The line moved, and Aiden found himself passing the huge stone gate that seemingly teleported him to an entirely different place. He stood at the edge of a mountain, a magnificent lake stretched in front of him.
At the heart of a vast lake, the academy stood alone, encircled by distant, rugged mountains that formed a protective barrier on the horizon. Layers of mist drifted along the water's edge, merging with the lake's surface to shroud the academy in an aura of mystery, sparking curiosity within Aiden's mind.
"Woah!" Caelum said, hovering above him, flickering in excitement. "This is exhilarating. I remember the good old days at Gold Moon Pavilion."
"You mean the days when you'd always get punished for dozing off in class?" Lucius said. "You're right. I always rejoiced whenever you got punished."
The ground rumbled as a path of white bricks unfurled from the depths, resembling white waves rolling out like a carpet, parting the water around it. Aiden caught some droplets from the delicate water fountains that shot skyward, diffusing crystalline droplets into the air. The fountains transformed the sunlight into rainbow prisms that rippled along the path as they marched toward the towering structure ahead.
Riven flickered. "This place..." he said. "It's scattered with celestial energy."
The two wisps were interrupted on their banters, and they both took their moment to feel their surroundings.
"You're right," Lucius said, his light beaming brighter and brighter, "The closer we get to that building, the odder the feeling."
Mr. Busty neighed from the cold mist that brushed past his ears, and their gazes darted toward the academy that slowly became visible as they got nearer. The academy's white-splashed towers were bright enough to blind Aiden with its glow, but its glass windows were the real deal, sending an array of light into Aiden's eyes at an angle, he squinted for a moment. His neck hurt following the tall spires that stretched upward, its graceful archs adorned with intricate carvings that hinted at unworldly secrets.
Just before they arrived at the end of the stone-path, all the carriages infront stopped. The students stepped out of their rides and Aiden assumed that was customary, flinging himself out of Mr. Busty's back.
Mr. Busty neighed, and Caelum circled around him with a bright glow. "Alright, thank for the ride, Mr. Busty. See you later, okay? Promise me you'll come later."
The donkey neighed before turning its back, leaving Aiden to wonder if he'd see the donkey again.
The sound of flute erupted from the mountains, and the students lined themselves up to march up the stone stairs to the academy. Once inside, they stepped into an expansive quadrangle, the very heart of the academy, where balustrade-lined floors revealed its halllways—an architecture that displayed of grandeur. After the last carriage had left, the ground rumbled once more, causing the stone path behind them to vanish. A thick mist immediately enveloped the path they had taken—leaving only a long stretch of lake in sight.
"Those people look strong," Riven said, his gaze nagging at the scholars loitering around different floors of the academy. "Especially those in gold capes."
Most of the students in the quadrangle wore black robes, but all the students that watched them from above were clad in different colors. There were several gray, white, silver, and golden robes—as well as a few red, green, blue, and yellow garments.
"Where did they get those robes from?" Caelum wondered. "How come we didn't get one?"
Lucius chuckled. "You're really dumb aren't you?" he said. "Of course he'd get his robe after an initiation or whatever. Remember how you got a wooden token on our first day at Gold Moon Pavilion and I got a gold? This is exactly it."
Riven bobbed his head in agreement, his gaze surveying the younger batch of scholars. "Though from the looks of it," he said. "I'm pretty sure you'd be wearing a black robe soon."
Aiden's face went slack. "Thanks, I really hope I get the same robe as a bunch of eight-year-olds."
The same flute melody reverberated through the quadrangle, drawing the attention of all the students to the balcony at the center of the academy. A stern-looking woman appeared, dressed in violet attire, with intricate patterns on her garments denoting her nobility and esteemed position within the academy.
"Welcome, students," she said, her stern voice commanding silence from everyone present. "Today, we have some special announcements."
Raising her hand, she gestured for those behind her to step forward, and four students in golden robes emerged, drawing cheers from the gathered crowd.
The white-haired teen who stood out in the center appeared to be around sixteen years old. His imposing stature conveyed the strength of his cultivation, and he exuded the confidence of a natural leader—the strongest student in the academy, admired by all.
Caelum sighed, glancing between Aiden and the white-haired boy. Unlike him, a strong, well-cultivated student, they were stuck with Aiden--an outcast who barely had his meridians opened. "If he's so strong, why can't he hear us? Would have been great."
"The king himself has awarded our students for their significant contributions in suppressing the rebels at the border," the woman announced proudly, elaborating on her students' achievements and receiving applause from the audience. "And for his exceptional leadership, I am pleased to grant your senior, Francis Aitkin, the Earth Guardian Token."
The crowd gasped in surprise, and a few murmurs erupted around the academy.
"This token represents me," the headmistress continued. "All students are to follow Francis's orders whenever he presents it. Are we all clear?"
Every student pressed two fingers to their chests and replied in unison, "Yes, Headmistress."
The crowd watched in awe as Francis Aitkin delivered his speech, captivated by his presence. Both men and women gazed at him with admiration as he eloquently recounted the countless hardships they had faced, his noble words resonating deeply with everyone in attendance.
"That guy looks strong. I bet he'll put out some good punches," Aiden blurted out of nowhere, earning a few sharp glares from the three wisps. "But he looks too calm. How will we get him to punch me?"
Caelum laughed. "You? Wanna get punched by HIM?" his light began twinkling uncontrollably, "Haha!"
Riven gave Caelum a smug flick before hovering closer to Aiden. "I'm more impressed you're even giving out suggestions as to who punches you now, huh?"
"It's not like I have a choice," Aiden said. "So, I gave up easy."
"Well," Lucius interjected, obviously stifling his laughter," That's brave but we only need to open your meridians. We don't want you to die. I mean... look at you. And then look at him."
In stark contrast to Aiden's slender frame, Francis boasted an impressive physique for a sixteen-year-old, one that had been sculpted by years of rigorous training.
Within the quadrangle, however, Aiden was taller than his classmates, and obviously older. Most of them were entry-level 8-year-olds. Even the boy with glasses who praised Mr. Busty earlier stood in front for being on the shorter end of the spectrum.
Just when he thought he was the oldest and the tallest among the crowd, a big burly kid stood last on the line beside him. This one seemed to be his age. About eleven or twelve.
"I guess we found him," Caelum nodded. "And he's your classmate. Perfect."
Riven disagreed with a slight dim of his light. "No. We need someone with inner force. The book said to tap with inner essence. That boy obviously don't know any magic at all."
Aiden fell silent, contemplating whether he was the only one who could see it. The burly boy was surrounded by a faint red glow. He oozed with inner essence.