As they journeyed towards the new academy, Owen felt a surge of anticipation rippling through him. The air crackled with possibility, and he couldn't shake the feeling that their lives were about to take a drastic turn.
Valeria walked by his side, her determination prehensile. She glanced at Blackthorn with a mix of excitement and apprehension, her eyes reflecting the myriad emotions swirling within her.
"(Smiling) New beginnings, huh?" Valeria remarked, breaking the silence that enveloped them.
"(Nodding) Indeed," Blackthorn replied, his voice tinged with a hint of anticipation. "Let's see what this place has in store for us."
As they traveled, Valeria pondered the decision to bring Owen Wyatt along. The boy was undeniably weak, but there was something about him that intrigued Blackthorn. Perhaps it was his unwavering loyalty or his pliant personality.
"(Glancing at Owen) Owen might surprise us. Who knows?" Blackthorn commented, noticing Valeria's gaze lingering on the boy who trailed behind them.
Valeria nodded, though her expression hinted at skepticism. "We'll see about that. But let us focus on ourselves for now."
With those words, Blackthorn knew that their journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he also knew that he was ready to face them head-on.
As they arrived at the new academy, Blackthorn couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of new opportunities. The towering buildings and bustling courtyard were a stark contrast to their previous surroundings.
"(Taking in the sights) Impressive," Valeria remarked, her eyes scanning the surroundings with keen interest.
"(Nodding) Very impressive," Blackthorn agreed, though his mind was already racing with plans for the future. "Let's make the most of this, Valeria. But remember, we're here for ourselves, not for anyone else."
And with that, they stepped forward into the unknown, ready to carve out their path in this new environment. With Valeria by his side and Owen trailing behind, Blackthorn was determined to make his mark, no matter what obstacles lay ahead.
.......
As they navigated through the corridors of the moderate-level academy, Blackthorn couldn't shake off the feeling of mild disappointment. This academy, while not as impressive as Dante - The Nexus Sages' or Evelyn's own, was a significant step up from their former one. Nevertheless, it was still a far cry from what Blackthorn had envisioned.
An instructor stood before them, his expression a mix of incredulity and disapproval as he assessed the trio before him.
"Valeria, you passed the physical and written entrance exams with a score of 75, which is perfect for the hype that was attested to you," the instructor began, his tone laced with reluctant praise. "Damien, I'm sorry to say, but you disappointed us a lot. Unlike Valeria, you could only manage a score of 53, and even Owen, who we accepted because of you, bagged a score of 56."
Blackthorn's lips curled into a half-hearted smirk at the instructor's assessment.
"That is great then!" He mumbled, his tone nonchalant.
The instructor's frown deepened at Blackthorn's response, his disappointment palpable.
"(Sighs) Look, this isn't even good enough to survive here," the instructor remarked, his voice tinged with frustration. "You have no ability, and the physical prowess you displayed at the tournament's final wasn't even evident in the physical examinations you took."
Valeria's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the instructor's words, her eyes darting to Blackthorn for an explanation.
"Wait, what? Blackthorn has no ability?..." Valeria pondered her expression one of confusion.
Blackthorn caught Valeria's gaze and offered her a subtle shrug, indicating that there was more to the story than met the eye.
"Tsk! Yeah, sure, I don't have an ability," Blackthorn retorted, his tone tinged with annoyance. "But as for my physicality, it can only be used once in three months, and I already used it in the final so deal with it."
The instructor bristled at Blackthorn's defiance, his patience wearing thin.
"Don't push your luck, kid!" He growled, his voice dripping with warning.
Valeria shot Blackthorn a discreet glance, her eyes silently urging him to watch his manners.
"I'm sure Blackthorn is only hiding his powers to avoid revealing his true identity," Valeria concluded inwardly, her gaze fixed on the instructor, who was visibly displeased with Blackthorn's demeanor.
After the tense encounter with the instructor, they were taken on a quick tour around the academy's facilities. Valeria's eyes gleamed with excitement as she took in the training grounds, the library, and the various classrooms.
Meanwhile, Blackthorn's expression remained impassive as they moved through the halls. Even though he had faked his score, and hadn't talked to Valeria about his lost shadow ability, he couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration at the instructor's assessment, and his mind was already racing with plans to prove himself.
As they were assigned their rooms, Blackthorn and Owen found themselves sharing the same room number. Blackthorn's insistence on having things his way had led to some confusion between himself and the instructors, and Owen could sense the tension brewing within his roommate.
"Hey, Blackthorn, maybe you should calm down a bit," Owen suggested, his voice soft but firm. "You don't want to get into any more trouble on your first day here."
Blackthorn's jaw tightened at Owen's words, but he knew the younger boy was right. He didn't want to start off on the wrong foot, especially not with his new roommate.
"Fine," Blackthorn grumbled, forcing himself to relax. "Let's just get settled in for now."
The next day, the trio found themselves in their first teaching and training sessions at the academy. Valeria eagerly absorbed every piece of knowledge thrown her way, her eyes shining with determination as she excelled in both physical exercises and theoretical studies.
"(Impressed) Excellent form, Valeria! You're a natural at this." One of the female friends Valeria had made overnight complimented her.
"Thank you, I'm just doing my best." The latter replied.
Despite her low magical prowess, Valeria's physical skills and intelligence quickly made her stand out among her peers, equaling her with the best students, and earning her the respect and admiration of both instructors and fellow students alike.
Meanwhile, Owen maintained his usual shy demeanor, quietly observing the level of sophistication and beauty that surrounded him in the academy. He struggled to keep up with the rigorous training, but he persevered, determined to prove himself in his own way.
"This place is amazing... I never imagined I'd be here." He spoke softly.
While Valeria and Owen immersed themselves in their studies and training, Blackthorn seemed indifferent to everything around him. Having made it to the academy, he found himself at a crossroads, unsure of what his next move should be.
"(Thoughtfully) Now that I'm here... what's next?" He mused.