The First Stage
The academy courtyard buzzed with tension. Hundreds of applicants stood gathered, their expressions ranging from confidence to nervous anticipation. The looming pillars, inscribed with ancient runes, cast long shadows as the afternoon sun began its slow descent.
At the front, a raised stone platform served as a stage. A group of figures stood atop it, their robes embroidered with golden symbols denoting their rank as Engraving Masters. These were the academy's supervisors, the ones who would oversee the selection process.
One of them, a stern-looking man with graying hair and piercing eyes, stepped forward. His voice rang out, amplified by an inscription embedded within the platform itself.
"Silence."
The murmurs of the crowd ceased instantly.
"I am Master Orlan, one of the senior instructors at Ebonveil Academy," the man continued. "You have gathered here to prove your worth—to demonstrate that you have what it takes to embark on the path of an Engraving Master. But let me be clear…"
His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone sharp.
"This path is not for the weak. Not for the timid. And certainly not for the unworthy."
Many of the applicants swallowed nervously.
"The entrance exam will be conducted in three stages," Orlan announced. "Each stage is designed to test a different aspect of an engraver's abilities. Fail any stage… and you will be disqualified."
Ryn listened intently, while Elias remained unreadable, his sharp gaze locked on Orlan.
"The first stage is a Talent Test," Orlan continued. "Engraving is not something that just anyone can master. One must have the potential—an affinity for inscriptions. This will be tested through an inscription crystal."
Behind him, assistants wheeled forward a pedestal upon which sat a large, translucent orb. Inside, faint patterns swirled like shifting ink.
"This Engraving Crystal will respond to your ability. Those who show promise will pass. Those who do not—leave immediately."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"The second stage is the Physical Fitness Test," Orlan continued. "Engraving Masters are not mere scholars—we inscribe power into reality itself. To endure the strain of our craft, one must have a strong body."
Many in the crowd frowned. They had expected engraving to be an intellectual pursuit, not a physical one.
"This stage will test your endurance and physical conditioning," Orlan said. "You will be required to run a set distance while enduring additional challenges. Those who cannot keep up… will be eliminated."
Ryn's muscles tensed. He was confident in his endurance, but he knew that this stage could eliminate many.
Elias, meanwhile, remained still, calculating.
"The final stage…" Orlan's voice grew heavier. "…is the Survival Test."
A hushed silence fell over the crowd.
"You will be sent into the Shrouded Wilds, a dangerous forest filled with magical and inscribed beasts," Orlan explained. "Your task is simple—survive."
A collective gasp rippled through the applicants.
"This is not a test for the faint-hearted," Orlan warned. "The creatures within are deadly. You will have no help from us. If you are weak, you will die. If you are strong, you will earn your place here."
Many turned pale.
Elias, however, smiled faintly. Now, this is interesting.
Orlan's eyes swept over them once more.
"Those of you who wish to leave… do so now. The rest of you—prepare for the first stage."
The test had begun.
* * *
The academy courtyard stretched wide, paved with smooth black stone, the sun casting long shadows as hundreds of applicants stood in tense anticipation. In the center of the courtyard, a raised platform held the Engraving Crystal, a large translucent orb, swirling with faint silver currents.
Supervisors in dark robes stood in a line, their gazes sharp and unreadable. Among them, Master Orlan, the lead examiner, took a step forward. His voice rang out across the courtyard.
"This is the first stage of the entrance exam: The Talent Test. Each of you will step forward and place your hands upon the Engraving Crystal. It will measure the potential of your soul's connection to engravings. The stronger your affinity, the brighter the reaction. If there is no reaction at all… you fail."
A heavy silence settled over the crowd.
Failing here meant immediate disqualification.
Master Orlan gestured toward the first applicant. "Begin."
A wiry boy with sunken eyes swallowed hard before stepping up. He placed his hands on the crystal, his fingers trembling. A faint shimmer flickered within the orb, like the dying glow of an ember.
The supervisor glanced at the reading and shook his head. "Fail. Next."
The boy staggered back, his face drained of all color.
One by one, applicants stepped forward. Some fared better, producing weak but visible light, earning Passable grades. Others, like the first boy, had no reaction at all and were dismissed instantly.
Minutes passed. Then—
A broad-shouldered girl with a fierce expression approached the crystal. She pressed her hands firmly onto its surface. The air grew heavy. Silver runes pulsed within the crystal, shifting like a living, breathing entity.
"Grade: Excellent," the supervisor announced.
A murmur spread through the crowd. She stepped back, her eyes filled with pride.
The pattern continued. A few applicants managed to produce Good or Excellent scores, proving their potential. But truly exceptional talents remained scarce.
Then—
"Next," the examiner called.
Ryn stepped forward.
The crowd hushed as he approached the crystal, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. He placed his hands upon the orb.
For a moment—nothing.
Then—a sudden explosion of light.
Runes burst forth inside the crystal, twisting and forming intricate engravings. The energy within the orb grew unstable, sending a faint humming vibration into the air.
Gasps echoed throughout the courtyard.
Even the examiners exchanged glances.
Master Orlan studied the reaction carefully before nodding. His voice, though calm, carried weight.
"Grade: Outstanding."
Ryn let out a slow breath.
This was expected. His talent had always been exceptional. He turned away, stepping back into the crowd. But before he could reflect further—
"Next," the examiner called again.
A tall, silver-haired youth stepped forward.
Elias.
The crowd went silent.
Everyone had seen his confidence, his presence. There was an unspoken expectation that he would be different.
Elias approached the crystal, placing his hands upon its smooth surface.
At first, nothing happened.
Then—chaos.
A deep, resounding boom echoed as the Engraving Crystal cracked.
Not just a crack—it shattered.
Shards of glowing crystal froze midair, hovering in place as if caught in an unseen force. The silver engravings within the fragments pulsed wildly, shifting into symbols no one had ever seen before.
The air grew heavy, suffocating.
A ripple of raw, unfiltered power expanded outward, washing over the entire courtyard. Some applicants stumbled back, clutching their chests as if their souls had been pressed upon by an unseen weight.
A few dropped to their knees, gasping for breath.
And then—a whisper.
No words. Just a sound, crawling at the edges of perception. It slithered into minds like a forbidden knowledge glimpsed too soon.
The supervisors froze.
Master Orlan's expression turned grim. This… is beyond normal talent.
The crystal fragments finally fell to the ground, the strange power dissipating. The courtyard remained deathly silent.
The lead examiner was the first to speak, his voice tight with disbelief.
"Grade…" He hesitated, before finally concluding:
"Unmeasurable."
A storm of whispers erupted from the crowd.
"Unmeasurable? What does that mean?"
"That's not even a rank…!"
"The crystal broke just from touching it…!"
Ryn clenched his fists.
This… is the true gap between us.
He had performed exceptionally, yet compared to Elias, it seemed like nothing at all.
And Elias?
He simply stood there, his expression blank, his silver eyes indifferent, as if the result was nothing more than a trivial detail.
Ryn narrowed his eyes.
I refuse to be left behind.