The door shimmered behind them as Kai and his group stepped through, emerging into the orientation hall they'd started at in the morning.
The change was jarring, the group wincing as they adjusted to the bright sunlight of the hall.
Around them, the hall buzzed with energy, filled with a fraction of the total new students who had started the test.
Kai looked around.
Are we really this… little? There had been more students when they'd gathered in the hall that morning.
At this point, I think we're a tenth of what we were before. Only ten percent finished early.
Some groups looked calm and relaxed, as if the whole thing had been a piece of cake while others looked relieved and triumphant, like they couldn't quite believe they'd done it.
"Looks like we weren't the first to finish." Arlo said, his usual smirk in place.
Before Kai could respond, a professor approached them.
On her robes was the healer insignia, a stylized staff entwined with vines and water, marking her specialization.
A healer.
But what caught Kai's attention was her appearance.
Imagine those women with cute faces but smoking hot bodies. That was exactly how she looked.
She had a voluptuous figure that the flowing robes did nothing to hide.
Her curves were made even more prominent by the cinched waist of her robe, and her confident stride drew every eye in the room.
Her golden hair cascaded in waves down her back, and her beautiful blue eyes gleamed with warmth and authority.
"Congratulations." She said with a smile. "You've completed the test and placed in the first tier. Quite the achievement."
Kai grinned at her as he inclined his head, still feeling the ache from his injuries. "Thank you, Professor. It was… an experience."
Her eyes scanned the group, pausing on Kai and Arlo. "You're both injured. Let me take care of that."
She stepped closer to Kai, her hands glowing faintly with a soft aquamarine light as she placed them over his shoulder.
Warmth radiated from her touch, soothing the sting of the direwolf's claws and knitting the torn skin back together.
Kai let out a slow breath, his body relaxing under the spell's effects.
"Your group performed well." She said, her tone conversational as she worked.
"Being in the first tier comes with certain privileges."
"You'll be granted private rooms, and you may have your servants or maids to assist you. You'll also have unrestricted access to private combat halls for training."
Kai raised an eyebrow, glancing at the others. "Private combat halls? Fancy."
The professor smiled as she moved to Arlo, placing her hands over his side where the direwolf's claws had left their mark.
"You'll find them quite useful. Second-tier students aren't as fortunate. They receive smaller private rooms and just one servant to attend to their needs."
"And as for the third tier…" She trailed off, her expression turning sympathetic.
"They're stuck in dormitories, right?" Arlo guessed, wincing slightly as the healing spell closed his wounds.
"Exactly." She confirmed. "Separate dormitories for males and females. They'll have access only to public training facilities."
"Rough." Arlo muttered, flexing his arm experimentally as the glow faded. "Thanks, Professor."
She inclined her head gracefully. "My pleasure. Now, join the others. Headmaster Kairos will be addressing all of you shortly."
The group followed her direction, stepping further into the hall to join the other first-tier students.
A sense of accomplishment was definitely in the air, a mix of pride and relief etched into the faces of the students.
Kai noted a few familiar ones from earlier parts of the test, their expressions ranging from smug to exhausted.
A ripple of anticipation spread through the crowd as Headmaster Kairos stepped onto the stage.
His sharp blue eyes scanned the room, silencing the murmurs with just a glance.
"Congratulations." He began, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "You stand here as the first tier, the top performers of this year's new students."
"You have proven your worth in this initial test, and for that, you are to be commended."
A wave of pride swelled through the room. Kai caught Arlo's eye and they exchanged a smirk.
"However," Kairos continued, his tone growing sharper, "let me remind you that this placement is not permanent."
"Your ranking can and will change."
"Those who rest on their laurels will find themselves overtaken by more talented and determined students."
Immediately, the mood changed, turning serious. This was Mythreach. Competition was its lifeblood.
"You will be given a day to rest and familiarize yourself with the academy. Use it well."
"Now," Kairos said, his tone softening slightly, "collect your gold name tags."
"These will mark your status as first-tier students and grant you access to the privileges that come with it. Once you have your tags, your maids or servants will escort you to your quarters."
A line quickly formed, the students eager to claim their rewards.
Kai and his group joined the queue, the chatter around them a mix of excitement and speculation.
When it was finally Kai's turn, he stepped forward to receive his name tag. The gold tag gleamed in the light, etched with his name and the insignia of the academy.
Standing nearby was Astrid, her violet eyes sparkling as she met his gaze.
She bowed slightly, her ever-present smile warm and inviting. "Young master Kai. Your new quarters have been prepared and all your belongings have been moved."
"Shall I lead you there?"
Kai grinned, pocketing the tag. "Of course, Astrid."
Arlo approached next, his name tag in hand, but his own assistant was nowhere in sight.
"Guess I'll have to find my way alone." He said with a mock sigh, though his grin suggested he didn't mind.
As the group began to disperse, Kai glanced back at Phoebe, Seraphina, and Miria. "Catch you all later?"
"Sure." Phoebe said with a grin.
"Hey you." He called out to Phoebe. "Don't forget about our deal."
He shot her a playful salute before turning to follow Astrid out of the hall.
"Lead the way."