Elian and Isla walked side by side through the bustling town, both of them quiet as they took in the excitement around them. Streets lined with vendors selling charms and potions buzzed with people, most of them young and clearly heading towards the towering gates of Vermillion Arcana Magic Academy. A mix of anticipation and nervous energy crackled in the air, and students of all backgrounds whispered among themselves about the admissions tests, hopeful for a place within the Academy's hallowed walls.
As they joined the stream of students making their way to the Academy, Elian couldn't help but glance at Isla, who seemed uncharacteristically calm. But he knew her well enough to see the gleam of ambition in her eyes. "Excited?" he asked with a grin.
"Ready to prove I'm the best, as usual," she replied, smirking. Elian laughed, but he couldn't deny he felt a rush of excitement too.
Once inside the Academy grounds, they found themselves in a grand hall, where rows of students waited to enter their application forms and take the magic evaluation test. Murmurs of admiration filled the room as other students marveled at the intricate architecture, with vaulted ceilings painted in rich colors and arcane symbols glowing faintly on the walls. After submitting their application forms, Elian and Isla followed the crowd to a large platform in the center of the hall. A massive crystal stood on it, pulsing faintly with a radiant light, ready to measure each student's magic power.
Elian nudged Isla. "Alright, let's see what you've got," he said, barely containing his excitement.
Isla stepped forward and placed her hand on the crystal. She took a deep breath, focusing her energy. Instantly, the crystal glowed a brilliant shade of violet, and the number "46" appeared above it, hovering in the air like a beacon. A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd, and soon everyone was clapping and whispering to each other in admiration. Isla's expression was one of cool satisfaction, and she shot Elian a smug smile as she walked back to him.
"Now you know who the boss is," she said, crossing her arms.
Elian chuckled, but his nerves spiked as his turn arrived. He stepped forward, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him. With a deep breath, he placed his hand on the crystal, feeling a faint warmth spread through his palm. The crystal barely flickered, and the number "1" appeared above it, causing a few chuckles to echo through the hall. Elian's face fell, a wave of disappointment washing over him.
Isla nudged him playfully. "Well, at least you passed," she teased, though her eyes softened with sympathy.
Just then, a tall, handsome young man with fiery red hair stepped forward. He carried himself with an aura of confidence, and the room seemed to hush at his arrival. Whispers spread quickly through the crowd.
"That's him," Isla said quietly to Elian. "That's Lucian von Aldrich, son of Duke Aldrich. His family is one of the most powerful in the kingdom, directly under the king."
Elian nodded, watching as Lucian placed his hand on the crystal. The instant he touched it, the crystal flared a vivid, blazing red, and the number "62" appeared, casting an almost blinding glow across the room. The crowd erupted into applause, some even cheering. Elian clenched his fist, feeling a mix of awe and frustration.
After the magic evaluation, the instructors gathered the students, announcing the final test: a combat trial. Each participant would face off against another student chosen at random. The fights weren't necessarily based on power level, and the first round began quickly. Isla was paired with a noble girl, Annalise de Montfort, a haughty girl with a proud demeanor and an air of arrogance.
"Don't think I'll go easy on you, commoner," Annalise sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.
Isla simply rolled her eyes. "Trust me, I wouldn't want it any other way."
When the fight began, Annalise lunged forward, her sword wreathed in a shimmering aura, but Isla sidestepped with ease, dodging each strike gracefully. With a swift counterattack, Isla struck Annalise's sword from her hand, knocking her to the ground in one fluid motion. The crowd cheered, and Annalise's face burned with humiliation as she scrambled up, defeated.
More matches followed until, finally, Elian's name was called. His opponent: Lucian von Aldrich. Elian's heart raced as he stepped into the arena, fully aware of the weight of expectations on Lucian's shoulders.
Lucian looked at him with a sneer. "A one-score commoner?" he scoffed, his voice cold and laced with contempt. "They really must be desperate to let someone like you in here. How dare you even think you're worthy of fighting me?"
Elian bristled at the insult but held his ground. When the signal was given, he charged forward, sword in hand. He swung at Lucian, but Lucian easily sidestepped, his movements fluid and effortless. In a blur, Lucian retaliated, striking Elian hard in the ribs. Elian staggered back, gasping as pain exploded through his side.
"You're pathetic," Lucian sneered, landing another blow. "Know your place."
Determined, Elian pushed through the pain and tried to summon more of his power. He thought of the fragment he carried, feeling a faint connection to the skies above, a glimmer of hope. With renewed focus, he lunged again, this time managing to scratch Lucian's cheek. The tiny mark of blood infuriated Lucian, who glared at Elian with newfound rage.
"You dare to touch me?" Lucian growled, his face twisting in anger. In a flash, Lucian unleashed a flurry of attacks, each strike more brutal than the last. Elian could barely keep up, his body battered and bleeding from countless wounds as Lucian pummeled him with unrelenting force.
Finally, Lucian raised his hand, preparing a devastating final blow. But before he could strike, Isla and several guards rushed forward, pulling Lucian away and ending the fight. Elian, bloodied and barely conscious, slumped to the ground as darkness closed in.
He awoke in the Academy's infirmary, his body aching all over as he lay on a soft bed. The healers had done their best, but he still felt the lingering effects of the fight. Isla sat beside him, her face a mix of relief and concern.
In the days that followed, the Academy announced the results of the admission trials. Elian sat in his bed, anticipation bubbling up in his chest, only for his hopes to be shattered when the results were posted. He hadn't passed.
He lay back in the infirmary bed, feeling the weight of failure press down on him.
TO BE CONITNUED....