Ronan followed the escort through the towering corridors of Arcadia Hall, his footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. He tried to keep his composure, but everything about the place screamed grandeur. Massive columns lined the hallway, each one etched with intricate carvings depicting various magical feats—dragons soaring above stormy seas, sorcerers weaving fire through the sky, and armies frozen mid-battle under enchanted snow. It was like stepping into the heart of a legend.

As they approached what he assumed was the auditorium, the double doors swung open effortlessly, revealing a chamber so vast that it seemed impossible to contain. The ceiling arched high above, like the belly of some ancient, slumbering beast. It was painted with a swirling depiction of the night sky, stars twinkling faintly as if plucked from a starry night. Chandeliers, each one an elaborate cluster of enchanted crystals, floated above the crowd, casting a soft, ethereal glow over everything below. How were those chandeliers floating in the air?

Rows of tiered seats curved around the hall, but Ronan’s attention was immediately drawn to the podium at the front. Elevated on a massive dais, it stood like the center of the universe. Seven towering figures stood there, draped in flowing robes of deep blues, purples, and silvers. They didn’t move, each one radiating a different kind of power—some regal, others menacing, but all unquestionably formidable.

The first figure catching his eye, cloaked in dark velvet with golden embroidery, was tall and thin, almost unnaturally so. His skin was pale, almost translucent, with sharp cheekbones that made his face look as though it had been carved from marble. His hair was jet black, slicked back perfectly, and framed his narrow face. His eyes were a sharp, intense blue—focused, calculating, yet with a glint that hinted at understanding, a touch of warmth that softened their edge. The staff in his hand—topped with a coiled serpent—was as intricately designed as his robes, the gold thread gleaming in the ambient light of the hall. He was impossibly still, standing like a statue, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with an unsettling calm.

Next to him stood a woman with silver hair flowing down her back, wearing robes that seemed to shimmer like moonlight. Her face was sharp, angular, and her eyes glittered with an intensity that made Ronan feel like she could see right through him. He made a mental note to avoid her at all costs.

Beside her was someone in armor—actual armor—gleaming gold and silver plates that looked more ceremonial than functional. The man’s helmet was under his arm, revealing a sharp jawline and steely eyes that glared at everything in the room as if daring someone to step out of line. Ronan couldn't help but smirk. Well, at least we know where the department of overcompensation is.

Beyond him stood more figures, each as striking and intimidating as the last, but Ronan could barely keep track of all the details. Each one felt like they belonged to a different legend, a different era, yet here they were, all gathered on one stage. The hall buzzed with anticipation, the crowd murmuring among themselves as they waited for something—though Ronan had no idea what.

And there he was, a small figure amidst all this grandeur, trying to figure out if he belonged here at all.

As Ronan looked around the auditorium again, he couldn’t help but notice the students already seated, arranged neatly around the podium in seven distinct sections. Each section seemed to glow faintly with a different color—red, blue, green, yellow, black, white, and brown. The lights shimmered subtly, adding to the amazing-ness of the room, but Ronan didn’t have time to dwell on it as his attention was pulled back to the figures standing at the front.

The hall grew silent as the first person on the podium who had caught his attention stepped forward. His robes moved with an almost unnatural grace. His pale hands rested on the ornate staff topped with a coiled serpent, and his blue eyes scanned the crowd with an unsettling calm.

"Welcome," his voice resonated through the hall, neither too loud nor too soft, but somehow carrying an authority that demanded attention. "I am Chancellor Aelric Starfall, and it is my honor to welcome you all to the Lumenbourg University of Mystical, Combat and General Studies. This institution has stood for centuries, a beacon of knowledge, strength, and mastery. Here, we do not merely teach magic, combat, or commerce. We forge the future."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "Lumenbourg University is more than a place of learning. It is a place where your identities will be reshaped, where your past—no matter how noble or humble—will no longer define you. Your journey begins here, where knowledge and power intertwine."

Ronan watched, trying not to listen to every single word, trying not to make sense of it all. The Chancellor’s gaze swept over the crowd before landing on the newly admitted students.

"Today," Aelric continued, "you will be sorted into your guilds, the seven pillars of Lumenbourg University. These guilds will become your identity, your family, and your future. These guilds are the start of your new future."

Ronan’s heart pounded in his chest as the Chancellor continued.

"Each guild represents the core values that make this university what it is. They are distinct, powerful, and united in their purpose to foster greatness."

The Chancellor gestured toward the students already seated, divided into seven distinct sections, each glowing faintly with their respective colors.

“The Starforge Guild,” he began, “represents craftsmanship, creativity, and ingenuity. Those placed here are known for their hands-on approach, always finding innovative solutions. Their color is a unique shade of Ancient Bronze.”

“Next is the Silver Shield Guild,” he continued, “where leadership, strategy, and governance are the guiding principles. Those in this guild are often called upon to lead, not only through strength but through diplomacy. Their color, Frost Silver, reflects their unyielding resolve.”

He pointed to another section. “The Crimson Blade Guild stands for martial skill, courage, and resilience. This guild values honor above all else, with members known for their bravery. They are marked by the color Blood Ruby.”

“The Lunar Bloom Guild focuses on harmony, healing, and balance. Those in this guild possess a deep connection to others and the world around them. Their color is Forest Emerald, symbolizing growth and peace.”

“Then we have the Golden Quill Guild,” Starfall announced, “which champions knowledge, ambition, and intellectual growth. Members of the Golden Quill are known for their thirst for knowledge and prosperity. They bear the color Sunlit Gold.”

Ronan’s eyes darted to the blue section as the Chancellor introduced the next guild. “The Stellar Warden Guild is driven by exploration, protection, and discovery. Those in this guild have a deep curiosity, tempered by caution and a sense of responsibility. They carry the color Ocean Sapphire.”

Finally, Chancellor Starfall's gaze shifted to the section shrouded in black. “And lastly, the Eclipse Veil Guild. Members of this guild are known for their cunning, attentive, and pragmatic nature. They are observers and manipulators, working in the shadows to achieve their goals. They wear the color Midnight Onyx.”

The Chancellor paused again, his piercing gaze sweeping across the hall, lingering on the faces of the newly admitted students. His voice softened, but somehow grew even more powerful, as though he was speaking directly to each individual in the hall.

"Many of you may believe you already know who you are," he said, his tone both gentle and commanding. "You carry with you the weight of your past, the expectations of your families, the identities you’ve held your entire life. You may think you are defined by these things—your lineage, your upbringing, your talents." He let the silence linger for a moment, letting his words sink in.

"But let me tell you this—here, in these halls, you will discover that you are so much more. You may believe you are strong, or clever, or destined for greatness—but perhaps you are not those things just yet. Perhaps you are something entirely different. And that is the beauty of this place. Lumenbourg University will challenge everything you think you know about yourself."

His eyes glimmered, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "You might find that your greatest strength lies in a weakness you never acknowledged. Or perhaps, that the path you thought was yours was never meant to be. You will be tested, time and time again, and in the end, you will not simply discover who you are—you will decide it."

Ronan felt something stir—nothing overwhelming, just a quiet shift. Those words were a bit abstract, but they tugged at a part of him he usually tried to keep locked in the depth of his conscious. It wasn’t just about being sorted into a guild, though he wasn’t sure yet what else it might be. Maybe he'd let it play out and see where it led.

"But," Chancellor Starfall continued, his voice once again steady, "do not fear what you do not yet know. Embrace it."

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With that, the Chancellor lifted his staff, the room falling into a hush as the floor shifted beneath them. A low hum reverberated through the hall, and Ronan watched in astonishment as something immense rose from beneath the floor. His breath caught, eyes widening as he took in the sight of the large, gleaming object now towering above the stage. The surface reflected the light in such an unnatural way, that it left Ronan completely stupefied, unable to grasp what he was seeing.

It was unlike anything he had ever imagined.

Towering and vast, it gleamed under the soft lights of the hall, its surface smooth and flawless, yet somehow alive with a faint, almost imperceptible shimmer. The frame surrounding it was dark and twisted, as though forged from some ancient metal imbued with magic. It seemed to pulse with energy, delicate runes etched into the metal faintly glowing.

But it wasn't just one mirror.

As Ronan’s eyes wandered, he noticed that around the hall, at the front of each of the seven guild seating sections, smaller mirrors had risen. They mirrored the grand one on the podium in design—dark, twisted frames with softly glowing runes—but each was smaller, tailored to face their respective guild’s section. Each of the smaller mirrors seemed to reflect the same ethereal glow, almost as if they were extensions of the massive one in the center.

Chancellor Starfall stepped forward again, gesturing toward the towering mirror behind him.

“This,” he said, his voice echoing through the silent hall, “is the Celestial Mirror. It is not a single mirror, but a combination of eight—this grand mirror before you, and the seven that stand before each of the guilds.”

He let his words hang in the air for a moment, his eyes moving over the students, some staring in awe at the mirrors.

“The Celestial Mirror is as old as the university,” Starfall continued, “and its magic is tied to the very essence of this place. When you step before it, it will first show you your reflection, as if you were gazing into any ordinary mirror. But make no mistake, there is nothing ordinary about this. After a varied amount of time—unique to each of you—the mirror will shift. What begins as your reflection will transform, and in its place, you will see stars, galaxies, and beyond. That is when you will pass through.”

Ronan’s heart raced. Pass through a mirror? It seemed absurd, but the gravity in Starfall’s voice left no room for doubt. And didn’t he pass through that dimensional gate a month ago?

“You will step into this mirror,” the Chancellor continued, his eyes steady, “and emerge from one of the seven smaller mirrors, placed in front of the guilds. The mirror will choose your path, your guild, and from that moment on, that will be your guild.”

Ronan’s emotions churned wildly inside him. He felt a strange mix of excitement and anticipation bubbling up, the kind that made his heart race and made him work extra hard not to be excited about it. He tried to think of the sense of frustration he felt, like he was being dragged into something far bigger than himself, with no say in the matter.

He was weirded out by everything—the glowing mirrors, the powerful figures standing on the podium, and the way the entire hall seemed to buzz with energy. It felt like some overhyped ceremony, a show that expected him to be in awe. Although he had to admit that part of him was intrigued, even fascinated by what the Chancellor described.

After finishing his speech, Chancellor Starfall turned to the right, motioning to one of the figures standing beside the podium.

“And now, Professor Selene Ardenal will take over the proceedings,” he announced. He straightened his posture, his gaze sharpening as he caught sight of the figure stepping forward. His nod was brief but deliberate, a small acknowledgment he probably offered rarely. The usual edge in his voice softened, and though he held his stance firm, there was a fraction of a pause before he spoke, as though he was choosing his words with particular care.

Professor Selene Ardenal moved with a composed grace, her dark green robes flowing like a calm stream. She was very short, her posture straight and commanding without being overly imposing. Her sharp, angular features gave her an air of precision, with high cheekbones and piercing dark eyes that seemed to take in every detail of the room in an instant. Her hair was long and red, tied loosely behind her, revealing a face that was both stern and focused, the kind that suggested she tolerated no nonsense.

Her presence, though less grand than the Chancellor's, carried an unmistakable weight of authority and intellect. The students straightened unconsciously, sensing that she was not one to be trifled with.

"Welcome, freshman students," she said, her voice cutting through the quiet. "You will now proceed to the Celestial Mirror for sorting. Line up beside the mirror in an orderly fashion."

With a sweeping motion of her hand, she gestured toward the grand mirror at the center of the podium. The new students hesitated, then began to form a line, the air thick with tension and anticipation.

The first student, a tall boy with a nervous expression, stepped forward. He stood before the mirror, his reflection staring back at him for what felt like an eternity. His eyes darted over his own image, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Just as his breath hitched, the mirror shimmered. Slowly, his reflection dissolved into a dazzling display of stars, galaxies, and distant lights. The transformation was slow, almost deliberate, like the mirror was deciding his fate with care. The boy hesitated, his heart pounding audibly in his chest. Then, with a deep breath, he stepped forward, vanishing into the stars.

The hall held its collective breath until, moments later, the boy emerged from one of the smaller mirrors—the one glowing Frost Silver. A faint cheer rose from the section of students seated in the Silver Shield Guild, their approval evident as he made his way toward them, his steps steadier than before.

Another student followed, a girl with determined eyes. She stood tall before the mirror, her reflection locked in an unwavering stare. For her, the mirror wasted no time. In a blink, her reflection shattered into a cosmic dance of stars, as if the universe had been waiting for her. Without hesitation, she stepped through the swirling galaxies. Moments later, she appeared from the Blood Ruby mirror, greeted by quiet nods of approval from the Crimson Blade Guild.

The next student, a shorter, stocky boy, seemed to stand in front of the mirror longer than the others. His reflection stared back for what felt like an age, his nerves growing more palpable with each passing second. Just when the whispers in the hall grew louder, as if questioning why the mirror hadn’t yet transformed, it finally shifted. But unlike the others, the transformation was gradual, slow, almost hesitant, before the stars finally formed and pulled him in. He stumbled slightly as he emerged from the Forest Emerald mirror, the Lunar Bloom Guild giving him gentle smiles as he made his way to his seat.

The process continued, each student stepping forward, their guild revealed through the mirror’s sorting.

And then it was Ronan’s turn.

As he stepped forward, a ripple of whispers surged through the crowd, hushed murmurs and curious glances following his every movement. He could feel their eyes on him—students from every guild, watching, waiting. Some whispered in excitement, others in amusement, and a few in something darker, like skepticism or judgment. The soft murmurs swirled around him, adding to the tension already knotted in his chest.

“Who is he?” one voice hissed nearby.

“He looks nervous,” another whispered, barely audible.

Ronan clenched his fists as he moved closer to the grand mirror, trying to block out the noise, but the atmosphere felt charged.

His heart pounded in his chest as he took a deep breath, stepping toward the grand mirror. Every footstep felt heavy. The crowd behind him seemed to fade away, leaving only the shimmering surface of the Celestial Mirror before him. It stood impossibly tall, reflecting his own hesitant face back at him, every detail of his expression laid bare.

Ronan swallowed hard, trying to steady himself, but his mind buzzed with uncertainty. He had seen other students go through this process—some emerging from the mirror with confidence, others with visible relief—but nothing could have prepared him for standing here himself. The reflection in the mirror stared back at him, his eyes wide, his messy hair slightly out of place.

He stood there, staring at his own reflection, waiting for the transformation he had witnessed with the others. But nothing happened. Seconds ticked by, stretching into what felt like minutes. The mirror remained still, showing him only his own face, his eyes locked in a tense, uneasy gaze with his reflection. His breathing grew shallow as the weight of the silence around him pressed down, filling the room with an air of restless anticipation.

The whispers started again, louder this time, rippling through the hall. Ronan could feel the eyes of every student, every professor, on him, their curiosity sharpening as the mirror continued to delay. His palms grew clammy, his fists clenched at his sides. He willed the mirror to change, to show him something—anything—but still, it held his reflection, as though testing his resolve.

Ronan shifted uncomfortably, swallowing hard, his heart thudding in his chest as the seconds dragged on painfully. He felt exposed, laid bare in front of the entire room. Was this normal? Had something gone wrong? Doubts surged through his mind, frustration building as the wait stretched longer than anyone else's.

Just as he began to question whether the mirror would ever shift, a faint ripple distorted the surface. Barely perceptible at first, it quickly grew, spreading outward like ripples in a pond. Ronan held his breath as the mirror finally began to change. His reflection blurred, dissolving into a slow swirl of stars. But even the transformation took longer than it had for the others, as if the mirror itself was hesitant, reluctant to reveal the stars.

The swirling galaxies emerged gradually, their light dim at first, growing brighter with painstaking slowness. The stars shifted in complex patterns, more intricate and layered than any Ronan had seen before, as if the universe was unfolding itself in front of him, piece by piece. The longer he stared, the more the stars seemed to stretch into infinity, their lights flickering with unknown meaning. It felt as though time itself had slowed to a crawl.

Ronan’s breath caught in his throat. The mirror, now alive with distant galaxies, felt overwhelming, as though it was pulling him into something far deeper than he was prepared for. His body felt tense, frozen, but finally, he forced himself to move.

Without thinking, Ronan reached out. His hand met the cool surface of the mirror, and for a brief second, there was resistance. But then the stars seemed to swallow his hand, the surface giving way as though it were made of liquid. He gasped, his mind reeling from the sensation, but he didn’t pull back. Instead, he stepped forward, fully committing to the unknown.

The world around him dissolved into light. For a fleeting moment, he felt weightless, suspended in the midst of the stars. Time itself seemed to stretch and bend, moments elongating, yet passing in the blink of an eye. He couldn’t tell where he was, whether he was still in the hall or somewhere else entirely. All he knew was the rush of energy flowing through him, the stars swirling in every direction.

And then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over.

Ronan blinked as he emerged, the sensation of solid ground under his feet anchoring him back to reality. His surroundings had shifted—he was no longer in front of the grand mirror. Instead, he stood before one of the smaller mirrors, bathed in a deep, shadowy glow.