The Verdant Wilds stretched endlessly before them, the ancient forest humming with a latent energy that resonated in the air. Thick vines hung from towering trees whose branches intertwined high above, casting a canopy of shifting shadows. The path Cody and Jake tread was uneven, the ground damp beneath their boots. Each step Jake took felt heavier, not because of the journey but because of the stares and the quiet murmurs surrounding him.
They approached the Royal Academy's encampment, where a small clearing had been made in the otherwise impenetrable forest. Sunlight barely broke through the thick canopy, casting dim rays over the well-armed guards stationed around the perimeter. Tents bearing the Royal Academy's crest stood tall, their royal blue banners rippling gently in the light breeze.
As Cody stepped into the clearing, his aura flared briefly—a signature that only the highest-ranking members could sense, but unmistakable to those who knew what to look for. Jake followed, keeping his eyes low. His presence wasn't like Cody's, which glowed with commanding authority; Jake's aura was practically nonexistent. His uncertainty fed into the tense atmosphere, making him even more uncomfortable.
Cody didn't look back as he walked, trusting Jake to keep up. The eyes of the Royal Academy's representatives, assembled just ahead, followed their every move. Whispers ran through the small crowd of five like wildfire, and Jake could feel their distrust clinging to him. These weren't the murmurs of common soldiers—they were from elites. The best of the Royal Academy. People who had mastered their abilities to the point of legend.
At the center of the gathering stood Prince Arlen, the Crown Prince of the Light Empire and leader of the academy's most powerful contingent. His armor, forged from a blend of rare metals, gleamed with a light that seemed to come from within. His stature exuded confidence, and his aura shimmered, radiating what felt like the purest form of divine energy. It was like standing next to the sun itself—blinding and overpowering.
Arlen's gaze settled on Cody first, but it quickly shifted to Jake, narrowing as he assessed the newcomer. His lips pressed into a thin line, his displeasure evident. "Cody," he said, his voice cold but respectful, "you brought this?"
Jake instinctively tensed. He had no memories of these people, yet he could feel their eyes boring into him, each one silently judging his worth. He wasn't blind to their skepticism. Without a strong aura to display, he was an unknown, possibly a liability.
Cody's voice cut through the tension like a blade, calm and resolute. "Jake is with me. He's… different, but his potential is beyond anything any of us have seen."
Jake could feel the weight of Cody's words, yet he still didn't understand the full extent of what Cody believed he could become. All he knew was the confusing storm of memories, powers, and gaps in his mind—an identity that felt fragmented and incomplete.
Arlen's gaze didn't soften. He looked past Cody and directly at Jake, measuring, weighing, and, from what Jake could gather, finding him wanting. "You better hope Cody's faith in you isn't misplaced," Arlen warned before turning away, signaling the end of the exchange.
Jake felt a wave of discomfort wash over him. Cody had confidence in him, but what if Cody was wrong? He still didn't understand the full extent of his powers, let alone how they fit into this grand scheme that had suddenly swept him up. All around him were individuals radiating strength—people who had honed their skills to perfection while he was fumbling with fragmented memories and uncertainty.
From the side, Lily, a young woman with dark, flowing hair and emerald eyes, observed Jake quietly. She was the group's healer, known for her mastery of Mana Channeling, the ability to harness ambient mana and redirect it to heal or enhance others. There was a softness to her gaze, a quiet curiosity. She wasn't like the others who judged him from the outset. Instead, she seemed to sense something deeper within him—a potential she couldn't quite place but believed in. She offered Jake a small, understanding smile, though it did little to ease his nerves.
"Cody, are you sure about this?" she asked softly, her voice gentle but tinged with concern.
"I am," Cody replied, his tone unwavering. "Jake isn't like anyone we've met before. He may not show it, but there's something inside him. I feel it."
Across from them, Fiona, a princess of noble birth and a master of Fire Manipulation, rolled her eyes, twirling a flame between her fingers as she leaned against a nearby tree. Her fiery red hair seemed to dance in the wind as embers flickered around her. "Potential isn't enough. We need people who can deliver now. If he's as weak as he looks, he's just dead weight." The flame in her hand flared up briefly before she extinguished it with a flick of her wrist, clearly unimpressed.
Cody ignored her jab, focusing on the task ahead. There was no time to convince everyone. They would see soon enough. Jake, on the other hand, felt the sting of Fiona's words. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling up inside him, but he said nothing. He was beginning to realize that earning their trust would be an uphill battle.
Beside Fiona stood Ronan, his arms crossed as he silently watched the exchange. His sword, one of the Blades of the Radiant Sun, hung loosely at his side. It was a legendary weapon known for its ability to cut through anything, even magic itself. His aura hummed with a quiet intensity, and though he didn't speak, his gaze told Jake everything he needed to know—Ronan didn't think much of him either.
The Royal Academy was filled with powerful figures, each with their unique abilities. Isla, the strategist and master of Mana Seals, watched from the side, her fingers tracing patterns in the air as she considered the situation. Her calm demeanor hid the immense power she wielded—the ability to suppress or enhance others' powers at will. She gave Jake a brief glance but said nothing, choosing to observe rather than engage.
As the group prepared to move, Prince Arlen took command, his voice cutting through the quiet murmurs. "We move now. The other academies are already assembled. This isn't just a gathering—it's a test. Keep your wits about you."
The Royal Academy's representatives fell in line, their movements fluid and practiced. They were elites, after all—trained for situations like this. But the path they now walked was filled with uncertainty, not just because of the mission ahead but because of Jake's presence among them.
The forest seemed to shift as they walked, the magic of the Verdant Wilds pressing in on them. Even the sounds of the wilderness grew quiet as they neared the central meeting ground—a massive stone platform nestled deep within the forest. As the Royal Academy approached, they could see the other academies already gathered, waiting for their arrival.
The Academy of Beast Taming stood with their three representatives—Kyra, Baren, and Sari—each accompanied by their tamed beasts. Kyra's eyes glowed as she stroked the head of a massive wolf beside her, while Baren stood tall with his lion-like companion at his side. Sari's aura pulsed with a deep connection to the animals surrounding her, her soft voice murmuring commands only they could understand.
Next to them stood the representatives of the Academy of Earthly Magic. Kelan, Eira, and Nerik looked imposing as they discussed quietly amongst themselves. Kelan's mastery over the earth itself was legendary, and the ground seemed to shift subtly beneath his feet. Eira, with her control over plant life, was surrounded by vines that curled around her as if awaiting her command. Nerik, a quiet but powerful force, stood with his stone golems at his side, their eyes glowing faintly with energy.
The Academy of Weapon Forging and Alchemic Studies was also present, their three representatives—Darius, Zane, and Lyra—watching intently as the Royal Academy arrived. Darius, a master forger, carried weapons imbued with magic, their edges glowing with latent power. Zane, the alchemist, held several vials of liquid at his belt, each one capable of bending the very fabric of reality. Lyra, the artifact crafter, was busy inspecting the elements around her, always searching for new materials to craft into powerful tools.
Finally, the Academy for Dark Magic representatives stood apart, their dark cloaks billowing in the soft breeze. Selene, Drake, and Vexa observed the Royal Academy with cold indifference. Selene's necromantic powers made the air around her feel colder, and Drake's shadow manipulation seemed to distort the light itself. Vexa's curses, though silent for now, hung in the air like a looming threat.
All eyes were on Jake and Cody as they approached the platform. The tension was palpable, and the gathering of so much power in one place made the very air vibrate with energy. Jake could feel the weight of their gazes, the skepticism, the doubt. He knew he was an outsider here, but Cody had reassured him again and again that his presence was vital
But he himself didn't know if he believed it himself
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