Chapter 14: The Road to Tier 2
The principal's voice rang out, steady and commanding as it echoed across the auditorium. Her presence alone filled the room, making the air feel heavier. She stood at the front of the room, looking down at the group of students who had made it past the battle royale. We were the chosen few out of 900—survivors of the first test.
"Welcome, students," she began, her gaze sweeping over the gathered faces. "You've proven your worth to be here, but this is only the beginning. Over the next two months, you will learn, you will train, and you will push yourselves. By the end of this period, each and every one of you should have reached Tier 2."
Tier 2. The words hung in the air like a challenge. It wasn't a suggestion; it was an expectation. The principal wasn't threatening expulsion for failure, but she made it clear that reaching Tier 2 was the first true milestone for us to move forward.
"The academy's purpose is to develop your abilities beyond what you could ever achieve alone," she continued. "This isn't just about getting stronger—this is about building a foundation that will allow you to grow into the kind of individuals the world needs. Reaching Tier 2 is necessary to continue your journey here."
She paused, her sharp eyes scanning the room of nervous faces. "But understand this," she added, "there's no turning back after this. If you fail to reach Tier 2, you'll still remain here, but your path forward will be much harder. You will be assigned additional training, but there won't be another chance like this one. You have two months to prove you belong here."
The room felt a little tense after that, but it wasn't the dread of impending failure. It was the pressure of knowing we had the chance to succeed, but only if we pushed ourselves. I could feel it in my chest—this was my chance to show what I was capable of.
"You're all here because you have potential," the principal added, her tone softer now, but still serious. "I hope you take this opportunity seriously. This academy will help you unlock your full potential, but it's up to you to take the first step."
She gave us one last look over the crowd before she stepped aside. "Go now. You'll have your schedules by the end of the day. Start your training immediately. I expect nothing less than your best."
The students began to file out, the weight of her words settling in. Tier 2. I had two months to get there. And I wasn't going to waste a single day of it.
As I left the auditorium, I noticed Kieran standing near the door, his posture tense as always. He met my gaze, and without saying a word, we both knew what was at stake. We had a plan to train hard, and we had to stick to it. This wasn't just a test of magic—it was a test of who could push the hardest.
I knew I had a lot to prove, not just to the academy, but to myself. It wasn't about fitting in here; it was about standing out. Tier 2 was only the beginning. I had my sights set on more.
The next few weeks would be challenging, but they would also be the most crucial. I wasn't going to just coast by and scrape through. I was going to give it my all.
And when the two months were over, I was going to be standing at the front, ready to show everyone that I wasn't just another student—I was someone to be reckoned with.
The academy had just become my training ground. And I wasn't planning to lose.