"Lines should not be disturbed, and any disruption will lead to the immediate disqualification of the cause," he continued, his gaze sweeping over the crowd coldly.
I could sense that many students wanted to ask questions or voice concerns, but the man's aura kept them completely silent. No one dared risk their academy chances by speaking out of turn.
The official raised his hand, and magical energy began gathering around him. "Now, with that being said, let the registration begin!"
As his words echoed across the grounds, several gates opened simultaneously around the academy perimeter. Academy staff emerged from each entrance, carrying clipboards and what appeared to be magical evaluation devices.
"First batch, nobles and sponsored applicants. Proceed to the eastern gate!" the floating man announced.
"Second batch, preliminary qualifiers, to the southern gate! Third batch - general applicants - to the western gate!"
The term 'general' was used for people that were either without any social status, any awakener parents or from outside Luminara.
The crowd began moving in an orderly fashion, though I could feel the underlying excitement and nervousness as hundreds of young awakeners headed toward their respective examination areas.
I made my way toward the eastern gate, my referral letter ready in hand. Around me, other noble heirs moved with varying degrees of confidence.
Some carried themselves with obvious arrogance, clearly expecting their family names to guarantee admission. Others seemed genuinely nervous, understanding that family connections could only let them in and that didn't guarantee they would stay.
As I walked towards the eastern gate, a familiar smell of blood suddenly erupted in my nostrils.
I smiled softly before turning my head toward the direction of that intoxicating scent.
After meeting him twice, I had already become intimately familiar with Kyle's blood smell. My vampire senses could detect him easily now. I had also gained control over my senses, whilst his blood still enticed me, I was able to stop myself by drinking a lot of blood before hand, which I had done to avoid this exact scenario.
He's here.
Kyle stood with his younger sister near the western gate where the general applicants were gathering. Emily was close to his age at around fourteen, but despite this, she still acted like a young girl of ten.
The reason was her stunted growth and development. Her chronic illness had kept her isolated from normal social interactions, confined to their home where she was constantly treated as a fragile child who needed protection from the world. This overprotective environment had prevented her from maturing emotionally at the same rate as her peers.
However, I could already see signs of change from our first encounter weeks ago. Her healing process should have started by now, based on the timeline I remembered, and I could observe her physical growth from this distance. I knew that as her health improved, her personality would begin shifting toward something more age-appropriate and mature.
Despite my control, the sweet scent of Kyle's extraordinary bloodline made my throat burn slightly with that familiar thirst, but I maintained my composure and control.
I took one last look at the siblings before continuing toward my designated gate. Kyle was exactly where he belonged according to the original timeline, in the third batch with the other unsponsored applicants who would need to prove themselves through merit alone.
That separation was perfect for my plans. The less interaction I had with the protagonist during these crucial early academy days, the better my chances of avoiding unwanted plot complications.
..
Entering through the eastern gate, I spotted a familiar silhouette ahead of me.
Seraphina walked with a confident and icy stride that silently harboured internal respect from everyone around her. The aura she projected was so intimidating that other nobles instinctively gave her a wide berth, none daring to approach or attempt casual conversation.
And those that did have the courage didn't do it for their own agendas.
Although I knew that nobles received preferential treatment during the examination process and would likely gain admission, the novel hadn't provided specific details about what that treatment actually entailed.
I walked steadily forward until I reached where the other nobles had gathered in front of an academy staff member.
The man stood in complete silence, offering no explanation or greeting. Despite the obvious questions burning in everyone's minds, no one dared speak. The man's aura was too suffocating, and the fact he didn't retrieve it meant that no body was allowed to talk. The tension stretched for what felt like ten minutes.
Finally, he addressed the group. "Now that everyone is here, you will all sign this document."
Letters materialized out of thin air around the man, floating gracefully through the space before each one selected a target and drifted toward a different student. Mine settled gently into my outstretched palm.
The document contained standard academy enrolment agreements - legal acknowledgments that we would become students of the institution, along with various liability clauses and penalty structures for rule violations. Nothing unusual or concerning, just the typical bureaucratic requirements for such a large organization.
I signed the papers without hesitation, knowing there were no hidden agendas or dangerous clauses buried in the legal text.
Once everyone had completed their signatures, the man gestured for us to follow him. "Come. I will show you the facilities."
Although I already knew the academy's layout from reading the novel, I was curious to experience it first-hand. Reading descriptions was entirely different from actually seeing and walking through the spaces.
We passed through the main entrance into a grand foyer that took my breath away. Chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings that stretched high. Tapestries depicting legendary battles and magical achievements adorned the walls, while enchanted portraits of former academy leaders watched our group with moving eyes.
"The academy spans over five square kilometres," our guide announced as we walked. "The campus is divided into seven distinct sections, each serving specific educational and residential purposes."
We entered the first area through massive oak doors that were adorned with magical spells that protected them from breaches.
"Section A houses our lecture halls," the man explained, gesturing to the corridors branching off in multiple directions.
Through open doorways, I glimpsed amphitheatre-style classrooms with tiered seating that could accommodate hundreds of students. Magical blackboards floated in mid-air, automatically writing and erasing complex formulas and diagrams. Professor podiums were elevated on platforms that could rise or lower based on the instructor's preferences, while crystal orbs projected three-dimensional images to illustrate difficult concepts.
One classroom we passed was actively demonstrating elemental manipulation techniques. Floating spheres of fire, ice, and lightning danced through the air in perfect synchronization, controlled by invisible magical forces that responded to voice commands from the teaching assistant.
"Impressive facilities," I heard one noble mutter to his companion. "My private tutors never had equipment like this."
We moved through a secure checkpoint staffed by guards in enhanced Armor before entering the next area.
"Section B contains professor offices and administrative spaces," our guide noted. "Students are not permitted in this area without explicit invitation or emergency circumstances."
Through reinforced glass windows, I could see elegant offices filled with magical research materials, floating books that organized themselves, and communication crystals that pulsed with incoming messages from around the kingdom.
The transition to Section C required passing through another security barrier that scanned each of us with pale blue light.
"Section C houses our laboratories and research facilities," the guide continued. "Access requires professor supervision due to the dangerous nature of experimental magical research conducted here."
The laboratory spaces were absolutely incredible.
Alchemical equipment bubbled and steamed behind protective barriers, while containment units held samples of rare magical materials that glowed with inner energy. Advanced magical arrays carved into specially treated stone floors channeled and focused mystical energies for complex experiments.
Through one observation window, I watched students working with a professor to synthesize healing potions.
Section D opened into something that drew gasps of amazement from our entire group.