The frostbitten peaks faded behind them, replaced by rolling green hills and cobblestone roads as the trio made their way toward the heart of the kingdom—Eldurheim, the capital.
Bjarke walked ahead, silent but steady, the fur-lined cloak of his noble house fluttering behind him. Eirik and Sigrin trailed behind, still catching their breath after the battle at the mountain.
> "You know," Sigrin said, "most nobles your age are either drunk in estates or buried in politics. Why're you out here hunting slavers?"
Bjarke didn't look back. "Because I still have more to learn. The court offered me a teaching position at the Academy. I refused."
> "You turned down a teaching post?" Eirik raised an eyebrow.
> "I'm not ready to teach," Bjarke replied. "Not until I've seen the world—and mastered it. Titles mean nothing if you lack experience."
They passed quiet villages, each more vibrant than the last. People whispered as the noble strode through—children peeked from behind crates, guards stiffened at his sigil.
And then, finally—it rose before them.
Eldurheim.
A sprawling city of towers and canals, guarded by massive stone gates etched with ancient runes. The capital buzzed with life: markets overflowing with exotic goods, carriages gliding down crystal-paved roads, banners of the five great houses fluttering in the wind.
> "Woah…" Eirik muttered. "This place is massive."
> "And this is just the outer ring," Sigrin grinned. "Wait till you see the Academy."
Bjarke led them through the city, stopping only at a quiet tea stall near the Academy walls.
> "This is where I leave you," he said. "The academy will test your body, your mind—and your will. Pass or fail, it'll show you who you really are."
> "Wait," Eirik called out. "Why help us at all?"
Bjarke turned, his icy gaze steady. "Because I saw the way you fought. You didn't back down. That matters."
Then, like mist in morning frost, he was gone.
---
The gates of the Academy loomed high—built from crimson stone, glowing softly with enchanted veins of mana. Statues of legendary mages lined the path, and students in vibrant robes bustled through the open courtyard.
> "So," Sigrin asked as they approached the entrance, "which department are you choosing?"
> "Department?" Eirik blinked. "What's that?"
Sigrin froze. "You're joking, right? Don't tell me you didn't listen to a single word I said during the trip?"
Eirik scratched his head. "I might've been… thinking."
> "Of course you were," Sigrin groaned. "Fine. I'll explain one more time—so listen this time!"
> "There are five main departments in the Academy," he began, holding up fingers as he listed them.
> "One: Fire—focused on raw offensive magic. That's what I'm joining."
"Two: Water—they specialize in defense and shields."
"Three: Earth—they handle healing and support magic."
"Four: Lightning—a strange one; more focused on engineering and magical constructs."
"And five: Wind—they deal with intel, tracking, and scouting."
> "There are sub-departments too, but I don't know much about those."
Eirik nodded slowly, trying to absorb it all.
> "I'll go with Fire," he said at last. "Sounds like a fit."
> "Of course it does," Sigrin smirked. "You charge like a flaming beast."
Then he paused.
> "Wait… Did you even apply yet?"
Eirik blinked again. "Apply?"
Sigrin paled. "By the gods—TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY!"
Without another word, he grabbed Eirik's arm and bolted through the archways, past confused students and startled guards.
They burst into the admissions hall, panting.
> "We're here to register!" Sigrin shouted. "One last applicant!"
The mage behind the desk sighed but handed over the scroll. "Name?"
> "Eirik," he said, quickly filling in the form. "Just Eirik."
The clerk handed him a parchment with a glowing seal. "Number 248. Wait in the holding chamber for your turn."
And as Eirik sat among dozens of aspiring mages—some noble, some poor, all brimming with hope—he caught a glimpse of a girl standing across the room.
Silver hair.
Steel-blue eyes.
Regal posture.
She glanced at him once—and in that moment, something shifted in the air.
Recognition? Challenge? Or something deeper?
But she turned away without a word.
> "Who… was that?" Eirik murmured.
And so, under the burning banners of Eldurheim, his true test began.
---