The hour of departure was upon them, and each student clung to possessions imbued with the echoes of home.
«Greetings, friends. I am William, your escort to the academy. The other masters await your arrival.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgk6ga0VAl
William's gaze swept across each face, offering every top-ranked candidate a measured smile.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7US4dYeJz
«First, you must hand over your belongings—they'll travel separately. Your journey now enters a new phase.»
«For a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze for these students. Another trial so soon after the exam?»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2yHtzqq9B
William’s voice cut through the tension:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrccPYIgyl
«Set your worries aside. The academy lies deep within the western woods—follow this path from the capital, and you’ll find it.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxGaTUlMUN
He gave a curt nod. «I take my leave now, and wish you all success.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jQZBdBRXz
A pause, then a blade-sharp warning:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vtW8L3knt
«Stay focused. Lose focus, and your odds of survival dwindle.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6FdB5GibY
His cloak swirled as he turned.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKup3rs4Dk
«Farewell.»
William’s smiling face vanished in an instant—along with all their belongings—vanishing from sight. They stood alone in the hushed clearing.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFk6UGjpka
From among the students, a burly lad stepped forward, positioning himself before the group.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZJt2SBVVi
«Well met, friends,» he announced. «I am Drekarön. Honored to make your acquaintance.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19PiZLhOC2
His gaze swept across them.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt01ARQgsk
«We’d do well to exchange names first…»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRtu6tlU2o
A deliberate pause.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGlrAxhOnQ
«…then set out for the academy.»
The others exchanged bewildered glances, eyes wide, until the ice between them thawed. One by one, they began introducing themselves.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckKidjpMrP
A towering bloodsucker with jet-black hair strode toward Arian—then froze mid-step. A creature blacker than night itself stared back at him.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipxtrWLPxy
«Shadwolf, step aside.» Arian’s clear voice pulled the wolf back as he approached the figure. «Greetings. You must be Maru, correct?»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH93RZODpm
Maru’s grin split his face. «Oh, I’m thrilled you remember me, History’s Prodigy.»
«Y'know,» Arian remarked, eyeing Maru’s fangs, «those razor-sharp teeth don’t quite match the forced smile. But what can you do? Pleasure’s mine—call me Arian.»
Maru recoiled as if struck. «My apologies for the... instinctive display.» He took a deliberate step back, putting respectful distance between them. «No insult intended. When I encounter true power—» His hand extended in formal truce. «—it excites the blood.»
A cold smirk touched Arian’s lips. «And I for my harsh reaction.» His grip met Maru’s—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQlNBDmX9s
Icy. Unyielding.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNsU8YnUYC
The chill of their races’ ancient divide.
Meanwhile, Drekarön approached them with measured steps.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXTjJDZIdE
«Well now,» he boomed, throwing his arms over both Arian and Maru’s shoulders, wedging himself between them. «Seems two powers grew acquainted without me.»
Arian’s eyes narrowed. «Mind explaining why you’re so power-obsessed?» His voice sharpened, demanding answers.
«What kind of question is that?» Drekarön’s pupils dilated. «Isn’t power everything in this world?»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJlVqvefOy
He turned to Maru, «What say you? Don’t we all crave strength?»
Arian kept his eyes fixed on the emerald grass.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndKKO4B7Mi
«Here’s what’s strange: Yes, we pursue power…»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7hlgOWcxg
His voice softened. «…but without weakness, how would we grow?»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSue73hynng
A beat of silence.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImNnaHHjMK
«Know this, Drekarön:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0wFAFwJWj
It isn’t strength that reveals our greatness.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOgxKTGzLJ
It’s vulnerability.»
A glacial silence descended between the three—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl5ObRwzUo
Words frozen in throats.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mbVOAN6oa
Understanding suspended.
«Ha!» Maru’s laugh cut through the tension. «Fascinating perspectives. Strange how you’re both right—yet truth bends to the eye of the beholder.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpwEGBgTU9
His gaze lingered on the boys before turning to the gathered students. «Move out. The academy awaits.»
Drekarön’s voice softened—a post-storm calm.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomaBjwEaWf
«I’ll admit, Arian… I like you.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFXD70mbP3
A contemplative pause. «Power crowned you at birth. That magnificent beast chose you.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFYlbexlu7
His eyes narrowed, not in challenge, but revelation.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFIBvWprkE
«Yet you hunt frailty, not strength.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsLTgeOnI8
He gestured toward the path, the dragonkin’s final words heavy as anvils:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7VXP9hwHz
«Come. Dawn won’t wait.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM8g3VEvNv
But remember:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo3926JEpJ
Strength still holds the final word.»
Minutes later, they stood at the forest's edge—where ancient trees clawed at the sky with gnarled branches, their moss-bearded trunks whispering of forgotten centuries.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXXjzqVEN3
Drekarön, now self-appointed leader of the first-years, addressed the thirty-strong group:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpdmsHFoAr
«Friends! With our numbers, there's no call for concern. We've strength to spare for this trial's challenges.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP5YMx9XYh
As one, they surged forward—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x4sBuvV48
Sprinting into the dusky woods,273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbqKpuY9Mm
hearts set on warm beds awaiting.
Hours bled away, yet the academy’s spires remained nowhere in sight. The wind’s whistle snaked through the trees, feeding their unease.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrtJbuNaXY
«Hey, Drekarön!» A short-statured boy called out, the worn sword at his hip seeming less a weapon than an extension of his limbs. His chestnut hair danced in the breeze as he met the dragonkin’s weary eyes. «Why can’t we find the academy?»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsmwmbfsAD
Drekarön’s gaze tightened. «We should be west—as William said. But there’s nothing!» Frustration etched his face as he scanned the boy—Leo, whose blade moved like his own claws.»
«Back, Shadwolf?» Arian stroked his companion’s fur, fingers tracing the dense pelt.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlubujTh6Uu
«Yeah, Papa. Nothing.» The wolf’s ears flattened. «This forest… feels like the Amarona Wastes.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4HxLomF2J
«No. This is different.» Arian’s eyes lifted to the canopy—where branches wove a cage, denying the sky. «It’s a labyrinth.»
Then—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55GWuU1gaI
Arian lunged at Drekarön.
The dragonkin recoiled. «What’s gotten into you?!» His voice sharpened. «Why accost me thus?»
«Aren’t you a dragon?» Arian’s eyes blazed with hope. «You’ve got mana—surely you can fly?»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkgz8SXvxM
His eagerness shattered as Drekarön mumbled, shoulders drooping:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaNgXZNnra
«Well... I—I can’t. My wings never unfurled.» The dragonkin stared at the mud clinging to his boots. «Being our group’s sole dragonkin... means the flight plan failed. Sorry.»
Then—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOt2qhzFA4
Shadwolf’s voice pierced Arian’s weary mind like an alarm bell:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQVdfLLrJJ
«Papa! Leo’s gone!»
«What do you mean ‘gone’?!» Arian’s gaze darted frantically across the group. He began counting—once, twice—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFodtq8FdP
Leo’s absence screamed back at him.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1uG6owguu
«Everyone! Sound off—now! We’ve got a missing student!»
A deathly silence swallowed the forest.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx25wzqImWq
Not a rustle. Not a chirp.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2PM3ZovZc
As if every living thing held its breath.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjnV8rimqX
Only the ragged gasps of his companions reached Arian’s ears—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bkB50zypt
—until273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1lye0IKan
An ear-splitting shriek tore through the trees.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIZEEoD1hi
Terror seized them all.
Maru’s eyes bulged, near-leaping from their sockets. «That scream—Laina’s! We move. Now.»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtpG3bmOEK
Flames roared to life in Drekarön’s fists—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eD22bzRbr
Infernos hungry enough to devour the forest itself.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjBQkGpU2L
«Fall in behind me! All of you!»
Arian’s boots dug into the trembling earth. «Shadwolf—ready!»273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCxAzYq5Jf
His fury roused the forest like a slumbering beast.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeIe3wl6FU
And through the trees, William’s final warning echoed—273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qaPBTlRNx
A ghostly taunt:273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNHRlTyQ4A
«Survive…273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzj1Y3v6Sm
…or perish.»
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37eCwL7tdU
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg23bAHz9vY
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRW3swh6rq
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2EGWU8wNL
273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMykO1VqWYc
and then Add to home screen.