The grand gates of the Lumen Obscura Academy towered above the sprawling crowd. Intricate runes etched into the black iron shimmered faintly as waves of aspiring students filed through the entrance. Amidst the sea of excitement, Lucian Noctis stood silent, his violet eyes scanning the animated faces around him. Beneath the modest traveler's garb, his lean figure and calm demeanor radiated an intensity that drew glances from those who passed him by.
He took a deep breath, stepping forward. His hand tightened on the strap of his spatial bag as he approached the registration desk. "Name?" the clerk asked without looking up, her quill poised over the ledger.
"Lucian Noctis," he replied, his voice steady.
The clerk's pen paused for a heartbeat before resuming. She slid a badge across the table. "You're group twelve. Good luck."
Taking the badge, Lucian stepped into the academy grounds. The courtyard was vast, lined with crystalline sculptures, and bustling with hopeful candidates. The air buzzed with a mixture of excitement and tension, whispers of legendary alumni and untold secrets blending into the hum of the crowd. The faint scent of freshly turned earth mingled with the metallic tang of the magical energy flowing through the academy's intricate structures. His mind wandered briefly to Maywood Forest, the elven village, and the trials he had faced to reach this point. He knew he wasn't the strongest, but he had made it this far.
From the shadows of a nearby balcony, a tall figure with striking golden hair observed Lucian's arrival. Aurelius Rael, his Qi blazing faintly a golden light streaked with crimson, watched with an unreadable expression. "So, he's using his true name," Aurelius muttered under his breath, his golden eyes narrowing. He adjusted his cloak, ensuring he remained unseen as Lucian blended into the crowd.
The first test commenced in a vast stone amphitheater, its tiers packed with instructors and observing nobles. The candidates stood in rows, their breaths visible in the crisp morning air. A senior instructor, Count Kaelion Aregon, stepped forward, his crimson cloak billowing behind him. His sharp, hawk-like eyes scanned the participants.
"The spellcasting test will assess your talent and precision in mana control," Kaelion announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Summon a basic flame orb and maintain its integrity for one minute."
Lucian's heart sank. His training had focused almost entirely on Qi, leaving his magical aptitude underdeveloped. As the other candidates confidently channeled their mana, small orbs of fire materialized, casting warm glows across the field. He extended his hand, willing himself to gather mana, but the energy slipped through his grasp like water.
"Damn! I should've read Woolark's book," he muttered under his breath. Sweat beaded on his forehead as a feeble spark flickered before extinguishing entirely. An instructor nearby frowned, marking something on a clipboard.
Lucian's mind spiraled into doubt. What if I'm not ready? What if coming here was a mistake? The whisper of doubt clawed at him, but deeper fears bubbled beneath the surface. Failure isn't just personal anymore. What if I fail? What if this world I'm stepping into closes its gates forever? The thought of letting down those who had given him a chance burned more than the humiliation of failure. But then he thought of Maywood Forest, of battling the Coracck, and the grueling months of training. No. I've faced worse. I can do this.
Kaelion's eyes lingered on Lucian for a moment, his sharp gaze narrowing. That Qi... it's too familiar. A flicker of recognition passed through Kaelion's mind, dredging up memories of an old Legend, one that spoke of a golden light that could either unite the realms or plunge them into chaos. His lips tightened as he marked Lucian's name with more pressure than necessary. Is it him? Or just coincidence? The curiosity and unease crept deeper into his thoughts as he finally moved on.
The second test was more to Lucian's strengths. In a sprawling chamber equipped with glowing obelisks and pressure plates, the candidates were tasked with sustaining force shields, manipulating external objects, and enduring intense gravitational pressure and evaluation of their Qi control.
Lucian stepped onto a pressure plate, the golden hue of his Qi igniting instinctively as the air grew heavy. While other students faltered or struggled, Lucian's survival instincts honed in Maywood's perilous depths kicked in. He maintained an unyielding force shield and manipulated the weighted blocks with a steady precision that drew murmurs from the observing instructors.
Kaelion, now seated among the evaluators, leaned forward. His gaze sharpened as he watched Lucian's control. The golden energy, so different from the standard Qi, intrigued him. "Interesting," he murmured to himself, making a mental note to investigate further.
Nearby, a tall boy with jet-black hair, Pale Skin and piercing dark green eyes observed Lucian's performance with a smirk. "Not bad," he said, stepping closer as the test concluded. "But don't get too comfortable. This place weeds out the weak fast." He glanced at Lucian's golden Qi with something between envy and calculation. Lucian turned to him, his violet eyes narrowing. "We'll see who's still standing at the end."
The boy chuckled, extending a hand. "Vaedros Jormivak . Let's just say I'll be keeping an eye on you."
Lucian hesitated before shaking his hand. "Lucian Noctis."
Behind them, a shadowy figure leaned against a column, his face obscured by a hood. His gaze remained fixed on Lucian, an ominous smile playing on his lips. "So, the boy has finally surfaced," he whispered to himself. His hands disappeared into his cloak as he stepped away, vanishing before the candidates dispersed.
For the final test, the candidates were brought to an outdoor arena. Instructors stood opposite them, weapons in hand. "You will face an opponent to demonstrate your combat prowess," an official announced.
Lucian's turn came quickly. His assigned instructor wielded a longsword, her stance poised and confident. From the armory, Lucian selected a staff, its simplicity belying the power he intended to channel through it.
As the duel began, the instructor lunged, her blade cutting through the air with practiced precision. Lucian's movements were fluid, his Qi-enhanced Cloud Steps allowing him to evade with effortless grace. He countered with Sky Piercer, the staff striking with a force that made the instructor stagger.
The crowd murmured in approval as Lucian adapted mid-fight, using creative maneuvers to keep his opponent off balance. His strikes grew bolder, each imbued with a golden glow that painted streaks across the arena floor.
Kaelion suddenly rose from his seat, raising a hand to halt the match. "Enough," he commanded, stepping into the arena. The instructor bowed and retreated as Kaelion unsheathed his elegant Qi-imbued sword. "Let's see the limits of your technique, Lucian Noctis."
Lucian tightened his grip on his staff, his eyes narrowing. "As you wish."
The duel began with Kaelion's sword blazing a dark red, its energy leaving visible distortions in the air. His strikes came with calculated ferocity, and every clash sent echoes reverberating through the arena. Lucian met him blow for blow, his Qi bolstering his endurance, and for a moment, his golden aura flared brightly, creating a stark contrast to Kaelion's crimson energy.
The ground beneath them cracked with every exchange, energy rippling through the arena and unsettling the dust. Lucian's thoughts raced. He's faster than anyone I've faced. But speed isn't everything. Drawing on his training, he switched to Iron Palm techniques, using his staff not only to strike but also to redirect Kaelion's momentum. At one point, Kaelion unleashed a devastating overhead strike, and Lucian instinctively employed a survival technique from Maywood: he ducked low and swept sand into Kaelion's line of sight. The unorthodox move caused gasps to ripple through the crowd as Lucian seized the opening, striking with precision.
Whispers spread rapidly among the spectators. "Is he actually holding his own?"
"That Qi... It's not like anything I've seen before," another murmured, their eyes locked on the golden glow emanating from Lucian as it intensified with his every move.
Kaelion's expression shifted from scrutiny to respect. "Impressive," he said, his voice carrying to the onlookers. "You've earned a place here, Lucian Noctis. However, I'd like to speak with you privately about that peculiar Qi of yours."
Before Lucian could respond, the arena seemed to pause as a golden light blazed from the stands, brighter and more intense than the midday sun. The sheer force of it left spectators shielding their eyes, while the ground itself seemed to tremble beneath its weight. The very air quivered with power as Aurelius descended, his form wreathed in an overwhelming aura. His Qi roared to life, taking the shape of a massive lion, its golden body streaked with crimson, radiating waves of authority and ferocity.
Gasps echoed across the arena. "It's him... the Lion of Rael," one onlooker whispered in awe. Another shivered, murmuring, "I heard he took down a battalion alone... and he's not even at full power."
Each step Aurelius took sent ripples through the ground, leaving the air heavy with tension. His golden eyes, sharp and piercing, locked onto Kaelion with a ferocity that was both regal and unrelenting. Kaelion's sword remained steady, but his grip tightened, his own Qi flaring defensively. I've faced him before. And I know what he's capable of, Kaelion thought. His jaw clenched as Aurelius's presence dominated the arena.
The atmosphere shifted, the very air growing heavier as Aurelius's Qi roared to life. His golden energy shimmered with streaks of crimson, casting an imposing glow over the arena. "This boy is under my protection," Aurelius declared, his voice like thunder. "And a new member of the Rael family."
Kaelion's eyes narrowed, his sword raised defensively as his own blood-red Qi flared. The two energies clashed violently, creating shockwaves that shook the arena.
"I don't care if it's you or the magic families," Aurelius growled, his lion-like Qi roaring in unison. "Do not fill Lucian's head with your nonsense."
The academy's headmaster stepped forward, his tone calm but firm. "Enough, both of you. This is neither the time nor the place."
Aurelius gave Kaelion a final, piercing glare before grabbing Lucian by the shoulder. "We'll expect his results in the mail," he said, his tone dripping with finality. In a flash, the two vanished, leaving the audience in stunned silence.
They reappeared outside the Rael Estate, the golden light fading as Aurelius released Lucian. For a moment, the two stood in silence, the weight of the day hanging heavily between them.
"Aurelius," Lucian began, his voice filled with questions, "what just happened back there?"
Aurelius turned to him, his expression softening. "You've stepped into a larger world, Lucian. One that won't let you walk away so easily. You're family now, and I'll make sure no one forgets it."
Aurelius's gaze softened further as he placed a hand on Lucian's shoulder. "You remind me of someone I once knew someone who fought like you, with everything they had. That's why I'll protect you, no matter what."
Lucian's thoughts swirled, but he nodded, determination hardening his gaze. As they reached the imposing gates of the Rael Estate, Aurelius paused, his expression shadowed with unspoken thoughts.
"Remember, Lucian," Aurelius said quietly, his voice tinged with a rare gravity, "power like yours always comes at a price. Be ready to pay for it."
Before Lucian could respond, a servant approached with a sealed letter bearing the academy's insignia. Aurelius's golden eyes darkened as they fell on the intricate sigil pressed into the wax, a bull's head and a ram's horns intertwined, encircling a jagged thunderbolt. The seal seemed to hum faintly, its presence almost tangible, as though imbued with a force that lingered just beneath the surface.
For a moment, Aurelius's composed demeanor fractured. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he muttered something under his breath, too quiet for Lucian to hear.
"What is it?" Lucian asked, frowning as he reached for the letter.
Aurelius hesitated, then handed it over. His fingers brushed the wax seal briefly, almost as if reluctant to let go. "Be careful," he said softly, his voice carrying an edge of warning. "Power is rarely what it seems. And symbols like this" he gestured to the sigil "carry burdens heavier than most can bear."
Lucian turned the letter over in his hands, his eyes drawn back to the seal. The bull's unyielding gaze, the ram's coiled defiance, and the jagged thunderbolt seemed to form a trinity of primal power, their intricate design hinting at a deeper meaning. A strange unease clawed at him, but he couldn't explain why.
As the mortal world turned, far beyond its boundaries beneath the crushing weight of an ancient mountain a stillness broke. In the silence of eternity, a single whisper resonated across the threads of existence, spoken not in sound but in divine speech.
"It stirs again." The voice was quiet, restrained, yet it carried a gravity that rippled through the unseen realms.
From the depths of the endless skies, another presence answered, sharp and electric, its tone edged with a faint trace of disdain. "So you noticed. The echo was loud enough to wake even you."
The first voice paused, its tone contemplative, almost amused. "Bold, as always. But boldness comes with a price. It always has."
"And what will you do about it, old one?" the second voice retorted, a crackle of latent power underscoring its words. "Stay in your shadowed prison and watch the world spin on without you? You're nothing but a relic now, your time spent."
A low, rumbling laugh echoed in response, though it was impossible to tell if it held mirth or menace. "Relics endure. And when they awaken, even the boldest learn to kneel."
A brief silence followed, pregnant with tension, before the second voice answered, quieter this time. "We'll see."
The exchange ended, leaving the air in the unseen realms heavy with unspoken implications. The mortal world carried on, unaware of the forces converging above and below, their movements subtle yet vast.
Lucian stared at the letter in his hands, the weight of it heavier than he expected. The sigil pulsed faintly under his fingers, almost as though it were alive. His chest tightened with unease, but his curiosity overrode his instinct to toss it aside. Whatever this letter contained, it wasn't ordinary and he had a sinking feeling it would change the course of his life.