The Academy's First Day

Ved's eyes opened to the unfamiliar ceiling of his dormitory. Unlike the cold, lifeless chambers of the Flack estate, his new room was designed for both comfort and efficiency. The Academy spared no expense for its top students. 

The room was spacious with a large bed, elegant furniture, and a large window overlooking the vast academy grounds—all of it exuded a quiet prestige, However, for Ved, the heir to the Flack family, one of the richest families, such luxuries were not a big deal for him. 

He sat up, running his fingers through his black hair. Today marked the first official day at the Academy. No more tests, no more rankings or ceremony—but the real work of being a student would begin. 

Ved wasn't sure if he should be relieved or irritated.

After freshening up, he activated the enchanted bracelet on his wrist. The holographic interface shimmered to life, displaying his daily schedule.

Academy Orientation: 8:00 AM

Combat Specialization Briefing: 10:00 AM

Lunch Break: 12:00 PM

Magic Theory: 2:00 PM

Ved sighed, the list of obligations feeling more like a burden than an opportunity.

He dressed in the academy's standard uniform—dark trousers, a fitted high-collared shirt, and a sleek navy-blue jacket. There was no house emblem, no noble insignia. Status meant nothing here—only skill.

Before stepping out, he took one last glance at his room. It was neat, almost too neat. Not lacking in the suffocating grandeur of his family's estate, but still the room was a sanctuary, free from the echoes of his family's expectations, a place where he could be judged solely by his merit.

As Ved walked down the hall, he noticed the small luxuries afforded to top-ranked students. The building was quiet, unlike the main dormitories, where the lower-ranked students likely had to share rooms. Each floor belonged solely to its resident, ensuring absolute privacy.

Outside, the Academy grounds stretched vast and meticulously maintained. The towering spires of the main buildings gleamed under the morning sun, their architecture a blend of classical elegance and advanced magic. 

Floating lanterns along the paths dimmed as daylight grew, guiding students through the sprawling campus. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of magic and the faint undercurrent of excitement that only a new beginning could bring.

Students were everywhere, many still adjusting to their new reality. some forming cliques based on old alliances or noble ties, while others, particularly those from common backgrounds, hesitated at the edges, uncertain of where they fit. The elves walked among them, drawing both admiration and wary glances.

Ved recognized several faces and noticed .

His twin sister, Lyra, already the center of attention among noble born peers, her demeanor as icy and composed. She was surrounded by those eager to align themselves with her, her presence a magnet for those seeking influence. She carried herself with the same icy grace as always.

Varys Atlas engaging with a group of influential heirs. There was a calculated air around him, his smile polite but never quite reaching his eyes. a reminder that even here, in this bastion of meritocracy, politics played its part.

The elven princess Elowyn, who seemed detached from the human students, her attention elsewhere. She stood with an elegance that made her seem almost untouchable, standing apart, seemingly uninterested in the human students around her.

Owen Rider the unexpected third-place ranker, solitary in his thoughts as he walked alone. There was an air of mystery around him, his eyes thoughtful, perhaps pondering the implications of his unexpected rank.

Surprisingly the dwarves are nowhere in sight, and the Dreadwalker girl too was conspicuously absent, as if she couldn't be bothered to show up, unconcerned with whatever repercussions might follow. 

Ved had no desire for social chit chat, his goal was getting through the day with minimal drama. He knew the value of keeping to himself, focusing on his own growth rather than the petty squabbles or alliances of others.

The first gathering of the day took place in the Grand Hall, a massive chamber with floating banners representing the Academy's three major departments:

Combat department – For those skilled in warfare, magic swordsmanship, and strategy.

Magic Studies department – For mages, scholars, and those who enchanted.

Alchemy & Engineering department – For researchers, inventors, and artifact creators.

Ved's name was automatically linked to the Combat department, given his swordsmanship and magic. He had no issue with this, if anything, it suited him perfectly, a place where he could hone his skills without the shadow of his family's name.

Headmaster Frederick Levitin stood at the front, his mere presence silencing the hall. His golden eyes surveyed the room, piercing through the facades of status and into the hearts of potential.

"Welcome to the beginning of your journey," he began, his voice carrying through the hall without need for amplification. "You have all earned your place here, but your true challenge starts now."

He gestured towards the banners, his eyes sweeping across the students. 

"The Academy does not favor nobility, bloodlines, or heritage. Only skill, talent, and dedication will determine your success. You will be judged by your progress, and failure will not be tolerated."

There was a ripple of murmurs, some nobles shifting uncomfortably in their seats. The message was clear: here, your name meant nothing; your actions, everything.

Ved remained impassive. He had always known his worth was not in his lineage but in what he could do with the skills he possessed.

"You will find that many of your expectations will be challenged," the Headmaster continued, his tone both stern and encouraging. "Do not waste your time clinging to old rivalries and prejudices. If you cannot adapt, you will be left behind."

He paused, letting his words sink in. It was a call to action and a reminder that this was not just an educational institution but a forge for the future's generation. As the weight of his words pressed down on the room, then he nodded to the instructors waiting at the edges of the room.

"Your schedules have been assigned. Classes begin immediately after orientation. Dismissed."