Benjamin sat on his bed in the shared dormitory, the letter of success still in his hands. The room was alive with energy, candidates buzzing about their results. The wax seal of Ra'us the Vagrant, the Chief Sage of Hukuma, glinted faintly under the candlelight as Benjamin reread the congratulatory note. It confirmed his perfect score and invited him, along with the other successful candidates, to the portal grounds the next day for the second stage of the test.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. His days of relentless study with Kareya had paid off, and the books he'd absorbed had more than prepared him for the exam. But he knew this victory was only the beginning. The real challenge lay ahead.
---
The dormitory was spacious, the bunk beds arranged in neat rows with more than enough space to move around. Benjamin glanced at his roommates—most of them were visibly disappointed, either still waiting for their letters or already resigned to their failures. He knew many of them wouldn't make it past this stage, and as he scanned the room, his eyes fell on a chubby young man who was clutching his own success letter.
"Another one, huh?" one of the other candidates sneered, leaning back on his bed. "Guess they'll let anyone in these days."
The target of the remark, a cheerful Bishir named Yu, only grinned in response. "Hey, don't be jealous just because I'm better at the hard stuff," Yu replied, popping another snack into his mouth.
The others chuckled, shaking their heads. "Hard stuff? The only thing hard about you is fitting into that bed."
Benjamin observed the exchange quietly. Yu was eighteen, two years younger than him, and had a stocky build that made him stand out among the candidates. Despite the teasing, Yu didn't seem fazed. He took the jabs in stride, his sunny disposition unshaken.
"Well, maybe they're looking for Sages with big appetites," Yu said with a wink. "Someone has to eat all the leftover rations in the field."
The room burst into laughter, and even Benjamin found himself smiling. Yu wasn't unattractive, just someone who clearly enjoyed life—and food—as much as Benjamin enjoyed books.
---
Later that evening, as the room settled and the other candidates began preparing for bed, Yu plopped down next to Benjamin, his letter in one hand and a half-eaten biscuit in the other.
"So, you nailed the test too, huh?" Yu said, his voice friendly. "Guess that makes us part of the top hundred."
Benjamin nodded. "Looks like it. But a perfect score isn't much to celebrate when it's the minimum standard."
"True," Yu said, shrugging. "But hey, at least we're not the ones sulking." He gestured toward a couple of other candidates who had fallen silent, their frustration evident.
"Fair point," Benjamin said, folding his letter and tucking it away. "You don't seem too worried about what's next."
Yu grinned. "Why worry? It's not like I can cram for it. Besides, I'm good under pressure. I mean, I didn't even study for the theory exam and still passed. What about you? You seem like the type to study until your eyes fall out."
Benjamin smirked. "Something like that."
---
The following morning, the successful candidates gathered near the Citadel's portal grounds. The energy was different now—an undercurrent of tension replaced the buzz of the theory exam.
Benjamin couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity as he approached the grounds. His journey to Khial had begun with a portal, and now he was standing before another, its swirling energy glowing faintly in the sunlight. Was this a chance to learn more about how he had arrived in this world?
The platform was massive, its polished stone inscribed with intricate runes that shimmered faintly in hues of blue and gold. At the center stood a tall figure draped in flowing robes—the Chief Sage, Ra'us the Vagrant.
Benjamin felt a chill run through him as Ra'us began to speak, his voice carrying a quiet authority that silenced the murmurs of the gathered crowd.
"Congratulations," Ra'us said, his piercing gaze sweeping over the candidates. "You have proven yourselves among the brightest minds of Khial. But knowledge alone will not make you Sages. Tomorrow, you will face the second stage of the test. This portal will lead you to your trials, shaped by your own affinities and abilities. Survive, and you will take your first steps toward true mastery."
Benjamin's mind raced. This portal wasn't just a doorway to a test - it was a chance to uncover the secrets of how he'd come to this world. As the gathering dispersed, he lingered, his eyes fixed on the swirling energy of the portal, a strange mixture of fear and determination settling in his chest.
--
The air was thick with tension and excitement as the candidates gathered around the portal grounds. The area was vast, with several swirling portals lining the stone platform. Each portal shimmered with a different hue, etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly in the daylight. Despite the many portals present, only one would be used today.
At the center of the gathering stood Ra'us the Vagrant, the Chief Sage of Hukuma. His presence was magnetic. Though his face bore the lines of age, his hair and beard burned a fiery red, contrasting sharply with his otherwise weathered appearance. It was a striking detail, and many whispered it was tied to his mastery of the Laws of Energy and Flame. His robes, adorned with the symbols of the Sages, seemed to shift colors subtly as he moved.
Ra'us raised his hand, silencing the murmurs. His voice was deep but steady, carrying with it the weight of authority.
"May peace and serenity guide your path," he said, delivering the traditional greeting of the Eastern Empire. The candidates murmured the response back in unison, a mixture of awe and respect etched on their faces.
---
Benjamin stood among the crowd, quietly observing the candidates. There were around two dozen Hayawas, their beast-like features striking—furred ears, scaled arms, feathered crests. They were clearly attuned to the natural laws, their presence exuding a quiet confidence. Among them were about four or five Udhuns, their tall, elegant frames and pointed ears giving them an ethereal quality. The rest of the group was made up of Bishirs like Benjamin and Yu, most of them young, though a handful of older candidates stood out.
Benjamin couldn't help but notice that every person here seemed like a protagonist in their own story. The nobles, identifiable by their finely tailored clothes bearing the insignias of their empires, radiated quiet power and purpose. They didn't flaunt their sub-house crests, as their mere presence was a statement of their lineage and political ambitions. The candidates from humbler origins stood out for different reasons. They were the ones most likely to be courted by the nobles, as every Sage was a valuable asset to the empires.
---
"Man, everyone here looks like they're straight out of a hero's tale," Yu whispered, nudging Benjamin. "I mean, look at that guy—he's got two swords strapped to his back. Who needs that many?"
Benjamin chuckled, glancing at the candidate in question. "Maybe one's for fighting, and the other's for looking intimidating."
"Intimidating? That's like wearing two hats. Overkill." Yu popped a snack into his mouth, earning a glare from a nearby Hayawa with sleek, black fur. "What? It's a stressful day. I'm stress eating."
Benjamin smirked. "You've been stress eating since we met."
"Hey, it works," Yu replied, grinning. "Besides, if we end up in a dungeon together, I'm bringing snacks. You'll thank me when you're starving."
---
Ra'us stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention back to him. He gestured to the portal that would be used for the test, its swirling energy shifting from blue to green in mesmerizing patterns. Beside it stood a Sage holding a crystal, its surface glowing faintly.
"The test is simple in concept but complex in execution," Ra'us began. "Each of you will place your hand on the tracing crystal. It will measure your resonance with the natural laws of Khial and determine your affinity. Based on that resonance, the portal will connect you to one of Khial's myriad dungeons."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the group. "The dungeons are unpredictable. They can be found deep within the crust of our world, in remote regions of the empires, or even in well-known areas. They are shaped by the interplay of the natural laws and by your individual affinities. No two dungeons are ever the same."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Benjamin exchanged a glance with Yu, who raised an eyebrow. "Dungeons shaped by us? That's not ominous at all," Yu muttered.
Ra'us continued. "Your task is to survive for seventy-two hours. During that time, you must locate a valuable artifact within the dungeon and bring it back. The crystal will tether you to the portal, and it will pull you back if you are in immediate danger or once the time has elapsed."
"Sounds easy on paper," Benjamin murmured.
"Yeah," Yu whispered back. "Like bringing a towel to a monsoon."
Ra'us's voice grew sharper. "Let me be clear: this sounds easy on paper but is no simple task." Benjamin sneered at Ra'us' words mirroring his in an ironic twist of fate.
Ra'us continued "You will face challenges that test your skills, your wits, and your resolve. Whether the dungeon becomes an opportunity or your undoing depends on your talent, your decisions, and, yes, your luck."
The Chief Sage's gaze swept over the candidates, his fiery hair catching the light as though it were aflame. "Prepare yourselves. Your journey begins now."
---
The Sage with the crystal motioned for the first candidate to step forward. As the process began, the tension in the air grew palpable. Two other Sages, a man and a woman, were at the sides of the portal probably to make it function. Each person placed their hand on the crystal, its glow intensifying as it traced their resonance and adjusted the portal accordingly.
Benjamin watched, his curiosity mingled with apprehension. The portals had always fascinated him, and this was his first chance to study them up close since his mysterious arrival in Khial.
Yu leaned closer, grinning nervously. "Think they'll let me bring snacks into the dungeon?"
Benjamin rolled his eyes, his smirk betraying his own unease. "If they do, I'm sticking with you."
As the line shortened and his turn drew closer, Benjamin felt his heart quicken. This wasn't just a test; it was a step into the unknown. And for someone like him, whose connection to Khial was tenuous at best, the stakes couldn't be higher.
--
Benjamin stood quietly as the candidates before him stepped into the portal, one by one, their fates unknown. The Sage overseeing the process called names in no particular order, sending each person to a different dungeon based on their resonance with Khial's natural laws.
His sharp eyes scanned the portal's frame. The glowing symbols etched into its stone reminded him of the sanctuary where his journey in Khial began. The runes shifted and pulsed, each curve and line vibrating with an energy that felt almost alive.
Those symbols again, he thought, narrowing his gaze. He didn't understand their meaning, but they clearly held immense significance. If I'm accepted into the Academy, I'll have to start learning how to read and write properly. Absorbing information isn't enough anymore.
Until now, Benjamin's ability to absorb knowledge from books had carried him. It was efficient, but it left gaps. He'd never had to focus on the mechanics of writing or commit symbols to memory, relying instead on the subconscious reservoir of information his power granted him. That wouldn't be enough in the Academy, where every detail could mean survival or failure.
If I'm going to keep up with people like Yu, the nobles, and the others here, I need to stop relying on shortcuts and start building actual skills.
---
"Yu," the Sage called.
Benjamin watched as his roommate perked up, brushing crumbs off his shirt. The chubby Bishir adjusted the straps of his overstuffed backpack, which bulged with snacks and juice bottles.
"Traveling light, I see," Benjamin said, smirking.
"Hey, snacks are essential," Yu replied with a shrug. "You've got books, I've got biscuits. Everyone's got their thing."
Benjamin chuckled. "I hope you've got something for defense in there."
"Defense? Oh, don't worry," Yu said, grinning. "I'm unbeatable when I'm well-fed."
The two shared a laugh, earning annoyed glances from a few nearby candidates.
Yu stepped toward the crystal and placed his hand on it. The runes on the portal flared to life, shifting to a warm orange hue. He turned back to Benjamin, giving a thumbs-up. "See you on the other side, Ben. Don't take too long."
Benjamin smirked. "Good luck, Yu. Try not to run out of snacks before you make it back."
Yu grinned, adjusted his backpack, and stepped into the portal, vanishing into the swirling light.
---
Benjamin watched as more candidates were called, each disappearing into the portal. The crowd thinned steadily, and his turn approached. His thoughts wandered back to the glowing runes, their meaning tantalizingly out of reach.
Finally, the Sage's voice rang out again: "Benjamin."
He exhaled deeply, stepping forward. The remaining candidates watched him closely, their faces a mix of curiosity and quiet apprehension.
Benjamin placed his hand on the tracing crystal, its surface warm to the touch. The runes on the portal began to shift rapidly, cycling through vibrant colors and intricate patterns. They settled on a deep, verdant green, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
This is it, he thought, stealing one last glance at the other candidates. His mind briefly flickered to Yu, Kareya, and even Atty back in the library. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
With a deep breath, Benjamin stepped into the portal.
---
The world twisted violently around him, colors and shapes blending in chaotic spirals. His stomach churned, and a cold sweat broke out across his skin as he was pulled through the dimensional rift.
Benjamin stumbled forward as the portal released him, the strange pull of its energy dissipating in an instant. The air around him was thick and humid, carrying the scent of earth, stone, and something faintly floral.
He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim but golden light streaming from above. What he saw left him frozen in place.
He stood in the middle of a colossal structure, an ancient and seemingly forgotten monument. Towering stone pillars, each as wide as a house, stretched upward into the heights of the space. The intricate carvings on the pillars—patterns of vines, feathers, and winged shapes—seemed almost alive as the light shifted over them.
Above, massive openings in the high ceiling let sunlight pour in, illuminating the space in a surreal glow. The beams of light danced across the polished stone floor, broken up by the shadows of vines and roots that had infiltrated the structure over centuries. Trees, their trunks massive and gnarled, rose from cracks in the floor and stretched toward the light. Their roots tangled and wove through the stone, merging architecture and nature into something that felt alive.
The sound of water trickling echoed softly, flowing through narrow grooves in the floor that seemed intentionally designed to carry it. The air carried faint, haunting calls—bird-like, but sharper, more alien. High above, he noticed massive nests clinging to the upper arches of the structure and to the branches of trees that grew impossibly tall for a place seemingly underground.
Benjamin ran a hand over one of the pillars, feeling the cool, smooth stone beneath his fingers. His gaze drifted to the murals etched into the walls—massive depictions of winged creatures soaring through stormy skies and lush jungles.
Where am I? he thought, his chest tightening. This place was both beautiful and unsettling, the kind of place that felt as though it had been waiting for him—or someone like him—to arrive.
He took a cautious step forward, his boots crunching softly against loose dirt and stone. Every sound echoed faintly in the cavernous space, heightening his awareness of the eerie silence that surrounded him.
Benjamin glanced up again at the shafts of light streaming in from the high openings above. They illuminated the space in patches, leaving parts of the structure bathed in shadow. Something moved high in the rafters, a faint flutter of wings followed by a sharp screech that made him stop in his tracks.
He tightened his grip on the strap of his bag, his eyes scanning the darkness above. I need to stay focused, he thought, steadying his breathing. He had no idea where he was or what lay ahead, but one thing was clear—this place wasn't ordinary.
And it wasn't empty.