The assembly area of Moraine Academy buzzed with the nervous energy of initiates as dawn's first light washed over the crumbling stone and overgrown flora. They stood in clusters, whispering and speculating, their simple uniforms blending with the muted backdrop of the ruins. At the heart of the gathering, a raised platform held Master Elric and Headmaster Hessmin, their gazes sweeping over the sea of faces before them.
"Today," Hessmin began, her voice cutting through the murmur like a blade, "you will face the challenge beacons."
Relar edged closer, Fletch flying above the assembly in wide circles.
"Ah, young minds, eager and untempered," Master Elric began, his voice carrying the timbre of one who had seen many cycles. "Casting is far more than the mere summoning or sharing of Aether. It represents a profound command over Aether, the essence of light itself. Your role, a mirror, is to direct this raw, potent power handed to you with precision and intent. Giving it shape. The pages that lie within your grasp, filled with spells and arcane knowledge, serve as instruments in this grand orchestration. Yet, they are only as effective as the wisdom with which they are wielded. It is this wisdom, born from experience, understanding, and insight, that truly forges your essence of power. Your mind will be your crucible, raw potential transformed, shaped by the force of your will and awareness. As you will embark on a new leg of your journey, remember that each challenge, each triumph, and each setback is an opportunity to refine your mastery. The true class of a caster is not found in the spells you cast, but in the goals you achieve."
Elrin, his robes frayed at the edges but eyes alight with intensity, continued, "These spires of light that you have seen about, are the biggest gift the lowlands have to offer. They are your gateways to growth," he declared. "You will encounter scenarios designed to test you and your pages. You will learn to harness different powers, and not just your pages, but the grander power the tower has to offer, new pages, gear and even races."
"These beacons," Elric continued, gesturing to a series of tall, narrow columns of skyward lights, "are not mere training exercises. They are echoes of the tower's trials." He let his words hang in the air for a moment as initiates craned their necks to examine the beacons' lights.
He continued, "To activate a beacon, one must simply be within its vicinity, three meters or less. At that point, either you or an overseeing teacher can select the challenge you wish to face. Each beacon," he noted, scanning the faces before him, "houses a distinct array of trials. These might seem random; but they aren't. They usually represent a larger set if skills, and not all of them might be for you specifically, but you can trust the tower that if one teaches you something, there are probably others in that set that you should try."
He moved back to the platform, his gaze sweeping over the eager students. "For when you are seeking specific trials, I direct you to the challenge registry located in our library. There, you can study the vast selection available across the beacons. But know," his tone dipped, a note of seriousness threading through his words, "the challenges listed can change. Some may no longer be repeatable, even if you find them in the registry. If that happens, bring word back to Master Baelor"
"While it is tempting to experiment with the various gear the tower offers, we urge restraint. Within the Climb, you will be equipped only with a basic set. Familiarize yourself with this, let your powers emerge through this limitation. Your strength lies not in the gear you wield, but in the mastery of your own abilities."
"Now listen closely— the pain and fear of injury, even death, within these challenges will feel real to you. They will test you, not just physically but mentally. It is crucial to remember, that your body will return unharmed after each trial. This is not to say that you should take it lightly by any means. It is your responsibility as a Caster of Sheath, to ensure you are learning. Progressing. And that progress comes from facing your fears, and climbing to new heights. Yet, the psychological scars can linger. We've seen promising students falter under the weight of their experiences. Most challenges can be left at a moments notice if necessary, but not all. Make sure you know if you are facing those, and be aware of your limitations. We do not want to see you succumb to fears, and we have seen too many of them over the years still."
Master Elric's eyes locked onto the crowd. "Failure," he said, "is an opportunity. Learn from it and define yourself by its mastery. Remember," Elric said as he paced with purpose across the platform, "the tower cares not for your pride or fears. It only respects power, but power comes in many forms."
His final words carried a weight of responsibility and care. "These trials, as daunting as they may seem, are your path to growth. They are an opportunity to harness your power, to become more than just casters - to become architects of your destiny, your path. When you step into those beacons," he concluded, his voice imbued with a blend of encouragement and caution, "you step into a realm of endless possibilities. Let your courage and wisdom guide you."
Hessmin stepped forward and told the initiates to seek out their preferred Masters and follow them out to the spires. The assembly soon dispersed into action as groups formed around each master.
"Ready?" Kian's voice brought Relar back from his observations. Feeling Fletch's reassuring presence high above him, he shrugged and nodded along. As they and other initiates approached, Master Gumnik regarded them with a tranquil gaze.
"We will make our way out in the direction of the same grove as yesterday. There are two suitable beacons on the way, and a few others further out. Today I will choose your challenges. Only a master can choose for your, at other times it will be up to yourself to make those choices. "
He looked around and when no-one spoke up, continued, "Each test should take about an hour. When you are done, find your way to yesterdays clearing. If I am not there yet, wait, otherwise report back and we will decide how to continue your training today. There seem to be about 20 of you, so we will do groups of 4. Find your partners on the way there. When we arrive, the first team come forward."
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
With the last words, he turned around and started walking out of the courtyard. Relar and Kian looked at each other.
"Join up?", Relar said first.
"Sure, but who else?", Kian answered.
Relar's gaze swept over the corridors, their stone walls echoing with the murmur of initiates' chatter and the distant sound of trickling water. Sunlight filtered through the high windows, casting a lattice of shadows that danced across the floor with each step he took. Kian walked beside him, his eyes scanning the group for potential partners. The air carried an ever present mix of damp earth and stone from the ruins, with a hint of decay.
They emerged from the cloistered hallways onto a trail that snaked through the academy's grounds, flanked by ruins reclaimed by nature. Ancient stones lay draped in a vibrant embrace of ivy and wildflowers.
The first beacon loomed just ahead—a monolith of light. As they approached, Kian nodded to a girl with green eyes and an easy stride.
"Lorena, do you have a team? Join us?" he asked.
She gave a quick smile and fell in step beside them. "Yeah, happy to. Rez right?", the latter directed to Relar.
"Ah yeah, I actually chose Relar for the tower. But Rez also works." he replied, ignoring Kian looking at him with slight surprise on the name choice.
As they walked, they traded stories of their capabilities without delving into the specifics of their affinities. Lorena spoke of her spells for shaping air, while Kian described his ability to coax vines into helpers. Relar mentioned his ability to scout with his spirit bird.
The group reached the beacon where Master Gumnik stood waiting. His voice was firm as he addressed them. "Your challenges today will be fetch quests. Details will become clear once you're inside."
A team of four stepped forward eagerly as Gumnik continued. "First, understand how to exit and re-enter this space safely. After you're comfortable with that process, you can start your quest in earnest. Once inside you should be able to will open your spellbook and have access to quests and other details of this challenge. There you should find the exit option."
Gumnik gathered the group, his eyes scanning each initiate with a measured calm. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice steady. "Yes, sir.", the answer rang out, the long years of training shining through the nervousness of the initiates.
Relar stood with bated breath, his eyes fixed on the group as the first of the initiates stepped forward. The surface of the beacon, a smooth flowing expanse, responded to their presence, growing brighter in turn. A moment passed, until suddenly, the group had been swallowed whole. Though no other sign had occurred, it was clear the beacon was now occupied, as its light had a clear blue hue now. The sight sent a thrill through Relar, a mixture of anticipation and unease stirring in his chest. The possibility of stepping into danger and adventure any moment.
Relar barely had time to take a look around and see a few other beacons around the academy now tinted blue where other initiates were part of the same ritual. The initiates returned just as seamlessly. All wearing expressions of excitement.
"Good. Any problems?" Master Gumnik asked of them.
"No, sir. It was clear." One girl answered.
"Great then, off you go, start your first quest in earnest now."
Master Gumnik, already turned towards Relar and the rest of the initiates while the group disappeared again. "Follow me." he stated, his voice cutting through the hushed murmurs and speculative whispers that filled the group, as he set off once again.
Relar glanced sideways, catching Kian's determined look. Beside him, Lorena adjusted her stance, her eyes alight with the same fierce determination that Relar felt pulsing through his veins. Next to Lorena stood another girl now, with his focus on the first beacon, he hadn't noticed her before.
Lorena catching his glance spoke up "Mai, her spells are combat focused. Earth power."
"Great, we are all four now, right?", Kian spoke up.
"Looks like it." Relar confirmed into the round of faces, with the two girls voicing their agreement.
A few minutes of walking later, they had arrived at the second beacon. It didn't look any different from the outside. The master added that that beacons closest to the academy also carried the easier quests. Though even they had more than enough difficulty for the coming weeks.
Gumnik, having stopped once again between the initiates and the beacon, a good ten meters away, scanned the remaining initiates and settled on Relar and his team of four, gesturing them to come forward. Taking a deep breath, Relar followed his group towards the beacon. The cool stone that ringed the beacon among the grassland beneath their feet felt grounding, a solid reassurance. As they neared the beacon, a simple "you know what to do" followed them, before the light began to intensify, wrapping around them like a cloak.
Do you want to enter the challenge beacon? A party will be formed with all participants.
A list with the names of their group followed, along with their level. All level 1. And if they had already accepted. Besides this information, they found the name of the Quest Golden Idol Retrieval, with a clear note that it was selected by the master and unable to change at this time. Relar met the eyes of his companions, finding a reflection of his own emotions—excitement bordering on mirth. Together, they reached out and accepted.
And in that instant, the light enveloped them completely, whisking them away from the watching eyes of their peers and into the heart of the challenge that awaited them.
The light of the transition seized Relar. It tugged at his senses, distorting time and space. When the light receded, a shiver traveled down his spine as his feet found solid ground once more.
The group emerged into a forest that was nothing like the academy's sun-drenched courtyards or Sheath's gloom. It was a dark meandering woodland, yet the moon above bathed the scene in a strong glow, allowing visibility. The trees stood tall and far apart, their trunks like ancient pillars holding up the sky. No crowns adorned these sentinels; instead, their branches stretched out like skeletal hands grasping for something just out of reach.
A collective gasp escaped the group; they were all entranced by this alien landscape. Excitement bubbled within them, eyes wide with wonder at the moonlit path that beckoned them forward.
"Remember, we have to go back first," Lorena's voice cut through their awe like a knife through parchment. "Just to confirm we've got it down."
Relar nodded, still processing the fact that they were truly here, in the midst of a challenge beacon quest, and an alien forest.
Party member Lorena has initiated Challenge Termination. Do you want to exit the challenge beacon?
They affirmed their intent to return. Once again enveloped in light, they stepped backward into their world—the world of Moraine Academy and Master Gumnik's expectant gaze. They materialized before their peers, who looked on with curious glances. Gumnik gave a curt nod, a subtle expression of approval on his weathered face.
"Well done," he said simply, without much conviction in his voice.
Sufficiently approved, Relar and his companions turned back to the beacon. They all took a few breaths and entered. Now prepared for the light that took them to a new world, or a distant part of this world at least.
The moonlit forest greeted them again, unchanged and eerie in its silent beauty. Suddenly, Relar's heart pounded with adrenaline as he caught sight of movement ahead—a shadow detached itself from the darkness between two massive tree trunks. He was reminded of what he had seen in the climb not long ago. Fear flooded him. An attacker stepped into the moonlight, features obscured but intent clear as day.