My Last Time as a Human

The middle-aged man on the grand stage stood in silence for a few moments, letting the weight of his presence settle over the gathered students. Then, with a commanding voice, he spoke.

"Welcome, students. You now stand within the halls of Seckan Academy, the greatest institution of learning on the continent. I am Albus Rowen, former Marshal of the Empire and a proud graduate of this academy."

His voice carried effortlessly through the vast hall, rich and unwavering. There was no need for theatrics—his presence alone was enough to capture attention. He was tall, his silver-streaked hair giving him an air of wisdom, while his sharp gaze hinted at the authority he once wielded.

He continued, detailing the academy's history and the expectations placed upon first-year students. Unlike the introduction class, this speech held weight. These were not details we had been given before. I listened closely, committing his words to memory.

As he spoke, I noticed something peculiar. The students were enthralled—not just by his words, but by something deeper, almost supernatural. His soul power, perhaps? A subtle influence pressing into their minds, commanding attention.

Unfortunately for him, my ability countered his perfectly. The effect washed over me like a gentle breeze, unable to take hold.

From the corner of my eye, I saw movement. Maids in elegant academy uniforms wove through the crowd, carrying polished badges in their gloved hands. As they passed, they handed them out—one to each student.

I took mine, running my fingers over its intricate design.

At its center was a golden eagle gripping a sword in its beak, the proud emblem of Seckan Academy. Surrounding it were six colored sections, each depicting a different creature:

Emerald – A bear holding a shield.

Sapphire – An owl clutching a grimoire.

Amber – A fox wearing a witch's hat.

Ruby – A lion gripping a spear.

Amethyst – A dragon holding a staff.

Diamond – A butterfly with a bow.

Each symbol meant something, though I wasn't sure of their origins. Nothing in this world appeared without reason—there was always history, purpose.

Then, a glow.

Light erupted from the badges across the room, casting a spectrum of colors into the air. Students gasped, marveling at the display as the energy of their souls intertwined with the symbols on their badges.

I glanced down at mine. Channeling my soul into it, I watched as a sapphire glow pulsed from the owl, its light rising to join the others above.

The headmaster chuckled, his sharp eyes scanning the room as if taking note of certain students.

Then, he raised his voice.

"Students, step forward and stand beneath your house banners."

I lifted my gaze. At the edges of the hall, six towering banners hung like the crests of noble houses, each bearing one of the creatures from our badges.

Without hesitation, I moved toward the blue banner, joining the ranks of the Sapphire Owls.

As I settled into my place, I scanned the room, noting where others had gone. Janna had joined the Amber Foxes, her bright presence standing out even among her housemates. Clarence stood with the Amethyst Dragons, the aura of a mage already surrounding him. And then there was Prometh Seckan—the prince himself—standing under the Diamond Butterflies' banner.

Lastly, my eyes landed on Lucian. I didn't know much about him, but he had been placed with the Ruby Lions. Somehow, that seemed fitting.

The ceremony had only just begun, but already, the foundation for the years to come had been laid.

I scanned the room, taking in the faces of my housemates. Some I recognized, others were strangers. Among them, I spotted the girl who had once again gotten flustered by my appearance. I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. It was amusing to think about how embarrassed she must be right now.

I continued observing as usual. I noticed the professors, each wearing a badge of their respective house on their chest. They'd likely been assigned to these houses ages ago when they were students—or perhaps just recently, though I couldn't be bothered to figure it out.

As always, I avoided getting involved. I greeted a few people who tried to strike up conversation, but excused myself as soon as I could, finding a quiet corner. Peace was what I sought, and I wasn't about to let anything disturb it.

"Do you not like socializing? You seem like the type who would enjoy the attention more than anyone else in this room."

I turned around, spotting a girl who stood at least twenty centimeters shorter than me. Her long, dark brown hair flowed down her back, and her sharp brown eyes scanned me with a mix of arrogance and coldness. She wore the academy's uniform, her stance as haughty as her expression.

"I don't mind talking to people, but I've had my fill," I said, not bothering to hide the lie. A few minutes of conversation wouldn't tire me, but I wasn't about to explain that.

"What about you?" I raised an eyebrow. "Is the pressure of the crowd too much for a little thing like you to bear?"

Her expression faltered slightly at my words. Apparently, even a small insult was enough to unsettle someone in this age. People here were soft—easily rattled. She managed a half-smile, forced but polite, before turning away, disappearing into the crowd.

Finally, I had the peace I sought. I leaned back against the wall, letting my eyes wander to the stage where the head of the academy prepared to speak.

The speech stretched on for what felt like an eternity, around thirty minutes of rambling. I alternated between half-listening to Mr. Albus and watching the girl from earlier, amusing myself by observing her every move.

Afterward, we had a few hours of "free time" to settle into our dorms. The students scattered in different directions, while I made my way toward my assigned building, admiring the dorms as I walked. The architecture was impressive, with each dorm connected seamlessly to the next. No walls separated them—just decoration and the house it belonged to.

I eventually arrived at my destination, walking down endless hallways until I found Room 549. I stepped inside, only to freeze in disbelief. Six beds greeted me. Six. God must truly hate me!

Groaning inwardly, I picked the bed at the far left, the one next to the bookshelves. At least that was one thing I liked about this room—books had always been a source of solace for me, long before writing was even invented.

I dropped my things onto the bed and took a moment to scan the room, trying to make it feel less like a prison. That's when I noticed the difference in the logo above the door. Instead of the Sapphire Owl, it bore the badge from the Grand Hall.

Confused, I stepped out of the room to investigate. On the left side of the hall were the doors marked with the Sapphire Owl, and on the right, the Amber Fox. Was this room shared between multiple houses? I didn't really care enough to dwell on it and went back inside, finally ready to rest.

I flopped onto the bed, wincing as I hit my back against the mattress. I groaned, but it was still my bed, my small piece of comfort in this unfamiliar place.

Just as I was starting to relax, the door creaked open. I turned to see the first of my roommates walk in—white hair, striking purple eyes, dark skin, and a rich southern accent.

"Is someone there?" She called out, then breezed in without waiting for a response. "Well, I'm coming in anyway!"