Laiza stood at the terminal window; her gaze fixed on the sprawling skyline of her home city. It was her last glimpse of a place that had been both a prison and a battlefield, a constant reminder of what she had endured. A sly, eerie smile played on her lips, a small victory in her mind as she turned to board her flight.
Her footsteps echoed on the polished floor as she approached the boarding gates. She immediately noticed two staff members in matching Crestwood blazers standing near the entrance, their sharp eyes scanning the small group of candidates. Four others waited nearby, each clutching envelopes that bore the same crest as hers, their nervous glances betraying their unease.
Laiza moved closer, her presence drawing the attention of the female staff member. The woman stepped forward, her heels clicking against the floor as she raised a hand to stop Laiza.
"Excuse me," the woman said, her voice sharp and clipped. "This is an exclusive call."
The word hung in the air, heavy with condescension. Laiza's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing. Instead, she reached into her bag and withdrew her cedar-scented envelope. She held it up, her name inscribed in elegant script on the back. The woman's demeanour shifted in an instant. Her lips parted slightly, and an apologetic smile replaced her cold expression.
"Ah, my apologies," she stammered, stepping aside. "Please, join the others."
Laiza walked past her without a word, her steps unhurried as she joined the other candidates. She could feel their curious gazes, but she ignored them, her focus fixed on the moment ahead.
It wasn't long before the male staff member a tall, imposing man with a commanding presence stepped forward. His gaze swept over the group, lingering on each candidate as if assessing their worth.
"Now that everyone is here," he began, his voice deep and authoritative, "let me introduce myself. I am Training Master Tim, and this is my assistant, Lianne." He gestured to the woman, who now stood silently beside him.
"Before we proceed, I have a simple question," Master Tim said, his tone sharp enough to cut through the tension. "What is Crestwood?"
The candidates exchanged uncertain glances. Finally, a boy with tousled hair and a nervous smile spoke up. "It's a school where future lords, knights, and royalty are trained."
Master Tim's expression didn't change. If anything, his gaze grew colder. "A shallow answer," he said, his disappointment evident.
Before the boy could respond, the lights above flickered, casting shifting shadows across the room. The air grew heavy, and an ominous silence fell. Then, without warning, figures cloaked in black emerged from the shadows. Their movements were swift and precise, their presence exuding danger.
The candidates barely had time to react before the attackers were upon them.
Chaos erupted. The attackers moved with deadly efficiency, striking down the candidates one by one. Cries of fear filled the air as the group scattered, each of them scrambling to evade capture. Laiza stood frozen, her instincts warring with her disbelief.
She turned sharply, only to find herself face-to-face with one of the assailants. A blade glinted in their hand, the edge poised inches from her throat. Her breath hitched, her thoughts a jumbled storm. Then, just as the blade began to move, a thunderous clap echoed through the room.
"Enough," Master Tim commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos like a whip.
The attackers froze, their weapons lowered. Slowly, they retreated, their movements eerily synchronized. The candidates, trembling and dishevelled, looked around in confusion and fear.
Master Tim stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Crestwood," he said, his voice calm but firm, "is not just a school. It is a battlefield where only the strong will flourish, and the weak will be discarded."
Laiza's lips curled into a faint, dangerous smile. "A battlefield," she murmured, her voice low but resolute. "Where only the strong survive."
Master Tim's sharp eyes turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Precisely."
The black-clad attackers stepped forward once more, this time holding envelopes sealed with Crestwood's crest. Each candidate received one, their trembling hands unfolding the paper. Laiza read hers silently: Trust nothing but your instincts. Survive, and all you desire will be yours.
Master Tim's voice broke the silence. "Your journey begins now. Welcome to Crestwood."
The flight was uneventful, though tension hung heavy in the air. No one spoke, the weight of their earlier encounter settling like a shroud over the group. Laiza sat near the window, her mind racing as she stared at the clouds below. This isn't just a school. It's a test.
When they landed, the group was led to sleek, black carriages powered by intricate magical runes. The carriages moved swiftly, and soon the grand silhouette of Crestwood Academy loomed on the horizon. The campus was immense, its spires reaching into the sky like jagged spears. The walls shimmered faintly, etched with protective runes that pulsed with dark energy.
The students were ushered through the gates, their awe evident as they took in the academy's grandeur. The halls were lined with glowing crystal sconces, and the polished floors reflected the intricate tapestries hanging from the walls. Senior students moved purposefully, their conversations a mixture of strategy and spell work.
As they walked, Laiza's eyes caught a glimpse through a slightly ajar door. Inside, her eldest brother sat beside the Imperial Prince of Humans, Rodger Williams IX. Her brother's cold, aloof demeanour hadn't changed, but Laiza's lips curled into a knowing smile. She passed by without a word, though her presence didn't go unnoticed.
The group was eventually led to a grand set of double doors engraved with intricate symbols. Inside, a haze of smoke filled the air, the scent sharp and exotic. At the centre of the room stood a woman in a striking red dress, her presence commanding and dangerous.
"Students," Master Tim said, his voice unusually subdued. "This is Chancellor Elain Everhart."
Elain turned slowly, her sharp eyes scanning the group. Her lips curved into a smile that was both charming and menacing. "How adorable," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Fresh lambs for the slaughter."
"These," Master Tim continued, "are the candidates who passed the scholar exams."
Elain's smile faltered, her gaze sharpening. Most of the students lowered their eyes, unable to meet her stare. Laiza, however, stood firm, her expression calm and unyielding.
Elain's lips twitched into a wider grin. "Interesting."
She waved a hand dismissively. "You may all leave except for the redhead."
The others hesitated but filed out under Master Tim's watchful gaze. As the doors closed, Elain stepped closer to Laiza, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"You're different," she said. "Laiza Danford. The mistake of your family."
Laiza's voice was calm, her words deliberate. "Then I've made the right choice coming here."
Elain's smile widened; her voice laced with intrigue. "Why are you here, Laiza?"
"To destroy the ones who wronged me," Laiza replied, her voice steady. "To make them suffer as I have. To take everything they hold dear."
Elain's laughter filled the room, sharp and delighted. "Oh, I do believe we're going to get along splendidly"
Elain's smile turned wicked, "Follow me."
She led Laiza to the edge of the labyrinth. "You know what this place is, don't you?" Elain asked.
Laiza nodded. "The King's Labyrinth."
"Good." With a sudden push, Elain sent Laiza tumbling into the abyss. Her scream echoed as she disappeared into the darkness.
"You have two weeks to return with a relic," Elain called out. "If you survive, I'll consider making you my protégé."
Laiza's journey into the labyrinth had begun, and with it, the battle for her future.