{Status Window}
Name: Cael Ardentis
Age:16
Level: 1
Rank: D
Gift: Infinite Eyes: [Eye of Space],[Eye of Power]
Affinities: Space
Bloodline: Eternal Convergence
Class: None
Talent: Absolute Assimilation
Attributes:
Strength: D-
Agility: D-
Endurance: D
Intelligence: C-
Vitality: D
Mana: D
Luck: A
Skills:
[Transcendental Swordsmanship] (E+)
[Void Flash] (F)
[Space Bind] (F)
[Dominance Aura] (F)
I study the floating screen, a slow smile spreading across my face. The Eye of Power has pushed my physical attributes well beyond what they were before. I'm still nowhere near the level of that masked bastard or the Heroes, but this is progress.
"From near-death to D-rank in most attributes," I murmur. "Not bad for an orphan who got pushed off a cliff."
{The growth rate is indeed remarkable} Odin comments. {With continued training at Valefort Academy, your progression should accelerate significantly}
The digital display vanishes, and I lean back against the pillows, mind racing with possibilities. For the first time since waking up in this world, I feel something like genuine excitement building in my chest.
"An actual academy," I whisper to myself. "Away from that hellhole orphanage."
Since transmigrating into this body, I've been trapped in Ashwood Haven's stone walls, knowing nothing about the wider world except from fragments of conversation and the rare book. Now I'll finally see what this world's truly about—its magic, civilizations, and just how powerful people can become.
A sharp knock interrupts my thoughts. The door slides open, and Selia glides in, a bundle of dark fabric in her arms. Her shadow follows her movements like an attentive pet, occasionally stretching ahead as if scouting the room.
"Here's your clothes." She tosses them onto the foot of my bed with a wry smile. "Sorry for all the black. That's all we have right now."
I finger the fabric—simple but sturdy. Far better than the threadbare clothes from Ashwood.
"Also" she continues, leaning against the wall, "the higher-ups have approved your request to attend Valefort. It was a bit hard to convince them, but since you can use spatial magic, it made things easier." She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "Though they do have a condition."
I raise an eyebrow. "What's the condition?"
"After you graduate, you must spend a minimum of two years with the Heroic Corps." She shrugs, shadow mimicking the gesture. "That way they get profit from their investment. Don't you think? They can't just send you there without getting anything in return."
"I thought it was a free gift." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.
Selia laughs, a musical sound that fills the sterile room. "Well, Valefort isn't just any academy. Only the elite of the elite go there. The Heroic Corps, thanks to the agreement between the five great noble houses, Valefort, and us, can sponsor an awakener and send them as a transfer cadet. That's why, even though it's already been a month since the academy started, we can still send someone."
I frown, thinking. "Wait, why haven't you guys sent anyone in yet?"
She sighs, her shadow darkening slightly. "Well, the last few we've sent have been duds. Barely passed D-rank. So the higher-ups want to make sure they send someone with potential—someone that can bring up the prestige of the Heroic Corps." She straightens her posture. "That's why sending someone that can use something as rare as spatial magic is good enough."
Her eyes narrow slightly. "This really isn't any of your business, but the Heroic Corps are losing leverage in the Human Domain. With the strength of the five great houses and the influence of the academy, we're starting not to be taken as seriously."
I can't help but smirk. "But those Shadow Cult guys seemed scared of you."
A sly grin spreads across her face. "Well, of course they are. We're A-rankers after all. Not many of us in the Human Domain."
Human Domain? Does that mean there are other domains with different races? I file the question away for later. No point revealing my ignorance about basic world knowledge.
I consider the condition silently. Two years tied to the Heroic Corps doesn't sit well with me. I've had enough of being controlled at Ashwood Haven. But with the Infinite Eyes and the system, it should only be a matter of time before I unlock all the eyes. Then no one will be able to control me.
"Fine," I say finally. "Two years with the Heroic Corps after graduation. I accept."
A wide smile spreads across Selia's face as she claps her hands together, her shadow mimicking the gesture a split second later.
"Great! We'll reach the teleport station in a few hours, so I'll send in the nurse to get you when you're ready." She bounces toward the exit, her shadow seeming to dance alongside her. "I'll let you rest. See you!"
The door closes behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts and Odin's silent presence.
I wait until the door closes behind Selia before letting out a long breath.
{She seems quite lively} Odin comments in my mind.
"Yeah, she does," I laugh to myself. Hard to believe someone that cheerful is an A-rank hero who can manipulate shadows like living weapons. "Anyways, I need to start preparing for Valefort. First thing I need to know is the history of this world."
I sit up straighter on the bed, wincing slightly at the lingering soreness in my ribs. "Odin, open the Archive and bring up the historic records."
{Accessing Warlock's Archive: Historical Records}
A translucent blue interface materializes before me, folders and texts organized in neat categories. The display pulses softly, waiting for my input.
{Where would you like to start?} Odin asks.
"Tell me about the geography first. Let's get a basic understanding of this world."
{Displaying geographical overview of Aethernia}
The interface shifts, revealing a detailed three-dimensional map floating before me. Continents and oceans render in brilliant color, with glowing boundaries marking different territories.
{Aethernia is divided into five major domains} Odin begins. {The Human Domain occupies approximately 30% of the world's habitable land mass and consists of four kingdoms: Valeria in the west, Eidengard to the east, Varnhold in the north, and Syr'Nara in the south.}
The map zooms in, highlighting each kingdom in turn. Valeria glows with bright blue energy signatures—clearly the most technologically advanced of the four.
{Valeria, where Valefort Academy is located, is the dominant political and technological power. They've developed a sophisticated blend of magic and technology, creating mana-enhanced infrastructure, transportation, and weapons systems. Their cities feature floating districts and arcane-powered facilities.}
I lean forward, studying the floating spires and rail systems connecting Valeria's major cities.
{Eidengard is a more traditional kingdom with strong emphasis on chivalric orders and bloodline Gifts. Varnhold serves as the primary defensive buffer against Beast Domain incursions, while Syr'Nara functions as a neutral trade hub with significant spiritual practices.}
The map shifts again, revealing vast wilderness beyond the Human Domain's borders.
{The Beast Domain comprises roughly 40% of the world's land mass. It's inhabited by Mana Beasts of increasing rank and danger. These creatures range from F-rank Forest Wolves to SSS-rank Calamity Beasts capable of destroying entire cities.}
My eyes widen as images of various beasts flash across the screen—creatures far more terrifying than the Bloodfang Direwolf I'd faced.
{The Demon Domain exists behind what's called the Obsidian Veil—a magical barrier created after the Mana Wars. This realm contains abyssal entities, corrupted landscapes, and dimensional rifts. Most human expeditions beyond the Veil don't return.}
The map rotates to show two more regions.
{The Elf Domain consists of hidden forest territories where elven societies maintain a deep connection to natural mana flows. Their cities are camouflaged within living forests and possess advanced nature-based magic systems.}
{Finally, the Dwarf Domain encompasses vast mountain ranges and underground networks. Dwarven societies excel in runic engineering, artifact creation, and geomancy.}
I sit back, overwhelmed by the scale and complexity. Five entire domains, countless cultures, magic systems beyond anything I'd imagined.
"So Valefort Academy is in Valeria," I murmur, focusing on my immediate future. "What exactly is this academy?"
{Valefort Academy is considered the premier institution for awakened individuals in the Human Domain. It's built on a floating island that teleports to different locations for security reasons. The academy produces most elite Awakeners who go on to become Heroes, Noble Guard members, or independent powers.}
I nod slowly, a smile forming on my lips. "That's where I need to be."
"Now I need to know about Aetherina's history," I say, leaning forward with anticipation. "Specifically, how did Gifts come to be? I need to understand what I'm dealing with."
{Accessing historical archives: Origin of Awakeners and Gifts}
The holographic display shifts again, the map dissolving into a timeline that stretches across my field of vision. Images of ancient civilizations, magical phenomena, and cataclysmic events hover in the air.
{Approximately 1,200 years ago, Aethernia experienced what historians call the First Awakening} Odin begins, his metallic voice taking on a more formal tone. {Before this event, magic existed in rudimentary forms—simple spells, minor enchantments, and basic alchemy. The world was dominated by mundane civilizations with technology comparable to your Earth's medieval period.}
The timeline shows peaceful settlements, primitive tools, and basic infrastructure—not unlike the simplest parts of Ashwood Haven.
{Then, the dimensional veils thinned} Odin continues as the display shows a massive surge of blue-white energy washing across the world. {Scholars debate whether this was a natural cosmic phenomenon or the result of ancient experimentation. What's certain is that raw arcane energy flooded the world, saturating the land, air, water, and all living beings with mana.}
The images shift to show widespread devastation—cities in ruins, forests withering, oceans churning with unnatural storms.
{Most living creatures perished immediately or suffered painful mutations. However, a small percentage of humans and other sentient races survived the initial surge. Among these survivors, an even smaller number underwent a profound transformation—their bodies and souls adapted to channel the new energy. These individuals manifested unique supernatural abilities tied to their physical bodies, souls, or bloodlines. They became known as the first Awakeners, or the Gifted.}
I watch, fascinated, as the display shows figures glowing with various colored auras, each demonstrating different abilities—fire manipulation, enhanced strength, flight, mental powers.
{The early decades after the First Awakening were chaotic. With no understanding of their powers and no systems to regulate them, many early Awakeners caused immense destruction. Some became warlords, others guardians. Communities formed around powerful Awakeners who could offer protection.}
The timeline advances, showing the formation of new settlements, emerging hierarchies, and early battles between Gifted individuals.
{This period gave way to the Mana Wars—centuries of conflict as Awakeners struggled for dominance. Kingdoms rose and fell within decades. Artifacts of immense power were created and destroyed. The very landscape was reshaped by battles between S-rank and higher Awakeners.}
Images of devastating magical confrontations flash across the display—mountains shattered, cities reduced to ash, entire regions transformed into wastelands.
{The wars might have continued indefinitely if not for the Demon Domain's emergence. Approximately 800 years ago, the concentrated mana and constant magical warfare weakened reality itself. Rifts formed between dimensions, allowing abyssal entities—what we now call demons—to enter Aethernia.}
The display shows horrifying creatures pouring through tears in reality, their forms warped and unnatural, radiating corruption.
{Faced with extinction, the fractured realms formed a desperate alliance. Humans, Elves, and Dwarves united to push back the demonic incursion. This period, known as the Unification War, lasted nearly a century and resulted in the creation of the Obsidian Veil—a massive magical barrier containing the Demon Domain.}
I watch as armies of different races combine their powers, creating massive ritual circles that eventually form a dark, shimmering wall across a vast territory.
{In the aftermath, the survivors established the modern power systems. Academies were built to train young Awakeners to control their Gifts. The Heroic Corps and similar organizations emerged to maintain order. Gift and combat ranks were standardized, creating the F to SSS classification system still used today.}
The timeline accelerates, showing the development of cities, governance structures, and technological advancement.
{Today, approximately one in ten thousand people manifest Gifts—innate, unique supernatural abilities that cannot be taught or transferred. A larger percentage develop Talents—enhanced cognitive abilities, improved mana recovery, or specialized affinities. Almost anyone can learn to manipulate mana to some degree, though most remain at F or E rank without special training or innate potential.}
I stare at the display for a long moment after Odin finishes, my mind racing. So this world went through its own apocalypse, and the survivors evolved into something beyond normal humans.
"So where does the Warlock fit into all this?" I ask, leaning back against the pillows. My fingers trace the iron ring—still impossible to remove—feeling its smooth, cool texture. "You know, the guy whose legacy I apparently inherited."
The holographic display flickers, reorganizing into a new configuration. A portrait materializes—a man with sharp features, piercing eyes, and an easy smile that somehow doesn't diminish the power radiating from his gaze.
{Aurelian Solvaris, known throughout history as 'The Warlock,' emerged approximately 200 years ago} Odin begins, his metallic voice taking on a hint of reverence. {He was born to unremarkable parents in a small Valerian village, but manifested an SS-rank Gift at age seven—an unprecedented event that immediately drew attention from the Heroic Corps and noble houses.}
The display shifts to show a young boy surrounded by officials in ornate robes.
{At age twelve, he became the youngest student ever admitted to Valefort Academy. By seventeen, he had mastered seventeen different magical disciplines, breaking all previous academic records. Upon graduation, he was immediately recruited by the Heroic Corps, where he quickly rose to become their youngest S-rank operative at just twenty-two.}
Images flash across the screen—a young man in battles against monstrosities that dwarf buildings, facing down hordes of shadowy creatures, standing before crowds of cheering people.
{During what historians call the Era of Calamities, Aurelian faced and defeated seven SSS-rank threats, including three Calamity Beasts and four Abyssal Incursions. He pioneered revolutionary magical theories that transformed our understanding of mana manipulation and dimensional barriers. His writings on spatial magic remain the foundation of all modern teleportation systems.}
I watch, fascinated, as the images show a mature Aurelian manipulating complex magical arrays with casual ease, opening portals between locations, and constructing elaborate ritual circles.
{However, it was his role during the Great Breach that cemented his legendary status} Odin continues. {Approximately 150 years ago, a catastrophic rupture in the Obsidian Veil allowed an SSS-rank dungeon to manifest in the heart of Valeria. The dungeon, later named 'The Devouring Spire,' threatened to consume the entire kingdom.}
The screen shows a massive, twisted structure rising from the ground, pulsing with malevolent energy as darkness spreads from its base.
{After conventional forces failed to contain the threat, Aurelian Solvaris personally entered the dungeon alone. According to official records, he sacrificed himself to seal the breach and destroy the dungeon core, saving millions of lives and preventing what would have been an extinction-level event.}
The image shifts to show a massive explosion of light, followed by celebrations across cities and memorials erected in Aurelian's honor.
{To the world, Aurelian Solvaris died a hero that day. His body was never recovered. A grand memorial stands in Valeria's capital, and his name is taught to every child in the Human Domain.}
I nod slowly, beginning to understand. "But he didn't actually die, did he? He went into seclusion and set up that library I found."
{Correct. According to the partial memories embedded in the legacy, Aurelian Solvaris did indeed survive the Great Breach, though severely wounded. He realized that greater threats were emerging—threats that conventional power alone couldn't overcome. He retreated from public life to pursue deeper knowledge and prepare for future calamities.}
"And part of that preparation was finding someone to inherit his legacy," I murmur, staring at the ring. "Me."
{That appears to be the case. Though the legacy transfer is complete, and many of his memories and capabilities remain locked. The system will gradually unlock more components as you grow stronger and prove yourself worthy.}
I close my eyes, feeling the weight of this revelation. I'm carrying the legacy of possibly the greatest mage this world has ever known—a man who faced down apocalyptic threats and survived.
"No pressure, right?" I laugh weakly, rubbing my temples. "Just carrying the legacy of the greatest mage who ever lived while barely understanding this world."
{Would you like me to continue with more historical context?} Odin asks.
I shake my head. "Actually, Selia mentioned something about five great noble houses. She said they have some kind of agreement with Valefort Academy and the Heroic Corps. What can you tell me about them?"
The holographic display shifts again, this time showing five distinct crests—a sword, a flame, a golden coin, a gravitational spiral, and what looks like a battle hammer.
{The Archive has limited information on the Five Great Noble Houses} Odin admits. {They are notoriously secretive about their internal affairs and actively suppress detailed documentation of their bloodlines and abilities.}
"Tell me what you do know," I press.
{The Five Great Houses predate modern academies, the Heroic Corps, and even the current political structure. Each controls a vital pillar of civilization—war, magic, wealth, force, or weaponry.}
Five portraits appear, showing stern-faced men and women in elaborate attire, each radiating authority and power.
{House Blackthorne, the Blade of the West, specializes in martial combat and swordsmanship. Their bloodline consistently produces warriors with exceptional sword-based Gifts. The current patriarch, Lord Ravon Blackthorne, is an SSS-Rank Awakener.}
I whistle softly. SSS-Rank. That's three levels above the Heroes who saved me.
{House Dray, the Flameborne Lineage, commands fire in all its forms. Their magic is considered the most purely destructive in the Human Domain. Lord Kaedros Dray leads their house.}
{House Everenn, the Gilded Mind, controls the economic and technological foundations of modern society. They own the largest conglomerate in Aethernia and regulate monster core harvesting and refinement. Lady Cylia Everenn serves as matriarch.}
{House Madix, the Force Sovereigns, specializes in gravity and spatial control—though their abilities differ significantly from your Infinite Eyes. They excel in battlefield manipulation and siege warfare. High Warden Saelon Madix currently leads them.}
{Finally, House Kael, the Forgeblood Legacy, represents the fusion of combat and craftsmanship. Their members bond with evolving weapons—living artifacts that grow alongside their wielders. Grandmaster Yurei Kael presides over their domain.}
I absorb this information slowly. "So these houses basically run everything?"
{They exercise significant influence, but there are other power centers} Odin clarifies. {The Grand Magisterium being perhaps the most important.}
"The what?"
{The Grand Magisterium, commonly called the Magic Tower, is the central arcane authority of Aethernia. Unlike kingdoms, corps, or noble houses, it exists outside all political structures—neutral, sovereign, and self-governed. Its purpose is to study, regulate, preserve, and advance all magical knowledge.}
The display shows a massive crystalline structure rising from a mountain peak, surrounded by swirling energy currents.
{The Tower Master, Varnan Zeiros, is an SS-Rank Awakener specializing in psionics and theoretical casting. The Magisterium maintains the Universal Gift Registry, cataloging all known awakened abilities, and certifies all official Arcanists, Formula Mages, and Theoretical Casters.}
"Do they know about the Warlock's legacy?" I ask, suddenly concerned.
{Unlikely. Aurelian Solvaris deliberately concealed his survival and his work. The Archive indicates he had... complicated relations with the Magisterium.}
I lean back, processing everything. The world is so much bigger and more complex than I imagined during my days at Ashwood Haven. Valefort Academy isn't just a school—it's a cornerstone of power in this world, connected to every major faction.
"I need to be careful," I murmur. "If anyone discovers what I carry..."
{Indeed. The legacy of Aurelian Solvaris would be coveted by every major power in Aethernia.}
A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. I quickly dismiss the holographic display with a wave of my hand.
"Come in," I call, straightening my posture.
A petite woman with copper-colored hair and tired eyes pokes her head in.
"Lady Selia sent me to inform you we're approaching the teleport station," she says briskly. "She'd like you ready in ten minutes."
"Okay, sorry. I'll get dressed right away," I answer, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.
The door clicks shut, and I stand cautiously, expecting pain or stiffness. Instead, I find my body responds with surprising ease—no lingering aches from my injuries, no tightness in my muscles.
{Physical assessment complete} Odin chimes in my mind. {Bodily functions at 100% efficiency. Healing progression complete. No remaining injuries detected.}
"Well, that's convenient," I mutter, stretching experimentally. "That's must of been some high-grade healing pill"
I walk to the foot of the bed and grab the clothes Selia left. The fabric is surprisingly soft despite its utilitarian appearance—a simple black t-shirt and matching pants. Nothing fancy, but definitely better quality than anything I'd worn at Ashwood Haven. There's also a pair of sturdy black boots that fit perfectly.
I spot a mirror hanging in the corner of the room and approach it, curious about my appearance. The face that stares back is still somewhat unfamiliar—sharp features, those strange galaxy-blue eyes that seem to shimmer with inner light, and messy white hair that refuses to lie flat no matter how I brush it with my fingers.
"I don't mind the all black," I say, turning slightly to examine the outfit. "It's simple. Not much, just enough."
The clothes fit well, and for the first time since awakening in this world, I look like I belong here rather than some orphan in cast-offs.
I step out of the hospital room to find the nurse waiting patiently in the corridor. She gives me a quick once-over and nods, apparently satisfied with my appearance.
"This way, please," she says, turning on her heel.
I follow her through the gleaming corridors of the hover carrier. Everything is pristine white and silver, with pulsing blue lights marking doorways and junctions. Far cry from the gloomy stone halls of Ashwood.
We arrive at a large open bay where Selia stands by a loading ramp. Through the open doorway, I can see we're docked at some kind of floating platform—the teleport station, presumably. Several other Heroic Corps members bustle about, preparing to disembark.
Selia spots me and waves enthusiastically, her shadow dancing around her feet like an excited pet.
"Ready for your new life?" she calls.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I shrug, adopting an indifferent attitude despite the excitement bubbling beneath the surface. No need to show just how eager I am to leave my old life behind.
Selia looks me up and down with a hand on her chin, appraising me like merchandise at an auction. A slow grin spreads across her face.
"You know, when you're cleaned up, you actually look quite handsome," she says, her shadow shifting playfully at her feet.
The comment catches me off guard. I've never been called handsome before—at least not in this life. For a moment, genuine surprise flickers across my face before I slip back into my casual façade.
"Sorry, I'm not into cougars," I reply with a smirk.
The temperature in the room seems to drop ten degrees instantly. Selia's shadow freezes, then stretches upward like a predator preparing to strike. Her face flushes crimson, and her eyes narrow dangerously.
"Excuse me?" she says, each syllable razor-sharp.
A cold sweat breaks out across my back as I realize my mistake. This woman could probably tear me apart with her shadows before I could blink.
"Nothing," I backpedal quickly. "I just meant you're beautiful. Very beautiful. Did I mention beautiful?"
Selia stares at me for a heartbeat longer, then her expression shifts back to cheerful as if nothing happened. Her shadow settles, once again mimicking her movements like an obedient pet.
"That's what I thought," she says with a bright smile, twirling around and heading toward the exit. "Come on, we don't want to miss our teleport slot!"
I follow her, my heart still pounding. Note to self: never antagonize an A-rank awakener again. Especially not one who can literally control shadows.
{A wise observation} Odin comments dryly in my mind.
As we step off the hover carrier onto the teleport station platform, I freeze, momentarily overwhelmed. The station is massive—a floating structure suspended in mid-air, with no visible supports. Crystalline spires rise from its center, pulsing with mana that shimmers in rainbow hues against the clear sky.
People of all descriptions hurry in every direction—merchants with hovering cargo, families clutching luggage, Heroic Corps members in their distinctive armor. Floating screens display departure times and destinations while announcements echo in multiple languages.
"Wow," I breathe, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. "This looks amazing."
{Fascinating technological implementation} Odin comments. {The mana-conversion efficiency of these teleportation arrays exceeds anything in the Archive's historical records. The integration of crystalline conductors with spatial anchoring suggests significant advancements in the last century.}
Selia watches my reaction with amusement. "First time at a teleport hub, huh? This is actually one of the smaller ones. Wait until you see Central Valeria's Grand Nexus—now that's impressive."
A group of Heroic Corps members walks past, their armor glinting in the sunlight. Some nod respectfully to Selia, while others eye me curiously.
"Come on," Selia says, grabbing my wrist. "Our portal opens in ten minutes, and we need to get through security first. Can't have you missing your first day at Valefort!"
As she drags me through the crowd, I can't help but grin.
Selia leads me through the bustling crowd toward a security checkpoint where a line of travelers wait to be processed. Instead of joining the queue, she marches directly to the front, pulling me alongside her.
"Lady Selia!" The guard snaps to attention, his posture instantly transforming from bored sentinel to attentive soldier. "Welcome back!"
He's dressed in a crisp blue uniform with silver trim, a small insignia on his breast pocket marking him as station security rather than Heroic Corps. The respect in his voice is unmistakable.
"Identification, please," he adds, though the request sounds more like a formality than an actual demand.
Selia reaches into her pocket and extracts a sleek metallic card. She holds it up, and a holographic display projects above it—her name, rank, affiliation, and a rotating 3D image of her face. The card pulses with a soft blue light that seems to verify its authenticity.
"All in order as always, Lady Drayven," the guard says, returning her card. He turns his attention to me, eyes narrowing slightly. "And identification for the young man?"
Before I can respond—not that I have any identification to show—Selia steps between us.
"He's a transfer student for Valefort Academy," she explains, her tone casual but authoritative. "We're handling his documentation on-site. Heroic Corps sponsorship."
The guard hesitates, his eyes flickering from Selia to me. There's an awkward pause as he seems to weigh his options. Following procedure versus crossing an A-Rank Hero.
I watch as his hand subtly moves toward his pocket, and Selia's shadow twitches in response. A moment later, her hand emerges with something that catches the light—a silver coin that she casually flips between her fingers.
"I'm sure we can process him through quickly," she says, her voice honeyed. "The Academy is expecting us, and you know how they get about punctuality."
The guard's eyes follow the coin, and his expression softens. "Of course, Lady Selia. I understand completely." He reaches out, and the coin disappears into his palm. "Let me print your teleportation tickets right away."
{Interesting social dynamic} Odin observes in my mind. {Even official procedures have unofficial bypasses.}
The guard returns moments later with two crystalline cards that shimmer with encoded mana patterns. "Your teleportation tickets. Pod 7 is ready for you now."
"Thank you for your efficiency," Selia says with a wink, taking the tickets and handing one to me.
As we walk away, I glance at the shimmering ticket in my hand. "So that's how the Heroic Corps operates? Bribes and special treatment?"
Selia laughs. "That wasn't a bribe. That was a gratuity for excellent service." She nudges me playfully. "Besides, you don't have identification yet. Would you rather spend three hours in administrative processing?"
We approach a series of crystalline cylinders arranged in a circular pattern around the station's central spire. Each pod glows with different colored light, numbers hovering above them.
"Here we are. Pod 7," Selia says, approaching a cylinder pulsing with emerald light.
She places her ticket against a scanning panel beside the pod. The crystal responds, its glow intensifying as geometric patterns spread across its surface. I follow suit, pressing my ticket to the panel. The same patterns appear, matching the ones on Selia's side.
"First time teleporting?" she asks, noting my hesitation.
I nod, trying to mask my nervousness.
"Just walk through. It feels weird the first time—like your skin is being pulled in all directions at once—but it only lasts a second."
The pod's entrance dilates open, revealing what looks like a wall of shimmering green energy.
"Valefort Academy, here we come," Selia says with a grin, grabbing my wrist.
Before I can prepare myself, she pulls me forward, and together we step into the glowing portal.