"You are just too strong, Nolan, it's not fair for the other people," Gavin Emberheart, a participant at the youth training camp, wiped his sweat slightly after their sparring match. The youth training camp, as the name suggests, was a camp for the upcoming students of Solstice Academy to familiarize themselves with the academy's environment firsthand. The camp was held for three months before the academy officially started, and attendance was not compulsory. Despite that, many freshmen attended the camp as it was free and provided an excellent opportunity to make connections with future classmates, ensuring their journey at Solstice Academy would be smooth sailing.
"Hahahaha, no need to be so humble, Gavin. After all, you've also reached E rank, the same as me, right?" Nolan Ashborn, a participant with dark hair and a handsome face, reached out his hand to help Gavin up from the ground.
"Yeah, but the difference in our skill is so vast. How many skills do you even have, anyway?" Gavin asked exaggeratedly, his eyes wide with curiosity.
"I'm not that impressive, you know. As far as I know, there are eight more people besides us who have reached E rank in this camp. It's a shame I can't test my skills against them yet," Nolan said, his voice tinged with regret.
"Eight more people? Are you kidding me?!" Gavin exclaimed, his eyes nearly popping out of his head. Usually, a batch only had three or four E-rank students—the geniuses who ascended more quickly than others—while most students usually remained at F-rank. It was unheard of for a batch to start with ten E-rank freshmen in a single year.
"Yeah, there's the genius student from the Astoria Kingdom, Elena Whitewood, a daughter from the Whitewood Family. I heard she's excellent in theory and always scores 95 plus on exams despite already reaching E rank. There are also other geniuses in their categories, like Lyra Nightshade, who has darkness magic, and Felix Winterbourne from the Elysian Republic, and many more," Nolan said, his voice full of excitement. Despite the many strong challengers, he wasn't afraid but even more excited at the prospect of having many strong contenders. His blood was already boiling at the thought of the upcoming battles.
"Damn, here I thought this was my era to shine," Gavin said with a bittersweet smile, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Then it's already confirmed that we ten will be in the foremost class, huh? I can't wait to see them," Gavin said with equal excitement. At Solstice Academy, E-rank students in their first year would occupy the strongest class, S class. Usually, only four or five people in the first year would occupy this prestigious class.
"Can you imagine that? Ten people will stay in S class together in a year? This is the largest number since the foundation of Solstice Academy!" Gavin said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
"Yes, I can't wait to meet all of them," Nolan said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He truly couldn't wait to test his skills against these prodigies and determine who was the strongest among them.
The youth training camp was abuzz with energy and anticipation. Participants engaged in various activities designed to hone their skills and prepare them for the rigorous curriculum of Solstice Academy. Each day was packed with training sessions, from physical conditioning to magical practice, with a focus on both individual improvement and teamwork.
Nolan and Gavin often found themselves in the sparring arena, pushing each other to their limits. They practiced tirelessly, their determination unwavering. The camaraderie among the camp participants was palpable, with friendly rivalries forming and strengthening bonds of friendship.
As the days turned into weeks, the anticipation of meeting the other E-rank students grew. Nolan and Gavin often discussed the upcoming school year, speculating about their future classmates and the challenges that awaited them. The excitement was infectious, spreading throughout the camp like wildfire.
One evening, as the sun set over the campgrounds, casting a warm golden glow, Nolan and Gavin sat by the campfire, their conversation turning once again to the topic of their fellow E-rankers.
"I wonder what Elena Whitewood is like," Gavin mused, staring into the flickering flames. "She must be incredibly smart to get such high marks while also reaching E rank."
"Yeah, I've heard she's a prodigy," Nolan replied, his mind racing with thoughts of the competition ahead. "But I'm also curious about Lyra Nightshade. Darkness magic is rare and powerful. I bet she's got some interesting techniques."
"And Felix Winterbourne," Gavin added. "The Elysian Republic is known for producing top-tier mages. I bet he's got some impressive skills up his sleeve."
Nolan nodded, his excitement growing with each passing day. The prospect of competing against such talented individuals filled him with a sense of purpose and determination. He knew that the journey ahead would be challenging, but he was ready to face it head-on.
As the final weeks of the training camp approached, the participants redoubled their efforts, knowing that their time together was coming to an end. They pushed themselves harder, striving to perfect their skills and prepare for the adventures that awaited them at Solstice Academy.
On the last day of the camp, a grand closing ceremony was held. The participants gathered in a large hall, their faces alight with anticipation. The camp director, a robust man named Professor Thaddeus Blackwood, took the podium. Professor Blackwood was a stern yet fair elderly wizard with a keen intellect and a penchant for ancient magical artifacts.
"Thank you to everyone who attended this camp. I am looking forward to your journey at Solstice Academy next week," Professor Blackwood said, his voice resonating through the hall. "This year's potential is truly remarkable, perhaps the greatest we have ever seen. Everyone here must continue to strive for success even after the camp ends. Remember, your hard work and dedication will pave the way for your future achievements."
"Yes, Professor!" all the attendees said in unison, their voices filled with determination.
After the ceremony, in a luxurious room within the camp's administrative building, a young girl sat by an ornate desk, her silver hair gleaming under the soft light of the chandelier.
"Young Miss, this is the list of the people who reached E rank like yourself," a butler said respectfully, placing an envelope on the desk.
"Put it on my desk," the girl, Amara Riversong, instructed. She tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ear and tore open the envelope, her eyes scanning the contents.
"Nolan Ashborn, Darius Shadowcaster, Aurora Frostfang, Gavin Emberheart, Serena Evergreen, Felix Winterbourne, Lyra Nightshade, Marcus Stonehaven, Elena Whitewood, Amara Riversong," she read aloud.
"So, these are my classmates at the academy," Amara said thoughtfully. Just by seeing their family names, she could tell that all these individuals had high statuses similar to her own.
Amara's mind raced as she considered each name. Nolan Ashborn was known for his unmatched skill in combat, while Darius Shadowcaster's mastery of shadow magic made him a formidable opponent. Aurora Frostfang hailed from a lineage of powerful ice mages, and Gavin Emberheart's prowess in elemental magic was widely recognized. Serena Evergreen, from the renowned Evergreen family, was a prodigy in nature magic. Felix Winterbourne, with his prestigious background from the Elysian Republic, excelled in a variety of spells. Lyra Nightshade's dark magic was both feared and respected, and Marcus Stonehaven's earth magic was legendary. Elena Whitewood's academic brilliance and practical skills made her a standout. And then there was Amara herself, a Riversong, with a heritage rich in magical expertise.
"All the people here have a high status, just like me," Amara mused. "This will be an interesting year."
She closed the envelope and placed it back on her desk, a sense of anticipation building within her. The challenges ahead were daunting, but Amara knew that with hard work and determination, she could hold her own against these prodigies. Solstice Academy would not only be a place of learning but also a battleground where the strongest would rise to the top. Amara was ready to face whatever came her way, confident that she would prove herself among the elite.
The upcoming journey at Solstice Academy was sure to be filled with trials, triumphs, and unforgettable experiences. Amara's heart raced with excitement as she looked forward to the future, ready to carve out her legacy alongside her exceptional peers.