The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the sprawling grounds of the Academy of Light, the most prestigious institution in the empire. The stone walls were adorned with banners of crimson and gold, fluttering in the breeze. The grand entrance gates loomed large ahead of Alaric, who stood at the threshold, his heart beating faster than usual. It had been a long journey from the moment he first stepped foot into the empire's capital to now, as he prepared for one of the most important days of his life—the Entrance Exam for the academy.
Though only eighteen years old, Alaric had already lived a lifetime of experiences—experiences that had shaped him into the person he was today. He had been through war, had faced assassination attempts, and had even come to terms with his strange connection to divine energy. Yet, as he gazed up at the towering structure of the academy, an unfamiliar sense of excitement swirled within him. This place was special, not just because of its historical significance, but because it was here that he would begin to carve his legacy as a mage.
"You're nervous, aren't you?" came a voice beside him, startling him from his thoughts.
Alaric turned to find Serena standing next to him, her usual cheerful demeanor in place. She was dressed in her academy robes, her long red hair flowing behind her like a banner in the wind. Despite the teasing smile on her face, Alaric could tell that she was just as eager to enter the academy as he was.
"I'm not nervous," he replied, adjusting the weight of his sword at his side. "Just… thinking about what comes next."
Serena raised an eyebrow. "Sure you're not nervous. This is the first time you've ever been in a place like this, after all."
Alaric chuckled. "Maybe you're right. It's just that I've never really fit in with the nobility or the common folk. I'm not sure how they'll take someone like me."
"You'll fit in fine," Serena said confidently. "Besides, you're not just 'someone.' You're Alaric Solis. The person who single-handedly turned the tide of that battle against the Rogue Legion. If anyone can make an entrance, it's you."
Alaric shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm not sure I'll make the kind of entrance you're thinking of."
"Don't be modest," Serena teased. "We both know you have a God-tier potential, and the academy is about to learn that firsthand."
The words "God-tier" echoed in his mind. The academy had a rigorous tier system to measure one's magical ability. It ranged from No Talent, all the way up to God-tier, a level that was so rare that it was considered a myth until Alaric's arrival. Normally, the highest level one could reach was Saint-tier, a rank that only the most gifted mages in the empire had achieved. But Alaric's potential—his divine energy combined with his magical aptitude—had already surpassed that.
As they approached the entrance gates, they could see the long line of candidates who had gathered for the exam. The academy was known for its rigorous selection process, and only the best and brightest were ever accepted. Alaric could feel the tension in the air, a sense of competition that crackled like electricity.
"Let's get this over with," Alaric said, taking a deep breath.
The gates creaked open, and the candidates began filing into the grand hall of the academy. The air was thick with anticipation as the Headmaster, a tall, imposing man with a dark cloak, stepped forward to address the students.
"Welcome, young mages," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "Today is the first step in your journey. You will face the Entrance Exam, a test of your magical abilities. The results will determine your rank, and from there, your future. Do your best."
Alaric felt the weight of the moment. He had passed countless trials, fought in wars, and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But this—this was something different. This was where his future as a mage, as someone with divine energy, would be determined.
Serena leaned in close to him, whispering in his ear. "Don't forget what I told you. Just let your power flow naturally."
He nodded, though a small part of him wondered just how much he could reveal today. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself before the test even began. However, deep down, he knew that his potential could not be hidden for long.
---
The Entrance Exam took place in the academy's vast training arena, a circular space surrounded by high walls adorned with intricate runes. Candidates were divided into groups, each tasked with demonstrating their magical prowess. Alaric, being a late arrival, was placed in one of the last groups, and he was able to watch as others displayed their abilities.
A young man with short black hair stood before the crowd, his hands glowing with an intense blue light. He was concentrating hard, sweat beading on his forehead as he began to cast a spell. The energy he summoned manifested as a powerful water spell, crashing against the arena's stone floor. The audience nodded approvingly.
"Lord-tier, at best," Serena whispered to Alaric, watching the display. "Not bad, but nothing extraordinary."
Alaric simply nodded, his gaze focused on the young mage. It was clear that the level of talent here varied, but none of the candidates seemed to match the kind of strength that he possessed. He turned to Serena, giving her a small smile.
"I'm not sure how I'll follow that," he said quietly.
"Just be yourself," she said with a grin. "You're Alaric Solis. You don't need to try to impress anyone."
Finally, it was his turn. Alaric stepped forward, feeling the weight of every eye in the arena upon him. The headmaster raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the presence of this newcomer who had arrived with such little fanfare. Alaric closed his eyes for a moment, centering himself. He could feel the mana swirling around him, the divine energy pulsing beneath his skin.
When he opened his eyes, they glowed faintly with the same golden light that had marked his divine energy. He lifted one hand, and the air around him seemed to tremble. His mana flowed effortlessly, wrapping around his hand like a visible thread of energy. As he began to chant the spell, the arena fell into a stunned silence.
Alaric raised his hand high, and in an instant, a massive pillar of light erupted from the ground beneath him, shooting into the sky with a deafening roar. The ground beneath cracked, and the force of the energy was so intense that the audience stepped back, shielding their eyes from the brilliant light.
When the light finally subsided, there was an eerie stillness. Alaric stood, breathing calmly, his hands lowered. The audience was still frozen, unable to speak. The headmaster stepped forward, his face unreadable as he surveyed the results of Alaric's display.
"This…" the headmaster began, his voice faltering slightly, "is beyond anything we've seen before."
Serena's eyes widened, her gaze flicking between Alaric and the headmaster. "Did you just…?"
The headmaster turned to the others, his voice now carrying authority. "This is no ordinary display of magic. This is… God-tier."
The murmurs began to spread throughout the crowd. Alaric could feel the weight of their gazes upon him, and for a moment, he allowed himself to savor the silence. The academy had just witnessed his power, and he knew that his entrance would be remembered for years to come.