That morning, the stone courtyard of Aurumblade Academy was filled with thousands of applicants. Their bodies pressed together, forming a restless sea of humanity. The air was thick with the mingled scent of sweat and morning dew, accompanied by hushed whispers of anxiety, confident laughter, and murmured prayers drifting toward the gray sky.
Satya stood in the middle of the crowd, clad in a gray tunic marked with the number 4728. His small frame was nearly lost among the faces filled with ambition. At only twelve years old, he was one of the youngest applicants. The dismissive glances from those around him made his heart shrink. His chest pounded so hard, it felt as if it might burst from within.
In front of them stood a woman in a golden robe, her hair tightly braided like a sword's hilt. She was Overseer Veyra. Her sharp, commanding gaze was enough to silence the crowd in an instant. Beside her stood the Holy Knights, resplendent in silver armor, their swords gleaming even though the sun was hidden behind clouds.
"Silence!" Veyra's voice boomed, magically amplified to shake the air. "You stand on sacred ground—Aurumblade, where Holy Knights are forged. Thousands of you have gathered today, but only three hundred will be accepted. This trial is not for the weak-hearted or the cowardly. If you doubt yourself, turn back now!"
Not a single person moved. Satya swallowed hard. His fingers clutched the edge of his tunic tightly, seeking stability amid the tension. Next to him stood Cassian—applicant number 4727, fourteen years old, with tousled brown hair damp with dew.
"Don't be scared, kid," Cassian whispered with a broad grin. "Leon believes in you. So do I. We'll pass this together."
Satya nodded, though his throat felt dry and words refused to come. He thought of Leon, his mentor, who had risked everything to bring him here. Yet among the competition—nobles in silk tunics, scarred village brawlers, and city youths with eyes blazing with ambition—Satya felt like a leaf tossed about in a storm.
Veyra struck her staff against the ground. A tremor spread from its tip, rippling through the entire courtyard. Blue runes lit up on the stones behind her, and slowly, the stone path disappeared. From within the morning mist, a staircase emerged—its steps made of gleaming black stone like obsidian, soaring high into the clouds.
At its peak stood a magnificent castle. Crystal towers glittered, surrounded by a golden light that dazzled the eyes.
"Behold, Castle Etherion!" Veyra declared proudly. "This Sky Castle is a wonder of the Kingdom of Asran, created by the legendary artifact—The Aether Gem. One of a kind, and only Aurumblade possesses it!"
Cassian nudged Satya excitedly. "You know, kid, that artifact is what keeps the castle floating forever. No other kingdom has anything like it. Cool, right?"
Satya could only nod, mouth agape in awe. But the awe didn't last long.
"Your first trial," Veyra continued, "is to reach Castle Etherion within sixty minutes! No magic, no artifacts. Only your physical strength. Twenty kilometers of floating stairs—filled with obstacles. Fail to reach the top in time, and you are eliminated!"
The crowd fell silent. Satya looked up—the staircase was wide at the base but narrowed as it rose, until only tiny footholds remained in the middle. Thick fog cloaked its center, concealing whatever lay ahead.
"Begin!"
Veyra's shout thundered across the courtyard. The crowd surged forward, racing toward the stairs like a stampede of wild beasts. Satya was swept along by the tide of bodies. His feet were nearly trampled, and he was already gasping for air after the first few steps. Ahead, Cassian sprinted with ease, his stronger frame climbing the early steps effortlessly.
"Come on, Satya! Don't fall behind!" he shouted before vanishing into the throng of gray tunics.
The first steps felt solid. But as Satya climbed higher, a subtle vibration began. Cold wind lashed his face, carrying the scent of metal and magic. He tried to recall Leon's advice: One step at a time, Satya. Don't look down. But curiosity took hold. He glanced sideways—and instantly regretted it. The staircase floated above a bottomless chasm, swirling gray mist far below.
A quarter of the way up, Satya began to feel hopeful. He had kept pace, though his breath was growing short. Then the staircase narrowed drastically, only two feet wide. Bodies jostled and shoved again. A scream rang out—a contestant had slipped and vanished into the fog.
"Do not worry, future Holy Knights!" Veyra's voice echoed once more. "My wind magic will catch those who fall. They won't be hurt—but they've failed!"
More screams followed. The stairs behind began to collapse, their stones crumbling like dust. Satya pushed himself harder. His hands trembled, knees shook. A tall noble in a silk tunic elbowed him aside.
"Out of the way, brat!" he barked. Satya nearly slipped, but caught himself on the stair's edge.
"Don't listen to him, Satya!" Cassian's voice called from somewhere ahead. "Focus!"
Halfway up, the staircase turned into a series of floating stones. The fog thickened. Satya had to leap from one stone to another, unable to see the next foothold. Wind buffeted him, threatening his balance. Some stones shattered just seconds after being stepped on.
"I can do this," he muttered, though his legs felt like jelly. He thought of his family—his father, mother, and older brother—all lost to a goblin raid. I can't fail. Not for them.
Suddenly, a stone ahead wobbled violently. Satya leapt, nearly fell, but caught the next stone in a desperate grip. Darius—a noble contestant from the capital—laughed beside him.
"You won't last, village boy. Go home!"
Satya didn't reply. He jumped again, and again, refusing to give up. Around him, others were falling—slipping, slowing down, or giving in to fear.
The fog slowly lifted. The gate to Castle Etherion appeared in the distance, its towers gleaming like stars.
With the last of his strength, Satya pushed forward. His legs burned, but he didn't stop. Finally, he landed on a stone platform before the gate. His breath came in gasps, and his body nearly collapsed.
Cassian stood there, grinning. "Turns out you didn't fail, kid! But you were slow. I got here ten minutes ago."
Satya panted. "Wasn't that hard," he said, trying to sound calm though his knees nearly buckled.
Veyra appeared before them, her golden robe billowing in the wind.
"One hour has passed!" she announced. "Two thousand of you have reached Etherion. The rest have failed. This year, you've been impressive—but the trial is not over. Follow me to the main hall for the next stage!"