After days of travel, the Ouyang siblings arrived in the capital a day early. Following a day of rest at an inn, they set off the next morning for their destination—Augustus College of Comprehensive Magical Advancement.

The academy wasn’t in the city proper but on its outskirts, over ten kilometers from downtown. Once past the urban area, the road grew desolate—barely any vehicles, only wilderness flanking both sides, no villages or farmland in sight.

According to the driver, this vast expanse was Augustus College’s off-campus training ground, though its exact purpose remained unknown. After another hour’s drive, the silhouette of Augustus College finally emerged on the horizon.

Yet it defied all expectations of a typical academy. From afar, the entire campus resembled a colossal fortress, encircled by towering, thick walls that hid its interior completely. Just ahead, a checkpoint blocked the road.

“I can only take you this far. Someone else will escort you to the academy,” the driver announced, halting before the checkpoint. The siblings stepped out and walked toward the barrier on foot.

Around twenty heavily armed guards manned the checkpoint, their vigilance palpable. A sentry stepped forward as the pair approached. “Halt. Show your identification.”

Ouyang Xue shrank back slightly, unnerved by the imposing scene. Ouyang Tao, however, calmly presented their enrollment letters and credentials. “We’re new students reporting for duty. Here are our acceptance letters and mage licenses.”

The guard examined their documents, then pointed at Ouyang Xue’s torn letter. “Why is this one ripped?”

“Heh… sorry about that. Our kitten got to it. Shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Ouyang Tao improvised smoothly.

After triple-checking the papers against a registry, the guard returned them and signaled to lift the barrier. “Welcome. A dedicated shuttle awaits ahead to take you to campus.”

Just then, rapid hoofbeats echoed in the distance. A woman astride a towering augmented stallion galloped toward them. Instantly, the checkpoint guards snapped to attention, forming two precise lines as if preparing a ceremonial escort.

The rider swept through the checkpoint without sparing a glance left or right, as though such deference were her due.

Ouyang Xue frowned. “Why didn’t she show her papers?”

“That’s the daughter of Marquis Zakuin, the Prime Minister,” the guard replied tersely. “Move along now. The shuttle’s waiting.”

“Tch. Just another noble,” Ouyang Xue muttered under her breath.

“Come on, don’t get worked up over small things,” Ouyang Tao said with a chuckle, ruffling his sister’s hair. He knew she harbored a peculiar sensitivity—even hostility—toward nobility.

The shuttle carried them deeper into the academy grounds. Up close, Augustus College revealed itself as a true bastion: steel walls thicker and higher than any fortress, bristling with artillery emplacements and patrolling guards. This clashed utterly with the image of a scholarly institution.

The dissonance deepened when recalling that the Duchy of Lain, their host nation, prided itself as the “nation without an army.”

Lain occupied eastern lands but was founded by western settlers during the Age of Gods and Demons. Its defining trait? No standing military. With over five million square kilometers of territory and four hundred million citizens, it maintained only thirty thousand lightly armed police for domestic order—and a mere ten thousand members in its Mage Corps, deployed solely for allied peacekeeping missions. Among global powers, this pacifist stance was unparalleled.

Seeing this fortress masquerading as an academy, a flicker of unease crossed Ouyang Tao’s mind.

Beyond the main gate, the campus unfolded like another world. Tree-lined avenues and manicured lawns radiated tranquility. Students in uniforms strolled past lecture halls and labs, while dormitories stood orderly in the distance.

“Wow! This is… even better than I imagined!” Ouyang Xue breathed. Such facilities were unimaginable in their remote coastal hometown. The thought of spending years here sent excitement coursing through her.

Ouyang Tao, however, felt an odd sense of déjà vu—as if he’d walked these paths before.

The shuttle deposited them at a plaza before the administration building, bustling with freshman registration booths. The Elemental Department’s line stretched longest, while three others—Mechanical, Magic Sword, and Forging Departments—stood nearly empty.

Ouyang Tao first accompanied his sister through the Elemental queue. After completing paperwork and collecting student IDs and badges, staff escorted Ouyang Xue to her dorm. Only then did he approach the Mechanical Department’s booth.

Post-registration, a bespectacled student with a name tag led him toward housing. The guide was slight-framed and bookish, looking younger than Ouyang Tao despite his senior status.

After a few steps, Ouyang Tao hesitated. “Uh, isn’t the dormitory sector that way?”

“Ah, that’s for regular departments. The Mechanical Department’s quarters are on the opposite side.”

“I see…” Ouyang Tao made casual conversation. “Why are Mechanical and the other two departments so quiet?”

“You didn’t know? Mechanical, Magic Sword, and Forging are Augustus’s three elite departments. Each admits no more than ten students yearly—and never compromises on standards.”

“That strict…” Ouyang Tao had sensed the rigor during applications but hadn’t grasped its extremity.

“Naturally. Wait—you truly didn’t know?” The guide’s eyes widened in realization. “Could you be… the rumored commoner admitted to Mechanical this year? The first in fifty years?”

The emphasis on “commoner” pricked at Ouyang Tao. His sister would’ve exploded on the spot. He merely offered a good-natured grin. “Well… I suppose that’s me.”

“An honor!” The guide bowed deeply, his tone turning reverent.

“Please, don’t—I’m embarrassed!” Ouyang Tao hurriedly lifted him up. “Also… why do you keep using formal speech? You’re my senior.”

“Because you’re in Mechanical. I’ll surely need your guidance later.”

“Ah… sure, just ask anytime,” Ouyang Tao replied politely, though the role reversal felt surreal.

A quiet certainty settled over him: life at Augustus College wouldn’t be simple.