Leon tightened the straps on his pack, his gaze lingering on the distant horizon. Bastion City was slowly rebuilding itself, but his work here was done. The ring pulsed faintly, as though echoing his resolve.
"Are you certain about this?" Nexus's voice resonated in his mind.
Leon nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "If there's one thing I know, it's that my family is in Oalasa. If they survived the invasion, that's where they'll be."
"And the college?" Nexus asked knowingly.
Leon smirked. "You're not wrong. If I'm going to master this power, there's no better place."
Oalasa was famous for two things: its fighting arenas and its magical academy, the Collegium Arcanum. Both were steeped in centuries of tradition, attracting warriors and scholars from every corner of the continent. For Leon, it represented hope—not just for finding his family, but for carving out a new future.
The journey wasn't easy. The roads outside Bastion City were treacherous, littered with debris from the invasion and patrolled by roving bands of monsters. Nexus proved invaluable, her voice a constant guide as Leon navigated the perilous terrain.
"Keep to the left," she instructed as they approached a broken bridge. "There's a shallow ford downstream."
"How do you know that?" Leon asked, carefully picking his way through the rubble.
"I can sense the flow of energy around us," Nexus replied. "It gives me… insight."
Leon didn't fully understand, but he trusted her judgment. He had to.
As the days wore on, the landscape began to change. The crumbling ruins of Bastion City gave way to rolling hills and dense forests. The air grew warmer, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth.
Yet, the beauty of the countryside was marred by the ever-present threat of danger.
One afternoon, as Leon crossed a narrow mountain pass, a group of bandits ambushed him. They were desperate men, their faces gaunt and their weapons crude.
"Hand over the ring," their leader snarled, brandishing a rusted sword. "We've heard the stories. That thing's worth a fortune."
Leon's heart raced, but Nexus's voice was calm. "Do not fear. You have the power to deal with them."
Leon raised his hand, the ring gleaming in the sunlight. "Walk away," he said, his voice steady. "You don't want to do this."
The bandits laughed, mistaking his confidence for bravado.
Leon sighed. "Your choice."
With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a burst of light that blinded the bandits, sending them reeling. He followed up with a wave of force that knocked their weapons from their hands and left them scrambling for cover.
By the time the dust settled, the bandits were gone, fleeing into the wilderness.
The encounter left Leon shaken but resolute. He couldn't afford to hesitate, not when so much was at stake. Nexus seemed to sense his thoughts.
"You handled that well," she said.
"Did I?" Leon muttered. "I don't want to hurt people, Nexus."
"Power is a tool," Nexus replied. "How you wield it defines who you are."
Her words stayed with him as he pressed on, the city of Oalasa drawing closer with each passing day.
When Leon finally crested the last hill and saw Oalasa spread out before him, he was struck by its grandeur. The city was massive, its towering spires and sprawling arenas glinting in the sunlight. The streets bustled with activity, a stark contrast to the desolation of Bastion City.
At the heart of Oalasa stood the Collegium Arcanum, its marble halls gleaming like a beacon. Leon felt a surge of anticipation—and trepidation.
As he made his way into the city, Nexus's voice broke the silence.
"You've reached your destination," she said. "But your journey is far from over."
Leon couldn't help but smile. "I know. And I'm ready."
The streets of Oalasa were a whirlwind of color and sound, unlike anything Leon had experienced before. Merchants hawked their wares from elaborately decorated stalls, their voices vying for attention amidst the hum of the crowd. Fighters clad in gleaming armor marched towards the famed arenas, their weapons glinting in the sunlight.
Leon weaved through the throng, his senses on high alert. Despite the city's beauty, he couldn't ignore the sharp glances from passersby or the occasional whispers of "outsider." His travel-worn clothes and cautious demeanor marked him as a newcomer, and Oalasa's residents were quick to notice.
"Stay alert," Nexus's voice murmured in his mind.
"I am," Leon replied under his breath, his eyes scanning the crowd.
As he turned a corner, a massive statue caught his attention. It depicted a warrior, his arms raised triumphantly, a sword in one hand and a spellbook in the other. The plaque at its base read: "To all who conquer the mind and blade—Oalasa salutes you."
Leon stared at the statue, a knot forming in his stomach. It was a reminder of what he sought here—not just his family, but the knowledge and strength to carve his place in a world that had nearly destroyed him.
Leon's first stop was the southern district, where his family had lived before the invasion. The streets here were quieter, the buildings smaller and more weathered. He approached the familiar door of a modest stone house, his heart pounding.
When the door opened, he was greeted by the sight of his younger sister, Ella. She froze, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Leon?" she whispered.
"It's me," Leon said, his voice cracking.
Ella threw herself into his arms, sobbing. "We thought you were dead!"
Their reunion was bittersweet. Inside, Leon found his mother and father, both visibly older and more worn than he remembered. The invasion had taken its toll, but they had survived.
Over a simple meal, Leon recounted his journey, carefully omitting the details of Nexus and the ring. He didn't want to burden them with the weight of his new reality—not yet.
His father, a retired blacksmith, listened intently. "You've been through a lot, son. But you're here now, and that's what matters."
Leon nodded, though he knew his journey was far from over.
The next morning, Leon made his way to the Collegium Arcanum. The sprawling campus was a marvel of architecture, its towering spires and intricate carvings radiating an air of authority. Students in flowing robes hurried between lectures, their voices a mix of excitement and apprehension.
At the main gate, Leon was stopped by a guard clad in ornate armor.
"State your business," the guard said, his tone brusque.
"I'm here to apply," Leon replied, standing tall despite the guard's scrutinizing gaze.
The guard raised an eyebrow but stepped aside. "Follow the path to the admissions hall. And don't waste their time."
Inside, Leon was directed to a waiting room filled with other hopeful applicants. Some were clearly nobles, their fine clothes and confident postures setting them apart. Others, like Leon, bore the marks of hard travel and humble origins.
"First impressions matter," Nexus whispered.
"I know," Leon thought back, adjusting his worn cloak.
When his name was called, he was led into a grand chamber where a panel of professors awaited. They bombarded him with questions—about his magical knowledge, his intentions, and his potential.
"Why do you seek admission to the Collegium Arcanum?" one of them asked, a stern-faced woman with piercing eyes.
Leon hesitated, then spoke from the heart. "Because I want to protect the people I care about. And to do that, I need to understand this power I've been given."
The professors exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable.
As Leon left the Collegium, he felt a mix of relief and anticipation. He didn't know if he had been accepted, but he had done his best.
"Now what?" he asked aloud.
"Now," Nexus said, her voice steady, "we prepare. Whether they accept you or not, your path is set. The Collegium is but one step on a much larger journey."
Leon nodded, determination hardening his resolve. He had survived monsters, trials, and the burden of power. Whatever came next, he would face it head-on.
And as he looked out over the bustling city of Oalasa, he felt the first stirrings of hope—hope for a future worth fighting for.