The sun is setting into the horizon. The night was slowly consuming the bright blue sky over the lushful forest .The forest echoed with the sound of hurried footsteps. Branches snapped one after another as a lone figure burst through the undergrowth, blood trailing behind him with every step.His breathing was ragged.
The clothes were soaked to crimson . His cloak was torn. One of his arms hung limply at his side his other arm supported it . Yet his legs never slowed down.
His eyes looking around as if was expecting an ambush . As soon as he heard some branches snapping , his pace increased . he ran with all his remaining strength .
Behind him several black clad figures erupted from the darkness and .
Boom!
A tree exploded into splinters as a spell crashed into it.
Another arrow whistled through the air, grazing his shoulder.
The figure didn't even look back.He already knew.They were still there.Still chasing him and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
"...Persistent bastards."
A faint laugh escaped his lips despite the blood running down his chin . his eyes carries a certain fear for death but his face did not show a speck of fear .
The figure suddening became attentive as a shrill whistle ringed in his ear , before he could react , a felt a piercing pain in his thigh .
Thud !!!
He fell down on his face , the small rocks and branches scarping his face and leaving abrasions . The lone figure grunted in pain as the shadows surrounded him,
One of the shadow let out a smirk" Anyone who saw him now would never believe this weak ass man is called the Kingdom's youngest Guild Master.
Vyom Dravik. He has another secret."
As soon as he heard the word secret , he looked at the shadow through his dark hair , his eyes open wide and let out another dry and surprised laugh.
The figure used all his strength to push himself off the ground .
"Life really is one hell of a roller coaster isn't it .If someone had told me a 24 hours ago that I'd be running for my life..."
Vyom's strength flowed out hia boy along with his blood , he collapsed back on the ground.
"Ouch "he grunts in pain "..I'd have kicked them in the balls and told them to fuck off."
---
24 hours ago
The bright morning sun hung high above the capital, bathing the enormous city in golden light. Countless carriages moved through the crowded stone roads as young men and women from all across the kingdom arrived ,all of them were wearing identical clothes , a white shirt with golden embroidery on the collar and and cuffs . a plain black trouser complementing the white shirt . the girls were wearing plain black skirts. Near the chest the uniform has an emblem.
The eyes of the students were filled with excitement and anxiety but their heart carry a fixed dream .
To study and graduate from the Royal Magic Academy of Elarion.
Towering white walls surrounded the academy grounds while massive gates stood proudly as if they are entrance to another world.
For many, this place was not simply an academy.
It was where destinies changed.
Inside one of the smaller worn-down carriages, more then 20 people were stuffed in it . Of all of them a young man stood out as he was wearing decent quality clothes unlike others . he sat near the window consciously not leaning against the window and he put his worn out leather bag between his fellow passenger so to not want to soil his white shirt . the white shit mattered more than his comfort . he was clutching a slightly crumpled entrance form tightly against his chest. He looked at the crumpled letter
"Kael Arden".
Even now, he could barely believe his own name was written on the acceptance document.
"Royal Magic Academy of Elarion
Accepted Candidate"
A grin slowly spread across his face as he looked at the letter and then his claused hands .
"I actually made it…, just 3 years to go"
This brown-haired kid wearing the same uniform , looked outside the window to see a large freshly painted gate . Before the gate , unlike his own carriage ,numerous bright coloured carriages stopped ,some of them had jewels embedded in him . he excited shouted at the driver ,
"Oiiii the academy has arrived stop the carriage now . i am going to miss it"
All the passengers clicked his tongue and glared at him . kael awkwardly met their eyes and looked down fidgeting a little .
The old carriage driver glanced back lazily.
" oii kid looks liek this is your first time in the capital . That gate is for the nobles . the commaners have different route ."
Kael slowly nodded his head and stayed quiet .
After a while the carriage stops in front of a worn out gate ,
"Kid, we're here."
Kael quickly grabbed his small bag before jumping down from the carriage. He saw some kids wearing the same uniform as his walking through the small mossy gate . he wanted to greet them but he chickened out . before he could make up his mind , they walked through the gate . he silently followed them
He walked through a rough patch of trees , the met mud soiling their shoes . they passes through a worn out old building. The plants creeping up t the walls . the bui;ding looked like it collapse if a guy sneezed out loud . on the arch before the building was a half broken board .
" Boys dorm'
Kael just looked at it . he swallowed his saliva unconsciously .'is this haunted"
"No it isn't" a voice answers him . "looks like you are from countryside.all the commaners stay here in this dorm." he continues as his adjusts pulls his bag on his shoulder
" I am richard . i stay in the prise slum in the capital."richard extended his hand
Kael just looks down at his hand and ground . richard just sighs and walks forward .
Seeing the dark haired boy walking away
' RICHARD MY NAME IS KAEL' kael shouts. All the people look at the source of the voice .
Under the glares of the fellow students , kael looking down , pulls his bag to his chest.
Kael softly mumbles 'i am sorry' his whole body fidgeting, his face warm and reddish. The students continue walking except one .
The dark hair kid walks to kael ."sorry bro , i am straight" kael confused looks up "you look like you are about to confess your hidden feeling to me ".Richard adds chuckling
"Noo noo , i am straight to , i just wanted to greet you . i am sorry " kael stammers as he shakes his reddened head.
"Its okay i am messing with you you look like the guy that cant talk properly "richard extends his hand" , again i am richard" ricard adds confidently.
Kael helds is hand " i am kael nice to meet you" kael shakes hands with richard
"Dude you are blushing and holding my hand . are you sure you are straight? "Richards adds, his lips curving in a teasing smirk . kael pulls his hand back but he doesnot shout this time "i am straight!!!"
Richard walks beside kael " thank god you didnot shout , or people would doubt about it " kael just walks thought the muddy path speechless as he couldnot think of a comeback .
As he comes of the forest path , his eyes fall on majestic buiding . his pupils dilated ,eyes widened
"This is the main building elerian academy . main building" richard adds while stares at the huge building.
The academy looked even larger up close.
Knights stood guard near the entrance while floating magical lights drifted calmly through the air above the pathways.
Looking at this huge building , kael's eyes started to tear up , his heart beat quickened
His fingers unconsciously tightened around the entrance form again as memories flashed through his mind.
The sleepless nights spent studying borrowed books until sunrise.
The endless part-time jobs he worked just to gather enough money for the entrance examination fee.
The countless hours training magic alone until his mana pathways burned from exhaustion. He knew he had to work extra hard because of his condition and he did work hard ,All for this one opportunity.
everyone in the kingdom knew one truth.
Graduating from the Royal Magic Academy guaranteed a future.
Even commoners could rise into the Magic Towers through this place.
That possibility alone was enough to change lives.
"Kael come on" richard snaps kael out of his dream "we are going to be late"
Kael comes out of his thoughts and let out a shaky breath before walking toward the massive academy hall.
The moment he stepped inside, the atmosphere itself changed.
Mana floated naturally through the air.The academy buildings stretched endlessly in every direction.
Kael looked around in complete awe
The noble students walked confidently in groups, speaking loudly while servants carried their belongings behind them. Meanwhile, the commoners remained quieter, careful not to draw attention to themselves.
A few nobles openly glanced toward poorer students with faint amusement.
"Another village rat made it this year."
"Just wait till classes start. Most of them disappear within months."
Kael frowned slightly at the comments but continued walking along with richard.
" look at those rude guys , acting all high " kael fidgets uncomfortably
"kael shut up , if they hear you , they are going to toy with you for the rest 3 years " Richard's gaze swept rapidly across the surroundings ,searching if any nobles heard kael talk. "They will force you to leave this college mid session" keal immediately covers his mouth and looks down without meeting their eyes and walks away fast .
After searching for the hall for a while , both the boys are tired .
*where is this hall. Is there a map around here" .
They wanted to ask someone , but if that person nhappened to be a noble and if these 2 insulted them then they would fall in a huge trouble . So they jept vandering all over the place ."didn't we come here already" kael mutters looking at a familiar wall he saw 5 minutes ago .
Richard frustrated looked around to find any one incharge . His eyes find a figure hiding behind the pillar suspeciously
He looked an year older then them but wore the same uniform , his silver hair shining under the sun , as he seemed to be walking towards the grounds holding a brownish sword that seemed to be made of oak on his shoulder . he semed to be hiding from somebody .
"Excuse me, sir."
The boy shivered at being called suddenly
"mmmmYes?". He slowly turns his head , staring at the source of the voice with his vibrant green eyes . his eyes carried a sense of fear , as if he was running away from some thing .
"Could you tell me where the main hall for freshers is?" richard aasks his sliver haired ,looking at him .
The boy pointed toward an enormous building at the center of the academy.
"Orientation is begining shortly. Follow this path and hurry . Or else you might be late "
"T-Tha!" before richard and kael could thank him , the figure disappeared .
"Huh who was that guy". Kael askd , a little fear showing in his tone ."i dont know but " richard adds his voice caring a sense of hurry " we need to rush to the orientation now run"
The deeper he went into the academy, the grander everything became. Beautiful statues lined the pathways while magical fountains shimmered beneath the sunlight. Students flooded every corridor endlessly. But these 2 boys were in too much hurry to admire those marvelous structures
Eventually, they reached the enormous assembly hall.
The moment he stepped inside
his breath caught.
The hall was very huge.
Towering pillars stretched toward the ceiling while enormous chandeliers illuminated the chamber in soft blue light. Hundreds of freshers filled the seats while banners carrying the academy crest hung proudly from the walls.
At the very front stood several important figures of the academy.
Kael and richard found an empty seat at the end as students around him spoke excitedly.
"I heard a special guest is giving the opening speech."
"No way… is it really him?"
"They said the guild master himself came."
Suddenly, the massive doors near the stage slowly opened.
The entire hall quieted almost instantly looking at two people walking into the hall followed by guards positioning themselves for their safety
An older man dressed in navy blue robe stepped forward first. His hair was neatly combed back while his sharp blue eyes calmly observed the students before him.
Aldron Vale.
The Principal of the Royal Magic Academy and the current leader of the Mage Union.
Even among nobles, his authority carried immense weight.
Walking beside him was another man.
The atmosphere in the hall changed the moment he appeared.
Tall.
Calm.
Authoritative.
Unlike the elegant academy staff, this man carried the presence of someone who had stood on actual battlefields. Dark formal clothing lined with silver embroidery rested neatly over his broad frame while a black cloak hung behind him. His dark clothing complements the dark hair .
Whispers instantly spread across the hall.
"That's Vyom Dravik…"
"The guild master of Dravik…"
"They say even nobles are careful around him."
Kael stared at the man with shining eyes.
So this was Vyom Dravik.
One of the kingdom's youngest and most influential guild leaders.
As the two men approached the stage, Aldron spoke quietly enough that only those nearby could hear.
"The nobles grow bolder every year."
Vyom gave a faint smile.
"That happens when a crown forgets how to inspire fear."
Lucien chuckled softly.
"And yet fear alone cannot hold a kingdom together."
"Neither can weakness."
For a brief moment, silence passed between them.
Then both men stepped forward before the gathering.
Lucien addressed the hall first.
"Welcome to the Royal Magic Academy of Elarion."
His voice echoed throughout the chamber effortlessly.
"For generations, this institution has stood at the center of our kingdom's history producing talents that helped in the advancement of the kingdom. This achedemy doesnot just teach you magic , it teaches you life , the ways of the world .So graduate and live your life to the fullest"
The students listened silently.
Aldron slowly gestured toward Vyom.
"And today, the guildmaster of dravik,vyom dravik is here as the guest of honor"
A wave of applause erupted across the hall.
Vyom stepped forward calmly.
His sharp eyes slowly swept across the countless freshers before him.
"When people speak of greatness," he began quietly, "they often speak of talent, noble blood, or destiny."
The hall fell completely silent.
"But people remember only results."
Kael unconsciously straightened in his seat.
Vyom continued pointing towards a statue in the hall. A statue of a knight holding a broken spear
"Years ago, another student once stood in this very hall."
"Ray Valden."
Murmurs instantly spread throughout the hall.
Even Kael recognized the name immediately.
The greatest knight of the kingdom.
The hero who pushed back the Empire singlehandedly.
Vyom's gaze lingered on the statue briefly.
"Before he became a legend, he was simply a student here. A young man carrying ambition greater than his fear."
His voice hardened slightly.
"This academy does not decide your worth by birth alone."
For the briefest moment, his eyes shifted toward the noble seating section.
"Strength shapes history."
Silence filled the chamber.
"Some of you will rise."
"Some of you will fail."
"And some…"
A faint smile appeared on Vyom's face.
"…may one day change the kingdom itself."
The hall erupted into applause.
Even Kael found himself clapping excitedly.
For the first time since arriving
he truly felt like he stood at the beginning of something enormous.
After the assembly ended, the academy doors opened once more.
A young woman stepped forward gracefully.
Long red hair rested neatly behind her shoulders while the elegant academy uniform only added to the mature aura she naturally carried.
The moment she appeared, countless students immediately fell silent and start whispering among themselves
"Beautiful…"
"She's one of the two senior representatives…"
The young woman gave a calm bow.
"My name is Selena Brightmore. Second year representative . Now we will divide the freshers in groups and guide you through this academy tour"
Her composed voice carried naturally through the hall.
Kael quickly stood alongside the other students as Selena turned toward the massive academy doors.
"Please follow me carefully."