As Simon and his companions stepped through the shimmering portal, they found themselves transported to a realm unlike any they had ever seen before. The air hummed with magic, and the landscape shimmered with an otherworldly glow as they gazed upon the sprawling grounds of the Magic Academy.
They were greeted by a group of wizards and sorcerers, their faces alight with curiosity and wonder as they welcomed the newcomers with open arms. Simon and his companions were taken aback by the warm reception, their minds still reeling from the sudden shift in scenery.
"We are honored to have you join us," one of the wizards said, his voice tinged with reverence as he gestured toward the towering spires and ancient halls of the academy. "Please, follow me. We will show you to your quarters and prepare for your induction ceremony."
As they were led through the halls of the academy, they were shown to the testing's. chamber where prospective students were evaluated for their magical aptitude. Alaric, being a seasoned mage, went first. With a confident touch, he activated the orb, which glowed brightly, illuminating the room with its radiant light. The wizards nodded in approval, impressed by Alaric's considerable power.
Next was Thaddeus, whose magical abilities were still largely unknown. With a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, he reached out to touch the orb. To his surprise and delight, it shimmered with a brilliant glow, matching the brightness of Alaric's.
Then it was Simon's turn. As he approached the orb, a sense of unease gnawed at the pit of his stomach. He knew his magic was different, wild and unpredictable, but he had hoped it wouldn't be so apparent to others. With a trembling hand, he reached out to touch the orb, his heart pounding in his chest.
But as soon as his fingertips made contact with the smooth surface of the orb, a surge of energy erupted from within him. The orb began to glow, its light growing brighter and brighter until it reached a blinding intensity. And then, with a sudden burst of power, it shattered into a thousand pieces, scattering shards of crystal across the floor.
A shocked silence fell over the room as the wizards and sorcerers stared in disbelief at the broken remains of the orb. Whispers of confusion and concern filled the air, and Simon felt the weight of their accusing stares bearing down upon him.
"You've shattered the orb," one of the elders said, his voice laced with disbelief. "Your magic is far too volatile, far too dangerous. We cannot risk admitting you into the academy."
Simon's heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation. His dreams of becoming a mage, of learning to control his powers and harness them for good, were slipping through his fingers. And as he looked around at the faces of those who had once welcomed him with open arms, he saw only distrust and contempt reflected in their eyes.
Feeling the weight of their judgment pressing down upon him, Simon bowed his head in defeat, his hopes and aspirations crumbling around him. He knew that he would have to find another path, another way to master his magic and prove himself worthy of acceptance. But for now, he could only watch in silence as his dreams slipped away, lost amidst the shattered remains of the orb.