The shimring world gate lood before them, a massive, intricate structure inscribed with glowing runes that pulsed with faint golden light.
Rael, Eon, and Artaigne stood at its threshold, flanked by a group of knights from the Garcia House. The portal humd softly, the energy it emitted both srizing and intimidating.
"Are you ready?" Rael asked, glancing at the girls.
"Let's go." Eon nodded eagerly, while Artaigne took a deep breath. "As ready as I'll ever be."
With a shared look of determination, the three stepped into the gate. The world spun around them in a cascade of light and sound, and within monts, they found themselves standing in the bustling streets of the Arcana World's Central City.
"Did we arrive in Arcana world?" Artaigne looked around in wonder.
"Welco to Arcana world's only habitable location, the Central City, Your Highness," replied her knight, Remia.
The Central City was unlike anything they had ever expected. Because it was located in Arcana world, which was filled with millions of monsters, they expected the city would be like a rural village on the mountainous side and fortified by high walls. But it wasn't any different from any royal city.
Towering spires of crystal and stone reached for the sky, their surfaces shimring in the sunlight. The streets were lined with stalls selling enchanted items, exotic foods, and rare materials from across the world. Arcana masters from every corner of their world mingled here—nobles in elaborate attire, rchants hawking their wares, and adventurers clad in weathered armor. However, only one to two percent of the people around were citizens who made this city their ho. Others were just here for hunting, shopping, or so other business.
Rael took a deep breath, marveling at the vibrant energy of the city. "This place is... incredible." The last ti he was in the Arcana world, he and Eon were in the desert. Finding himself in a city indeed built up his mood and also made him feel safer. After all, this will be his ho for the next 7 to 8 years.
Artaigne, her usual guarded deanor softening, couldn't hide her awe. "It's like a dream."
Eon grinned. "Indeed. Now, my expectation of the academy increased quite a bit."
The knights escorted them to a rental carriage, which would take them directly to the academy. As they approached the academy gates, the knights bid them farewell, unable to proceed further due to the academy's strict policy.
"Stay safe, Your Highness," Remia said, bowing deeply. "May all you return with success, Young Master Garcia, Young Miss Garcia, and Your Highness."
Rael, Eon, and Artaigne stepped out of the carriage, walking through the gates.
The path to the academy's administration building was lined with towering trees whose leaves glowed faintly with magical energy.
A wide cobblestone road stretched ahead, flanked by manicured lawns and sparkling fountains that seed to dance in ti with the gentle breeze. Statues of legendary Arcana masters stood at intervals with fine craftsmanship. They were sculpted in a way that made them look as if they were alive.
Artaigne gazed around in wonder. "It's beautiful."
Eon nodded. "It feels... alive."
Because the academy is currently in a sumr break, the surroundings looked quite empty and too peaceful.
While the girls were busy admiring the views and discussing what was there and what was here, Rael was focused on the building standing at the end of the path they were walking on.
It was the administration building.
It was a grand structure of marble and gold, with high arches and intricate carvings depicting historical events. When they stepped inside, they felt the air was cool and filled with the faint scent of parchnt and ink.
They walked straight to the reception desk, where a beautiful young woman was busy writing sothing on a scroll. Their footsteps attracted her attention. For a mont, she narrowed her eyes, scanning the three of them. "Two of them are in 4-star and the other is a 2-star. Their clothes looked quite luxurious. Must be nobles."
She put the scroll away in the drawer and rose to her feet with a smile.
"Welco to Heavenly Academy." She greeted them warmly before asking, "Are you here for the entrance trial?"
"Yes." Rael nodded.
The clerk then handed them forms. "Please fill these out before we proceed with the trial. And it is 50 gold coins per candidate. If you pass, your money will be refunded. If you fail, you can only try again next year."
Rael nodded and looked at the docunts.
The docunts asked for details about their identities, Arcana grades, and family backgrounds.
"Eon" "Artaigne."
He handed each of them one and took one for himself, filling it.
Rael, Eon, and Artaigne completed the forms quickly, and the clerk nodded approvingly.
"An instructor will et you shortly," she said, taking out a communication scroll and pouring her soul energy into it.
A mont later, a tall man with strikingly pale skin and piercing blue eyes entered the room. His uniform, embroidered with the insignia of the academy, marked him as an instructor of high rank.
"Welco to the Heavenly Academy," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "I am Lestrade Blue, and I will be guiding you through the next steps of your admission process."
As Lestrade led them down a corridor, Artaigne whispered to Eon, "I read that people from southern Llyne usually have dark complexions, but he's so pale... It doesn't match."
While she only whispered, it was heard by the person leading them. Lestrade paused mid-step and turned to face her, his expression stern. "Is that what you believe, young lady?"
Artaigne froze, realizing her mistake. "I... I didn't an—"
Lestrade raised a hand to stop her. "It's true that most people from Southern Llyne have darker skin, but not all of us follow the stereotypes. People co there from all over the continent and settle down. Ever heard of anything about the word migration?"
Artaigne lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Instructor Blue. I didn't an to offend."
Lestrade's expression softened slightly. "Apology accepted. But consider this a lesson—the world is vast, and people are more diverse than you can imagine. There are even millions out there who don't speak Orlon, and so don't even follow the gold currency system."
Artaigne beca silent and didn't raise her head again for a while.
Rael exchanged a glance with Eon, and both couldn't help but show pity for Artaigne, who just tried to break her shyness, only to be scolded in return.
Sighing inwardly, Rael reached out to Artaigne, grabbing her hand to show his encouragent. Artaigne started for a mont and looked at him in a bit of surprise. As Rael smiled, she also let out a smile and nodded. Eon, on the other hand, furrowed her brows, feeling uncomfortable for so reason.
With that, Lestrade turned and continued leading them down the hall, his cape swaying behind him.
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