The Melika Realm...
The news spread faster than the wind.
The Grand Academy had opened its gates once more.
Within days, every major city, sect, clan, empire, and guild branch buzzed with excitement.
For many...
It was merely another entrance examination.
For those who truly understood the Academy's history...
It was the beginning of a new era.
Every twelve years...
The Academy accepted a new generation.
Only one generation.
Miss it...
And another twelve-year wait awaited.
---
Gardenia Empire
Within the Royal Palace...
Alya's sword flashed like a streak of crimson lightning.
Bang!
A practice dummy exploded into countless splinters.
She lowered her sword and smiled triumphantly.
"I finally did it!"
Her instructor nodded with satisfaction.
"Your control has improved considerably, Princess."
Before Alya could celebrate further...
A royal attendant hurried into the training grounds.
"Your Highness!"
"The invitation has awakened."
Alya froze.
"...Already?"
The attendant nodded.
"The Emperor requests your presence."
Without another word...
She dashed toward the palace.
---
Elsewhere...
Inside the Royal Library...
Ethan quietly turned another page of an ancient book.
His calm demeanor hadn't changed despite the years.
The library doors opened.
A royal knight bowed.
"Second Prince."
"The invitation has awakened."
Ethan closed the book gently.
"I understand."
As he rose to his feet, his gaze lingered on the final sentence of the page.
«"Knowledge is the first weapon of every wise ruler."»
He smiled faintly.
Then walked away.
---
Black Lotus Sanctuary
Deep within the fortress...
A black token hidden beneath Cassian's bed suddenly emitted a gentle silver glow.
He stared at it silently.
"So..."
"It's finally time."
He picked it up carefully.
For years...
He had waited for this day.
A knock sounded.
"Outer Disciple Cassian."
"The Sanctuary Master requests your presence."
Cassian slipped the token into his robes.
His eyes shone with quiet determination.
"Yes."
---
Valeria Empire
Snow gently fell across the Imperial Garden.
Selene stood beside a frozen lake.
Years had passed.
Yet her ethereal beauty remained untouched by time.
A maid approached respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
"The Grand Academy has begun accepting candidates."
Selene looked toward the distant horizon.
"So..."
"The children have reached that age."
A faint smile appeared upon her otherwise indifferent face.
"I wonder..."
"...what kind of generation this one will become."
---
Gandis Empire
"Hahaha!"
The palace echoed with laughter.
Dimitri sat upon his throne with one leg resting over the armrest.
"So the old Headmaster finally woke up."
Javier sighed.
"You've been saying that for three days."
"Because it's amusing."
Dimitri stood.
"Prepare the gifts."
Javier blinked.
"...Gifts?"
"For our future students."
"...Plural?"
Dimitri grinned.
"I've got a feeling..."
"This generation will be interesting."
---
Hidden Valley
Kieran quietly swept the front of the cottage.
Nothing around him suggested that today was different.
Until...
A soft pulse spread through the valley.
He looked up.
Crystal had suddenly stopped what she was doing.
Kael's playful expression disappeared.
Even the birds fell silent.
From inside the cottage...
A gentle golden light shone.
Crystal slowly walked inside.
Resting upon the wooden table...
Lay an ancient invitation.
Its surface was neither paper nor metal.
It resembled polished white jade.
Golden runes shimmered across its surface before slowly arranging themselves into elegant words.
To the one acknowledged by the Grand Academy...
The gates shall open beneath the first full moon of spring.
Present this invitation at the Hall of Admissions.
May your journey bring honor to Gaia.
The light gradually faded.
Kieran stared at it.
"Mama..."
"How did it get here?"
Crystal picked up the invitation.
"It has always been here."
"You simply couldn't see it."
He tilted his head.
"I don't understand."
She smiled gently.
"The invitations of the Grand Academy aren't delivered."
"They choose where to wait."
---
Kieran remained silent.
Somehow...
That explanation only made the Academy seem even more mysterious.
---
Far away...
Within the Grand Academy...
The Headmaster stood before an enormous celestial formation.
Hundreds of invitations floated peacefully around him.
Most glowed white.
Some glowed blue.
A handful shone silver.
Only one...
Radiated an ancient golden light.
The elderly Headmaster looked at it quietly.
"So..."
"You truly found someone."
An old woman standing beside him frowned.
"Headmaster..."
"I've never seen a golden invitation."
He nodded slowly.
"Neither has anyone alive."
She looked alarmed.
"Should we investigate?"
The Headmaster shook his head.
"No."
"The Academy does not chase destiny."
"It prepares for those chosen by it."
He looked toward the eastern skies.
Toward the Gardenia Empire.
Toward a valley hidden from the world.
A smile slowly appeared.
"I look forward to meeting you..."
"...young Listener."
The golden invitation pulsed once.
As if answering him.
And somewhere beyond the countless mountains of Melika...
The wheels of fate began turning ever faster.
A new generation had received the Academy's call.
Soon...
Their stories would no longer unfold apart.
They would begin to intertwine.
End of Chapter 46