One Day Before Departure for the Royal Academy Entrance Exam
The village of Eldarion was calm in the late afternoon light, its cobblestone paths and wooden houses bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. I walked slowly through the village square, my thoughts tangled in the weight of what lay ahead. The breeze was gentle, rustling the leaves of the old oak tree that stood tall at the heart of the village. Everything seemed normal—peaceful even—but for me, it felt like the calm before a storm.
Tomorrow, Akio and I would leave for the capital, and in just over a week, we would face the Royal Academy Entrance Exam. It was all I could think about.
As I passed by groups of villagers, their hushed conversations reached my ears, though they didn't notice me. I had grown used to it by now, the way people talked about us—about me and Akio. I paused for a moment, staying out of sight, listening to their words, my heart pounding a little faster with each one.
"Akio's our best chance," an old farmer said, his voice carrying over the sound of the evening breeze. "If anyone's going to make something of themselves at the Academy, it's him."
"Yeah," another man agreed. "He's got talent—advanced spells, combat prowess. Can't be denied. The Academy will be his stepping stone."
"What about Kai?" a younger voice asked. "He's been working just as hard."
There was a brief silence, then the old farmer spoke again, his tone softer but no less cutting. "He's got heart, sure, but heart doesn't always get you where talent does. Akio's a natural. Kai's still struggling with spells the other boy mastered years ago. No doubt they'll both do well enough, but Akio… he's the one everyone expects to succeed."
The words stung, but I pushed them down. I couldn't let them distract me. I had to stay focused. Tomorrow was just the beginning of the real challenge.
I turned away from the square and made my way home. The familiar sight of our small cottage on the outskirts of the village brought a sense of comfort. Inside, laughter and voices filled the air. My mother, Lily, was setting the table, her face glowing with joy as she moved around the kitchen. My father, Paul, stood by the doorway, arms crossed with a proud but stern expression on his face. And Alice—my mentor—sat at the table, her sharp eyes following my every move.
"You're just in time," Alice said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I was starting to think you'd gotten cold feet."
"Not a chance," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. Tomorrow, I'd be leaving the village for the first time in my life, and while the excitement was there, so was the weight of everything that came with it.
"You've come a long way, Kai," Alice continued, her tone softening a bit. "But remember—tomorrow's just the first step. What really matters is how you carry yourself through the weeks and months ahead."
I nodded, her words sinking in. I had grown a lot since that monster attack three years ago. I wasn't the same naive boy who had been unsure of himself. At least, that's what I kept telling myself. But even now, with the departure looming so close, doubts lingered at the edges of my mind.
"I'll make you proud, Master," I said quietly, my voice steady but thick with emotion.
"We're already proud of you, son," my father interjected, stepping forward. He placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "This journey you're about to take… it's important. But what's even more important is that you don't lose sight of yourself along the way."
I looked up at him, meeting his eyes. My father had always been a man of few words, but when he spoke, his advice carried weight. I could see the seriousness in his face, but also the pride. It was that same quiet strength he had always shown me, the kind that kept me grounded even when I felt uncertain.
"There's a lesson I've carried with me all my life," my father said, his voice calm but filled with meaning. "Focus on your duty, not the result. You can't control what happens after you've given your best. Don't let the fear of failure—or success—cloud your judgment."
I nodded, absorbing his words. It wasn't the first time he'd said something like this to me, but tonight, the night before I left for the capital, it hit differently. I realized that this journey wasn't just about proving myself to others. It wasn't about outdoing Akio or living up to the villagers' expectations. It was about my own path, my own growth.
"I won't let you down," I said, the resolve in my voice stronger now.
My father's face softened into a smile, and he gave my shoulder a final pat. "You've already made us proud, Kai. What you do next is for you."
We spent the rest of the evening together, eating and talking like we always did, but tonight felt special. The warmth of my family, the closeness we shared—it made everything else seem a little less daunting. Alice didn't say much after her initial words, but I could feel her approval. I knew she believed in me, even if she rarely showed it.
As the night wore on, I found myself standing by the window, looking out at the village. Tomorrow, Akio and I would leave for the capital. It felt surreal—like the end of one chapter and the beginning of something much bigger. I didn't know what awaited me at the Academy or how I would fare in the entrance exam, but one thing was clear: this was the start of my journey.
And no matter what, I would give it everything I had.