Cedric led Alexander to a section of the hall where other new students were gathered. "This is where you'll be for the ceremony," he explained. "Afterward, you'll be sorted into your Houses, and from there, you'll meet your House Head and fellow students." Alexander nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The prospect of being sorted into a House was both intriguing and daunting.
As they waited for the ceremony to begin, Alexander struck up a conversation with a few of the other new students. There was Elara, a tall, dark-haired girl with a confident demeanor, who came from a family of skilled elemental mages.
Then there was Tomas, a shy but earnest boy with a knack for potion-making, who had been raised in a small village far from the city. And finally, there was Selene, a quiet and reserved girl with an air of mystery about her, who seemed to have an innate understanding and talent of magic despite her lack of formal training.
As they chatted, Alexander couldn't help but notice the diverse backgrounds of the students around him. Some, like Elara, came from prestigious families with long histories of magical prowess, while others, like Tomas, had come from humble beginnings, driven by a passion for learning and a desire to prove themselves.
The chatter in the hall gradually quieted as the Headmaster, a tall, imposing figure with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped onto the platform. He raised a hand, and the room fell silent, all eyes on him.
"Welcome, students, to the Academy of Magic," the Headmaster began, his voice carrying effortlessly across the vast hall. "You stand at the threshold of a new chapter in your lives, a chapter that will be defined by your dedication, your perseverance, and your willingness to embrace the unknown."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "The Academy is a place of learning, but it is also a place of challenges. Here, you will be tested—mentally, physically, and spiritually. You will be pushed to your limits, and beyond. But it is through these trials that you will discover your true potential, and it is here that you will forge the path that will shape your future."
The Headmaster gestured to the banners hanging along the walls, each one representing a different House. "The Academy is divided into Houses, each with its own unique focus and area of expertise. You will soon be sorted into one of these Houses, where you will begin your journey of discovery and growth. The House you join will be your family, your support, and your guide as you navigate the challenges that lie ahead."
The hall erupted in applause, the sound reverberating off the stone walls. As the applause died down, the Headmaster stepped back, and the House Heads rose from their seats to begin the sorting process.
One by one, the new students were called forward to be sorted into their Houses. The process was simple but significant—each student would place their hand on a large, ornate crystal that sat on a pedestal in the center of the platform. The crystal, infused with ancient magic, would glow with the color of the House that best suited the student's abilities and personality.
As the line of students slowly moved forward, Alexander watched with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He saw Elara being sorted into House Ignis, the crystal flaring bright red as she touched it. House Ignis specialized in elemental magic, particularly fire. Their banner, a crimson flame against a black background, seemed to flicker with a life of its own.
Tomas was next, the crystal glowing a deep blue as he was placed in House Aqua. House Aqua focused on water magic and healing arts, whose banner depicted a serene wave, flowing gracefully across a deep blue field.
Selene, to Alexander's surprise, was sorted into House Noctis, the crystal glowing a soft, dark grey as she stepped back with a satisfied smile. House Noctis, the most enigmatic of all the Houses, specialized in shadow magic and the study of ancient, arcane knowledge. Their banner was a deep, midnight dark, adorned with a crescent moon and stars.
There was also two Houses, House Terra and House Ventus. The former specialized in earth magic and alchemy. Their banner featured a mighty oak tree, its roots deep and its branches reaching toward the sky. The latter focused on air magic and enchantments, and was known for their agility in both mind and body. Their banner displayed a swirling gust of wind, silver and white against a pale sky.
Each House sounded intriguing and powerful. But it was House Noctis that caught his attention the most. There was something about the mystery of shadow magic, the allure of the unknown, that resonated with him on a deep level. He wondered if that was the House where he truly belonged.
Finally, it was Alexander's turn. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling the weight of a hundred eyes on him as he approached the crystal. The platform felt much higher now, the distance between him and the other students somehow more vast than it had been a moment ago.
He reached out and placed his hand on the crystal. For a moment, nothing happened. The crystal remained cool and inert beneath his fingers, and Alexander felt a surge of disappointment. What if the crystal didn't respond? What if he wasn't suited for any of the Houses?
But then, slowly, the crystal began to glow. It was a soft, gentle light, barely noticeable, shifting through a spectrum of colors—red, blue, green, white, grey, blood and black—before finally settling on a pale red.
The Headmaster cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Alexander," he began, his voice resonating through the hall, "you have been assigned to House Ignis."
Upon hearing that, Alexander felt a sense of loss and emptiness. But it's better than nothing. However, before Alexander nodded, a voice cut through the air, ambitious and dismissive.
"Absolutely not," said the admissions leader of House Ignis, his tone laced with contempt. He stepped forward, a tall man with fiery red robes that seemed to shimmer with an inner light. "We do not accept mediocrity in House Ignis. Alexander's performance has been... a complete waste of space, to say the least. A trash!"
A wave of whispers spread across the hall, and Alexander felt the sting of humiliation rise within him. But before he could fully process it, another voice joined the fray.
"We refuse as well," declared the woman of House Aqua, her icy blue eyes flickering with disdain. "Our House values wisdom and excellence. Alexander does not meet our standards."
One by one, the other House teachers voiced their refusal. House Terra, House Ventus—each rejection was like a slap in the face, the sting of which grew sharper with each passing second. The weight of their collective decision hung in the air, suffocating and final.
"House Noctis?" After a few minutes, the Headmaster, his expression grave, delivered the final blow. "Given that no House will accept Alexander, it is with regret that we must expel him from the Academy."
Alexander's mind raced. Expelled? Was this really happening? A flood of emotions surged through him—anger, frustration, and an overwhelming sense of injustice. But instead of lashing out, he stood straight and took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.