The carriages rolled to a gentle stop before the towering gates of the Valtorin Academy of Magic and Blade, their wheels crunching over fine gravel.
The sprawling campus stretched beyond—grand stone towers with glistening glass windows, arched bridges of pale marble, and lush emerald lawns framed by ancient oaks. The air hummed faintly with magic, carrying the scents of old paper, polished wood, and distant blooms.
Lilith stepped down first, her formal traveling cloak fluttering as her boots touched the ground with soft clicks. Elias followed close behind, his eyes wide with barely concealed excitement as he took in the vastness of the Academy.
Around them, groups of students in sharp uniforms—mostly between the ages of fourteen and eighteen—milled about in lively clusters. Laughter and chatter filled the air. A few younger children, close to Elias's age, stood awkwardly at the edges, clearly the exceptions to the Academy's typical admissions.
Behind them, the second carriage pulled in smoothly, and Count Caelum Thorne emerged with his usual fluid grace. His gaze swept the grounds sharply before softening ever so slightly as he approached the siblings.
Caelum, wanting to have Lilith's full attention, stepped closer to her, drawing from within his coat a delicate silver chain bearing a single teardrop-shaped ruby. Its crimson depths gleaming unnaturally bright in the morning sun. The gemstone was roughly the size of a thumb, warm and pulsing with quiet magic.
"This," Caelum said softly, fastening the chain around Lilith's neck with careful fingers, "is woven with concealment magic. It will mask your chaotic energy entirely. Even the most seasoned Archmages or Divine Priests will sense nothing out of place. Wear it always, especially here." His teal eyes met hers meaningfully. "Your secret must remain untouched until the time is right."
Lilith touched the gem lightly, feeling its cool presence settle against her skin. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice steady but her heart thrumming with the weight of it.
Elias, standing nearby with his sword fastened to his belt, glanced between them before giving Caelum a sharp little bow of gratitude as well.
Caelum's lips twitched in the faintest ghost of a smile. "Remember what I taught you. Be observant. Be patient. And should the need arise… send word."
He rested a gloved hand briefly on Elias's head, ruffling the boy's hair with rare affection, then gave Lilith one final nod.
"I will send a carriage to pick you up after your exam is finished. And while we wait for results, you will be staying in my manor."
Lilith gave a soft nod upon hearing the instructions. With the farewells said, the siblings watched as Caelum stepped back into his carriage. The door shut softly, the driver flicked the reins, and the horses began their smooth retreat down the cobbled road, leaving Lilith and Elias standing together before the gates of the Academy.
Lilith exhaled slowly and turned to her brother. "Are you ready?"
Elias grinned. "I was born ready."
The two of them moved forward passing under the enormous iron gates bearing the Academy's crest:
At its heart lay a radiant azure gemstone. Behind the gem, an intricate circle of ancient runes glowed faintly. Crossing diagonally over the gem were a silver longsword and a wizard's staff tipped with a crimson crystal. The entire emblem was framed by an ornate shield of midnight blue, flanked by laurel branches. Beneath the crest, a flowing silver ribbon bore the Academy's name, its letters shimmering softly with enchantment.
Ahead stretched a stone-paved path flanked by towering white pillars, each etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with mana. Beyond them lay the Academy itself—an elegant fortress of marbled towers, slate rooftops, and bridges suspended between spires like threads of woven light. Everything about it exuded prestige and quiet menace.
"Welcome to the jaws of judgment," Lilith muttered under her breath.
Elias glanced at her. "Think they bite?"
"Only if you fail," she replied with a half-smirk.
Students flooded in around them—nervous fourteen-year-olds flanked by servants or alone, each guided toward the massive courtyard ahead where several robed instructors waited beside floating crystal slates.
A woman in a deep burgundy uniform stepped forward, her white-gloved hands clasped behind her back. Her hair was tied in a severe bun, and a monocle hovered in front of her right eye like it had a mind of its own.
"Names?" she asked briskly, not even looking at them.
"Lilith and Elias Silford," Lilith answered.
The woman tapped the air beside her, and a soft ding sounded. "Ah. Silford heirs. One magic, one sword. You're early, that's good." She glanced at Elias briefly.
"Twelve years old? Hmph. Unusual, but allowed. You'll be evaluated accordingly. Head straight to the southern tower—written exams begin in twenty minutes."
Lilith gave a slight nod. "Understood."
As they followed the directions, Elias leaned in. "I feel like I'm being watched."
"You are. Everyone is." Lilith's gaze swept the courtyard, noting the magic surveillance spheres floating at each corner of the towers. "Better get used to it."
They reached the southern courtyard, where rows of benches had been arranged around a grand marble fountain shaped like a wyvern in mid-flight. Other applicants were already seated, some chatting nervously, others sitting alone in tight-lipped silence.
Lilith picked a spot near the edge. Elias slid in beside her.
She caught snippets of conversation:
"—heard the Master Sera can burn a hole through a mountain—"
"—I swear my family paid extra to make sure I passed—"
"—I'll die if it's another political essay—"
Then came the voice that cleaved through the chatter like a dagger dipped in hot sauce.
"Move your asses. If I trip on one more of you spell-fondlers loitering around, I'm gonna hurl someone into the fountain."
A girl with shoulder length blonde hair stormed into the courtyard like she owned it. Her crimson jacket was open, revealing a scorched black tunic beneath, and a charred smell followed her like perfume. She had a smattering of burn scars across her knuckles and a glint of perpetual mischief in her amber eyes.
She spotted Lilith and Elias sitting alone and made a beeline toward them.
"You two look like you've got functional brain cells. Mind if I squat here before someone else with halitosis tries to befriend me?"
Lilith blinked. Elias leaned back, slightly alarmed.
"Sure..." Lilith said cautiously.
"Tamsin Roskey," the girl replied, plopping down beside them with a grunt. "Fire element. Chronic honesty problem. Occasional arsonist. Don't worry—none of that is contagious. I think."
Elias stared at her, wide-eyed. "...You're joking, right?"
Tamsin grinned. "Only about fifty percent of the time. You'll figure out which half when it's too late."
Lilith couldn't help a quiet snort of amusement.
Just then, a tall boy with dusty brown curls and a sturdy build approached, holding two paper scrolls.
"Tam. You left your damn registration papers. Again."
"Raffin, my savior," Tamsin said sweetly. "See? This is why I keep you around."
The boy named Raffin rolled his eyes and turned to Lilith and Elias. A longsword was strapped across his back, its hilt simple but well-maintained. "My apologies about her. My name is Raffin Jorde. Swordsman, and full-time damage control specialist."
Lilith nodded with a polite smile. "I am Lilith Silford. And this is my brother, Elias."
Tamsin narrowed her eyes. "Wait—Silford? As in Silford Duchy?"
Lilith gave a calm nod. "Yes. We're the Duke's children."
There was a pause. Even Tamsin blinked.
"Holy shit," she said bluntly. "You're the Silfords?"
Elias tilted his head, deadpan. "Why do people always sound like they're about to faint or curse when they find out?"
"Because you're practically royalty," Raffin said, clearly impressed. "Your father's one of the most powerful man in the Empire. Most nobles bow three times before even mentioning his name." Raffin chuckled under his breath, arms folding. "My father practically grovels when dealing with envoys from your Dutchy."
Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Your father?"
"Viscount Jorde," he replied. "I try not to ride the title unless I have to stop her from torching someone." he added, pointing towards Tamsin.
"I only did that once," Tamsin shot back. "And the guy definitely deserved it."
She turned back to Lilith with a grin. "I'm Baron Roskey's pride and pyromaniac. But don't worry—I don't bite unless I'm bored."
"Sounds like a great campaign slogan," Elias muttered dryly.
Tamsin barked a laugh. "Oh, I like the little one. He's got bite." She then gave Lilith a once-over. "You don't dress like a pompous ass, though. I like that. And you don't talk like you expect the floor to kiss your feet."
Lilith shrugged. "I'd trip on it if it tried."
"Damn," Tamsin muttered. "You're alright."
Raffin chuckled, recovering. "I still feel like I should apologize for making eye contact."
"Don't," Lilith said smoothly. "We're here to earn our place, not demand one."
Tamsin whistled. "That might be the most un-duke-daughter thing I've ever heard."
Elias smirked faintly. "That's because the rumors haven't met her yet."
Then came the toll of the bell—three clear chimes echoing across the campus. The courtyard fell silent.
A woman in deep violet robes stepped forward near the examination hall. "All applicants for the written portion, proceed into the building. No talking. No spells. No cheating. Violators will be disqualified immediately."
Tamsin cracked her knuckles. "Time to fake knowing politics."
Lilith rose with the elegance of a noble. The others followed, stepping into the hall one by one. The towering doors opened like the maw of some silent beast waiting to see who it would spit out... and who it might swallow whole.