As I step into the school auditorium, the sheer size of the place almost makes me stop in my tracks. The ceiling stretches up at least three floors, with intricate, gold-inlaid patterns spiraling toward a massive chandelier hanging in the center. The walls are lined with dark, polished wood panels, interrupted only by grand, arched windows that let in beams of light, casting long shadows on the marble floor. Rows upon rows of seats stretch back, each cushioned and with carved armrests, giving the room a kind of royal feel. There's a stage at the far end, with crimson curtains drawn back, revealing a podium and some elaborate setup involving banners with the school’s emblem—a roaring phoenix surrounded by arcane symbols.
Despite the grandeur, there's a certain tension in the air, a quiet hum of anticipation. I can't help but think of how out of place this opulence feels, especially after seeing how ragtag some of the students act. It’s as if the auditorium is trying too hard to impress.
"Well, this is... something," I mutter under my breath, my eyes scanning the place, not quite sure what to make of it.
Beside me, Cierra gives a soft chuckle, "It’s grand, right? Wait till you see it filled up during a major event."
I nod, distracted, still taking it all in. Then, just as we reach a set of seats near the middle, Cierra turns to me. “Well, this is where we part ways,” she says, brushing a strand of her red hair out of her face.
I blink, feeling a little caught off guard. "Already?"
She grins. "Yeah, I’ve got another assignment as a representative mage. It’s going to be a busy day for me."
"Another assignment?" I raise an eyebrow. "What are you, a workaholic?"
She laughs lightly. “Something like that. But to be honest, I’m just looking forward to the barbecue at the end of the day.” She stretches, looking both tired and excited at the same time. “Gotta keep some energy for that, you know?”
I smirk, shaking my head. "Well, good luck with all your...representative mage stuff."
“Good luck to you too, Griffin. See you around!” She flashes me a wave before heading off, weaving through the seats toward one of the exits.
As I watch her go, I can’t help but feel the smallest twinge of curiosity about what exactly the day holds. But, one thing is for sure, this place—grand as it may be—has its mysteries, and I’ve only scratched the surface.
"Barbecue, huh?" I mumble to myself, my stomach already growling at the thought. Guess there's something to look forward to after all.
As I stand in the middle of the auditorium, I'm momentarily awestruck by the sheer size of the place. The vaulted ceiling seems to stretch on forever, the kind of structure you'd expect to see in some ancient mage temple, not a school. But as I take a closer look, that initial sense of awe starts to fade.
The place is...old. Really old. I can see the cracks in the ceiling where the chandelier's light doesn't quite reach. Some of the wooden panels on the walls are chipped, with deep gouges running through them like someone tried to pry them off. I glance at the rows of seats, and my face tightens in disappointment. Many are missing cushions or outright broken, the jagged remains of wooden armrests sticking out here and there.
There are entire sections with chairs either gone completely or crumpled into disrepair. It dawns on me that this place can’t even fit all the new students that have piled in. Some are left standing awkwardly along the back wall, their expressions ranging from confusion to frustration. It’s like the grandness of the space is just an illusion, something that’s been left to rot from the inside.
I let out a quiet sigh, shaking my head. "So much for the royal treatment," I mutter, glancing around at the other students who seem to be having similar realizations.
If this rundown hall is supposed to impress us, it’s failing miserably.
The place starts filling up fast, and many of us are left standing. I glance around the room, noticing that some of the new students are already getting comfortable in what few seats are available, while others stand awkwardly at the back. Just as I start shifting the weight of my bag, a student sitting in front of me turns around with a grin.
“Hey there! Name’s Eitri Asura,” he says cheerfully, extending his hand.
I pause for a second, recognizing the name. Ah, that’s the guy from the library earlier. The one who couldn’t tear himself away from the books. “Griffin,” I reply, shaking his hand. Asura glances down at my oversized bag resting by my feet.
“You know,” he says, leaning forward conspiratorially, “since I’m sitting and you’ve got that beast of a bag with you, why don’t you take my seat? I can stand.”
I wave him off. “Nah, I’m good. Appreciate it, though.”
Just as the offer hangs in the air, another voice cuts into the conversation—loud, and a little too eager.
“Well, if *he* doesn’t want it,” the student says, pushing his way in, “*I’ll* take it.” The guy doesn’t waste time, stepping right in front of Asura.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Eitri’s eyes widen. “Wait a second! I was offering it to Griffin, not—"
The student, a tall guy with a smug grin, crosses his arms. “Yeah? Well, Griffin said no. So now it’s mine. Move.”
“You can’t just—” Eitri starts, but he’s immediately cut off by the guy plopping down in the seat with a triumphant smirk.
Asura’s face flushes, and he looks like he’s about to argue more, but I can already tell he’s losing this one. I smirk from behind, patting Eitri on the shoulder. “Let it go, man. Not worth the fight.”
Eitri grumbles under his breath, slumping back against the wall. I turn to the smug student, eyebrow raised. “So, what’s your name?”
He grins, reclining comfortably in the seat like he’s just won a prize. “I’m Joe Nightingale. Remember the name.”
I chuckle to myself, shaking my head. Well, this place just keeps getting more colorful.
Mr. Balthazar, the school principal, steps onto the stage, and the chatter in the room dies down quickly. He’s a tall, imposing figure with a salt-and-pepper beard that gives him an air of wisdom—if you ignore the slight slouch in his posture. His black robes, lined with silver embroidery, flow around him as he moves, commanding attention. He adjusts his spectacles and clears his throat before speaking.
"Welcome to Endreas Mage Academy, young mages," he begins, his voice calm but strong enough to carry through the large auditorium. “You’ve all worked hard to get here, but the real journey starts now.”
I can’t help but notice how the walls of the auditorium echo his words. It’s like the building itself is straining to hold together, trying to remain as impressive as Balthazar’s speech. The principal continues, "But before I go further, allow me to introduce someone important. Your guide through these early days, and the one responsible for your orientation and first tasks—Mr. Elbrus."
At that, a man walks up onto the stage beside Balthazar. Mr. Elbrus is shorter than the principal, but no less intimidating. His stern expression and the sharpness in his blue eyes make it clear he’s not here to play. His dark, tight-fitting robe is a stark contrast to Balthazar’s flowing attire, and he carries a thin, ebony staff that seems to hum with quiet energy.
Elbrus steps forward, eyeing the students with a sweeping gaze that seems to assess each of us individually. “You may think getting into this school was the hard part,” he begins, his voice cold and clipped. “You’re wrong.”
A murmur ripples through the crowd, and I can feel the tension rising. Some of the new students glance at each other nervously.
“You’ve been accepted,” Elbrus continues, “but that does not mean you belong here yet. Your true test lies ahead. You will need to complete an entrance task to prove yourselves worthy. Fail, and you may find your time here short-lived.”
I shift my weight, glancing at Eitri and Joe, who both seem to be reacting differently. Eitri looks excited, like he’s ready for anything. Joe, on the other hand, smirks as if this is all just another game to win.
Elbrus’ eyes land on me for a moment, and I feel a strange chill run down my spine. “Prepare yourselves,” he says, his gaze lingering before he turns away. “Your real test begins today.”
Mr. Balthazar interrupts Elbrus with a raised hand, saying, “Calm now, I still have a speech to make.” The sudden shift in tone draws laughter from the room, breaking the tension Elbrus had built with his imposing words. I even catch a few giggles coming from the students around me. Balthazar coughs lightly to bring silence back, his posture more relaxed than Elbrus but still commanding respect.
“Welcome, young mages, to Endreas Mage Academy!” Balthazar begins, his voice booming through the hall. “I am thrilled to stand before you today as your principal, Mr. Balthazar! And I am honored to be a part of your journey.”
A wave of polite applause ripples through the crowd, including a few slow claps from the back that almost make me laugh. Balthazar waits for the noise to settle before continuing.
“As you begin your freshman year,” he says, his tone softening a little, “I invite you to explore our historic halls, to discover the secrets hidden within our ancient library, and to unlock the mysteries of our chemistry lab. I look forward to seeing you master the art of spellcasting in our arena, to watching you grow and learn on our fields, and to sharing meals together in our mess hall.”
From somewhere nearby, I hear a student whisper, “Man, I hope the food here is cheap.”
“Not too cheap,” his friend replies. “Please don’t curse us.”
I can’t help but smirk at the exchange, trying to focus back on Balthazar as he continues his speech.
“But Endreas Mage Academy is more than just a collection of facilities,” Balthazar says, raising his arms slightly, “it is a community, a family of like-minded individuals united by a passion for magic. And I expect great things from each and every one of you.”
His words start to stir something inside me. I don’t know if it’s the energy in the room, or maybe it’s just how powerfully he speaks, but I feel my adrenaline spike. My body begins to emit steam, and I catch myself thinking, *This guy must be really strong. His words are moving me—my adrenaline’s been triggered.* For a brief moment, I wonder how I’d fare in a fight against him, a thought that makes me smirk inwardly.
Beside me, Eitri shuffles a few steps away, probably noticing the heat radiating off of me. His cautious glance makes me chuckle under my breath.
“In five years, I don’t expect you to be seniors,” Balthazar says, his voice rising again, “I expect you to be graduated sorcerers, ready to take on the world with confidence, skill, and wisdom. I expect you to have surpassed your limits! To have pushed yourselves to new heights, and to have discovered the true extent of your magical abilities.”
The crowd is hanging on his every word now. I can even hear a few whispers in the crowd. Someone murmurs, “This guy is something else.”
I quietly agree, thinking, *Right. I guess I’m not alone.*
“I hope that you will be the leaders, the innovators, and the game-changers of tomorrow,” Balthazar says with an almost fatherly pride. “I hope that you will use your talents to make a positive impact on the world, to fight for what is right, and to defend those who cannot defend themselves. So let us begin this journey together—with enthusiasm, with dedication, and with a commitment to excellence.”
I feel inspired. Really inspired. His words feel like a challenge, one that’s pushing me to be the best version of myself, not just a student at some school. It’s not just him, though—it's the crowd, the energy, everything.
“Let us make the most of our time here at Endreas Mage Academy,” Balthazar finishes, “and let us emerge as the best versions of ourselves.”
The room erupts into thunderous applause. I join in, feeling a strange sense of belonging despite the day’s bizarre moments. “Welcome, freshmen, to the Endreas Mage Academy family,” Balthazar says, the applause growing louder. “I am proud to be your principal, and I look forward to seeing the amazing things you will achieve.”
As the applause continues, I feel a fire lit within me. If nothing else, I’m ready for whatever comes next.
Mr. Elbrus steps up to the podium, his imposing presence almost drowning out the applause as it slowly dies down. His expression is much more serious than Balthazar’s, and his gaze sweeps across the room with an intensity that silences the remaining whispers.
“I welcome all of you as well,” Elbrus begins, his voice as deep and commanding as ever. “But I will have to emphasize that we are now moving on to the next part of what we have planned today...”
I can’t help but straighten up a little, trying to shake off the inspiration from Balthazar’s speech and focus on whatever’s coming next.
“All of you freshmen,” Elbrus continues, “will be put to the test to show what you are capable of in a race. You will race from this current location”—he gestures vaguely toward the walls of the auditorium—"to the dorms, which should take those of you who are the fastest, at most, about 20 minutes.”
A ripple of excitement moves through the crowd. I hear a student nearby whisper, “Finally, it’s about to get interesting.”
I have to admit, I feel the same way. But just as the excitement starts to build within me, a thought occurs.
*Wait,* I think to myself, my eyes narrowing in confusion. *Did he even tell us the rules?*
I glance around, hoping someone else is just as confused as I am. No mention of how to win, no clarification on whether magic can be used, no outline of what obstacles might be in the way. It’s like they’re just tossing us into this without warning.
This might be more chaotic than I expected.
As soon as Mr. Elbrus finishes speaking, the entire auditorium erupts into thunderous cheers. The excitement is so palpable that I can practically feel the floor vibrate beneath my feet. It’s like everyone had been waiting for this exact moment, like the anticipation of the race had been bubbling under the surface all day.
I blink in surprise, still trying to process how chaotic this could get. *No rules? No guidance? What if they sabotage the other participants to win?*
But before I can even finish the thought, the once-crowded hall empties in what feels like a blink of an eye. The rush of footsteps, the clatter of seats being shoved aside—it all happens so fast. One moment, I’m surrounded by a mass of eager students, and the next, I’m practically standing there alone, stunned.
*How did everyone leave so quickly?* I think to myself, feeling almost disoriented by the sudden change. One second, it was a chaotic mix of laughter and shouting, and now… silence.