Students
Chapter 31: New Faces and Old Secrets
The atmosphere after the ceremony was still charged with the energy of new beginnings. Students scattered in various directions, some excited to find their dorms, others looking for their friends or potential rivals. The Grand Hall, though still grand, was starting to feel like a place of fleeting moments, each student carving their own path forward. Among the crowd, there were even more faces I couldn't help but scrutinize with my Appraisal skill.
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[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Zara Vexan ▶ Age: 19
▶ Power: Shadow Manipulation (Rank B+)
▶ Profession: Exiled Noble
▶ Luck: Low
▶ Talents: Stealth Mastery, Silent Footsteps, ???
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Zara stood a bit apart from the rest, her dark eyes scanning the room warily as if she were expecting something to go wrong at any moment. Her power, Shadow Manipulation, was a versatile one. With her rank B+ power, she could manipulate the darkness around her with ease, blending into shadows and becoming nearly invisible. She had the air of someone who had lived through more than her years would suggest. Exiled from a once-prominent noble house, her luck was low—but I could sense she carried an undercurrent of resolve, a survivor in a world that had no use for weakness.
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[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Idris Lunaris
▶ Age: 23
▶ Power: Lunar Eclipse (Rank A)
▶ Profession: Scholar of the Arcane
▶ Luck: High
▶ Talents: Deep Knowledge of Celestial Magic, Strategic Thinker, ???
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Idris Lunaris was hard to miss. He wore a long, flowing robe embroidered with star-like patterns, and his silver hair shimmered as if dusted with moonlight. His power, Lunar Eclipse, was rare and immensely powerful. The ability to manipulate the energy of the moon itself was a skill sought after by many—both for combat and for its applications in magical rituals. But what intrigued me more than his power was his intellect. A Scholar of the Arcane, Idris wasn't here just to learn; he was here to unravel the mysteries of the world. His high luck only made his potential even more remarkable.
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[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Lysandra Faehart
▶ Age: 20
▶ Power: Fae's Charm (Rank A)
▶ Profession: Diplomat
▶ Luck: Very High
▶ Talents: Persuasion, Emotional Intelligence, ???
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Lysandra was a sight to behold. Tall, with golden hair and strikingly delicate features, she exuded an aura of grace and elegance. The faint smell of flowers seemed to follow her wherever she went, a subtle but undeniable trait of her power—Fae's Charm. It was said that those blessed with Fae powers could influence emotions and thoughts with a mere glance or touch. Lysandra's rank A ability was likely honed through years of diplomatic training, and with her high luck, she seemed destined for great influence in the academy and beyond. I couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay behind her captivating smile.
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[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Jarek Blackthorn
▶ Age: 24
▶ Power: Iron Will (Rank S-)
▶ Profession: Knight Commander
▶ Luck: Average
▶ Talents: Unbreakable Will, Leadership, ???
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Jarek Blackthorn was a tower of strength. Standing well over six feet tall, his broad shoulders and imposing physique made him stand out among the crowd. His power, Iron Will, was ranked S-, which made him one of the strongest individuals here. Known as a Knight Commander from a prestigious military family, his ability to resist and even break through mental and physical limits made him a formidable force on and off the battlefield. There was something unnerving about him, though—his eyes were always scanning, analyzing the room with an intensity that seemed to never waver. He was here for one thing, and one thing only: to be the best.
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[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Orla Tidesinger
▶ Age: 19
▶ Power: Tempest's Fury (Rank B)
▶ Profession: Seafaring Warrior
▶ Luck: High
▶ Talents: Navigational Genius, Water Manipulation, ???
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Orla Tidesinger was a breath of fresh air—literally. Her power, Tempest's Fury, allowed her to control the winds and waters, a perfect match for her seafaring profession. The ocean was in her blood, and I could tell from the way she carried herself that she had weathered countless storms—both literal and figurative. Her high luck was unusual for someone from a background so connected to the unpredictable seas. With her calm but determined demeanor, I imagined her to be someone who could navigate both the literal and political waters with ease.
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[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Valen Stormrider
▶ Age: 22
▶ Power: Thunderstrike (Rank A)
▶ Profession: Former Gladiator
▶ Luck: Low
▶ Talents: Close Combat Master, Adaptability, ???
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Valen Stormrider was another striking figure, his lightning-blue eyes constantly flickering with intensity. His power, Thunderstrike, allowed him to summon and control the destructive force of lightning. He was a former gladiator, known for his brutal victories in arenas where only the strongest survived. His combat skills were unrivaled in hand-to-hand combat, but there was a rawness to him—a kind of unpredictability that came with someone who had fought for their life in such a way. His low luck was curious, though, considering his notoriety in the arena. Perhaps his victories weren't entirely due to luck, but rather sheer will and strength.
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I continued scanning the room, noting the powerful and diverse students gathered in this one place, each with their own set of skills, backgrounds, and motivations. Some of them would be allies, others rivals, and some… I couldn't yet figure out. Ardent Academy was a place where anything could happen, and I needed to be ready for whatever came next.
Damon nudged me again, his voice low. "You sure you're ready for all this? This place feels like a ticking time bomb."
I glanced at him, a small smile tugging at my lips. "I've dealt with worse. This academy may be a powder keg, but I've got the matches."
He grinned back, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let the games begin, then."
As the students continued to file out of the Grand Hall and into the dorms, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my own purpose. There were far more threats here than I had anticipated, but there were also opportunities. And I intended to take full advantage of them.