The gates of Zenith Academy were enormous—so tall Mael had to tilt his head back just to see the top. Sunlight glinted off the carved statues frozen mid-battle along the spires. The air was thick with energy, essence buzzing around every student like fireflies in a storm.
Mael's heart thumped. He'd trained under Gaius Styl for years, but walking into the academy made him feel small. Not because he wasn't strong—but because everyone else here thought they were strong.
> "Remember, Mael," Gaius had said that morning, voice low but firm. "Keep your Tier 6 under wraps. Don't let anyone know how strong you really are. Trust me, it'll only cause trouble."
Mael nodded. He understood. The last thing he needed was students whispering about him, plotting, or trying to challenge him just because he was "too strong."
---
The Test of Ascendance started quietly. It wasn't flashy—just students levitating small objects, moving them precisely, showing control. Most of them struggled to keep their stones or wooden blocks hovering steadily.
Mael stepped up. His stone orb rose, then hovered perfectly in place. But he didn't bend space around it too obviously—he kept it subtle, small ripples that only he could feel. No one noticed. Perfect.
> Good. They see effort, not power, he thought.
---
Next was the obstacle course. Kael Draven was his partner, lightning crackling around his hands like a storm.
> "So, you're the mysterious one," Kael said, grinning. "Try not to get in my way."
Mael smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I won't."
The course began. Kael zipped past swinging logs, floating platforms, and elemental blasts. Mael moved carefully, subtly adjusting the timing of hazards with tiny shifts in space—enough to stay safe, but not enough for anyone to notice his real power.
Kael stumbled a few times, shaking his head.
> "Wait… what? How—?"
> "Focus," Mael muttered, shrugging.
Inside, he grinned. That's the fun part. Keeping his power hidden made him feel… clever.
---
Then he noticed Serenya Vale, her Abstract Threads of Fate shimmering faintly, watching him.
> "Your aura… it's different," she said softly. "Strong, precise… but unstable."
Mael blinked. "Uh… thanks?"
Her gaze lingered. "We'll see who grows faster."
He couldn't shake the feeling she'd be important later.
---
Finally, the teacher, Professor Lyrian, stepped forward. Robes glimmered faintly with multiple essences.
> "Essence is unique," she said. "Even the same type manifests differently in each person. Your control defines your rank, your survival, and your legacy. Strength alone is not mastery. Patience, awareness, understanding… these are what matter."
Mael listened carefully. He didn't have to reveal his Tier 6; he just had to understand it—and that was what mattered.
From the shadows, Lucien Umbraxis watched silently, dark essence coiling like smoke.
> So this is the one they whisper about… Interesting, he thought.
The hall emptied. Whispers trailed Mael, but they didn't know the full truth. Only he did. Only Gaius did.
Kael clapped him on the shoulder.
> "Looks like we're stuck together, Stylo. Don't think I'm letting you steal all the spotlight."
Serenya nodded quietly.
Mael looked at the mountains outside the window, the sun glinting off distant peaks. This wasn't just school—it was a proving ground.
And deep down, he knew: he wasn't here to survive. He was here to rise.
---