Elba walked out of the Adventurer's Guild, still feeling the hum of his awakened dragon core coursing through him. The streets of Ironhold bustled with life around him, but his mind was focused on the weight of the A-rank adventurer's card now tucked into his belt. The realization that he was an all-elemental mage had left him stunned, and even now, he found it hard to grasp the enormity of it.
Ignis, still recovering from the battle at the teleportation chamber, glanced at him as they walked. "You did well back there, Elba," she said, her voice more relaxed than he'd ever heard it. "But don't let it get to your head. Being an all-elemental mage is rare, but it won't be enough to survive what's coming."
Elba nodded. "I know," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "But this… power. It's a lot to take in."
Ignis gave a slight smirk. "You'll get used to it soon enough. But like I said before, your dragon speech—your true ability—won't awaken without the right trigger. It's not just about power. You need to understand your dragon blood and what it means."
As they continued walking through the streets of Ironhold, Elba took in the towering buildings around him. The empire was massive, and its wealth was on full display. Ornate carriages lined the streets, carrying nobles dressed in luxurious fabrics, while adventurers—grizzled and battle-worn—mingled with merchants and common folk. The air smelled of freshly baked bread and the scent of metal from the nearby smithies. Everything about this place screamed power and prosperity.
But there was something beneath it all that Elba couldn't shake—a feeling of unease. He still remembered the intense gaze from the faction leader. That man was out there, waiting for another chance to strike. And Elba knew that he was nowhere near strong enough to face him again.
"Ignis," he began, his voice low, "who exactly was that faction leader? Why did he kill my parents?"
Ignis' expression darkened. "That's something I'm still trying to figure out myself. Faction leaders don't usually target normal people unless there's a reason. Whoever ordered the hit on your family… they knew something. And that's what we need to uncover."
Elba's hands tightened into fists. The anger that had been simmering inside him since that fateful night now threatened to boil over. "I need to get stronger," he muttered. "Stronger than I am now."
Ignis nodded solemnly. "You will. But it won't happen overnight. That's why we're heading to the academy. You need training, discipline, and time to fully unlock your potential."
As they approached the city's academy district, where the vast iron gates of the training grounds loomed ahead, Elba's heart began to race. The academy was known for producing the finest warriors and mages in the empire, and it was said to be the key to becoming truly powerful.
But before they could enter, a familiar voice called out behind them.
"Ah, my lady!" It was Lark, the nobleman who had barged into the hospital earlier. He approached them quickly, his expensive suit gleaming in the sunlight, and his face flushed with urgency.
Ignis raised an eyebrow. "Lark, what is it now?"
"My lady," he began, slightly out of breath, "your father has sent word. He requests your presence at the palace immediately."
Elba's eyes widened. "The palace?" he repeated, glancing at Ignis.
She sighed heavily, looking as if this was the last thing she wanted to deal with. "Of course he does," she muttered under her breath. Turning to Elba, she explained, "My father... he's one of the ruling members of the Council here in Ironhold. I'll have to meet with him. He's not exactly the kind of man you keep waiting."
Elba nodded, though his curiosity was piqued. So, her family was important—extremely important, it seemed. "What should I do?" he asked.
Ignis thought for a moment before answering. "You should go ahead and settle in at the academy. I'll meet you there later. Besides," she added with a mischievous grin, "you're going to need to pass some entrance trials first. They won't just let you in without testing your abilities."
"Entrance trials?" Elba asked, feeling a knot form in his stomach.
"Yes," Ignis confirmed. "They're designed to test your physical, magical, and mental strength. Even with your adventurer's license, they'll want to see if you can handle the academy's challenges. It's not going to be easy."
Elba swallowed hard. The academy trials sounded daunting, but he steeled himself. "Alright," he said. "I'll head there and get started."
Lark cleared his throat, still standing there awkwardly. "I shall accompany you to the palace, my lady."
"Yeah, yeah," Ignis replied with a dismissive wave. "I'll be back soon, Elba. Don't get yourself killed during the trials."
With that, Ignis and Lark turned toward the palace district, leaving Elba to head toward the academy on his own. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what was ahead of him. The academy, the trials, the power he had just awakened—it all seemed overwhelming, but there was no turning back now.
As he approached the iron gates of the academy, a tall figure stepped forward. "Name and purpose?" the guard asked, his voice booming.
"Elba Starhaven," Elba replied confidently. "I'm here for the entrance trials."
The guard raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the adventurer's card hanging from Elba's belt. "An A-rank already, huh? Impressive." He motioned toward the open courtyard beyond the gates. "Follow the path to the main hall. That's where the trials will begin."
Elba nodded and stepped through the gates, his heart pounding with both excitement and dread. This was it—the first real step toward unlocking his full potential. But as he walked deeper into the academy grounds, he couldn't shake the feeling that something much larger was at play.
Whatever it was, he was about to face it head-on.