A Walk Through Thoughts

The morning sun shone brightly, signaling the start of another bustling day as Lucian and Rowan made their way back towards the village. The streets were busy with townsfolk doing their daily errands, yet Lucian remained lost in thought, his mind replaying the encounter with Magnus over and over.

"Professor Magnus... his power, his presence, his unsettling aura. The way he subdued us with such ease… it still haunts me. Was there even a single opening in his stance? Any sign of weakness? No—nothing. He was on an entirely different level. That level of control… the sheer weight of his presence… There's no way he hasn't opened at least three chakra gates... Could that be the secret behind his overwhelming aura?" Lucian thought.

"Oi, Lucian!" Rowan called, nudging his friend's arm. Lucian gave no response, his gaze is still distant.

"Lucian?" Rowan tried again, but still, no reaction. He smirked, crossing his arms. "Don't tell me you fell for that girl at first sight?"

That snapped Lucian out of his trance. He blinked, then turned sharply towards Rowan. "Huh? What are you even talking about?"

Rowan snickered. "You've been dazed since we left! Thinking about her, weren't you?"

A slight tint of red crept up Lucian's cheeks, barely noticeable in the bright daylight. "Shut up, idiot," he muttered, looking away.

"Ah-ha! That reaction says it all!" Rowan grinned mischievously, stepping ahead and dramatically wiping away an imaginary tear. "My best friend has fallen in love… such a beautiful thing!"

Lucian sighed and smacked Rowan lightly on the head. "Enough of your nonsense."

"Ow, you brute! That hurt!" Rowan clutched his head dramatically. "You're just mad because I caught you red-handed."

Lucian shook his head with a small smile. "Says the guy who asked me for advice on confessing his feelings a few months ago."

Rowan stiffened. "Uh—w-well, let's forget about that, shall we?" he stammered, looking away as a faint blush spread across his face.

Lucian chuckled. "Thought so."

After a brief moment of silence, Lucian furrowed his brows and glanced at Rowan. "By the way, you still haven't told me—who was that girl?"

Rowan visibly stiffened before hastily clearing his throat. "Ahem! Anyway, we have less than a month before the entrance exam for Ravenshade Eldermere Academy. We should start preparing seriously."

Lucian raised a brow. "Since when did you care about studying?'"

"Well, I wouldn't have to if someone hadn't rejected their direct recommendation for admission," Rowan shot back with a smirk.

Lucian sighed. "You know my reasons."

"Yeah, yeah, the whole 'I want to earn my place' thing," Rowan muttered, waving a hand dismissively. "Still, it would've saved us the trouble."

Lucian didn't respond immediately. His thoughts drifted to the upcoming entrance exam—one of the most grueling tests in the kingdom, designed to push young warriors and magicians to their limits.

The Ravenshade Eldermere Academy Entrance Exam.

Divided into four primary tests, it aimed to evaluate different aspects of an applicant's abilities.

The first was the Magic Talent Test, where a student's magic potential was evaluated. If a participant had already unlocked a Chakra Gate, they were given an advantage, but those who hadn't were tested through specialized instruments.

Next was the Weapon Proficiency Test, where academy instructors observed a candidate's handling of weapons, determining their natural talent and skill level.

The third was Potion Making & Crafting, a combined practical and written test. This exam measured a candidate's knowledge of alchemy, magical enhancements, and potion-brewing skills, which were crucial even for warriors.

Lastly, there was the General Knowledge Exam, a written test that covered history, magical theories, weaponry, reasoning skills, leadership abilities, and strategic thinking.

Rumors of a 'Final challenge' were often whispered about, but nothing concrete had ever been confirmed. The academy kept it a well-guarded secret.

Twenty-five days remained until the exam. Twenty-five days to prepare, to sharpen their skills, and to step closer to their dreams.

Rowan stretched his arms behind his head. "We're going to have our hands full preparing for this, huh?"

Lucian nodded. "Yeah. We'd better not waste time."

As they walked through the village, the warm morning breeze brushing against them, both young warriors knew—this was only the beginning of their journey.

To be Continued...