Chapter:6
The golden gates of Aflety Magic Academy towered over the candidates like a massive monument carved from myth itself. Pillars of marble etched with ancient beast sigils stood guard as if to judge the worthiness of those who dared step past. The air was thick with anticipation, pride, and the aura of competition.
Evan stood still for a moment, eyes lifting to the etched name of the academy carved in silver above the gates.
"Aflety…" he whispered, a blend of awe and tension in his voice.
He tightened the cloak around his shoulders. It bore the crest of the Rochel family—a silver basilisk entwined with stars. His presence had already attracted murmurs from those nearby.
"That's the Rochel heir."
"He's the one with the Divine Beast…"
"They say the egg hatched just a few months ago."
"Think he'll be number one?"
Evan tried to drown out the whispers, focusing on his breath. He wasn't here to impress anyone. He had one goal: understand this world, his bond with his beast, and himself.
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Inside Aflety's Hall
Dozens of candidates were gathered inside the grand assembly chamber. Each wore their house insignia or family crest. The room glowed from floating magical lanterns, casting soft hues of elemental light—symbolizing the Twelve Elements of magic: Nature, Water, Fire, Wind, Time, Darkness, Light, Ice, Earth, Space, Belt, and Metal.
A figure descended from the dais. His robes shimmered like woven starlight, and a beast—half lion, half phoenix—rested behind him.
"I am Lord Gawain," the man's voice echoed. "Grandmaster of Aflety Magic Academy, and Supreme Beast Tamer of the Empire."
All conversation ceased.
"Today," he continued, "is not just about magic. It is about heart. Bond. Will. The entrance exam will test these three. Survive—not with might—but with mastery."
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The First Exam: Elemental Resonance
The first part of the test was simple on paper—step into the Elemental Ring and awaken your natural affinity. But Evan knew nothing in this world came easy.
Candidates took turns stepping onto the ancient rune circle. Runes flared with elemental colors depending on their affinity. Silva Elowen, a noble elven girl with long mint-green hair, stepped forward.
The ring flashed Nature and Wind.
"As expected of the Elowen house."
Then came Gareth Ironfang—a towering beastman whose strength rattled the floor.
His ring burst into Fire and Metal.
Then Cassia Belvane stepped in. Dressed in moonlight silk, her black eyes flared with intensity. The ring pulsed with Ice and Darkness.
Finally, Evan stepped forward.
The crowd hushed.
He exhaled and placed a hand on his chest. His connection to the Basilisk flared subtly, a heartbeat in tune with his own.
The ring went dark for a moment—then exploded in a whirl of Water and Darkness, the colors twisting like a whirlpool in a starless night.
Gasps filled the hall.
"Water and Darkness… just like…"
"The Basilisk…"
Lord Gawain's eyes widened slightly. "Interesting…"
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The Second Exam: Beast Bond
Candidates were led into a vast forest dome inside the academy—part illusion, part real.
Here, they were asked to summon or bond with their contracted beast—or, if they hadn't yet formed a contract, to attempt bonding with a test beast.
Evan stepped into the arena. His heart pounded. His Basilisk was still young. He hadn't shown it to the world fully—not even to the nobles at the banquet.
He closed his eyes, reached into his inner world.
And then—
Darkness bloomed. Water rippled. A faint hiss.
From a shimmering black portal on the ground, a shape slithered into the arena.
A small serpent, jet black, with silver-blue eyes and two tiny wings flared at its back. Its scales shimmered like obsidian moonlight, and its presence made even trained instructors freeze.
Gasps followed.
"That's…"
"The Basilisk."
"It's still small—but the aura—"
The serpent curled around Evan's arm, hissing softly.
One instructor turned to Lord Gawain. "It's still evolving… but that pressure…"
"It bears the Serpent King bloodline," Gawain said. "And aligned with Water and Darkness—one of the rarest elemental pairings. If fate favors him… that beast could evolve into a dragon one day."
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As Evan left the arena, a figure blocked his path. Tall, draped in blue and gold robes, and eyes the color of twilight.
"So you're the Rochel boy," he said coolly.
Evan met his gaze. "And you are?"
"Veyon Draxis. Son of the Archmage of the Northern Tower."
"…Another noble."
Veyon's voice dropped lower. "I don't care about your Divine Beast. I care about truth. About legacy. Let's see who shines brighter at Aflety."
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After the tests, Evan wandered the academy's moonlit courtyard. He needed air. That's when he heard soft footsteps behind him.
"Evan Rochel," a sweet, composed voice called.
He turned.
A girl stood there, her hair as pale as moonlight, eyes deep red but warm—not frightening.
"Lilith Laistrygones," she curtsied. "Your betrothed."
Evan froze.
"I… didn't agree to any marriage."
Lilith smiled gently. "Our families did. Besides, I've known about you since I was six. I always wanted to meet you."
He looked away. "I'm not the person you think I am."
Her smile faded slightly. "Maybe. But I'll find out who you truly are, Evan."
She left, the faint scent of roses trailing her. Evan sat on the bench, mind swirling.
Far from the academy, atop a ruined watchtower veiled in illusion, a shadowed figure observed a magic mirror.
The image of Evan and the Basilisk shimmered inside.
"So… the Basilisk has awakened," the man said, his mask glowing faintly crimson.
A woman knelt behind him. "Lord Shade Cardinal, do we proceed?"
He nodded.
"Let the boy grow. But on the day he spreads his wings—we clip them".
Chapter End
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