Welcome To Minafallen Academy (2)

The platform buzzed with activity as families said their goodbyes. Near the edge of the glowing dock, a small family huddled together, their voices barely audible above the hum of arriving ships.

"You'll call us, won't you?" A woman said, her voice trembling slightly as she adjusted her son's uniform. Her hands lingered on his shoulders, reluctant to let go.

"Every week, Mother," the boy promised, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his own nerves. He couldn't have been more than seventeen.

His father, a broad-shouldered man with a weathered face, clapped him on the back.

"And don't forget what I told you. No one respects a slacker. You work hard, you make us proud, understood?"

"Yes, Father."

His little sister, barely ten years old, tugged at the edge of his uniform.

"Will you come back for the Festival?" She asked, her wide eyes glistening with unshed tears.

He knelt down, ruffling her hair with a soft smile. "If I can. But if I can't, I'll send you something special, alright?"

"Like what?"

"Something from the academy," he replied, standing up and giving his family one last look. "I'll be fine. Don't worry—"

Suddenly, the buzz of chatter around the platform changed. Conversations stuttered, then turned into murmurs as heads swiveled toward the skies. A massive spaceship was descending, its hull gleaming with polished gold—so grand it made even the Praesits look like common transports.

"It's from Rise Borough," someone whispered. 'Only they have spaceships like that!"

The platform fell silent as the ship landed with an eerie precision. Its sheer size dwarfed the others, the hum of its engines quieter yet more commanding than anything else on the dock. The glowing platform beneath it pulsed brighter, as if acknowledging the importance of its cargo.

The ship's doors opened with a hiss, releasing a faint golden mist that swirled around its base. Out stepped four figures, their presence immediately commanding attention.

They were dressed in elegant outfits adorned with intricate gold embroidery that shimmered faintly, as if alive with magic. Their faces were obscured by sleek, black masks, each one faceless but etched with golden patterns that seemed to shift subtly under the light. The patterns told no clear story but radiated an aura of mystery and prestige.

The crowd was still, all eyes fixed on the figures.

"Who are they?" A student whispered to his friend, unable to tear his gaze away.

"Royals," someone murmured nearby. "From Rise. Look at the masks. They are from Dynasty Richinaria."

"They say only the royal families wear those. Those two must by the royals and the others must be their bodyguards."

A small contingent of academy staff approached the newcomers, bowing deeply before gesturing for them to follow. The royals moved gracefully, their steps silent.

Behind them, academy bodyguards clad in enchanted armor formed a protective ring, their presence unmistakably serious. Their weapons gleamed under the platform's light, their stances alert as they scanned the surroundings.

"Why the security?" A woman near the edge of the platform asked nervously.

"Because they're from the royal bloodline," a man answered. "You don't send figures that important anywhere without protection."

The crowd parted instinctively as the masked figures walked by, their silence more commanding than any words could have been.

"Do you think we'll see their faces?"

"Doubt it. They're royalty. Unless you are in the Essentia Class, you will never see them."

As the procession moved toward the academy's towering gates, the whispers turned into speculative excitement. Who were they? Why were they here? What could it mean for Minafallen Academy?

The figures vanished into the main spire. For a moment, the platform was silent once more, everyone staring at the place where they had disappeared. Then, slowly, the hum of activity resumed, though the air was now charged with anticipation and unease.

°°°°°°

"Seriously, I'm glad we had extra masks," Vastarael said as they walked towards a long white hallway inside the spire. "Who knew they would stare at us like that. You okay, Iona, Lais?"

The two maids nodded in response.

Vastarael looked at the hallway around him and he couldn't help but admire how massive it looked. It was massive enough for a Praesit to move freely without effort. It was slightly long too.

'So this must be the pathway to the academy. Since it's admission day, it's empty for now.'

He didn't expect the academy staff to be ready. He didn't expect the bodyguards either, who disbursed after they got in.

Eventually, they got to the end of the hallway, revealing a hall full of...

Royals and nobles.

"Since the royals and nobles need to be evaluated first because of their hight affinity to essence, you will be placed here, Prince and future Duchess of Anqerise," one of the academy staff members revealed. "Please, wait for your turn to be called."

Vastarael nodded.

"Are they your servants?" Another of the three academy staff members asked.

He nodded again.

"Then, they will be placed in another section. Not to worry, they will not be evaluated. They will only be allowed to wait until your evaluation is finished."

Vastarael and Adelasta looked at their maids and nodded. The maids and the academy staff left, leaving the two of them among the others, who were standing and waiting.

Vastarael took a glance at the royals and nobles there and narrowed his eyes. Before he could ask Adelasta what she thought...

"Oh. You're here! Hello!"

They both turned to see Elyonari walking towards them with a... happy expression?

When he looked behind her, he saw a couple of boys looking at her as if they were trying to strike a conversation with her.

'Oh. She's escaping.'

Elyonari stopped right in front of them with a puzzled expression.

"I understand why you have the mask but... why does she..."

Vastarael pointed at his eyes and Elyonari understood immediately. She looked around her and waved her hand. Green natural energy covered them like a sphere, causing Elyonari to sigh.

"A silence barrier?" Vastarael spoke. "That's surprising. I didn't know elves mastered mysticism too."

Elyonari grinned, "We don't. My mother and I are the only High Elves who can do that."

Elyonari folded her arms, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she leaned closer to Vastarael, her long silver hair catching the faint light within the green sphere.

"Impressed, aren't you?"

Vastarael raised an eyebrow. "It's not bad. But you might want to keep your ego in check. Mysticism isn't exactly common in your forests, is it?"

"No, it's not. But my mother insisted I learn it. Said it would come in handy, especially here." Her eyes flicked briefly to the boys lingering nearby, clearly watching them from a distance. "And it already has."

Adelasta, seated beside Vastarael, didn't bother hiding her skepticism. Her cold gaze darted between Elyonari and Vastarael, her posture rigid.

"Why are you so friendly with him?" She asked bluntly, her voice cutting through the lighthearted banter. "You've known him for, what, three days? Seems excessive."

Elyonari tilted her head, her smirk not fading as she turned to Adelasta.

"I like him," she said simply, shrugging. "He's honest, interesting and, doesn't act like half the idiots stumbling over themselves to talk to me. It's refreshing."

Adelasta's eyebrows lifted slightly, but her expression remained otherwise impassive.

"Refreshing? Or convenient? You've made a silence barrier, stood here talking to him, and somehow managed to... are you always this quick to latch onto people, princess?"

Elyonari crossed her arms and let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Why does it matter to you? You're acting like I committed a crime just by standing here."

"Because I don't trust people who get too comfortable too quickly," Adelasta replied evenly.

Before Elyonari could answer, Vastarael leaned back slightly in his seat, his tone calm but firm.

"That's enough, Adelasta. If Elyonari enjoys my company, why shouldn't she? We're all going to the academy, and whether you like it or not, we'll be spending plenty of time together."

Vastarael could see that Elyonari was just interested in him. She didn't have any ulterior motives. He was just surprised by the... friendly carefree personality she didn't have when her mother wasn't present.

It was rather... welcoming.

Adelasta's eyes narrowed as she turned her icy gaze on him. "You're defending her? After barely knowing her?"

"Yes," Vastarael replied without hesitation, meeting her gaze. "Elyonari hasn't done anything to deserve your suspicion. In fact, she's done more to make herself approachable than half the nobles we've encountered so far. If she sees me as worth her time, I'm not going to push her away because you're uncomfortable with it."

"..."

"And besides, I did kinda promise her mother to be in good terms with her since she's always lonely."

"My mother said that? I'm so sorry I—"

"It's fine," Vastarael shrugged it off. "Our mothers are practically best friends. Adelasta, don't go too hard on the elf princess okay?"

Elyonari smiled brightly at that, clearly enjoying the defense. "See? He gets it."

Adelasta sighed as she glanced away, clearly dismissing the conversation, though the faintest flicker of annoyance crossed her features.

Vastarael sighed and looked back at Elyonari. "So, was that barrier just to keep us from being interrupted, or is there another reason?"

Elyonari's grin widened mischievously, "A little of both. I figured you'd appreciate some peace, and..."

She glanced pointedly at Adelasta. "Maybe a moment without constant judgment."

Vastarael stifled a laugh, while Adelasta gave an audible huff of irritation. Elyonari's barrier shimmered faintly, the green energy pulsating gently.

"About this place... everyone is evaluated individually before they're formally placed in their respective divisions. It's a big deal because it determines how you'll spend your time here, who you'll be working with, and most importantly, your rank within the academy hierarchy."

Vastarael tilted his head, watching as a group of students nervously filed into one of the tunnels.

"And what happens during the evaluation?"

Elyonari shrugged, "Depends on your lineage and abilities. For most mortals and common Immortals, it's a straightforward test of their skills and potential. For people like us, immortal and mortal nobles and royals, it's more... thorough. They don't want anyone based on their status. Not that I'd expect you to struggle."

Adelasta, standing with her arms crossed, glanced toward the line forming near the largest tunnel. Her expression remained cold.

"Thorough? You mean invasive."

Elyonari shot her a look. "Call it what you want. It's the way they do things. If you're that worried about it, maybe you shouldn't have come here."

Vastarael stepped in before Adelasta could retort, raising a hand to cut the tension.

"So, after the evaluation, we're sorted into divisions. What then?"

Elyonari's eyes brightened slightly, "Then the real fun begins. Classes, training, alliances, rivalries, tournaments... everything you'd expect from the most prestigious academy in existence. Oh, and the occasional assassination attempt, but you're probably used to that, right?"

Vastarael chuckled, "Sounds like home already."

He did not like the last sentence at all.

Before they could continue, a loud, commanding voice echoed through the square.

"Attention! The Anqerise nobles and royals are to report immediately for evaluation."

The trio exchanged glances. Vastarael adjusted his mask, feeling the golden patterns shift slightly against his skin.

"Looks like that's us."

Elyonari dropped her barrier with a flick of her wrist, the shimmering green energy dissipating like mist.

"Better not keep them waiting," she said, leading the way.

They joined the group of similarly masked nobles and royals heading toward the grand entrance of the evaluation hall.

"Do you see the patterns on their masks? That's Anqerise royalty."

"They're here? I thought they never left Rise."

"Which one do you think is the heir?"

The murmurs followed them as they approached the tunnels. A grand archway loomed before them, inscribed with runes that shimmered faintly as they passed beneath it. The Anqerise group stopped at the entrance, where academy staff awaited them, their expressions neutral but respectful.

A tall figure in ceremonial robes stepped forward, holding a glowing scroll.

"Each of you will be evaluated separately," he announced. "Step into the tunnel assigned to you. The process will begin immediately."

The staff gestured toward the tunnel entrances, each marked with a different emblem corresponding to the individual's abilities or lineage.

Elyonari glanced at Vastarael and Adelasta with a smile.

"See you both on the other side," she said before striding into a tunnel marked with a symbol resembling a tree entwined with stars.

Adelasta gave them both a cool look before heading toward her assigned tunnel, her footsteps echoing faintly as she disappeared into the darkness.

Vastarael hesitated for only a moment, glancing at the ornate emblem above his tunnel. He turned back toward the other nobles watching them and smiled faintly behind his mask.

"Guess it's my turn," he said, stepping forward. As he entered the tunnel, the world seemed to shift around him, the faint hum of energy growing louder as he prepared for what lay ahead.

His evaluation had began.