Elabra Academy

Arakh tugged at his cloak as the caravan passed through the massive gates of Elabra City, their intricate carvings depicting stories of resonator triumphs long past. The hum of life hit him first—the voices of traders hawking their goods, the sharp clang of blacksmiths' hammers, and the soft melodies of street performers blending into a symphony of chaos. The cobbled streets glistened as if polished by countless footsteps, and the air carried the mingling aromas of sizzling meat skewers and freshly baked bread.

For a moment, Arakh forgot his grief. The city's sheer vibrancy left him breathless, its energy almost tangible. He was no longer in Kairan Village—this was a different world altogether.

The caravan stopped right in front of a gate. A massive cobbled path stretched to a beautiful grand building with three towers. Trees that took three grown-ups to hug adorned the yard. 

"Woah, I could align my house ten times and it still wouldn't fill the courtyard," said Arakh after they stepped out of the caravan.

The driver stepped off, "It's magnificent isn't it?" he said while looking at the massive courtyard.

"It is, it is..." Arakh put his hands on his waist before sighing in relief.

Grandma, this is just the first step. Please watch me—

"What? No tip?" asked the driver.

"Oh, no, I'm broke," said Arakh before resuming his gaze on the courtyard. Grandma, please watch over me... except when I'm alone in my room under my blanket, or in the bathroom.

"Tch!" the driver jumped on the driver's seat and took off.

Arakh took his first step forward and walked down the cobbled path. In the main building, he saw no one except the receptionist who was a particularly beautiful lady with blonde hair with blue eyes. "Hello, how may I help you?"

"Oh hi," Arakh waved, "I want to enroll."

"My name is Eli, and you are?" Eli said with a smile.

"S-Sorry, I got nervous facing a beautiful woman such as yourself, my name is Arakh," he confidently pointed out his chest and a grin of excitement.

"Oh my, aren't you a brave one for a little one?" Eli chuckled. Okay, since you want to enroll, may I ask where you are from?"

"Kairan Village."

Eli paused, her vibrant eyes widening as though he had just mentioned a place out of legend. "You're from Kairan?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch.

Arakh nodded, tilting his head slightly. "What's wrong?"

Eli clasped her hands together, her excitement spilling over. "Wow, Kairan! I know at least two amazing people who came from there." She tapped her chin dramatically, then gave a wide, dreamy smile. "Namely, Reikh! Ah, Reikh..." She placed her hands over her heart, her cheeks blossoming into a deep pink as her eyes sparkled. "His incredible skills with fire just... burnssss," she said with a swooning sigh.

Arakh raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by her over-the-top admiration. He couldn't help but smirk inwardly at her theatrics. It was strange seeing someone fawn over Reikh like that—Reikh, who had once been his sparring partner and who had shared quiet conversations with him about their dreams for the future. To Arakh, Reikh was a person full of life and ambition, not just some lofty figure to be idolized.

"Reikh?" Arakh repeated, his tone carrying a note of nostalgia. His lips curved into a faint, knowing smile as he leaned against the table. "I know him."

Eli blinked, her gaze snapping back to him as if she had just realized he was still standing there. "Sure you do," she said, brushing off his comment with a playful grin. "You're from the same place, after all. Everyone in Kairan must've been bragging about him non-stop, right?"

Arakh's smirk widened, and he shook his head slightly. "Something like that."

"Sure you do, you are from the same place," said Eli.

"I mean, I'm his friend," said Arakh.

"Oh really, what is his favorite food then?" asked Eli.

"I... I don't know," said Arakh. Why would I know? It's incredibly suspicious if I know!

"Hmmm," Eli rolled her eyes with disappointment, "Anyway, we get sidetracked a bit there," she went around the receptionist's table. "Follow me, let me escort you to the principal."

Arakh trailed behind Eli, his footsteps falling in sync with the soft taps of her boots against the polished stone floors of the academy's corridors. The hallway stretched endlessly, its high ceilings adorned with banners depicting various elemental emblems and the academy's crest—a resplendent phoenix rising from a bed of flames.

Sunlight streamed in through arched windows, casting golden patterns on the floor and illuminating the intricate carvings on the walls. Arakh's eyes wandered to the portraits that lined the corridor, their gilded frames housing the faces of stern men and women—former principals, instructors, or perhaps legendary alumni. He didn't know, and he didn't have the nerve to ask. Their gazes seemed to follow him, their silent scrutiny adding to the weight already pressing on his shoulders.

Eli slowed her pace, letting Arakh take in the grandeur of his surroundings. "Elabra Academy can feel a bit overwhelming at first," she said with a small smile, her voice light and melodic. "But give it time. You'll find your place here."

Arakh nodded, his gaze shifting from one ornate detail to another until something caught his attention—a painting on the wall, slightly apart from the others. He stopped abruptly, his feet rooted to the polished stone floor as his eyes fixated on the image.

The portrait depicted a young man, perhaps in his late teens, his hair jet-black with a subtle red sheen that gave it an almost otherworldly aura. His piercing gaze was sharp and focused, exuding an air of deadly precision that sent a faint chill down Arakh's spine. Yet, there was something else—a certain nonchalance in his posture, a laidback energy that seemed at odds with the intensity in his eyes. It was as though the man carried the weight of tremendous power, but chose to bear it with an effortless ease.

"I always stop by here and reminisce, I was in the same class as him," said Eli, hands on his waist.

"Reikh," Arakh crossed his arms. A sense of pride swelled up in his chest. "What was he like in the school days?"

"At first, he rarely communicated, they say he had a rough traumatic event in Kairan Village," said Eli raising one of her brows with her arms crossed.

Arakh's gaze lowered. He still vividly remembered how Reikh didn't give up on pulling Hayam. I'm sorry, Reikh. But don't worry, we all will reunite once more.

Eli turned and continued pacing away with her boots echoing the hall, "Anyway, let's continue."

"En!" Arakh nodded, but his throat was too dry to respond. He adjusted the strap of his bag, his fingers gripping it tightly as he focused on following her steps. He didn't want to admit that he felt out of place—like a grain of sand in a sea of gold.

They passed a row of wide windows, and Arakh couldn't help but glance outside. Beyond the glass, expansive training grounds sprawled out before him, alive with energy. Students sparred in pairs, their weapons flashing in the sunlight, while others practiced their resonance techniques. A young girl, no older than him, conjured a shimmering barrier of ice, deflecting a barrage of fiery projectiles. Another student leapt high into the air, his blade glowing with resonance as he struck downward with precision.

"Pretty amazing, isn't it?" Eli's voice pulled him out of his trance. She had stopped and was watching him with an amused expression. "That's the outer field. Advanced students train in the restricted areas—you'll get to see those eventually, if you work hard."

Arakh flushed slightly, realizing he'd fallen behind. "It's... different from what I'm used to," he admitted, his voice barely above a murmur.

"I imagine so," Eli replied, her smile softening. "But don't worry—you're not the first to feel that way. Everyone starts somewhere."

They continued down the corridor, the chatter from the training grounds fading behind them. The atmosphere grew quieter, almost solemn, as they approached a set of grand double doors. The dark wood was intricately carved with swirling patterns that seemed to ripple under the light, and the air around them felt heavier, as though it carried the weight of countless decisions made within.

Eli stopped in front of the doors, turning to face Arakh. Her expression was calm, but her eyes held a hint of encouragement. "Here we are. The principal's office," she said, gesturing toward the doors. "He's expecting you. Just remember—this is your first step. Don't let nerves hold you back."

Arakh nodded, his palms damp as he clenched his fists at his sides. Eli placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, her touch light but grounding. "You'll do fine," she said with a smile before stepping aside to let him pass.

Taking a deep breath, Arakh pushed the doors open. The room beyond loomed before him, bathed in warm light, and as he stepped inside, his heart raced with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

"You must be the child Old Gir talks in the letter," the chair behind the desk turned and revealed an old man as old as the village head of Kairan. "The child with the golden eyes."

Arakh was stunned. He could feel that this old man was beyond ordinary. Either the thick mustache or the long white streaks of his beard that made him so. 

"Haha, please have a seat, Arakh Xei," said the principal. "My name is Indus Yuha, and as you might have guess, the principal of the Elabra Academy."