Atelion stepped through the massive gates of Best Academy.
Stone arches engraved with golden runes stretched high into the sky, humming
faintly with residual mana. Students and instructors alike paused, sensing the
presence of the new arrival, though no one could yet grasp the depth of his
power.
The academy courtyard was alive with activity:
·
Sword apprentices sparred with precise strikes.
·
Magic students channeled mana into floating
constructs and runes.
·
Groups of scholars debated strategy and theory
under colonnades.
Atelion's gaze moved across them, measuring. Names, talents,
standings—irrelevant to him. What mattered was opportunity.
Entrance
Exams
The first challenge awaited. New students were tested on:
·
Aura control (swordsmen)
·
Mana manipulation (mages)
·
Strategy & theory (all)
Atelion observed quietly as other students overexerted themselves, forcing
aura and mana without discipline. The result: fatigue, mistakes, and
humiliation.
He stepped forward.
·
Aura flowed through him, smooth, precise, contained
perfectly.
·
Mana threaded through his core, silent,
restrained.
·
He executed the required challenges flawlessly,
but without spectacle.
Judges exchanged glances. One whispered, "Rare control… for a first-year."
First
Encounter with the Mage Rival
Inside the examination hall, Eryndor Valeis, ranked second
in magical aptitude, scowled as Atelion passed his magic trial effortlessly.
"You cheated," Eryndor spat, though no rule had been broken.
"I didn't," Atelion said calmly. "I only followed the principles."
This sparked the first of many rivalries, later softened into mutual
respect. Their early contests were marked by small pranks, magical duels, and
intellectual challenges.
First
Encounter with the Assassin
Outside the academy walls, exploring secret pathways, Atelion came across Kaien
Duskwalk, a figure lurking in shadows.
Kaien's dagger flashed, precise and lethal. Atelion's aura flared
defensively, then restrained, disarming Kaien with controlled strikes.
"I'm not here to kill," Atelion said. "But I'll defend myself."
This initial confrontation set the tone for their partnership: trust forged
through respect and capability rather than words.
Academy
Life Begins
·
Dormitories: Assigned by talent
specialization, yet Atelion was allowed special placement for dual-discipline
potential.
·
Mentors: First-year teachers
monitored his progression cautiously, unaware of his dual mastery.
·
Curriculum: Daily rigor
included sword techniques, mana theory, strategy, and history.
He also discovered the Founder's Crypt, a restricted
library filled with artifacts and ancient scrolls from the first hero. Already,
he realized the academy had secrets beyond what was taught.
Atelion walked through the halls, quietly calculating. This place was more
than a school—it was a nexus of knowledge, power, and influence.
And he intended to master every part of it.