The Mage Tower loomed before Elias, a towering structure of black stone and glowing runes that seemed to pulse with life. The air around it was thick with mana, an invisible pressure that weighed heavily on all who approached. Elias, or rather Zhen Wu, smiled faintly as he stepped into the courtyard along with hundreds of other new apprentices.
A buzz of excitement filled the air. Young mages from various noble and commoner backgrounds jostled together, their expressions a mixture of awe and nervous anticipation. The entrance ceremony was set to begin in a few moments, but for now, the new recruits wandered the grounds, taking in their surroundings.
Elias walked casually, his hands in his pockets, his carefree smile firmly in place. His eyes, however, scanned the crowd with quiet intensity.
.....
It wasn't long before someone approached him. A boy with unkempt brown hair and bright, earnest eyes stepped forward, his face alight with enthusiasm. He carried no staff, wore no enchanted robes, and bore no marks of nobility, yet he radiated a strange sense of presence.
"Hey there!" the boy said, his voice brimming with energy. "This place is incredible, isn't it? I can't believe we're actually here! The Mage Tower! Just imagine what we'll become after a few years here!"
Elias turned to him, his smile warm and easy. "What do you hope to become?"
The boy blinked, slightly taken aback by the question. Then, he grinned. "The greatest mage in the land, of course! Someone who can protect the weak, fight against injustice, and explore the mysteries of the world!"
Elias chuckled softly. "A noble goal."
"I'm Julius, by the way," the boy continued, extending a hand. "What's your name?"
Before Elias could answer, a young woman joined them. She was tall and striking, with sharp features and an air of confidence. Her crimson robes and elegant staff marked her as someone from a prestigious lineage.
"Are you two just going to stand around gawking, or do you plan to actually make something of yourselves here?" she asked, her tone half-teasing, half-serious.
"I'm Julius," the boy said quickly, offering her a friendly smile. "And you are?"
"Cassandra," she replied, her gaze lingering on Elias for a moment. "And you?"
Elias's smile widened slightly. "You'll know my name soon enough."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
---
The Ceremony
The entrance ceremony was a grand affair. The Tower Master, a stoic figure draped in flowing black robes, stood atop a high dais and delivered a speech about duty, discipline, and the pursuit of arcane knowledge. Runes flickered to life around the courtyard as the new apprentices swore their oaths, binding them to the Tower's rules and traditions.
Julius stood beside Elias throughout the ceremony, his excitement barely contained. Cassandra remained nearby, her gaze sharp and appraising as she observed the proceedings.
Elias, for his part, appeared calm and unassuming. But beneath his serene exterior, Zhen Wu was evaluating Julius.
Protagonist material, he thought. A shining beacon of luck and potential, destined for greatness—or at least, he would have been, if not for me.
His smile turned slightly cryptic as he glanced at the boy. "Sometimes, stories don't end the way you think they will," he murmured.
Julius tilted his head, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing," Elias said lightly. "Just a thought."
.....
As the ceremony concluded, the apprentices were assigned their living quarters. Julius, still brimming with energy, caught up with Elias as they walked toward the dormitories.
"Hey, you never told me your name," he said with a grin.
Elias paused, turning to look at him. His smile was enigmatic, his tone light. "You'll know tomorrow. Everyone will."
Julius frowned, confused but intrigued. "Alright... I'll hold you to that."
With a casual wave, Elias disappeared into his assigned room, leaving Julius to ponder his cryptic words.
....
Inside his room, Elias locked the door and sat cross-legged on the bed. The carefree mask fell away, replaced by a calm but calculating expression.
"The universal will should have realized my disappearance by now," he muttered to himself, his voice low and steady. "It's likely already searching for me. Based on my calculations, it'll take around ten years to locate me. Perhaps more, if I'm lucky."
His fingers tapped lightly against his knee. "But it doesn't matter. I only need a few hours. One simulation, and everything will fall into place."
He leaned back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. "I only hope it hasn't acted against my kingdom yet. If it has... well, they're necessary sacrifices."
The room fell silent as Elias closed his eyes, regulating his breathing. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, marking the passage of time. As the hour hand struck twelve, a faint glow filled the room.
A black ring materialized on his right hand, etched with intricate runes and pulsing with faint energy. It was his personal storage ring, containing all of his treasures from his previous life, even his old body, preserved in perfect condition.
Elias smiled faintly as he ran his fingers over the ring's surface. "It's time."
Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out a vial of shimmering liquid and downed it in one gulp.
The potion worked quickly, spreading warmth through his veins as it optimized his body for what was to come.
A soft hum filled the air as a translucent blue screen appeared before him, the simulator.
Elias's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The clock ticked onward, the stillness of the room broken only by the faint glow of the screen.