The journey to Dominion Academy took nearly four hours.
For most of that time, Aarush remained glued to the train window.
Not because he was afraid of speaking to people.
Not because he disliked conversation.
But because every kilometer brought something new.
Something impossible.
Something that reminded him just how small his world had been before today.
Entire floating districts drifted among the clouds.
Ancient forests stretched across mountains larger than cities.
Spirit sanctuaries shimmered with silver barriers that protected rare magical creatures.
At one point, Aarush even spotted a colossal winged serpent flying alongside the Sky Rail.
The creature glided effortlessly through the clouds before disappearing into the horizon.
"You're staring again."
Kiara's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Aarush blinked.
"What?"
"That."
She pointed toward the window.
"You've been looking outside for almost an hour."
"I can't help it."
Aarush laughed.
"Everything is amazing."
Kiara smiled.
For the first time since they met, her expression seemed genuinely warm.
"First-years always react like that."
"You didn't?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I've visited the academy before."
Aarush groaned.
"Of course you have."
The smile returned.
"Jealous?"
"Absolutely."
A few minutes later, an announcement echoed throughout the train.
Attention passengers.
We will arrive at Vayo Central in ten minutes.
Please prepare your belongings.
The cabin immediately became more energetic.
Students sat upright.
Parents gathered luggage.
Conversations filled the air.
Everyone could feel it.
The beginning.
The first step into a new life.
Aarush's heart began racing.
Ten minutes later, the Sky Rail emerged from a tunnel of clouds.
And everyone fell silent.
Including Aarush.
Ahead of them stood Dominion Academy.
Not a school.
Not a university.
Not even a city.
It was all three combined.
The academy stretched across an enormous floating plateau suspended high above the surrounding landscape.
Massive towers rose toward the heavens.
Bridges connected entire districts.
Crystal domes sparkled beneath the afternoon sun.
Waterfalls poured from floating cliffs into rivers that vanished among the clouds below.
At the center stood the largest structure Aarush had ever seen.
A gigantic white tower surrounded by five smaller towers arranged in a circular formation.
Each displayed a different banner.
A Lion.
A Swan.
A Phoenix.
A Serpent.
And a Dragon.
"Welcome to Dominion Academy."
Kiara sounded unusually proud.
For once, Aarush couldn't think of a response.
The train slowly entered Vayo Central Station.
The platform alone was larger than most districts in Neo-Kashi.
Thousands of students stepped onto polished stone pathways.
Professors and academy staff directed newcomers toward registration points.
Floating constructs hovered overhead, displaying directions in glowing runes.
Aarush grabbed his luggage.
The moment his feet touched the platform, a strange sensation washed over him.
Like crossing an invisible boundary.
The air felt different.
Lighter.
Stronger.
Alive.
"You felt it too?"
Kiara asked.
Aarush nodded.
"What is that?"
"Mana concentration."
She adjusted her bag.
"Dominion Academy sits directly above one of the largest spiritual convergence zones in the world."
Aarush blinked.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning everything magical becomes easier here."
"Oh."
"That's the simplified explanation."
"I appreciate the simplified explanation."
The crowd slowly moved toward the academy gates.
As they approached, Aarush noticed something strange.
The gates weren't guarded by soldiers.
Instead, enormous stone beasts stood on either side.
A lion.
And a wolf.
Each nearly three stories tall.
Their eyes glowed faintly with spiritual energy.
"Those aren't statues."
Kiara said casually.
Aarush immediately froze.
"What?"
"They're guardians."
"What do you mean guardians?"
"They protect the academy."
"They look alive."
"They are."
Aarush stopped walking.
Kiara continued forward.
"Wait."
"No."
"Wait."
The giant stone wolf turned its head.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Its glowing eyes settled directly on Aarush.
The crowd continued moving.
Nobody else seemed concerned.
Nobody else seemed surprised.
Only Aarush.
For a brief moment...
The guardian stared at him.
Then it lowered its head.
Almost respectfully.
The sensation lasted only a second.
Then the creature returned to its original position.
Motionless.
Silent.
Like an ordinary statue.
Aarush stared.
"What just happened?"
Kiara looked confused.
"What happened?"
"The wolf."
"What about it?"
"It moved."
"It moves all the time."
"No."
Aarush frowned.
"It looked at me."
Kiara laughed.
"Congratulations."
"You've been acknowledged by a magical statue."
"That's not helping."
She continued walking.
"Come on."
"The orientation ceremony starts soon."
Reluctantly, Aarush followed.
Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that something unusual had happened.
The guardian wolf had looked at him.
Not through him.
Not past him.
At him.
And somehow...
That felt important.
Hours later, the sun had begun descending toward the horizon.
All first-year students gathered inside the largest building of the academy.
The Hall of Ascension.
The moment Aarush entered, he nearly forgot how to breathe.
The hall was enormous.
Rows upon rows of seats stretched across the chamber.
Crystal chandeliers floated overhead.
Ancient banners hung from towering pillars.
The ceiling resembled a living night sky filled with moving stars.
Thousands of students filled the room.
Yet the space still felt vast.
At the center stood a circular platform.
And upon that platform rested a single object.
A black stone Shivling.
Simple.
Ancient.
Weathered by time.
Unlike everything else in the hall, it appeared ordinary.
Yet Aarush couldn't stop looking at it.
Something about the relic felt...
Different.
Old.
Very old.
As though it carried memories older than the academy itself.
Kiara followed his gaze.
"The Adi-Shiv Relic."
"The thing that assigns Houses?"
She nodded.
"My father says it's older than Dominion Academy."
"How old?"
"No one knows."
Aarush stared at the relic.
For reasons he couldn't explain...
A strange familiarity settled within him.
Like seeing something forgotten.
Like hearing a distant melody remembered from childhood.
The feeling disappeared almost immediately.
But not before leaving questions behind.
A sudden hush spread throughout the hall.
Every conversation stopped.
Every student turned toward the entrance.
Five figures had entered.
The Royal Siblings.
Founders of Dominion Academy.
Descendants of the Life Monarch.
The most influential magical family in Dominion.
Prince Aryaveer.
Prince Rudraansh.
Princess Vaidehi.
Princess Meher.
Princess Tara.
Their presence alone commanded attention.
Even Aarush found himself staring.
Not because of their titles.
But because they carried themselves differently.
Like people accustomed to shaping history.
Princess Tara suddenly paused.
Her gaze swept across the crowd.
Then, for the briefest moment...
Her eyes landed on Aarush.
A strange expression crossed her face.
Confusion.
Curiosity.
Then it vanished.
The ceremony began.
A professor stepped onto the platform.
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Welcome, first-year students."
"The Selection Ceremony is about to begin."
"The Adi-Shiv Relic will determine your House."
"Trust its judgment."
"It has guided Dominion Academy for generations."
The professor raised one hand.
The ancient Shivling began glowing.
Silver light spread across its surface.
Ancient runes appeared.
Thousands of students watched in awe.
Aarush felt his pulse quicken.
Because tomorrow...
Or perhaps within the next hour...
He would stand before that relic.
And neither he nor anyone else knew...
That the Adi-Shiv Relic was already aware of his presence.
Deep within its ancient consciousness...
Something had awakened.
Something waiting.
Something remembering.