The airship soared through the skies with a grace that defied its massive size. Powered by mana, it was faster than anything Ned had experienced before. He half expected it to teleport, but he wasn't entirely sure it hadn't already. Who knew how mana engines worked? Certainly not him.
Ned leaned on the railing of the ship's balcony, letting the cool breeze wash over his face. The horizon ahead was beginning to change, and the shimmering outlines of Wenstin, the Water City, came into view.
The city looked like something out of a fairy tale. A sprawling network of canals crisscrossed through the city, with waterways reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun. Grand buildings rose on either side of the waterways, their domed roofs painted in brilliant blues and greens. Small boats floated lazily along the canals, their passengers seeming to enjoy the tranquil ride. At the center of the city, a massive waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear lake, sparkling like a thousand diamonds.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Reena's voice cut through his thoughts as she joined him on the balcony.
"Yeah, really beautiful," Ned replied, without looking at the city.
Reena turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "You're not even looking at Wenstin."
"Oh, you meant the city?" Ned grinned, his eyes locked on her. "It's nice, I guess. But this view is just gorgeous." He gestured dramatically toward her.
Reena's cheeks turned a shade of pink that rivaled the sunset. "You're such an idiot," she said, trying to sound annoyed, though her flustered expression betrayed her.
Ned smirked. Did she blush? He filed the moment away in his mind. The eyes of a Spectator didn't miss much, and he was starting to think—just maybe—that his charm (or his new look) was beginning to work on her.
"Well, idiot or not, I speak the truth," Ned said, leaning back against the railing with a grin.
Reena rolled her eyes, though the faint smile on her lips didn't escape him.
---
As the airship descended, the view became even more breathtaking. The canals of Wenstin sparkled in the sunlight, weaving between colorful marketplaces and lush green gardens. The hum of life filled the air—merchants shouting their wares, street performers juggling balls of fire, and the soft melodies of a distant flute.
When the airship landed, Ned was greeted by an overwhelming wave of sound and movement. The docks were packed with people, most of them around his age. The energy was palpable—students from all over the continent had gathered here for the evaluation.
"Wow," Reena said, looking around. "It's like a festival here."
"Yeah," Ned said, scanning the crowd. "If festivals came with a side of academic doom."
As they navigated through the bustling crowd, a massive shadow loomed over them. A man, or perhaps a mountain disguised as one, stood in their path. His tanned skin gleamed in the sunlight, and his biceps looked like they could crush a boulder.
"Pineapple. Buy. Where." The man's voice was as deep as the ocean, each word slow and deliberate.
Ned blinked. "Uh... what?"
"PINEAPPLE. BUY. WHERE."
Reena nudged him. "Do you think he's asking where to buy pineapples?"
"Maybe? I don't know. I didn't exactly study 'Giant Guy with a Vocabulary of Four Words' in school."
The man sighed, as if their ignorance was deeply disappointing. "Hi. Me. Bonita Hercules. You. Name. What."
Ned exchanged a bewildered look with Reena before replying. "Uh, I'm Ned. This is Reena."
Bonita nodded sagely. "Good. Strong name. Ned."
Before Ned could respond, another figure approached—a woman dressed in flowing golden attire. Her steps were graceful, her demeanor regal. She reached Bonita and, without breaking stride, delivered a gentle smack to the back of his head.
Bonita crumpled like a house of cards.
Ned stared, wide-eyed. "Did she just...?"
"Yes, I did," the woman said, her voice smooth and confident. She turned to them, her golden earrings glinting in the sunlight. "Sorry about my brother. He's enthusiastic but... limited."
Bonita groaned from the ground. "Me. Fine."
"I'm Ambessa Hercules," the woman said, extending a hand. "We're from the Kingdom of Aries. I hope he didn't scare you too much."
"Scare? No," Ned said, shaking her hand. "Scarred for life? Maybe a little."
Ambessa laughed, a rich, melodious sound. "You'll get used to him. He's harmless, really."
Reena tilted her head. "Are you two here for the evaluation?"
"Indeed we are," Ambessa replied. "We're aiming for the top prize, of course."
Ned frowned. "Wait, there are prizes? I thought it was just about getting into academies."
Ambessa's eyes sparkled. "Oh, there's much more than that. The top three participants get special rewards from the Kingdom of Frieda."
She began ticking off the prizes on her fingers. "First prize is a weapon of your choice from Frieda's royal armory. Second prize is a pet egg, which could hatch into something extraordinary. Third prize is a body-cleansing pill, which purifies your body of toxins and enhances your potential."
Ned's mind raced. A weapon, a pet egg, and a magic pill? Suddenly, the evaluation sounded a lot more interesting.
"Good luck with that," Ned said, grinning. "I'm sure Bonita's, uh, pineapple expertise will come in handy."
Ambessa smiled. "Don't underestimate him. He may be simple, but he's one of the strongest warriors in Aries."
Christine's sharp voice cut through the crowd. "Ned! Reena! Stop dawdling and get moving!"
Ned exchanged a quick goodbye with Ambessa and Bonita, exchanging contact details before hurrying after Christine.
---
The Nexus delegation's accommodations were humble compared to the grandeur of the city, but Christine made it clear they weren't here for luxury.
"You'll rest here, train here, and strategize here," she said, pacing in front of the group. "Remember, we're not just representing Nexus. We're fighting to restore its honor."
As the students settled in, Ned couldn't help but think back to the Hercules siblings.
A weapon, a pet, and a pill.
The stakes were higher than he'd realized, and for the first time, he felt a spark of excitement mingled with the usual nerves.
The final evaluation was going to be a lot more than just a test.