Shadows of the Academy

The grand halls of Astralis Academy pulsed with the energy of young prodigies sharpening their skills, each student striving to carve their place among the elite. The academy, a towering citadel of knowledge and power, stood as a testament to Elyndria's dominance—a place where the future champions of the world were forged.

Elian walked through the corridors, his crimson gaze scanning his surroundings. Despite his efforts to remain unnoticed, whispers followed him. He had always been an anomaly—too skilled for a low-ranked student, yet too withdrawn to claim his rightful place among the academy's strongest.

But today was different.

---

The Academy's Ranking System

Astralis Academy did not simply divide students by age or experience. Instead, it followed a strict ranking hierarchy, each level signifying power, skill, and influence:

1. Bronze Rank – The lowest tier, consisting of new students and those struggling to grasp their abilities.

2. Silver Rank – Intermediate students who have proven their competence in battle and spellcasting.

3. Gold Rank – The elite, those on the cusp of greatness, often chosen for prestigious missions.

4. Platinum Rank – The academy's strongest warriors, recognized as future leaders of Elyndria.

5. Celestial Rank – A title held by only a handful of individuals, including the Student Council, who wield authority over the academy itself.

Elian, despite his dormant power, was officially listed as a Silver Rank student—an intentional move on his part to avoid unnecessary attention. But that veil of anonymity was beginning to slip.

---

The First Challenge

A loud chime echoed through the halls, signaling the start of combat evaluations—a monthly test where students demonstrated their progress in magical duels.

Elian sighed. He had no interest in drawing unnecessary eyes to himself, but skipping evaluations would only invite suspicion. As he made his way toward the combat arena, a familiar voice cut through the crowd.

"Drayven."

Elian turned, his gaze meeting the piercing blue eyes of Reyna Valcrest, her silver hair shimmering under the enchanted lights.

"You're participating today," she stated rather than asked. "Good. I was starting to think you were avoiding real competition."

Before Elian could reply, another voice—louder, rougher—interrupted.

"Hah! If Drayven is competing, he better pray he doesn't face me."

Darian Kael stepped forward, his bronze eyes glinting with challenge. "It's about time you stopped hiding. Let's see if you can actually fight, or if you're just another waste of a Silver Rank."

The arena loomed ahead, its grand structure filled with students eager to watch the day's battles.

Elian clenched his fists. Avoiding attention was no longer an option. If he wanted to maintain his place in Astralis Academy—and navigate the growing web of danger around him—he would have to prove himself.

The question was: How much should he reveal?