Relar's form materialized on the tutorial floor of the tower with remains of the portal streaming from him like water after emerging from a swim. The air felt fresh and vibrant, with a crispness to it that he had never felt in Sheath. Above, the sky was an unbroken expanse of azure, a stark contrast to the enclosed darkness of Sheath. His classmates blinked into existence around him, each pausing to take in the sight with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. They found themselves at the base of Moraine Academy, once a place of bustling activity and learning, now silent save for the sound of distant waterfalls and the rustle of leaves.

The academy grounds spread out like a forgotten kingdom, with terraced gardens stepping down towards a central fountain. Its surface smooth and undisturbed, reflecting the verdant growth and splendor. Grand halls and lecture rooms, their domed roofs partially visible through the thick canopy of wild trees, bore the marks of eras long past. Greenery draped from every crevice, nature's tapestry woven through the remnants of carved stone and marble, reclaiming the works of man with indifference.

The group of initiates, about fifty in number, seemed insignificant in the midst of such grandeur. The scale of the structures around them was humbling, with towers reaching towards the heavens, their spires caught in the days glow.

Beams of emerald light stood skyward, spotting the landscape, and illuminating the ruins. They cast long, dramatic shadows that danced across the cracked paving stones underfoot. Unlike the tower in Sheath, these faded towards the sky, but there were so many across the grounds.

Relar noticed doorways leading into fields, into overgrown gardens, into darkness. The academy, in its prime, would have been a sight of organized beauty and cultured green. But now it stood as a monument to the decay that had befallen Sheath. Its derelict majesty was both beautiful and haunting, a place of learning transformed into a garden of echoes.

As Relar took his first steps along the moss-covered paths, a sense of freedom settled within him, and a feeling took root in the back of his mind. A feeling that this is what he wanted.

As they gathered their bearings, Relar found familiar faces among the initiates. Their conversations began as murmurs but soon grew into exchanges of experiences, each initiation unique yet bound by a common thread.

The arrival of a few aristocratic youths sparked a subtle shift in the mood. These were students who had trained in private quarters, away from the common halls. They all had crossed paths over the years, but they were still separated by family, status, and experience.

Relar drifted toward a group of classmates. "They will want to keep the shards between them," he noted, his gaze flicking toward the well-dressed newcomers.

One of his peers nodded. "They might have had better trainers, but they are still spoiled brats."

Before long, teachers emerged from amongst the stone and ivy. They didn't bother to introduce themselves, but started ushering the initiates toward the main courtyard with as much urgency as they could muster from the gaping youths.

The group of initiates made their way through the academy grounds, their footsteps alternating between old stone and soft moss and grass-covered pathways. Above them, arches of woven branches, leading them beneath the emerald light of the spires. They traversed the grounds through the smells of the greenery, heavy and earthen, intertwined with fragrant wildflower aromas and occasional the sweet scent of rotten fruit. Alien insects were buzzing across the paths, taking little heed of the newcomers, searching out those flowers and fruits. And few birdcalls could be heard across the landscape.

Relar glanced up as they walked, following the eerie beauty of the light beams. Around him, his peers gawked at floating platforms, some drifting lazily between the higher tiers of the academy. Some even containing fountains of their own, creating a spray of water in the air through which the light sparkled. Every once in a while, he could make out a figure next to spires, but they were always gone soon enough.

Once assembled, one of the masters—a stern woman with hair like spun silver—addressed them. "Welcome to Moraine Academy." Relar shifted on the balls of his feet, she took a breath and continued.

"I am Master Hessmin, your headmaster and guide in the art of alchemy." Her eyes moved through the crowd of new arrivals, meeting the eyes of the young initiates. "This is it—the starting line. The tower is packed with enemies and dangers, and none of them is going to take it easy on you, and we won't either. You will be fighting monsters and seasoned casters. You will need to survive first, thrive later. Here, in the next two seasons, we will do everything we can to give you that chance. But you need to be the one to grasp it."

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She stood firm—an anchor in the sea of anxious faces. "Among us are masters of various disciplines, each a pillar of knowledge and skill you shall come to rely upon." She gestured to a man with a long, black beard whose robes shimmered with an inner light. "Master Elric, our Master of Pages."

The students' eyes followed Master Hessmin's hand to rest upon the figure of Master Elric. His presence alone seemed to charge the air with anticipation. Whispers spread through the crowd, recounting tales of his legendary climbs and the vast number of pages he had mastered.

"Under his tutelage," Master Hessmin continued, "you will learn the principles that underpin our casting abilities."

Turning to her left, Master Hessmin introduced a woman whose armor bore the legacy of countless battles. "Master Thessaly will hone your skills in Combat."

Relar watched as Master Thessaly stepped forward, her gaze scanning the initiates as if measuring. "Her sessions," said Master Hessmin, "will teach you how to blend your body and your pages."

Next to emerge from the verdant overgrowth was a man who seemed part of it, his attire adorned with living vines and leaves. "Master Gumnik is our Beastmaster."

Relar felt a thrill at the prospect of someone who could answer his many questions of his affinity.

"He will guide you in how to defeat the monsters and beasts you will cross, and for some in how to forge alliances with those who inhabit this tower's wilds," Master Hessmin stated, pride evident in her voice.

"In these dust-laden halls," Master Hessmin motioned towards a particular part of the surroundings, "Master Baelor preserves our past. And will teach you everything we know of the tower. You might think you already do, with those years of lessons you had, but you don't."

The Chronicler nodded solemnly to the students, his gaze hanging above them.

"And finally," she concluded, turning towards a man whose very stance seemed like stone, "Master Gelrin will impart tactics and strategy essential for your survival within the tower."

A moment passed. And Gelrin finally looked towards Hessmin who then continued, "You know your affinity now. And know this—It will be your guiding light. Your affinity is the seed from which your path, your abilities will sprout. If you want to stand on top, you need to embrace it. If you fight it, you will have made your first and worst enemy in the tower. Many of you will have already guessed which master has had a similar path to you. Rest assured that the masters will do everything they can to guide you. We do not hold any secrets back, we will give you whatever we can, whatever we have. We, and Sheath want you to succeed."

The initiates shuffled, a wave of whispers and lone clapping washing over them as Master Hessmin's words settled in their minds. They exchanged glances, with many students raising various small gestures, connecting to their spellbooks that only they could see.

Relar felt his own heart quicken at the thought. His eyes found Master Gumnik—Beasts. How much is it different from Spirit Beasts? Further ahead, a cluster of students started to move towards Master Elric, their faces alight with curiosity and awe. Relar couldn't hear their questions but saw the master's hands wave them back. He overheard snippets of conversation around him—"I want to learn how to vanish like that!" or "Do you think I will be able to fly?"—hope. It was contagious.

Master Hessmin once more called the students attention, "As you probably realized, the academy grounds are much bigger than what we need for you. That at least leaves space for everyone to train. And train you will."

Master Hessmin gestured to the wings of the buildings. "This here is the central courtyard. The basic facilities are in the rooms and halls adjacent. Classrooms for theory, mess hall, and dormitories. Also washrooms and kitchen. Physical training takes place wherever the Master sees fit, as there is plenty to choose from." Relar thought he saw the beginning of an eye-roll. "There are no helpers, no servants, no parents or grandparents. You will take care of your own belongings, needs and clothes. Master Gumnik here is kind enough to manage the kitchens and you all will have kitchen duty at some point. All of you." Her gaze noticeably lingered on the group of aristocrat children.

"The initiates from the last season share the academy with us. They already know how it works, and if you have questions, ask them. Some are already here, and by nightfall they will all be back. Let me give you a final reminder—as you all know you will be here for two seasons. By the end of this season, you will have to take the first Tower Challenge. We will formally organize participation in the last days of the season. After completing it, pass or fail, you will reemerge in Sheath, before returning to Moraine for the second season."

The initiates listened intently though they had known most before, it felt different to hear it standing inside the tower, surrounded by active casters.

"You are free for the rest of the day. Soon the sun will set, a sight to behold for us from Sheath who have only seen this through the towers sheen. Go to the west wing to see the view if you'd like. It will be disorienting at first to have actual night and day for the next months, but it's one more thing you will face on most tower worlds and floors. Now rest, prepare, or find out where to get food and linens. Just—You are not allowed to enter any challenge beacons. Leave that for tomorrow." With that Master Hessmin looked once more to Master Gelrin.

Dusk had approached and painted what remained of Moraine Academy in hues of amber and gold, that left a striking gradient to the green spires. One final announcement rang clear through the courtyard. "In three days," proclaimed Gelrin with a voice that carried across the time-worn stones, "a ranking test will determine your placement in groups for subsequent lessons. Dismissed."