More than a month had passed since Nyx and Astor's twelfth birthday, and life at the mansion had returned to its usual rhythm. The twins had continued their training under Marcus's strict yet increasingly relaxed supervision. The boys, now in the late stages of Stage 1, were honing their magic and bodycasting techniques with impressive precision, their progress evident in the way they carried themselves.
One morning, just as the first light of dawn broke through the windows of the grand estate, a courier arrived at the mansion, bearing a letter sealed with the insignia of the Celestial Academy of Arcane Arts. The family had been expecting this for some time, but the reality of it still sent a ripple of excitement and apprehension through the house.
Duke Alaric sat at his desk in his private study, the letter before him, the wax seal unbroken. The crisp parchment was heavy in his hands, carrying the weight of tradition and expectation. Selene, ever composed, stood beside him, her hands folded in front of her, eyes fixed on the envelope with quiet anticipation. The twins stood nearby, watching their father with wide eyes, barely containing their curiosity.
Alaric finally broke the seal, sliding the letter from its envelope with deliberate care. His eyes scanned the elegant script, and as he read, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"It has arrived," he said simply, his voice calm but carrying a deep sense of pride. "The invitation to join the Academy."
Nyx and Astor exchanged a glance, a mixture of excitement and nervousness flickering across their faces. They had heard so much about the Academy—its rigorous training, the incredible talent it attracted from across the kingdom, and the legendary mages it had produced. Now, it was their turn to walk the hallowed halls.
"The joining ceremony will be held on the 1st of Fading, Year 462," Alaric continued, his eyes moving between his sons. "You will be expected to arrive in Astrylis, the capital of Starlight Province, by then."
Selene placed a gentle hand on Nyx's shoulder, her eyes soft with motherly affection. "You will do well," she said, her voice soothing. "The Academy will be challenging, but I have no doubt you are both more than ready for what lies ahead."
Astor, ever the bold one, puffed out his chest and grinned. "We're going to be the best, Nyx. Just wait, we'll show everyone."
Nyx, more reserved but equally determined, nodded. His mind was already racing with thoughts of what the Academy would be like—the classes, the tests, the other students. He had heard stories of the Academy's grandeur, its towers reaching high into the sky, the sprawling libraries filled with ancient tomes, and the training grounds where magic clashed and sparked like lightning in the air.
As the weight of the invitation settled in, the reality of their next journey became clear. Their time at the Academy would mark a new chapter in their lives, one filled with both promise and challenge. For the next eight years, they would be molded into mages of great power, shaping their destinies in ways they couldn't yet imagine.
But for now, there was still some time before their departure. Alaric set the letter down and stood, placing a hand on each of his sons' shoulders. "Prepare yourselves," he said, his tone firm but supportive. "You are about to embark on the most important journey of your lives."
Astor nodded eagerly, already buzzing with excitement at the thought of what lay ahead. Nyx, though quieter, felt the same sense of anticipation building within him. The Academy was calling, and soon, they would answer.
The day of the joining ceremony—1st Fading—loomed on the horizon like a new dawn, bringing with it the promise of adventure, growth, and discovery.
Nyx's POV
It's the 1st of Fading, and not much time is left before we leave for the Academy. Mother has been reminding us constantly about how our family is more relaxed compared to other noble families and royals. She warns that while we've had the freedom to act more casually, the Academy will be filled with those who take hierarchy and status very seriously. Her words are mostly directed at Astor, who, as usual, has a tendency to get carried away.
"Remember, Astor," she says, her voice gentle but firm, "not everyone will tolerate your playful nature. In the Academy, you must carry yourself as a noble."
I'm sure she means well, but I can't help but feel a bit uneasy. I've always been careful, but Astor? He thrives in chaos. I can only hope he takes her advice seriously—or at least, doesn't get us into too much trouble.
As the day of our departure finally arrives, I find myself deep in thought. We're going to the Celestial Academy of Arcane Arts. The thought makes my stomach twist with both excitement and nervousness. And we're not traveling there like ordinary people. No, we're going through a portal—a teleportation gate. Mother mentioned it would take us over a week to reach Astrylis otherwise, and frankly, that sounds exhausting.
We head to the basement of the mansion, mother leading us down the spiraling stone steps. The air is cool and damp as we descend, and I feel a strange sense of anticipation building inside me. When we reach the bottom, I'm met with the sight of Father and our grandparents already waiting for us.
But what really catches my attention is the gate itself. The black archway stands in the center of the room, pulsating faintly with a soft, otherworldly glow. It's... mesmerizing. A creation of pure magic, the likes of which I've only read about in books.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" Father's voice pulls me from my thoughts. He stands beside the gate, his hands behind his back, watching me with a small smile. "It's powered by ancient runes, connecting us to the Academy's teleportation hub in Astrylis."
I nod, still in awe. I've always read about teleportation magic, but to see it in person, to actually walk through it... it feels unreal.
Astor, of course, is bouncing on his heels, barely containing his excitement. "This is going to be awesome!" he exclaims, grinning wildly.
Mother gives him a pointed look, and he clears his throat, standing up a bit straighter. "I mean... it will be a great honor to use such advanced magic," he corrects himself, though I can see the grin he's trying to hide.
Father chuckles softly at that, while Mother gives me a knowing glance. She's worried about how Astor will handle himself at the Academy, and honestly, so am I. But for now, we're both focused on the journey ahead.
As we approach the gate, the swirling energy within the archway grows more intense, casting an eerie, flickering light across the room. I take a deep breath. This is it—the beginning of a new chapter.
We say our goodbyes—Mother's hug lingering a little longer than usual, Father giving us a final word of encouragement, and Grandmother reminding us to stay vigilant and use the storage rings wisely. Then, with a final nod from Father, we step through the gate, one after the other.
The sensation is unlike anything I've ever felt before. One moment, I'm standing in the familiar basement of our mansion, and the next, I'm enveloped in a rush of magic. It's like being pulled through a tunnel of light and shadow, everything swirling around me in a blur of colors and sensations. It's disorienting, but not unpleasant. And just as quickly as it started, it ends.
We stumble out on the other side, finding ourselves in a large hall bathed in the morning light. The grandeur of the place hits me immediately—this is the Academy's teleportation hub. Tall stone pillars rise around us, and I can see other students arriving from different portals, some looking just as awestruck as I feel.
Astor looks around, eyes wide with excitement. "We're here, Nyx! The Celestial Academy!" he shouts, his voice echoing in the vast hall.