Today was the day, the official opening day of Andosa College. Victor and I were up early, our new uniforms perfectly fitted, as we made our way across the sprawling campus. The morning air was crisp, the sky a bright blue that promised a clear day. There was an electric energy in the air, a buzz of excitement that seemed to pulse through every cobbled pathway and courtyard.
Today was the day when Andosa would open its gates, and the new batch of students would get their first taste of what the college was all about.
We walked side by side, our coats billowing slightly in the breeze, as we approached the main grounds where all the activity was taking place. The campus had come alive overnight—banners bearing the Andosa crest were hung on every building, and a large stage had been erected in the center of the main courtyard. The flags fluttered in the breeze, and the crest—a golden phoenix rising from a tome—stood as a symbol of learning, resilience, and power.
The courtyard was filled with people, many of them clearly wealthy applicants and their families. It wasn't hard to tell who came from money—the elaborate dresses and finely tailored suits of some of the families stood in stark contrast to the more modest clothing worn by others. Elves, humans, beast kin, and even a few demon kin were scattered throughout the courtyard, all mingling as they awaited the opening ceremonies.
I nudged Victor gently with my elbow, nodding towards a particularly lavish group gathered near the front. The head of the family, a tall elf with a mane of flowing silver hair, was speaking animatedly with another noble, his voice carrying across the courtyard. His wife stood beside him, her gown adorned with shimmering jewels that caught the light, and their son—clearly an applicant—stood by, looking rather unimpressed with the whole ordeal.
"Seems like half the kingdom's nobility decided to show up," I muttered under my breath, my eyes scanning the crowd.
Victor chuckled softly beside me. "They always do. Andosa is the best college in the world, after all. Every noble family wants to see if their kids have what it takes."
I nodded, my eyes catching sight of a group of instructors gathered near the stage, their eyes sharp as they observed the crowd. "I guess that means the testing is going to be intense," I said, a hint of excitement in my voice.
Victor grinned at me, his eyes twinkling. "You thrive on this kind of thing, don't you?"
I shrugged, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Can't help it. I like a challenge."
The dean of Andosa, a tall, elegant woman with silver hair and a commanding presence, stepped onto the stage, her gaze sweeping across the gathered students and families. She raised a hand, and the crowd gradually quieted, all eyes turning to her.
"Welcome, applicants, families, and esteemed guests," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly across the courtyard. "Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for all of you. Whether you are here to attend classes, explore the world, or prove yourselves through combat, Andosa College offers you the opportunity to grow, to learn, and to excel."
Her eyes scanned the crowd, and for a brief moment, her gaze met mine. There was a knowing glint in her eyes, and I knew that she recognized me from our previous meeting. The corners of her lips quirked upward slightly before she continued.
"The entrance exams will be held throughout the day, testing both your magical abilities and your physical skills. Only those who prove themselves capable will be given the opportunity to choose their path—whether that be attending classes or paving your own way."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd once more. "I wish you all the best of luck. Prove yourselves today, and earn your place here at Andosa."
With that, she stepped back, and the crowd erupted into applause. The air buzzed with excitement, and I could feel my own anticipation growing. Today was the day we would prove ourselves—the day we would show that we belonged here.
The testing grounds had been set up in various locations across the campus. Each applicant was assigned a different station based on the skills they intended to display—some were testing their magical abilities, while others focused on their combat skills. Victor and I had already passed our exams, so today we were merely observers, taking in the energy of the day.
As we moved through the testing areas, we saw a variety of skills on display. One applicant—a beast kin with broad shoulders and feline features—was engaged in a sparring match with one of the instructors. His movements were fluid, his claws slashing through the air as he danced around his opponent. The crowd watching let out a cheer as he managed to land a blow, knocking the instructor back a step.
We continued to watch as other applicants went through their tests—spells were cast, swords clashed, and the crowd responded to each display of power with cheers and applause. The energy was infectious, and I could feel my own excitement building with each passing moment.
As we made our way through the different stations, my attention was suddenly caught by a girl standing in the middle of one of the sparring rings.
She was a demon kin, her skin a deep shade of red, with dark, curling horns rising from her head. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight braid, and her eyes glowed faintly as she faced her opponent—a large, armored instructor who looked as though he had no intention of going easy on her.
The girl moved with a confidence that was almost mesmerizing. Her form was perfect, her stance steady as she faced the instructor.
She held a long spear in her hands, the weapon spinning effortlessly as she moved. The instructor lunged at her, his sword slicing through the air, but she was faster—her spear whirled in a blur of motion, deflecting the strike before she twisted, driving the butt of the spear into his side.
The crowd let out a collective gasp as the instructor staggered, and I found myself leaning forward, my eyes fixed on the girl. She pressed her advantage, her movements fluid and graceful as she struck again and again, each blow landing with precision. The instructor tried to recover, his sword flashing as he attempted to counter, but she was relentless, her spear a blur of motion as she disarmed him, sending his weapon clattering to the ground.
The crowd erupted into applause, and I couldn't help but join in, my hands coming together as I watched the girl lower her spear, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. There was a small, satisfied smile on her lips, and she bowed slightly to the instructor, who nodded in acknowledgment before stepping back.
"That was impressive," Victor said beside me, his eyes wide as he watched the girl leave the ring. "She made that look easy."
I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. "She did. I think she's going to be one to watch."
Victor smiled, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Looks like we're going to have some serious competition here."
I chuckled, my gaze following the demon kin girl as she disappeared into the crowd. "Good. I like challenges"
We continued to wander through the testing grounds, taking in the sights and sounds of the opening day. The excitement in the air was palpable, and I could feel my own anticipation growing with each passing moment. This was it—the beginning of our journey at Andosa College. And I knew, without a doubt, that we were ready for whatever lay ahead.
As we moved to another part of the testing area, we came across a demonstration of elemental magic. Several applicants were lined up, each given a chance to show their mastery of their chosen element.
One boy, a young elf with vibrant green eyes, stepped forward, and with a flourish of his hands, he summoned a swirling vortex of wind. The air around him rippled with power, and he directed the wind into a series of intricate patterns, the crowd murmuring in appreciation.
Beside him, another applicant—a human girl—raised her hands, her eyes closed in concentration. A moment later, flames erupted from her palms, the fire taking on the shape of a bird that flew upwards before dissipating into embers. The crowd cheered, and I couldn't help but smile at the display of talent.
Victor and I continued to watch, taking in each demonstration, each sparring match, and each display of magical prowess. The variety of skills on display was incredible—each applicant had their own unique strengths, their own talents that set them apart. It was clear that Andosa College attracted the best and the brightest, and I felt a surge of pride knowing that we had already earned our place here.
We eventually found ourselves near the edge of the testing grounds, where a group of applicants were undergoing endurance tests. One boy—a beast kin with the features of a wolf—was running laps around a large field, his breathing steady as he pushed himself to keep going. Nearby, another applicant—a young demon kin—was lifting a set of heavy stones, his muscles straining with the effort.
I watched, impressed by their determination. These tests weren't just about power—they were about grit, about perseverance, about proving that you had what it took to endure the challenges ahead. And it was clear that each of these applicants was giving it their all.
Victor nudged me, a smile playing on his lips. "Think you could take on that endurance test?"
I raised an eyebrow, glancing at the boy running laps. "You know I could. I'd probably leave them all in the dust."
Victor laughed, shaking his head. "Of course you would. Always the competitive one."
I grinned, shrugging. "What can I say? I like winning."
The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky by the time we made our way back to the main courtyard. The crowd had thinned out somewhat, many of the applicants having completed their tests and returned to their families. The stage was still set up, and the dean stood once again at the center, her presence commanding as she addressed the remaining crowd.
"To those of you who have completed your exams today, congratulations," she said, her voice carrying across the courtyard. "You have taken the first step towards becoming a part of Andosa College. Those who have proven themselves will receive their acceptance letters by the end of the day. To those who were not successful, do not be discouraged. There is always room for growth, and there will be other opportunities to prove yourselves."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "To those who will be joining us—welcome. Andosa College will be your home, your training ground, and your place of learning. Embrace the challenges ahead, and grow stronger. We look forward to seeing what each of you will accomplish."
The crowd erupted into applause once more. This was it—the beginning of something incredible. And as I looked over at Victor, his eyes shining with the same excitement I felt, I knew that we were ready for whatever lay ahead.