The carriage gently cruised down the smooth, obsidian-paved highway leading into the grand capital city of the Kingdom of Velmaria—Veltharion.
Inside the carriage, Kaito sat by the window, his gaze fixed outside, soaking in the scenery as the sun's golden hue cast a warm glow across the land.
Beside him sat his older sister, Saya, her face buried in a thick, leather-bound book, though she would occasionally glance up to admire the view.
Veltharion was unlike any other city Kaito had seen before. As they approached from the south, the skyline unfolded like a painting brought to life—towering marble spires glinting in the sunlight, domed rooftops of shimmering sapphire and gold, and stone bridges suspended elegantly over silver-blue rivers that wove through the city like liquid threads.
The outer walls stood tall and formidable, made of sky-forged steel and embedded with glowing rune lines that pulsated softly, a blend of magic and engineering that protected the capital from threats both mortal and arcane.
The gates to the capital were open, guarded by sentries clad in regal indigo armor trimmed with gold. The sigil of Velmaria—a silver wyvern spiraling around a radiant sun—was proudly etched onto every shield and chestplate.
As the carriage passed the threshold, Kaito's breath caught slightly. He had read about Veltharion in old scrolls that he found around the mansion and watched countless broadcasts about its wonders, but none of those compared to witnessing it with his own eyes.
The inner city was a realm of symmetry and splendor. The roads were wide and made of silken gray stone, polished to a mirrored finish.
Ornate lampposts lined each side, crafted from moonsteel and enchanted with light crystals that glowed in different hues based on the time of day.
The sidewalks brimmed with activity—street performers, vendors selling glowing fruit and enchanted trinkets, and travelers from different races and regions of the realm.
Elves in long robes, dwarves with gemstone-studded hammers, beastfolk with sleek fur and bright eyes—all mingled in a breathtaking mosaic of culture.
Buildings were crafted in a harmonious blend of ancient elven design and modern Velmarian architecture. Curved archways, spiraling balconies, and floating gardens adorned the upper levels of towers.
Some structures were even built into massive crystal trees that pulsed with mana, their branches suspending cafes, alchemy shops, and watchtowers.
Above, floating platforms drifted lazily in the sky—carriages carried by wind spirits and mechanical griffins ferrying passengers from district to district.
Saya finally looked up from her book and leaned toward the window. "It's beautiful, as usual," she whispered.
"Yeah," Kaito replied, his voice quiet with awe. "More than I imagined."
They passed the Grand Celestial Plaza, a circular square at the heart of the city, where a colossal fountain of purest water shimmered in the sunlight.
The fountain featured a statue of King Arvaline Velmaria, the founder of the kingdom, holding aloft a sword of light while her other hand extended in a gesture of peace.
Around the plaza were governmental halls, embassies, and libraries—each structure topped with blue crystal domes that glowed faintly with protective wards.
Children ran through the plaza laughing, while wyvern-mounted guards soared overhead on their routine patrols. The gentle breeze carried the scent of honeysuckle and spice, wafting from nearby eateries and cafes, some of which had floating tables for those who preferred a meal above the clouds.
Bards strummed magical lutes in the corners, and artists sat on cushions painting the skyline with strokes of glowing ink.
Further into the city, the carriage passed the Arcane Spire District. Here, magic reigned supreme. The buildings rose in twisting spires made from etherglass and rune-etched marble.
Spell circles hovered mid-air like floating mandalas, maintained by arcane engineers in flowing robes. Mana-born familiars drifted lazily through the air—glowing birds, small dragons, and elemental wisps.
It was said that even the street signs changed depending on the magical affinity of the reader.
In the distance loomed the Radiant Citadel, the royal palace of Veltharion, built atop the highest hill. Its towers pierced the sky, crafted from sunstone and gold-infused granite.
A protective barrier shimmered around it faintly, visible only when the sunlight hit it at certain angles. The gardens of the Citadel were legendary, filled with everblooming flora, mana roses, and crystalline lilies that glowed in the moonlight.
Kaito was especially drawn to the Cathedral of Unity, located just a few streets down from the Arcane Spire District.
Its stained glass windows were the size of buildings, depicting the ancient pacts formed between humans, elves, dwarves, and dragons.
The cathedral bells rang in deep, harmonious tones that vibrated in the chest, calming the soul.
The carriage slowed as they passed through the Artisan's Quarter, where creativity reigned supreme.
Sculptors molded statues with enchanted chisels, painters added finishing touches to canvases that shimmered, and weavers spun cloth that danced to unseen melodies.
The district's streets were tiled with mosaics depicting the history of Velmaria, with every step Kaito took revealing a different part of the kingdom's rich lore.
Beyond the Artisan's Quarter was the Empyreal Market—a sprawling marketplace under a translucent dome.
Merchants from across the realm came here to sell everything from dragonbone jewelry to void-crystal compasses. The market was alive with color and noise, a
chaotic harmony of bartering, laughter, and the occasional burst of magic from a vendor's demonstration.
Despite its grandeur, Veltharion was not a city that had forgotten its people. Parks, open fields, and public gardens dotted the city, allowing space for rest and reflection.
Trees were planted with intention, and mana wells were freely accessible to all citizens. The air was clean, laced with a faint electric tingle of mana, and the city's ley lines hummed quietly beneath the streets, distributing both magical and electrical energy seamlessly.
Kaito leaned back in his seat, a small smile on his face. He had fought through Rifts, seen ruined landscapes, and walked cities broken by war or corrupted by power. But Veltharion was different. It was proof that harmony, progress, and beauty could exist together.
Saya reached over and squeezed his hand. "You scared baby bro?"
He shook his head. "No…I'm just amazed, this city is so peaceful unlike the ones that father goes to during missions."
Saya looked at him and chucked then spoke. "Yeah, it is pretty peaceful…that is, until a Rift opens up but the
psykers here are top notch and don't forget that your brother is also here and he's strong."
It was kaitos turn to chuckle. "Yeah…I'll make sure I do everything in my power to keep the peace of this city."
The carriage continued forward, disappearing into the grandeur of Veltharion—a city where magic and wonder danced in the streets, and dreams took form in stone and starlight.
★
Kaito leaned his head gently against the glass, his purple eyes wide with wonder as the scenery transitioned around them.
The city had a strange serenity despite its scale—a harmony forged between nature, architecture, and magic.
"We're almost there." Saya said from beside him as she glanced at him with a knowing smile. Her long pink hair was neatly tied into a high ponytail, and her academy blazer was folded neatly on her lap. "You're quiet. Nervous?"
Kaito shook his head slightly, but his fingers fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. "Just... taking it all in. It doesn't feel real."
Saya chuckled. "It didn't feel real for me either when I passed the entrance exam. But once you're in, trust me, it becomes even more unreal."
As the carriage turned past a massive, circular plaza, Kaito's gaze caught something that pulled his breath from his lungs.
Towering into the sky like a monument carved by the gods themselves was the Velmaria Imperium Academy—the beating heart of the kingdom's elite education system and the cradle of its most powerful warriors, mages, and tacticians.
The academy sat upon an elevated stone plateau, surrounded by a perimeter of intricate silver barriers that shimmered with protective glyphs.
Its architecture blended classical imperial design with arcane influences—high towers capped with violet-crystal domes, expansive halls with golden arches, and walls laced with glowing runes that pulsed faintly in rhythm, like a heartbeat.
The academy's great gate, forged from enchanted mithril and adorned with the sigil of a roaring drake, stood open. Beyond it, long pathways flanked by cherry blossom trees stretched deep into the sprawling campus.
A series of hovering crystal monoliths floated above the academy, suspended in air through arcane force. These monoliths served both as defensive structures and symbolic beacons, each one bearing a motto or enchantment from Velmaria's long line of rulers and sages.
"There it is," Saya said with a hint of pride, as she told the driver to slow down the vehicle slightly so Kaito could admire it. "Velmaria Imperium Academy. I've only been gone for two weeks, and I already miss it."
Kaito remained speechless for several seconds. The atmosphere around the academy felt alive—charged with mana and authority.
A procession of robed figures moved in the distance, some students walking briskly across the grounds with grim determination, while others practiced techniques in wide, tiered courtyards.
"That's where I'll be training?" he finally asked.
Saya smiled warmly. "If you pass today's exam, yes. But it won't be easy, little brother. The academy only accepts those it deems capable. Not just strong, but adaptable. Clever."
Kaito didn't reply, but a quiet resolve settled into his chest.
The carriage continued past the academy's eastern side, where the Training Grounds of the Six Elements lay open.
Kaito watched in awe as a group of senior students sparred at terrifying speed. One summoned a barrage of water blades while his opponent responded by erecting a crystalline wall of earth, the clash erupting into a geyser of mist and dirt.
In another ring, a dual-wielding knight sparred against two flame mages, using anti-magic gauntlets to redirect their spells back at them. Each movement was deliberate, precise—like living art.
"That's just the warm-up area," Saya said, noting his wide eyes. "The deeper you go into the academy, the more dangerous it gets."
As they left the academy behind, the road became narrower, veering through a forested pathway that curved around a glimmering riverbank.
Tiny golden lilies floated on the surface of the water—Lumina Blossoms, known to bloom only near mana-rich springs.
Birds with luminous feathers fluttered above, and silver butterflies danced lazily through the trees, their wings reflecting the sun's rays.
Saya continued to read her book in silence for a moment, then said, "Do you remember what Father used to say about strength?"
Kaito nodded. "'Strength without restraint is destruction.'"
"Good. Keep that in mind today. You're not just showing them your power. You're showing them how you control it."
Soon, they reached a gate unlike any other Kaito had seen—a wide, floating circular platform made of obsidian, with swirling veins of light-blue energy running through it.
This was the entrance to the Velmaria Evaluation Facility, an arcane testing ground used only during the kingdom's official assessments.
An armed knight in obsidian armor approached the carriage, visor down, with a silver lance strapped across his back. His armor bore the insignia of the kingdom—two crossed swords over an open spellbook.
After speaking with the horse rider. He walked over to the window and knocked gently as saya rolled down the window.
"Saya Kuroyami, 2nd Year. Escorting entrance examinee Kaito Kuroyami."
The knight nodded and raised a gloved hand. The sigil on his palm glowed, and the platform's energy veins pulsed brighter.
The platform then rotated slowly and lowered like a descending elevator, revealing a wide corridor that stretched underground.
"Welcome, candidate," the knight said to Kaito. "Follow the blue lights once you exit the vehicle. The evaluation begins in fifteen minutes."
Kaito stepped out slowly, the scent of magic and metal thick in the air. The platform was cool beneath his feet, humming with residual energy. He turned to Saya.
She reached out and adjusted his collar slightly. "Remember what you've trained for. Trust yourself. And whatever happens in there, give it everything. I'll be waiting."
He nodded firmly.
Saya smiled. "You've got this. Show them the real you."
As Kaito began walking toward the glowing pathway ahead, he took one final glance back. Saya stood tall next to the carriage, her figure calm and composed, framed by the light of the rising sun.
And then, with a deep breath, he entered the corridor of trials that would determine his future.