The first light of dawn crept over the horizon as Arden and Lyra prepared to set out for the academy exams. Andre stood at the door, watching his son and Lyra his face a mix of pride and worry. Arden's backpack was ready, while Lyra had tied her blood-red hair into a ponytail, her golden eyes gleaming with determination.

Andre turned to Arden, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Remember," he said, his voice firm but warm. "Watch your anger. The academy will test your flames, but more importantly… it'll test you." Arden nodded, his blind eye faintly stinging, though he tried to hide it. "I know," he said, voice resolute. Andre smiled at Lyra. "You take care too, Lyra. Both of you support each other."

Lyra grinned. "Don't worry, Uncle Andre," she said, her tone cheerful. Then she turned to Arden, taking his hand firmly. "We'll pass together, okay?" Arden felt the warmth of her hand, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Together," he murmured. Andre gave them one last nod, then saw them off.

The journey began with a few hours' walk through narrow paths and wide meadows. At first, Arden and Lyra walked in silence, but as the path stretched on, they began to talk more. After a while, Lyra spotted a small stream by the roadside and tugged Arden's arm. "Let's rest a bit," she said, her voice tinged with slight fatigue but mostly joy.
They sat on a rock by the stream, the gentle trickle of water filling the air. Lyra pulled a small piece of bread from her bag, breaking it in half and handing one to Arden. "Here," she said, smiling. "It's a long road you'll need the energy." Arden took the bread, a soft smile on his face. "You're always so thoughtful," he said, his voice gentle. Lyra shrugged. "Always for you," she murmured, her gaze dropping.

As Arden ate, he glanced at Lyra her blood-red hair glinting in the sunlight, her golden eyes catching the reflection of the water. "Lyra," he said, his tone serious. "These exams… what if I fail? My blind eye… it's a weakness." Lyra looked up at him, frowning. "Arden," she said, her voice firm. "Your strength isn't in that eye. It's in your flames… and your heart. I believe in you." She reached out, taking his hand and holding it tightly. "We'll pass together, remember?"

Arden felt the warmth of her hand, his heart racing. "With you, everything… feels easier," he said, his voice honest but soft. Lyra smiled, then rested her head on his shoulder. "With you, everything's better," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Arden caught the sweet scent of her hair, lacing his fingers with hers. They sat there for a while, the sound of the stream and each other's presence the only things in the world as if time had paused for a moment.

The journey continued, but they felt closer. As the sun began to set, Lyra paused, plucking a small purple flower from the roadside the same kind as the one from the forest and tucked it into Arden's hair. "This one's a twin to the flower from before," she said, smiling. "So you'll always remember me." Arden laughed, touching the flower. "Forgetting you is impossible," he said, his voice warm. Lyra's eyes sparkled. "Good," she murmured, then took his hand again.

When they reached the academy, their eyes widened. A massive castle loomed before them, its stone walls stretching into the sky, surrounded by a vast courtyard. Hundreds of young magic candidates gathered in the courtyard some testing their flames, others their winds or waters. Exam overseers in long black robes patrolled the area, their stern gazes scanning the candidates. The air buzzed with excitement and tension.

Arden and Lyra blended into the crowd. Lyra didn't let go of Arden's hand, her eyes scanning the scene with awe. "This place… it's incredible," she said, voice full of wonder. Arden nodded, but his blind eye began to sting faintly as if something was watching him. Just then, a haughty voice cut through the crowd: "What's a blind kid doing here?"

Arden and Lyra turned at the same time. Before them stood a tall, broad-shouldered boy black hair neatly combed, dark blue eyes glinting, a mocking smirk on his lips. It was Kael a magic candidate, and one of the most noticeable in the courtyard. A few kids beside him snickered at his words. Kael stepped closer, his gaze locking onto Arden's blind eye. "Even your flames look flawed," he said, his tone biting.

"The exams are too tough for someone like you, blind kid."

Arden's brows furrowed, anger rising, but he felt Lyra's hand gripping his tightly, signaling him to stay calm. "Ignore him," she whispered, but a glint of resolve flashed in Arden's eyes. "We'll see about that at the exams," he said, his voice cold but controlled. Kael laughed. "I'll have fun with you," he said, his tone mocking, then disappeared into the crowd.