In the morning, Zen and Lyra woke up early, a familiar calmness settling over them as they prepared for the day. The exam was upon them, and both were eager, yet nervous. After their usual morning routine, they took a shower, their minds buzzing with thoughts of what was to come. Zen adjusted his attire, making sure everything was in place, while Lyra, as always, wore a bright smile despite the anxiety lurking beneath her cool exterior.
For breakfast, they shared a simple meal, the quiet conversation between them making the nervousness of the day feel a little lighter. After finishing their food, Lyra stood, her hands reaching for a small parcel she had been keeping secret from Zen. She held it out to him with a soft smile.
"I bought you something," she said, her tone teasing yet kind.
Zen blinked in surprise but took the package from her. As he unwrapped it, his eyes widened slightly at the sight of a new set of clothes. It was a simple yet stylish outfit—Long, flowing deep purple coat with ornate silver collar details. Black vest over a white shirt. Fitted black trousers. Long black gloves with intricate silver accents. Black boots with ankle detailing.
"Lyra... You bought this for me?" Zen asked, his voice soft and uncharacteristically unsure.
Lyra nodded, a slight blush creeping up her neck. "I figured you could use something new. You deserve it."
Zen hesitated, glancing at the new clothes before looking at Lyra, his face now a shade of pink. "I—uh... I'm not good at giving Thanks, but... Thanks."
Lyra smiled playfully, "Lemme change my dress first." She glanced over at Zen,noticing he was still standing there as she mentioned changing her clothes. A playful smile tugged at her lips, and her tone turned teasing. "Hey, do you want to see me changing?" she added, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Go outside and wait until I tell you to come."
Zen's face flushed bright red, and he stammered, "S-sorry!" He quickly turned and hurried out of the room, his heart racing from the unexpected teasing.
Once Lyra finished changing, she called out to him, her voice soft and light, "Zen, you can come in now."
Zen stepped in, and as Lyra turned to face him, her eyes widened slightly. "Hey, when did you change your clothes too?"
Leaning casually against the doorframe, Zen replied, "I changed outside, while waiting."
Lyra raised a brow, a playful smirk on her lips. "You don't have any shame, do you?" she said in a teasing tone, laughing softly.
Zen chuckled. "Says the one who kicked me out with a wink
Lyra grinned and spun around, raising an eyebrow. "So? How do I look?"
Zen's face turned even redder as his mind scrambled for a response. He had never really given compliments, and the idea of doing so now left him at a loss. His gaze dropped, and he mumbled quietly, "You look great."
Lyra's eyes widened at his words, then softened as she let out a small laugh. "You really are hopeless, aren't you?"
Once they were both ready, they set off toward the academy. The air was crisp with the early morning coolness, the streets bustling with students also heading toward the academy for the day's exam. They arrived at the academy gates, where a stern-looking guard stood, directing people with sharp gestures.
"Where's the entrance to the exam?" Lyra asked, her voice steady as she approached the guard.
The guard, after a brief pause, pointed toward a large field behind the academy buildings. "Follow the path straight ahead. The test grounds are there."
The field was enormous, stretching far out into the distance, surrounded by tall, stone walls. The sun shone brightly above, casting a warm golden hue over the entire scene. In the middle of the field, several stations were set up, with instructors and teachers already preparing. Students gathered in small groups, some looking confident, others nervous.
As Zen and Lyra approached, a teacher—dressed in flowing robes and levitating slightly above the ground—greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome, students," he announced, his voice carrying clearly across the field. "I am Professor Rylen, and I will be overseeing your exam today. You will be tested on a variety of skills, and the results will determine whether you gain admission to Eboncrest Arcanist's Academy."
Zen and Lyra exchanged a glance, their expressions showing a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Professor Rylen continued, explaining the exam format. "There will be four tests in total. The first is a simple writing exercise to test your basic knowledge of common text and language. The second will test your ability to adapt and think on your feet. The third is a talent showcase, where you will demonstrate a skill or ability of your choosing. The fourth and final test is a battle against a magical creature—a summoned wolf monster, created from magic."
Lyra raised an eyebrow at that, but Zen remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Professor Rylen nodded. "You'll be judged on your skills, intelligence, and how you handle each challenge. Now, let's begin."