Principal Belbub stepped forward once again, his robe brushing the floor as he raised his staff, which shimmered with energy.
"Now," his deep voice echoed across the grand hall, "we begin the Sects Allocation Ceremony. This will determine your place… your comrades… and perhaps, your destiny."
With a low hum, Belbub slammed the base of his staff onto the stone floor. In response, a massive crystal obelisk erupted from the ground at the center of the hall. It pulsed with multicolored light—alive with arcane energy.
Elijah's eyes widened. He could feel something—the pressure in the air, the invisible force brushing against his skin.
"…So much essence," he muttered unconsciously. "It's… far more powerful than I expected."
Ayn, standing beside him, tilted his head. "Essence? What's that?"
Before Elijah could answer, Anna groaned. "Are you seriously this clueless? Essence is the fundamental power source of mages. It's what allows us to cast spells, activate enchantments, or interact with magical artifacts."
Ayn blinked, a little embarrassed. "Oh."
Elijah stayed quiet but thought to himself:
"Just like mana…"
He remembered the countless fantasy novels he had read secretly in his previous world, before he stepped here.
The crystal shimmered, drawing everyone's attention again.
"This crystal will read your spirit. Place your hand upon it, and it will assign you to one of the four sects: Star Sect, Serpent Sect, Visionary Sect, or White Eagle Sect."
A hush fell over the crowd. Then, a boy stepped forward, hand trembling slightly, and placed it on the glowing crystal.
A moment passed—then the crystal flared silver, and a brilliant star symbol appeared in the air above his head.
Belbub nodded. "You have been chosen by the Star Sect."
Applause followed. A girl approached next, steady and calm. When her hand touched the crystal, it glowed violet, and an eye symbol hovered above her.
"You belong to the Visionary Sect," Belbub said.
Then came another boy—his presence calm but focused. The crystal turned green, and a serpent coiled around a dagger appeared in light.
"Serpent Sect," Belbub declared.
Now it was Elijah's turn.
As he stepped forward, all eyes silently turned toward him. The hall seemed to pause.
He raised his hand and placed it on the crystal.
For a second—nothing.
Then suddenly, a brilliant white glow burst from the crystal, and eagle wings unfurled in pure light above his head.
Belbub's voice resonated with unmistakable gravity. "You are chosen by the White Eagle Sect."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Eyes darted to Elijah with new interest—some impressed, others envious.
Following him, Sylphira placed her hand on the crystal. The eye appeared again—Visionary Sect.
Then came Daud, and the crystal once more showed the same—Visionary Sect.
Ayn and Anna followed after, and both were assigned to the White Eagle Sect, just like Elijah.
When the ceremony ended, Belbub spoke again.
"You may now proceed to the office room, where your sect leaders will assign you your dormitory rooms. Good luck, young ones."
The students began to move, some chatting excitedly, others stunned in silence.
At the back of the hall, Professor Clark Renfield watched Elijah silently, eyes sharp and unreadable.
But just as the silence stretched—
"Quite an interesting boy, isn't he?" said a familiar voice.
Clark didn't respond. He glanced sideways to see Professor Alaric, who wore his usual playful smirk. Clark narrowed his eyes, said nothing, and walked away.
Later, Elijah returned from the office room, a paper with his room number in hand. As he walked back, he saw Ayn, Anna, and Daud waiting.
"Elijah!" Ayn called, running over. "Quick question—what's going on between you and Professor Alaric?"
"Yeah," Anna added. "You looked... familiar. Like you've known him a long time?"
Elijah scratched the back of his head. "Well… I met him while wandering the mountains," he lied smoothly. "He saw my potential and decided to teach me some basics."
All three stared at him suspiciously.
"Really?" Ayn asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Totally true," Elijah nodded, trying not to sweat.
He quickly changed the topic. "By the way, where are your dormitory?"
"This academy's divided based on sects," Ayn explained. "Each sect has their own residence. Star Sect is in the North, Serpent in the South, Visionary in the East, and White Eagle in the West."
Daud frowned. "So… we're splitting up already."
Elijah nodded, a little quietly.
But suddenly, a cheery voice interrupted them. "Not necessarily."
They turned to see Professor Alaric, again, grinning.
"How… how are you always appearing like that?" Ayn asked, visibly startled.
"I don't walk—I flourish," Alaric laughed, holding out a small box. "Take these."
Inside were four metallic bracelets, smooth and inscribed with runes.
"This is my latest creation," Alaric said proudly. "With this, you can stay in touch with each other, no matter your sect."
He pointed to the glowing crystals embedded in the bracelet:
Purple – "For taking pics."
Blue – "Gallery access."
Green – "To make calls."
Red – "Text chat."
Black – "Information database."
"Whoa…" Ayn whispered. "That's… awesome."
"It is, isn't it?" Alaric beamed. "I made it myself."
Elijah blinked, narrowed his eyes, and sent a telepathic message to Alaric.
"You made it? I was the one who explained smartphones to you during training. You just… turned it into a bracelet!"
Alaric coughed dramatically. "Ah, well—there are some unique elements, surely!"
"Unique?" Elijah scowled. "Just because it's bracelet-shaped?"
"Why are you so angry?" Alaric laughed. "You're my student. You must be dashing. Cool. Recognized!"
"I don't want attention or recognition, you idiot!" Elijah snapped.
Alaric only winked. "Then enjoy your life, Elijah."
He turned and walked away, cloak fluttering behind him.
Elijah sighed. "Enjoy, huh...? You idiot."
Sylphira stood nearby, visibly tense. She looked hesitant—almost worried.
Elijah stepped forward. "Don't worry. If you need anything, you can always contact us with the bracelet. Plus, Daud's in the same sect."
Daud nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder gently. "You're not alone. Just reach out."
Sylphira gave a small, thankful smile. "Thank you."
They turned and left together, walking toward the eastern side of the campus.
Elijah watched them go. Then he, Ayn, and Anna made their way west toward the White Eagle Sect Residence.
As they arrived, magical lampposts lit their path, and elegant buildings carved from white marble gleamed under the twilight sky.
"My number is 097," Ayn said.
"Mine's 111," Anna added.
Elijah checked his note. "145."
He walked toward the staircase—but found it floating, spiraling upward in mid-air, moving slowly like an escalator made of magic.
"Nice," he muttered, stepping on.
The floating stairs carried him gently to the third floor, where he found Room 145.
He opened the door.
Inside was a breathtaking chamber: walls of white stone inscribed with celestial symbols, bookshelves filled with ancient tomes, a floating bed covered in enchanted silk, and a window that opened into a view of the sea and stars.
Crystals floated above the room, adjusting light and temperature based on his mood.
Elijah stood still for a moment, awe in his eyes.
He let out a slow breath.
"My journey... starts now. I don't know what will be waiting for me. But I want to see."