Six months passed in what felt like a fleeting moment. The battles, the training, and the countless hours Kaelen spent honing his swordsmanship had shaped him more than he realized. And now, at last, the three siblings stood before the gates of the Grand Arcanum Academy.
The uniforms were crisp and formal:
The boys wore dark maroon jackets with silver trim, tailored black trousers, and white shirts beneath. A slim tie was fixed neatly at the collar, with a crest stitched proudly at the chest.
The girls wore the matching maroon jacket, paired with a black skirt lined with white frills. A ribbon, tied in neat layers at the throat, marked the academy's signature design.
Allaric and Lyra's golden-blonde hair and green eyes gleamed in the morning light, drawing more than a few curious glances from other students. Kaelen, in contrast, stood out in his own way — his jet-black hair and dark eyes flecked with a faint blue tint seemed to draw shadows to him, making him look more mysterious.
At their waists hung their weapons: Kaelen and Allaric both carried swords, while Lyra held her staff. In addition, Kaelen wore a small wand strapped neatly at his hip.
The Opening Ceremony
The siblings entered the vast auditorium, where hundreds of first-year students had gathered. The hall was lit by glowing crystals suspended high above, their light reflecting off banners bearing the academy's crest.
At the front stood the Student Council President, a tall boy with sharp features and an aura of natural confidence. As the chatter faded, he stepped forward and began his speech:
"Welcome, new students of the Grand Arcanum Academy. You have stepped into a place where talent will be forged into strength, and strength will be tempered into purpose. Here, your worth will not be measured by birth, nor by the wealth of your families—but by your skill, your determination, and your will to grow. Each of you carries a spark. Whether that spark becomes a flame... or a star that reshapes the world, is up to you. Work hard, push your limits, and let this academy be the crucible of your future."
Applause erupted across the auditorium, though Kaelen felt an odd prickle of energy, as though someone's gaze lingered on him again.
The ceremony ended, and the new students were led to the testing grounds. Each would be evaluated in two stages:
Magical Aptitude
Combat Application
This determined their class placements: from S-Class (the elite) down to D-Class.
Magic Aptitude Test
Lyra stepped up first. She placed her hand upon the crystal sphere. It glowed faintly, colors swirling within before stabilizing into three hues: white, pale blue, and golden sparks.
"Attributes: Light, Ice, Lightning." the examiner announced.
Next came Allaric. His test produced a crimson glow flaring with golden sparks.
"Attributes: Fire, Lightning."
The other students began their turns:
Mira Velthorne – Water, Ice
Darius Fenwick – Wind, Fire
Clara Nivelle – Earth, Water
Renald Korrin – Lightning, Wind
The crowd murmured, impressed by some, underwhelmed by others.
Then, the girl Kaelen had met before stepped forward.
Her blonde hair was braided neatly, and the academy's maroon uniform made her emerald eyes glow even brighter. With the ribbon tied at her chest, she looked both graceful and dignified. She placed her hand on the sphere—immediately, its light exploded outward, cycling through color after color before stabilizing into a dazzling array.
"Selianne Thalorie... attributes: Holy Magic, Light, Ice, Lightning, Water, Wind."
A hush fell over the room. Six affinities—beyond exceptional.
But then, it was Kaelen's turn.
He stepped forward silently, placing his hand upon the sphere. At once, it convulsed violently, light spilling across the chamber like a living storm.
The examiner staggered back as voice after voice whispered in awe:
"Impossible..."
"All elements?!"
"Kaelen Arclight—aptitudes: Light, Fire, Ice, Lightning, Wind, Earth, Water, Dark, Holy Magic... and Shadow."
The sphere flickered once more, showing an unknown, chaotic hue before shattering into pieces.
The examiner stood speechless. "There... there's something else too. But I cannot identify it."
From a hidden balcony, Rudra, observing in silence, allowed himself a faint grin. Finally... a student worth watching.
Combat Demonstration
The second stage began in the training arena. Dummies infused with layered defensive barriers were lined up, designed to measure raw power and precision.
Lyra went first. She conjured a small Photon Bullet, carefully holding back her true strength. It struck the dummy with a flash, carving a deep crater into its chest though failing to pierce fully.
Allaric followed. His blade ignited with fire magicules, and with a powerful swing, he cleaved diagonally from shoulder to hip. A massive gash tore into the dummy, sparks flying as smoke rose from the cut.
Students followed one by one, results ranging from minor scratches to powerful strikes.
Selianne stepped forward, calm and collected. She lifted her staff, holy magic flowing through her veins. A pure white lightning bolt, infused with divine light, erupted forward. The strike tore into the dummy, scorching through its chest with more force than Lyra's photon bullet.
Then came Kaelen.
He raised no staff, only a single finger as light and lightning interwove, condensing into a glowing arrow. Activating All-Seeing Eye: Chrono-Dissector, he calculated the exact release speed for maximum impact.
He fired.
The arrow shot forward with a deafening crack, shattering the sound barrier. A sonic boom tore across the field, and the dummy's upper body disintegrated into fragments, leaving nothing but scorched remains.
The entire arena fell silent.
"...M-Move recorded," the stunned examiner muttered.
The tests ended, and the students were given several hours before the rankings would be posted. Kaelen, Lyra, and Allaric headed into town, where they unexpectedly crossed paths with Selianne.
Seeing her walking alone, Lyra offered a smile. "Want to join us?"
Selianne hesitated, but eventually nodded. At the restaurant, over steaming plates, Lyra discovered the truth—Selianne was the last daughter of the Thalorie house, a noble line that had fallen due to a rival family's vengeance.
Though her words carried dignity, the pain beneath them was clear.
By evening, the academy courtyard filled once again as results were posted.
S-Class: 25 students in total. Names called included—
Kaelen Caelthorn
Selianne Thalorie
Lyra Caelthorn
Allaric Caelthorn
Mira Velthorne
Darius Fenwick
Clara Nivelle
Renald Korrin
...and others.
The rankings were as follows:
Kaelen Caelthorn
Selianne Thalorie
Lyra Caelthorn
Mira Velthorne
Allaric Caelthorn
The instructor closed the announcement with a single sentence:
"From tomorrow onward, your true journey begins.