The movement in front of the Academy of Destiny grew with every passing minute.
Lines were forming.
Conversations blended with nervous tension.
And expectations… lingered in the air.
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Remiel observed everything in silence.
Beside him, Laylah seemed completely at ease.
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— First step — she said — registration.
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Without waiting for a response, she began walking.
Remiel followed.
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The process was simple.
Name.
Origin.
Path.
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— Name? — the attendant asked without looking up.
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— Remiel.
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— Origin?
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Silence.
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Laylah glanced sideways.
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— …Outer regions — she answered for him, naturally.
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The man simply wrote it down.
Uninterested.
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— Path?
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Remiel remained silent for a few seconds.
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— Undefined.
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This time, the man looked up.
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— …no Path?
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A few nearby glances turned toward them.
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— Confirmed — Laylah said before it could continue.
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The man shrugged.
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— Next.
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Minutes later—
Remiel was seated in a large hall.
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Long tables.
Candidates spread across the room.
Absolute silence.
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In front of him—
a parchment.
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Written Exam — Academy of Destiny
Total Questions: 20
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Remiel observed.
Expressionless.
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— Begin.
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The sound of multiple pens scratching paper echoed through the hall.
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Remiel looked at the first question.
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1. What is the Wheel of Divinity and what is its fundamental purpose?
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He remained silent.
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Memories… did not come.
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But something inside him…
reacted.
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— …a system… — he murmured internally.
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He wrote slowly:
«"A system that governs the growth of beings, allowing ascension through Sequences toward a higher state."»
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He paused.
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It was vague.
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But… it felt correct.
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2. How many Sequences exist in the Path of Divinity?
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Silence.
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Remiel left it blank.
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3. Name the three stages within a Sequence.
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He remembered.
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Laylah had said it.
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«Initial. Intermediate. Advanced.»
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He wrote.
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4. What defines a Path?
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He paused.
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Thought.
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«"A specific form of evolution that influences abilities, behavior, and destiny."»
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5. Name two confirmed methods to obtain a Path.
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Easy.
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«Potions.
Divine blessing.»
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6. What happens when someone advances too far within a Path?
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He hesitated.
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«"The Path begins to influence the individual."»
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---
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The questions continued.
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History.
Theory.
Details.
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Remiel read.
But… he didn't remember.
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10. Why is the current calendar called the Black Dragon Calendar?
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He stopped.
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His eyes fixed on the question.
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Dragon.
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A sensation ran through his body.
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Fragments.
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Chains.
Darkness.
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And…
eyes.
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Massive.
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He raised a hand slightly to his head.
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— …
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But… there was no answer.
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He left it blank.
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The following questions were even more specific.
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13. What is the difference between Elemental and Conceptual Paths?
15. What characterizes a Sequence 5 user?
18. Define the role of the Academy of Destiny on the continent.
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Remiel answered some.
Ignored others.
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In the end—
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Only one thing was clear.
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Out of the 20 questions—
He was certain of only one.
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One.
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— Time's up.
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The parchments were collected.
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The silence broke.
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Voices filled the room.
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— Easy.
— The Sequence one was simple.
— The Black Dragon question came again…
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Remiel stood up.
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Laylah was leaning against a wall outside.
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— So?
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— I got one right.
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Silence.
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She stared at him.
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— …one?
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— Confirmed.
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She brought a hand to her face.
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— That might be a problem.
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— It doesn't matter.
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A direct response.
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Laylah sighed.
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— I hope you make up for it in the second part.
---
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The combat field was vast.
Open.
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Stone circles marked the arenas.
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Instructors observed.
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Candidates took their positions.
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— The matches will be eliminatory — a firm voice announced.
— Show your worth.
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Names began to be called.
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— Remiel.
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He walked into the arena.
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On the other side—
a young man.
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Well dressed.
Arrogant posture.
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He smiled when he saw Remiel.
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— Just another nobody…
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Then his eyes shifted—
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To Laylah.
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Standing at a distance.
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And in that instant—
his expression changed.
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— …Laylah?
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Murmurs spread.
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— Is that her?
— One of the Top 10?
— Seriously?
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The young man frowned.
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— What are you doing here…?
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Laylah didn't respond.
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She simply watched.
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Then—
his eyes returned to Remiel.
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And something… shifted.
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Disdain.
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— You.
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He stepped forward.
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— How can a commoner…
— be walking beside her?
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Silence.
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Remiel didn't react.
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— Do you even know who she is?
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No answer.
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His smile widened.
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— Of course you don't.
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He spread his arms slightly.
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— Laylah isn't just one of the Top 10.
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A pause.
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— She's part of the high nobility.
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The murmurs intensified.
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— Direct lineage.
— A dominant family.
— Monsters…
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His gaze turned colder.
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— And you…
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He looked Remiel up and down.
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— You're nothing more than someone without a Path.
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Silence.
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— Do you know what that means?
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He leaned slightly forward.
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— It means you don't belong in this world.
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Remiel finally raised his gaze.
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His green eyes met his opponent's.
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Calm.
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— Are you done?
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For a moment—
absolute silence.
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The noble's smile vanished.
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— Arrogant.
---
He stepped back.
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— Good.
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Energy began to surge around him.
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Sparks.
Lightning.
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— I'll show you…
— what happens to those who don't know their place.
---
---
The arena fell silent.
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The air grew heavier.
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Laylah watched.
In silence.
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Not interfering.
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But attentive.
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Very attentive.
---
---
Remiel remained still.
---
Feeling it.
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That energy.
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Lightning.
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Unstable.
Aggressive.
---
But… predictable.
---
---
He slowly closed his hand.
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That green energy appeared.
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Faint.
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But real.
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— Begin.
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The battle… had started.