse me, miss… actually, this is the way to the dorm. Could I pass?”

All at once, their heads turned, eyes narrowing. One of the girls stepped forward, chest puffed out, fuming.

“How dare you speak to us?” she hissed. “Do you even know who you’re talking to?”

“Commoner,” another spat, wrinkling her nose. “Why the hell are you even here?”

I could feel the tension thickening. Some students behind them began whispering and nodding in agreement, backing up the girls’ arrogance.

Just as one girl raised her hand, presumably to slap another who tried to intervene, a soft voice rang out.

“Stop. It’s not her fault.”

The figure moved between them—a girl I couldn’t fully see, her face partially hidden behind a fan. But a small pendant hung around her neck: a half crescent moon glimmered subtly in the light.

The girl being defended stepped back, and the others reluctantly followed, letting us pass.

I averted my gaze, not wanting trouble. Not before the entry ceremony had even begun.

And then it hit me—I remembered something the headmaster had said:

> “After the ceremony, meet me.”

A slight chill ran down my spine, but also… a spark of curiosity.

Because somehow, I knew that my life at Moonveil Arcane Institute was about to begin in ways I could never imagine.

I pushed open the door to my dorm room and froze.

Wow… no, seriously… WOW.

The room was massive—far bigger than my old village room—and already furnished. A soft bed, a small couch, a writing desk tucked neatly in the corner. I dropped my bag gently, letting it rest against the wall.

There was still time before the entry ceremony, so I needed to clean up and change.

I noticed another bag in the corner. My roommate’s, presumably. I hoped they weren’t hostile—after all, I was a commoner. I didn’t want tension before even starting. Judging by the bag, though… they’d likely already left for the ceremony.

I pulled on the uniform carefully, adjusting the collar. The Stopwatch of Moonveil Arcane Institute hung at my waist.

I caught my reflection in the mirror. Huh. Not bad.

…Well, handsome enough. For nobles, I might look like a pig no matter what I did, but they wouldn’t dare say it. I suppose I’m ready.

Wait—one thing was missing.

I dug through my bag and pulled out the Black Dagger my father had entrusted to me.

“Take care of this,” he had said, “and only use it if it’s necessary—self-defense, duels, or protecting someone. Don’t harm without reason.”

The rules of Moonveil were strict, but practical: students were allowed to carry weapons. Some walked the halls with swords as casually as carrying a cane. My father had called it a “good luck charm.” I liked that.

Pocketing the dagger, I headed toward the ceremony hall.

---

The hall was enormous. Chandeliers hung like frozen stars from the high ceiling, and the air buzzed with excited chatter. Students from noble families milled around, comparing uniforms, waving fans, whispering to each other. I felt dozens of eyes scanning me, some curious, some judgmental.

In the center floated a glimmering crystal, radiating soft, shifting light. This was the magic tester—an artifact used for the ceremony. It would analyze each student’s mana, displaying their elemental attribute through color and brightness.

Off to the side was a massive bookshelf, its shelves reaching almost to the ceiling. Ancient tomes lined it in neat rows. Later, each student would be able to select a book chosen personally by the headmaster herself.

I remembered my father’s words. Lady Velmira Lunacrest—the headmaster—was no ordinary mage. She had reached Tier 9, mastering spatial magic, and was one of only nine mages in history to reach this pinnacle.

She had lived for over four hundred years, attaining a level of transcendent longevity that made her look eternally young. Her brown hair fell elegantly, and her attire reminded me faintly of my mother’s—simple, yet regal. She radiated calmness, gentleness… yet her presence alone commanded respect.

I couldn’t help but wonder: She’s the one who brought me here. She trusted me. And she’s… calm. Unshakable. Dangerous, but kind. Maybe this won’t be so bad.

But even as I thought that, a subtle tension ran through me. This was Moonveil Arcane Institute. Nobles, heirs, and geniuses all under one roof… and I, a commoner, was walking among them.

Something told me my life here was about to get very… interesting.