Chapter 16: The Elder Circle
Far above the grand towers of Blue Eagle Academy, nestled in a hidden chamber surrounded by glowing mana crystals, a meeting was in session. Seven figures cloaked in azure robes sat around a circular table of ancient crystal. Their eyes were fixed on a projection floating mid-air—an image of a glowing data scroll pulled from the library archives.
At the center of the image was a legacy symbol. Dormant. Faint. But unmistakable.
A legacy skill.
And not just any legacy.
"It reacted to the Verdant Gate's remnant aura," one elder murmured.
"Fragmented Tier 6... Degraded Binding," said another, tapping their fingers against the table. "This energy matches the skillset once wielded by the Immortal Sealer."
"Do you believe it's connected to one of the Six Origin Skills?" asked Elder Anise, her voice calm but sharp as water slicing stone.
The Grand Elder, a stern man with runes etched across his face, leaned forward.
"We cannot confirm that… yet. But if it is... then the prophecy may be more than just an old fable."
"Shall we summon an inspection? We must find that student?" someone asked.
"Not yet," the Grand Elder said. "The student is here in our Academy; we can find out in the Freshmen Contest. Let him grow for now." If the legacy truly belongs to him, it will manifest. Interference now might corrupt the awakening process."
"Then we'll continue to observe."
The Grand Elder nodded.
"Silently. For now."
…
Day Two – Academy Grounds
Mike stretched his arms under the golden morning sun, rubbing the lingering soreness from yesterday's theory class.
"Only two theory classes a week," he muttered. "The rest… it's all up to us."
In the center of the courtyard, students dashed about in light armor, some practicing weapon strikes, others channeling mana into elemental skills. Energy hummed in the air.
"Just like the instructor said," Jek said, falling in step beside him. "Theory classes twice a week. Field training, resource quests, and dungeon gates for the rest. It's like self-service cultivation."
"They give us a guide, but it's up to us to follow through," Mike replied.
"Reminds me of how I study math," Jek chuckled. "They give you a book, then disappear like smoke."
Mike smiled. "Don't pretend you actually read it."
"Hey!"
Just then, a melodic voice called out.
"Mike!"
Eira approached, radiant in her training uniform. Beside her was another girl, slightly taller, with long purple hair tied into a braid and sharp violet eyes.
"Oh?" Jek whispered, nudging Mike. "New challenger?"
"Shut up," Mike hissed.
"Mike, Jek—this is Auline," Eira said with a smile. "My best friend."
Auline tilted her head, analyzing the two boys with interest.
"So… this is the Mike I've heard so much about."
Mike tried not to blush. "Nice to meet you."
Jek, being Jek, smirked. "You've heard a lot, huh? Do tell."
"Don't mind him," Mike muttered.
Auline smirked, clearly enjoying the banter. "I see why she likes you."
"Wh—wha—what?!?" Mike stuttered.
Eira's cheeks turned bright red. "Auline!"
Jek burst into laughter, "I like this girl!"
…
Eira cleared her throat, quickly shifting the subject. "Anyway! Since today's free training, I thought I'd show you the Misty Mountain Gate."
"That's not the same type as the Verdant Gate, right?" Mike asked.
"No," Eira said, leading the group down a stone path toward the mountainous training zone. "That was a one-time, high-risk survival exam. This is different."
The group stopped before a towering stone arch etched with glowing blue inscriptions. Mist curled at its base, swirling with a faint suction pull.
"This is the Misty Mountain Gate," Eira explained. "It's a progressive-type gate. Instead of being an open field like the Verdant Gate, it's structured into stages."
"Stages?" Jek asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep," Auline answered. "Each run has three stages and ends with a boss monster. You can choose the difficulty—Easy, Normal, or Hard. Higher difficulty, stronger monsters."
"Do we get rewards?" Mike asked.
"Of course!" Eira said brightly. "Every run records your clear time. If you beat the fastest time, you get bonus points and sometimes even rare crystals."
"That's cool," Jek said. "What kind of monsters are in there?"
Eira opened her smartwatch and pulled up a list. "Depends on difficulty. Easy usually has Level 10–15 monsters. Normal up to 20.Hard? That's where things get spicy—Elites up to Level 30."
Jek gulped. "I'm spicy enough, thanks."
Mike laughed. "Sounds perfect for building experience."
"Exactly," Eira nodded. "You form a team of up to four. You fight through each stage. Once you defeat the final boss, you get a rating based on time, performance, and teamwork.
Auline smirked. "So, team Mike and Eira, huh? I wonder what your synergy stat will be."
"Can we not?" Mike muttered.
Jek snickered. "Oh no, now I want to see your synergy."
"I will end you," Mike said flatly.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed behind them.
"Well, well. If it isn't the Crystalline Boy."
Mike stiffened. Slowly, he turned.
James.
Arms crossed, wearing the proud blue uniform of Special Class, his sharp eyes locked onto Mike.
"Training in Misty Mountain already?" James asked coolly. "Hoping to get ahead?"
Eira stepped forward. "What's your problem, James?"
"No problem," James replied, tone slick. "Just surprised that someone who barely qualifies for Special Class is already playing in the big leagues."
"Top scorer of the Inter-Academy Exam," Eira snapped. "Don't forget that."
"I don't forget talent," James said, narrowing his gaze at Mike. "I test it."
Auline stepped between them. "If you're done peacocking, we were just about to enter the gate."
James smirked. "Of course. I wouldn't want to interrupt… your date."
"James," Mike said calmly, stepping forward, "why don't you put your energy into training, instead of following us around?"
James chuckled. "Let's see if you're still this confident inside the gate."
He turned and walked away.
Jek watched him go. "Man. That guys got an ego the size of a mana whale."
Mike exhaled. "Ignore him. We've got training to do."
At the Gate Entrance...
The group approached the activation pedestal.
"Let's start with Easy," Eira suggested. "We'll test our teamwork first."
"I like easy mode," Jek said.
"You say that now," Auline smirked. "Wait until you see Stage Three."
As they set their hands on the pedestal, the gate pulsed with mana light.
"Three… two… one…"
A blinding light swallowed them.