Winter had passed before anyone realized it, and the time had come for fresh green leaves to gently tap against the earth as they emerged.

The scent of spring filled the air, and the warm sunlight and refreshing breeze acted as keys unlocking the thick doors of the academy, opening it up once more.

Spring—the season that marked the beginning of a new academic year.

Just like the previous year, countless students, filled with dreams and aspirations, had endured the grueling entrance exams and stepped into the gates of the Royal Academy. Shortly after, those advancing to their second or third year followed behind, while the new students stood dumbfounded.

“Only 200 third-years?!”
“There are only 500 second-years….”
“They weren’t lying about the number of students who drop out or withdraw…. It’s true.”

Every year, around a thousand new students passed the academy’s entrance threshold, yet only 10% of them managed to graduate.

The pitifully small number of senior students was undeniable proof of that.