Chapter 4: Through the Academy Gates

As the vehicle pulled up to the grand gates of the Evolution Academy, Cheol Su and Ji Yeon felt a mix of awe and nervousness.

The gates, made of gleaming steel and reinforced with enchantments, towered over them, their height and strength a testament to the Academy's might and prestige.

Shin Hee Sung pulled up to the gates and spoke into a communicator. "Evolver Shin Hee Sung and Evolver Cheol Su, arriving with Evolver Cheol Su's sister Ji Yeon."The gates swung open with a resounding creak, revealing the Academy grounds in all their glory. The buildings, constructed from polished stone and glass, seemed to glow in the moonlight, a testament to the ingenuity and power of the Evolvers who had built them.

Shin Hee Sung drove the vehicle through the gates, and as they passed under the archway, Cheol Su and Ji Yeon couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and majesty of the Academy.

"It's incredible," Ji Yeon whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the sight.As the vehicle came to a halt in front of a large, stately building, Shin Hee Sung turned to Cheol Su and Ji Yeon with a nod. "This is where you will be staying," he said, his voice professional and detached.

As Cheol Su and Ji Yeon climbed out of the vehicle, they noticed Master Yun waiting for them in the courtyard, his expression unreadable as always.

"Evolver Cheol Su," Master Yun said, acknowledging him with a slight nod.Master Yun turned to Shin Hee Sung, beckoning him forward with a subtle gesture. As Cheol Su and Ji Yeon watched, Shin Hee Sung approached Master Yun, their voices dropping to a low murmur. The conversation was too quiet for the siblings to hear, but they could see Shin Hee Sung's face growing more serious as Master Yun spoke.

After a few moments, Shin Hee Sung stepped away from Master Yun, his expression resolved. "Evolver Cheol Su, if you would follow me," he said, motioning towards the building.As Cheol Su and Ji Yeon followed Shin Hee Sung, they couldn't shake the feeling that something important had been discussed in that hushed conversation. The atmosphere was thick with mystery and intrigue, making them both more alert and curious about their surroundings.

Shin Hee Sung led them into the building, which was even more impressive on the inside than it had been on the outside. The foyer was vast, with soaring ceilings and intricate carvings that seemed to tell stories of heroes and battles from long ago. The siblings followed Shin Hee Sung deeper into the building, their footsteps echoing in the vast space. As they walked, Cheol Su couldn't help but wonder what had been said between Master Yun and Shin Hee Sung. Was it related to his sister, or was there something else going on that he wasn't aware of?

Shin Hee Sung came to a stop before a set of grand double doors, turning to address the siblings.

"Your accommodations are through here," he said, his voice still emotionless. "If you will follow me."As Shin Hee Sung opened the doors, Cheol Su and Ji Yeon found themselves in a hallway lined with ornate sconces that cast a warm glow across the polished stone floor. The walls were hung with tapestries depicting scenes of lush forests and majestic creatures, their vibrant colors leaping out from the fabric.

At the end of the hallway, a set of glass doors opened onto a garden that seemed to go on forever, full of exotic flowers and plants that shimmered in the moonlight.Cheol Su and Ji Yeon stepped into the garden, the air heavy with the fragrance of exotic flowers and spices. The path before them wound its way through the plants, leading to a grand manor that looked like something out of a fairy tale.

"This is where you'll be staying," Shin Hee Sung said, his voice softening ever so slightly as he took in the beauty of the garden.

Ji Yeon let out a small gasp, her eyes wide with wonder. "This is where we're staying? It's like a palace!"Cheol Su had to admit, even he was impressed by the grandeur of the accommodations. He had expected the Academy to be impressive, but this was beyond anything he could have imagined.

As they walked towards the manor, the sound of trickling water filled the air. To their right, a small stream snaked its way through the garden, winding past a stone bridge. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a warm light on the scene.

"Your rooms are inside the manor," Shin Hee Sung said, leading them towards the front entrance.As they approached the front door, Cheol Su couldn't help but notice that it was carved with symbols he didn't recognize. He reached out to touch one of the symbols, and it seemed to shimmer under his fingers.

"This is called arcane script," Shin Hee Sung said, seeing Cheol Su's curiosity. "It's used to cast protective enchantments. This entire Academy is covered with them, for the safety of our students and staff."

Ji Yeon looked around, amazed at the level of security. The inside of the manor was just as luxurious as the outside, with walls covered in rich tapestries and paintings, and floors made of polished marble.

Shin Hee Sung led them through the foyer and into a long corridor, lined with doors on either side. "The rooms for students and their siblings are down this hall," he said.

As they walked, Ji Yeon noticed that the doors seemed to be labeled with different symbols, much like the ones on the front door. "What do those mean?" she asked, pointing to the nearest door.Shin Hee Sung paused, his face taking on a slightly more animated expression. "These are sigils, markings that represent different powers and abilities," he explained. "Each room has been enchanted with a sigil to help the Evolver within learn to control their abilities better."

He stopped before a door marked with a symbol that looked like a swirling flame. "This is your room, Evolver Cheol Su," he said, pushing open the door to reveal a spacious suite with a large, four-poster bed and a balcony that overlooked the gardens.As Cheol Su stepped into the room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. After the whirlwind of emotions he had felt since discovering his abilities, it was nice to have a moment of peace.

Ji Yeon, who had followed her brother into the room, let out a small laugh. "I can't believe we're staying here! It's like something out of a dream."

Shin Hee Sung nodded, his face returning to its usual stoic expression. "Indeed. I will allow you some time to settle in. Your orientation with the Dean will begin tomorrow morning."With that, Shin Hee Sung turned and left the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click.

Cheol Su let out a sigh, taking in his surroundings. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago, he had been living a completely different life. Now, he was in the midst of a world he barely understood, surrounded by people with incredible powers.

Ji Yeon, sensing her brother's thoughts, put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Oppa. You're going to do great here. You always do."Ji Yeon's enthusiasm was palpable, her voice practically bubbling over with excitement. "I can't believe we're here, Oppa! This is the chance of a lifetime. You're going to become an amazing Evolver, I know it. And I'm going to make a lot of new friends, too."

She looked around the room, her eyes sparkling. "And have you seen this place? It's incredible. I bet there's so much to explore."

Cheol Su smiled at his sister's infectious energy. "You're right, Ji Yeon. Cheol Su nodded, his expression becoming more serious. "Speaking of exploring, we should probably unpack. Can you help me bring our things in from the car?"

Ji Yeon, ever the dutiful little sister, nodded immediately. "Of course, Oppa! I can do that."

Together, they made their way back to the entrance of the manor, retrieving their bags and boxes from Shin Hee Sung's vehicle. As they lugged their belongings back inside, Cheol Su took a moment to consider the enormity of their situation.With each step, the weight of the bags seemed to increase, but not from the physical effort alone. The bags were heavy with the expectations and responsibilities that awaited Cheol Su and Ji Yeon at the Evolution Academy.

The siblings carried their things back to Cheol Su's suite, setting the bags down in the large, airy bedroom. Cheol Su opened a window, letting in the cool night air and the sound of crickets chirping in the garden below.

As Ji Yeon began unpacking their belongings, she looked up at her brother."Oppa, what are you thinking about?" Ji Yeon asked, her voice quiet in the stillness of the room.

Cheol Su took a deep breath, staring out at the moonlit gardens. "I'm thinking about our future, Ji Yeon. About what's to come. We've been given an amazing opportunity, but with that comes a lot of responsibility."

Ji Yeon nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I know, Oppa. It's a lot to take in. But we'll be okay, won't we? We have each other."Cheol Su smiled, placing a hand on his sister's shoulder. "That's right, Ji Yeon. We have each other. And we have the Academy, and the other Evolvers who will become our classmates and friends. I'm sure we'll find our way."

As he said these words, he felt a renewed sense of determination and hope. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he was confident in his and Ji Yeon's abilities to face them head-on.

"Come on, let's finish unpacking," he said, picking up another bag.As Cheol Su and Ji Yeon continued to unpack their belongings, a sense of familiarity and comfort started to settle over them. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, they were still together, still a family.

After they finished unpacking, Cheol Su went to the closet and pulled out a photo frame. It was a picture of him and Ji Yeon when they were younger, their faces full of laughter and mischief.

He placed the frame on a shelf in the room, gazing at it for a moment. "That's better," he said, a wistful smile on his face. Ji Yeon smiled as well, her eyes shining with a mixture of nostalgia and excitement. "It really is, Oppa. It makes this place feel more like home already."

She turned to him, her expression serious. "Speaking of home, if only Mom and Dad could see us now they would be proud."

Cheol Su nodded, but he could see the sadness in her eyes. He knew that even though they didn't have parents, they still had a strong bond with each other and with their memories of their parents.

He placed a hand on his sister's shoulder. "We may not have Mom and Dad with us anymore, but we still have each other. "And we'll have the people we meet here at the Academy," Cheol Su continued, "who might become like a family to us."

Ji Yeon's expression brightened a little at this thought. "You're right, Oppa. Maybe we can even make new traditions and holidays for ourselves here at the Academy. We can have our own special days to celebrate with our new friends and classmates."

Cheol Su smiled. "That's a great idea, Ji Yeon. Maybe we could start with a 'welcome to the Academy' celebration for ourselves." Later that evening, Cheol Su and Ji Yeon enjoyed their small "welcome to the Academy" celebration, complete with snacks, drinks, and a hearty conversation about all the new experiences they were going to have.

When the celebration came to an end, Cheol Su stepped out onto the balcony, alone with his thoughts. The stars twinkled overhead, and the night breeze brought a chill that bit into his skin.

He stood there, staring at the night sky, feeling the weight of everything that had happened. As Cheol Su stood there, he couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty. The Academy was a completely different world from what he was used to, and he wasn't sure if he could blend in.

The Evolvers here were the elite, the strongest and most talented of their generation. Cheol Su was confident in his abilities, but he still felt out of place.

And then there was the Dean's request that he keep his true power a secret. He wasn't sure he understood the reasons behind it, but he knew it was important. The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. What if he couldn't keep his secret? What if he couldn't control his abilities? What if the other Evolvers didn't accept him?

Cheol Su leaned against the balcony railing, breathing in deeply. He had to stay strong, for Ji Yeon's sake if not for his own. He had to prove that he belonged here, that he was worthy of the opportunity that had been given to him.

But even as he tried to reassure himself, he couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming. Something that would change everything.