The carriage rolled steadily along the cobblestone road as the scenery outside grew increasingly bustling. Roy gently lifted the curtain, revealing a grand cityscape. Towering walls encircled the metropolis like giants standing guard. Streets lined with shops stretched endlessly, thronging with people from all walks of life and diverse races. Compared to the quiet and isolated Silver Crown City, the vibrancy here was a novel experience for Roy.
"This is Starshine City," the middle-aged driver said with a slight smile, breaking Roy's reverie. "Compared to Silver Crown, this place surpasses it in both spiritual energy concentration and resources. But behind the prosperity lies greater danger."
Roy lowered the curtain and asked thoughtfully, "Danger? What kind?"
The man sighed, a trace of solemnity in his voice. "To the north of Starshine City lie three fortresses—our first line of defense in this region. They were built to fend off attacks from magical beasts."
Roy furrowed his brow and asked, "The fortresses—are they mainly to defend against magical beasts?"
The driver nodded. "The number of magical beasts is far beyond your imagination. They are naturally violent. The fortresses near Starshine City are relatively fortunate, mainly dealing with lower-level beasts. The real burden lies with the empire's four major defensive lines, which form the core of humanity's survival."
"The four defensive lines?" Roy's eyes flashed with surprise.
"Yes," the man confirmed. "The Carlos Empire spans vast territories, but each of its four borders faces treacherous lands, some of which are natural habitats for magical beasts. Those are the true battlefields, where countless warriors clash with beasts every day. Starshine City is relatively safe, serving as a reserve area for those primary defenses."
He paused before adding, "However, such matters are still distant for you. Once you join Celestara Academy, your instructors will provide detailed explanations."
---
As the carriage approached the city gates, Roy's gaze was drawn to the intricate carvings above. A massive dragon sculpture, lifelike with its fierce, glaring eyes and menacing claws, loomed over the entrance. Flanking the gates were guards in heavy armor, their rune-inscribed weapons at their sides, exuding an air of disciplined readiness.
Inside the city, the bustling streets unfolded a lively scene. Vendors shouted to hawk their wares, which included all manner of exotic items: daggers forged from beast bones, glowing rune scrolls, and even armor crafted from magical beast pelts.
"Starshine City serves as a hub for traders from all over," the driver explained. "Many of the goods you see here are rare treasures brought from distant lands, including spoils taken from magical beast territories."
Roy nodded, though a storm brewed in his heart. Whether it was the threat of magical beasts or the existence of the four defensive lines, everything hinted at a world far more intricate and perilous than he had imagined.
---
The carriage continued eastward, gradually leaving the bustling urban area behind and entering a tranquil forest. Amidst the lush greenery, a wide stone-paved path stretched into the distance. Along the path stood intricately carved stone pillars etched with shimmering runes, emanating a faint aura of ancient and mysterious power.
Roy couldn't help but ask, "Is this the road to Celestara Academy?"
The driver nodded. "That's right. This path is called the Starlight Path. It's one of the academy's symbols. At the end of the path lies the main gate of Celestara Academy. Once you traverse this path, you will have officially entered the realm of the 4-Star Academy."
Hearing this, Roy clenched his fists and murmured to himself, "A new beginning, a new challenge…"
The carriage came to a gradual stop, and Roy leapt down, immediately greeted by the sight of the grand academy gates. The massive stone arch was adorned with intricate starry runes that shimmered faintly. Crowds of people filled the entrance, bustling with energy. Everywhere, young men and women cloaked in capes, wielding staffs or swords, moved about. Their faces were marked with expressions of nervousness or excitement, clearly here to participate in the academy's entrance test.
The middle-aged driver glanced at Roy and said, "Roy, that recommendation letter is your pass—it exempts you from the preliminary test. However, you'll still need to go through some of the admission processes. Whether to participate or not is up to you."
Roy nodded, stepping forward toward the testing grounds. A hint of curiosity flickered in his mind. Even with the recommendation, this test marks the beginning of my journey at the academy. I might as well observe the process—it'll prepare me for what lies ahead.
The testing grounds were abuzz with activity as Roy wandered aimlessly through the crowd. Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a cool and graceful figure.
In a quiet corner stood a tall girl with an air of calm detachment. She wore a moon-white gown, cinched at the waist with a silver sash, exuding elegance and poise. Her face was as cold as frost, and her light blue eyes seemed to hold the vast depths of the stars, radiating an aura that kept others at bay.
Roy's heart skipped a beat. Usually indifferent to such things, he found himself inexplicably captivated by her presence.
"So beautiful…" he thought to himself, shaking his head quickly as if to dispel the thought. Yet, his eyes were irresistibly drawn to her. After a moment of hesitation, he gathered his courage and approached her.
Standing in front of her, feeling slightly awkward, Roy forced himself to speak. "Hi, are you here for the test too? I'm Roy. What's your name?"
The girl lifted her gaze, her icy blue eyes briefly meeting his. Her expression remained distant, with a faint hint of impatience. "I'm not here for the test," she replied softly, her tone polite but detached. "I'm just observing."
Her voice was gentle but carried a distinct sense of distance, as if closing the door to further conversation.
Roy's heart sank as he chastised himself for being too impulsive. "Oh, I see… My apologies, I thought…" He scratched his head awkwardly, his expression tinged with embarrassment and regret.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied his tone and added with genuine sincerity, "I'm sorry for bothering you."
With that, Roy turned and hurried away, walking quickly to mask his discomfort. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake her image from his mind—the cold elegance of her demeanor and the quiet strength in her voice lingered.
Back among the crowd, Roy let out a self-deprecating laugh. "What was I even doing? Approaching a stranger like that… She must think I'm out of my mind."
Even so, he couldn't resist glancing back one last time, only to find the girl had disappeared from where she had been standing. His feelings were a complicated mix of regret and disappointment. "I didn't even catch her name…"
Despite his inner turmoil, the brief encounter left a mark on him—a fleeting yet unforgettable moment that he sensed might one day spark something greater in his life.
"Enough of that," Roy muttered to himself, shaking off the distraction. Turning his gaze back to the towering gates of the academy, his eyes filled once more with determination. "For now, I need to focus on the test and my training."
The testing grounds buzzed with activity as hundreds of young cultivators from all over lined up, awaiting their talent assessment. On a raised platform stood an elder dressed in a black robe, his aura deep and unfathomable. He announced the rules of the test in a calm yet authoritative voice.
"This test consists of three stages: First, the Talent Assessment; Second, sparring with an inner disciple—not judged on victory or defeat, but on your performance; Third, a match against an outer elder, where the difficulty of the opponent will be adjusted according to your strength."
As his words fell, the tension in the air thickened. Among the crowd, some clenched their fists with determination, while others furrowed their brows, clearly harboring mixed emotions about the upcoming trials.
Roy stood at the back of the group, his expression calm. His gaze rested quietly on the crystal orb used for the talent assessment, observing each participant as they stepped forward.
Suddenly, a crisp voice called out from behind him. "Hey, what's your name? What's your talent?"
Roy blinked, turning to see a petite girl standing behind him. She had long, pale-golden hair, and her pointed ears revealed her elven heritage. Her delicate features and bright green eyes radiated curiosity and friendliness.
"I'm Alice, from the Elven Clan," she introduced herself with a bright smile. "Level 27 Intermediate Warrior, specializing in mental power and healing."
Surprised, Roy nodded slightly and replied, "I'm Roy. Level 26, specializing in lightning and swordsmanship."
"Ooh, lightning and swordsmanship? Sounds powerful!" Alice said with a playful wink, her interest piqued. "I came here alone, and it's so crowded. How about we team up? It's always better to have someone to watch each other's backs."
Roy glanced at her, noting her sincerity, and nodded. "Sure."
The talent assessment officially began as participants stepped forward one by one. Each placed their hand on the crystal orb, channeling their spiritual energy into it. The orb would then emit light corresponding to the purity, attribute, and strength of their spiritual essence, evaluating their talent level.
Standing next to Roy, Alice watched as the orb emitted a faint green light for one participant and muttered, "Talent assessments are kind of predictable, huh?"
Roy chuckled softly. "Talent's important, but it's perseverance and willpower that determine how far we can go."
"True, but good talent sure makes things easier!" Alice said, sticking her tongue out playfully.
Soon, it was Alice's turn. She approached the crystal orb, placing her hand on it. A warm golden light immediately burst forth, illuminating the entire orb. The elder conducting the test looked up in surprise, a hint of approval in his gaze. "Gold-tier talent! As expected of the Elven Clan."
Alice gave a slight bow, then turned back to Roy with a mischievous grin. "Your turn—don't disappoint me!"
Roy stepped forward, calmly placing his hand on the orb. A surge of violent lightning energy poured into the crystal, and it was soon engulfed in dazzling purple-gold light.
The elder looked at Roy with an approving nod. "Talent Evaluation: Purple-tier talent. Remarkable! With the potential to advance to red or even gold in the future, your limits are high."
Roy remained composed, turning to Alice with a hint of surprise. "I didn't expect you to have gold-tier talent."
Alice's lips curled into a faint smile. "It's nothing much. I used to be red-tier but recently advanced. Besides, I'm a support type—ultimately, I'll rely on people like you."
Roy chuckled. "I hope I can advance too. Let's get ready for the next stage."