As Alex and the other students followed Teacher Emilia into the Elemental Excellence Academy's grand hall, the clamoring chatter about credits came to an abrupt halt. Silence washed over the group as they stepped inside—stunned, motionless.
Above them, the high vaulted ceiling opened into what looked like a living sky.
Real clouds drifted lazily overhead, parting to reveal majestic fire dragons soaring through the air, their wings outstretched as they breathed flames in wide arcs. Fire phoenixes glided gracefully, trailing blazing patterns of gold and crimson. A radiant white phoenix danced around a cloud, while an ice phoenix followed behind, scattering snowflakes in her wake. A lion with shimmering feathers stood on a drifting cloud, roaring soundlessly, its presence regal and immense. Slithering through the sky, a feathered serpent with blood-red plumes weaved between the clouds, its eyes gleaming with ancient power.
But Alex's eyes were drawn elsewhere.
