Solomon, the Capital of Eryndor Kingdom
The streets of Solomon were more alive than ever. People moved in large crowds, filling the roads with chatter and excitement.
Vendors shouted about their goods, the smell of fresh bread and roasted meat filled the air, and carriages rolled by, carrying nobles dressed in elegant robes.
Today wasn't just any day—it was Awakening Day. A day where children across the kingdom would discover their magical talents, a moment that could determine their futures.
For many, this was also their chance to enter Eryndor Royal Academy, one of the finest academies on the continent.
People had come from all over, even beyond the kingdom's borders. Humans, beastkin, elves, and even a few dwarves crowded the streets.
Nobles stood with practiced confidence, while commoners whispered prayers, hoping for a powerful awakening.
Near the academy gates, a massive crowd had already gathered.
Parents murmured last words of encouragement to their children, some gently reassuring, others pressing the weight of expectation onto their shoulders.
Nervous energy crackled in the air like an unseen storm, anticipation tightening every breath.
Among the sea of hopefuls, three boys stood together, waiting for the gates to open.
Leon yawned, rubbing his eyes. Waking up early was never his strong suit, but today wasn't a day he could afford to miss.
Lazily, he scanned the crowd, taking in the sights with the air of someone who had no particular expectations.
Beside him, Aaron was practically vibrating with excitement, his grin stretching wide.
"Today's the day! I'm finally gonna awaken my element and become a mage!" His fists clenched at his sides, as if ready to grab destiny itself.
Reinhart, the third member of their little group, smirked. "Quit bouncing around. Your chances of awakening an element are pretty low, you know."
Aaron shot him a glare. "Hey! I will definitely be a mage! Not only that, I'll awaken a rare element!"
Reinhart's smirk widened. He loved teasing Aaron. "Oh? You actually know about rare elements? The odds of awakening one are practically nonexistent."
He crossed his arms, adopting the smug expression of a 'wise scholar.' "Out of every thousand mages, maybe one will have something other than the basic four."
He paused dramatically before adding, "And that's assuming you even awaken an element in the first place."
Aaron puffed up his chest. "Tch, just watch! I'll be that one-in-a-thousand genius!"
Leon, watching this exchange, said nothing. He had witnessed this exact argument so many times that he could probably recite it word for word.
Reinhart continued, his tone ever more smug. "But I have to admit, rare elements do exist. My aunt's husband's son's father—he swears he once saw a lightning mage."
"…"
Aaron blinked. "Why do you always make things sound so complicated? Just say 'a guy I know saw a lightning mage!'"
Before they could continue their debate, Aaron suddenly remembered something. "Then what about space magic? Is it even possible to awaken?"
But before Reinhart could launch into another long-winded explanation—
Creak!
The grand academy gates began to open.
The crowd fell silent as all eyes turned toward the entrance.
Leon muttered under his breath, "It's starting," his gaze fixed on the massive gates of Eryndor Royal Academy.
The moment the gates fully opened, the crowd surged forward like a restless tide. Leon and his friends moved with them, their steps steady yet filled with anticipation.
Towering buildings loomed over them as they entered, grand courtyards stretched wide, and lush gardens lined the pathways.
The academy felt like another world—one of discipline, magic, and power. Students in robes or armor moved about with practiced confidence, their presence only adding to the imposing atmosphere.
Further ahead, the open sparring grounds crackled with energy as mages dueled, their spells cutting through the air in brilliant flashes.
Aaron whistled, eyes sparkling. "This place is insane… I knew it was going to be big, but this? I feel like I just walked into a legend."
Leon took it all in silently. Even he, who had tried to keep his expectations low, couldn't help but be impressed.
Reinhart smirked. "Hah. What did you expect? It's the best academy on the continent. If you're going to dream big, at least be prepared for reality."
Aaron rolled his eyes but didn't argue. His excitement was too great to be ruined by Reinhart's usual smugness.
Their admiration was short-lived as instructors began dividing the newcomers into groups.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with a thick beard and round glasses led their group, his deep voice carrying over the crowd with practiced ease.
"Follow me," he instructed, wasting no time.
Leon and his friends moved with the others, weaving through the mass of students until they arrived at a vast open ground.
At its center stood several altar-like platforms embedded with glowing mana stones.
One by one, students stepped onto them, their expressions shifting between nervous anticipation and hopeful excitement.
Gasps of joy and murmurs of disappointment rippled through the crowd as results became clear—some awakening elements, others walking away in silence, their fates uncertain.
The weight of expectation settled heavily on the newcomers. Whispers filled the air, hands clenched in silent prayers, eyes flickering between hope and fear.
Their group was ushered into a large tent near the awakening grounds. The atmosphere inside was thick with nervous energy, the occasional deep breath breaking the tense silence.
Aaron grinned, attempting to lighten the mood. "Alright, best of luck, guys! Let's all aim for something crazy—maybe a legendary element, huh?"
Reinhart shot him a dry look. "Yeah? And what if one of us doesn't awaken anything at all?"
Aaron's grin faltered slightly. "…Well, let's not think like that."
For once, Reinhart's usual cockiness faded. His hands were clenched into fists, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"You have a good chance, Aaron. Your father's a mage. But for Leon and me? We don't come from mage families. The odds are against us."
Leon watched his friend quietly before placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Worrying won't change the outcome. We'll awaken something."
Reinhart glanced at Leon, his tense shoulders easing slightly. "…You sound confident."
Leon just smiled. "No use being nervous about something we can't control."
Aaron let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He forced a chuckle. "But man, I really hope one of us gets a rare element. Wouldn't that be something?"
The three sat in silence for a moment, lost in thought. But before the tension could settle too deeply—
"Next group, step forward!"
Their time had come.
Leon exhaled as he rose to his feet, Aaron and Reinhart doing the same. They exchanged brief glances before stepping out of the tent and onto the awakening grounds.