Azrael stepped into the room and paused.
It was more spacious than he expected.
Two beds sat at opposite ends of the room, neatly made and separated by a wide space in between. A pair of desks stood near the windows, sunlight spilling across their surfaces. The walls were plain stone, but faint runes carved into them hummed softly, barely noticeable unless one paid attention.
The room was clean.
Too clean.
There was no dust, no lingering scent of old occupants. It felt untouched, as if no one had lived here before.
Azrael let out a small breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
At least I won't have to clean.
He placed his small bag on the bed closest to the door. He didn't have much—just a few sets of clothes and some personal belongings. Packing had been easy.
Leaving had not.
As he arranged his things, his mind drifted briefly back to the cottage. The quiet. The isolation. The strange comfort of being alone with his thoughts.
That life feels far away now, he thought.
Once he was done, he didn't linger.
He left the room and headed straight for the library.
The academy library was massive—larger than any building he had ever stepped into. Rows upon rows of shelves stretched endlessly, filled with books, scrolls, and crystals that glowed faintly with stored knowledge. The air itself felt heavier here, thick with accumulated wisdom.
Azrael approached the front desk, where an elderly attendant handed him a simple scroll.
The process was quick.
No tests. No questions.
Every new student received the same cultivation technique.
Regardless of grade. Regardless of elemental affinity.
At first, Azrael found it strange.
But as he skimmed the opening section of the scroll, he understood why.
This technique wasn't about power.
It was about foundation.
It taught the correct method to sense, absorb, and circulate elemental essence within the body. It focused on control, balance, and stability—nothing flashy, nothing specialized.
And it didn't need to be.
A cultivator could only absorb elemental essence that matched their own affinity. There was no risk of mixing elements or choosing the wrong path. Once the foundation was laid, more advanced techniques would come later.
With the scroll secured in his hand, Azrael left the library.
He couldn't wait to begin.
When he returned to his room, something felt different.
The door was slightly ajar.
Azrael slowed his steps and pushed it open.
This time, the room wasn't empty.
Someone else was inside.
A boy stood near the other bed, unpacking his belongings. He looked around Azrael's age, with a similar height and build. His hair was dark and slightly messy, as if he never bothered to tame it properly. His features were sharp, his expression relaxed—but there was an alertness in his eyes.
The two froze.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
They simply stared at each other.
Azrael studied him quietly.
The other boy was doing the same, his gaze flicking briefly to Azrael's clothes, his posture, and finally the scroll in his hand.
Eventually, the silence broke.
"You must be my roommate," the boy said casually. "I'm Ryker."
Azrael nodded once. "Azrael."
Ryker's eyes drifted to the scroll. "You already got the cultivation technique?"
Azrael nodded again. "I'll have to return it in two days."
"Figures," Ryker said, returning to his unpacking. "I'll get mine after I'm done arranging my stuff."
There was a brief pause.
Then Ryker glanced back at him. "By the way… what element did you awaken?"
Azrael hesitated.
Just for a moment.
"Darkness," he said. "And wind."
Ryker froze.
"Da—Darkness?" he repeated slowly.
His brain seemed to stall.
Then his eyes widened.
"Wait," he said sharply. "You said and wind?"
It clicked.
His mouth fell open.
"Dual elementalist?" Ryker stared at him like he was looking at something unreal. "You're a dual elementalist… with the rare darkness element?"
He let out a low whistle.
"Monster."
The word slipped out without thought.
Azrael felt his ears warm slightly. Embarrassment crept up his neck, though part of him felt something else too.
Pride.
He shifted slightly and looked away.
"What about you?" Azrael asked quickly, trying to escape the attention. "What element did you awaken?"
The question snapped Ryker out of it.
"Lightning," he replied.
Azrael blinked.
Lightning.
It wasn't as rare as light or darkness, but it was still uncommon.
Lightning was often considered a two-in-one element.
It granted speed that rivaled wind elementalists and attack power that was considered on par with fire element, except it also had a numbing effect. That balance made it highly sought after—and dangerous.
"That's rare too," Azrael said honestly.
Ryker grinned. "Yeah, it's not bad."
There was a brief pause before Azrael spoke again.
"What grade?"
"Blue," Ryker replied.
Azrael nodded slowly.
Strong.
"What about you?" Ryker asked. "Grades?"
"My darkness element is blue grade," Azrael said. "Wind is orange."
Ryker stared at him again.
"Seriously?" he muttered. "That's insane."
He laughed suddenly, shaking his head.
"This academy is going to be interesting."
He stepped closer, eyes bright with excitement.
"I can't wait till we start training," Ryker said. "You'll make a great sparring partner."
Azrael blinked. "Sparring?"
"Of course," Ryker replied. "What's the point of being here if you don't push yourself?"
His grin widened.
"Especially against a dual elementalist with blue-grade darkness element."
He paused, his tone shifting just slightly.
"The darkness element is considered the most destructive for a reason."
Azrael met his gaze.
"We've got a month," Ryker said lightly. "Plenty of time to get stronger."
Azrael looked down at the scroll in his hand.
One month.
To enter the Adept Stage.
To prove he belonged here.
He tightened his grip.
Blackspire Academy wasn't just a place to learn.
It was a place that would either shape him…
Or crush him.