After months of grueling training, the day finally arrived: the candidate list for the Tournament of Five was posted. The courtyard of the Academy of Five Stars buzzed with excitement and tension as students gathered around the tall, enchanted scroll that shimmered faintly in the morning sun. Names etched themselves into its surface one by one, glowing briefly before settling into place.

Speed and Lady flanked me as I scanned the crowd. "Who are these people?" I muttered, watching as students jostled each other to get a better view of the list.

Speed leaned casually against a pillar, her grin as mischievous as ever, but there was a glint of excitement in her eyes that betrayed just how much she was enjoying the spectacle. She tapped her foot rhythmically against the stone, the only sign of the restless energy bubbling beneath her composed exterior. Every so often, she shifted her weight from one leg to the other, as though barely restraining herself from jumping into the fray. "Trust me, kid," she said, her voice tinged with anticipation. "This is going to be good." "Oh, you’ll see soon enough, kid," she said, her voice practically buzzing with anticipation. She shifted her weight slightly, her fingers drumming against the pillar as though she could barely contain herself. "This year’s batch has some... interesting characters. Trust me, you’re in for a show."

As the final name appeared on the scroll, the enchanted parchment shimmered and dissolved into glittering fragments that rained down on the crowd. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the gathered students.

"So, who made the cut?" I asked, craning my neck to catch a glimpse of the departing scroll.

Speed clapped me on the shoulder, nearly knocking me off balance. "You did, obviously. But let me introduce you to the competition."

She pointed to a tall boy with spiky silver hair standing near the fountain. His arms were crossed, and an aura of icy mist seemed to radiate from him. "That’s Kuzan. Ice magic specialist. Cool as a cucumber, and twice as sharp. Don’t let that calm demeanor fool you, though—he’s dangerous. Last year, he froze an entire river during a mock battle, using the ice to trap his opponent mid-step. Rumor has it, even the instructors were impressed."

Kuzan glanced our way, his piercing blue eyes locking on me briefly. His gaze carried a cool indifference, as though he were assessing me but had already decided I wasn’t worth his attention. Then, without a word, he turned back to his group, the air around him seeming to drop a few degrees in tandem with his detached demeanor.

"Great," I muttered. "Anyone else I should be terrified of?"

"Terrified? No," Speed said with a smirk. "But maybe stay on your toes around her." She nodded toward a petite girl with bright green hair, sitting cross-legged atop a floating stone disk. Her mismatched eyes—one gold, one green—gleamed with mischief as she manipulated the disk to spin lazily in the air.

"That’s Zera," Speed continued. "Geomancer. Can turn the ground beneath you into a death trap with a flick of her wrist. Also, rumor has it she once made an entire training field collapse just because someone insulted her boots."

"Noted," I said, filing that information under "avoid provoking."

Before I could ask about anyone else, a booming laugh drew my attention to a massive figure near the training dummies. The man—no, the mountain—had biceps the size of tree trunks and was balancing a fully grown boar on one hand like it was a feather. Around him, a small group of students stared in awe, some whispering nervously about his strength while others exchanged wide-eyed glances. One particularly brave student approached with hesitant steps, only to stumble back when Torak’s laugh boomed again, shaking the air around him. "Strength isn’t just about size," Torak bellowed, tossing the boar into the air and catching it effortlessly. "It’s about knowing when to use it—and when to hold back." His commanding presence filled the courtyard, leaving no doubt that he was someone who thrived in the spotlight. "Who… what is that?"

"Ah, that’s Torak," Speed said, sounding almost impressed. "He’s a beast master. Controls animals with his voice, but honestly, he doesn’t even need the magic. Have you seen those arms?"

I nodded, unsure whether to admire him or fear for my life if we ended up in the same round.

Just as I thought I’d had my fill of intimidating competitors, a sleek, well-dressed man strode into the courtyard, his silver cloak trailing elegantly behind him. He radiated confidence, and his sharp features looked like they’d been sculpted by the gods themselves. A boy who resembled him—same silver hair, but with softer features—followed closely, his gaze darting nervously around the crowd.

Speed’s jaw dropped. "Is that… no way. That’s Cassian Velis! The Cassian Velis. Archmage of Velmira, undefeated in the Grand Trials, and…" She sighed dreamily. "My future husband."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. "Your what now? Speed, you can’t just call dibs on people."

"Why not?" she shot back, her grin widening. "Look at him! That man is perfection."

"He’s also probably older than Papa," I muttered, shaking my head. "Doesn’t that bother you?"

Speed gasped theatrically, clutching her chest. "Shin, how dare you bring logic into my fantasies?"

Lady groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Speed, get a hold of yourself. He’s here to support his son, not indulge your ridiculous fantasies."

Speed ignored her, clutching her heart theatrically. "Ridiculous? Lady, look at him! That jawline! Those eyes! And don’t even get me started on his—"

Before she could finish, Lady snapped her fingers. A burst of magical light enveloped Speed, who suddenly found herself levitating several feet off the ground, her legs flailing comically.

"Hey! Not fair!" Speed yelped, spinning helplessly in midair.

Lady smirked, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. She crossed her arms, her posture as steady and composed as ever, a stark contrast to Speed’s dramatic flailing. "If you’re done embarrassing yourself," she said, her tone carrying that perfect mix of dry humor and authority, "perhaps we can focus on the tournament." She tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed firmly on Speed as if daring her to argue further, a reminder of who usually kept the chaos in check.

I couldn’t help but laugh. "You two are the best mentors ever."

"Don’t encourage her," Lady said, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward.

Speed crossed her arms in mock indignation as Lady released her, letting her land less gracefully than she’d probably intended. "Fine," Speed grumbled. "But I’m still calling dibs on Cassian."

As the buzz in the courtyard settled, I found myself leaning against a stone pillar, watching the other candidates interact. Some, like Kuzan and Zera, exuded confidence and power, while others seemed just as nervous as I felt. The nervous ones fidgeted, their gazes darting around as if searching for reassurance. A boy near the back kept adjusting his collar, while a girl beside him clutched her spellbook so tightly her knuckles turned white. Their whispered conversations carried a hint of panic, contrasting sharply with the quiet intensity of the more composed candidates. The sheer variety of magic—from Torak’s raw strength to Zera’s playful geomancy—was both inspiring and overwhelming.

"So," Speed said, sidling up next to me. "What do you think?"

"I think I might’ve bitten off more than I can chew," I admitted, though there was a hint of excitement in my voice. "These guys are incredible."

"They are," Speed agreed, her tone uncharacteristically serious. "But so are you. You’ve trained hard for this, Shin. Trust yourself."

Lady joined us, her presence as calming as ever. "The tournament isn’t just about power," she said. "It’s about heart, resilience, and how you rise to the challenges ahead. Remember that."

Her words lingered in my mind, carrying a weight I couldn’t shake. Power was something I had been working on relentlessly, pouring hours into perfecting my spells and sharpening my reflexes. But heart and resilience? Those weren’t so easily measured. I thought back to the times Speed had pushed me to my breaking point, or when Lady’s lessons had left me questioning if I’d ever find balance in my magic. There were moments I’d wanted to quit, when failure felt inevitable. Yet, here I was, standing among competitors who looked just as prepared as I was. Maybe resilience wasn’t about never doubting yourself, but about showing up anyway. I glanced at the competitors around me, their confidence and focus making me question if I truly belonged here. But then I thought about Speed’s unwavering faith in me, and Lady’s calm reassurance. "Rise to the challenges," I repeated silently to myself, letting the words anchor me. Maybe I didn’t have all the answers yet, but I was here, and I wasn’t about to give up.

I nodded, their words settling something in me. The competitors were impressive, sure. But I wasn’t here to compete against them; I was here to prove something to myself. The Tournament of Five wasn’t just a test. It was the start of something bigger.