Sitting atop the viewing platform overlooking the Academy's main arena, the elders were in hot argument. Voices overlapped one on the other, for each elder tried to have his say, competing for his claim on the two hopefuls who had just come through the second stage of the examination.
"This lad has control beyond compare, skill which is taken many years to perfect," declared the elder, eyes shining brightly. "I will train him myself," he stated categorically.
Another sneered, folding his arms. "Keep dreaming! Did you see how he pinned that panther to the ground with one swing? He's got the accuracy for my martial skills. The lad's muscles are just right for what I teach."
"You can have the boy but that girl," said a third elder, her voice soft but unyielding. "It's control that makes her special, and I am the one who is the most suitable to teach her.".
Just when the argument was boiling to the top, a voice broke through the noise. The voice was low and powerful but at the same time, it was soft enough to make each elder pause in mid-word.
"That is enough," commanded that voice, heavy with weight that seemed to quiet the elders instantly. Every elder was caught off guard, turned around, and faced the source of that voice.
A tall figure stood at the edge of the platform wearing simple regal robes. He possessed a tranquil face, crowned by a well-groomed beard, and gleaming eyes with an acutely perceptible brightness as he sized up the gathering of elders before him. He was a principal of legend, whom one had heard of in vague muttering rather than actually seen of the staff at the Academy, which is to say that his appearance was never seen as it was as if rarely witnessed. Suddenly bringing himself to the discussion came as quite a shock from him.
"You will not take them as apprentices," the principal declared, his voice unwavering. "Give them what they've earned. Grant them the honors they deserve, but let them walk their path freely, without any of you meddling."
The elders exchanged surprised glances but nodded respectfully, their previous determination replaced by quiet deference. When the principal gave an order, it was absolute. They knew better than to question his decisions.
________________________________________
By afternoon, all students who had been successful at the entrance examinations were summoned to the Academy's main hall. The place was enormous with decorated pillars, and tapestries adorned with images of mythical beings as well as great cultivators over the centuries. At the forefront was a platform. Some older members of the Academy as well as highly ranked instructors of the establishment were seated there. But in the center of the platform was a single figure who commanded the attention of everyone present.
He was the Vice Principal, a man whose presence distorted the air around him. His dark robes flowed in flowing folds, and his silver hair was tied back with silver threads that exposed keen, intelligent eyes which could, by one glance, see right through every student in his class. His aura was impenetrable-an enormous and boundless strength which even from afar Kai could feel. It was such a subtle power that seemed to be buried deep inside, yet Kai could feel it as an expectant storm in a pot.
Kai couldn't help but admire the presence of the Vice Principal. He wore dark robes that fell in graceful folds, and his silver hair was tied back, revealing sharp, intelligent eyes that seemed to pierce through each student with a single glance. It was like a mountain: silent and unmoving, but if released, capable of shaking the world.
"Welcome to Havenbrook Academy," the voice of the Vice Principal echoed through the hall, calm yet powerful. "You have all earned your place here through perseverance and skill. But passing entrance examination is just the beginning. The path ahead of you will test you in ways you haven't imagined yet. Here, strength alone will not guarantee your success. Discipline, resilience, and thirst for improvement will determine your future.".
The students sat in complete silence, with many of them straightening up under his stare. Alongside him stood a few other elders, each an intimidating figure in his own right. But none carried the same commanding aura as the Vice Principal.
Now the Vice Principal stood up; he smiled as he regarded his students, his glance, while it passed over the body of them, lingered in places on some selected few: Kai, Lia and of the highest scoring on this entrance exam, Aveline Ravenspire.
"So, by tradition, tradition says we honor those few to enter the Academy with exceptional excellence in entrance exams," explained the Vice Principal. "And so, to all who are recognized, the privilege is bestowed by the Academy of promotion to inner disciple immediately."
He spoke with words that evoked gasps and whispers throughout the hall. The students' eyes gleamed with excitement and envy as it's not easy to become an inner disciple; it's reserved for people who have been training for years or possessing some extraordinary skill.
"Kai of Elaris Village," Vice Principal declared, his gaze finding Kai as pride and determination washed over him.
"Lia from Elaris Village," he went on, his eyes focusing on her.
"And Aveline Ravenspire of House Ravenspire.".
The three names reverberated through the hallway, creating murmurs of whispers and shocked faces in all directions, for the voice of the Vice Principal still rang loud, echoing their names across the hall. Nobles gazed at each other with some envy, while many more not being able to believe that a couple of commoners from some small village could be honored side by side with a noble of Aveline's standing.
After the ceremony, Kai and Lia, and Aveline, are taken to a more tame part of the Academy grounds. They are each assigned their own courtyard - an honor reserved for inner disciples. The courtyards are located in a sequestered part of campus, with lush gardens and shaded walkways. The air was quieter here, breaking the peace only by occasional hums of energy from neighboring training sessions.
Kai and Lia's courtyards were in the same area, their entrances separated by a small stone path lined with blossoming trees. Lia turned to him with a smile, her eyes bright with excitement.
"Looks like we're neighbors," she said with a chuckle. "Guess I won't be getting rid of you that easily."
Kai grinned. "Wouldn't want it any other way. Good luck settling in.".
They nodded to one another then went their separate ways, him to his courtyard and she to hers.
Kai stepped inside his new dwelling and looked around the room. It was simple but nice, polished wooden floors with a low table and an easy chair beside the window. On the wall near the door was a wooden chest upon which was placed a rolled set of robes and an even smaller leather-bound book.
Curious, he went nearer to the chest and opened out the robes. They were very deep blue with silver markings for an inner disciple. Fabric was sturdy yet soft; thin embroidery on the sleeves indicated patterned clouds and feathers on a phoenix. A thick leather belt, secured around his waist by a silvery clasp bearing the academy's insignia, ended the uniform.
He took that small leather book and opened it. It was the Rule book of Inner Court regarding the guidelines, privileges, and responsibilities of the inner disciple. He turned over page after page as he becomes more interested with the growing knowledge.
As an inner disciple, he would have access to the inner pavilion-large library of cultivating techniques and martial art techniques. He could choose techniques to cultivate, with each level of technique requiring points that could be earned through missions, sparring competitions, or by impressing the elders.
He also learned as an inner disciple; he would receive a monthly allowance of essence stones and basic cultivation pills to supplement his training. He was also able to exchange the points for higher-grade pills or materials, so in case he worked hard enough, he could advance at a faster rate.
Of course, there were strict rules, too. Inner disciples had to maintain the reputation of the Academy, keep discipline, and pass periodic challenges, proving how much they progressed. A failure to hold up their standards could send them back to the outer court, which few inner disciples would be willing to risk.
Beside the rulebook, he saw a small pouch. He opened it and found fifty small, rough-cut stones which reflected faintly in the light—inferior-grade spirit stones.
He had heard of spirit stones before but never held them in his hands. Spirit stones are condensed forms of essence and can be absorbed during meditation or used to fuel techniques. Inferior-grade spirit stones, like the ones he had been given, contained a modest amount of energy but were valuable for steady progress, especially for cultivators in the early stages.
Satisfied, Kai placed everything carefully on the table and sat cross-legged on his bed, his mind buzzing with everything that had happened that day. He had entered Havenbrook Academy with only the training from Elaris and his Willforce as his foundation, yet he had already made a name for himself.
Closing his eyes, he breathed in deeply, feeling serenity settle over him. It was going to be a tough journey ahead-the struggles and rivalries; however, he was more than prepared for whatever life threw his way.
When the night deepened, and the grounds of the Academy quieted down, Kai lay down, letting his eyelids close as sleep crept over him, filled with the promise of days ahead.