Shin arrived at Melna University shortly after parting ways with Ryan and Edward. He studied the large building in more detail, admiring its subtle beauty.

  The university was made of immaculate white stone, stretching for miles in length. The stone was decorated with sublime patterns, forming a vast network. Some were most certainly imbued with magic, helping to protect and maintain the complex.

  Several large towers rose high into the sky, reaching towards the distant canopy. There were seven in total.

  The person he sought lived in one of these towers… or so he had learned from rumors.

  Shin continued on his way to the entrance of the university, observing his surroundings.

  The students lived at the academy, separated from their parents most of the time. They usually had to manage their expenses themselves, so there were all sorts of shops around the building. Food shops, libraries, magic shops…

  Shin had already been managing his money since his orphanage was attacked.

  Smelling a tempting scent, he turned his gaze to a nearby shop that sold monster meat skewers.

  He walked towards it, taking out his money.

  "Two skewers, please," he asked the vendor.

  "Of course," the vendor replied before preparing them for him.

  Taking his food, Shin swallowed his first skewer. The juice filled his mouth with a wave of flavor. He felt the somewhat tough texture of the meat tear under his teeth.

  He stared at the second skewer with a nostalgic expression. When they were little, Shin's mother used to buy two skewers for him and his sister. But now, he was all alone eating it…

  Clenching his fists, he finally decided to swallow the second piece of meat as a particularly intriguing conversation reached his ears.

  "Did you hear the latest news?" a student asked his friend with interest.

  "No, did something important happen?" she replied nonchalantly.

  "Nothing happened but…," he lingered.

  "What?" she pressed him.

  "I heard from a reliable source that the royal detective is coming to Melna."

  "You're talking about Merry Darkwood, right ? The famous detective who works for the royalty… Why would she come here?" she asked.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "I don't know, but you have to admit it's super intriguing!"

  "Hmmm… it mostly means that something serious has or will happen. I wouldn't be happy if I were you."

  Shin had heard of this detective before, but he didn't know much about her other than that she had gotten her job at a young age.

  Nevertheless, a faint feeling of unease settled in his heart as he arrived in front of the large entrance gate to the university.

  He let out a sigh before taking a step towards the registration desk.

  School was starting in three days, so he wasn't early, but he wasn't late either.

  Behind the desk was a middle-aged man with a stern look. As Shin arrived to register, the man asked,

  "Your name and ID?"

  "Uh… Shin, sir." He answered quickly, showing his card.

  The man grabbed it and searched through his list for a few seconds before confirming: "Just Shin, right?"

  "Indeed."

  "Everything is in order, you can go. Here are your room keys. Room 352."

  The man handed him his card and room key, which was quite simple: a single key with the number 352 written on it.

  Shin thanked him before entering the building and looking for a map.

  Once he had located where he was, he headed towards his room, crossing the colorful and cheerful corridors, passing through the open gardens connecting the various buildings. The flowers, the scents, the fountains, the cobblestones that seemed natural—all of it was illuminated by the light of the setting sun. It was of an unreal beauty, marveling Shin.

  He stood there in the gardens, gazing at their beauty until the shadows began to lengthen.

  Returning to reality, Shin continued his way to his room.

  Eventually, he reached a door with the number 352 written on it. He knocked softly, unsure if anyone was there.

  "I'm coming."

  A teenage voice could be heard, muffled through the door.

  A minute later, the door opened to reveal a young man with messy brown hair and slightly square glasses over emerald green eyes. He had a rather athletic build and seemed confident.

  He looked at Shin nonchalantly, as if he didn't care much.

  Shin explained,

  "Hello! I'll be staying in this room too this year. Nice to meet you."

  "Okay. I'm Wein," he said as Shin entered the room, "The black-haired kid is Tam, and the idiot with almost white hair is Reynard—"

  "Ehhh! I won't let you, I'm not an idiot!" protested a voice from the side.

  Shin turned his head and saw a boy with almost white hair and red eyes lying on one of the beds, reading a book on fire magic.

  "Of course !" Wein waved his words away,

  "Anyway. What's your name?"

  "Shin," he replied with a half-laugh.

  "Glad to have you here, Shin." said a voice that came from someone Shin hadn't noticed.

  Situated in another room with an open door, Tam was busy at a workshop doing what seemed to be chemistry.

  "So, I'm the last one to arrive," Shin muttered to himself.

  The rooms were for four people, each with four workstations and four desks in a separate room. There was only one bathroom and one kitchen.

  Shin settled into the bed that wasn't already taken, then prepared his everyday things.

  There were still three days left before school started, so Shin decided to go to the library to review his lessons and learn more about the person he was looking for...

  Outside, the birds were singing a soft mournful melody...