The weight of Lord Vaelios's words lingered in the air, a cold reminder of the gravity of the decision I'd just made. I could feel the tension in my chest, a mixture of fear and determination. This was it—a step into the unknown, and there was no turning back now.

"Prepare yourselves," Lord Vaelios commanded, his voice sharp and commanding. "We leave at dawn."

Lienad and Niasuh exchanged quick glances before nodding, their expressions resolute. They knew, as I did, that the road ahead would be treacherous, filled with challenges that none of us were truly prepared for. But this was the path we had chosen—or, in my case, the path that had been thrust upon me.

As Vaelios turned to leave, his dark cape swirling behind him like a shadow, I felt a strange sense of relief mixed with trepidation. The overwhelming pressure of his presence began to fade, but the weight of the journey ahead bore down on me.

Lienad stepped closer, his voice low. "You didn't have to do that," he said, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and concern. "But thank you. You may have just saved our lives."

I shrugged, trying to downplay the significance of what I'd done. "We’re in this together, right? I wasn’t about to let him drag me off to some academy alone."

Niasuh nodded, his usual calm demeanor returning as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Whatever happens, we face it together. The three of us."

I managed a small smile, grateful for their support. "Yeah, together."

The rest of the day passed in a blur as we prepared for our departure. Lienad and Niasuh gathered supplies and weapons, while I tried to make sense of everything that had happened. I said goodbyes to my mother and sister, but we would be able to talk soon.

Looking at the magical walkie-talkie-looking device in my hands, my mind raced with questions—about the academy, about Vaelios, about what exactly was expected of us. But answers were in short supply.

As night fell, I found myself standing alone at the edge of the village, staring up at the darkening sky. The Eye of Derox still hovered above, a reminder of the strange and dangerous world I had been thrust into. The stars twinkled faintly around it, but their light seemed dim in comparison to the ominous glow of the Eye.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in my head. There was so much I didn’t understand, so much I wasn’t prepared for. But I knew one thing for sure—I couldn’t afford to falter. Not now, not when so much was at stake.

The next morning, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, we gathered at the village gate. Lienad and Niasuh stood ready, their expressions stoic but determined. Vaelios was already there, his presence as commanding as ever.

"Are you prepared?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over the three of us.

"We are," I replied, my voice steady.

Vaelios nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Then let us depart. Close your eyes."

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At the sudden instruction, I was surprised but began to close my eyes. Then, I remembered. This is a magical world. He's probably going to teleport us.

Without a word, he raised his hand, and the air around us began to hum with energy. I felt a tingling sensation in my skin, like static electricity building up before a storm.

“Hold on,” Vaelios said, his voice low but commanding.

I've already become used to this feeling. The world around us shifted. It was as if the ground dropped out from beneath my feet, and I was plunged into a whirlpool of light and shadow. The sensation was disorienting—my stomach lurched, and for a split second, I felt like I was falling through an endless void. My vision blurred, and the sounds of the forest around us were replaced by a high-pitched ringing in my ears.

Then, just as abruptly as it began, the sensation stopped.

I stumbled, trying to regain my balance, and found myself standing on solid ground once more. The air was different here—crisp and cool, with a faint metallic tang. I blinked, trying to take in my surroundings, my heart still racing from the sudden shift.

We were no longer in the forest. Instead, we stood in a vast, open courtyard made of dark stone, surrounded by towering walls that seemed to stretch up into the sky. The walls were intricately carved with runes and symbols, their meaning unknown to me but radiating a sense of ancient power. In the distance, I could see massive towers rising high above, their spires piercing the clouds.

The Academy.

It was both awe-inspiring and intimidating, a place where the air itself seemed to buzz with magic. The scale of it all was overwhelming, and for a moment, I just stood there, trying to process the fact that we had been transported here in the blink of an eye.

Lienad and Niasuh looked equally stunned, their eyes wide as they took in the surroundings. They had heard tales of the Academy, of course, but seeing it in person was something else entirely. Lienad’s hand was still on the hilt of his sword as if he expected danger to leap out at any moment. Niasuh’s normally calm expression was replaced with one of wonder and a touch of apprehension.

Lord Vaelios turned to face us, his expression was as impassive as ever. “Welcome to the Academy,” he said, his voice echoing slightly in the vast courtyard. “This is where your training will begin—and where you will learn whether you truly have what it takes to survive in this world.”

As he spoke, a group of figures approached us from one of the towers. They were clad in robes of varying colors, each adorned with the same runes that decorated the walls. Their faces were hidden beneath hoods, but their presence radiated authority and power.

“The masters of the Academy,” Vaelios explained, gesturing toward the group. “They will assess your abilities and determine your place within the Academy. Remember what I said—this place has no room for the weak or the uncertain.”

One of the robed figures stepped forward, lowering their hood to reveal a woman with sharp features and piercing green eyes. Her gaze swept over us, lingering on each of us in turn, as if she could see straight into our souls.

“So, these are the new recruits,” she said, her voice calm but carrying an edge of scrutiny. “We shall see if they are worthy.”

The woman turned her attention to me, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You, outsider,” she said, her tone neutral but with a hint of curiosity. “You are not from this world, and yet you stand here, in the heart of our Academy. You will be tested—perhaps more rigorously than the others. Do you understand?”

I nodded, feeling a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest. “I understand.”

“Good,” she replied, turning to Vaelios. “We will begin the assessments immediately. There is much to be done.”

Vaelios nodded, then addressed the three of us. “Prepare yourselves. The trials you face here will push you to your limits—and beyond. But if you succeed, you may find the answers you seek.”

With that, the robed figures turned and began to lead us toward the towering entrance of the Academy. As we followed, the enormity of what lay ahead began to sink in. This was no ordinary school—it was a place of power, of ancient knowledge and untold secrets. And now, we were about to step into its depths, where our true potential would be revealed—or where we might fall into obscurity.

Whatever awaited us inside, one thing was clear: the path we had chosen was not for the faint of heart. And there would be no turning back.