Over the next months, the Shmidt family fell into a steady rhythm at the inn. Dawn light filtered through gauzy curtains as Leo traced intricate magical patterns in the air. Across the room, Elly mirrored his movements, her face scrunched in concentration. Blue energy sparkled between their fingertips.
"Your control's improving." Leo watched Elly shape a sphere of pure magic. "The edges are smoother now."
In the courtyard, wooden swords cracked against each other. The Shmidt brothers circled each other, life energy crackling around their blades. Sweat darkened their shirts despite the cool morning air.
"Keep your guard up, Felix!" Greg stepped inside his brother's reach. Their swords locked with a thunderous crack.
Elen worked through his own forms nearby. His massive frame flowed from stance to stance, each movement precise and measured. Life energy rippled off him in waves that made the grass bend.
Days bled into weeks. Progress came in small increments - a spell held longer, a stance became more refined, an energy pathway strengthened. No dramatic breakthroughs, but their power grew steadily stronger.
"Your magic power increased." Leo nodded at Elly's latest demonstration. "You can maintain spells longer now."
The brothers' sparring matches lasted longer, their techniques sharper. Even Elen moved with renewed precision, decades of experience enhanced by fresh insights.
They trained until exhaustion each day, pushing their limits inch by inch. The inn's other guests grew used to the sight of them - the family that practiced from dawn to dusk, driven by some unnamed purpose.
The autumn leaves scattered across the cobblestones as Leo unfolded the imperial proclamation. Three wax seals adorned the bottom - the crown of the Royal Academy, the sword of the Military Academy, and the staff of the Power and Magic Academy.
"They're holding open days next week." Leo spread the notice on the breakfast table. "Each academy picked a different day."
Elly leaned over his shoulder, her green eyes scanning the elegant script. "The Power and Magic Academy is first, then Military, then Royal."
"We should visit all three." Elen's chair creaked under his weight. "Get a feel for each place before making any decisions."
Greg tore into a fresh loaf of bread. "Military Academy's the only real choice. Best combat training in the empire."
"For muscle-heads like you two, maybe." Elly shot her brothers a look. "Some of us prefer more refined pursuits."
Felix flexed dramatically. "Nothing refined about magic when you're face-down in the dirt."
"The Power and Magic Academy produces the empire's strongest mages." Leo traced the staff seal with his finger. "Their barrier techniques are unmatched."
"Royal Academy's got the best connections though." Elen scratched his beard. "Half the imperial court studied there."
"Three days, three academies." Leo rolled up the proclamation. "We'll tour each one, then decide."
"The competition will be fierce." Elly's voice dropped.
"Good thing we've been training." Leo met her worried gaze. "We're ready to show them what the Shmidt family can do."
The proclamation made its way around the table, each family member studying the details. Three chances to secure their future. Three paths that could shape their destiny.
Leo set down his cup of tea, his blue eyes thoughtful. "The knight path isn't as difficult to start late. Life energy responds well to physical training and discipline."
"That's why the military takes recruits up to eighteen." Greg punched Felix's shoulder. "Raw strength can be refined."
"Magic is different." Leo's fingers traced patterns in the air. "Without proper breathing techniques and meditation from childhood, most struggle to increase their magic power. Noble families pass down their methods through generations. Most candidates at the academies will either have no magic ability or barely scratch first circle apprentice level. They're starting from nothing, fumbling in the dark."
"Meanwhile, you two have been practicing proper techniques for years." Elen crossed his massive arms. "That gives you an edge."
"The basic foundations matter more than raw talent." Leo created a small sphere of brown energy. "A weak mage who understands proper meditation will progress faster than a gifted one who doesn't know how to breathe correctly."
"So we're ahead of the curve?" Elly mirrored Leo's sphere with her own.
"Far ahead. Most noble families hoard their techniques. They don't share with outsiders." Leo dispersed his magic. "Even at the academies, they teach watered-down versions."
Felix scratched his head. "Sounds complicated."
"That's why you're perfect for the Military Academy." Elly smirked at her brother. "No thinking required."
Felix slumped in his chair. "Doesn't matter which academy's best for us anyway. We're too old."
"Academy highest age is eighteen." Greg's shoulders sagged. "We passed that mark years ago."
Leo set down his cup. "I forgot. You're both in your twenties."
"Could have mentioned that before we got excited about touring them." Felix pushed away from the table.
Elen cleared his throat. "The army still takes direct recruits. Your combat skills-"
"Won't get us officer positions." Greg's fist clenched. "Not without academy training."
"We'll find another way." Leo's blue eyes narrowed. "The academies aren't the only path to power."
"Easy for you to say." Felix stood. "You and Elly are the right age. Perfect timing for both of you."
Elly reached for her brother's arm. "Felix..."
"No, he's right." Greg pushed back his chair. "You two focus on the academies. We'll figure something else out."
The next few days passed in a blur of preparation.
The brothers threw themselves into training with renewed intensity. Their sparring matches grew fiercer, life energy crackling across the courtyard in violent bursts. Other guests at the inn gave them a wide berth.
The night before the Power and Magic Academy's open day, Leo found Elly in the garden. She sat cross-legged beneath an oak tree, her water sphere wobbling between her palms.
"Your control's slipping." He settled beside her. "You're overthinking it."
"What if I'm not ready?" The sphere flickered. "Most applicants come from noble families."
"Most applicants can barely form a water sphere." Leo steadied her hands. "Focus on what you can do, not what others might do."
"But-"
"Remember when you couldn't even sense magic? Now look at you." He guided her through the breathing exercise. "You've already surpassed what most nobles achieve in years of private tutoring."
The sphere stabilized, glowing softly in the darkness. Elly's shoulders relaxed.
"Better." Leo stood, brushing dirt from his pants. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be interesting."
Dawn broke over Merham's spires as the Shmidt family gathered in the inn's common room. Elly wore her best dress, hair neatly braided. Leo adjusted the collar of his formal jacket.
"Ready?" Elen asked.
Leo nodded. "The Power and Magic Academy here we come!"