The towering gates of the Capital City loomed closer as the candidates approached, their hearts pounding with excitement and nerves. The guards at the entrance, clad in polished armor, barely spared them a glance as Ardyn presented the necessary documents for passage.
As they stepped through the gates, the city unfolded before them—a vibrant sprawl of stone streets, bustling markets, towering buildings, and rivers of people flowing in every direction. Merchants shouted from their stalls, children darted through the crowds, and the air was thick with the scents of spices, baked goods, and metal.
Kael's eyes widened. "This place... it's alive."
Ryn nodded slowly, his hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of his sword.
Eryon took it all in—the sheer scale, the energy, the possibilities.
Ardyn gathered them at a small square near the entrance.
"Today," he announced, "you will rest. Lodging has already been arranged. Explore a little if you wish, but stay close to the southern districts. Tomorrow at dawn, we depart for the Academy. It lies a few kilometers to the north, isolated from the city's chaos."
The candidates followed Ardyn to a modest but comfortable inn near the edge of the southern market, grateful for a soft bed and a hot meal.
That night, for the first time in weeks, they slept soundly.
Elsewhere in the city, under the muted glow of streetlamps, Alice Dawnmere made her way through the crowded streets toward a grand estate.
Upon reaching the massive iron gates, servants immediately rushed to greet her, bowing deeply.
"Welcome home, Young Miss," one of them said, leading her into the mansion.
Alice walked through the polished marble halls until she reached a private parlor where a regal woman awaited her—her mother.
"You've returned," Lady Dawnmere said with a faint smile, setting aside a cup of tea.
Alice bowed respectfully before sitting across from her.
"How was the journey?" her mother asked, studying her carefully.
"Challenging," Alice admitted, her voice measured.
Lady Dawnmere nodded approvingly. "Good. It will harden you."
Alice hesitated for a moment, then asked, "And father?"
Lady Dawnmere's expression softened slightly.
"He is still at the Academy," she replied. "Busy with the recruitment process. They say this year's candidates are exceptionally strong. He has been overseeing every detail personally."
Alice lowered her gaze briefly, absorbing the information.
"You must do well," her mother added, her voice firmer now. "The competition will be fierce. Your father's expectations are high."
Alice bowed her head in silent acknowledgment.
Tomorrow, everything would truly begin.