I walked towards the grand gates of the academy, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. The massive stone walls towered above me, adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts and ancient symbols. It felt like I was walking into another world. Beyond the gates, I could already glimpse the sprawling grounds of the academy. Tall, imposing buildings stretched out before me, reminiscent of the grand universities I'd once seen in books back on Earth. But here, the stone was rougher, older, with vines creeping up the sides, as if nature itself had tried to claim the structures but was held back by the sheer power of the place.
The academy building at the center stood out, a massive edifice of grey stone with spires that seemed to touch the sky. It had an almost cathedral-like feel, with large stained-glass windows depicting scenes of epic battles and tamers commanding mighty beasts. Trees lined the stone pathways leading up to the entrance, their thick canopies providing patches of shade in the warm afternoon sun. The air felt thick with an ancient energy, as if thousands of stories had been whispered within these walls.
I took a deep breath and ignored the other people milling about, their curious glances in my direction. There was no time for distractions. I quickly identified the guards standing beside the gates, their crisp uniforms marking them as academy staff. They stood tall and alert, their presence both comforting and intimidating. I approached them, straightening my posture.
"Excuse me," I began, my voice a bit softer than I'd intended. "Where do I apply for admission?"
One of the guards, a middle-aged man with a stern face and sharp eyes, looked me over before nodding towards the entrance. "Follow the path straight ahead. You'll see a line of applicants inside, midway to the main building. Just join them."
"Thank you," I said with a polite nod, before turning and making my way inside.
As I passed through the gates, I couldn't help but slow my pace, my eyes wandering over the academy grounds. The pathways were lined with trees and beautifully manicured hedges, while students and tamers wandered in groups, discussing techniques or sparring with their pets. The air buzzed with energy—both from the students and the beasts that accompanied them. Even the smallest creatures radiated power, reminding me of just how far I still had to go.
Finally, I reached the line. It was shorter than I'd expected, perhaps because I'd arrived in the late afternoon. The few people still standing there looked as nervous as I felt, each lost in their own thoughts as they waited for their turn. The line moved swiftly, and before long, I found myself standing before an instructor seated at a stone table, a large crystal orb resting beside her.
She barely glanced up from her parchment as I approached. "Name, age, and place of origin?" she asked in a clipped tone.
"Kira. I'm eighteen. I'm from a small village just outside the forest," I replied, keeping my voice steady.
She finally looked up, her sharp eyes taking in my appearance with a slight frown. "Right. Put your hand on the crystal," she instructed, gesturing to the orb beside her.
I stepped forward and placed my hand on the cool surface of the crystal. It glowed faintly at first, then began to shimmer with a soft, blue light. The light pulsed gently, shifting from pale blue to a more vibrant hue before settling into a steady glow.
"The crystal reads your soul's energy," the instructor explained, though she spoke more out of habit than necessity. "It reveals your spiritual rank and helps us gauge your potential."
I felt a slight warmth spread through my palm, and the light intensified for a moment before finally dimming. The instructor glanced at the crystal and raised an eyebrow. "High-Awakened, huh?"
I blinked. High-Awakened? I hadn't realized I'd progressed that far. The instructor seemed to study me for a moment, as if trying to reconcile my rank with my appearance. She likely assumed I was from some lower-class background, given my simple clothes and lack of refinement.
Still, she shrugged it off, scribbling something down on her parchment. "Not bad for your age. But don't get cocky," she added, her voice clipped. "The admission test isn't just about battle prowess. Be ready for anything. The test begins tomorrow morning. Don't be late."
"Understood. Thank you," I replied with a quick nod, stepping back as she moved on to the next applicant.
With the application process complete, I made my way back out of the academy grounds, my thoughts swirling. High-Awakened... it was better than I'd hoped, but I knew it wouldn't be enough. The academy attracted the best, and I would need more than just a decent rank to stand out.
I wandered through the city streets, my mind buzzing as I searched for a place to stay. After a bit of walking, I found a small, shabby inn tucked away down a quiet alley. It wasn't much, but it would do for the night. The room was tiny, with a single bed, a worn desk, and a small drawer. It was no luxury, but it was still better than my hut in the forest.
After settling in, I sat on the bed and closed my eyes, focusing on my soul. I spent some time cultivating, feeling the familiar warmth of energy flowing through me as I strengthened my connection to my spiritual power. It wasn't much, but every bit counted.
When I finished, exhaustion hit me like a wave. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. With that thought, I laid down on the bed and let sleep take me, my mind filled with visions of the academy and the challenges ahead.