Alaryc woke up gently, the golden rays of the sun streaming through his bedroom window. As he opened his eyes, a soft, familiar voice resonated in his mind:
"Good morning, Master Alaryc. Did you sleep well?"
The voice belonged to Freya, a mysterious system that had activated within him when he was still a child. Since then, Freya had guided Alaryc, providing him with information and advice to hone his abilities.
Alaryc smiled slightly in response to the system's question, murmuring:"Yes, Freya. Thank you."
Freya responded instantly, her tone always neutral yet slightly caring:"Today marks an important day. A special notification awaits you. Would you like to open it now?"
Alaryc furrowed his brows, curious."Yes, open the notification."
A luminous, translucent interface appeared before his eyes. Words written in golden letters unfolded before him:
Congratulations! You now have the required age to attend the prestigious Elemental Academy. Prepare yourself for this new chapter.
Alaryc's heart leaped with joy. Finally! He was going to the academy he had dreamed of for so long. He quickly got up and descended the stairs, eager to share the news.
When he entered the main room, he found his parents and little sister, Selene, already gathered, their faces alight with joy. The air seemed charged with unusual energy.
"Why are you all so cheerful this morning?" he asked, though he already had a small inkling.
His father, with a broad smile, handed him a mysterious folded piece of paper. Alaryc took it and unfolded it. The words he read confirmed Freya's notification: he was to prepare for admission to the prestigious Elemental Academy.
His parents, though brimming with pride, seemed emotional. A tear rolled down his mother's cheek, while his father placed a firm hand on Alaryc's shoulder.
"We are so proud of you, my son," his father said. His mother nodded, adding:"You've grown up so much…"
Selene, however, couldn't hold back her emotions. She threw her arms around her brother and murmured, tears welling up in her eyes:"I don't want you to leave…"
Alaryc, though touched, gave her a reassuring smile. He gently ran a hand through her hair and said:"Don't worry, I'll come back during the holidays."
She looked up at him, seeking a promise."Do you swear?" she asked, hope shining in her eyes.
He replied with a playful wink:"I swear."
The following morning, a carriage arrived in the village. It bore the ornate initials of the Elemental Academy, confirming its prestigious origin.
Upon opening the carriage door, he was delighted to see his two best friends already seated inside. Together, they erupted in joy, thrilled to share this new chapter of their lives. As they settled into the carriage, they all waved goodbye to their parents and Selene.
The journey was long but uneventful. Not a single hostile creature crossed their path. The three friends spent the time chatting about anything and everything, their excitement growing with every passing mile.
A few hours later, the towers of the kingdom of Castille appeared on the horizon. This was where the prestigious Elemental Academy was located.
As they entered the city, Alaryc couldn't help but gaze out the window, mesmerized by the diversity of its inhabitants. Sturdy dwarves, graceful elves, and even kemonomimi roamed the streets. The latter, humans with animal-like physical traits such as cat ears or fox tails, captivated the newcomers' attention.
But what truly left them speechless was the academy itself. An immense structure of white stone loomed before them, its towers reaching high into the sky. The building was adorned with stained glass and magical inscriptions that glowed softly in the sunlight.
"It's… gigantic," one of Alaryc's friends murmured, his eyes wide with awe.
The three friends, filled with dreams and hopes, stepped out of the carriage. They knew their lives were about to change forever.