The small village of Elmswood lay hidden among vast hills and dense forests, far from the busy roads connecting the great cities of the Kingdom of Velandria. It was a peaceful place where time seemed to pass slowly. Small wooden houses were arranged in scattered rows, with simple gardens and fields of wheat swaying in the wind.
Cael was sitting on the steps of his house, gazing at the landscape. The golden light of the sunset bathed the fields, and the distant sound of children playing filled the air. He spun his old rusty sword in his fingers, distracted, while he listened to his mother, Liliane, speaking from inside the house.
"Cael, are you even listening to me?" Liliane asked as she stirred a pot on the stove.
"More or less," he replied, his eyes still fixed on the horizon.
Liliane sighed, stepping into the doorway with her hands on her hips. She was a woman with a kind appearance, but her determined expression showed she wasn't someone easily ignored.
"I said you're going to the Arvendale Academy. This is not up for debate."
Cael rolled his eyes. "We've already talked about this, Mom. I'm fine here. What's so wrong with staying in Elmswood?"
"Everything, Cael!" she replied, exasperated. "You have a rare talent, and wasting it here is an insult. Velandria needs people like you."
***
The Kingdom of Velandria was vast and divided into distinct regions, each with its own culture and purpose. To the north, icy mountains guarded borders and housed resilient tribes. To the south, dense forests concealed magical creatures and ancient ruins. At the heart of the kingdom lay the capital, Altharys, a grand city surrounded by high walls where the king ruled and the kingdom's elite resided.
Elmswood, however, was just a tiny dot on the map, part of the Inner Lands, a region of farming villages that rarely drew attention.
Liliane turned to Cael, her expression softening. "Do you think I don't love Elmswood? It's our home. But the world out there is bigger than this. Bigger than you can imagine."
"And full of problems," Cael added, his tone still lazy. "Why would I want to get involved?"
"Because you can make a difference," she answered firmly. "The Arvendale Academy isn't just a place of learning. It's a center where Velandria's best minds and warriors are forged. There, you'll truly grow."
***
Their conversation was interrupted by his younger sister, Lyra, who came running through the door with a wide smile.
"Cael, look what I made!" She held out a small wooden amulet she had carved herself.
He took the object, examining it carefully. It was simple but well-crafted, with a symbol he recognized as a protective emblem used by farmers.
"Not bad, Lyra," he said, giving a small smile.
"Will you take it with you when you go to the Academy?" she asked, her eyes shining with hope.
Cael hesitated but saw the look of expectation on his sister's face. He nodded. "Of course."
***
That evening, as dinner was served, Liliane told stories about Arvendale and its significance to the kingdom.
"The Academy was founded over three hundred years ago during the Great Border Wars," she explained, serving soup to Cael and Lyra. "It was created to train warriors and mages capable of protecting Velandria from the threats beyond the northern mountains."
"Big threats," Cael muttered, stirring his soup with a spoon. "Seems like they're gone now."
"Not all of them," Liliane replied seriously. "The wars may have ended, but the world is still full of dangers. Ancient creatures in the forests, intrigues in Altharys' courts, and even threats from other kingdoms."
She looked at him. "And the Academy is at the heart of it all. The best warriors, mages, and strategists come from there."
Lyra interrupted, excited. "And you'll be one of them, Cael!"
He gave a small smile but said nothing.
***
That night, when everyone else was asleep, Cael sat outside, gazing at the starry sky. The idea of leaving Elmswood unsettled him. He liked the village's tranquility, the predictability of his routine. But something within him—perhaps his mother's voice, or maybe his own curiosity—made him think about what he might find in Arvendale.
He picked up the amulet Lyra had given him and held it tightly.
"All right," he murmured to himself. "Let's see what this world out there has to offer."
And with that, Cael made his decision.
________________________________________
The sun rose on the horizon as Cael left Elmswood, carrying a simple backpack, his old sword strapped to his waist, and Lyra's wooden amulet tucked into the inner pocket of his cloak. The village was still quiet, wrapped in the morning mist. Only his mother and sister were there to see him off.
"Remember what I told you," Liliane said, holding his shoulders. "Stay focused, but stay true to yourself."
Lyra ran to hug him, tears in her eyes. "You're going to be the best at the Academy, Cael. Promise you'll come back home when you can?"
He gave a faint smile, patting her head. "I promise. And I'll bring stories for you."
With one last look at his house and the village that had always been his world, Cael turned and began walking down the dirt road that would lead him to the kingdom's center.
***
The journey to Altharys, the capital of Velandria, took nearly two weeks. At first, Cael found the pace tedious, but gradually, he began to appreciate what he saw along the way: golden fields, crystal-clear streams, and fellow travelers who shared stories about their lives.
When he finally caught sight of Altharys' walls, he was struck with awe. The walls were so high they seemed to touch the sky, protecting a city brimming with activity. Massive iron gates stood open, and people from all corners of the kingdom were coming and going.
Cael paused for a moment, feeling the weight of the city's grandeur. "So this is the heart of Velandria," he thought.
***
Inside the city, Cael got lost several times, but he didn't mind much. He enjoyed observing the bustling streets, colorful markets, and the variety of people passing by: merchants shouting prices, soldiers on patrol, and street performers showcasing impressive tricks.
Eventually, he found a sign pointing toward the **Arvendale Academy of Magic and Swords**. Following the directions, he arrived at the top of a hill where a large stone gate marked the academy's entrance. Velandria's emblem—a sword crossed with a staff—was carved into the archway.
"So this is it," Cael murmured, gazing at the place that would now be his new home.
***
Upon entering, he was directed to a large hall where other young candidates were registering. The line was long, and Cael couldn't help but notice the variety of people around him. Some wore expensive clothing and carried ornate swords or staffs, clearly nobles. Others, like him, appeared simpler but had a determined look in their eyes.
"Next!" called one of the attendants, a middle-aged man with glasses.
Cael stepped up to the registration table.
"Name?" the man asked.
"Cael Valdris."
The man paused, looking at him over his glasses. "Valdris? That's not a common name."
Cael shrugged. "Not sure what to tell you. It's the only one I've got."
The attendant shook his head and wrote something in a large book. "Place of origin?"
"Village of Elmswood."
The man raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He slid a registration form for Cael to sign and pointed to a small sign on the table.
"The registration fee is five silver coins," he said.
Cael paused for a moment, reaching into his small coin pouch. He knew the money was limited and came from his mother's hard work, but she had insisted he use whatever was necessary.
"Here you go," he said, handing over the coins.
The attendant took them and placed them in a small wooden box before handing Cael a silver pin with the academy's emblem.
"Welcome, newcomer. Wear this for identification. Your first trial begins tomorrow morning."
Cael held the pin, examining it carefully. It seemed simple, but there was a symbolic weight to it.
"All right," he said, tucking the pin into his pocket.
***
That evening, he was shown to a shared dormitory with other first-year students. The room was simple but well-organized: neatly made beds, chests for personal belongings, and a window overlooking the academy's vast grounds.
While the other students chatted excitedly, Cael sat on the bed closest to the window, gazing at the moon. He thought about Elmswood, his family's farewell, and what awaited him the next morning.
As much as he preferred the peace of his village, Cael knew he was now in a place where his life could change completely.
"Well," he said to himself, lying down. "Let's see what all this has to offer."
With that thought, he closed his eyes, letting the quiet of the dormitory and the anticipation of the next day lull him to sleep.