The platform buzzed with activity as families said their goodbyes. Near the edge of the glowing dock, a small family of dog Therianthropes huddled together. Their voices were barely audible above the hum of arriving ships.
"You'll call us, won't you?" A woman said as she adjusted her son's uniform. Her hands lingered on his shoulders, reluctant to let go.
"Every week, Mother," the boy promised. He couldn't have been more than seventeen.
His father, who was a broad-shouldered man with a weathered face, clapped him on the back.
"And don't forget what I told you. No one respects a slacker. You work hard, you make us proud, understood?"
"Yes, Father."
His little sister, barely ten years old, tugged at the edge of his uniform.
"Will you come back for the festival?"
He knelt down, ruffling her hair with a soft smile. "If I can. But if I can't, I'll send you something special, alright?"
"Like what?"
"Something from the academy. I'll be fine. Don't worry—"
Suddenly, the buzz of chatter around the platform changed. Conversations stuttered, then turned into murmurs as heads swiveled toward the skies. A massive spaceship was descending. It was so grand it made even the Praesits look like common transports.
"It's from Rise Borough," someone whispered. "Only they have spaceships like that!"
The platform fell silent as the ship landed. Its sheer size dwarfed the others. The ship's doors opened with a hiss, releasing a faint golden mist that swirled around its base. Out stepped four figures.
They were dressed in elegant outfits. Their faces were obscured by sleek, black masks, each one faceless but etched with golden patterns that seemed to shift subtly under the light.
"Who are they?" A student whispered to his friend, unable to tear his gaze away.
"Royals," someone murmured nearby. "From Rise. Look at the masks. They are from Dynasty Richinaria."
"They say only the royal families wear those. Those two must by the royals and the others must be their bodyguards. I heard that the Dynasty had a celebration yesterday from one of my Dynasty friends."
A small contingent of academy staff approached the newcomers, bowing deeply before gesturing for them to follow. The royals moved gracefully.
Behind them, academy bodyguards clad in enchanted armor formed a protective ring as they scanned the surroundings.
"Why the security?" A woman near the edge of the platform asked nervously.
"Because they're from the royal bloodline," a man answered. "You don't send figures that important anywhere without protection."
The crowd parted instinctively as the masked figures walked by.
"Do you think we'll see their faces?"
"Doubt it. They're royalty. Unless you are in the Essentia Class, you will never see them."
°°°°°°
"Seriously, I'm glad we had extra masks," Vastarael said as they walked towards a long white hallway inside the spire. "Who knew they would stare at us like that. You okay, Iona, Lais?"
The two maids nodded in response.
Vastarael looked at the hallway around him and he couldn't help but admire how massive it looked. It was massive enough for a Praesit to move freely without effort. It was slightly long too.
'So this must be the pathway to the academy. Since it's admission day, it's empty for now.'
He didn't expect the academy staff to be ready. He didn't expect the bodyguards either, who disbursed after they got in. Eventually, they got to the end of the hallway, revealing a hall full of...
Royals and nobles of the Dynasties.
"Since the royals and nobles need to be evaluated first because of their high affinity to energy, you will be placed here, Prince and future Duchess of Anqerise," one of the academy staff members revealed. "Please, wait for your turn to be called."
Vastarael nodded.
"Are they your servants?" Another of the three academy staff members asked.
He nodded again.
"Then, they will be placed in another section. Not to worry, they will not be evaluated. They will only be allowed to wait until your evaluation is finished."
Vastarael and Adelasta looked at their maids and nodded. The maids and the academy staff left, leaving the two of them among the others, who were standing and waiting. Vastarael took a glance at the royals and nobles there and narrowed his eyes. Before he could ask Adelasta what she thought...
"Oh. You're here! Hello!"
They both turned to see Elyonari walking towards them with a... happy expression?
When he looked behind her, he saw a couple of boys looking at her as if they were trying to strike a conversation with her.
'Oh. She's escaping.'
Elyonari stopped right in front of them with a puzzled expression.
"I understand why you have the mask but why does she..."
Vastarael pointed at his eyes and Elyonari understood immediately. She looked around her and waved her hand. Green energy covered them like a sphere, causing Elyonari to sigh.
"A silence barrier? That's surprising. I didn't know Elves mastered mysticism too."
"We can. Elves are separated by mages and archers. Impressed, aren't you?"
"It's not bad."
Adelasta, seated beside Vastarael, didn't bother hiding her skepticism. Her cold gaze moved between Elyonari and Vastarael.
"Why are you so friendly with him? You've known him for, what, three days? Seems excessive."
Elyonari tilted her head as she turned to Adelasta.
"I like him. He's honest, interesting and, doesn't act like half the idiots stumbling over themselves to talk to me. It's refreshing."
Adelasta's hidden eyebrows lifted slightly, but her expression remained otherwise impassive.
"Refreshing or convenient? You've made a silence barrier, stood here talking to him, and somehow managed to... are you always this quick to latch onto people, High Princess?"
Elyonari crossed her arms and let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Why does it matter to you? You're acting like I committed a crime just by standing here."
"Because I don't trust people who get too comfortable too quickly."
Before Elyonari could answer, Vastarael leaned back slightly in his seat, his tone calm but firm.
"That's enough, Adelasta. If Elyonari enjoys my company, why shouldn't she? We're all going to the academy and whether you like it or not, we'll be spending plenty of time together."
Vastarael could see that Elyonari was just interested in him. She didn't have any ulterior motives. He was just surprised by the... friendly carefree personality she didn't have when her mother wasn't present. It was rather welcoming.
Adelasta's eyes narrowed as she turned her icy gaze on him.
"You're defending her?"
"Yes," Vastarael replied without hesitation, meeting her gaze. "Elyonari hasn't done anything to deserve your suspicion. In fact, she's done more to make herself approachable than half the nobles we've encountered so far. If she sees me as worth her time, I'm not going to push her away because you're uncomfortable with it."
"..."
"And besides, I did kinda promise her mother to be in good terms with her since she's always lonely."
"My mother said that? I'm so sorry I—"
"It's fine," Vastarael shrugged it off. "Our mothers are practically friends. Adelasta, don't go too hard on the High Priestess okay?"
Elyonari smiled brightly at that, clearly enjoying the defense. "See? He gets it."
Adelasta sighed as she glanced away, clearly dismissing the conversation. Vastarael sighed and looked back at Elyonari.
"So, was that barrier just to keep us from being interrupted, or is there another reason?"
"A little of both. I figured you'd appreciate some peace, and maybe a moment without constant judgment."
Vastarael stifled a laugh, while Adelasta gave an audible huff of irritation.
"About this place, everyone is evaluated individually before they're formally placed in their respective divisions. It's a big deal because it determines how you'll spend your time here, who you'll be working with and most importantly, your rank within the academy hierarchy."
Vastarael tilted his head, watching as a group of students nervously filed into one of the tunnels.
"And what happens during the evaluation?"
Elyonari shrugged, "Depends on your lineage and abilities. For most Mortals and common Immortals, it's a straightforward test of their skills and potential. For people like, it's more... thorough. They don't want anyone based on their status. Not that I'd expect you to struggle. I heard rumors that we won't be staying long in the academy though. Wonder why."
"Thorough? You mean invasive."
Elyonari shot Adelasta a look. "Call it what you want. It's the way they do things. If you're that worried about it, maybe you shouldn't have come here."
Vastarael stepped in before Adelasta could retort, raising a hand to cut the tension.
"So, after the evaluation, we're sorted into divisions. What then?"
Elyonari's eyes brightened slightly, "Then the real fun begins. Classes, training, alliances, rivalries, tournaments... everything you'd expect from the most prestigious academy. Oh, and the occasional assassination attempt, but you're probably used to that, right?"
Vastarael chuckled, "Sounds like home already."
He did not like the last sentence at all.
Before they could continue, a loud, commanding voice echoed through the square.
"Attention! The Anqerise members are to report immediately for evaluation."
The trio exchanged glances. Vastarael adjusted his mask, feeling the golden patterns shift slightly against his skin.
"Looks like that's us."
Elyonari dropped her barrier with a flick of her wrist.
"Better not keep them waiting."
They joined the group of similarly masked nobles and royals heading toward the grand entrance of the evaluation hall.
"Do you see the patterns on their masks? That's Anqerise royalty."
"They're here? I thought they never left Rise."
"Which one do you think is the heir?"
The murmurs followed them as they approached the tunnels. A grand archway loomed before them. The Anqerise group stopped at the entrance, where academy staff awaited them. A tall figure in ceremonial robes stepped forward, holding a glowing scroll.
"Each of you will be evaluated separately. Step into the tunnel assigned to you. The process will begin immediately."
The staff gestured toward the tunnel entrances, each marked with a different emblem corresponding to the individual's abilities or lineage. Elyonari glanced at Vastarael and Adelasta with a smile.
"See you both on the other side," she said before striding into a tunnel marked with a symbol resembling a tree entwined with stars.
Adelasta gave them both a look before heading toward her assigned tunnel.
Vastarael hesitated for only a moment, glancing at the ornate emblem above his tunnel. He turned back toward the other nobles watching them and smiled faintly behind his mask.
"Guess it's my turn."
As he entered the tunnel, the world seemed to shift around him.
His evaluation had began.