The room was relatively small compared to the grand hall outside, but still impressive. Tall bookcases lined almost every wall, packed with thick tomes and scrolls. The only natural light came from a single large window behind the desk, casting a soft glow across the space. In the center of the room stood a single wooden chair, facing the desk like it was waiting for someone to be examined.
Behind the desk sat Professor Kroua, a woman in her mid-thirties with big, round glasses perched on her nose. She had a full figure, especially noticeable in the way her white lab coat stretched across her chest, paired with tight pants. Her dark hair was tied back neatly, and she looked focused as she flipped through a stack of files.
I walked closer and cleared my throat. "Good morning, Professor. Mr. Marble sent me. He said I need to get tested for enrollment."
She looked up, adjusting her glasses slightly, then held out her hand. "Paper, please."
I placed the blank sheet on the desk. She picked up a wooden stamp, pressed it firmly onto the center of the page, and lifted it.
Suddenly, glowing magical words began to appear on the paper, elegant, swirling script that I couldn't understand at all.
"Grab this and follow me," she said, standing up. "We still have twenty-five students yet to be tested. You'll join the line."
"Right. Thank you."
I followed Professor Kroua out of her office, the blank paper now stamped and glowing faintly in my hand. She walked with quick steps, her white lab coat swaying slightly. I had to hurry to keep up.
As we moved through the hallway, she glanced sideways at me. "Your name?"
"Ace Walker, ma'am."
"Where are you from, Mr. Walker?"
"A small village… very far away. It didn't really have a name."
She gave a small hum, not pressing further. "First time in a proper academy?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Mm."
We turned a corner. I cleared my throat nervously. "I still… don't really know how this process works. Could you please—"
"You'll see soon enough," she cut me off, not unkindly. "Now, come."
She pushed open a door and stepped inside. I followed right behind her.
The room was smaller than I expected, modest in size, with plain stone walls and a single large wooden table in the center. The only striking feature was the orb resting on the table: a smooth, translucent glass sphere about the size of a melon. Inside it, a bright, swirling energy moved restlessly, like liquid starlight with a mind of its own, pulsing, twisting, and shifting colors constantly.
Twenty-five other students were already waiting inside. Most looked like first-years. When Professor Kroua entered, they quickly straightened up: one boy who had been staring out the window turned around fast, a small group that had been chatting fell silent, and a girl who had been fiddling with a small spell let the light in her palm fade away.
Professor Kroua clapped her hands once, sharp and authoritative. "Form a line, people. We don't have all day."
The students shuffled into a neat single file. I ended up as the third one in line.
Professor Kroua moved behind the table, standing beside the glowing orb. She pointed at the first student, an excited-looking girl with braided hair.
The girl stepped forward and handed over her stamped paper, barely able to contain her smile. She glanced back at her friends and grinned.
Professor Kroua placed the paper on top of the orb.
Suddenly, the orb burst into blue fire, flames dancing inside the glass, as well as on the orb, without burning it. The energy inside surged wildly.
"Put your hand on it," the professor instructed calmly.
The girl pressed her palm against the orb. The moment she made contact, the swirling energy lunged toward her hand, pressing against the glass as if trying to reach her. The blue flames flared brighter.
Then, right above the orb, the fire began to take shape, twisting and condensing until it formed a perfect floating ring.
The flames died down.
Professor Kroua reached out and picked up the ring. It was an iron-forged band etched with ancient battle runes.
"Vaelor, God of Strength has blessed you," she announced. "Congratulations."
The girl let out a delighted squeal, took the ring with both hands, and practically skipped to the back of the line to hug her friends.
Next was a boy with unusual features, bark-like textured skin on parts of his arms and neck, small antlers sprouting from his forehead, and faint vine-like patterns along his jaw. He still looked mostly human, but clearly nature-bound. He stepped forward nervously.
The same process repeated: paper on the orb, blue flames erupting, hand placed on the glass. The energy reacted, and above the orb another ring formed from the fire.
Professor Kroua examined it. This one was organic, grown rather than forged, with a glowing green crystal at its center that looked like a living seed.
"Myrrakai, Goddess of Nature," she declared. "Well done."
The boy's face lit up with pure joy. "I knew it! Wow… thank you, Professor!"
He took the ring reverently and stepped back.
Professor Kroua looked at the line. "Next."
I swallowed hard, heart pounding.
"Okay," I muttered to myself. "Let's do this."
I handed the stamped paper to Professor Kroua with slightly shaky fingers.
She placed it on top of the orb without a word.
I exhaled nervously, my hands trembling as I reached forward and pressed my palm against the cool glass.
At first… nothing happened.
Huh…
The swirling energy inside the orb didn't even stir toward my hand. The room stayed perfectly silent.
Then, without warning, blue fire roared to life inside the orb, exploding upward with such force that the flames licked the ceiling. The entire room lit up in violent blue light.
I jerked back in fear. Several students gasped and stumbled away. Professor Kroua, however, remained perfectly still, her eyes widening just a fraction in clear surprise.
A low, feminine chuckle echoed through the room, rich, amused, and coming directly from the flames themselves.
The fire suddenly shifted color, turning a deep, vibrant pink.
Then, in less than a second, it vanished completely.
Floating just above the orb was a single black glove. Simple. Ordinary-looking. Nothing flashy.
The students stared in stunned silence.
"What… is that?"
"A glove? Just a glove?"