The Elemental system

The morning after the selection, Axton walked with Elias through the grand halls of Wysteria Academy, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. The atmosphere in the academy was tense, but there was an underlying sense of purpose. Students gathered from all parts of the kingdom to be tested, and the day had come for the first-years to begin their true training. Today, they would be assigned to their respective houses.

"Look at all these students," Elias remarked, glancing around at the young first-years, many of whom came from prestigious backgrounds. "I'm starting to feel like the pressure is really on now."

Axton nodded silently, his mind focused on the unknown that lay ahead. How would he fare among these students, many of whom had already mastered their elemental powers? How could he—someone with no visible elemental ability—prove himself?

The bell rang, signaling the beginning of the day's events. Students filed into the grand hall, where the academy instructors stood waiting, poised and serious. The first-years stood at attention, awaiting their house assignments.

The atmosphere grew thick with anticipation. Axton couldn't help but feel small as he stood among them. Some students looked confident, others nervous, but all were waiting to see what would happen next.

The gray-eyed leader spoke first, her tone commanding attention. "First-years, welcome to Wysteria Academy. Today, you will be assigned to your respective houses. These houses will be your family, your training ground, and the place where you will rise or fall. Your abilities will be tested, but more than that, we are looking for potential—what you can achieve beyond the limits of what you currently know. Prove yourselves worthy of this academy."

Her words echoed through the hall, setting the stage for what was to come.

The Assignment

The first to be called was Elias Thorn, who had been placed in Air House. He gave Axton a quick nod and a smile before stepping forward with an air of confidence. "See you later, Axton," Elias said, his voice full of excitement.

"Good luck," Axton murmured, watching as Elias joined the group of first-years heading to Air House.

The gray-eyed leader continued the roll call. Names like Corbin Voss and Seraphina Vance caused a stir among the gathered students. Murmurs filled the air.

"Did you hear that? Seraphina Vance—she has three powers: dark, fire, and lightning. Her mother is Lady Vance, one of the most powerful elementalists in the kingdom," someone whispered excitedly. "She's not just a firestarter… she's a prodigy."

"Her uncle is Lord Vance," another voice added. "He's got influence everywhere. No surprise they put her in Fire House."

Axton felt his heart race as Seraphina was called, stepping forward with an air of confidence that seemed to command the attention of the room. The whispers continued as she walked past, her dark power swirling subtly around her, creating an aura of quiet danger.

A few names later, Corbin Voss was called.

"Corbin Voss Fire and lightning," the instructor announced. Immediately, the whispers started again.

"Voss? The Voss family? His father is a member of the Royal Court! And he controls both fire and earth—he's a powerhouse," one student muttered.

"He's been trained from childhood. You'll never see a more arrogant kid than Corbin Voss. He's used to getting what he wants."

Another voice, dripping with disdain, added, "He'll probably make it to the top of his class. After all, he's got everything handed to him."

Axton's eyes narrowed as Corbin walked up, his posture stiff and his eyes flashing with pride. The fire and lightning powers he possessed were visible even without him lifting a finger—his confidence was almost suffocating.

And then, Axton Backwoods was called.

"Axton Backwoods, Earth House."

Axton felt a strange mixture of relief and uncertainty wash over him. His heart beat faster as he stepped forward, trying to hide his nerves. He could sense the eyes of the other students on him—some of them curious, others skeptical. Earth House wasn't the prestigious house—Fire, Air, lightning, and Water were known for producing powerful students. But Earth was solid, dependable, and perhaps… a good place to hide in plain sight.

The instructor of Earth House, a burly man named Master Thorne, greeted him with a steady gaze. "You'll find Earth House to be a place of hard work, young Backwoods. If you have potential, it will be honed here."

Axton nodded, not sure what to expect, but he followed Master Thorne to the Earth House dormitory, a massive stone building carved into the mountainside. The scent of the earth and stone filled the air, grounding Axton as he walked. There was something about the place that resonated with him, and for the first time, he felt that perhaps Earth was the right choice for him.

The Tests Begin

After being assigned their houses, the first-years were led into the central training arena—a vast outdoor area surrounded by stone walls. The arena was designed for a variety of tests: elemental control, physical endurance, and intellectual challenges. Axton was nervous, but he couldn't deny the thrill that surged through him. This was the beginning.

Master Thorne stood at the head of the group, his voice booming across the arena. "This is your first test, first-years. Today, you will demonstrate what you can do. It's not about raw power; it's about potential, about showing that you have the ability to rise above the challenges you face."

Axton felt his heart race. His first test wasn't about using visible elemental power—it was about strategy, adaptability, and problem-solving. He had no idea what to expect.

A gong sounded, and the first challenge began. A series of stones, large and small, were scattered throughout the arena. Each student was given a task: to move the stones across a designated line. However, there was a catch—the stones were enchanted to resist manipulation, and only those with true skill could move them.

As Axton stepped forward, he glanced at the others. Elias had already moved to the far side of the arena, using wind to lift the stones with ease. Gavin, as expected, had already set fire to his stones, using flames to melt them down to the desired shape.

But Axton had nothing—no elemental ability, at least none that anyone could see. He stood still, feeling the pressure of the moment. Master Thorne had told him that Earth was about resilience. So, Axton reached down, touching the ground with his fingers. He focused, trying to draw something from the earth, something beyond the stones.

For a brief moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the ground beneath his feet responded. The earth trembled as a series of small rocks began to rise. It wasn't much, but it was enough to complete the task.

The earth was responding to him—not in the flashy way fire or wind might, but in its own subtle way. Axton felt a surge of accomplishment, but it was fleeting. There was still so much more to prove.

The Encounter with Corbin

As Axton finished the challenge, he noticed a familiar face—a face that made his blood run cold. Standing across the arena, with an air of smug superiority, was Corbin Voss, the boy from the selection trials who had been watching Axton closely.

Corbin's eyes narrowed when he saw Axton, and he stepped toward him with a slow, deliberate pace. "So, you're in Earth House," Corbin said, his voice laced with mockery. "Looks like they've placed you where you belong. You've got no power, no ability to compete with the rest of us. I'd say you don't stand a chance."

Axton stared at him, trying to ignore the bite of his words. Corbin's arrogance was evident, and Axton had no intention of letting it get to him. Instead, he stood his ground. "We'll see about that, Voss. I'm just getting started."

Corbin smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Just don't get in my way, Backwoods. You won't like what happens if you do.