Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Isabella didn’t give them time to wander or admire the academy grounds. Her steps were quick, her tone brisk as she called out to the five, urging them to follow her. The grand square stretched behind them, echoing with their fading footsteps as they entered a long, arched corridor lined with ancient stone.
The corridor was quiet except for the muffled sound of their boots on polished floors. Tapestries depicting elemental battles hung along the walls, their colors faded but the power they conveyed was still strong. But there was no time to linger.
“We’re heading to the Academic Affairs Office,” Isabella said without turning. “You’ll be registered as official students. You’ll each receive your Academy certificates and the white robes of first-year elementals. Once you’ve been assigned your rooms, I’ll go speak with the Dean.”
She paused briefly and looked over her shoulder at them. “The schedule is tight. No detours.”
They nodded, falling silent as the weight of the moment settled in. This wasn’t a tour. This was the beginning of their training… and their war.
At the same time, Isabella’s voice dropped to a serious tone as she gathered the five candidates closer. “Listen carefully,” she said, scanning each of their faces to make sure they understood. “This place is unlike anything you’ve seen before. There are rules you must follow. No wandering off. No talking unless I give you permission. And absolutely no opening doors or stepping into areas you’re not told to enter.”
One of the younger candidates, a girl with wide eyes, hesitated. “But what if we need to—”
“No,” Isabella interrupted gently but firmly. “Not yet. You’re not ready to explore or question. Not until you have proper clearance. If you do, there will be consequences. This academy is protected by powerful forces. It’s not a playground.”
The boy next to her swallowed nervously, looking down at his feet. “What kind of punishment?”
Isabella gave him a sharp look, and a faint chill passed through the group. “You don’t want to find out. Trust me.”
A tense silence followed. The candidates exchanged glances but said nothing. They had heard warnings before, but something about Isabella’s tone made it clear she wasn’t joking.
“Good,” Isabella continued, her expression softening just a bit. “I know this is overwhelming. This place is grand and strange, but you’re here for a reason. The fate of the world may rest on what you learn here. That means discipline, focus, and respect.”
Nova glanced up at Isabella, her curiosity breaking through the nervousness. “How long will we stay here? How soon can we start learning?”
Isabella smiled faintly. “As soon as we register you and meet with the dean. After that, your training begins in earnest. But remember, patience is as important as power.”
Lestat, who had been quietly rubbing his eyes from the earlier teleportation brightness, smirked and muttered, “Patience might be the hardest lesson for some of us.”
Isabella shot him a look, but there was no anger behind it. “You’ll need it.”
The corridor stretched ahead, lined with towering doors and flickering torches that cast long shadows on the stone floor. The candidates moved in step behind Isabella, each step echoing softly, the weight of their new reality settling on their shoulders.
Isabella’s face grew even more serious as they walked. “We must be cautious. There are eyes everywhere. Not all who dwell here are friends. You will learn that soon enough.”
The five nodded, their nervousness now tempered by determination. They understood that this was not just an academy, but a battleground of wills and power.
Isabella took a deep breath, then added quietly, “Stay close. Do not stray. Follow me.”
As they made their way down the corridor, the five candidates couldn’t help but notice the stares. Some students looked at them with curiosity, while others carried something darker in their eyes—something like suspicion or even hostility. Whispers floated through the air like a faint wind carrying secrets.
“Hey, have you heard?” one voice murmured just loud enough for the group to catch. “The five candidates for the reincarnation of the Son of Light… the ones who are supposed to save the world… they’ve been brought back.”
A sharp laugh followed. “Five from the major races, huh? But who knows if they’re really heroes or just a bunch of useless junk.”
Another voice, dripping with malice, sneered, “I don’t care if they’re saviors or not. If they show up in the magic competition and can’t keep up, I’ll gladly burn them to ashes with my fireballs.”
The candidates exchanged uneasy glances. Nova’s jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing as the words sank in. Lestat’s hand twitched near his belt, but Isabella gave a subtle shake of her head to keep him from reacting.
Isabella whispered softly, “Ignore them. Let their words fuel your resolve, not your anger.”
The group straightened their backs, determined not to show fear or doubt, even as those cold, sharp eyes followed them down the corridor.
Nova’s eyes burned with anger as she shot a fierce glare at the students who had spoken rudely. She leaned in close to Isabella and whispered sharply, “Isn’t the discipline here supposed to be very strict? How can they get away with talking like that? Won’t those students be punished?”
Isabella’s expression grew stern as she nodded firmly. “Yes, the academy’s rules are strict. There are surveillance cameras everywhere—hidden in the halls, classrooms, even the corners of the square. Every word, every action is monitored closely.”
She lowered her voice, adding, “These new students don’t stand a chance. The moment their instructors find out they’re causing trouble, they will be disciplined immediately. The academy does not tolerate disrespect or disruption.”
Nova’s frown softened slightly, but her eyes still glowed with quiet determination. “Good. Because if they’re going to stand in our way, they’ll regret it.”
The others nodded in agreement, drawing strength from Isabella’s assurance as they pressed forward through the corridor, ready to fac
e whatever awaited them inside the legendary Elemental Academy.