The kingdom of Elandris had not slept.
For seven days, the disaster dominated every conversation, every newspaper, every gathering hall, and every
Hundreds had died.
And the survivors would never forget what they had witnessed.
The attack had shaken the kingdom to its core.
Now, at last, the crown responded.
A massive projection crystal hovered above the capital city. Similar projections appeared throughout the major cities of Elandris displaying the image of a young man
King Henry Arthendal
The ruler's expression was grave.
"My people."
His voice echoed across the kingdom.
"The tragedy that occurred during the Academy Assessnt shall forever remain a dark stain upon our history."
Silence filled streets, hos, taverns, and marketplaces as people listened.
"The Crown extends its deepest condolences to the families of those lost during the attack."
The king paused.
"After discussions with the other leaders and the principal of Elarion Academy, a decision has been reached."
His gaze hardened.
"Elarion Academy shall take full responsibility for all surviving candidates."
Murmurs erupted everywhere.
"The kingdom faces uncertain tis. Forces hidden in darkness have begun to move. The attack was not an isolated incident."
The atmosphere beca heavy.
"A storm approaches Elandris”
The king rose from his throne.
"And because of that, every surviving participant of the examination is hereby granted admission into Elarion Academy."
Shock spread through the crowds.
Nobles widened their eyes.
Commoners stared in disbelief.
Even those who had failed portions of the assessnt would now be accepted.
"The future of our kingdom can no longer wait."
King Henry's voice thundered across the land.
"All admitted students are ordered to report to Elarion Academy exactly one week from today."
The projection flickered.
"Prepare yourselves."
The king's eyes seed colder than before.
"The world you knew is changing."
The image vanished.
And Alandres erupted.
***
Lucian Valecrest sat silently beside a window
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Bandages wrapped around his torso beneath his clothes.
Every breath reminded him of the battlefield.
The broken ground.
The blood.
The screams.
Rhazar.
His fingers tightened unconsciously.He rembered being helpless.He rembered being thrown around like a toy.
He rembered lying there unable to move while death walked around him.
His jaw clenched. Pathetic. This world is dangerous. He could not achieve vengeance like this .
Then reality had arrived.
Reality wore the face of a smiling monster.Lucian stared outside.The world looked the sa.Yet everything had changed.A war was coming.He could feel it.
Every instinct scread it.
The attack was only the beginning.
If he remained weak, he would die.
Simple.
The academy was no longer an opportunity.It was a necessity.His eyes sharpened.
Elarion Academy.The greatest institution in Elandris
The gathering place of nobles, prodigies, and monsters.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Good.
If greatness lived there, he would surpass it.
If geniuses gathered there, he would stand above them. Anything to achieve his goal . He did not care the slightest about what happens to Elandris . What occupied his mind was vengeance and he shall trample on anyone or anything as long as his goal is achieved.
Lucian slowly stood.
The pain in his ribs flared.
He ignored it.
One week.
That was enough.
He would prepare.
And when he stepped into Elarion Academy...
Elandris would rember the na Lucian Valecrest.
***
Far away, another survivor listened to the decree.
Noah stood alone in a training yard.
The announcent had already ended.
Yet he remained motionless.
The wooden practice sword in his hand felt heavier than usual.
His thoughts drifted toward the assessnt.
Toward the people he couldn't save.
Toward the faces that still appeared whenever he closed his eyes. He wanted to help people. To beco a hero Heroes saved everyone.Heroes arrived in ti.
Heroes didn't watch people die.
Noah lowered his head.
Then slowly tightened his grip.
Regret alone would accomplish nothing.
The future was approaching whether he was ready or not.
The academy would gather the strongest youths in the kingdom.
If danger ca again….
He wanted to be strong enough to stand in front of it.
Strong enough to protect soone.
Strong enough that next ti, fewer nas would be added to the list of the dead. One na left a bitter taste in his mouth and that was Lucien Valecrest. He would surpass him no matter what it takes .
A faint breeze swept through the training grounds.
Then Noah raised his sword.
And trained.
Again.
And again.
And again.
***
Across Elandris , preparations had already begun.
Young nobles packed their belongings.
Commoners celebrated impossible opportunities.
Families made sacrifices.
Teachers gave final lessons.
Blacksmiths worked through the night.
rchants filled roads leading toward the academy.
Hope.
Fear.
Excitent.
Ambition.
The emotions spread across the kingdom like wildfire.
The next generation was moving.
Unaware of what truly awaited them.
Unaware of the darkness gathering beyond the horizon.
Students prepared for the changes coming to Alandres.
Because a war was approaching.
And in war, only one truth remained.
The strong survived.
The weak perished.
User Comments
0 comments from readers