When the group of five arrived at the academy, they didn't know what to but they could feel it.
That weight in the air.
The pressure.
The buzzing tension that clung to their skin like static.
They had entered a different world and believed they were ready to challenge it and climb its heights.
No words were spoken when Professor Reverheart appeared before them, her cold eyes scanning over each face with surgical precision. Her silence spoke louder than any greeting. She simply turned and walked.
They followed honestly what could they do, something in them made them follow her.
Down marbled halls, beneath banners stitched with ancient crests, and through towering doors carved with the history of legacies none of them shared.
She led them into a chamber. And that's where it began.
Nobles.
Dozens of them.
Groomed. Perfect. Polished. Predatory.
Some watched the new arrivals with open disgust, narrowed eyes, quiet sneers while Others didn't even spare them a glance, as if the presence of commoners was so beneath them it didn't warrant recognition.
Seronio grinned.
He scanned every single arrogant face in the room and almost laughed. This? This was it? He had seen far worse in alley brawls and border skirmishes.
Being from the back alley gave them one thing that nobles didn't have and that's, guts. You have to survive. You have to fight if you want to be feared.
If they thought silence and silk robes could intimidate him they were going to learn something today. And that's they couldn't make them afraid.
Drax, meanwhile, cracked his knuckles.
His eyes scanned the room like a lion in a herd of deers. Tension like this? Pathetic. He was ready to break some bones even if it was his own.
Kade looked at his friends.
He sighed.
One long, quiet sigh as he stood between his two battle-hungry brothers. He could practically smell the impending chaos.
The stink of pride.
Of wounded egos.
Of opportunity.
He glanced sideways at them.
Seronio already looked like he was choosing which noble to offend first.
Drax? He looked like he was praying one of them would swing.
Kade rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Yeah... this is going to be a long day."
A new professor graced the stands. She was beautiful and probably made alot of nobles want her as their daughter. Even Kade was enticed.
Her long brown hair fell down her shoulders, she wore a obsidian battle robe that matched her black high hills.
Seronio whispered to Kade "you think she'll be our teacher."
But Kade could only smirk that would be something.
She spoke loud and taking everyone's attention "WELCOME. TODAY, YOU STAND WITHIN THESE WALLS OF THE ACADEMY. CAST OFF YOUR FAMILIES' SHADOWS, HERE, THEY WILL OFFER NO SAVING GRACE. YOUR WORTH WILL BE FORGED BY YOUR OWN BLOOD AND STEEL. WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, STEP FORWARD. YOUR FATE BEGINS NOW."
One by one the nobles were called up and placed their hands on a orb that gave away their attributes before the other professors placed them in classes.
Finally it was Drax turn, he flexed his muscles to his friends and marched forward as if he owned the damn floor that everyone stood on.
He looked at the professor infront of him, and smiled, his teeth shined and then he placed his hand on the orb.
Name: Drax Virethorn
Class: Martial Artist
Path: Unknown
Rank: B
Affinity: Wind | Sound
Attributes:
• Strength: 386 / 500
• Speed: 340 / 500
• Endurance: 469 / 500
• Aether: 3600 / 5200
• Will: 260 / 300
• Intellect: 150 / 200
Murmurs were heard throughout the hall and many nobles couldn't believe what they were seeing, a commoner placed in one of the high ranking classes. It was shocking.
The professors looked at this boy and smiled, unlike the nobles the professors didn't care well they did they hated commoners but if a student was strong they didn't care well some didn't.
Seronio was next and he was even worst because he actually flicked some nobles off.
Kade notices them visible changing red and he knew this just painted them as a target for nobles.
Seronio placed his hand on the orb and just like it did for drax it did the same for him
Name: Seronio Vermillion
Class: Lanceman
Path: ???
Rank: B
Affinities: Fire | Stellar
Attributes:
• Strength: 370/500
• Speed: 360/500
• Endurance: 456/500
• Aether: 3700/5200
• Will: 250/300
• Intellect: 135/200
Right on que, it was Kade turn. He walked up and yawned cause this was all just a hassle. He wanted to get this out the way and start learning.
Name: Kade Aetherion
Class: Swordsman (Variant)
Path: ???
Rank: B
Affinities: Lightning | Ice
Attributes:
• Strength: 360/500
• Speed: 386/500
• Endurance: 449/500
• Aether: 3800/5200
• Will: 250/300
• Intellect: 180/200
Later that evening, the trio was led through the academy's winding halls until they reached their dormitory. The room was large, but sparse three beds, three desks, and tall windows overlooking the training grounds. Sunlight faded over the stone walls, casting long shadows.
Seronio threw his bag on the nearest bed. "Now this feels real," he grinned.
Drax cracked his neck. "Hope the nobles sleep well tonight... they'll need it."
Kade dropped onto his bed, arms behind his head, eyes staring at the ceiling.
Let the games begin.