Reborn as the Archmage's Rival

The crowd was already gathering when Ethan and his roommates stepped into the plaza.

The central courtyard of the First-Year Division was a structured ring of white stone pathways and tall spires that reached for the sky. Above, mana-lanterns floated lazily in place, glowing faintly under the early morning sun. Students poured in from all directions, chatting in low tones, adjusting their robes, rubbing sleep from their eyes.

Ethan followed Kai and Aiden toward one of the outer arcs, where their group usually stood. He was still tying the last knot on his sash when he finally asked, "So... who exactly gives these announcements every morning?"

Kai didn’t bother looking back. "The First-Year Director."

Ethan blinked. "Wait, the Director? Not a staff mage?"

Aiden answered instead, arms folded. "Yeah. Director Silas Vaunt. He handles the announcements himself."

"Every day?"

"Every day," Kai said, grinning. "And it’s never boring."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Where is he, then?"

Aiden looked to the sky. "He’s not late. He just likes dramatic entrances. Yesterday, he came down riding a platform made of blades. Day before that, he dropped from the sky in a cube of glass. One time it was wind wolves pulling a chariot made of lightning. He changes it up."

Ethan stared. "You’re joking."