The high-speed train hissed to a stop, its sleek, silver form gleaming under the bright morning sun. Seraphina gathered her meager belongings, her movements measured and economical. She'd learned to blend in, to avoid drawing unnecessary attention—a skill honed over years.
Outside, on the platform, a contingent of police officers, their uniforms crisp and faces grim, were cordoning off her compartment. Academy representatives, identifiable by their distinctive blue and gold insignia, stood nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.
She had expected as much. News, it seemed, traveled even faster than these futuristic trains.
Taking a deep breath, Seraphina stepped off the train and onto the platform. The murmurs grew louder, and all eyes turned towards her. She could feel their stares—a mix of awe, fear, and speculation. Others simply stared, captivated by the air of quiet power she exuded.
A high-ranking officer, his uniform adorned with multiple medals, approached her, his expression cautious. "Miss Emberheart?" he asked, his voice surprisingly polite. "I'm Officer Thorne. We need to ask you a few questions about the incident on the train."
"Of course," Seraphina replied, her voice calm and steady. "I understand. I acted in self-defense. The details are in the report I sent ahead."
"Yes, well," Officer Thorne cleared his throat, glancing back at the train car where several officers were escorting the dazed and injured Hunters out. "It's not every day we see thirty-one Ascenders taken down by one… student."
Seraphina allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile to touch her lips. "They were persistent," she said simply.
The officer studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Right. Well, we'll need a full statement, of course. But for now…" He gestured towards a waiting area. "If you'll come with us, Miss Emberheart. We have a cab arranged for you."
As she was escorted away, she saw them—the Hunters. They were being loaded onto police transports, their faces a mix of pain, confusion, and humiliation. Slade, his arm in a makeshift sling, glared at her with an intensity that would have made a lesser person flinch. Seraphina met his gaze unflinchingly, her green eyes cold and steady. There was no triumph in her expression, only a quiet warning.
"Where to, Miss Emberheart?" the cab driver asked as she settled into the spacious back seat.
"The Ascender Academy," she replied, her voice soft yet firm. "I'll be participating in the entrance exams."
The driver nodded, pulling away from the station. Seraphina leaned back against the plush seat, her gaze fixed on the cityscape unfolding beyond the window. Regalia was a vibrant, sprawling metropolis, a stark contrast to the ruined city she had left behind. But beneath the gleaming surface, she could sense the same undercurrents of tension, the same whispers of fear and uncertainty.
She closed her eyes for a moment, pushing aside the lingering echoes of the battle on the train. She had done what was necessary.
The cab deposited her at the foot of a long, winding path leading up to the Academy gates. Seraphina paid the driver, her movements measured and economical.
The Ascender Academy loomed before her, a breathtaking fusion of the old and the new. Towers of polished obsidian soared towards the sky, their surfaces shimmering with embedded runes that hummed with barely contained energy. Interspersed between these ancient-looking structures were sleek, futuristic buildings of glass and steel, connected by aerial walkways that seemed to defy gravity. It was a testament to Altheria's unique blend of magic and technology. Around the base, she could see well-manicured lawns, vibrant gardens, and training fields where students practiced their skills.
For a moment, she allowed herself to simply observe, her green eyes taking in every detail. The sheer scale of the place was impressive, even to her. A low thrum of power resonated from within, a symphony of Ascender abilities being honed and tested. It felt… familiar, yet undeniably foreign. A place of learning, of growth.
New students, their faces a mixture of apprehension and excitement, were being processed at the gates. Since it was still the afternoon, a moderately sized line snaked its way towards a large, ornate archway, where stern-looking academy officials checked identifications and directed the flow of traffic.
Seraphina joined the queue, her posture relaxed, her expression carefully neutral. She blended in surprisingly well. Today, her silver hair was tied in a simple braid, and she wore the unassuming uniform of a prospective student, purchased just for this purpose. To anyone glancing her way, she was just another hopeful, eager to prove herself worthy.
The line inched forward. Seraphina observed the other applicants, her green eyes missing nothing. A young man with wind-tousled hair nervously practiced hand gestures, conjuring small gusts of air. A girl with fiery red hair concentrated on levitating a small stone, her brow furrowed in concentration. Each of them, a bundle of raw potential, unaware of the true forces at play in the world.
Finally, it was her turn. She approached the registration table, where a severe-looking woman with tightly bound hair sat, quill in hand.
"Hello, I was a seeded candidate," Seraphina said.
Seeded candidates can stay in the academy even before entrance exams, they are practically students without ranking.
"Name and intended specialization," the woman said, her voice brisk and efficient.
"Seraphina Emberheart," she replied, her voice calm and steady. She presented the forged identification card, her alias for this little performance. "Cyrokinesis and pyrokinesis."
The woman barely glanced at the card before stamping it with an official seal. "Dormitory assignment is listed here," she said, handing Seraphina a datapad and a map. "Entrance exam begins promptly at 09:00 am tomorrow. Do not be late."
"Of course," Seraphina murmured, accepting the documents.
The academy's dining hall was a vast, high-ceilinged space filled with long tables and the murmur of conversation. Sunlight streamed through large windows, illuminating the colorful banners of different Ascender specializations that hung from the walls. Seraphina, having secured her lunch from the automated serving stations, chose a quiet table near the edge of the hall, preferring to observe rather than participate in the social fray.
She was halfway through her meal when a voice, bright and cheerful, broke through her contemplation.
"Mind if I join you?"
Seraphina looked up to see a young woman with vibrant, almost glowing, blue hair and a friendly smile. She recognized the attribute instantly—Photokinesis.
"Please," Seraphina replied, gesturing to the empty seat across from her.
"Thanks!" The blue hair settled into the chair with a cheerful bounce. "I'm Liora. It's my first time here, and, well, it's a bit overwhelming, isn't it?"
"It is certainly… impressive," Seraphina agreed, her tone carefully neutral.
"I saw you on the news," Liora continued, undeterred by Seraphina's reserve. "About the train incident this morning. That was amazing! Though, I didn't know you were also a new student."
Seraphina offered a slight, almost imperceptible nod. "The reports were somewhat exaggerated," she said.
"Exaggerated?" Liora's eyes widened. "You took down thirty-one rogue Ascenders! If anything, they probably downplayed it. You must be incredibly strong. I bet you'll be even stronger than the Lightning Empress one day! She is amazing. I am a huge fan of hers. I hope I get to meet her."
Seraphina's lips twitched with a hint of amusement, though internally she was taken aback. This girl, a complete stranger, was comparing her to the Lightning Empress. It was… unexpected.
"She's from Kythera Neighbour city, you know," Liora continued, leaning in conspiratorially. "After what happened there, she became famous. I am from there as well, you know, but I was away for training." She sighed. "Anyway, I should let you finish your lunch. It was nice to meet you, Seraphina. I hope we can be friends."
"Perhaps," Seraphina said, a noncommittal answer that could be interpreted either way.
Liora, thankfully, seemed to take it as a good sign and, after waving goodbye, skipped away, leaving Seraphina alone once more. She watched her go, a thoughtful expression on her face. The encounter had been… interesting.
Seraphina finished her meal, her gaze drifting towards the large windows overlooking the training grounds. The entrance exams were scheduled to begin tomorrow.