Phantom's Path

CH5: The Decision

The tall man entered the tent, his footsteps heavy on the floor as he surveyed us. His scarred face remained stoic, but his voice carried authority. "All of you here have passed and will have the weekend to decide which academy you wish to attend. We will provide you with a booklet that details the three academies you can choose from, including their histories and the benefits they offer. One last thing—congratulations, ladies and gentlemen."

A wave of relief washed over us. We'd made it. We'd all passed.

The tall man gave us a nod of approval before leaving, and as soon as the door closed behind him, the energy in the tent shifted. We all looked at each other, the weight of the moment sinking in. We'd done it. Now it was time to figure out what came next.

We left the tent shortly after, stepping into the cool afternoon air. As we made our way back home, the excitement began to feel a little more real. The streets that once felt familiar now seemed like they were part of a whole new world. The thought of leaving this place for good, of stepping into something bigger, filled me with a strange sense of anticipation.

At home, we threw together a simple meal—some toast, nothing fancy. But as I sat down at the table with Amelia and Tim, I couldn't help but feel that this was the calm before the storm.

"So," I said, breaking the silence, "which one are we picking? Out of these three." I dropped the booklet onto the table in front of them. It had been handed to us as soon as we left the tent, filled with information about the three top academies in the country.

The first academy, Eldrin's Forge Academy, was known for its cutting-edge research into elemental manipulation and the development of new techniques. It had a reputation for producing some of the most skilled and innovative mages, especially those in specialized fields. The second, Valkara Academy, was renowned for its discipline, elite training, and focus on creating well-rounded mages with not only combat prowess but also leadership skills. The third, Viroth's Legacy Academy, had a reputation for nurturing those who possessed unique or rare abilities—people like us, who'd awakened powers with vast potential. It was a place for those who didn't fit the mold, a place where you could forge your own path.

Amelia, ever the analytical one, flipped through the booklet with an intrigued expression. "I like Valkara Academy. They focus on leadership and strength—discipline and control. That's the kind of environment I think we all need." She gave a small smile, her purple eyes sparkling as she looked at both Tim and me.

Tim didn't hesitate. "Yeah, I agree. Valkara Academy seems like the right fit for all of us. We'll get the best training there. And besides, the structure will do us good," he said with his usual confidence. "I've got no doubts about this."

I leaned back in my chair, letting their words settle in. They were right. Valkara's emphasis on discipline, leadership, and strength was something that resonated with me. Plus, I liked the idea of us sticking together, supporting each other through whatever came next.

"Alright, it's decided then," I said, my voice smooth and steady. "Valkara Academy it is."

And just like that, the decision was made. The weekend passed quickly, and before we knew it, the guards were back, arriving at our door to pick us up. We weren't the only ones being taken to the academy. There were six of us in total—the three of us, plus a few others from the area who'd passed their awakening tests.

The trip to Valkara Academy felt like a blur. The excitement built with every mile, the anticipation of stepping into a whole new life. As we finally arrived at the gates, my breath caught in my chest.

The academy was everything I'd imagined and more. The towering spires seemed to touch the sky, their sleek, modern design contrasting with the ancient stone walls that surrounded them. The grounds were immaculate—lush green fields that stretched on for what seemed like miles, and magical energy hummed in the air, the promise of power and potential radiating from the very walls of the academy.

This wasn't just a school. This was where we were going to change our lives.

Amelia, Tim, and I exchanged a look, the weight of our decision settling in. But there was no going back now. We were here. And this was where our journey truly began.

"Ready for this?" I asked, a grin tugging at the corner of my lips.

Amelia nodded, her usual fire in her eyes. "Born ready."

Tim flashed a grin as well, his cool demeanor never wavering. "Let's do this."

And with that, we stepped into the future, together.