Eryx's first step onto the grounds of the Academy was like crossing into another world. The stone walls, towering and ancient, stretched far beyond his view, gleaming with an ethereal energy that hummed with magic. The air itself seemed thick with power, almost as if the very atmosphere was alive with whispers of ancient spells and forgotten knowledge. The gatehouse loomed before him, guarded by imposing figures dressed in elegant robes of deep violet. Their presence was regal, yet intimidating.
The Messenger from before was already gone, leaving Eryx standing at the threshold alone. His heart beat heavily in his chest as he surveyed the sprawling campus before him. Ornate buildings of obsidian and crystal reached skyward, their sharp spires cutting through the clouds. In the distance, the silhouette of a massive tower could be seen, the peak lost in the heavens. A reminder that the Academy was not just a school—it was a place of unimaginable power, mystery, and ambition.
"Are you a new recruit?" A sharp voice cut through his thoughts, and Eryx turned to find a tall, broad-shouldered man standing at the gates, his posture commanding. His eyes were sharp as he studied Eryx, sizing him up with a precision that felt unnerving. He wore the expression of someone who had seen countless students come and go, yet there was something in his gaze that made Eryx feel as if he were being judged more harshly than he could have anticipated.
"I'm Eryx," he replied, keeping his voice steady. "Here for the Academy."
The man gave a curt nod. "Good. Follow me. The entrance exam begins now."
Eryx hesitated for only a moment before falling in step behind the man. As they walked deeper into the campus, he took in the sight of other students. There were groups of them, some talking quietly, others practicing spells, their magic swirling in vibrant patterns of light and energy. Eryx couldn't help but feel like a foreigner in a land of untold power, where even the students seemed to possess a level of control and mastery he had never seen before.
The man led him to a grand building of ancient stone, its doors marked with mysterious symbols. "This is where the exam will take place," the man said, his voice firm but not unkind.
Eryx's nerves tightened as they approached the entrance. The building was massive, filled with an air of reverence. The walls were covered with intricate runes that glowed faintly, and the floor was paved with polished stone that reflected the dim light. As they entered the main chamber, Eryx's eyes widened. A large stage stood at the center of the room, surrounded by raised platforms where several instructors and senior students sat, their eyes focused intently on the recruits below.
The man turned to face Eryx. "The test will not be about raw power. It's about control. Precision. Focus. Show us what you can do."
Eryx nodded, though his mind raced. He had never faced anything like this before. He had honed his magic for years, learning to control it through necessity in the slums, but this—this was different. Here, everyone seemed to possess an innate strength, an unspoken command of their abilities that Eryx could only dream of.
The man motioned for him to step forward. "You'll begin now."
Eryx took a deep breath and stepped into the center of the stage. The eyes of the entire room were on him. He could feel the weight of their gaze, like an unspoken challenge hanging in the air. He steadied himself, reaching for his magic. It surged within him, eager and untamed, but he focused, pulling it into a single, controlled flow. His fingers twitched as he began the incantation, a low hum filling the air around him.
The moment his magic activated, a burst of energy enveloped him. The air in front of him shimmered as flames danced to life, swirling into a controlled sphere of fire. It flickered and swirled, a tempest of energy that hummed with heat and power. The flames roared as they shaped themselves to his will, but Eryx tightened his focus, controlling the fire with a precision he had never had to use before. It hovered just inches above his hand, a ball of flame that was both alive and under his command.
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, but Eryx barely heard them. All he could focus on was the fire. It was his element—his natural affinity—but even so, the pressure here was unlike anything he had felt. His pulse quickened, but he held steady. He had to prove himself.
For a long moment, the flames threatened to slip from his control, but Eryx didn't waver. He tightened his grip on the magic, forcing it to conform to his will. Slowly, the fire settled, its violent flickers transforming into a calm, steady glow. The sphere pulsed with controlled energy, no longer a chaotic burst of power but a symbol of his mastery.
The room was silent now, all eyes trained on him. The flames flickered and hummed, settling into a perfect sphere, their intensity matching his focus. Eryx exhaled, his magic finally in balance. He had done it—he had shown them his power, his control.
From the raised platforms, several pairs of eyes followed every movement he made. One pair, a piercing violet, gleamed with an icy calculation as they studied him. The gaze was sharp, scrutinizing every aspect of his performance with a depth that made Eryx feel exposed, as if this person could see straight through to his very soul. A fleeting sense of unease settled in his stomach, but he didn't let it distract him.
Another pair of eyes, dark and intense, bore into him, their presence almost too magnetic to ignore. The gaze was fiery, not in anger, but in an almost predatory curiosity. Eryx couldn't quite place it, but there was something about this person that suggested they thrived on pushing others to their limits.
A third set of eyes, calm and composed, lingered on him with an almost unnerving level of attention. They seemed distant, detached even, but there was a flicker of interest in their gaze, as if they were evaluating his every decision, silently comparing him to something—or someone—else.
Lastly, the oldest figure in the room, seated in a humble but commanding position, watched with quiet intensity. His eyes were kind but measured, filled with years of experience, and though his expression remained neutral, there was a sense that he was deeply analyzing Eryx's every move.
The man who had escorted him nodded once, signaling that the test was complete. "Well done," he said, his voice carrying the weight of an unspoken evaluation.
Eryx exhaled, the pressure of the test finally lifting. But as he glanced around the room, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The true trials were still ahead, and the eyes of the Academy's most powerful would be watching his every step.