As the final scores were tallied and the dust of the exam settled, the head instructor stepped forward, his voice carrying across the open training field.
"Now that the exam has concluded, congratulations to all who have passed—well done," he announced. "For those who have not passed, you may attempt the exam again next year."
A moment of silence lingered, and then the field erupted into cheers. The candidates who passed threw their arms into the air, laughing and crying in joy. Some ran straight into the embrace of proud parents. Others stood frozen in disbelief before grinning wide and shouting into the sky.
But not everyone lingered. Those who didn't pass kept their heads low, quietly slipping away through the crowd. Their steps were heavy, and their faces tight with disappointment, but no one stopped them. Everyone understood.
Among the crowd, Kayden and Miya stood together, their relief turning into quiet celebration.
"We actually did it," Miya said with a soft, amazed laugh.
Kayden smiled, "Told you we would."
Their quiet moment was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Well, not bad, little man."
Ren Duskveil stepped up with his usual swagger, arms folded and an arrogant smirk stretched across his face. "I see you'll be a worthy opponent after all."
He glanced at both of them, clearly sizing them up. "Once the Soul Bond Ceremony is done, the eight candidates with the highest scores across all five Guild Academies will enter the Initiate Elite League. I'll be seeing you there—both of you."
With that, he turned and walked away, his confident chuckle trailing behind him.
Kayden raised an eyebrow, half amused, half annoyed. "He's never not dramatic, is he?"
Miya giggled. "At least he gave you a compliment... sort of."
Then the head instructor raised his voice again, drawing the attention of the remaining candidates.
"For those who passed," he continued, "the Soul Bonding Ceremony will take place at the Winterbrand Pact Guild—the major guild for this region. You are to report there within two hours. At the ceremony, you will each receive a Celesta metal ingot, which will be used to create your Soul Bond Weapon, as well as an Aetherband."
The crowd roared again—this time with uncontained excitement. The idea of gaining their first true weapon and discovering their magic affinity sent sparks of anticipation through every adventurer's heart.
Kayden and Miya exchanged wide-eyed looks, both grinning.
"This is really happening," Kayden said.
"Let's go home and get ready," Miya added. "I'm starving—and my mom promised to cook something special for me."
She sounded more excited than usual, her voice lighter, brighter. It was rare to see her this animated. Kayden noticed—and he liked it.
They began the walk home together, laughter and cheers still echoing in the distance. As they neared the edge of the training field, Professor Xeni appeared from the crowd.
"Well done," he said, his voice calm but proud. "I see that you were chosen for a good reason."
Kayden blinked. "Wait, what—?"
But before he could ask him what he meant, he was gone. Just like that.
He scanned the area, but there was no sign of him.
"How does he know about the prophecy...?" he wondered, a chill briefly crawling down his spine. Then he shook it off. No time for that. Right now, there were more important things to focus on—like getting his license and forging his Soul Bond Weapon.
"Kayden, let's go!" Miya called cheerfully from ahead. "I'm a bit hungry and my mom said she'd make my favorite stew!"
Kayden smiled, watching her skip a little as she walked. He caught up to her, his usual nerves creeping in as they reached the split path leading to her village.
He glanced around at her quiet village, admiring its peaceful charm, as he always did.
He wanted to say something more—something real. But the words caught in his throat.
Instead, he gave her the usual: "Meet you here later?"
Miya nodded with a soft smile. "Yes."
Then she disappeared down the path, her long blue hair flowing behind her.
When Kayden arrived home, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. For once, his parents didn't bring up prophecies or destinies. No grand speeches. Just simple joy.
Liana ran up to him and threw her arms around his waist.
"You did it, Kayden!" she beamed. "I hope you get an awesome weapon and a powerful magic type!"
Their father chuckled from the doorway. "I remember when I got my Soul Bond Weapon. A lucky bow. Still use it to hunt now and then, though these old arms aren't what they used to be."
They all laughed, and his mother brought out a large pot of her special family stew. The rich, savory aroma filled the air, wrapping them all in comfort.
Around the table, they shared stories, laughed, and toasted to Kayden's success. Even the quiet moments felt special.
Kayden's heart was full.
He didn't know what kind of weapon he'd receive or what magic affinity he had—but he didn't care. Whatever it was, he would master it. He'd make it his.
The stew was delicious. The company was better.
But eventually, the time came.
Kayden stood at the door, taking one last look at his family as they wished him luck.
"I'll see you after the ceremony," he said.
"Go get 'em, Kayden!" Liana called out.
"You've got this, son," his father added with a proud nod.
Kayden stepped out into the cool evening air, the sky painted in hues of orange and gold.
It was time.
The Soul Bond Ceremony awaited.
While Kayden was on his way to meet Miya, Ren stood tall in the grand stone hall of House Duskveil. The walls, decorated with crimson banners bearing the sigil of an unshattered blade, loomed over him. Torchlight danced along polished marble floors as his parents sat upon high-backed chairs, watching him like hawks ready to strike.
"We saw the exam results from the royal ambassadors we sent," his father said, voice like cold steel. "You did well... but there is room for improvement. That boy—Kayden—you must never allow him to surpass you. You are a Duskveil. Our family is the strongest among the Five Noble Houses. You must not fail."
Ren stood motionless, jaw tight, his fists clenched behind his back. The pressure bore down on him like gravity magic itself.
His mother's sharp eyes narrowed. "We will be watching the Soul Bond Ceremony closely. We expect your weapon and affinity to reflect the greatness of our bloodline. Do not forget who your brother is. One of the Ten Magisterial. One of the most powerful warriors in the kingdom."
Her voice carried pride, but it was edged with expectation—like a dagger behind a smile.
Ren lowered his head respectfully. "Yes, Mother. Yes, Father. I will not fail. I'll bring honor to the Duskveil name. I will surpass even my brother."
Though the weight of legacy pressed on him, Ren welcomed it. The pressure sharpened his focus. It drove him. Someday, they'd speak of his name—not just his brother's. He would rise higher.
He was ready.
Meanwhile, in a quiet home filled with soft candlelight and the smell of warm herbs, Miya's family rejoiced.
Her mother wrapped her in a gentle hug, her voice trembling with joy. "Your sister would be proud, Miya. And so are we."
Miya smiled, though her heart tugged with sorrow. The room felt both warm and hollow. A part of her longed for her sister's hand on her shoulder, her voice in her ear. She stared for a moment at the small silver pendant on the wall—her sister's keepsake.
"I'll keep my promise," Miya said softly. "And I'll bring justice to this family, one step at a time."
Just then, a familiar voice called from outside.
"Hey Miya!"
It was Kayden.
"I didn't see you at the square, so I came to check if everything was okay."
Miya blinked, her sadness melting into a determined glint. She stepped outside, the crisp afternoon air brushing against her face.
"Sorry, Kayden. I lost track of time. But I'm ready now. Let's go."
Kayden smiled, catching a spark in her eyes. She seemed more sure of herself today—stronger.
They walked together toward the ceremony grounds, footsteps light yet filled with purpose.
By the time they reached the gates of the Winterbrand Pact Guild, the atmosphere was electric.
The plaza outside the towering guild hall pulsed with life. The scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and sweet candies wafted through the air from food stalls set up for the event. Children ran around, waving little wooden swords and staffs, while adventurers in flashy armor or enchanted cloaks leaned against stone pillars, sharing stories and laughter.
A line of Guild Academy candidates, dressed in ceremonial gray and white cloaks, moved toward the guild doors.
Drums thundered in the distance, echoing off the high walls of the guild like a heartbeat. The massive doors stood open, revealing a glowing circular chamber within, where soul bond weapons awaited their wielders.
The crowd surrounding the area was massive—easily in the thousands.
Guild recruiters lined the perimeter, eyes sharp, clipboards in hand. They whispered among themselves, pointing at candidates.
"That's the boy from Valenridge Academy—he took down three Shadowfangs solo!" one murmured. "We'll offer him a placement the moment he steps out."
Royal Army ambassadors, dressed in dark-blue cloaks with golden pauldrons, stood with arms crossed, surveying the candidates like generals sizing up future soldiers. One of them, a woman with a scar down her cheek, muttered, "We need more strong ones this year. The northern border isn't getting any quieter."
Parents, huddled near the barriers, had eyes shimmering with pride and nerves. A mother wept openly, clutching her hands as she whispered, "That's my son… my boy, he's in there."
Scholars scribbled notes feverishly on glowing parchments, trying to predict which affinities might appear this year. "Last year had a surge in water affinities. Will we see more elemental divergence this time?" they discussed.
Failed candidates stood off to the side. Some wore faint smiles, cheering for their friends, while others kept their heads low, jaws clenched in silence.
Adventurers from all across the kingdom leaned on their weapons or stood on balconies above, watching the future unfold. Some were here to spot competition, others simply to remember what it felt like to take that first step.
The air buzzed with magic. Even the ground seemed to hum with energy.
Excitement, anxiety, and awe rippled through the crowd like waves.
Cheers erupted as each candidate entered the chamber. Somewhere in the crowd, a bard began to strum a celebratory tune on a silver-stringed lute.
Kayden looked up at the glowing banner above the guild—Winterbrand Pact Guild: Forge Your Fate. He inhaled deeply. The cool mountain breeze carried with it the scent of metal.