Seven Stars Calendar 1203, early spring.
After the turmoil of Crossbell's independence and the Empire's civil war, a new year had arrived once more. Compared to the turbulent year of 1202, this year seemed to be one for recuperation and a fresh start.
Meanwhile, the new students of Semlian United Academy had finally arrived in Crossbell.
"So this is the Starlight Tower..."
Standing in the sunlit plaza and looking up at the colossal structure soaring into the clouds before her, Elise unconsciously clasped her hands to her chest. She had long heard rumors of the Starlight Tower through various channels, but only upon truly coming here and witnessing it with her own eyes could she deeply understand just how magnificent and spectacular it was.
"Only when standing here can one truly feel how tiny and how great humanity is."
At the same time, Princess Alfin walked over as well. She gazed at the tower before her with a complicated expression and sighed softly.
"We are so tiny, tiny enough to be like grains of sand. Yet humanity is also so great that we can construct such a miracle... In a sense, doesn't this tower represent humanity's glory?"
As she spoke, Alfin smiled brightly at Elise, who nodded gently.
"Yes, Princess Alfin."
Elise withdrew her gaze and looked around. Besides the exchange students from the Erebonian Empire, there were also girls from other countries. Though she did not know where they came from, their uniforms made it clear that, like herself, they were students of Semlian United Academy.
Everyone was currently standing in the plaza outside the Starlight Tower, though there was still some distance between them. The six from the Erebonian Empire formed the largest group, while the others stood in twos and threes nearby, each forming their own small