The morning air was cool and crisp as sunlight bled through the tall, narrow windows of the dormitory. A bell tolled somewhere in the distance—a low, resonant sound that seemed to shake the very walls. Kiyoshi rubbed at his eyes, slowly sitting up as the soft hum of activity echoed through the halls. It was the first day of the trials, and already, the tension was palpable.
Their temporary dorms were simple but functional—stone walls, shared bunks, and chests for belongings. It wasn't much, but it was clean, and the enchanted heating kept the chill-out.
Rajieru was the first to stir fully, hopping down from his bunk with an exaggerated stretch.
"Ready for glory, Kiyoshi?" he teased, his grin lopsided. "Or are you planning to snooze through the tests?"
Kiyoshi muttered something unintelligible, pulling his kimono tighter before finally climbing down. Haruki was already awake, kneeling near the window as he tied the belt of his freshly donned uniform.
The academy had provided each applicant with a simple trial uniform—deep grey with black trim and the school's insignia embroidered onto the chest: an intricate crest with a mana crystal at its heart. The uniforms were designed to allow movement while looking formal, a subtle statement of the academy's prestige.
"It fits well," Celosia remarked quietly, standing near the doorway. Her uniform had sleeves a little longer than usual, brushing against her hands.
Kiyoshi eyed his own folded set and sighed. He wasn't used to wearing something so uniform—so ordered. Reluctantly, he changed into it, the stiff fabric sitting strangely against his skin.
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"A Grand Ascent."
The academy's vast courtyard buzzed with activity as the applicants gathered. Groups murmured amongst themselves, sharing nervous chatter while others moved silently, their eyes sharp and focused. The grand spires of Kuoh Academy stretched high into the morning sky, casting shadows across the cobblestone paths.
Kiyoshi tilted his head back to take in the grandeur—rows of towering buildings carved from pale stone adorned with archways and intricate carvings. Statues of mages, warriors, and spirits lined the pathways, their details so lifelike that it seemed their stone eyes were watching. Some figures clutched glowing crystals in their hands, a soft light pulsing from within.
"Imposing, isn't it?" Haruki said softly, stepping beside Kiyoshi. "Kuoh Academy's architecture dates back centuries. Every archway, every rune—it all has a purpose."
Celosia's gaze lingered on a nearby statue of a spirit-user holding a swirling, carved spirit above their palm. She touched the hem of her uniform absently. "It feels...alive here."
The sound of footsteps drew their attention as proctors arrived—each wearing deep crimson robes with silver embroidery, marking them as senior members of the academy. Leading them was a tall woman with angular features and piercing sapphire eyes, her silver hair cascading in a braid down her back.
"Applicants, attention!" Her voice rang out, amplified by a subtle mana-infused spell. "Welcome to the first of the Kuoh Trials. You stand on sacred grounds where only the worthy remain. Today will test your mind, your mana, and your will."
She gestured toward the arched gates of a building looming ahead. Its double doors gleamed with inscribed runes, shifting faintly with light.
"Follow me. The written test awaits."
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"Test of Knowledge."
The examination hall was enormous—a cathedral-like space with vaulted ceilings, enchanted lanterns hanging midair, and desks arranged in perfect rows. The walls shimmered faintly, runic protections thrumming softly with magic. Proctors lined the perimeter, their sharp gazes sweeping over the crowd as applicants took their seats.
Kiyoshi slid into a desk near Rajieru, the wood smooth but cool beneath his palms. An aged proctor stepped forward with a tome tucked under his arm, his movements deliberate as he waved his hand. Sheets of parchment and inked quills materialized in front of every student.
"The rules are simple," the proctor began. "No magic. No talking. No cheating. The wards will detect any violations, and you will be expelled immediately." His eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. "Begin."
The parchment shimmered, and questions appeared one by one. Kiyoshi stared at the elegant writing, his brow furrowing as he read:
"Question 1: Describe the flow of mana from its point of origin within the body to external casting. Include the steps of moulding and output."
"Question 2: What is the fundamental difference between Elemental Magic and Arcane Magic?"
"Question 3: The Third Law of Transmutation states that matter cannot be created without cost. Explain the implications of this law for materialization spells."
Kiyoshi frowned. The first question made sense in theory—he knew how magic felt when it moved through him—but putting that into words was another matter entirely. His quill hovered for a moment before he scribbled:
"Mana begins in the stomach, where it rests before being moulded. By focusing intent, it flows outward to the body and finally the world."
It was clumsy, and he could already tell it wasn't the answer they wanted. Around him, other applicants scratched away furiously, their quills gliding across the parchment.
Rajieru finished the first question in a single line, smirking as he glanced ahead. Celosia, two rows away, moved at a measured pace, her focus unshakable. Haruki, calm as ever, wrote with a fluid hand, pausing only to reread his answers.
The minutes dragged, tension building as Kiyoshi did his best to guess through the more technical questions.
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"The Mana Crystal Test."
The written test concluded with the proctors collecting the enchanted parchments, which vanished in flashes of light. Without pause, the applicants were led through winding corridors to a chamber known as the Crystal Hall.
It was breathtaking—walls lined with glittering quartz, the air buzzing faintly with mana. At its centre stood the Mana Crystal: a towering gem of translucent blue, glowing softly from within.
"This is your second trial," the silver-haired proctor announced. "Each of you will place your hand upon the crystal. It will measure the depth of your mana reserves."
Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd. This was where strength would be unveiled—and weaknesses exposed.
One by one, students stepped forward.
Rajieru was among the first. He strolled up with casual flair, slapped his palm against the crystal, and grinned as it pulsed in a series of bright, erratic flashes. The crowd gasped.
"A wild one, huh?" a proctor muttered.
Celosia approached with quiet determination, her hand trembling only slightly. The crystal glowed steadily—soft but unwavering, like a heartbeat.
When Haruki touched it, the crystal's light deepened, expanding outward in calm, rhythmic waves. The proctors nodded approvingly.
Then came Kiyoshi. He hesitated, heart pounding as he stepped up to the crystal. "Just touch it. It's fine."
His fingers met the surface.
The crystal flared. A blinding white light exploded outward, the air shaking violently as the hall fell silent. Proctors exchanged alarmed looks as cracks spiderwebbed faintly along the crystal's base before it finally dimmed.
Kiyoshi yanked his hand back, staring at it in confusion. Whispers erupted around him.
"What was that?"
"Is he even human?"
"Enough!" The silver-haired proctor's voice cut through the noise. "Proceed!"
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"A Quiet Unease."
Outside, as the group regrouped, Rajieru was the first to break the silence. "You trying to blow up the academy, Kiyoshi?"
Celosia shook her head. "That was...different."
Haruki placed a hand on Kiyoshi's shoulder, his expression unreadable. "Be careful. They're watching now."
As Kiyoshi looked back at the towering academy spires, the unease in his chest grew. Whatever had happened back there—it was no accident.
Tomorrow's combat trial would bring even more eyes to him.
What are you hiding, Kiyoshi?
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