Miri’s POV

The distance from the Shadow Empire to the island where the school is takes three hours to arrive, so me and Alira decide to explore a bit. The ship is rather big and filled with the children of the Shadow Empire elite. They look at me and Alira with scorn, but we choose to pay them no attention as we make our way across.

Ali says, "I heard Renn is going to be our energia lecturer, while Ryden is our direct combat lecturer. It's been a while since we saw Ryden. Are you excited?" she says, raising her eyebrows.

"I actually am. It's been a while since we saw each other and sparring with him challenges me, especially since you always abandon your best friend to spar with Malric." I give my own teasing look as she bites back her blush.

I drag her to move faster as we make our way to the canteen to get a snack. There were large amounts of different foods and drinks and we grabbed some that we liked and sat down at an empty chair close to the deck 'cause it had such an amazing view.

Just as we sat to eat, two girls walked up to us.

"We are Vessara's friend—"

As soon as they said that, before they could say more, me and Alira directly walked away.

"I am not dealing with that even before we arrive at the school," Ali said.

"I was already happy that Vessara was from the Demon Empire so she won't be on this ship, and then we met her minions yeah, no thanks."

To avoid further confrontation, we head over and stay in our designated lounge for the rest of the trip. And before we knew it, we arrived at the Quadris Sanctum Academy.

The island is big with the academy taking over a large area of it, and a smaller part being like a little community where there are several salons, cafes, and lounges which I guess are for the students.

As we walk into the school, I notice how there are so many different wings and the school is large with its emblem in the middle.

Renn speaks up, "You girls go to the main building to check in and get your room slip, and then we will move to the female wing," and then points to the huge building in the middle, which we already understood to be the main building.

Me and Alira walk over there taking slow, deliberate steps as if treasuring the sight.

"How beautiful," Alira murmurs.

And I simply nod in equal awe.

As we walk into the main building of Quadris Sanctum, it's impossible to ignore how every stone and detail holds the colors of the original four empires crimson red of the demons, golden yellow of the dragons, darkest black for the shadows, and the illumine blue of the original Myrridan humans.

It was beautiful.

I heard the academy is the only place that still regards the human empire's origin rather than their betrayal, and from what I see, this is so true. The original four empire emblem is used as the emblem of the school, as it is etched in every corner of the school, including the jackets that some passerby just handed to me and Alira.

The old emblem is so beautiful. It is a shield-shaped emblem with a golden cross cut in the middle.

In the upper left corner, there is a golden dragon that represents the Dragonian Empire. Across from it, there is a scarlet red demon mystique with three flamed eyes all a different variant of red oxblood, crimson, and ruby eyes. Below is a blue gauntlet and sword to represent the human Myrridan regime. And at the last corner a hooded figure engulfed in darkness without a face or even much of a presence to represent the Shadow Empire. And at the center, there is a golden knot with the school's motto written in bold:

"Study, learn and fight for the vision of the Sacred Four."

It really was beautiful.

We walked to the front desk and told them our names, and we were handed our individual schedules, checked in, and told our dorm rooms.

Dad, true to his words, made me and Alira roommates with only us two in the room. We excitedly left the main building and went over to meet up with the rest.

Lior told me that they will carry our bags up to our room for us and that we should just stand there and stun the school with our beauty. It was so funny I couldn't stop laughing.

At first, I might have found him annoying, but now I know that just like the rest of my brothers, Lior only shows this side 'cause he loves me deeply and I have gotten used to his antics.

We headed up to our room empty-handed 'cause Lior, Malric, and Aeren had already taken our bags up, while Renn had to go to the faculty wing.

Our buildings were right next to each other, Aeren had informed us previously, as they left to take their own bags to their rooms leaving Alira and I to unpack.

But just as we were about to start, the announcers came on:

"All students, new and old, are to assemble at the auditorium for a special briefing and welcome by the headmaster."

Me and Alira exchange confused looks before getting up and making our way out of our room and out of the dorm completely.

We met up with the rest of our brothers just downstairs.

"We'll take you to the auditorium and show you around the school later," Malric informs us as we start walking away and back towards the main building.

We arrived at the auditorium that is as large as a coliseum. It is packed with different students from the different empires all exuding power and elegance.

But all chatter dies down as we enter, all eyes turning to look at us. Some were loving eyes looking at my brothers, while some carried malice and scorn while looking at me and Alira.

We could hear the whispers saying I was the uneducated and newly found princess and calling Alira my pitiful human counterpart.

I recognize some of the faces from my recognition ball, and some faces that I am just seeing now for the first time. Even members of the faculty seem to be throwing scornful looks our way, but we pay them no attention as we head over to our designated spots and take a seat.

An old-looking man with scarlet red eyes walks in, and from his eyes, I can tell he is a demon royalty. As soon as he stood at the center of the podium, all chatter died down and everyone stood up to bow in respect before taking a seat once more.

Lior whispers to me, "He is the head master and the brother of the past king."

And I see that Malric has already filled Alira in as well.

He bellows in a loud voice, "Good day, students and future pillars of our empire. I am Ludwick Malzakar, Headmaster of Quadris Sanctum Academy.

This academy was built by our ancestors together to train the people they have designated to carry on their legacy. This school was built before the great war and is the only remainder of the old legacy, even though normal humans are no longer allowed to attend.

As you all already know, the four empires being:

The Dragonian Empires with their trademark yellow eyes and their godlike strength and physical adaptation. They excel in close-range combat, and for the most powerful ones, they can turn their inner energia to a strong force to attack opponents by draining their own physical strength.

Then the Demon Empires with their trademark red eyes. But their eyes are special, as they have several variations:

The oxblood red which signifies the spellkind and their power to redirect and absorb enemy magic.

The crimson red eyes for blazewalkers, they can control fire and heat.

The ruby eyes for the boltwraiths, they have the ability to move like and manipulate the power of lightning.

And then the scarlet red eyes, which are for the royal demons who hold all three of these powers with amplified effort.

And then lastly, the Shadow Empire, with their trademark black eyes. They have the ability to merge with your shadow and merge with the night and darkness. Their inner energy can be turned into any long or short-range weapon once trained enough. They are also known as the perfect assassins.

Those are the powers that most and each of you possess. But without control, those powers will forever remain weak and useless and you will be of no use to the growth of this empire.

This is why you all have been sent here.

Unless you are accelerated, you will start here at 19 and end at 22. These four years would be an amazing opportunity for you all to build friendships and connections among yourselves for your future and the future of your empires.

Once you enter these gates, your status as a minister’s daughter or a royal family member is useless. 'Cause now, you are just a student, and you will be treated equally as that.

And our rules state that no killing or death is permitted within our premises.

Those who break this one law and ruin the perfect learning environment of this prestigious institute would be punished by the complete annihilation of their families.

You all have been warned.

Also, all your magic doesn’t work in the school premises. The only part of this island where your magic can work is in the Energia Wing and it is monitored 24/7.

So if you believe you can use magic to oppress those who are not as gifted in magic while you are here, then think again.

Be good students and good examples. I wish all of you success in all your future endeavors. Thank you."

And with that follows a standing ovation from all the students.

Alira is the only human student in this school. I can already tell she will be targeted, but magic isn't allowed and if it is only up to physical strength, I believe Alira can stand her ground. And Dad already made arrangements for her to not attend energia class, so hopefully it will work out well.

Classes start tomorrow, and it's going to be mostly only Aeren, me, and Ali, since Malric is in his second year and Lior is in his third year. We might only meet during lunch breaks.

And as if by some kind of joke, I have both physical training and energia classes on my first day.

They said this academy is watched by the Sacred Four.

It’s nice to know that our ancestors at least had a sense of humor even though it’s at the cost of my peace.