Dong… dong…
The deep toll of the clock echoed throughout the entire city.
Its heavy sound descended from the towering height of the Clock Tower, rippling through the air like invisible waves, pressing against the awareness of every living being that heard it. Even those far from the tower felt their breathing unconsciously slow, their hearts tightening for reasons they could not explain.
The horse-drawn carriage advanced at a steady pace, entering the massive stone arch beneath the tower.
The moment the carriage passed under it, Wu Yan felt the change.
The air shifted.
The temperature dropped slightly, coolness brushing against his skin as if the space itself had been cleansed. Currents of wind spiraled gently along the inner curve of the arch, flowing in an unnatural yet harmonious pattern.
His drowsiness vanished.
Wu Yan's gaze lifted instinctively, locking onto the stone carvings above his head.
Lines of engraved stone stretched across the ceiling of the arch, intricate, precise, and unnervingly vivid. In the dim light, the carvings seemed almost alive, as if time itself had been etched into the stone, frozen in eternal motion.
His chest tightened.
Not from fear.
But from awe.
"…Amazing," he murmured under his breath.
The middle-aged man seated beside him smiled faintly, his hands steady on the reins. Without turning his head, he spoke in a flat tone that carried quiet weight.
"Don't stare too long, kid."
Wu Yan turned toward him, confusion flickering across his face.
"Look ahead," the man continued, his voice deeper than before. "What's above your head is only the introduction."
The carriage rolled on, wooden wheels creaking softly against stone.
"What will truly test your resolve…" The man paused, then added, "…you'll see once we leave the tower's shadow."
Wu Yan followed the direction of his gaze.
His heart began to beat faster.
Curiosity and anticipation intertwined as light slowly seeped in from the far end of the arch ahead.
Moments later, the carriage emerged from beneath the tower.
Wu Yan's breath caught.
A colossal wall stood before him.
It was constructed from pale white stone that shimmered with a faint silvery sheen. Its surface was covered in carvings of interwoven wings made of light. From a distance, the patterns merged together, forming the illusion of a single pair of enormous wings spreading wide, rising nearly thirty-five meters high, as if shielding everything behind them from the mortal world.
At the very center stood the main gate.
Tall. Immovable.
Two massive stone doors bore ancient astral symbols, their engravings deep and solemn. Thin streams of golden light flowed between the carvings, pulsing slowly and rhythmically, like the breathing of a living entity.
Yet the wall was not the only thing that commanded attention.
Beyond the gate, silhouettes of towering structures pierced the sky.
White stone towers rose elegantly, some exceeding seventy meters in height. Their peaks reflected the morning sun, radiating a soft luminous aura that enveloped the academy grounds like a sacred veil.
So this is… the Academy of Light Spirit.
The carriage slowed, coming to a stop not far from the academy gate. The sound of wooden wheels scraping against stone echoed faintly as the morning breeze brushed across Wu Yan's face.
He took a long breath.
Then another.
His eyes remained fixed on the towering wall and the structures beyond it, his chest swelling with emotions he struggled to name.
Wu Yan turned toward the man beside him.
"Sir… may I know your name?" he asked hesitantly.
The man stared forward for a moment before exhaling a thin stream of tobacco smoke from the corner of his mouth.
"Thomas," he said. "You can call me Uncle Thom."
Wu Yan nodded, then reached into the cloth bundle slung over his shoulder. He pulled out a small pouch and extended it toward Thomas.
"Thank you for the journey, Uncle Thom. This… is my payment."
Thomas glanced at the pouch. His eyes softened slightly.
He patted Wu Yan's shoulder once and gave a short nod. "Hmph. You didn't have to. But if it puts your mind at ease, I'll take it."
Wu Yan smiled.
He carefully stepped down from the carriage, steadying himself as the bundle on his shoulder swayed. Once his feet touched the ground, he inhaled deeply, feeling the solid stone beneath him and the crisp scent of morning air.
Thomas clapped his hands lightly and spoke in a firm yet warm tone.
"Remember this, kid. Everything you see ahead is just the beginning. The selection won't wait, and the other candidates…" He paused. "They're strong. Don't let your guard down."
Wu Yan met his gaze, determination burning in his eyes.
"I understand. Thank you… for everything."
Thomas nodded, lit another thin roll of tobacco, and exhaled slowly. "Good. Now go. Be the best."
Wu Yan adjusted the bundle on his shoulder and walked toward the gate, his gaze fixed straight ahead, eyes alight with resolve.
Beyond the gate, a vast courtyard unfolded.
Thousands of candidates had already gathered.
Wu Yan scanned the crowd.
Some wore robes embroidered with symbols of clans, sects, and noble families. Others carried themselves with unmistakable aristocratic grace, their posture refined, their gazes aloof.
And then there were those like him.
Commoners.
Plain clothing. Weathered expressions. Determination sharpened by hardship.
The contrast was unmistakable.
Wu Yan swallowed, forcing himself to steady his breathing as he closed his eyes briefly.
I can't falter here.
This is only the beginning.
The atmosphere shifted.
A sudden pressure descended from above, causing murmurs to ripple through the crowd.
Wu Yan looked up.
The sky darkened.
Clouds spiraled unnaturally, forming a massive vortex overhead. Black currents of wind coiled together, swallowing the sunlight.
Gasps erupted across the courtyard.
Then
Seven figures descended.
They stepped through the clouds as if walking down invisible stairs, their robes fluttering with overwhelming presence. Each radiated a distinct aura, sharp, heavy, cold, blazing, pressing down on the candidates like an unseen weight.
At the center, slightly ahead of the others, was a man clad in dark robes trimmed with silver.
The clouds parted.
He descended last.
The moment his feet touched the ground, the air itself seemed to freeze.
Wu Yan's breath hitched.
This pressure…
Even standing still felt difficult.
The man raised his head.
His eyes swept across the thousands of candidates like a blade.
"I am Dean Alveron," his voice echoed, calm yet absolute. "Welcome to the Academy of Light Spirit."
Silence fell.
"From this moment onward," the dean continued, "you are no longer distinguished by birth, wealth, or background. Only strength, potential, and will shall determine your worth."
Some candidates straightened unconsciously.
Others clenched their fists.
"Today marks the beginning of your trial," Alveron said. "Those unfit will be eliminated. Those who hesitate will fall behind. Mercy will not be given."
Wu Yan felt his pulse thunder in his ears.
Then
A laugh rang out.
Clear. Powerful. Unrestrained.
Another figure stepped forward from among the seven.
He wore light armor etched with glowing runes, his presence blazing like a living sun. The ground beneath his feet cracked faintly as he moved.
"I'll keep this short," the man said, grinning widely. "My name is Kael Thorne."
A wave of pressure exploded outward.
Wu Yan's legs trembled.
This man is absurdly strong.
Kael's eyes burned with excitement as he scanned the crowd.
"Survive today," he declared, his voice roaring like thunder, "and you'll earn the right to chase power beyond your imagination."
The air trembled.
Wu Yan clenched his fists.
So this is the threshold…
The moment before everything changes.
The first selection had not yet begun.
But Wu Yan already knew.
There was no turning back.