Noctis and Ava stood back to back, breath steady but tense. The dim hallway stretched endlessly, cold shadows creeping along the stone walls. From the darkness, low figures began to emerge—amorphous shapes with flickering amber eyes. The Rank 1 Shadows.
"Get ready," Ava whispered, her silver Aether flickering faintly in her hands.
Noctis focused, summoning blue shards of Aether that hovered like tiny blades. The first wave surged forward, sluggish but relentless.
"Rank 1 Shadows," Ava said quietly. "They're weak, but if we're careless, they'll swarm us."
The creatures lunged, but Noctis and Ava moved in perfect sync. His shards sliced through the misty forms, while her light fractured their shadows into harmless sparks. The monsters dissolved with every strike.
A second wave appeared, faster this time, but the pair pressed on, refusing to yield. Noctis's muscles ached, and Ava's breathing grew heavier, but together they fought.
At last, the last Shadow shattered into nothingness.
The world around them shimmered, the hallway dissolving into white light.
Noctis blinked, the harsh light burning his eyes. He was no longer in the cold hallway. Instead, he lay on a smooth bed in a pristine room filled with soft white light. Ava was there too, seated beside him, her silver hair spilling over her shoulder.
They were inside the academy. The real one.
"Where are we?" Ava asked, her voice shaky.
Before Noctis could answer, a calm, synthetic voice echoed in the room.
"Welcome, Initiates. You have completed your first trial. You are now officially admitted into Aethercrest Academy."
The walls shimmered, revealing tall gothic windows and stone arches beyond the sterile white room.
Noctis slowly sat up, muscles stiff but recovering. "We… we're inside the academy."
A holographic display appeared in front of them, listing their names and stats, along with a message:
"Your survival depends on your mastery of Aether and your ability to face the trials ahead. Failure means permanent entrapment."
Ava's eyes widened. "That fight was real. Too real."
Noctis nodded grimly. "This isn't just a game anymore. It's something else."
The voice returned.
"Prepare yourselves. The next trial approaches."
They shared a look. The warmth of the hospital room was gone, replaced by the cold reality that the academy was no longer just a simulation.
Noctis flexed his hands, feeling the steady pulse of Aether coursing through him. Ava's silver Aether glowed faintly at her side.
Together, they stood—ready to face whatever came next
And just like that they lost consciousness
The soft hum of the room was broken by the gentle click of the door opening. A young woman in a crisp white nurse's uniform stepped inside, a warm smile on her face. Her eyes scanned the two as she approached the bedside.
"Good morning, Vale. Lyra." Her voice was calm, professional. "You both fainted during the opening ceremony. It's not uncommon—first years often get overwhelmed."
Noctis and Ava exchanged surprised glances at hearing their usernames spoken aloud. It was the first time anyone here used those names.
"Where… where are we exactly?" Ava asked cautiously.
The nurse nodded. "You're in the academy hospital wing. The ceremony was earlier today, but you collapsed before it ended. You were unconscious for several hours."
Noctis pushed himself upright. "I don't remember feeling faint."
She shrugged slightly. "It happens. Stress, nerves—this place is unlike any other school. You'll get used to it."
Ava looked around the bright room, then back at the nurse. "Is everyone else… fine? Did anyone else pass out?"
"No, just you two." The nurse glanced at her tablet briefly. "I'll let the staff know you're awake now. The dorm assignments have been finalized. You'll be heading to your respective dorms shortly."
"Noctis, your room is in the male dormitory." The nurse smiled softly. "Room 209. It's a standard first-year room, nothing special. You'll be sharing common spaces with other male initiates."
Noctis frowned, processing the information. "Thanks."
Ava looked to the nurse, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "Can we stay together?"
The nurse's expression softened, but she shook her head gently. "Unfortunately, male and female students are housed separately for safety and tradition. But you'll be able to meet during classes and activities."
Ava sighed but nodded. "Okay."
The nurse turned toward the door. "Rest for now. You'll be escorted to your dorms soon. If you need anything, just ask."
As the door closed behind her, Noctis rubbed his temples.
"This is all… so strange," he muttered.
Ava sat up, running a hand through her silver hair. "And no one else knows about the game, right?"
"No," Noctis confirmed. "I don't think anyone else suspects a thing. To them, this is just a regular academy."
He glanced down at his hands. The pulse of Aether was still faint, but real.
He stood, stretching out the stiffness.
"Well," he said, voice low. "Time to see what this place is really like."
Noctis made his way through long, echoing corridors until he reached the male dormitory—an imposing stone building covered in ivy. The scent of old wood and worn leather filled the air.
Room 209 was quiet, sparsely furnished with a bed, desk, and a small closet. Nothing remarkable.
He dropped his bag on the floor and sat on the edge of the bed, thinking.
Noctis wasn't sure what awaited him next, but one thing was clear: the game wasn't over. It was only just beginning.