Near the towering peaks of the Ofslands, the prestigious Besborn Academy stood proudly atop an ancient castle. Known as one of the most renowned and successful schools in the Land of Poera, it drew students from every corner of the world, each vying for a place within its storied halls. Among those hopefuls was a particular student, who had been anxiously waiting for weeks to hear back after completing the school's challenging entrance exams.
*Ping!* The notification on his Samsung Galaxy S24 broke his concentration from the book he'd been reading. Heart pounding, he checked his phoneāand his eyes widened as he took in the message. A surge of excitement shot through him.Ā
"Mom! Dad! I got accepted!" he shouted, dashing downstairs to find his parents. His excitement doubled when he noticed his older brother, who was already a senior at Besborn, sitting with them. "Congratulations, little bro!" his brother said, grinning and pulling him into a quick hug. "You're going to fit right in. Trust me, Besborn has all kinds of peopleāyou'll love it."
To celebrate, his family took him out to a fancy restaurant that evening. The glow of the dimly lit dining room, clinking glasses, and warm smiles from his parents and brother made the night feel almost magical. It was the perfect start to his journey, and he couldn't wait to see what awaited him at Besborn Academy.
*
TimeSkip Next Three Weeks.Ā
*
"Marc! Wake up, you're going to be late for your opening ceremony, and your brother's already waiting!" his mom called from downstairs. Marc jolted awake, scrambled out of bed, and rushed through his morning routine. After a quick shower and breakfast, he hauled his luggage to the car, where his brother, Alek, was waiting. "What took you so long?" Alek asked, arching an eyebrow as Marc tossed his bag into the trunk.Ā Marc just shrugged and climbed into the car. They waved goodbye to their parents, and soon enough, they were on their way.
The journey to the school would take hoursāit sat high up in the mountains. Despite the long drive, the scenery was stunning: endless blue ocean, sprawling green meadows, and towering mountains that seemed to touch the sky. After a while, they entered a dense forest, where thick trees cast shadows across the road. As they drove deeper, Marc finally broke the silence. "Alek, why are you wearing that blue bracelet?" he asked, nodding toward his brother's wrist.
Alek slowed the car slightly but kept driving. "You'll get a bracelet too once you get there. It'll show your element of magic. Mine's ice, so mine's blue. The elements can varyāice, magma, fire, water, poisonā¦you'll see when you get yours." Marc fell silent, mulling over this new information. "What do you think mine will be?" he asked after a pause. "We'll find out soon enough. Be patient," Alek replied with a grin. Suddenly, a bright light filtered through the trees, causing Marc to shield his eyes. When the light subsided, he looked up and gasped. They had emerged from the forest, and ahead, perched on a cliffside, was a grand, towering castle: Besborn Academy.
As they wound up the hill and parked, Marc could see a mass of students crowding the entrance gates, each dragging their luggage and talking excitedly. After grabbing their bags, they headed for the entrance.
"Oh, almost forgot to mention," Alek said, "you'll be sorted into one of four groups, or 'Legends' as they call them hereākind of like in Harry Potter. I'm in Forsparkle."
Just then, a girl's voice shouted over the noise, "Al! Al! What took you so long?" She pushed her way through the throng of students and came right up to Alek, grabbing his arm.
"Didn't expect to see you heā" Alek began, but she cut him off, tugging him away. "Don't keep everyone waiting, slowpoke!" she teased, leaving Marc alone.
Marc took a deep breath and followed the flow of students toward the main building, where he spotted a large stage surrounded by rows of seats. After a bit of searching, he found an empty chair and sat, watching as the headmaster stepped up to the podium.
"Welcome, everyone, to Besborn Academy!" the headmaster's voice boomed over the crowd. "My name is Anton O'Moore, but you may call me Mr. Omore. I'm honoured to welcome you to the start of your journey here."
After a brief introduction, the new students were ushered into a long, ornate hallway. Marc waited in line, his excitement building as he neared the front. Finally, it was his turn. A staff member handed him a bracelet, which he slipped on.Ā
Suddenly, the bracelet glowed, and a voice from it announced, "Magma Element." Marc's eyes widened with excitement. Next, the staff checked his information, assigning him to a "Legend, Forsparkle," they said and gave him directions to his dorm room.
Marc found his dorm, a cosy space with a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a large window overlooking the mountains. He unpacked his things, setting up his new home away from home. Just then, his phone buzzed with a message from Alek, "Rest up. You'll need it for tomorrow. Bye." Marc changed into comfortable clothes and lay down, his mind buzzing with thoughts of his element and what tomorrow might hold. Finally, he drifted off to sleep, ready for the adventures that awaited him.