The sun had barely touched the horizon when their guide's voice stirred them from sleep.
"Wake up. We're almost there."
Ellian blinked, lifting his head. The others slowly stirred—Keon mumbled something, Tamir yawned with his eyes still shut, and Lynnea rolled over with a groan.
But Rielle was already awake.
She sat near the edge of the wagon, posture perfect, legs crossed, reading a small black-bound book.
Keon rubbed his eyes, watching her for a moment. "You like books, huh?"
Lynnea snorted without lifting her head. "That's kind of obvious."
Keon shrugged. "Right, right. Anyway—today's the day! We're finally gonna see the Academy!"
Astelle smiled, adjusting her hair as she glanced toward Ellian. "Ellian, how are you feeling?"
He met her eyes, returning the smile.
"I'm… not sure I feel the excitement just yet," he said honestly, then paused. "But I feel good. Better than ever, actually."
The wagon rolled to a gradual stop.
Their guide jumped down first. "We've arrived."
Excitement buzzed in the air as they stepped out one by one.
What lay before them was unlike anything they had imagined.
Towering spires pierced the sky, their sharp silver peaks glowing in the early morning light. A vast, grand building stretched wide with high arched windows, stone walkways, and lush greenery surrounding every path. The gates were open, but beyond them—crowds. Dozens, maybe hundreds of students. All new. All excited.
The noise was overwhelming.
Their guide gathered the six of them and led them toward a long registration tent lined with stone counters and attendants in deep blue robes.
"Form a line. State your name and origin," one of the attendants said.
Astelle stepped forward first. "Astelle Marwen. From Thornebrook Village."
Next came Keon. "Keon Varell. Same village."
Then Tamir. "Tamir Elen."
Lynnea. "Lynnea Solven."
Rielle said her full name calmly, without hesitation. "Rielle Ancarin."
Finally, Ellian stepped forward. "Ellian…"
The woman behind the counter looked up. "Surname?"
Ellian hesitated.
Astelle stepped in gently. "He doesn't remember anything beyond his first name. But… he's from our village too."
The woman gave a small nod and scribbled something onto the parchment. "Ellian of Thornebrook it is."
With that done, they were ushered through the main gate and into the Grand Hall — a massive indoor auditorium with a polished marble floor, high stained glass windows, and tiered rows of seating. The five of them found a spot together and sat down, eyes still darting around the space in awe.
Except Rielle.
She had already vanished into the crowd.
"Did she wander off?" Keon asked, glancing around.
Astelle shook her head. "Maybe she saw someone she knew."
"I didn't think she knew anyone," Lynnea muttered.
Still, none of them pressed the matter. There was too much to take in.
"Look at this place," Tamir whispered. "It's incredible."
Ellian said nothing. His eyes were fixed on the stage.
A bell rang—deep, powerful. Its chime echoed through the hall, silencing the crowd.
Then a man walked onto the stage.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a high-collared coat of midnight black with silver trim. His dark gray hair was combed back, revealing sharp eyes that seemed to study the crowd like a hawk. Despite his age, his posture was perfectly straight, and his presence made the room go completely still.
"Welcome," he said, voice deep and calm. "My name is Alkard, Headmaster of this Academy."
Whispers stirred through the room. Some recognized the name.
"I see faces from many places. Some hopeful. Some unsure. That is natural. This Academy is not just a place of learning. It is where potential is forged into purpose. Some of you will leave stronger. Some will not return at all."
He paused. The silence was heavy.
"Magic, ability, strategy, discipline. We demand all of it. And in return, we offer one thing—the path to power and truth."
He took one step forward.
"Tomorrow, you will face your first trial. Tonight, rest. Forget home. Forget comfort. Begin your future here."
With a nod, he stepped off the stage and disappeared behind the curtain.
The murmuring resumed instantly.
Another person came onto the stage — a woman with short red hair, sharp eyes, and a smooth, practiced voice.
"I am Vice Headmaster Silra Naim, and I will be coordinating this year's entrance trials."
She raised a hand and motioned toward the side of the stage. One by one, professors stepped forward. Each introduced themselves with a bow or short sentence:
"I am Professor Tovel, History and Strategy."
"Professor Nymira, Elemental Combat."
"Professor Haldran, Beast Studies."
"Professor Lienne, Void and Flow."
"Professor Thorne, Field Operations."
Ellian blinked at the last one. Something about that name stirred something again—faint and hollow. He pushed it down.
Once the introductions were over, the five of them were led out into the main courtyard.
"That was intense," Keon muttered, still buzzing. "Did you hear what Alkard said? Some won't return?!"
"It's just to scare us," Tamir offered.
"I don't think he was joking," Lynnea said under her breath.
Their guide returned, motioning for them to follow. He led them through the branching paths and buildings of the Academy grounds.
"The dorms are separated by wing," he explained. "Males to the west. Females to the east."
When they stopped, Astelle smiled. "Guess we'll see each other later?"
"Yeah," Keon nodded. "Don't get lost."
"You either."
They waved briefly before parting ways.
Ellian, Keon, and Tamir entered their dormitory. It was quiet, with polished floors and three beds lined up against one wall, each with a small chest and table.
Keon immediately flopped onto his mattress. "Finally."
Tamir started unpacking.
Ellian sat on his bed, leaning back on his elbows. His gaze lingered on the ceiling.
"Tomorrow's the entrance trial," he said. "We have to pass it."
Silence followed.
No one argued.
They all understood.
After settling in, Ellian, Keon, and Tamir stepped out for a walk. The academy grounds were vast, and the boys found themselves wandering into the gardens behind the dormitory. Tall trees cast shifting shadows over winding stone paths, and the air was filled with the scent of unfamiliar flowers.
"So... what do you guys think of the professors?" Tamir asked, hands behind his head.
Keon laughed. "The headmaster's something else. That stare could make rocks apologize."
"Alkard, right?" Ellian said quietly. "He had this… presence."
"Yeah, and did you see that professor with the mask?" Tamir added. "Creepy, but cool. I think he teaches theory or illusions or something."
They strolled through the garden a while longer, the shade and wind making it feel like time had slowed. Eventually, the bell rang, faint and distant.
"Lunch?" Keon suggested.
"Let's go," Ellian nodded.
The cafeteria was a short walk from both dorms. It was spacious and bright, with rows of wooden tables and glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The boys picked up their trays and found a spot near the window. As they ate, Keon and Tamir kept chattering excitedly about how "freaking amazing" the Academy was.
Then it happened.
Six students walked up to their table. Their uniforms were slightly modified — signs of confidence, maybe even arrogance. The one in the center stood out immediately. His arms were crossed, and his gaze fixed on Ellian.
"So, you're the one who doesn't remember anything, huh?" the boy smirked.
Keon blinked. "Hey, how do you even know that?"
"One of my guys overheard you earlier," the boy said, jerking his thumb at a lanky kid behind him. "So what?"
"So what?" Keon stood up, frowning. "So what if he lost his memory? Doesn't give you a right to mock him. And who even are you to just walk up like that?"
The guy narrowed his eyes. "Watch your mouth. I wasn't talking to you, was I? Unless you're begging for a—"
"Let's go," Ellian said suddenly, standing up and placing his tray down. "Lunch is almost over. We can walk around after."
"Agreed," Tamir said, rising as well.
"What, you ignoring me now?" the boy snapped.
Ellian turned, his voice calm but cold. "Change the way you speak, and maybe people won't ignore you."
The boy's expression twisted with anger. Without warning, he lunged at Ellian, aiming a punch at his face.
But Ellian didn't flinch.
He tilted his head slightly — and the punch whooshed past, missing him entirely. The motion was effortless. Elegant.
Everyone nearby froze in shock.
Just then, Astelle rushed over. "What's going on here?"
Ellian turned to her, his tone even. "Nothing. Everything's fine." He looked back at Keon and Tamir. "Let's go."
Keon, still stunned, nodded slowly.
They dropped off their trays in silence and exited into the open air.
Tamir let out a breath. "Okay… not really in the mood to walk anymore. Let's just go back."
"Yeah," Keon agreed. "Let's head to the room."
Back in their dorm, the three of them dropped onto their beds. The room was simple but clean, with large windows and plenty of space.
After a moment, Keon turned toward Ellian. "How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Dodge that punch! He was right in front of you, and you just… moved. Like it was nothing."
Ellian stared up at the ceiling, thoughtful. "I don't know. It just… happened. My body reacted before I even thought about it."
"That was wild," Tamir muttered. "You sure you've never fought before?"
"No idea," Ellian replied, still frowning slightly. "It was instinct, I guess."
They talked for a little while longer, but soon the day caught up with them. Tamir and Keon fell asleep easily, but Ellian stayed awake. Lying in the dark, his thoughts returned to that moment — the punch, the way he moved, the feeling in his chest.
It hadn't been fear.
It had been… familiar.
Eventually, even he drifted into sleep.