Chapter 2: The Trials of Elitia Academy

The grand gates of Elitia Academy loomed tall against the sky, their intricate golden engravings shimmering under the morning sun. Beyond them lay the most prestigious magic school in all of Eldorin, where only the most gifted students were trained to protect the realm from the forces of darkness.

Today was no ordinary day. It was the Admission Exam, a grueling test that would determine the fate of every aspiring student.

"So this is the famous academy..."

The Academy courtyard was filled with hundreds of applicants, each wearing a hopeful yet nervous expression. Some carried swords or staffs, while others murmured incantations under their breath, testing their magical prowess before the exam began.

A tall man in elegant navy robes stood at the front, his presence commanding silence. He was Headmaster Aldric Varian, one of the most powerful sorcerers in Eldorin. His piercing gaze swept over the gathered students before he spoke.

"Welcome to Elitia Academy," his voice rang through the air. "Today, you will prove your worth. Only those who excel in all aspects mind, body, and magic will earn their place in the Alpha Class, the elite of this academy. Those who perform well but do not reach the highest standards will be placed in Beta Class. And those who struggle… will be in Omega Class, where they will have much to learn."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Everyone wanted to be in Alpha Class it was a mark of honor, granting access to the most advanced training, the finest mentors, and the strongest weapons.

"The examination will be divided into three parts," Headmaster Aldric continued. "A written exam to test your knowledge, a physical exam to gauge your strength and endurance, and a magic level exam to assess your potential. Now, let the trials begin!"

The Written Exam – A Test of Wit and Nerve

The grand hall of Elitia Academy was eerily silent, save for the sound of pen scratching against parchment. Hundreds of students sat at long wooden tables, their eyes fixed on the intricate questions before them. The exam covered everything from magical theory and historical battles to complex spell translations. For some, the challenge was exhilarating for others, it was pure torture.

Justin Pritz was among the latter.

Slouched over his parchment, he twirled his pen between his fingers, staring blankly at the exam questions. Nothing made sense. The Arcane Theories of Eldorin? The Principles of Mana Absorption? He had barely skimmed through his textbooks the night before.

But seated next to him was Rey Vien Windsor, one of the top contenders for Alpha Class. The boy had a reputation for his intelligence, and from the way his pen moved rapidly across the page, he clearly knew what he was doing.

Justin smirked. Perfect.

Carefully, he shifted in his seat, angling his body just enough to catch a glimpse of Rey Vien's parchment. He squinted, quickly scanning the elegant handwriting.

"The core principle of Mana Absorption is—"

'Damn, he's fast.'

Justin subtly dipped his quill into ink and began copying the words onto his own parchment, keeping his movements slow to avoid drawing attention. He stole another glance.

"—requires the use of stabilizing runes to prevent arcane overconsumption—"

He scribbled the words quickly. Almost there…

"Mr. Pritz."

Justin froze.

A shadow loomed over him. He slowly lifted his gaze to meet the piercing eyes of Professor Evandros, the strictest examiner in Elitia Academy. The aged sorcerer, dressed in deep emerald robes, leaned forward slightly, his gray eyes sharp with suspicion.

"Is there a problem?" the professor asked, his voice dangerously smooth.

Justin swallowed. He could feel the sweat forming at the back of his neck. Beside him, Rey Vien kept writing, unfazed, as if he hadn't noticed a thing.

"N-No, Professor," Justin stammered, quickly straightening his parchment to cover any evidence. "Just… stretching my neck a little."

Professor Evandros raised a skeptical eyebrow. His eyes flickered between Justin's face and his paper.

"Stretching your neck, you say?" He hummed thoughtfully, then turned away. "Continue your exam."

Justin let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. That was way too close. He shot a glance at Rey Vien, who, without even looking up, muttered under his breath:

"If you're going to cheat, at least do it properly."

Justin grinned. "Noted."

But he made sure to sit up straighter for the rest of the exam.

The Physical Exam – Strength, Speed, and Embarrassment

The training grounds of Elitia Academy were alive with energy. The second phase of the admission exam had begun, and students were being pushed to their limits. Obstacles were set, sparring matches arranged, and tests of endurance laid out. But two events stood out above the rest, the test of strength and the test of speed.

Axel Devuncheek – The Might of a Giant

A group of students gathered near a massive boulder, at least twice the size of an ordinary man. This was the ultimate test of raw strength, meant to separate the truly powerful from the rest.

Many had tried before, straining their muscles to move the colossal rock. Some managed to crack it, while others barely left a mark.

Then came Axel Devuncheek.

The towering boy stepped forward, his massive hammer resting casually on his shoulder. His golden eyes gleamed with confidence as he took his position. The instructors observed him closely, curious to see what he would do.

With a single hand, Axel lifted his hammer and adjusted his grip. Then, with one swift motion, he swung down with monstrous force.

BOOM!

The ground shook as the hammer struck the rock, a deafening explosion echoing through the field. In an instant, the entire boulder split into pieces, shattered into dust and debris. The watching students gaped in disbelief, a few stepping back from the sheer force of the impact.

One of the instructors, who had seen countless students attempt this test before, raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."

Axel smirked, resting his hammer on his shoulder again. "Was that good enough?"

The instructor simply nodded, making a note on his parchment. "More than enough."

Harvie Deogracia – The Shadow in Motion

While some students relied on brute strength, others relied on speed and agility. Harvie Deogracia was one of them.

The next test involved navigating through an obstacle course filled with moving platforms, swinging blades, and enchanted traps that required quick reflexes to dodge. Many students struggled, either barely making it through or failing altogether.

Then it was Harvie's turn.

The moment the signal was given, he moved—and he was gone.

A blur of motion darted through the course, weaving through obstacles with inhuman precision. His feet barely touched the ground as he leaped over spikes, slid under spinning blades, and disappeared like a shadow whenever a trap was triggered.

Even the instructors had to glance twice to keep up with him.

In mere seconds, he reached the end of the course, landing effortlessly as if he hadn't just gone through a gauntlet designed to test the best.

The crowd was silent for a moment before whispers erupted.

"Incredible…"

"Did you even see him move?"

One of the instructors adjusted his glasses. "That… was extraordinary."

Harvie simply gave a small smirk before stepping aside, unfazed by the attention.

Ruscell Montenegro – The Unfortunate Mishap

Meanwhile, not every student had the same level of grace or power. Ruscell Montenegro had been trying his best, but luck… was not on his side.

Determined to prove himself, he charged forward on one of the simpler obstacle courses. He leaped over the first platform successfully, dodged a swinging log, and His foot caught on the edge of a platform.

"Oh no—"

With a loud thud, Ruscell faceplanted straight into the dirt. A cloud of dust rose around him as groans echoed through the crowd. Some students tried to suppress their laughter, while others winced in secondhand embarrassment.

One of the instructors sighed, rubbing his temples. "Montenegro, get up and try again."

Ruscell groaned, lifting his head from the ground. "I… meant to do that."

More chuckles followed as he picked himself up, determined to finish though now covered in dirt and regret.

As the exam continued, the rankings for Alpha, Beta, and Omega slowly took shape. Some would rise, and others would struggle. But one thing was certain Elitia Academy had found its newest generation of warriors.

The Magic Level Exam – A Display of Power

The grand Arcane Hall of Elitia Academy hummed with energy as students stepped forward, one by one, to showcase their magical abilities. This was the most anticipated phase of the entrance exam—the true test of potential. Each student had only one chance to demonstrate their affinity, control, and raw power before the instructors.

The hall was filled with murmurs and excitement as the first students took their places.

Water – Leslie Tamayo

A girl with sapphire-blue eyes and ocean-colored robes lifted her hands gracefully. As she moved, streams of water rose from the enchanted basin beside her, twisting and coiling in the air like serpents. With a flick of her wrist, the water solidified into sharp icicles, then melted back into liquid form before forming a protective dome around her.

The instructors nodded in approval. "Impressive control over all three states of water."

Fire – Vellia Lair Luther

A black-haired girl stepped forward next, rolling her shoulders confidently. With a snap of her fingers, a massive wave of fire erupted from her palms, spiraling into a scorching tornado. The air crackled with heat as she controlled the flames, shaping them into a fiery phoenix before letting it explode into embers.

The watching students took a step back from the intensity of the heat. One instructor smirked. "Strong affinity… but can she control it under pressure?"

Plants – Aella Reeze Wilson

A tall girl in green robes closed her eyes, placing her hands on the ground. Instantly, roots and vines burst from the stone floor, twisting and curling into the shape of a blooming tree. She extended a finger, and a vine shot out, wrapping around a training dummy and pulling it toward her. Flowers blossomed at her feet, filling the hall with a fresh, floral scent.

The audience gasped. Not only had she demonstrated offensive capabilities, but also a deep connection to nature.

Lightning – Cora Millie Clifton

A girl with wild silver hair smirked as she stepped forward. She raised her palm to the ceiling, and within moments, electricity crackled in the air. Bright blue lightning danced across her fingers before surging up her arm. With a loud BOOM, she unleashed a bolt of lightning straight at a reinforced metal target, shattering it into sparks and smoke.

Some students flinched at the sheer force of the impact. One instructor jotted something down. "A destructive force… but does she have restraint?"

Air – Jhenny Sailish

A girl with flowing white robes and an ethereal presence barely moved but the effects were immediate. Winds howled through the Arcane Hall, lifting her hair as she floated slightly off the ground. With a single exhale, a gust of wind shot forward, slicing clean through a wooden practice board. She then spun gracefully, creating a miniature tornado that swirled around her before fading into silence.

"Precision and elegance," an instructor noted. "A rare combination."

Love – Rheem Rosie Clain

A girl with a calm demeanor extended her hands outward. At first, nothing seemed to happen then, suddenly, a warm, glowing pink aura radiated from her fingertips, washing over the room. The audience felt an inexplicable sense of peace, as if wrapped in the arms of a loved one. Even the harshest instructors found their expressions softening.

The girl smiled. "Love magic isn't about attack. It's about harmony."

The instructors exchanged glances. "Uncommon, but potentially powerful in diplomacy and morale boosting."

Earth – Chrisha Van Dele

A girl with brown and short hair student stomped the ground, and the very foundation of the Arcane Hall rumbled beneath their feet. Large chunks of stone rose into the air, forming floating platforms that orbited around her. With a grunt, she clapped her hands together, and the stones slammed into each other, forming a solid, impenetrable wall.

The audience stared in awe. Not just brute force, she had defensive mastery too.

Healing – Charline Oneida

Finally, a quiet girl in pale green robes stepped forward. She knelt beside a practice dummy that had been enchanted to appear wounded. Closing her eyes, she placed her hands over the wounds, and a soft, golden light radiated from her palms. Slowly, the cuts sealed themselves, as if time were reversing. The bruises faded, the dummy's broken frame repaired.

A hush fell over the room. Healing magic was rare and invaluable.

One instructor whispered to another, "She could be one of the most important students here."

The Verdict Approaches

As the last student finished, the instructors gathered to deliberate. Some students had shown raw, destructive power, while others demonstrated control, versatility, and utility. Each performance would determine where they would be placed Alpha, Beta, or Omega.

As Headmaster Aldric stepped forward to announce the results, the students held their breath.

Their fate at Elitia Academy was about to be sealed.