The Imperial City was… alive.
That was the first thing Remiel noticed.
Not just because of the people, the voices, or the constant movement filling the streets—
But because of the energy.
Something invisible, yet ever-present, flowed through everything.
As if the world itself was breathing.
---
Laylah walked ahead, unhurried.
Unlike before, when she moved by distorting space, her steps were now normal.
Almost as if she was… deliberately slowing down.
---
— Try not to look completely lost — she said, without turning back.
---
Remiel didn't respond.
His eyes moved constantly.
Observing.
Absorbing.
---
Tall structures made of white stone and gleaming metal rose around them.
Some were carved with intricate symbols.
Others… pulsed faintly with energy.
---
People passed by them.
Some looked ordinary.
Others—
Clearly not.
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A man with eyes entirely blue, like flowing water.
A woman with faint sparks of electricity dancing across her fingers.
Another… whose mere presence made the air feel heavier.
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— Different Paths — Laylah said, as if reading his thoughts.
---
Remiel shifted his gaze to her.
---
— The Wheel of Divinity isn't just about leveling up.
---
She gestured subtly around them.
---
— It's about choosing how you ascend.
---
They turned into a wider street.
The crowd grew denser as they moved forward.
---
— There are many Paths — she continued.
— But one of the most common… is the Elemental Path.
---
Remiel remained silent.
---
— Fire, water, wind, earth… — she counted on her fingers.
— Light and darkness.
— Lightning.
---
A brief pause.
---
— And ice.
---
She glanced at him.
---
— Though ice… is usually considered a variation of water.
---
Remiel absorbed the information.
---
— Each Path has its own strengths… and its own risks.
---
— Risks?
---
— The further you go… the more the Path influences you.
---
Her tone became slightly more serious.
---
— Fire users become more aggressive.
— Those of darkness… more unstable.
— Light… more rigid.
---
She gave a faint smile.
---
— Space… too curious.
---
Remiel showed no reaction.
---
— And you? — she asked suddenly.
— Do you feel anything?
---
Silence.
---
He closed his eyes briefly.
---
That green energy.
Unstable.
Incomplete.
---
— No.
---
Laylah narrowed her eyes.
---
— Hm…
---
She didn't seem fully convinced.
But she didn't press further.
---
They continued walking.
---
Gradually—
the city changed.
---
The streets became more organized.
Cleaner.
More… controlled.
---
Ahead—
a massive gate came into view.
---
Tall.
Imposing.
Engraved with ancient symbols.
---
— We're here — Laylah said.
---
Remiel lifted his gaze.
---
Above the gate—
a name.
---
Academy of Destiny.
---
A faint pressure lingered in the air.
Not hostile.
But enough to make one thing clear—
---
This place… was not ordinary.
---
— This is where everything begins — Laylah continued.
---
They approached the entrance.
Other people were already there.
Young individuals.
Some confident.
Others visibly nervous.
---
— The entrance exam will start soon.
---
Remiel observed in silence.
---
— It's divided into two parts — she explained.
— A written test… and combat.
---
— Written?
---
— Knowledge about the Wheel of Divinity, Paths, history…
---
She shrugged.
---
— Basic stuff.
---
Remiel remained silent.
---
— And the combat?
---
— Simple.
---
She looked at him.
---
— Survive… and prove your worth.
---
A brief pause.
---
— Which means it's not simple at all.
---
Remiel continued to observe the area.
---
— There's another way to enter — Laylah added.
---
— What is it?
---
— Recommendation.
---
She crossed her arms.
---
— Certain influential figures can nominate candidates.
— If accepted… they get in directly.
---
— Influence…
---
— This world runs on that too.
---
Silence.
---
A group passed by them.
Wearing distinct uniforms.
More refined.
---
Some glanced toward Laylah.
---
Recognition.
---
— You know them?
---
— More or less — she replied casually.
— Rankings.
---
— Rankings?
---
She smiled faintly.
---
— Inside the academy… and outside… there are classification systems.
---
— The main one is the Top 10.
---
Remiel paid closer attention.
---
— The ten strongest.
— Young talents with the highest potential.
---
— And above that?
---
Laylah paused briefly.
---
Her gaze shifted.
---
— The Eternals.
---
Silence.
---
— Four.
---
— The four strongest individuals in the entire Aether Continent.
---
Even without emotion—
Remiel understood.
---
Those titles…
carried weight.
---
— No one knows their limits.
---
She continued walking.
---
— Some say they've surpassed the normal Sequences.
---
— Normal Sequences…
---
— Rumors — she said quickly.
---
But she didn't deny it.
---
Remiel stored the information.
---
His gaze returned to the academy.
---
— Everything revolves around the Wheel of Divinity.
---
Laylah nodded.
---
— Always.
---
A brief pause.
---
— Power, status, survival…
— Everything.
---
The wind passed through the area.
---
Remiel remained silent.
---
He still didn't remember who he was.
Or what he had lost.
---
But one thing was clear—
---
This world…
had rules.
---
And he…
needed to understand them.
---
— Laylah.
---
She turned slightly.
---
— Hm?
---
— This place…
---
His eyes focused on the academy gates.
---
— Will it give me answers?
---
She smiled.
---
— Some.
---
A pause.
---
— The most important ones… you'll have to find yourself.
---
Silence.
---
Remiel gave a slight nod.
---
Then—
he stepped forward.
---
Toward the Academy of Destiny.
---
The beginning of something new.
---
And perhaps—
---
The first step…
to reclaim everything he had lost.