Lorian woke with a sharp pain radiating through his body, every muscle protesting as he tried to move. The smell of herbs and medicine filled his nose, and the soft glow of enchanted lamps lining the walls brought a strange sense of calm despite the discomfort.

Before he could try to sit up, a voice spoke gently from beside him. "Don't move too quickly. You've been through quite a bit, Lorian."

He turned his head, squinting through the haze of pain, and saw a woman standing next to his bed. Her auburn hair was neatly tied back, and her green healer's robes were carefully tailored, giving her an air of composed professionalism. Soft, freckled features contrasted with sharp, discerning eyes that spoke of years of experience. She radiated calm, her presence immediately putting Lorian at ease despite the soreness that wracked his body. But what caught his eye more than anything was the crest embroidered on her sleeve—the unmistakable sigil of the Aeloria family.

"I'm Reya," she introduced herself, her voice soothing yet firm. "I'm your assigned doctor here at the academy. You've been unconscious for most of the day. It's nightfall now, so you've had plenty of time to rest."

Lorian's gaze lingered on the crest. "Aeloria?" he asked, his voice raspy. "I didn't realize there were other Aelorias working in the medical wing."

Reya's smile widened slightly, as if she had expected the question. "Yes, but I'm from a branch family, not the main line," she explained, gesturing to the crest. "We've always been more in the background compared to others in the family, but we have our roles. My expertise is here, in healing."

She moved to the bedside table, adjusting some of the vials of herbs and salves, her movements careful and precise. As she turned back to him, she added, "I'm also Lira's sister."

That name struck a chord. "Lira?" Lorian echoed, recognition flashing in his tired eyes. "I've heard of her—she's legendary in the family. Everyone talks about her exploits on the battlefield."

Reya chuckled lightly, the sound soft but warm. "Yes, Lira does tend to draw the attention. She's always the one charging headfirst into battle, earning accolades and keeping the family name prominent in the military ranks. Meanwhile, I prefer the quiet of the medical wing, away from the spotlight."

Lorian blinked, feeling a little sheepish. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. I should've known."

Reya waved off his apology with a smile that conveyed she'd heard it all before. "Don't worry about it. Lira's the one people remember. I'm not exactly on the frontlines like she is, and that's how I prefer it. I've always been more comfortable helping people recover from battle rather than leading them into it."

Lorian winced as he shifted, the soreness in his muscles intensifying. "You said you're from a branch family? Were you at the family gatherings too?"

Reya nodded. "I was, and so was Lira. We were at your coming-of-age celebration, actually," she said, her voice taking on a more reflective tone. "It was quite the spectacle, though I have to admit, I was a little biased in your favor when they didn't name you heir."

Lorian raised an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and curiosity on his face. "You were?"

Reya gave him a knowing look. "I know what it's like to have a sibling who shines brighter. Lira has always been the family's pride on the battlefield, just like Elara is for you. But that doesn't mean I don't recognize what you're capable of, Lorian. Some of us do see it, even if others don't."

Lorian blinked, not used to hearing someone from his own family say such things. "Thanks," he said quietly, feeling an unexpected warmth from her words.

She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Your sister was here earlier, actually. She stayed by your side for quite a while, until we had to chase her off when visiting hours ended a couple of hours ago. She didn't want to leave." Reya smiled softly. "She's definitely protective of you."

Lorian's heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and guilt. He hadn't realized Elara had stayed so long. "She stayed the whole time?"

Reya nodded. "She did. It took some convincing to get her to leave. She's worried about you, but I told her you'd be fine once you woke up."

Lorian gave a small, appreciative smile. "She's always been like that. She looks out for me more than I deserve sometimes."

Reya's eyes softened with understanding. "I can see that bond between you two. Family ties run deep, especially in houses like ours."

With that, she moved around the room, gathering some supplies before turning back to him with a playful glint in her eyes. "You're not the only one who's overexerted themselves during the Orientation test, you know. There are always a few troublemakers who push too far."

She reached for a nearby curtain and pulled it back to reveal several other students lying in beds, some bandaged, others breathing heavily as they rested under the watchful eye of the academy's healers.

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Lorian let out a soft chuckle, though it hurt to laugh. "Looks like I'm in good company."

Reya grinned. "Indeed. The Orientation test takes a lot out of students, especially those like you who push themselves past their limits. But you'll recover. I've seen worse, trust me."

She walked over to a nearby desk and returned with a scroll of parchment, handing it to Lorian. "This is your evaluation report, based on your performance in the tests."

Lorian hesitated for a moment before taking it, his hands trembling slightly from the strain. The scroll was stamped with the academy's official seal, and the weight of it felt heavier than he had anticipated.

"Don't worry," Reya said reassuringly. "You did well—better than most. Read it when you're ready, but for now, focus on resting. You've earned it."

Lorian nodded, staring at the scroll in his hand as Reya moved quietly around the room, attending to the other students. His fingers traced the edges of the parchment, feeling its weight, both literally and figuratively. With a deep breath, he carefully unrolled the scroll, the academy's official crest embossed at the top in gold ink, and his name printed in elegant script just below.

Royal Academy of Valeria: Orientation Evaluation Report

Lorian Aeloria

Year One: Shieldbearer Division

His eyes scanned the introduction, summarizing the purpose of the evaluations. The Academy's trials were rigorous, designed to test every aspect of a student's abilities—combat, magic, intelligence, and endurance. Now, in front of him, was the breakdown of his performance. Three sections were completed, while the last three were marked as "Pending Further Evaluation."

Magical Prowess: Mana Manipulation and External Control

Score: 39/100

Evaluation:

Lorian's performance in the magic trial revealed significant struggles with external mana control. His ability to channel and shape mana for spellwork was erratic and prone to disruptions, suggesting that his connection to external sources of power remains underdeveloped. His current ranking for mana manipulation is Class 6—indicating limited mastery, where only rudimentary spells and simple mana tasks are achievable.

Additional Notes:

Improvement is necessary to rise above Class 6. Continued focus on refining external casting techniques is essential to elevate his standing. Private tutoring or mentorship is recommended to strengthen this foundational skill.

Lorian winced. He had known the magic test hadn’t gone well, but seeing it spelled out was hard to stomach. A score in the upper 30s, paired with a Class 6 power ranking, showed just how much work he had ahead of him in this area. His internal control was strong, but the wider applications of magic—the things that truly defined an Aeloria—were still beyond his reach.

Combat Proficiency: Swordsmanship and Physical Dexterity

Score: 84/100

Evaluation:

Lorian demonstrated a high level of mastery in swordsmanship during his duel with Julian Veldt. His form was disciplined, and his ability to channel mana into his body for enhanced strength and defense was noted as an exceptional skill. While his advanced use of mana channeling places him above many of his peers, the limitations in his overall external mana control and combat stamina prevent him from reaching the highest ranking at present.

Power Rank: Class 2 for combat ability.

Additional Notes:

With his current level of control and discipline, Lorian shows great potential to ascend to Class 1 with further refinement. His internal mana channeling, combined with his combat skills, almost pushes him to the top tier, but he must continue to develop his endurance and external magic usage to truly master this art.Tactical Intelligence and Problem-Solving

Score: 87/100

Evaluation:

Lorian displayed a strong aptitude for tactical thinking during the intelligence test. His ability to recognize patterns and adjust strategies allowed him to solve the puzzle in record time. While his initial approach was methodical, he showed flexibility to adapt quickly when necessary.

Power Rank: Class 1 for intellectual acuity.

Additional Notes:

Lorian's ranking suggests a keen mind for strategy, with the potential to maintain his standing among the top students. His ability to think several steps ahead in combat scenarios will serve him well in future trials.

Pending Further Evaluation:

4. Leadership and Teamwork Evaluation

5. Endurance and Physical Resilience

6. Arcane Theory and Application

Lorian rolled the scroll back up slowly, his mind already racing through strategies to address his weaknesses. He was relieved to see his strengths recognized, but the low score in magic was a reminder of how much further he had to go.

Reya approached again, her expression still warm. "Looks like you've got some things to think about," she said softly, noticing the way his brow furrowed.

Lorian nodded, exhaling deeply. "Yeah… some things to work on."

Reya handed him another sheet of paper. "Here's your class schedule, based on your evaluation. This will give you an idea of where you'll be spending most of your time."

Lorian looked down at the paper.

Assigned Classes:

Combat Training – Class 2

Time: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)

Mana Control – Class 5

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Tactics and Strategy – Class 2

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

Optional Specialization Classes (1 or 2 slots open):

Lorian may choose 1 or 2 specialization classes to focus on particular strengths or areas for improvement.

Note: To select your specializations, please consult with Master Instructor Varian, the academy's senior class coordinator, by the end of the week.

Lorian read the assignments over, thinking carefully about the optional classes. "That gives me some flexibility, at least."

Reya nodded. "Exactly. It's not mandatory, but if you're aiming to advance, it's smart to take advantage of the specialization classes."

She smiled softly and handed him a small piece of parchment. "And finally, something I think you’ll appreciate."

Lorian’s eyes widened as he saw the familiar emblem—a bronze Griffin Pin. "I earned this?"

Reya nodded. "Yes. Despite your magical performance, they made an exception for you. Your mastery in other areas—combat, tactics, your mana channeling—showed you were ready for this. You earned it."

Lorian looked up from the pin, his thoughts still swirling. "Thank you, Reya," he said sincerely. "For everything."

Reya’s eyes softened. "Take care of yourself, Lorian. You’ve got a lot ahead of you."

With a final nod, Lorian stepped out of the infirmary, the Bronze Griffin Pin shining faintly on his chest. Next stop: Master Instructor Varian.