The three's shared experience in the maze had created an unexpected bond, their differences put aside for the time being. When they glanced over the crowd, they knew the real challenge had just begun.
And those who have passed the test are congratulated by Examiner Ronal.
Examiner Ronal's voice echoed throughout the hall, the words of congratulation echoing off the walls. "Well done, students! You have proven your worth and passed the test. Tonight, we will celebrate your enrollment into the prestigious Oran Magical Academy. Academy's fairy will decide which dome you will be assigned to, and your journey will truly begin."
A wave of excitement ran through the crowd, growing increasingly curious as the students imagined the possibilities ahead. Each dome represented a different aspect of magic, symbolizing magical education. Which dome would they be chosen for? Lepidoptera Lumin Dome, Corvus Crystal Dome, Aviari Aqua Dome.
The students' minds were flooded with questions, their hearts were filled with excitement. Tonight, their fates would be revealed, and their journeys as magical wizards would officially begin. Tonight's celebration would be a night to remember, a night that would mark the beginning of their transformation into powerful wizards.
As the crowd erupted in cheers and chatter, Harry stood apart, lost in thought. He couldn't help but wonder, "Why did I just speak up for them? What business is it of mine? Whatever may be the case, it is clear that this body sometimes reacts on its own and says anything on its own. Whatever i came here for my own reason, to survive and thrive in this magical world, to climb the ranks of the government." He shook his head, his eyes cast downward. "I have no right to concern myself with their well-being. My priority is my own success, no matter the cost."
Dhara approached Harry with a warm smile. "What you said earlier, standing up for those who failed... it was really awesome. You truly care about them, don't you?" Harry's face frustrate, and says " it's not a big deal...."
She gazed at Harry's face and say, "Thank you, Harry," she said sincerely. "If you hadn't intervened when you did, I wouldn't have made it out alive. And Eric got into trouble because of me, so you saved us both." Her eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity getting the better of her. "I don't understand what kind of magic you used, though. We use wands to channel our magic, but yours was different." Harry's expression turned irritable, and he snapped, "Look, I know you're grateful, but there's no need to be so friendly. Stop asking me questions and mind your own business." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Dhara to ponder the enigma that was Harry. "What kind of boy is he?" she thought to herself.
With a flick of his wand, Examiner Ronal summoned a shimmering magical door. "First-year students, please proceed through the portal. Your journey at the Oran Magical Academy is about to begin!" The students exchanged excited glances and stepped through the door, finding themselves in a grand hall within the academy. Ronal's voice echoed through the space, "Welcome, young generations! You will soon be sorted into one of our six domes, each specializing in a unique aspect of magic. The dome you are selected for will be your home and learning environment for the duration of your studies here."
Ronal continued, "In the Oran Magical Academy, students of the same dome reside, dine, and study together, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. Your behavior and actions will earn you dome stars, which serve as a measure of your excellence. Good deeds and achievements will earn you additional stars, while misbehavior and poor choices will lead to stars being deducted. At the end of the year, the dome with the most stars will be recognized and rewarded, promoting healthy competition and encouraging students to strive for excellence."
As Harry walked towards the dome selection area, a red-haired boy, Neko Marblemaw, sneered at him, flanked by his friends Bram and Yarrow. "Hey, look at the famous Harry! Thinking he's so special just because he passed the entrance exam," Neko taunted. Harry ignored their jibes and continued on his way, not giving them the satisfaction of a reaction.
The students gathered around a row of ornately carved chairs, each one unique and shimmering with magic. Examiner Ronal explained the selection process, "To discover your magical dome, simply sit on a chair, and the fairies will guide you to your destined home." With a soft hum, tiny fairies flitted about the chairs, their iridescent wings glimmering in the light. As each student sat down, a fairy would gently alight on their shoulder, whispering a soft incantation that would cause the chair to glow with a vibrant, colored light. The hue of the light would reveal the chosen dome, a beacon guiding each student to their new community.
Harry's eyes scanned the room, noticing that all the teachers were seated before him, including the one who had previously belittled him for his weakness. That teacher caught his gaze, but Harry quickly looked away, feeling a surge of discomfort. He turned to Eric, who was standing nearby, and whispered, "I don't get what the big deal is about these domes. Can you make sense of it?" Eric nodded sympathetically, but before he could respond, a gentle hum filled the air, signaling the start of the dome selection process. "Looks like it's started," Eric said, his voice low. "Wait, let me tell you what's so special about these domes. Each one is attuned to a specific aspect of magic, and the fairies will choose the one that best fits our abilities and personalities. It's a big deal because it determines our learning path and community for the next few years."
Dhara and Eric turned to Harry and began to explain, "Let us tell you about the domes and their masters."
Eric said, "The first dome, Aviari Aqua Dome, is renowned for its water magic, and I'm eager to attend, the master of this dome is the esteemed Zane Astral, a skilled water magic user."
Dhara said, "The second dome, Lepidoptera Lumin Dome, is known for its fairy magic, and I'm drawn to it; the master of this dome is the respected Elowen Luminari, a talented fairy magic user and a woman I admire for her beauty and skill."
"Now, the three most powerful domes,"Eric continued, "include the Corvus Crystal Dome. As the name suggests, the students and master of this dome possess exceptionally powerful magic, but they're also known for their arrogance and rudeness." Dhara interrupted, "That's not entirely true! Just look at the master, Kai Rhapsody - he's incredibly handsome. Who would think him rude?"
Eric and Harry were taken aback by Dhara's comment.
Eric added, "As you can see, Kai Rhapsody is not only powerful but also quite popular among the girls." Dhara smiled mischievously.
"The next dome is the Griffin Gust Dome, led by the skilled air magic user Elijah Starfire,
...and now the third most powerful and great person whom we have met before during our examination, the greatest Lion Ember Dome master Mr. Gabriel Sun a fire magic user who's even more powerful than the other dome masters."
Harry's eyes widened in awe. "I've heard of him! He was offered a high-ranking position in the magical government, but he refused it."
Dhara nodded. "Yes, he chose to remain a teacher here at the academy, despite being offered the 9th position. We're not sure why he refused, but he simply said he prefers teaching."
"The five most powerful domes in the academy... but there's one more, the infamous Black Crow Dome. This place is like the dark underbelly of the academy, where all the 'problematic' mages end up. Its reputation is downright abysmal, with everyone whispering about the dome's 'awful' students and master."
"It's like they're the misfits, the rejects, the ones nobody wants to associate with. Rumors swirl that the Black Crow Dome is on the chopping block, that if no one joins this year, it'll be disbanded for good. The student count is already laughably low, making it the academy's smallest and most... unsavory dome."
Dhara nodded towards the Black Crow Dome's direction, "You know, it seems like the master of the Black Crow Dome and its students haven't shown up to the celebration this time either."
Eric raised an eyebrow, "That's weird. I thought for sure they'd make an appearance, if only to shut down the rumors about their dome being shut down."
As Harry overheard the conversation, he thought to himself, "If the Black Crow Dome really has as few students as they say, then it would be the perfect place for me."
Just then, the ceremony reached its peak, and Harry, Dhara, and Eric were summoned to the stage for the dome selection. They took their seats, and a soft, blue fairy light enveloped Eric. Teacher Ronal declared, "The Corvus Crystal Dome has chosen you, Eric!"
But Eric looked surprised, saying, "I thought I was meant for the Aviary Aqua Dome." The crowd applauded as Eric stood up, his face reflecting a mix of emotions. Harry and Dhara offered their congratulations, their minds now focused on their own upcoming selections. Who would be chosen next? Only time would tell.