The Divine Academy was unlike anything Ren, Kael, and the other new students had ever seen. The upperclassmen leading the tour walked with a casual ease, but the freshmen behind them were in complete awe. Towering spires of gold and white stretched into the sky, their peaks vanishing into the clouds. The academy itself floated high above the ground, suspended in the heavens by forces beyond mortal comprehension. Ethereal rivers of light coursed through the air, weaving around buildings as if they had a will of their own. Every step taken on the immaculate white marble paths pulsed with energy, resonating with the power of those who walked upon them.
"Welcome to the Divine Academy," said Darian, their upperclassman guide, a silver-haired young man with a calm, knowing smile. His pet, a magnificent black falcon, perched elegantly on his shoulder. "This place is where the strongest warriors and tamers train, where the greatest legends are forged."
Ren whistled as he took in the sprawling courtyards, each with students engaged in combat, practicing techniques alongside their pets. Some pets were small, agile creatures that moved like shadows, while others were towering beasts capable of levelling mountains with a single strike.
"Over there," Darian pointed towards an open field where a group of students were engaged in sparring, "is the Battlefield of Eternity. It's where students test their strength in controlled duels. Victories here earn you recognition, respect, and sometimes even valuable training resources."
Kael nudged Ren. "That's goanna be us soon."
Ren grinned. "Sooner than you think."
As they moved further, they passed the Grand Library, an enormous structure with glowing runes covering its surface. The air around it shimmered with knowledge and power, ancient texts floating freely around scholars who reached out to pluck them from the air as if selecting fruit from a tree.
"This," Darian said, "is the Hall of Knowledge. Every text from every known realm is stored here. The more you learn, the stronger you become. Some of the greatest warriors spend more time here than on the battlefield."
Kael looked sceptical. "Reading over fighting? Sounds boring."
Darian smirked. "Tell that to the last guy who said that. He got destroyed in the first round of the last tournament."
The tour continued, revealing training grounds, meditation halls, and a colossal coliseum known as the Divine Arena. Every inch of the academy exuded a sense of grandeur and purpose, a place where the weak became strong and the strong became legends.
As the tour came to an end, a strange shift in the atmosphere sent chills down everyone's spines. The sky darkened slightly, and a powerful aura washed over the entire academy.
A presence had arrived.
Gasps rippled through the students. All heads turned towards the main entrance of the academy as a lone figure approached, his steps echoing with unmatched authority.
Elder Vaelon, the strongest elder of the Divine Academy, had returned.
He was a towering figure, draped in flowing white and gold robes. His long silver beard and piercing golden eyes radiated wisdom and power. But it was his pet that stole the breath of every student present—a colossal, ethereal dragon that moved without sound, its form shifting between reality and something beyond comprehension. Every step it took distorted space itself, as if the world struggled to contain its presence.
Darian immediately bowed. "Students, kneel in respect."
Without hesitation, every student dropped to one knee, their heads bowed as Elder Vaelon reached the centre of the courtyard. His gaze swept over the gathered students, and for a moment, it felt as if he were peering into each of their souls, weighing their potential.
"Rise," his voice boomed, both gentle and commanding.
The students obeyed, standing with anticipation in their eyes.
"It is good to see so many fresh faces. Each of you has come here seeking strength, wisdom, and purpose. Some of you seek power to protect, others to conquer, and some... simply to prove to themselves that they are capable of more."
Ren felt his heart pound. He hadn't even realized he was holding his breath.
Elder Vaelon continued. "But let me be clear—strength is not something handed to you. It is not something given by fate. It is something you forge with your own hands, through sweat, through struggle, and through pain. The path ahead of you will not be easy. It will break you. But those who endure will stand among the greatest warriors this world has ever known."
A pulse of energy radiated from him, causing even the strongest students present to tremble.
"And so, to push you beyond your limits, I am here to announce the next Grand Tournament."
Murmurs erupted among the students. Even the upperclassmen seemed taken aback.
Elder Vaelon raised a hand, silencing them. "One year from now, this academy will hold the most prestigious competition in all the realms. Every student shall participate. Every student shall prove their worth. And to ensure that your strength is not borrowed but truly earned, there is one condition—your pets must be the same age as you by the time the tournament begins."
Gasps filled the courtyard. The weight of those words sank in instantly. To raise their pets to match their own age meant they had to accelerate their growth at an unprecedented rate. It was an impossible task for the weak.
Kael clenched his fists. "That's insane. But... it's also the perfect challenge."
Ren, for once, was speechless. Then, a slow grin spread across his face. "I like it."
Elder Vaelon's gaze softened slightly. "This challenge is not just about power. It is about responsibility. Your creatures are not weapons. They are your partners, your allies, your greatest strengths. If you do not nurture them as you nurture yourself, you will fail."
He took a step forward, his presence nearly suffocating. "But for those who succeed... the rewards will be beyond your imagination."
A solemn silence settled over the students. The weight of the challenge ahead was crushing, but it was also exhilarating. They had one year to defy the impossible.
Elder Vaelon smiled, an expression both warm and terrifying. "Now go. Train. Grow. And when the time comes, show me what legends are truly made of."
With that, he turned, his ethereal dragon spreading its wings. A single beat of its wings sent a ripple through reality, and in the blink of an eye, Elder Vaelon was gone.
The students stood in stunned silence.
Then, slowly, the murmurs began. Then cheers. Then roars of determination. The Divine Academy was alive with purpose.
Ren turned to Kael, his eyes burning with excitement. "One year. We've got one year to become the strongest."
Kael smirked. "Then we better start now."
And with that, their path to greatness began.