Elias's breath came in ragged gasps as he trudged along the narrow dirt road, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. The wind howled through the barren trees, carrying with it the bitter chill of winter. Snowflakes danced in the air, clinging to his threadbare cloak as he pressed forward, his thoughts consumed by the daunting task ahead.
The Academy was far from the lower district, nestled in the heart of the city's upper echelon, where the wealthy and powerful resided. It was a place of privilege, where only the most gifted in magic were trained. Elias had never imagined he'd ever set foot there, but now, it was his only hope. If he could find a way inside, maybe—just maybe—he could learn to control the volatile magic within him.
But getting into the Academy wasn't going to be easy. The gates were guarded, and only those with official invitations or sponsorships were allowed entry. Elias had neither. His mind raced as he considered his options. He could try sneaking in, but the Academy was a fortress, and if he were caught, he'd be thrown out—or worse. No, he needed a plan, something that would get him inside without drawing too much attention.
As he walked, Elias's thoughts drifted back to the old man. Who was he? Why had he sacrificed himself? The questions gnawed at him, but there were no answers. All he had was the old man's cryptic words and the dangerous magic now pulsing within him. He tried to focus on that magic, to understand it, but every time he reached out, it slipped away like a wisp of smoke.
He clenched his fists in frustration. This power was supposed to be his salvation, but it felt more like a curse. The memory of the pain he had felt in the ruins, the searing fire that had nearly consumed him, was still fresh in his mind. If he couldn't learn to control it, he knew it would destroy him.
Elias's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. He tensed, instinctively slipping into the shadows of the nearby trees. A group of travelers appeared around the bend, their horses' hooves crunching in the snow. They were well-dressed, their cloaks lined with fur, and their conversation was light and carefree. Nobles, heading to the city for some grand event, no doubt. They paid no heed to the ragged boy hiding in the trees, and Elias waited until they passed before stepping back onto the road.
He continued walking, his mind racing. The Academy was still miles away, and he had no plan, no way in. He could feel the desperation clawing at him, the fear that this journey would end in failure. But he couldn't turn back now. He had to find a way.
Hours passed, and the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the world in hues of orange and purple. The city was closer now, its towering walls visible in the distance. But as Elias approached, a sinking feeling settled in his gut. The gates were heavily guarded, with soldiers patrolling the entrance. There was no way he could just walk in.
He found a secluded spot near the road and sat down, his back against a tree. The cold seeped through his clothes, but he barely noticed. His mind was too busy calculating, planning. He needed to get into the city first, then find a way to the Academy. But how?
As night fell, Elias's thoughts grew darker. What if he couldn't get in? What if he was turned away, left to fend for himself in the streets again? He shuddered at the thought. He couldn't go back to that life—not after everything that had happened.
Suddenly, a voice broke through his thoughts, soft and laced with uncertainty. "You look lost."
Elias jumped, startled by the intrusion. A figure stepped out of the shadows, a young woman with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. She was dressed in simple but well-made clothes, her cloak pulled tight against the cold. She looked at Elias with a curious expression, as if she was trying to figure him out.
Elias quickly assessed her. She didn't seem like a threat, but he knew better than to trust appearances. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice guarded.
The girl smiled faintly. "My name's Mara. I saw you earlier, on the road. You're trying to get into the city, aren't you?"
Elias hesitated. He didn't know this girl, and he wasn't sure if he should tell her the truth. But he was running out of options, and if she could help him… "Yes," he admitted. "But I don't have a way in."
Mara nodded, as if she had expected that answer. "It's not easy, getting into the city without an invitation. But there's a way, if you're willing to take a risk."
"What kind of risk?" Elias asked, narrowing his eyes.
Mara glanced around, as if checking to make sure they weren't being watched. "There's a smuggler I know. He's been getting people in and out of the city for years, no questions asked. For a price, of course."
Elias's heart sank. A smuggler? He didn't have any money, and even if he did, could he really trust someone like that? But what choice did he have? If he wanted to get to the Academy, he had to get into the city first.
"How much?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mara shook her head. "I don't know. It depends on the smuggler, and how desperate you are. But… you look like someone who doesn't have much to lose."
Elias flinched at her words, but she was right. He didn't have anything to lose—except his life. And that wasn't worth much if he couldn't learn to control his magic.
"Where can I find this smuggler?" he asked.
Mara smiled again, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Follow me."
Elias hesitated, but then nodded. He didn't have any other options. If this smuggler could get him into the city, he'd take the risk. With a deep breath, he stood and followed Mara down a narrow path that led away from the road.
They walked in silence for a while, the only sound the crunch of snow beneath their feet. The path wound through the trees, away from the main road, until they reached a small, run-down shack hidden in the woods. A faint light flickered inside, and Elias could hear muffled voices.
"This is it," Mara said, stopping a few paces from the door. "The smuggler's inside. But be careful—he's not one to be crossed."
Elias swallowed hard, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead. He nodded to Mara, then stepped forward and knocked on the door.
It creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with the smell of smoke and ale. A burly man with a thick beard and a scar across his cheek stood in the doorway, eyeing Elias with suspicion.
"What do you want, boy?" the smuggler growled, his voice rough.
Elias took a deep breath. "I need to get into the city."
The smuggler snorted. "Everyone wants to get into the city. What makes you think you're worth my time?"
Elias hesitated, then reached into his pocket and pulled out the only thing of value he had—a small, silver pendant. It wasn't much, but it was all he had left of his mother, the only memento from a life he barely remembered. He held it out to the smuggler, his hand trembling.
"This," he said, his voice firm. "It's all I have."
The smuggler eyed the pendant, then snatched it from Elias's hand. He examined it closely, a greedy glint in his eyes. After a moment, he grunted and shoved the pendant into his pocket.
"Fine," he said. "You've got a deal. But don't think this means you can trust me, boy. You'll get into the city, but after that, you're on your own."
Elias nodded, relief flooding through him. "That's all I need."
The smuggler motioned for him to follow, and Elias did, casting one last glance at Mara. She gave him an encouraging nod, then disappeared into the shadows.
Elias followed the smuggler down a hidden path that wound through the woods, eventually leading to a small, secret entrance in the city wall. The smuggler knocked on the door, and after a tense moment, it creaked open, revealing a narrow passageway that led into the city.
"Go on," the smuggler grunted, pushing Elias forward. "And remember—if you get caught, I don't know you."
Elias nodded, then stepped into the passageway. The door closed behind him with a heavy thud, leaving him alone in the darkness. He took a deep breath and began to make his way through the narrow tunnel, his heart pounding in his chest.
As he emerged into the city, the world around him transformed. The streets were wider, cleaner, and lined with shops and homes far grander than anything he had seen before. This was the upper district, a world apart from the squalor he had known all his life.
But Elias didn't have time to admire the view. He had a mission, and the Academy was his destination. He kept his head down and moved quickly through the streets, avoiding the gaze of the well-dressed passersby. He was out of place here.