The Academy loomed ahead, nestled atop a rocky plateau beyond the last sprawl of Valdareth. Unlike the orderly streets and luminous bridges of the city below, Astralis Academy felt alive in a different way — an organism forged from stone, crystal, and pulsing energy. Its black towers twisted unevenly, yet each floor radiated balance, and the entire complex hummed with faint resonance as though aware of every arriving candidate.
Nox adjusted the strap of his pack, scanning the intricate lattice of platforms, observation spires, and enclosed arenas. Unlike the city, which impressed through size and spectacle, the Academy inspired respect through purpose and design. Each structure had a function — combat halls, beast enclosures, resonance testing chambers — and their placements seemed carefully considered to amplify observation and challenge.
Raven, unusually quiet, trailed just behind him. "I don't hear anyone making noise," he muttered. "Feels… wrong. Too quiet for something this big."
Eldran didn't answer immediately. His gaze rested on the Academy gates, where enormous obelisks carved from obsidian pulsed faintly, each topped with a crystal sphere suspended in midair. "Silence is deliberate. The Masters here want focus, observation, control. Every candidate is being measured from the moment they step in."
Candidates were already converging toward the central registration hall, carrying small packs, tools, and resonance-infused devices. Whispers floated in the air, not from the city below, but from the candidates themselves: curiosity, assessment, and subtle intimidation.
Nox observed each movement carefully: the way a candidate's aura flickered when approached, how their body adjusted subconsciously, their micro-resonance pulses. Raven, as usual, focused more on sheer presence, fists glowing faintly as he stretched and warmed.
The registration hall was a massive chamber, circular, with high vaulted ceilings etched with luminous glyphs. Floating platforms descended from the center, each designed to scan candidates' resonance and record their baseline abilities. Masters in robes lined the perimeter, eyes glowing faintly with attunement, silently observing and making subtle notations.
A bell tolled, signaling the start of registration. Candidates stepped forward in turn, placing their hands on levitating glyph discs that hummed as they recorded aura patterns. The discs rotated slowly, sending faint pulses through each candidate, measuring resonance strength, intent alignment, and subtle skill variations.
Nox's pulse remained steady. He touched the glyph disc, letting his aura extend in controlled waves, perfectly attuning to the device. It pulsed brighter under his precision, noting command, control, and calculation.
Raven followed, slamming his hands onto the disc with raw intent. Energy surged violently, sending the glyphs spinning and glowing erratically. Some Masters frowned slightly, others allowed it, noting the unbridled power. Though impressive, the resonance data hinted at potential instability under complex conditions.
As the registration process continued, Nox noted patterns among the candidates.
One girl manipulated minor resonance threads with extreme precision, but her aura was weak in raw strength.
A broad-shouldered boy radiated chaotic energy, commanding attention even without overt gestures.
A cloaked figure barely moved, yet the aura around them seemed to warp subtly, like smoke in a breeze — unpredictable, unmeasurable.
Eldran leaned close to Nox. "Notice them. Their lineage, their training, the subtle behaviors. All these will matter in the trials. The Tower will punish the careless and reward observation."
Raven grunted. "I prefer smashing first, observing later."
Nox's eyes didn't leave the candidates. "You'll learn the difference soon."
By evening, the registration concluded. Candidates were assigned temporary identification bands: simple bracelets glowing faintly with unique resonance signatures. This marked them as participants in the entrance trials, allowing access to practice areas, stables, and observation zones.
The courtyard filled with the low murmur of discussion as candidates began gathering in small groups to observe their potential rivals. Nox wandered with Eldran's quiet guidance, studying minor beasts, practicing resonance calibration, and noting subtle environmental anomalies in the Academy grounds.
Raven, predictably, focused on testing the limits of his raw energy, startling minor spirits into obedience with bursts of intent. A Master nearby raised an eyebrow but allowed it — the boy's potential was undeniable, if unrefined.
The sunset bathed the Academy towers in red and gold, the glyphs along the walls flickering like firelight. Nox paused on a balcony overlooking the Tower, the central structure of the trials. Each floor pulsed with faint energy, waiting to assess the candidates' skills. It was a living, adaptive arena — a test of more than just power.
Eldran's voice came quietly. "Tomorrow, your trials begin. The first test will measure your Spirit compatibility. Pay attention, observe your peers, and attune yourself carefully. Intent and calculation will matter as much as raw ability."
Nox touched his talisman lightly, feeling the faint resonance of the Academy respond. "Understood," he murmured.
Raven cracked his knuckles beside him. "Good. Because I'm ready to show what real power looks like."
Above them, the Academy shimmered faintly under the evening sky, a silent sentinel waiting to judge every intent, every calculation, and every pulse of resonance that would pass through its halls the next day.