The old man waved his hand, and the doors to the chamber opened, revealing the throng of academy representatives who had been waiting outside. As soon as they saw Lifu, they surged forward, their voices rising in a cacophony of excitement and offers.
“Join the Ardent Academy! We’ll give you the best training in the land!”
“No, the Verdant Grove Academy is where you belong! We specialise in nurturing rare talents like yours!”
“Forget them all! The Mountain Peak Academy is the only place that can fully cultivate your potential. We have the best resources and instructors in all of Tagati!”
The offers came in a rush, each more tempting than the last, each representative trying to outdo the others in promises of wealth, power, and prestige. Lifu felt dizzy with it all, overwhelmed by the attention and unsure of what to do. This wasn’t what he had expected at all.
In the midst of the chaos, a tall figure in a dark blue cloak stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate respect and silence. The other representatives fell back, their voices quieting as they recognised the man.
He was Lord Sefu, the headmaster of the Rising Star Academy, and one of the most powerful figures in Tagati. His reputation as a master of magic and combat was unmatched, and his academy was known for producing the finest warriors and mages in the land.
“Lifu Stormborne,” Lord Sefu said, his voice calm and authoritative. “Your potential is beyond anything we’ve seen in generations. Rising Star Academy is where you belong. Under our guidance, you will become a force to be reckoned with.”
His words carried weight, a promise of greatness that made the other offers seem pale in comparison. Lifu stared at the man, feeling a strange mixture of fear and excitement. There was something about Lord Sefu that was both reassuring and intimidating, like a storm on the horizon—beautiful yet dangerous.
Before Lifu could respond, a soft, melodic voice interrupted. “Or perhaps, he would prefer a different path.”
The crowd parted to reveal a young woman with long, silver hair and eyes as blue as the deepest ocean. She was dressed in elegant robes that shimmered like water in the sunlight, and around her neck was a pendant in the shape of a crescent moon.
She was Lady Seraphina, the head of the Celestial Wave Academy, another prestigious institution known for its focus on Water and Lightning magic. Her presence was like a cool breeze, soothing the tension in the room.
“Lifu,” she continued, her gaze gentle but firm. “You have the gift of dual affinity, a rare and precious thing. At Celestial Wave Academy, you would be among others who understand the delicate balance of your powers. We could help you refine and perfect your abilities, guiding you to become the master of both Water and Lightning.”
Lifu hesitated, torn between the two offers. Rising Star Academy was the most famous, but Celestial Wave Academy seemed like it might be better suited to his unique abilities. The decision weighed heavily on him, and he could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on him, waiting to see what he would choose.
Mara and Kofi exchanged a worried glance, sensing their son’s inner turmoil. They had always known that Lifu was destined for greatness, but they hadn’t anticipated just how difficult this decision would be for him.
Finally, Lifu took a deep breath and looked up at Lord Sefu and Lady Seraphina. “I... I don’t know which path is right for me,” he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. “Both of your academies sound amazing, but I’ve never even considered something like this before. I just... I want to be strong enough to protect the people I care about. To make a difference.”
Lord Sefu nodded thoughtfully, while Lady Seraphina smiled gently.
Lifu’s head spun with the weight of the choices before him. Each academy had its own allure, its own promise of greatness. But the decision wasn’t just about which school was the best; it was about finding the right path for him, one that would help him grow into the person he wanted to be.
Just as he was about to speak, a loud crash echoed through the hall, followed by a burst of laughter. Lifu turned to see a girl with crimson hair and small, curved horns on her forehead struggling to get up from the floor, where she had apparently tripped over her own feet. She was a Dragon Kin, her draconic features hinting at her powerful heritage, but her awkwardness was at odds with the fearsome reputation of her kind.
“Sorry, sorry! Didn’t mean to interrupt!” she called out, waving sheepishly at the onlookers who were staring at her in various states of confusion and amusement.
Lifu couldn’t help but smile at the sight. There was something endearing about her, even if she was clearly out of her element in such a formal setting.
The girl noticed him looking and grinned, her sharp teeth flashing. “Hey, you’re the dual affinity guy, right? That’s pretty awesome! I’m Tia, by the way. Maybe we’ll end up at the same academy, huh?”
Lifu blinked, caught off guard by her friendly and direct approach. “Uh, yeah. I’m Lifu. Nice to meet you.”
Tia nodded, then turned to Lord Sefu and Lady Seraphina. “So, which one’s he gonna choose, huh? Rising Star? Celestial Wave? Or maybe he’ll surprise us all and go with one of the others!”
Her comment seemed to break the tension in the room, and a few people chuckled, the mood lightening considerably. Even Lord Sefu’s stern expression softened slightly, and Lady Seraphina’s smile widened.
Lifu glanced back at his parents, seeking reassurance. Mara nodded encouragingly, while Kofi gave him a small, supportive smile. They trusted him to make the right decision, and that trust gave Lifu the strength he needed.
Taking a deep breath, Lifu stepped forward. “I’ve made my decision,” he announced, his voice steady. “I’m going to join Rising Star Academy.”
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd, and Lord Sefu nodded, clearly pleased with Lifu’s choice. “Wise decision, Lifu. You have chosen a path that will challenge you, but also one that will allow you to fully realise your potential. Welcome to Rising Star Academy.”
Lady Seraphina sighed mournfully, “Good luck, kid. You’ll need it!”
Tia clapped enthusiastically. “Looks like we might be classmates after all, Lifu! I’m gonna head to Rising Star too, so I guess I’ll see you there!”
Lifu smiled, feeling a mixture of relief and excitement. “Yeah, see you there!”
Comments (0)
See all