Welcoming 1

The **Demiri School of Prodigy** stood as a testament to ingenuity, both ancient and new. Nestled high on the cliffs overlooking the shimmering Sapphire Gulf, it seemed to rise out of the stone itself, its sprawling architecture merging seamlessly with the surrounding natural beauty. The faint roar of distant waves crashing against the rocks below carried through the air, mingling with the cries of seabirds that circled the skies.

The school was a fortress of learning and wonder, with grand towers that pierced the clouds and vast courtyards brimming with life. Its design was a blend of elegance and practicality—archways carved with symbols of the arcane, their meanings long forgotten, flanked pathways lined with enchanted lanterns. Magic lingered in every corner of the campus, palpable even to those with no training.

At the heart of the school was the **Celestial Hall**, a massive dome constructed from shimmering white stone, its interior adorned with constellations that danced across the ceiling in an endless, silent story. Beneath the dome lay the central plaza, where students from every walk of life gathered. They carried tomes bound in thick leather, magical artifacts glowing faintly in their hands. The energy here was electric, buzzing with ambition, dreams, and the whisper of destiny.

The **Library of the Infinite**, an imposing structure of dark obsidian, was said to house knowledge from before recorded history. Its labyrinthine halls were a haven for the curious and the studious alike, while hidden doors and shimmering runes hinted at secrets waiting to be discovered.

The surrounding landscape gave the school its unique charm. To the north stretched the **Auric Glades**, a golden forest alive with enchantments that hummed softly in the air. Its paths were often used for training, where students tested their limits against magical creatures said to dwell within. To the west, the **Mirror Lake** reflected the sky so perfectly it appeared as if one could walk on it; its waters were rumored to reveal glimpses of one's fate.

Despite its beauty, Demiri had an edge of intensity, a reminder that this was not a place for the faint-hearted. Students here were not just learning—they were competing. Prodigies from across the lands arrived to prove themselves, to etch their names into history, and to emerge as leaders, warriors, and mages capable of shaping the future.

As Speed stepped through the towering gates of the school, the buzz of chatter, the faint glow of magic in the air, and the awe-inspiring sight of the sprawling grounds filled him with both excitement and trepidation. This was unlike anything he had ever known—a place of opportunity, challenge, and the promise of self-discovery. Demiri awaited, and Speed's journey was just beginning.

The entrance to the testing hall at Demiri was nothing short of imposing. As Speed approached, he was greeted by a group of **Blondies**, the nickname for the welcoming stewards of the school. These individuals, easily identified by their platinum-gold hair and pristine ivory robes, exuded an air of calm professionalism. They moved with quiet efficiency, their glowing quills poised to check and record the credentials of incoming students.

One of the Blondies, a tall figure with sharp features and piercing amber eyes, stepped forward. With an outstretched hand, they gestured for Speed's letter of admission. "Welcome to Demiri," they said in a voice as smooth as silk. "Please present your letter."

Speed hesitated for a moment before retrieving the neatly folded parchment from his satchel. The Blondie accepted it with a small nod, their fingers brushing lightly over the sealed emblem as the letter glowed faintly in response to their touch. With a practiced motion, they unfolded it and scanned its contents, their eyes briefly flickering with surprise as they glanced back at him.

"Everything is in order," the Blondie said, their tone now carrying a subtle hint of curiosity. They returned the letter with a polite bow. "Please follow me. The testing hall awaits."

Speed followed in silence, his heart thudding against his ribs as they made their way through the grand corridors of Demiri. The hallways were alive with magical inscriptions that pulsed faintly against the walls, their patterns shifting like living murals. Other students hurried past, their expressions ranging from nervous excitement to quiet determination, each clutching their own letters or artifacts.

At last, they arrived at an ornately carved set of double doors, their surface adorned with shimmering runes that seemed to ripple like water under the light. The Blondie turned to Speed, their serene expression betraying no hint of emotion. "Beyond these doors lies the Hall of Ordeals," they explained. "Each new student must demonstrate their potential before they can take their place among the prodigies of Demiri. You will be tested not only for your abilities but for your resolve."

They stepped aside, gesturing for him to proceed. "Good luck, Speed."

The words hung in the air as the heavy doors creaked open, revealing the vast expanse of the testing hall. Marble pillars lined the perimeter, their tops wreathed in flickering orbs of blue and white light. The floor was a mosaic of shifting patterns, alive with magic that seemed to pulse in time with the breath of the hall itself. At its center stood a circular platform, where a handful of other students waited, their faces a mixture of tension and anticipation.

Speed took a deep breath, stepping inside as the doors closed behind him with a low rumble. This was it—his first true test at Demiri. The vastness of the hall, the hum of arcane energy in the air, and the silent gazes of those already present all pressed upon him, but deep inside, a spark of determination flickered to life. Whatever challenges awaited, he would face them head-on.

The Hall of Ordeals buzzed with energy, the kind that made the air feel thick with anticipation. At the center of the vast chamber, the circular platform glowed faintly, its surface inscribed with shifting, arcane runes. The glow seemed to pulse in sync with the energy of the room, reacting to the latent magic that filled the space. Students—nervous, determined, and everything in between—stood scattered on the platform, their eyes darting to the towering figures seated on raised balconies that lined the walls.

These figures were the **Guild Leaders**, some of the most influential and powerful individuals in the kingdom. They were clad in robes and armor that bore the insignias of their guilds—each representing a unique creed, specialty, or philosophy. Among them was the intimidating insignia of the **Shadow Warrior Guild**, its leader, Cassey, seated with a quiet intensity, her sharp eyes already scanning the students below. There were others too—the **Crimson Blade Order**, known for their unmatched combat prowess; the **Scholars of the Mind**, a guild of magical theorists; and the **Emerald Song**, champions of healing and harmony with nature.

The students were called one by one to stand before a crystalline pillar that hummed faintly. Known as the **Obelisk of Resonance**, the artifact was an ancient relic said to measure the depth of one's magical affinity. The test would reveal not only their elemental alignment but also the strength and potential of their power. 

Speed stood at the edge of the platform, his fists clenched tightly. He watched as the first student approached the obelisk, their trembling hand placed against its cold surface. The obelisk flared with a fiery red light, and the Guild Leaders exchanged glances, some scribbling notes on parchment with enchanted quills. The student bowed quickly and retreated, their face a mixture of relief and uncertainty.

One by one, the students were called, each revealing their potential to the watchful eyes of the leaders. Some displayed affinities for fire, others for water, earth, or air. A few even revealed dual affinities, earning murmurs of approval from the balconies above.

When Speed's name was finally called, the room seemed to pause. The Guild Leaders leaned forward slightly, their curiosity piqued—not because of who he was, but because of the unfamiliar energy that had already begun to ripple faintly around him.

Speed stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest as he approached the obelisk. The platform beneath his feet felt alive, the runes shifting as though responding to his presence. He hesitated for a moment before placing his hand on the smooth surface of the obelisk. 

For a brief second, nothing happened. Then, the room exploded with light.

The obelisk flared not with one color, but with all—gray, silver, gold, crimson, blue, and green, swirling together in a chaotic dance of energy. The runes on the platform surged with the same multicolored light, illuminating the chamber as if it were the center of a storm. Gasps echoed through the hall, and several Guild Leaders rose to their feet, their composed expressions replaced by shock and awe.

"That's not possible," one of them whispered, their voice trembling. "Spirit magic..."

The obelisk pulsed violently, its resonance nearly overwhelming the room, before finally dimming, leaving the chamber in stunned silence. Speed stumbled back, his breath ragged, as the echoes of the obelisk's power faded away. He turned to face the Guild Leaders, their eyes locked on him with a mixture of astonishment, fear, and something more—awe.

Cassey, seated among the Shadow Warrior Guild, allowed herself a small smile. "Interesting," she murmured under her breath. "Very interesting."