The carriage stopped. The ornate door opened, showing the grand entrance of Verdant Edge Academy. A man in a fine suit looked at Elric. He did not smile.
The man said,
Your father has paid for your first year. After that, you are on your own. Do not bring shame to the Vale name.
Elric nodded. He stepped out of the carriage onto the stone path. He wore simple clothes, not the silks of a noble. He carried a single leather bag. The carriage door shut behind him and it rolled away without a second look.
Other students walked past him. They were in groups, laughing and talking. Faint lights of red, blue, and green glowed around their bodies. They were the signs of their Cores. Elric had no light. He was just a boy standing alone.
He reached into his pocket and touched a small steel pendant. It was shaped like a hammer. The blacksmith who raised him had made it. The man was more of a father than his real one.
A loud bell rang across the campus. All the new students walked toward a large central building. Elric followed them.
Inside was a great hall with a high ceiling. Hundreds of students stood waiting. At the front was a raised stage. On the stage was a polished stone pedestal with a large, clear crystal on top.
An old man in long robes stood on the stage. He was Headmaster Valerius.
Valerius spoke. His voice was loud and clear.
Welcome to Verdant Edge Academy. Today, we will confirm your Core and assign your class. Your Core is your destiny. It is your strength. Step forward when your name is called and place your hand upon the Awakening Crystal.
He picked up a long scroll.
Leo Martell.
A boy with proud shoulders walked to the stage. He placed his hand on the crystal. A bright blue light filled the crystal and pulsed outward.
Valerius announced,
Blue Core. Magic affinity. You are assigned to B-class.
The students clapped. The boy named Leo smiled and walked to the side.
The headmaster called more names. A girl with a Red Core was assigned to C-class. A boy with a Green Core went to B-class. The applause was polite for each.
Then, the headmaster called a new name.
Silas Dorne.
A tall boy with blond hair walked to the stage. He moved with confidence. Before he even touched the crystal, a faint golden light shimmered around him. He placed his hand on it. A brilliant gold light erupted from the crystal, shining across the entire hall.
The students gasped. Whispers filled the room.
A Gold Core.
He is a true elite.
Valerius smiled widely.
A Gold Core. A rare talent. You are assigned to A-class.
Silas gave a small, proud nod and left the stage.
The list went on. Finally, the headmaster paused. He looked down at the last name on the scroll with a strange expression.
Elric Vale.
The hall went quiet. The name 'Vale' was a famous noble name. Everyone turned to look for him. Elric walked forward from the back of the crowd. He moved calmly, his face showing nothing.
He reached the stage and stood before the crystal. He placed his hand on its smooth, cool surface.
Nothing happened.
The crystal remained dark. The hall was completely silent.
Headmaster Valerius frowned.
Try again, boy. Focus your energy.
Elric did not move his hand. He did not have any energy to focus. He just waited. The crystal was still dark.
Valerius's frown deepened. He stepped back and looked at the crowd. His voice was cold.
No Core.
The silence broke. Students started whispering to each other.
No Core? Is that possible?
A Vale with no Core. What a disgrace.
He is a Blank. A cursed one.
Elric took his hand from the crystal. He looked at the headmaster, then at the watching students. Their faces showed pity, disgust, or amusement. He felt nothing. He had expected this.
Valerius picked up a final piece of paper.
Class assignments are now complete. For Elric Vale… F-class.
He handed Elric a small, worn map. The gesture was dismissive.
Elric took the map and walked off the stage. No one clapped. No one looked him in the eye. He was an outcast.
He followed the map away from the grand central buildings. He passed stone halls for A-class and sturdy brick buildings for B and C-class. The path became dirt. It led to a small, old wooden building at the very edge of the campus. A faded sign read 'F-Class Dormitory'.
He pushed the door open. The room inside was loud. Several students were scattered around. Two were in the middle of an arm-wrestling match on a crude wooden table.
A big student with messy red hair slammed his opponent's hand down.
Ha! I win again!
He looked up and saw Elric standing at the door. The red-haired boy grinned. He had a friendly face.
Hey, a new face! Welcome to the scrap heap.
He walked over and offered a large hand.
Name's Garen Flint. You must be the other F-classer.
Elric looked at Garen's hand, then met his eyes. He shook it.
Elric Vale.
Garen's grin grew wider.
Elric Vale. The famous Coreless noble. I heard the whole hall talking. Don't worry about them. We're all rejects here. At least it's never boring.
Elric said nothing, but he gave a small, almost invisible nod. For the first time that day, someone had spoken to him without scorn.