Chapter 24: The Announcement

The tension in the village square was palpable. The air felt thick with anticipation as every competitor stood in silence, waiting for their name to be called. The morning sun bathed the area in soft light, but the atmosphere was anything but peaceful. Kael’s heart raced as his eyes focused on the gray-haired scout, who stood with the scroll in hand. His future—and that of his team—hung on the next few moments.

Sera shifted nervously beside Kael, her hammer resting at her side, her eyes never leaving the scout. Alec stood stoic, though Kael could sense the tension in his posture. Tarin’s normally casual demeanor had hardened, and even Mira, ever the calm one, seemed unusually tense.

The scout unrolled the scroll slowly, as if savoring the moment. His eyes scanned the list, and for a brief second, he looked over the crowd with a calculating gaze before beginning.

“The names I call are the ten who have proven themselves worthy to enter the Academy,” the scout said, his voice carrying over the gathered competitors. “You have shown the strength, strategy, and skill required to be among the elite. Those whose names are not called… your journey does not end here. There are many paths to power, but the Academy is for those who rise above.”

Kael’s breath caught in his throat as the scout prepared to read the names. The tension around him was almost unbearable. Everything they had fought for—the long days in the forest, the brutal fights, the risks they had taken—it all came down to this moment.

The scout took a deep breath and began.

“First… Malek of Alder’s Reach.”

Kael’s heart skipped a beat as the name rang out, but it wasn’t a name he recognized. A tall, broad-shouldered man in the crowd stepped forward, his face breaking into a proud smile. Murmurs ran through the gathered competitors as Malek made his way to the front, taking his place among the chosen.

The scout continued.

“Reia of Stormhold.”

Another name Kael didn’t recognize. A girl with a staff emerged from the crowd, her eyes shining with determination as she stepped forward. She moved with confidence, clearly someone who had expected her name to be called.

Kael swallowed hard. Two names, neither from his team. His hands clenched at his sides, tension building with each passing moment. But he kept his expression steady, even as doubt began to creep into his mind.

The next few names were called in quick succession:

“Kerren of Stonewall.”

“Ilira of Westmark.”

“Draven of Ebon Hills.”

With each name, Kael’s heart sank a little further. None of them were from his group, and the list was growing shorter. He stole a glance at Sera, who looked like she was trying to suppress her anxiety, her fingers tapping restlessly on the hilt of her hammer.

Then, the scout paused, his eyes sweeping over the crowd once more before continuing.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Kael Rithen of Darvan.”

Time seemed to stop for a moment. Kael’s heart surged as the sound of his name echoed across the square. For a split second, everything else disappeared. The doubt, the tension, the fear—it all melted away. He had made it.

Sera grinned and nudged him hard in the ribs. “Told you. There was no way they weren’t taking you.”

Kael exhaled, trying to keep his composure, though the relief washing over him felt almost overwhelming. He stepped forward, making his way to the front with the others who had been chosen so far. As he stood in line, the weight of the moment hit him fully. He had earned his place at the Academy.

But his victory felt incomplete. What about the others? What about his team?

Kael turned to look at the crowd, scanning for his friends, praying that their names would be called next.

The scout continued, calling more names:

“Doran of Ironclad.”

“Lira of Sunfall.”

Only two spots left. Kael’s chest tightened, his eyes locked on his team. Sera was biting her lip, Alec’s expression remained hard and unreadable, and Mira’s hands were clasped tightly in front of her as if she were holding onto hope with every ounce of strength she had.

Finally, the scout spoke again.

“Alec Dravan.”

Kael exhaled sharply, relief flooding him. Alec, ever the strategist, remained cool as he stepped forward, his usual calculating demeanor intact. But Kael could see the faint smile tugging at his lips as he joined the others. It was a victory for both of them.

One spot left.

The scout looked down at the list for what felt like an eternity. The entire square held its breath as he prepared to read the final name. Kael’s gaze flickered toward Sera, who was standing still as stone, and then to Mira, whose calm face betrayed a flicker of fear.

The scout cleared his throat.

“Mira Ilithan.”

Kael’s heart surged with joy. He glanced back at Mira, whose eyes widened in shock. For a moment, she didn’t move, as if she couldn’t believe what she had heard.

Sera was the first to react, nudging her forward. “Go, Mira!” she said, her voice rough but full of encouragement.

Mira’s face slowly broke into a smile, and she stepped forward, her movements hesitant at first but growing more confident as she made her way to the front. Kael couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride as he watched her take her place beside the other chosen. Mira had been the backbone of their group, the one who had kept them all going, and she deserved her spot more than anyone.

But as the joy of seeing Mira and Alec selected sank in, Kael felt a sharp pang in his chest.

Sera’s name hadn’t been called.

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. His eyes flicked toward her, and the look on her face nearly broke him. Sera stood still, her fists clenched tightly, her jaw set in frustration, but she refused to show any outward sign of disappointment. Kael knew her too well—he could see the pain in her eyes.

The gray-haired scout rolled up the scroll, signaling the end of the announcements. “These are the ten chosen to enter the Academy. For the rest of you, remember—there are many ways to achieve greatness. Today’s outcome does not define your future.”

The words felt hollow to Kael as he looked at Sera. She had fought just as hard as anyone, had given everything, but her name hadn’t been called.

Kael made his way back to Sera, his heart heavy with guilt and frustration. He had made it, but at what cost? He had promised that they would face whatever came next together, but now it felt like they were being torn apart.

Sera met his gaze, forcing a smile. “Don’t look at me like that, Kael. You earned it. I’m proud of you.”

Kael’s throat tightened. “You should have made it, Sera. You deserved it.”

She shrugged, her voice rough but steady. “Maybe. But it wasn’t my time, I guess. I’ll find another way.”

The words were brave, but Kael could hear the bitterness beneath them. Sera had always been the fighter, the one who never backed down, and now she was being forced to accept something she couldn’t control.

“I’ll—” Kael began, but Sera cut him off.

“Don’t say you’ll try to do anything,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “This is your chance, Kael. You can’t carry me with you. I’ll be fine.”

Kael looked at her, his heart heavy with everything he wanted to say but couldn’t. He had no words that would make this better. Sera was right—this was his path, and he had to walk it. But it felt wrong to leave her behind after everything they’d been through.

Sera smiled again, though this time it was more genuine. “Go kick some ass at the Academy, alright? Make them regret not picking me.”

Kael managed a small smile in return, though the guilt still gnawed at him. “I will.”

Alec joined them, his usual sharp gaze softening slightly as he looked at Sera. “You’ll find your way. I have no doubt.”

Sera chuckled. “Of course I will. You think I’m just going to give up?”

Mira approached, her eyes filled with sympathy. “Sera…”

Sera waved her off. “Don’t worry about me, Mira. You go show those Academy elites what you’re made of.”

The group stood together in silence for a moment, the weight of the moment settling over them. The trials had brought them together, forged them into a team, but now the path ahead would take them in different directions.

Kael knew that the Academy was just the beginning. There would be more challenges, more dangers, and more battles to fight. But as he looked at his friends—those who had made it and those who hadn’t—he felt the full weight of what it meant to succeed.

Victory had never felt so bittersweet.

That night, Kael lay awake, staring at the ceiling of the small inn. The reality of what had happened finally hit him. Tomorrow, he would leave for the Academy, and his life would change forever. But not everyone he had started this journey with would be by his side.

And that made the victory feel hollow.

Kael turned over, trying to push the thoughts from his mind. He had to focus. The Academy was the next step in his path, the next challenge he would have to face.

But even as he tried to steel himself for what was to come, Kael couldn’t help but wonder:

Was this just the beginning of what he would have to sacrifice to reach the top?