Chapter 23: The Dormitory
Leon Grant was led to a dormitory by his homeroom teacher, Mr. Davis, who hurriedly left right after, likely to escort another student.
Leon pushed open the dormitory door and glanced around. It was an unremarkable single-room dormitory with two beds and two desks. On one of the beds lay someone fast asleep.
As Leon set down his luggage, a familiar, joyful voice rang out behind him.
"Leon! I knew you'd make it back alive!"
The voice belonged to Alex Carter, who had been sleeping soundly. His instincts, honed by the dangers of the Arcane Realm, had snapped him awake the moment Leon entered. Seeing his old friend's silhouette, Alex leaped off the bed.
"Of course! You think a little trial like that could stop me?" Leon replied, turning around with a grin as he sat on the bed.
"So, how did it go? Did you awaken?" Alex asked eagerly, throwing an arm around Leon's shoulder.
Leon nodded lightly.
Alex's grip tightened as he laughed. "I knew it! The Dynamic Duo of Greyford High couldn't possibly fail!"
"And? What kind of talent did you awaken?" Alex puffed up his chest proudly. "Your big bro here got a third-tier Warrior aptitude. I'll keep looking out for you, don't worry."
Leon smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is that so? Well, I'm just a little better—second-tier Mage talent."
The room fell silent as Alex's jaw dropped. His hand slipped off Leon's shoulder, and then he grabbed him by both shoulders, shaking him violently.
"What the hell, man?! I told you to come back in one piece, not to outshine me like this!" Alex cried out. "Second-tier Mage talent? That's not just good; that's insane! You're making me look bad!"
Leon burst into laughter. "Guess it's time for me to take care of you instead. I'll be the big bro from now on!"
"Leon, you're killing me here!" Alex groaned, dropping to his knees and grabbing Leon's leg in mock despair. Then, as if struck by a sudden idea, his eyes lit up. "Wait! If I can't be your big bro, I can still be your brother-in-law. You know, my sister—she's gorgeous, kind, and single. What do you say? I'll even waive the dowry!"
"Get lost! I've met your sister," Leon retorted, laughing as he shoved Alex away.
Alex's sister wasn't exactly the "beauty" he claimed. She was a bit on the heavier side, and Leon had never been remotely interested.
The two of them laughed and bantered for a while, the tension from their time in the Arcane Realm finally easing.
After a while, Alex's tone grew more serious. "Hey, did you hear about Ava Sterling's awakening?"
Ava Sterling was one of their classmates—a beautiful girl from a well-off family with professional Awakeners as parents. Her wealth and confidence often made her come off as arrogant, and she rarely showed kindness to her peers.
"What about her?" Leon asked, curious.
"She failed," Alex said, barely suppressing his laughter. "Can you believe it? Miss 'I'm better than everyone else' came back after only three days in the Arcane Realm. No awakening, no powers. Now she's just… normal."
Leon chuckled but didn't say much.
The next few days passed uneventfully as Leon and Alex stayed in their dorm. On the tenth day since the Awakening Ritual began, the summons finally came.
Leon and Alex headed to a classroom where their classmates were gathering. Compared to the lively, confident atmosphere from before the ritual, the room now felt subdued. Some students wore bright smiles—those who had awakened successfully—while others seemed downcast.
Leon did a quick headcount. There were only thirty-one students present.
Thirteen of their classmates hadn't returned.
Leon exhaled quietly, his mood sinking. The dangers of the Arcane Realm were real, and not everyone could survive.
Mr. Davis walked to the front of the room, clapping his hands to draw everyone's attention.
"First, let us honor those who didn't make it back," he said solemnly.
The class fell silent, heads bowing in a moment of respect for their fallen peers. After a few minutes, Mr. Davis spoke again, his tone more upbeat.
"Now, let's celebrate those who awakened successfully!"
The room erupted in applause, though a mix of envy and admiration could be seen on many faces.
Mr. Davis continued, his voice filled with pride. "I never imagined I'd have a student with a second-tier Mage talent! Let's give a special round of applause for Leon Grant!"
Leon felt dozens of eyes turn toward him, some filled with awe, others with jealousy. For most of his school life, Leon had been an unremarkable student. His family wasn't wealthy, and aside from his athleticism, he had little to stand out. Yet now, he was the brightest star in the room.
Some of the girls shot him flirtatious glances, their expressions a mix of admiration and interest. Leon, however, remained composed. As he scanned the room, he noticed a particular gaze filled with bitterness.
Ava Sterling.
She quickly averted her eyes when Leon looked her way. Her pride, once towering, had clearly been shattered by her failure. For years, she had considered herself above Leon. Now, the tables had turned.
Mr. Davis's voice broke through Leon's thoughts.
"Finally, to those who didn't awaken, don't lose hope. Awakening isn't the only path to a bright future. You've been through the Arcane Realm's baptism, and your physical abilities are far superior to those who haven't. Use that to your advantage."
The class clapped once more, though the applause felt more subdued.
Of the forty-four students who had entered the Arcane Realm, thirteen had perished. Twenty had failed to awaken but would carry the Realm's lingering effects. Only eleven had awakened, with most having third- or fourth-tier talents. Leon's second-tier Mage talent was the highest in the class, making him a standout even among the successful.
As the meeting ended, Leon's classmates dispersed, murmuring about the upcoming university applications.
For Leon, the real journey was just beginning.