welcome to willowave

The capital city of Willowave rose before them like something from a dream.

Massive stone walls encircled the city, each block carved with intricate runic patterns that glowed faintly with magical energy. Towers stretched toward the sky, their peaks disappearing into the clouds. And everywhere—absolutely everywhere—people moved with purpose, their clothing ranging from simple merchant garb to elaborate robes that shimmered with enchantments.

But what struck Ichino most wasn't the architecture or the crowds.

It was the magic.

He could feel it in the air, a constant hum of energy that made his skin tingle. Vendors used minor spells to keep their goods warm or cool. Guards patrolled with weapons that crackled with elemental power. Even children played with small conjurations—balls of light, tiny water spirits, wisps of flame that danced between their fingers.

"Close your mouth," Lily said without looking at him. "You look like a country bumpkin."

"I am a country bumpkin," Ichino replied, still staring at everything.

"Well, you don't need to advertise it."

As their carriage passed through the main gates, the guards snapped to attention, immediately recognizing the royal crest emblazoned on the vehicle's side. They waved the procession through without question.

"Wait," Ichino said slowly, realization dawning. "You're not just a princess. You're the princess. Of this entire kingdom."

Lily glanced at him with a smirk. "Took you long enough to figure it out."

"You could have mentioned that!"

"Where's the fun in that? Besides, I wanted to see how long it would take you to realize." She leaned back in her seat, looking satisfied with herself. "I'm Princess Lily Willowave, first daughter of King Julius and Queen Sofea, heir to the Willowave throne, and bearer of the Ice Spirit Unkoi, Ling."

"So when I poked your forehead back in the village..."

"You're lucky I found it amusing instead of treasonous," Lily said dryly. "Most people lose their heads for less."

Ichino groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just great."

The carriage wound through increasingly opulent districts, passing noble estates and magical academies, before finally arriving at the heart of the city—the Royal Palace.

It was breathtaking.

White stone walls reached five stories high, lined with balconies and towers. Gardens filled with impossible flowers—blooms that changed colors, petals that sang soft melodies, vines that moved like gentle snakes—surrounded the main structure. Fountains carved from crystal sprayed water that defied gravity, flowing upward in elegant spirals.

As they dismounted from the carriage, a line of servants immediately appeared to attend to Lily. She waved most of them off but allowed one elderly man in formal attire to approach.

"Princess Lily," he said with a deep bow. "Your parents have been informed of your arrival. They await you in the throne room."

"Thank you, Sebastian." She glanced at Ichino. "Come on. Time to meet the King and Queen."

"Now? Shouldn't I prepare or—"

"You're fine. Just try not to say anything stupid."

Ichino followed her through corridors that seemed designed to intimidate. Portraits of past rulers lined the walls, their painted eyes seeming to follow his movement. Guards in ornate armor stood at regular intervals, each one radiating the power of an Unkoi user.

Finally, they reached a set of massive doors carved with depictions of legendary battles.

"Ready?" Lily asked.

"No."

"Good. Me neither." She pushed open the doors.

The throne room was vast, with vaulted ceilings supported by marble columns. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, painting the floor in patterns of colored light. And at the far end, elevated on a dais, sat two thrones.

King Julius Willowave was an imposing figure even while seated. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, with short dark hair touched with gray at the temples and sharp green eyes that missed nothing. His crown was simple but elegant—white gold inlaid with emeralds. He wore royal blue robes trimmed with white fur, and even from a distance, Ichino could feel the pressure of his power.

Queen Sofea was a stunning woman who looked barely older than Lily herself—clearly the result of magic or an Unkoi's influence. She had long silver hair that cascaded over her shoulders and warm amber eyes that sparkled with mischief. Her gown was a masterpiece of white silk and gold embroidery, and she wore her crown with casual grace, as if it weighed nothing at all.

"Lily!" Queen Sofea stood immediately, her face lighting up with joy. "My darling daughter! You're finally home!"

She practically floated down from the dais, moving with impossible grace, and embraced Lily tightly.

"Mother, please," Lily said, though she returned the hug. "We have a guest."

"Oh, I can see that!" Queen Sofea released her daughter and turned her attention to Ichino, her eyes widening. "And what a handsome guest! Lily, you didn't tell us you were bringing a boyfriend!"

Both Ichino and Lily's faces flushed bright red.

"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!" Lily practically shouted.

"sofea, please," King Julius said, though there was amusement in his voice. "Let's maintain some dignity in the throne room."

Queen Sofea giggled but returned to her throne, though she continued to eye Ichino with obvious interest.

King Julius studied Ichino with a more measured gaze. "So. You're the hunter who killed Sefa, the Third Star of Blood."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ichino said, bowing respectfully.

"Lily was supposed to be the one to gain that power," the King continued, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp. "She tracked Sefa for months, gathered intelligence, prepared countermeasures. And then a hunter from a remote village swoops in and claims the prize."

Ichino felt tension creeping up his spine. "I didn't know she was hunting Sefa. My only goal was revenge for my brother."

"Revenge." King Julius leaned forward slightly. "A powerful motivator. Tell me, hunter—what's your name?"

"Ichino, Your Majesty."

"Well, Ichino, you now possess one of the most powerful Unkoi in existence. A Supreme Unkoi of the Destruction class. That makes you valuable... and dangerous." The King's eyes narrowed slightly. "The question is: what do we do with you?"

"Father—" Lily began, but he raised a hand.

"I'm not threatening him, Lily. I'm simply stating facts." He returned his attention to Ichino. "You're untrained, unfamiliar with Unkoi politics, and carrying power that could level a city if misused. In the wrong hands—or without proper guidance—you're a disaster waiting to happen."

"Then train me," Ichino said firmly. "I don't want to be a disaster. I want to be strong enough to protect what matters."

Queen Sofea clapped her hands together. "Oh, I like him! He's direct. And brave. And did I mention handsome?"

"Mother!" Lily groaned.

"But first," King Julius said, standing from his throne, "I'd like to see the face of the man who killed a Supreme Unkoi. Remove your mask, Ichino."

Ichino hesitated for a moment, then reached up and pulled down the mask that had covered the lower half of his face for as long as he could remember.

Queen Sofea gasped softly.

Ichino's face was striking—sharp features, a strong jawline, and most notably, pure sky-blue eyes that seemed to glow in the throne room's light. His snow-white hair, previously hidden beneath his hood, fell around his face in soft waves, identical in color to his mother's.

"Well," King Julius said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "You certainly have distinctive features. Northern bloodline?"

"My mother's from the northern territories, Your Majesty. My father was a hunter from the south."

"Interesting combination." The King sat back down, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Very well. Here's my decision. Ichino, you will enroll in the Unkoi Hunter Academy."

"The Academy?" Ichino repeated.

"It's the premier institution for training Unkoi users," Lily explained. "I'm already enrolled there. Students learn to control their Unkoi, study magic theory, practice combat techniques, and... well, it's basically school, but for people with deadly magical powers."

"The Academy accepts students of all races," King Julius continued. "Humans, elves, demons, beast-folk, even the occasional dragon-blood. You'll learn about Unkoi, how to control your power, and how to survive in a world that will now see you as both an asset and a threat."

"And since the Academy is currently between semesters," Queen Sofea added cheerfully, "you'll have a few weeks to settle in! How wonderful!"

"You'll be assigned to the same dormitory as Lily," King Julius said, and Ichino could have sworn he saw a smirk cross the King's face. "Since she's already familiar with your... situation, she can help you acclimate."

"WHAT?!" Lily's composure finally cracked completely. "Father, you can't be serious! He's a—a—"

"A powerful Unkoi user who needs guidance?" the King suggested mildly. "Yes. And you're one of the Academy's top students. It makes perfect sense."

"We're not making them share a room, are we?" Queen Sofea asked with exaggerated innocence. "That would be terribly improper. Unless they're courting, of course—"

"MOTHER!"

"—which they're clearly not, despite how lovely they look together—"

"I'm leaving," Lily announced, spinning on her heel. "Ichino, come on. I'll show you to the dormitories before my parents embarrass me further."

"It was nice meeting you, Your Majesties," Ichino said quickly, bowing before following Lily.

As they left, he could hear Queen Sofea's delighted laughter echoing through the throne room.

The Unkoi Hunter Academy was located in the eastern district of the capital, a massive campus that looked more like a small city than a school. Multiple buildings surrounded a central courtyard, each dedicated to different aspects of Unkoi training—combat halls, libraries, research facilities, and dormitories.

"The Academy houses about five thousand students at any given time," Lily explained as they walked through the grounds. "It's divided into five houses based on your Unkoi type: Beast, Elemental, Spirit, Shadow, and Sovereign. You'll be placed in Sovereign House."

"Why Sovereign?"

"Because Supreme Unkoi users are automatically assigned there. It's the smallest house but also the most prestigious—and the most dangerous. Every student in Sovereign House has killed a Supreme Unkoi, which means they're all incredibly powerful and usually at least a little insane."

"Wonderful," Ichino muttered.

They passed groups of students, and Ichino's eyes widened at the sheer diversity. Humans mixed freely with beings he'd only heard about in stories.

An elf with silver hair and pointed ears practiced archery, each arrow leaving a trail of light. A demon with red skin and small horns laughed with friends, shadows dancing playfully around his feet. A cat-girl with orange fur and a twitching tail dozed in a sunny spot. A massive figure that might have been part-bear walked past carrying an armload of books.

"Is that a—"

"Dragon-blood? Yes. Quarter-dragon, specifically. They're rare but not unheard of." Lily navigated the crowds with practiced ease. "You'll get used to it. The Academy is probably the most diverse place in the entire kingdom."

They reached a building near the edge of campus—a elegant structure of white stone with blue-tinted windows.

"Sovereign House dormitory," Lily announced. "Your room is on the third floor, room 307. Mine is 309. Right next door."

"Of course it is," Ichino said dryly.

Inside, the dormitory was surprisingly luxurious. Plush carpets, paintings on the walls, comfortable furniture in common areas. Students lounged in various spaces, some studying, some socializing, some practicing minor magic.

A girl with purple hair and cat ears looked up as they entered, her feline eyes widening.

"Oh my gosh, is that Princess Lily? And who's the cute boy?" She practically bounced over, her tail swishing excitedly. "Are you new? You must be new! I'm Mika! What's your name? What's your Unkoi? Do you like fish? I love fish!"

"Mika, please," Lily said tiredly. "Give him space to breathe."

"But he's so pretty!" Mika circled Ichino like a predator assessing prey, though her expression was more curious than threatening. "And that white hair! And those blue eyes! Are you from the north? You smell like snow and blood. That's an interesting combination!"

"I... thank you?" Ichino said, completely overwhelmed.

A deep voice interrupted from across the room. "Mika, stop harassing the new student."

A tall young man approached—easily six-foot-five, with dark skin, silver eyes, and an presence that screamed "dangerous." He wore the Academy uniform with casual confidence and had a scar running down his left cheek.

"Dante," Lily acknowledged with a nod. "This is Ichino. He'll be joining Sovereign House."

Dante's silver eyes studied Ichino intently, and for a moment, the air seemed to grow heavy with pressure. Then he smiled—a genuine expression that transformed his intimidating features.

"Another Supreme Unkoi user. Welcome to the madhouse." He extended his hand. "I'm Dante. My Unkoi is Ragnarok, the War Titan. If you need anything, let me know. We Sovereign House students stick together."

Ichino shook his hand, relieved by the friendly reception. "Thank you."

"Your room's this way," Dante said, gesturing toward the stairs. "Fair warning—the walls are pretty thin, so you'll probably hear Princess Lily's midnight ranting sessions."

"I do not rant!" Lily protested.

"You absolutely do," Mika chimed in. "Last week you spent an hour complaining about improper magical theory textbooks."

"That's not ranting, that's legitimate academic concern!"

As they climbed the stairs, more students emerged from their rooms, drawn by curiosity about the new arrival. Ichino found himself surrounded by faces of every imaginable race and variation.

A shy-looking elf girl with green hair peeked around a doorframe. A demon boy with blue skin waved cheerfully. A girl who appeared to be part-snake watched from the second-floor railing with slitted eyes. A massive figure covered in white fur—some kind of yeti-hybrid—nodded respectfully from the third floor.

"This is insane," Ichino whispered to Lily.

"This is the Academy," she replied. "Get used to it."

They reached room 307. Lily opened the door to reveal a spacious room with a large bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a window overlooking the campus. Simple but comfortable.

"Your uniform will be delivered tomorrow," Lily said. "Classes start in two weeks, which gives you time to settle in and learn the basics. I'll introduce you to the instructors and—"

"LILY!"

A girl with bright pink hair and golden eyes practically tackled Lily from behind, hugging her tightly.

"Yuki, I can't breathe—"

"You were gone for so long! I missed you! Did you bring me a present? Oh!" Yuki released Lily and noticed Ichino, her eyes going wide. "Who's this? He's gorgeous! Is he your boyfriend?"

"WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP ASKING THAT?!"

Ichino couldn't help it—he laughed. After weeks of tension, danger, and deadly seriousness, the chaotic absurdity of the Academy was almost refreshing.

Lily glared at him. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. It's just..." He looked around at the diverse crowd of powerful, magical students, at Lily's flustered expression, at Yuki's cheerful grin. "This is going to be interesting."

In his mind, Sefa's voice purred with amusement. "Oh, little human. You have no idea. This place is going to be very entertaining."

As the sun set over Willowave, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Ichino stood at his window looking out at his new home. The capital city sprawled before him, full of magic, danger, and possibilities he'd never imagined.

He'd come here seeking strength. Seeking understanding of the power now flowing through his veins.

Instead, he'd found himself thrust into a world of politics, diverse races, powerful Unkoi users, and one extremely frustrating princess who refused to admit she might actually care about him.

"So," Ichino said to the empty room, knowing Sefa could hear him. "What now?"

"Now?" Sefa laughed. "Now the real fun begins. Welcome to the Unkoi Hunter Academy, Ichino. Try not to die in your first week."

Somehow, that didn't feel like a joke.

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