The journey to the capital was nothing short of breathtaking. Aiden and Elara sat side by side in the carriage, watching the landscape shift from the quiet, forested outskirts of their village to vast golden fields and towering stone cities. The dirt roads turned to smooth cobblestone, and the occasional merchant wagon became streams of traveller's, knights, and mages, all heading toward the heart of the kingdom—Arathis' capital, Velthrandr.
Aiden had never seen anything like it. Massive walls, nearly a hundred feet high, surrounded the city like an unbreakable fortress. At the centre, the University of Higher Magic stood as a marvel of human craftsmanship and divine blessing. Its spires gleamed under the sun, each tower engraved with symbols of the gods, radiating an aura of immense power.
Yet, despite the grandeur, Aiden's thoughts were troubled.
"Why was I chosen? Why did Takeda Renzou, a top-ranked mentor, insist on me? And how in the world am I supposed to survive here?"
He let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temple. The moment he had received the letter, his mind had been racing with doubts. But before he could spiral too deep into his thoughts, Elara nudged him with her elbow.
"Don't look so serious. You'll wrinkle that empty head of yours."
Aiden blinked, then scoffed. "Oh, sorry. I forgot I was traveling with royalty."
Elara smirked. "Not royalty, but close enough." She leaned back against the cushioned seat, stretching. "It's weird, though… You're not the only one surprised. I didn't expect to get in either."
He frowned. "What do you mean? You ranked way higher than me in the tournament."
"Yeah, but the university isn't just about ranking," Elara muttered, looking out the window. "They pick based on potential, too. And well… my power isn't exactly 'normal' either."
Aiden knew what she meant. Shadow Magic was rare, even among nobles. It was seen as unnatural—dangerous. The way people reacted to her abilities reminded him of how they had treated him before his Awakening.
"Guess we're both misfits," Aiden said.
Elara gave him a sideways glance before smirking. "Well, one of us is at least competent."
Aiden groaned. "I take back my sympathy."
The two continued their banter as the carriage passed through the massive city gates, where armoured guards and magic-wielding sentinels stood watch. Inside, the streets buzzed with life—merchants calling out their wares, airships hovering above, and spellcasters displaying their talents to impress customers.
And at the very centre of it all stood the University of Higher Magic.
The University of Higher Magic
The first thing Aiden noticed was the sheer pressure in the air.
Power.
It was everywhere—radiating off students, instructors, and even the very walls of the university itself. Walking through the grand entrance felt like stepping into another world. The stone pathways shimmered with residual magic, the air buzzed with energy, and towering statues of past champions lined the courtyard, watching over new arrivals.
Aiden swallowed hard. I really don't belong here.
"Elara Varian and Aiden Varian?" A voice called.
They turned to see a tall young man, his long white hair tied back into a loose ponytail, dressed in a sleek academy uniform. His presence was… strange. Not intimidating, but heavy, like the space around him bent slightly in his Favor.
"I'm Raiven Darnes," he introduced himself, nodding to them. "Looks like we'll be studying together."
Aiden had heard of him before. Darnes wasn't just any student—he was one of the top-ranked entrants of the tournament. Unlike Leon and Xaleth, who had dominated their fights effortlessly, Vael had climbed the ranks with sheer persistence, adapting his strategies against every opponent.
Aiden quickly extended his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Darnes shook his hand firmly before turning to Elara. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, studying her carefully. "Shadow Magic, huh?"
Elara raised an eyebrow. "Problem?"
Darnes smirked slightly. "No. Just didn't expect it. It's rare."
Aiden sensed the tension and quickly cleared his throat. "So, uh… where do we go from here?"
Before Darnes could answer, a loud BOOM echoed through the courtyard.
All heads turned as the university gates swung open violently. Two figures stepped inside, drawing immediate attention.
The first was Leon Aaldric—tall, sharp-eyed, and radiating an undeniable arrogance. His uniform was spotless, his posture perfect, and his presence demanded respect. The noble prodigy with unmatched speed.
Beside him was Xaleth Vireos—cloaked, quiet, and unreadable. His dark blue hair fell over his pale face, his expression uninterested. Unlike Leon, who basked in the attention, Xaleth seemed to ignore it completely. The noble with terrifying control over space.
Aiden felt a shiver run down his spine. These are my teammates?
Leon's piercing gaze swept the crowd before locking onto Aiden. His expression twisted into one of mild annoyance. "Tch. You're the commoner they put in our team?"
Aiden clenched his jaw but didn't respond.
Elara, however, stepped forward, crossing her arms. "He's stronger than he looks."
Leon snorted. "That's not saying much."
Aiden was about to retort when Darnes spoke up. "Alright, that's enough. We're all going to be training together. No point in starting fights now."
Leon clicked his tongue but didn't push further. Xaleth, meanwhile, gave Aiden a quick glance before looking away, as if losing interest entirely.
Aiden exhaled. This is going to be a long year.