Chapter 13: Arrival at Aetherion Academy
The carriage came to a slow stop, the wheels grinding against the cobblestone path, echoing through the crisp air. Aric was the first to step out, his dark eyes sweeping over the massive gates of Aetherion Academy. The iron doors loomed high, towering like a fortress. Golden runes glowed faintly along the surface, their intricate patterns casting long, eerie shadows across the courtyard. Beyond the gates, the sprawling campus stretched like a city of its own — a kingdom of magic and martial prowess.
Aetherion Academy wasn't just a school. It was a world unto itself. The campus was divided into distinct sectors, each with its own purpose and unique atmosphere. The Mage Department dominated the eastern side, a majestic tower that stretched skyward like a spear piercing the heavens. The tower was a living structure, its walls enchanted to whisper arcane secrets to those who could listen. Inside, vast libraries held tomes from every era, while spellcasting chambers resonated with the echoes of incantations. There were alchemical labs where students learned to bend elements to their will, and scrying rooms where one could peer into distant realms.
On the western side stood the Knight Department, a fortress-like complex surrounded by vast training grounds, obstacle courses, and weapon forges. The clang of steel against steel was a constant symphony here, a reminder of the relentless training that molded knights into warriors. Students practiced swordsmanship, spear techniques, and hand-to-hand combat under the stern eyes of veteran instructors. The Knight Department was a place where only the strong survived, where the scent of sweat and the gleam of polished steel filled the air.
Connecting the two departments was the Grand Hall, a magnificent cathedral-like structure that served as a gathering place for all students. The Grand Hall was a marvel of architecture, its ceiling a masterpiece of stained glass depicting epic battles between heroes and mythical beasts. Light poured through the glass, casting vibrant colors across the floor — a living tapestry of past legends. This was where joint combat classes, assemblies, and special events were held, a place where mages and knights clashed and collaborated.
Scattered throughout the campus were various dormitories, each designated for different talent levels. The SS-level talents — the elite prodigies scouted from all over the world — resided in the most luxurious accommodations. These dorms were akin to miniature palaces, complete with private training rooms, meditation chambers, and libraries filled with rare, forbidden texts. Lower-ranked students occupied simpler quarters, but even those were more opulent than the average home in the empires.
The academy's student population was vast, comprised of individuals from all walks of life. While most students hailed from noble families or royal bloodlines, a select few were commoners with exceptional mana potential. These commoners, though fewer in number, often possessed raw, untamed power that rivaled or even surpassed that of the aristocrats. This diversity fostered fierce rivalries, with commoners striving to prove themselves against noble-born prodigies.
There were rumors of secret factions within Aetherion — student groups that operated in the shadows, each with its own agenda. Some sought to accumulate power through alliances, while others aimed to unearth the academy's hidden secrets. The campus was a melting pot of ambition and rivalry, where friendships were forged and broken, and betrayal was as common as the change in the weather.
Aric stepped forward, his eyes gleaming as he took in the sight before him. The very air seemed to pulse with mana, a dense, almost intoxicating aura of power that wrapped around him like a cloak. Here, the world's most gifted individuals would learn to wield their magic, to hone their combat skills, and to claim their place among the legends. Aetherion Academy was not a sanctuary — it was a crucible, a forge where the strongest would rise, and the weak would be ground into dust.
Leon stepped out beside him, his jaw slack with awe. "This… this place is incredible!" he breathed, his eyes darting from one towering spire to another.
Aric remained silent, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of Yoruha beneath his cloak. His gaze was sharp, calculating. This was a battlefield, and he intended to dominate it.
A sudden, powerful presence drew his attention. A figure stood atop the grand staircase, silver hair cascading down his back like a river of moonlight. Clad in silver robes embroidered with golden sigils, the man's eyes gleamed like shards of ice. Seraphiel Valen, the Dean of Aetherion Academy — the most powerful human in existence.
"New arrivals," Seraphiel said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Before you enter these gates, remember — power is not given. It is earned. And here, you will either rise to greatness or be crushed by those stronger than you."
Aric met the Dean's gaze head-on, his expression unreadable. A chill ran down his spine as he glimpsed the depths of Seraphiel's power, an overwhelming presence that seemed to envelop the entire campus. But Aric's eyes remained steady, his mind calculating. The Dean was strong — perhaps the strongest in the world. But even the strongest could fall.
"As first-year students, you will be tested," Seraphiel continued, his gaze shifting to Leon. "Both in body and in mind. Aetherion accepts only the best. Prove your worth, or you will be discarded."
Leon swallowed, his cheerful expression faltering as the weight of the Dean's words sank in. Aric remained still, his jaw clenched. Discarded? Not him. Not ever.
The Dean's presence dissipated as he turned and strode away, his silver robes billowing like a cloak of mist. "Vice Dean Lyra Evercrest will see to your orientation," he called over his shoulder. "Welcome to the battlefield, gentlemen."
From within the Grand Hall, a new figure emerged. Lyra Evercrest, the Vice Dean of the Mage Department, moved toward them. Her emerald eyes gleamed beneath her long, dark hair, her beauty ethereal yet dangerous. Her aura crackled with power, a quiet storm that radiated both grace and lethality.
"Follow me," Lyra said, her voice smooth and cool. "Your induction is about to begin."
Aric and Leon exchanged a glance before stepping forward. The interior of Aetherion Academy was even more breathtaking than the exterior — vast halls adorned with tapestries depicting legendary battles, corridors lined with enchanted torches that flickered with ghostly blue flames, and floors of polished marble that gleamed like mirrors.
But despite the grandeur, Aric's focus remained sharp. He could feel the presence of others — powerful presences, watching, waiting. The SS-level talents. The elite. His competition.
And as they walked deeper into the heart of Aetherion Academy, Aric's heart pounded with anticipation. This was it. The crucible where legends were forged.
And he would ensure that when the fires cooled, he would be the one standing above them all.