The examination hall had long since become a chaotic sea of emotions—relief, frustration, exhaustion. The first test, meant to be a swift assessment of talent, had stretched far longer than expected. With the sheer number of applicants, even the well-prepared academy supervisors found themselves overwhelmed.
The crystal orbs, enchanted to gauge one's engraving potential, had seen so many hands that several had shattered under the strain. The testing platforms bore faint cracks from the continuous bursts of energy. The instructors, composed at first, now had faint signs of weariness lining their expressions.
Yet, finally, it was over.
The last applicant removed their hand from the crystal, stepping back with bated breath as their results were displayed. Some murmured in pity, others in quiet admiration. But no one paid much attention anymore. The true prodigies had already been revealed.
As the supervisors convened to finalize the list of those who passed, the applicants were left to their own devices.
Elias stood apart, arms crossed, golden eyes scanning the thinning crowd with his usual detached amusement. Ryn, though silent, wore a contemplative expression—his mind undoubtedly replaying his own results, measuring himself against the competition.
Seraphina, seated elegantly, remained unreadable. If she noticed the lingering stares from other applicants, she gave no indication.
And then there was the stranger.
Or rather, Veyran.
A name that once carried weight and meaning. Though none here knew it, to him, it was a symbol—a reminder of everything that had been lost, and everything he intended to take back.
He stood in the shadows, unnoticed yet observing everything. His expression was one of indifference, yet his thoughts were anything but.
Too many competitors. Too many unknowns.
He had foreseen a difficult entry, but this… this was beyond expectation. Elias, Seraphina, and even Ryn had proven their strength. And there were others as well—hidden talents, quiet monsters lurking beneath ordinary exteriors.
His fingers tightened slightly.
The academy would not be an easy place to maneuver.
A sudden voice cut through the murmurs.
"The first test has concluded!"
The lead examiner, an elderly engraving master with an authoritative presence, stepped forward. Behind him, a younger assistant unrolled a long parchment.
"All those who have passed will be assigned temporary accommodations within the academy grounds. You will be provided food, lodging, and preparation time before the next examination."
The tension in the air finally eased. Those who had passed exhaled in relief. Those who had failed clenched their fists, faces filled with unwillingness.
As names were read, one by one, the successful applicants stepped forward, receiving their official identification plaques.
Elias. Seraphina. Ryn. Veyran.
The chosen few, now set upon the path of engraving mastery.
As the group was led toward their new lodgings, Veyran's mind remained cold and calculating.
This is only the beginning.
* * *
The fading sun cast long shadows over the academy's towering gates as the successful applicants were led inside. The sheer scale of the institution was overwhelming—an entire district dedicated to the pursuit of engraving mastery. Grand halls carved with intricate inscriptions lined the pathways, glowing faintly with stored energy, while towering spires reached skyward, their surfaces engraved with glyphs that pulsed with hidden power.
Ryn's eyes flickered with excitement as he took it all in. This place wasn't just an academy; it was a fortress of knowledge, a sanctuary for those seeking power through inscriptions.
Beside him, Elias remained indifferent. Seraphina walked ahead, her heavenly beauty standing out even among the crowd, while Veyran trailed behind, his mind already dissecting the academy's layout.
A group of academy instructors waited for them at the entrance to a vast courtyard, where several dormitories stood in neat rows.
"These will be your temporary lodgings," one instructor announced. His voice carried authority, yet there was no warmth in his tone. "Tomorrow, you will be given your schedules and further details about the upcoming tests. For now, rest."
No further instructions were given. The applicants were left to find their own way.
Ryn glanced at the dormitory buildings. Unlike the grand architecture of the main academy, these were far more utilitarian—sturdy, practical, but unadorned. A reminder that none of them had truly earned a place here yet.
Elias, uninterested in further conversation, was the first to enter. Seraphina followed, her movements graceful yet purposeful.
Veyran took his time, scanning the other applicants, memorizing faces and mannerisms. Already, he was classifying them into threats, tools, or background figures.
Inside, the dormitories were simple—each room containing a bed, a wooden desk, and a storage chest. No luxuries.
Ryn found his assigned room, stepping inside and exhaling. He sat on the bed, fingers brushing against the engraving tools placed neatly on the desk.
The real challenge begins now.
Elsewhere, Veyran stood by his window, gazing at the academy's towering spires.
I will carve my path to the top—no matter what it takes.