The soft flicker of the Primordial Flame filled the valley as Aetherion sat cross-legged in the center of his sanctuary. His eyes were closed in meditation, but his mind was sharp and focused. The Sky Walk Academy represented more than just an opportunity to learn—it was a gateway into the heart of the Empire of Mythoria.
For Aetherion, gaining entrance to the academy wasn't just about power; it was about knowledge. Knowledge of the empire's leaders, its inner workings, and its sources of strength. But in order to gather that knowledge, he needed to keep his true nature as a Primordial hidden.
Astralis and Celestaris stood nearby, their expressions calm but alert. They had returned with all the information Aetherion needed, but now came the difficult part: preparing for the entrance exam without revealing too much of his divine abilities.
"Aetherion," Astralis said, breaking the silence, "you'll need to be careful during the exam. If you show too much of your power, you'll draw unwanted attention. The academy values skill and knowledge, but we must assume that their instructors will be watching for anything… out of the ordinary."
Aetherion opened his eyes slowly, his mind already turning over the possibilities. "You're right. I can't afford to stand out. If they suspect what I truly am, it could complicate things."
Aetherion stood, his white toga flowing around him as he gazed across the valley. The Primordial Flame that burned within him was vast and powerful, but for this mission, he needed to show only a fraction of that power. He had to blend in, just as any other student would.
Celestaris stepped forward, her voice soft but thoughtful. "The academy's exam focuses on combat, magic, and tactical knowledge. You'll need to demonstrate a range of skills, but nothing too extreme. Aetherion, you're more than capable of passing their test, but you need to control the flame."
Aetherion nodded, his mind already adjusting to the idea. "I'll need to limit myself. Use only what's necessary to pass. No more, no less."
Astralis smiled faintly. "It's not often you have to hold back, is it?"
Aetherion chuckled lightly, the sound breaking the tension. "No, it's not. But this is a game of strategy. I can't overpower my way into the academy. I'll have to play the role of a student, one who is skilled enough to pass, but not enough to raise suspicion."
Aetherion turned to the training grounds, where he could practice refining his skills. As he walked, his mind began cataloging the various abilities he had at his disposal. Each one had been reshaped by the Primordial Flame, but he would have to focus on the simplest, most subtle ones.
He decided to review a few of the skills he could use during the entrance exam without revealing his full power:
Elemental Magic: Aetherion could summon basic fire, water, air, and earth to demonstrate his magical prowess, careful to keep the Primordial Flame suppressed. Elemental control was common in the academy, and showcasing it would be expected.
Swordplay: Using his Primordial Blades of Creation would be too risky, but Aetherion was more than proficient with a regular sword. He could summon a simple blade of flame to demonstrate his combat skills without revealing the true nature of his power.
Strategic Knowledge: Aetherion had mastered the art of war and strategy in his previous life, and his tactical mind would serve him well during any test of leadership or planning. This would be his chance to show his intelligence without relying on raw power.
As he reviewed each skill, Aetherion felt confident in his ability to pass the exam. He had enough subtlety to hide his true strength, but enough skill to stand out just enough to succeed.
At the training grounds, Aetherion summoned a simple sword of flame, its blade glowing with soft, white fire. It was nothing compared to his Primordial Blades, but it would suffice. He moved through a series of swift and precise combat forms, his movements fluid and graceful. Each swing of the sword cut through the air, leaving behind only faint trails of fire.
Astralis and Celestaris watched from the sidelines, their eyes following Aetherion's every move.
"You'll need to make your swordplay seem impressive, but not divine," Astralis commented, his tone thoughtful. "Remember, you're supposed to be a student. Not a god."
Aetherion nodded, understanding the balance he needed to strike. He finished his sword routine and extinguished the flame, the blade vanishing in a flicker of light.
Next, he moved on to elemental magic, summoning small bursts of fire, water, air, and earth in rapid succession. He manipulated the elements with ease, showing just enough control to be impressive without raising suspicion. He focused on precision rather than power, creating delicate formations of each element and weaving them together.
After finishing his elemental practice, Aetherion turned his attention to strategy. He had spent years studying tactics, both in his previous life and since his reincarnation, and this knowledge would be essential during the academy's tests.
He gathered a few of his followers and set up a mock battle scenario, positioning them as teams on opposing sides of the field. Using nothing but his tactical knowledge, Aetherion guided his team to victory with precision and foresight, predicting the movements of his opponents and outmaneuvering them at every turn.
Astralis, observing from the sidelines, smiled approvingly. "Your tactical mind will be your greatest strength in the academy. While others rely on brute force, you can show them what true strategy looks like."
Aetherion nodded. "I'll keep my physical abilities limited, but my mind is my strongest weapon. I'll make sure they see that."
With the exam only a few weeks away, Aetherion knew he couldn't attend as his divine self. He needed to create a more human appearance to avoid drawing too much attention. The Primordial Flame granted him the ability to change his form at will, and now it was time to use that power.
Standing before a mirror, Aetherion reached out to the Primordial Flame, allowing its energy to flow through him. His white hair began to darken, shifting into a deep shade of black, and his eyes—once glowing with the light of the flame—faded into a rich blue. His divine aura receded, and his appearance became that of an ordinary, yet striking, human.
He turned to Astralis and Celestaris, who had been watching the transformation with interest.
"How do I look?" Aetherion asked, his voice still carrying the same calm authority but now matched with the appearance of a mortal man.
Celestaris smiled. "You look like any other student—a powerful one, but human nonetheless."
Astralis grinned. "You'll blend in perfectly."
With his disguise complete and his skills honed, Aetherion felt ready for the entrance exam at the Sky Walk Academy. The time was approaching, and soon he would step into the heart of the Empire of Mythoria under the guise of a student.
As he stood before his followers, the flames of creation still flickering around him, Aetherion couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The academy would be more than just a place of learning—it would be the key to understanding the empire's strength, its leaders, and its weaknesses.
"Astralis, Celestaris," Aetherion said, turning to his eagles. "You've done well in gathering the information we needed. Now, we wait for the entrance exam. Once we're inside, we'll learn everything we need to know."
Astralis bowed. "We are ready, Aetherion."
Celestaris smiled softly. "The academy will never know who they've let in."
The chapter ends with Aetherion standing at the edge of the valley, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. The Sky Walk Academy awaits, and with it, the next step in his journey toward understanding and power.