The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows across the academy's courtyard as Lyanna walked toward the carriage that would take her back to the estate. Eryndor fell into step beside her, heart heavy with the unspoken words he felt pressing against his chest.
"Be careful," she said softly, her fingers brushing against his arm. "Stormcrest isn't like home. You'll face people stronger than you've ever imagined."
Eryndor's gaze lingered on her, the wind tugging gently at his hair, the faint hum of Ember Tier electricity along his hands. He took a step closer. "I'll be fine. I… I have to be."
Lyanna looked at him, her expression softening. Before she could speak, Eryndor leaned in, pressing his lips against hers in a brief, steady kiss. It was a mixture of promise and farewell, of reassurance and longing.
When they parted, Lyanna smiled faintly, though her eyes glimmered with unshed emotion. "Go show them what you're made of," she whispered.
Eryndor nodded, taking a deep breath. The wind seemed to carry her words forward as he turned toward the academy. The gates had closed behind her, leaving him with only the sprawling halls, the training grounds, and the unknown challenges that awaited.
The academy felt alive in a way he hadn't anticipated. Students practiced in every courtyard, some wielding elemental magic, others performing intricate martial sequences, and many blending the two in ways that made Eryndor's pulse quicken. He could already feel his Ember Tier abilities responding to the energy around him, the wind tugging at his coat, lightning crackling faintly along his fingers.
A teacher approached, scroll in hand. "Eryndor," she said, her voice calm yet commanding, "you will settle into your dormitory first. The trials begin tomorrow. All new students are expected to participate. Names will be called at random. Only the top ten performers will advance to the final round."
Eryndor nodded, absorbing the information. He had heard of the academy's ranks: students were classified by novice, adept, elite, and master levels, with Ember Tier and above marking the threshold for true competitiveness. His own goal was clear: surpass every expectation, master his dual affinities, and carve a path toward the top ranks where the academy's elite tested their limits.
The dormitory was modest but well-equipped, a small window overlooking the training grounds. Eryndor unpacked his few belongings, letting the hum of wind and lightning settle within him. He ran through mental drills of Pulse Step, Arc Lash, Nerve Ignite, and Gale Feint, visualizing how he would adapt to the trials ahead.
The next morning, the courtyard was alive with energy. Students lined up as the teachers called names at random.
"Eryndor!"
He stepped forward, feeling the eyes of dozens of peers on him. Around him, others performed preliminary drills, showcasing elemental bursts, martial skill, and hybrid combinations. Names were called—some answered confidently, others hesitated.
The combat trial began in waves: students faced off in hand-to-hand matches, elemental sparring, or combined tests of agility and strategy. Eryndor's first matches were against students of varying skill, testing his Ember Tier control and Eightfold Flow adaptability in live combat.
With each encounter, he learned more—not just about his abilities, but about the caliber of talent here. Some students moved with a natural rhythm that rivaled his own, while others exhibited raw elemental power that demanded respect.
At the end of the preliminary rounds, the teacher announced, "The top ten will advance. Performances will be judged not only on victory but on adaptation, control, and creativity."
Eryndor exhaled, letting a faint spark of lightning dance along his fingers. He had survived the initial wave—but he knew the real test was coming. Only ten would reach the final round, and only there would he face the elite of Stormcrest Academy.
He glanced at the dormitory window, recalling Lyanna's farewell. Her words and the weight of Ember Tier coursing through him fueled a quiet determination. He would rise. He would adapt. And he would master everything Stormcrest had to offer.