The sun had barely risen over Aeternum Academy when students began spilling into the residential sector, murmuring about their dorms, new roommates, and the day ahead. Riven moved quietly through the corridors, sword at his side, gloves in place, as though the bustle of first-years didn't exist.
"Hey!"
A voice rang out from behind him. Bright, unrelenting, impossible to ignore.
Riven turned just enough to see a boy leaning casually against a railing, sandy-blonde hair tossed in every direction, amber eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You're the calm one from the assessment, right?" the boy said, grinning. "Name's Kael, Kael Veylan. And I have to admit, the rumors are true. You do look scary."
Riven said nothing, walking at the same slow, deliberate pace.
"Not talking?" Kael shrugged, unbothered. "Fine. I'll just follow you until you do. You don't get off that easy." He spun a small arc of electricity between his fingers, the air around him whispering faintly with motion as a trickle of wind circled his form. "Double elemental origin, wind and lightning. What about you?"
Riven's eyes narrowed fractionally, the faintest acknowledgment, but he said nothing as he once again resumed walking.
Kael straightened, grinning wider. "I don't bite. Mostly. Stick with me, and you won't get bored."
Finally, Riven stopped and turned to look the annoying spatz in the eyes as he spoke.
"You're annoying. Do you need something from me?"
Kael's grin immediately widened as he laughed and replied,
"Oh wow, he does speak!"
But before Kael could get another word out Riven had already resumed walking, clearly not caring to hear his reply.
Kael fell into step beside Riven immediately, matching his slow, deliberate pace with an ease that spoke more of energy than discipline.
"So," Kael said, nudging slightly, "you're already making people nervous, huh? First day, and they're already whispering about you."
Riven said nothing, his gaze fixed ahead.
Kael grinned. "Right, of course. You don't talk much. That's fine, I'll do it for both of us." He gestured at the crowd of first-years bustling through the residential sector. "See that one? Can barely hold his fire Origin under control. And over there, don't get me started on the wind kid in three-piece armor. Talk about trying too hard."
Riven glanced briefly at the students, noting their nervous energy. No expression betrayed approval or disdain; he simply observed.
Kael didn't pause. "Anyway, morning assembly is this way," he said, swinging an arm toward the central courtyard. "They'll divide us into classes there. I bet the instructors are just itching to see who's got talent and who's… well, who's you-know-who."
The courtyard opened up before them, vast and bright in the morning sun. Glassstone floors reflected the towering spires, and floating banners shimmered with the insignias of each division. Students gathered in groups, chatting nervously or sizing each other up, while a faint hum of energy rose from the conduits beneath the ground.
Kael leaned close, voice dropping as if sharing a secret. "You'll notice the higher years are already looking at us. Some friendly, some… not so friendly. Just ignore the theatrics. You'll see soon enough."
Riven's lips twitched faintly. Almost imperceptible.
*is this idiot really trying to teach me of all people the inner workings of the academy?!?*
Riven thought, a flicker of irritation rising. He had walked these halls since he could remember, knew every corridor, conduit, and hidden nook better than most instructors, let alone some first-year trying to be clever.
Kael grinned, noticing the faint stir of reaction from Riven. "Stick with me, and I'll show you how to survive all this… academy nonsense without getting eaten alive."
The two of them stepped into the growing assembly, Riven's calm presence silently cutting through the chatter, Kael's energy bouncing along the edges of it. And somewhere above, unseen, the headmaster's office loomed, observing the first-years with measured eyes.
The courtyard gradually quieted as a tall figure stepped onto the raised dais at its center. His uniform bore the silver-trimmed insignia of Aeternum's faculty, a stylized wing split into four parts. When he spoke, his voice carried effortlessly across the open square.
"First-years," he began, "welcome once again to Aeternum Academy. You've completed your aptitude assessments, and starting today, you'll be divided into your Wings, the four pillars that uphold this institution."
Holographic emblems shimmered to life above him , crimson, azure, onyx, and ivory each pulsing with soft light.
"The Crimson Wing stands for direct combat specialization dungeon operations, frontline command, and tactics.
The Azure Wing focuses on elemental mastery control, harmonization, and deeper resonance with your Origin.
The Onyx Wing refines the path of weapons physical augmentation, resonance combat, and forging synergy between wielder and steel.
And the Ivory Wing embodies research and support, healing, enchantment, and ManaTech innovation."
He paused as the murmurs rippled through the crowd, the sound of dreams and rivalries being born.
"Each Wing holds five classes," he continued, "and each class no more than fifteen students. Teams are built for balance, not preference. Cooperation will shape your survival, in the field, and within these walls."
At his gesture, floating lists unfolded in the air, each inscribed with names. The crowd surged slightly as students craned their necks to find their placements.
Kael leaned forward, eyes darting. "Let's see… Crimson… Onyx… oh Azure Wing, Class Three." He paused, then grinned. "Riven Crowe. Looks like fate's got a sense of humor."
Riven's gaze flicked to the floating list. Sure enough, his name glowed beneath Kael's. Azure Wing, Class Three.
Kael let out a low whistle. "Elemental division, huh? Guess that makes sense for me. You thought…" He smirked. "You don't exactly scream 'team player.'"
Riven didn't answer. He just adjusted his gloves and turned toward the direction of the Azure Wing tower rising in the distance, smooth, silver-blue stone reflecting the morning light.
The instructor's voice rang out one last time.
"You'll report to your division supervisors in exactly one hour, for now you're free to roam the grounds as you please."
The crowd began to scatter, conversations blending with the hum of mana conduits overhead.
Kael fell into step beside him again, hands in his pockets, lightning flickering faintly between his fingertips.
"Well, Azure Wing's supposed to be where all the prodigies go. Guess that checks out for us."
Riven didn't react, though a faint exhale betrayed amusement.
Kael grinned wider. "I'll take that as agreement. Come on, partner. Let's see what kind of madhouse they've signed us up for."
The two of them moved through the dispersing crowd, one a quiet presence of control, the other a storm barely contained both walking toward the tower that would soon become their proving ground.
The Azure Wing tower stood on the academy's eastern edge, its form sleek and elegant, the glassstone walls pulsing faintly with streams of azure light that ran like veins through the structure. The closer they drew, the quieter the air became, as though the tower itself demanded composure.
Inside, the corridors curved in smooth arcs, lined with panels that glowed softly beneath their steps. A faint scent of ozone and cool metal lingered in the air, familiar to anyone attuned to elemental flow.
Kael whistled low. "You know, I was expecting something grand, but this… yeah, this is something else."
As per usual Riven said nothing in return. His gaze swept the space with the ease of familiarity every energy line, every faint vibration in the floor.
They reached the main hall, a wide circular chamber where dozens of first-years were gathering. The air shimmered with nervous excitement. At the far end, an instructor stood waiting , a tall woman with sharp, clear eyes and an air of quiet precision. Her uniform bore the deep blue insignia of the Azure Wing.
When she spoke, her tone was measured, but carried easily across the room.
"Welcome to the Azure Wing. My name is Instructor Lysandra Vale. For the next year, I will be your division supervisor. You'll learn the foundation of elemental harmony, resonance control, and practical field coordination. Those who think their talent alone will carry them.." her gaze swept briefly across the crowd, "..will not last long here."
Kael leaned slightly toward Riven. "I like her already," he muttered.
Lysandra's eyes flicked toward him, sharp as a blade. "Good. Then you'll have no trouble keeping quiet when I'm speaking."
A faint ripple of laughter moved through the students. Kael froze, then gave a sheepish grin. "Yes, ma'am."
Lysandra turned her attention to the room again. "You've all been divided into five classes. Your mentors will brief you further on your schedules and training regimens. For now, familiarize yourselves with the tower. It's now 12pm, your class sessions will begin at 4pm with your first synchronization assessment."
Her gaze lingered briefly on the students before she added, "Dismissed."
The crowd began to disperse, chatter rising again as footsteps echoed against the polished floors. Kael stretched, electricity flickering faintly across his fingers. "Well, guess this is where the fun begins."
Riven said nothing, eyes drawn upward to the tower's vaulted ceiling where streams of light converged into a single pulsing core the Azure Wing's energy nexus.
Kael stretched his arms behind his head, letting out a low whistle as the last of the students filtered out of the hall. "So… synchronization assessment, huh? Sounds fancy. Think it's gonna be one of those 'let's see if you can light up a crystal' kind of tests like before, or something that actually tries to test us?"
Riven didn't answer immediately. His gaze was fixed on the pulsing nexus high above steady, rhythmic and alive. The faint hum of elemental energy resonated deep in his chest, like an echo of something long familiar.
Kael followed his line of sight, then smirked. "You've been here before, haven't you?"
Riven's eyes shifted toward him, calm but unreadable. "I grew up here," he said simply.
Kael blinked, then laughed softly. "Figures. That explains the whole silent guardian of the academy thing you've got going." He grinned. "Guess I'll stick close to you, then. Maybe you'll keep me from accidentally blowing up a corridor or two."
Riven turned away, though a faint breath that might have been a sigh or a chuckle escaped him. "Don't count on it."
Kael grinned wider. "See? You do have a sense of humor. Knew I'd get there eventually."
The two of them stepped out of the hall, the light of the Azure Wing shifting around them as mana conduits thrummed gently beneath their feet. Outside, the sun had climbed higher, its glow refracting through the glassstone walls into ribbons of pale blue light that painted the courtyard in shifting patterns.
Students hurried past, some already testing their powers, others simply lost in the awe of the place. The academy felt alive, a breathing giant of stone and light, watching every movement.
Kael stuffed his hands in his pockets, as he looked around. "You know," he said, "I've got a feeling this year's gonna be interesting."
Riven's gaze lingered on the tower's spire one last time. "It always is," he said quietly.
The wind stirred faintly through the courtyard, carrying with it the low hum of the Azure Wing's heart.
And as the day stretched on, somewhere within that living tower, the first threads of destiny began to weave themselves tighter, two paths now walking the same road.