Chapter 20: The Four Great Elders
Deep within the core of Blue Eagle Academy, where only the highest-ranking mages were allowed to tread, stood the Elder Circle, a sacred chamber warded with ancient sigils and enchanted mana barriers.
The room was round, domed high above with translucent crystal, diffusing sunlight like a soft halo over the heads of four figures seated in an arc. They were known as the Four Great Elders, the silent arbiters of the Academy's future. Their voices echoed not only through the halls but also in the fate of the continent's greatest talents.
The Four Great Elders were the foundation of Blue Eagle Academy's legacy—each a master of their own domain and wielder of near-immortal power. Elder Vaen, the oldest, commanded earth and discover to connect it with gravity magic, his wisdom grounded and stern like mountain stone. Elder Seris, the oracle, ruled the stars and illusion, she seems a Great light mana heart awakener often speaking in cryptic verses. Elder Nym, the youngest, was a prodigy of storm and speed, impatient and volatile. His aura represents the gentle but aggressive nature of wind. And finally, Elder Rauk, guardian of records and spirit magic, served as the balance between them. It seems he has a unique ability as well. Together, they upheld the ancient oaths of the academy—and watched over those who might change fate.
"I did confirm! The Legacy Skill is with him," Elder Vaen said, his deep voice like rolling thunder. His long silver beard shimmered with particles of crystallized mana.
"Crystalline Mana Heart Awakener…" murmured Elder Seris, a woman draped in violet robes with a crescent circlet upon her brow. Her eyes shone with faint starlight. "But it's more than that. According to the archives, the boy carries the legacy skill of an Immortal… but it seems in his hand is not yet awakened."
But the Legacy skills must be true!
"Impossible," scoffed Elder Nym, the youngest of the four, whose short black hair crackled with electric mana. "That skill hasn't awakened in over five centuries. We only know of it from the prophecy recorded in the Sealed Tablets."
But that's skills in his is in need of essence to be awakened. The Elder Seris said.
"Yet he actually acquired two of the Fragments from the Misty Mountain Gate," Elder Rauk finally spoke. His voice was calm, like still stone. He opened a glowing tome, flipping through pages before pausing. "If his skills continue to develop, the Essence Binding may revert to its true form."
"If it is from the Misty Mountain Gate, then his legacy skill must be in the water system."
Vaen's eyes narrowed. "And if it does, he will become a threat or a pillar."
Seris nodded. "He will either anchor the next era or undo it."
Nym sneered. "Or be hunted before he ever ascends."
A beat of silence followed. The room pulsed faintly.
Then Rauk said, "We monitor him. We do not interfere. Not yet."
"If he really awakened the legacy skills, then we can make him our disciple, and if he get a good rank in the freshmen competition, then that would be great"
"We can reveal the true purpose of the competition"
The crystal dome dimmed, and their shadows melted into silence.
…
Back in the student dormitories, the Verdant Gate examination had officially concluded. Mike and Jek returned exhausted but triumphant. Mike's stats had spiked, and his body pulsed with the energy of two fragments. He knew it wasn't enough.
"You okay, bro?" Jek asked, slumping onto his bed.
Mike leaned against the wall, a subtle frown on his face. "I'm okay. Just thinking… I need to get stronger."
Later that evening, as the warm glow of lanterns lit the path near the lake, Mike walked beside Eira. The air was cool, tinged with pine and the gentle perfume of floating blossoms. The water shimmered beneath the moonlight, peaceful—like the eye of a storm that had finally passed.
They hadn't had time alone since the examination ended.
Eira glanced up at him, her silver-blue hair catching the light. "You really were amazing," she said softly. "We didn't just pass—we set a new record."
Mike gave a small chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn't just me. Jek, Auline... everyone did their part."
"You always do that," she teased. "Minimize yourself. But I saw you. You stood in front of that serpent like you'd break the world before letting it touch us."
He glanced at her, lips parting, but no words came. Instead, he reached for her hand. She didn't hesitate.
They walked a few more steps in silence before Eira spoke again, voice barely above a whisper. "When I awakened early… I regretted not telling you. I thought you'd forget me."
"I never did," he said, stopping. "I thought about you every day. Every time I trained, every step I climbed—it was for this. To walk beside you again."
Her eyes shimmered. Slowly, she leaned forward, lifting herself slightly on her toes. But just before their lips met, Mike gently placed his hand on her cheek, stopping her.
His gaze softened. "Not yet."
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead—tender and lingering.
"Let me earn it," he whispered. "Let me become someone worthy of protecting you."
Eira's breath caught, tears glistening. "Then I'll wait. No matter how long it takes."
Mike returned to his dorm later, heart pounding but focused.
He sat at his desk, spreading open his status panel. Two fragments shimmered in his core. The Legacy Skill—Essence Binding—still flickered at the edge of recognition.
"I need the last two pieces," he muttered.
But the Hard Mode of the Gate wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Not unless he was at the peak of Tier 2.
He opened his Quest Hall menu.
Ding! New Quests Available:
Hunt the Vineclaw Treant (Elite) – Reward: 600 EXP
Escort the Merchant Caravan to Western Cliff – Reward: Platinum-grade Mana Crystal
Solve the Frozen Well Mystery (Unknown Threat) – Reward: ???
He clenched his fist. "This is it. My path to the peak."
…
Elsewhere, beneath the veil of the capital, in a darkened chamber lit only by sacrificial torches, a group of hooded figures knelt before a circular altar.
A voice hissed from the center. "The prophecy stirs. We found it, hahaha."
This is great! We can now awaken our master!
A group of people in black cloaks bow in something sinister, a statue that produces dark energy
Another hissed. "The source needs something to awaken."
A third voice spoke: "Send them, we have in need of sacrifice. Let his path be soaked in shadows."
The flames pulsed blue.
The group had begun to move.
Unseen.
But not for long.
Woosh…