As the celestial crowd gathered at the base of Starfire Peak, excitement and tension filled the air. The peak loomed high above, its shimmering outline bathed in the light of two descending stars. Zorin Kai's voice, calm yet commanding, had silenced the murmurs as he laid out the challenge.
The satchels each trainee carried weren't just physical burdens—they were infused with their unique astral essence, symbolizing the weight of their potential. For some, like Seris Velan, this was more than just a test of strength. It was a test of strategy, will, and resourcefulness.
Seris, though young, understood this well. He had taken on not only his own challenge but that of his younger brother, determined to shield him from failure.
As they began the ascent, the first few miles were manageable. The starlit terrain sparkled underfoot, and the path, though steep, did little to slow Seris down. But with each step, the gravitational pull around Starfire Peak seemed to increase, making every breath heavier, every step more labored.
It wasn't long before his brother began to stumble, his breathing growing labored. Seris could hear the effort in every step, could see the strain on his brother's face. He knew they wouldn't make it together if things continued like this.
"This won't do," Seris thought. Without hesitation, he moved towards a quieter path, slipping into a celestial thicket. He was no stranger to cunning solutions, having always found ways to bend the rules in his favor without outright breaking them.
In the privacy of the astral shrubs, he summoned his inner space—a pocket dimension where time flowed differently, and reality was malleable. With swift precision, he emptied the contents of both satchels, replacing the dense cosmic sand with lighter, shimmering stardust, a substance that mimicked the weight of the original but was far easier to carry.
Relieved of the oppressive burden, Seris and his brother continued the ascent with renewed energy. As they pressed forward, the terrain became steeper, the path narrower.
Many of the other competitors had already begun to falter. Some collapsed at the side of the path, their satchels weighing them down like anchors, their breath heavy as they struggled against the relentless pull of Starfire Peak.
One such competitor, a burly youth clad in obsidian robes, was gasping for breath, his legs barely able to lift the heavy satchel on his back. His face was a mask of determination, but his body was betraying him.
Just then, the burly youth saw Seris and his brother pass by with effortless grace. Seris, carrying not just his own satchel but his brother's as well, moved with a fluid ease that seemed to defy the mountain's pull. The sight left the youth in awe, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Soon, whispers began to ripple through the crowd of competitors. The story of the slender youth with two satchels spread quickly. Many turned their heads as Seris overtook them, moving swiftly with his younger brother by his side.
They couldn't understand how he seemed unaffected by the weight that had already driven so many to the ground. Some watched in amazement; others glared in envy, their pride stung by the ease with which Seris seemed to conquer the climb.
But even as Seris pushed forward, he wasn't the only one making the ascent with grace. Far ahead, a figure caught his attention.
A youth, dressed in luxurious iridescent robes that shimmered like the night sky, walked casually up the mountain, his posture relaxed, as if he were on a leisurely stroll rather than an intense physical trial.
Behind him followed two attendants, one carrying his satchel, the other waving a celestial fan, creating a soft breeze to keep their master cool.
It was clear that this youth, with his servants and airs of nobility, had no intention of following the spirit of the challenge. Seris had seen this type before—those who believed that their birthright or wealth could bypass hard work.
The youth had likely discarded his own satchel at the foot of the mountain, leaving the hard work to his servants. Seris' eyes narrowed in quiet disapproval, but he pressed on, understanding that every competitor had their own path to follow, their own methods to employ.
As they continued up the mountain, Seris encountered more figures like the robed youth. Some walked with an air of entitlement, flanked by attendants who bore the brunt of the challenge for them. Others, however, had succumbed to the weight of their own arrogance, faltering under the mountain's increasing pressure, despite their preparations.
Seris Velan, however, kept his focus sharp. He had always known that the true test wasn't just physical strength. It was the ability to adapt, to think quickly, and to carry those who mattered most.
Starfire Peak wasn't just a mountain—it was a crucible designed to burn away the weakness of those who climbed it. And for Seris, it was an opportunity to rise, not only for himself but for his younger brother.
"It seems cheaters exist in every test," Seris Velan thought as he approached the summit of Starfire Peak. Not one to be caught off guard, he quickly veered off the trail, once again slipping into a secluded nebula-laden grove. Within moments, he summoned his inner astral space, refilling both of their satchels with the original cosmic sand, preparing for the final inspection.
His younger brother, breathing a bit easier after the climb, looked at him curiously. "Brother, how did you carry both of those heavy satchels all the way up here like it was nothing?"
Seris grinned and puffed out his chest. "Your brother's strength is unmatched. Even if a Star Beast jumped out now, I could knock it out with one punch."
His brother raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "More tall tales? Last time you barely escaped with your life from an old, sick Void Wolf."
Seris chuckled, ruffling his brother's hair. "Ah, details, details."
They pushed forward, and soon the summit came into view. Upon arrival, they saw that around forty or fifty others had already made it. Many were sprawled out on the ground, some leaning against glowing rocks, others lying flat, exhausted from the climb. Not a single person was standing—everyone had felt the grueling pull of the peak.
Seris and his brother found a nearby stone and sat down to catch their breath. As they rested, more competitors trickled in, panting, sweaty, and worn down by the climb.
By the time the twin stars began their final descent, casting a golden hue over the landscape, just over five hundred had reached the summit. For many, the ordeal was finally over, but for Seris, it was just the beginning.
As twilight descended, several figures dressed in shimmering robes—obviously instructors from the Mistveil Heights Academy—stepped forward. They moved with practiced authority, gathering the survivors in a loose formation.
The instructors began checking each person's satchel, confirming their astral mark and verifying that no tampering had occurred. As Seris' satchel was inspected, he maintained a calm demeanor. The instructor glanced at him but said nothing, handing him a smooth wooden plaque.
The plaque glowed faintly in the dimming light, marking his official status as a student of the academy.
Later that night, Seris lay in his bed, staring up at the ethereal ceiling of the academy dormitory, unable to sleep. The room was small, with a single bed covered by a soft, luxurious blanket that felt more comfortable than anything he had ever experienced. The air was cool, and the faint hum of distant celestial winds filled the space. But even in this comfort, his thoughts raced, his excitement palpable.
He had finally made it—he had entered the legendary Mistveil Heights Academy. Just days ago, when he had still been in the quiet, unassuming Velan Homestead, his only ambition was to live a stable life. He had once dreamt of simply becoming a small landholder, someone with enough wealth to live comfortably, to avoid the harsh uncertainties of life.
But now, after witnessing the grand scale of power, wealth, and opportunity that surrounded him, his ambitions had grown tenfold. The academy was filled with people of status—sons and daughters of wealthy families, powerful merchants, and even lesser nobles.
No one here cared about small privileges, such as a good meal or a warm bed, as they had back in the village. He remembered how, back home, people would parade around with a simple luxury, like the village fool Xu, who once bragged about a chicken leg for an entire week. But here, at tonight's dinner, everyone had their own sumptuous meal, complete with a chicken leg. No one showed off—because here, it was expected.
The contrast was stark, and it hit Seris hard. He realized that his earlier dreams of becoming a mere landholder seemed small, even laughable now.
Surrounded by wealth and influence, his horizons had expanded. Why stop at being a landowner when he could strive for something much greater? Perhaps he could mingle with county magistrates, or even higher ranks. The thought filled him with a fiery ambition.
He tossed and turned in bed, his mind alive with possibilities, yet sleep remained elusive. Frustrated, he finally decided to retreat into his personal astral space, the very source of his newfound fortune.
Within this space, Seris had unlimited control. It was vast, a realm filled with celestial wonders and resources he had yet to fully explore. Everything he had now—the success, the ease of the climb, the strength to support his brother—was because of this unique gift.
Walking through the expanse of his inner world, Seris contemplated the future. The Mistveil Heights Academy was just the first step. He had passed the initial test, but there would be countless more challenges ahead, each more difficult than the last. But with his resourcefulness and the power of his astral space, Seris knew he could rise above it all.
No longer was he content with a simple life. He could feel destiny calling him to something much greater, something far beyond the confines of a small village or even the academy itself. With the stars as his witness, Seris Velan vowed to aim higher than he ever had before.
Excitedly, Seris Velan spun through the air within his astral space, tumbling with joy. With a thought, he manipulated a gleaming astral dagger to dance through the void, imagining himself as a legendary immortal, effortlessly severing enemies' heads with a flying weapon.
This had become Seris' favorite pastime in recent months. Whenever he grew tired of the game, he'd relax and drift off into sleep. In his space, sleeping for a few hours would only equate to a minute passing in the real world. He was unaware that his spiritual power was growing steadily all the while, nourished by the unique flow of energy in his inner realm.
The Mistveil Heights Academy, where Seris now found himself, was one of the most prestigious academies in the Astral Dominion. It was a place that trained and produced some of the most talented individuals across the Great Von Empire.
The academy was divided into two main schools: the College of the Cosmic Arts and the College of the Martial Stars, often referred to simply as the College of Wisdom and the College of War.
The College of Wisdom focused on ancient celestial knowledge passed down by sages, covering a wide range of disciplines like Astronomy, Stellar Mathematics, Celestial Agriculture, Galactic Laws, and Healing Arts.
It aimed to cultivate scholars, strategists, and healers, those who would guide and manage the empire with knowledge and insight. Healing Arts within the College of Wisdom emphasized curing illnesses and promoting long-term health.
The College of War, on the other hand, specialized in both internal and external combat techniques, the mastery of the 18 celestial weapons, starship formations, and astral battle strategies.
There was overlap between the two colleges, particularly in Healing Arts. However, the focus within the College of War was on treating trauma from battles, mending injuries sustained in combat. Students here also learned horsemanship, archery, and celestial weaponry.
For now, however, these sophisticated courses meant little to Seris. The only training he received was focused on the basics: the Eight Foundational Astral Practices.
It wasn't that the academy was unwilling to teach him more advanced techniques—far from it. The issue lay in Seris' lack of basic education. He couldn't read or identify the astral meridians or vital points in the body, which were essential for mastering higher-level techniques.
The advanced martial arts, imbued with complex celestial energy manipulations, were deeply profound. A single mistake in channeling energy could cause irreversible damage, potentially crippling a practitioner. Even if they tried to teach him, Seris knew it would be too dangerous to practice blindly.
The Eight Foundational Astral Practices, though basic, were perfect for building a strong foundation. The sequence of eight movements worked every part of the body, providing a comprehensive training method for beginners. It was designed to condition the body, align the spirit, and channel astral energy efficiently.
Seris now stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, toes digging into the ground. His core was tight, and his stance was strong. He puckered his lower muscles and raised his hips slightly. His teeth clenched together, his tongue pressed lightly against the roof of his mouth, and he retracted his jaw ever so slightly.
Both hands raised to his sides, his four fingers aligned, pointing straight forward, while his thumbs were cocked back. Slowly, he thrust his hands forward until his palms, elbows, and shoulders aligned perfectly. Then, with deliberate control, he flipped his palms downward and pushed, feeling the energy flow through his body.
He continued the movement slowly, withdrawing his hands back to their starting position, feeling the controlled burn in his muscles and the gradual accumulation of astral energy. Though it was simple, this practice was essential. Each repetition built strength, endurance, and internal stability, preparing him for the more advanced techniques that would come later.
Seris knew that mastering the basics would give him the foundation he needed to excel. The Eight Foundational Astral Practices might be rudimentary, but they would set the stage for his future success in the Celestial Martial Academy. His path to greatness had only just begun.
This was the astral stance push from the Eight Foundational Astral Practices. After each session, Seris Velan could feel his palms and the soles of his feet tingling with warmth. Despite having only practiced for three days, he already sensed a noticeable improvement in his overall strength and balance.
"It should be time for formation drills. Being late means punishment."
Every morning, Seris would wake up at the hour of Nebula, dedicating an hour to personal practice before heading to the hour of Starbright for compulsory formation drills.
All students in the Mistveil Heights Academy were required to participate. At first, the drills focused on battle formations, teaching the students the basics of coordination and synchronization. Eventually, they would learn to execute lethal maneuvers against enemies while in formation.
When Seris arrived at the training grounds, a large group of students had already assembled.
"Brother! Why are you only getting here now? I've been waiting for ages!" his younger brother called out, waving enthusiastically from across the field. Seris approached with a smile, asking, "Little brother, did you complete your martial routine this early?"
"Of course I did! I got up at the hour of Nebula to practice, and I even squeezed in extra practice yesterday afternoon and before bed.
One day, I'll be wielding a starblade and roaming the astral realms! Look, my arms feel so much stronger already," he said excitedly, flexing his arms for Seris.
Naturally, his arms hadn't changed in the slightest—it was just the rush of energy from the Eight Foundational Astral Practices giving him a sense of inflated strength.
Seris chuckled, knowing well that the exercises created the illusion of power after practice, but he admired his brother's enthusiasm. The road to mastery was long, and their dedication to the basics would serve them well in the future.
They stood together, ready for another day of training. The formation drills would soon begin, and each practice brought them closer to becoming true warriors of the Celestial Martial Academy.