The Earthborns halted in their tracks as Godas Khaedros and his entourage stepped forward, blocking their path. The atmosphere thickened with tension.
Godos sneered. "Well, well.You guys are lowly beings. Are you sure you're even human?"
Thor's grip tightened , his eyes burning with contempt. "You're mistaken, Khaedros. We're not your 'lowly beings.' We're Earthborns. And you'll soon learn how much trouble we can cause."
Elizabeth smirked. "A human is defined by their actions, not their birthright. And I've seen more dignity in a goat than in the likes of you."
Bahubali stepped forward, flexing his massive arms. "Keep flapping your mouths, but don't forget—we're not the ones with something to prove. You, on the other hand, are all talk and no walk."
Godos scowled, his eyes narrowing. "A pathetic bunch of misfits, spouting nonsense. Do you even understand what it means to be a true heir to power? Earth will never know the true meaning of greatness. You're nothing but a footnote in history, not even complete humans."
Mulan's voice cut through the tension. "We may not have the 'privilege' of your lineage, but we're alive and we're here. Maybe you'll learn something from us, if you ever stop being so full of yourself."
Cleopatra, with a raised eyebrow, chimed in, "Who needs to be complete when you're born with an entire world to explore? Look at you and your 'glorious' family. I think the Earthlings have more to teach you than you'd care to admit."
The words sparked fury in the Khaedros nobles, and their insults and taunts became more vicious. Tensions escalated further as more voices joined in, and the classroom began to empty as some acolytes, too frightened to stay, bolted for the exit.
Xander stood firm, his jaw clenched, knowing that no matter how much they argued, things would never end unless a proper challenge was made.
Just as the tension reached its boiling point, a voice rang out, cutting through the discord.
"Enough!"
A short, stocky figure entered the fray, his face flushed with authority. It was Magus Bordan, a Magus college enforcer , known for his sharp wit and even sharper temper.
"Magus Bordan!" Godas sneered. "I don't take orders from you."
Bordan's eyes flashed with steel. "You'll take my orders Khaedros. Fighting is strictly prohibited on campus grounds. If you want to settle this like brats, take it to the Duel Center. You're both disrupting the peace of my academy."
Bordan's stance left no room for argument, and after a few moments of heated glares, Godas and his entourage turned on their heels, retreating from the classroom.
The class was left in stunned silence.
Magus Bordan looked around the now-empty room and muttered, "Keep your heads cool. This isn't the place for brawls, no matter how much some of you wish it was." Then, without another word, he exited the room, leaving the Earthborns to reflect on the tense encounter.
The silence lingered for only a moment before the Earthborns began to exchange knowing glances, their unity solidified further through the shared moment of defiance.
And as they moved toward the exit, one thing was clear: their journey at Magus College had only just begun.
As the Earthborns stepped out of the classroom, leaving behind the thick tension of their clash with the Khaedrosborn, they were met by an entirely different atmosphere—one that stole their breath.
Before them stretched a world unlike anything they had ever seen.
Massive towers pierced the sky like spears of crystal and stone, each carved with intricate runes that shimmered with faint magical light. Their spires twisted with architectural mastery that defied gravity—floating platforms circled their peaks like halos, and elegant skybridges connected one impossibility to another. Marble walkways inlaid with glowing sigils spread outward in elegant spirals, and gardens floated in midair, their leaves swaying gently to an unseen wind.
The main structure—The Grand Sanctum—loomed in the distance, its architecture a blend of ancient mysticism and futuristic grandeur. It pulsed with an ethereal glow, as if the very building was alive. Surrounding it were dozens of other halls, towers, and amphitheaters, their rooftops shimmering with color-changing tiles enchanted to reflect the sky.
"Even the Tower of Babel couldn't hold a candle to this," Bahubali muttered, awestruck.
"I feel like I stepped into the dreams of the gods," Cleopatra whispered, her eyes wide.
"The craftsmanship..." Mulan murmured, her gaze trailing the curves of a spiraling tower that rotated slowly on its axis. "It's beyond anything on Earth."
Thor tilted his head back to look at the tallest tower. "I don't know whether to fight or just live here forever."
They walked along the polished stone path leading south, their boots echoing faintly with each step. The air was crisp, infused with magical energy that hummed at the edges of their senses. Even the birds above flew in mesmerizing formations, almost choreographed.
As they moved through the academy grounds, they passed by squads of College Guards, clad in gleaming silver armor. Each had the Magus College emblem—an open eye surrounded by a wreath of flame—proudly crested on their chests. Some bore sleek silver swords; others held long, enchanted spears tipped with blue flame.
"They look like knights from the heavens," Elizabeth said in awe.
"Aren't those enchantment glyphs on their armor?" Xia pointed out. "Each guard is a walking fortress."
Around them, students of various races and origins bustled about. Some wore pristine white uniforms with golden trim—likely first-year acolytes like themselves—while others were clad in deep blue tunics with silver runes, signifying a higher rank or perhaps specialization.
In one open field, a pair of students were engaged in a magical spar—one conjuring fire whips, the other countering with shields of water. In another corner, a small group floated several feet above the ground, clearly practicing levitation magic. Laughter and cheers mixed with the occasional magical burst.
"Everything here feels alive," Xander said, a hint of wonder in his voice. "It's like the academy is watching us... welcoming us."
"I can't wait to start sparring," Bahubali said, cracking his knuckles. "This place is practically made for battle."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Cleopatra teased. "Remember, you promised not to fight anyone unless they insult your mother."
"They already did!" Bahubali shot back.
"Technically, they insulted your entire species," Thor added dryly.
"I rest my case," Bahubali grinned.
Their laughter carried them forward until they reached the Portal Grounds—a vast marble courtyard lined with floating sigil stones and towering obelisks. Two shimmering portals stood at the center, each ringed by protective runes. One glowed a soft blue, the other a vibrant green.
A group of Magus College Enforcers stood watch near the portals, clad in navy and silver, exuding an aura of authority and control. One in particular stood out—a tall, graceful woman with braided auburn hair and piercing emerald eyes. She wore a dark cloak trimmed with violet and the enforcer's badge over her chest. Her presence alone seemed to command the space.
Elizabeth, ever the friendly diplomat, stepped forward and offered a polite smile. "Excuse me, Magus. Could you tell us which of these portals leads to the residential area?"
The woman turned, her gaze assessing. "That one," she said, pointing to the blue portal. "It leads directly to your assigned residential planet—Arkavell Minor. Your rooms and team assignments will be synced to your Core upon arrival."
"Thank you, Magus...?" Elizabeth prompted.
Magus Vaelora replied with a faint smile. "Try not to set anything on fire. At least not on your first day."
The group chuckled and chorused their thanks.
"Here we go," Xander said.
And with a single step forward—Zoom—they entered the portal.
Zoom.
The world shifted.
They emerged onto a new planet beneath twin moons hanging in a violet sky. The air smelled of fresh pine and glowing flowers. A soft breeze blew over a lush valley filled with residential towers—sleek, uniform structures woven with both magic and nature. Bridges of vines and crystal connected the buildings. Waterfalls ran along the mountain walls behind the valley, shimmering in the light of the setting suns.
A gentle chime echoed in their minds as their Cores updated:
> Welcome to Arkavell Minor. Assigned Dorm: Earthborn Residence, Tower Seven. Room assignments uploaded.
The Earthborns paused to take in the breathtaking view.
"Okay," Thor said with a wide grin. "I take it back. I don't want to fight... I want to live here."
"Too bad," Mulan smirked. "We're doing both."
They laughed again, their steps lighter now as they walked toward their new home—toward the beginning of something greater than any of them could have imagined.