Chapter 11: The Grand Entrance and Registration

The academy gates loomed high above them, carved from black stone and lined with glowing runes that pulsed faintly. The grand entrance was a sea of new students, most of them city elites dressed in fine robes adorned with family crests. Villagers, like Axton and Elias, stood out in their simpler attire, their unease clear.

Axton stared in awe as they stepped inside the massive hall. The ceiling stretched high above, enchanted to resemble a shifting night sky. Columns lined the hall, carved into the shapes of mythical beasts like dragons and phoenixes, their glowing eyes tracking the newcomers.

"This place is unbelievable," Elias murmured, his voice tinged with both wonder and nerves.

At the far end of the hall stood a stern instructor beside a glowing orb the size of a boulder. Its surface pulsed with light, drawing murmurs from the crowd.

"This is the Orb of Potential," the instructor announced, his deep voice commanding the room's attention. "It will assess your elemental affinity and rank your power level. This is not a judgment of your worth—merely your starting point."

The city students exchanged confident smirks, their pride palpable. Meanwhile, the villagers shifted nervously, their confidence faltering in the face of such grandeur.

"Form a line," the instructor ordered, and the crowd obeyed.

Axton and Elias fell into line near the middle. Elias nudged Axton with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "No big deal, right?"

Axton nodded, though his stomach churned with nerves.

The first city student, a tall girl with silver hair, stepped forward. Her robes bore the crest of the Vance family—a household whispered to be among the strongest in the city. As she placed her hand on the orb, it flared to life with a dazzling golden glow.

"Level 8," the instructor declared.

"She's from one of the best families," someone whispered.

The girl turned with a smirk, rejoining her group. Her confident stride seemed to widen the gulf between the city elites and the villagers.

Another city student followed, his angular features and crest-emblazoned cloak drawing attention. The orb glowed bright blue.

"Level 7."

One after another, the city students stepped forward, their levels ranging from 6 to 8. Each result brought murmurs of admiration and envy.

Then came Seraphina Vance. Her dark auburn hair shimmered under the enchanted ceiling, and her sharp eyes scanned the room with quiet confidence. Whispers erupted as she approached.

"She's another Vance. Isn't their family known for rare powers?"

When her hand touched the orb, it erupted into a brilliant display of blue, silver, and golden light, cycling through as if struggling to contain the sheer power. The instructor's eyes widened slightly before composing himself.

"Level 9."

A hushed silence fell over the room before the whispers began again.

"She's incredible."

"Of course, with a family like hers…"

Seraphina didn't even glance at the crowd as she returned to her place, her expression calm and unreadable.

Next came Corbin Alaric, a tall boy with jet-black hair and an arrogant smirk. His family's crest, depicting a flame encircled by a coiled serpent, gleamed on his robe.

"I hear he's one of the strongest in his class already," someone murmured.

Corbin placed his hand on the orb, and it flared with deep red, black, and brown light, swirling together in a display of raw power.

"Level 8," the instructor said, though his tone held an edge of caution.

Corbin turned with a smug grin, his gaze lingering on the villagers as though daring them to match him.

Finally, it was the villagers' turn.

Elias stepped forward first, his hand trembling slightly as he touched the orb. For a moment, it flickered uncertainly before settling into a steady green glow.

"Level 4."

Relief flooded Elias's face as he rejoined Axton, his result respectable enough to avoid the ridicule of the city students.

The other villagers followed, their levels ranging from 1 to 3. Disappointment and determination mingled in their expressions as they returned to the group.

Then it was Axton's turn.

The room seemed to still as he approached the orb. Placing his hand on its smooth surface, he felt a strange hum beneath his palm. The orb flickered erratically, its light dimming and brightening in chaotic bursts.

"What's happening?" someone whispered.

The instructor frowned, his sharp eyes fixed on the orb. It pulsed once, twice, then abruptly went dark.

"It cannot determine your level," the instructor said, his voice tinged with confusion. "Move along."

Whispers erupted across the hall.

"What does that mean?"

"He doesn't even register?"

"Is he really that weak?"

Axton's cheeks burned as he stepped back, avoiding the crowd's stares. Elias leaned in, whispering, "That was… different. You okay?"

"I'm fine," Axton muttered, though his mind raced. What did it mean? Why couldn't the orb read him?

As the group moved on, the whispers persisted. Axton kept his head down, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on his shoulders