Reaching the Empire.

After five grueling hours of travel, Alex finally peered out of the carriage window. It was already midnight, but even in the darkness, he could see it—

An enormous wall, towering over their arrival.

His breath caught. "Whoa... That thing is massive."

Alex had never been to the capital city before. He had only heard stories or read about it in books. Azitos. The city named after the god believed to have forged the empire itself. It had stood against countless invasions, survived endless wars, yet it remained—the unbreakable heart of the empire.

A city of history. A city of power.

Leon smirked, clearly enjoying Alex's reaction. "Had the same dumb look on my face when I saw it for the first time." He leaned closer to the window. "I promise you, Alex, you're gonna have the time of your life here."

Alex wasn't sure about that. He wasn't here for fun.

He was here to become stronger.

The carriage rolled forward, joining the long line of travelers waiting to enter. Lanterns flickered on either side of the massive iron gate, casting long shadows over the stone-paved road.

Knights in silver armor patrolled the entrance, checking documents, inspecting cargo, and scanning every person that stepped through. The emblem of the empire gleamed on their chests. The line moved slowly, a mix of merchants, adventurers, and nobles waiting for their turn.

Alex adjusted the backpack slung over his shoulder. "How long does it usually take to get in?"

Leon crossed his arms. "Depends. Nobles pass through easily, but commoners and newcomers? Might take an hour, maybe more."

Alex sighed. "Great."

One of the knights approached their carriage, his expression neutral but firm. "Papers?"

Leon quickly handed over a sealed letter. The knight examined it before nodding. "Welcome to Azitos. Follow the road straight ahead to the academy district. Next!"

The carriage moved forward through the towering gates. As they passed under the archway, Alex felt a strange sensation in his chest. It wasn't fear, nor excitement—something else.

Something deep inside told him that this city was about to change everything.

"Come on, we are here," Leon said smiling and both of them came out of the carriage.

As the massive gates swung open, Alex and Leon stepped forward, following the knights into the academy grounds.

The first thing Alex noticed was the sheer scale of the place. The academy loomed before them—a grand structure built in an architectural style reminiscent of the noblest estates, with towering spires and intricate stone carvings. A massive statue stood at the center of the courtyard, its figure bathed in the golden glow of magical lanterns, while fountains gushed crystal-clear water, their gentle splashes echoing in the quiet night. Even at this hour, the academy pulsed with life—students roamed the pathways, some deep in conversation, others practicing sword drills or murmuring spells under their breath.

"Rich. Whoever built this was really rich," Alex muttered, taking it all in.

Leon smirked. "Well, yeah. The first emperor built it himself. Of course, it's grand."

The academy was surrounded by thick stone walls, and the main entrance—a reinforced iron gate—had been shut for the night. As the knights accompanying them approached, one knocked firmly on the metal. A brief silence followed before the gate slowly creaked open, revealing a group of armored guards inside.

"Come on, you two," one of the knights gestured for Alex and Leon to follow. "You'll be taken to your dormitories first. Get some rest. Tomorrow, you'll be tested."

Alex exchanged a glance with Leon before stepping forward. He clenched his fists.

Tomorrow, huh? This was it. The first step toward uncovering the truth. The first step toward getting stronger.

As Alex and Leon followed the knights through the academy grounds, the atmosphere felt almost surreal. The cobblestone paths were lined with glowing orbs of magical light, casting soft, flickering shadows on the surrounding buildings. Even at night, the academy carried an air of majesty, as if the very air was charged with the ambitions of those who walked these grounds before them.

They arrived at a massive building that stretched high into the sky, its many windows glowing warmly from within. A sign near the entrance read "Initiate Dormitory."

A knight turned toward them. "This will be your home for the next few years. Find your assigned room, get some rest, and report to the testing hall at sunrise. No exceptions."

Leon gave an exaggerated salute. "Yes, sir!"

The knight narrowed his eyes but didn't bother responding. Instead, he and the others marched off, leaving Alex and Leon standing at the entrance.

Leon stretched his arms behind his head. "Well, guess this is it."

Alex took a deep breath. "Yeah."

As they entered, they found a grand hallway lined with doors on both sides. A large board stood near the entrance, listing the new students' names and their assigned rooms.

Leon scanned the list. "Ah! I got room 312! What about you?"

Alex ran his finger down the list until he found his name. "Room 307."

Leon grinned. "We're close! Try not to cry without me, alright?"

Alex snorted. "I'll manage."

With that, they parted ways for the night.

Alex stepped into his room and found a neatly made bed, a desk, and a window overlooking the academy grounds. His backpack felt heavier than before as he set it down, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on him.

Sitting at the desk, he pulled out the small diary he had started. He flipped to the page where he had sketched his dreams—the burning buildings, the shadowy figures, the endless screaming. some other buildings were added and Alex added them right now as well.

He clenched his jaw.

"I'll find out what this means," he muttered under his breath. "No matter what it takes."

With that promise sealed in his heart, he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow would be the first step toward his goal.

"Hm?" Alex looked up in the ceiling and squinted his eyes, there was?...

"BOOOOOO!!!!" With a scream a female face came down from the ceiling pulling her face as close as possible...

Alex just looked at her confusedly "Who are you." and said this nonchalantly.

End Of Chapter.