A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.
****1
As the Academia finally prepares for its long-awaited opening, the anticipation crackles in the air like static before a storm. Students, both returning hopefuls from last year and fresh-faced newcomers, gather with an aura of determination and power swirling around them. Each individual is a force to be reckoned with, possessing unique magical abilities and honed skills, ready to prove themselves worthy of admission.
The enrollment process is rigorous, divided into three daunting phases. In the first phase, the candidates must undergo a stringent filtering process, where only a select few will emerge victorious, proving their mettle amidst fierce competition. These chosen ones will then advance to the second phase, where they must face off against the recommended individuals, each a formidable opponent in their own right.
But the challenges don't end there. The survivors of the second phase will ascend to the pinnacle of the enrollment process: the third and final phase. Here, they must secure their slot as a revered Academian by either outshining their peers or by besting the established scholars who stand as the 'best among the rest' of the institution's legacy.
This is what Watts Xirquit wrote to the Headmaster. He reconsidered, saying that it is true that the newly designed curriculum is still unpolished. Therefore, he wanted to limit the numbers of the future Academians. And if proven to be truly effective, the promising individuals of this year's admission who didn't make it to the last phase will be given recommendation letters next year.
With stakes as high as the towering spires of the Academia itself, the journey to becoming an esteemed member of this prestigious institution is not for the faint of heart. Only those with unwavering determination, unmatched skill, and the courage to face whatever trials lie ahead will emerge victorious, ready to embark on a path of knowledge, power, and destiny.
People of different races were gathered in the arena. For the first phase, a whooping number three thousand enrollees are standing before the Board Committees who will do the judging.
The first phase is divided into four major events: first is through written examinations, second is a show off, third is through duels, and lastly, the final results of the evaluations.
"I'm already tired," Crown Miss President mumbled as she roam her eyes all over the place. There are cameras hovering around to broadcast the first phase live all over the world, for their hopeful families to see.
For the first phase's Board Committee, we have Crown Miss President (Rank 10 in Overall), Crown Aleoxolt (Rank 9 in Overall) Crown Ceto (Rank 8 in Overall) and Crown Thirdy (Rank 7 in Overall). They were the ones tasked to facilitate the judging and scoring.
"CROWN THIRDY!! KYAAAAHHH!!" The ladies screamed and waved the banners they created for him.
Crown Thirdy entertained them by smiling and waving his hands back to them. Until it was spoiled when he felt a pair of haughty eyes staring at him. He faked a cough and became proper.
The staffs gave them a sign to begin, so the Crowns stood side by side based on their ranks and faced the aspiring Academians around them.
"Ehem. Sound check, sound check. Am I audible?"
"YES! KYAAAAHHH!!!"
Crown Thirdy chuckled and thanked them before proceeding to his speech. Crown Ceto was busy combing her hair, seeming so uninterested. On the other hand, the other Crowns were surveying the crowd, looking for aspiring Academians to root for.
"Ladies and gentlemen, aspiring Academians. Today marks a momentous occasion as we gather to witness the first phase of the Academia's admission, the pioneering educational institution in Cosmo-Vale. I was once like you. Honestly, I hated going to school. Why go through this bother? My parents can provide for me. But then when I stepped in here, met my friends... I got a dream. To make my parents proud. To laugh and make more memories with my friends and schoolmates. Being an Academian is truly a privilege," he begin with. Their noises went down and lend their ears to him.
"To the lucky enrollees who stand before us, know that you are embarking on a journey unlike any other. You have been chosen to walk the halls of this esteemed institution, to delve into the mysteries of the arcane, and to unlock the boundless potential that lies within you. As you step foot into this hallowed ground, remember the privilege that you hold. The opportunity to learn from the greatest minds of our time, to harness the power of magic, and to shape the course of history itself. But let it be known, that with great privilege comes great responsibility. So, to the fortunate few who have earned their place within these walls, I say this: seize this moment with all the courage and determination that burns within you.Welcome, one and all, to the Academia. May your quest for knowledge be as boundless as the universe itself. Walk out of your comfort zones and prove yourself that you are worthy to become an Academian."
Crown Thirdy bowed nobky after his speech and smiled. He couldn't contain his excitement. Each of them is in their own leagues. Everyone look so strong. This year's admission might be the best one since the Academia's establishment.
For the first event, they allotted time to finish the written examination is only two hours and it is a 200-item test. The Crowns were seated on before the long table on the stage. There were staff walking around, making sure nobody will dare cheat. If caught, they'd be disqualified automatically.
"Number 3627, out." Crown Miss President called out.
She's watching them. She got the eyes of an eagle.
Crown Ceto grunted. She's bored. So, she did her nails.
"Number 0736, out."
"Number 1763, 1764, 1765, out."
When the bell ring to call the time, the staff collected the papers to check it. Another set of staff came in for the second event. From number 1 to the number 2789, one by one, they show off their abilities and powers before the Crowns.
Levitation. Pyrokinesis. Speedsters. And other abilities that ranges from amazing to 'what the fuck?' were performed by the aspiring Academians to prove themselves to the Crowns. Each of them has a minute to show off. Most were failed to showcase their abilities because of anxiety. They were not given another chance to.
"Okay, number 1736, your name is Fifa, and your ability is seeing the future through visions?" Crown Miss President.
Fifa, a thin maiden with freckles on her face and braided auburn hair nodded. She's wearing a worn out dress, patched up with other fabrics.
Crown Ceto covered her nose and faked vomiting.
"Another peasant." She automatically crossed out the girl's file in front of her and closed it then threw it.
Crown Thirdy smiled at the maiden to uplift her spirits.
"That's unique. So, how are you going to perform...it?"
The maiden couldn't look straight in his eyes and bit her nails.
"I-I get visions every f-full moon... And I had one...just recently..."
"Really? What did you see?" Crown Thirdy asked with another comforting smile.
The girl bit her nails harder.
Crown Aleoxolt pressed the timer. Their time is being wasted by some peasant.
"T-The Emperor's missing sister... O-Only the blood of the Emperor can wake the Emperor..."
As the words of the enrollee reached their ears, her voice echoing with a haunting clarity, fade into the stillness of the room followed by a heavy silence that descends like a suffocating shroud. The air becomes charged with an eerie tension, a palpable sense of foreboding that hangs like a weight upon the shoulders of those gathered.
Everyone jumped in fright when the timer rang. Crown Aleoxolt immediately pressed the button to shut it.
"Which Emperor are you talking about?" Crown Thirdy's smile turn into a straight line as his darkened eyes glare through the tearful maiden.
"You're scaring her." Crown Miss President reached for the golden buzzer in the middle top of their table, assuring her spot for the second phase.
"What are you doing? That buzzer is not for her!" Crown Ceto cried out but Crown Miss President ignored her.
"Assist the maiden to Prince Maxigaufeas. Her vision concerns the recovery of the Emperor and his missing sister---"
"Shut up! How dare you press the buzzer for this peasant!? She did not deserve it! She stinks---"
Crown Ceto was silenced when Crown Thirdy stabbed the table in front of her using a pen.
"Shut the fuck up, you fucking tuna. You stink stronger than this maiden. You're a fucking fish. We're broadcasting live!"
A portal opened in front of them, beside the maiden. Their eyes widened when they recognized who it was. When they were about to call her name, a gasp came out instead when she grabbed Crown Ceto by the hair and dragged her out of her seat.
"A-AUNT XERENE!" Crown Thirdy exclaimed and followed her.
Franchetti Xerene pushed the Princess back and gave her a punch that she will never forget to her stomach. Princess Ceto puked out her strength and fell to her knees.
"This annoying---stupid bitch---thinks she's pretty enough---to boss around and feel so entitled!" she shouted between each punch to the Princess's face. Voltage Xirquit crossed the portal and brought his wife away from the Princess.
Spike followed with his shoulders dropped. He approached the maiden. "You should come with us. Don't worry, you're safe. That one is not." He pointed at the unconscious Princess.
"Pull yourself together, Xerene---" Voltage Xirquit lost his balance and held his face after receiving a punch from his wife.
His jaw was dislocated.
"Don't you dare fucking stop me! That girl is the answer to wake Maxism, and this bitch---!? You know Clastigaufeas would do much worse. You should be thanking it was me who's here and not his wife!"
Another portal opened. The moment they saw his foot stretched out to their area, they knew who it was.
They went down on one knee and greeted him, "We greet the new sun of Vernignac Empire, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Claxiord."
The only ones standing were the Xirquits and the only Axeore with them. But he bowed his head as a sign of respect to the Emperor.
"Auntie, I would not praise you for what you did to the Princess, but I am grateful that you still care and think about my father to this day. Allow to handle this matter. You may come with me. Fifa,"
The maiden pressed her forehead against the cold ground, cowering and crying.
"P-Please spare me... I... My vision..."
Emperor Claxiord sighed and walked to her. He stood in front of her.
"You may all rise."
Fifa slowly lifted her head. What beauty.
"Fear not. I will not punish you. I want to hear you. If your vision were to be proven true, I will reward you. Your vision is about my father, the first Emperor. Our Empire will need your ability."
"You may bring her. But return her for the second phase," Crown Miss President stated.
Emperor Claxiord looked at her. "Thank you, My Lady, for your quick action."
"I did what must be done, Your Imperial Majesty."
Franchetti Xerene kicked the Princess's face one last time before going with the Emperor. Once they're gone, the medics came to rescue the Princess who is now suffering from fractured and dislocated bones.
"Let's proceed to the next enrollee." Crown Thirdy announced when he recovered.
Out of 3000 thousand enrollees, only 50 individuals passed. That is to match the number of the recommended ones. Of course, all of them expressed disappointment and dismay, but there is nothing the Crowns can do. It was by the order of Watts Xirquit, signed by the Headmaster.
The evaluation was held for 2 days. The Crowns made it sure that they selected the best performing individuals. Each of them excel in terms of the written test, show off, and duels. Only Fifa got the golden buzzer.
"I'm betting on Ripo. His Essence Draining ability might be the first in this world. Not only that, he's skilled in fighting. The diamonds in the rough are always hidden in the mountains," Crown Thirdy shared while shaking his head.
They are in their way to the Headmaster's Office to pass their narrative report.
"He really is promising. He will be an ace if he can regenerate essence, too, other than draining it," Crown Prince Aleoxolt agreed with his own opinion.
"But Zeya's Petrification is as amazing. The problem is she doesn't know how to undo it. How's her opponent? Is he back?"
"Yes. Thankfully, her Petrification is not so powerful yet. The 50 got so much potential. I wonder about the recommended ones. I don't have any. My sister, she have," Crown Aleoxolt.
"I only have scholars. Two." Crown Miss President.
"I don't have scholars or recommendations this year. I'm broke. I have others to support. Being a single dad is tough," Crown Thirdy joked and the two other Crowns didn't buy it.
"Cringe."