From the center of the elevated stage, a low hum began to resonate through the vast space—a soft, pure tone like the delicate ring of crystal touched by a gentle wind. Then, without any discernible warning, a focused beam of golden light descended from a point high in the enchanted ceiling and gracefully pooled onto the stage, solidifying into the distinct form of a woman.
An elderly woman, her presence radiating an aura of quiet power that instantly commanded attention.
She stood with her hands clasped calmly in front of her, her long white hair coiled in an intricate, regal braid that gleamed like spun silver. Her deep navy robes flowed around her like liquid night, the hems embroidered with luminous silver runes that seemed to pulse with a faint inner light. Her eyes, sharp and silver like meticulously cut glass, slowly swept across the assembled students with an air of quiet but absolute authority.
"Welcome," she said, her voice clear and surprisingly strong, echoing through the silent auditorium. "To Aetherion Academy. I am Vice Headmaster Elindra, overseer of orientation, examinations, and—when necessary—expulsions."
The low hum of conversation in the room ceased entirely, replaced by an almost palpable stillness.
Elindra continued, her tone perfectly measured, each word carrying weight. "You have been brought here from every corner of the six kingdoms. Some of you are scions of noble houses. Some of you are acknowledged prodigies, their talents evident from a young age. Some of you are here by what might be considered a miracle, or through sheer, unyielding stubbornness in the face of adversity. None of that matters within these walls. What truly matters is what you choose to do now."
A low murmur rippled through the ranks of students, a collective intake of breath.
"For the next two days," Elindra stated, her gaze unwavering, "you will be granted the time to explore the academy and its extensive surrounding grounds. Familiarize yourselves with the layout of the dormitories, the seemingly endless resources of the libraries, the rigorous discipline of the training halls, and the invaluable knowledge contained within the archives. Speak with your fellow candidates. Observe the flow of this place. Allow yourselves to rest."
Her silver eyes sharpened, their gaze piercing. "Because after those two days of grace, the examinations will begin."
A profound silence settled over the auditorium.
"You will be rigorously tested. You will be ranked according to your performance. And that rank," Elindra emphasized, her voice resonating with finality, "will determine everything—your assigned class level, your access to certain resources and restricted areas, the caliber of your instructors. Ultimately, it will determine whether you remain within these hallowed halls, or if you are deemed… unsuitable."
A few nervous glances were exchanged between students, the weight of her words settling heavily in the air.
Elindra didn't linger on their apprehension. She raised a slender hand, her fingers adorned with simple silver rings that glinted in the light.
At once, dozens of glowing, obsidian-like boxes floated silently into the auditorium. Each hovered at waist height, spaced evenly along the edges of the vast chamber, their surfaces emitting a soft, internal luminescence. On their fronts were simple, elegantly inscribed labels: KNIGHT / MAGE.
"One at a time," Vice Headmaster Elindra instructed, her gaze sweeping across the rows of students. "Step forward. Place your dominant hand into the box clearly labeled for the path you believe is yours. You will then receive your academy uniform and your dormitory room key."
She paused, her silver eyes glinting with an unspoken challenge. "If you reach into that box, and nothing is offered in return… it was perhaps never your intended path. Or, perhaps… you were never truly meant to stand among us."
A palpable ripple of tension spread through the assembled students, a collective holding of breath.
A boy from one of the upper rows, his bearing confident and his attire expensive, was the first to step forward. Without hesitation, he slid his hand into the box labeled KNIGHT. A tense moment passed, the silence amplifying the soft hum of the floating boxes—then he withdrew a neatly folded black uniform trimmed with silver thread and a small, rectangular red keycard that shimmered with an etched rune.
A collective sigh of relief seemed to ripple through the nearby students.
Until, minutes later, a girl with shifty eyes and nervously fidgeting hands approached the MAGE box. She hesitated for a long moment, her gaze darting around the room as if seeking an escape, then abruptly thrust her hand into the opening.
Nothing happened.
Elindra made a small, almost imperceptible gesture with her hand. Two silent figures, clad in deep indigo robes that concealed their features, materialized from the shadows near the stage and wordlessly escorted the pale-faced girl towards a side exit. She offered no resistance, her head bowed in silent defeat.
"Do not attempt to deceive the Archive," Elindra said simply, her voice carrying a note of finality. "It knows the truth of your potential."
Kael swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, his heart pounding a heavy rhythm against his ribs. He placed his hand into the cool opening of the knight's box.
A sudden warmth enveloped his fingers, spreading up his arm. Then—a gentle but firm tug.
He pulled out a neatly folded black uniform, the silver trim gleaming softly in the ambient light. A red keycard followed, cool against his palm, etched with a single, shimmering rune that pulsed with a faint energy.
Renna followed him, her movements fluid and decisive despite the earlier tension. From the mage box, her hand emerged holding a crisp blue uniform and a slender yellow keycard.
"Of course they gave me blue," she muttered under her breath, a wry twist to her lips. "As if I'd look good in anything but black."
"Wait, you're a mage?" Kael asked, genuinely surprised, turning to face her. "I thought with that physique of yours, you would have gone for the knight class, maybe something like an assassin or a scout."
But she merely stuck out her tongue at him with a childish gesture and turned away, ignoring his bewildered expression.
"..."
Once every student had been processed, the soft hum of the boxes fading as they settled back into stillness, Vice Headmaster Elindra raised her voice once more, her gaze sweeping across the now uniformly clad assembly.
"Your assigned rooms within the academy await your arrival. Detailed maps of the grounds and building layouts will be projected on the walls outside this chamber as you depart. Formal classes do not commence until the examinations are concluded. Until that time, you are considered guests within these walls—but do not mistake that courtesy for leniency. Any instance of misbehavior, disrespect towards academy staff or your fellow candidates, or deliberate acts of sabotage will not be tolerated."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips, a brief softening of her stern features.
"Welcome to Aetherion Academy. Try, if you can, not to embarrass yourselves."
And with that enigmatic pronouncement, the vice headmaster turned with a graceful movement, her navy robes swirling around her, and vanished in a silent ripple of shimmering blue light, leaving a lingering scent of ozone in the air.
Kael turned to Renna, a mixture of apprehension and excitement swirling within him.
"Two days," he said, the weight of the impending examinations settling on his shoulders.
She cracked her knuckles, her golden eyes gleaming with a hint of anticipation. "Plenty of time to figure out who's worth watching… and who needs to be swiftly taken down a peg."
Kael smiled faintly, the reality of the academy settling upon him like a suit of unfamiliar armor.
So it begins.