The dormitory corridor was unusually quiet when Avin and Kai returned after the chaos of the courtyard duel. It felt as if the entire academy had paused its heartbeat—news about Avin's awakening had already begun spreading like wildfire, slipping through cracks faster than any teacher could contain.
Their room was on the third floor of the East Wing—a simple double room with soft blue lanterns, polished stone floors, and two wooden beds divided by a small table. Nothing fancy, but for Avin, everything still felt unreal.
Kai kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto his bed dramatically.
"Bro… I swear those four Houses looked like they wanted to eat you alive," he groaned.
Avin dropped onto his own bed. "They'll survive."
Kai raised one eyebrow. "Yeah, but will you survive them? Especially with the way some girls stared at you like you were dessert."
Avin threw a pillow at him.
Kai caught it mid-air. "Not my fault you suddenly became 'mysterious hottie with forbidden power.' Girls love that stuff."
Before Avin could respond, the door creaked open.
Their next-door neighbor stepped out—Sarena.
Her long peach-blonde hair lay over one shoulder in a soft braid. She wore a pale lavender night robe that shouldn't have been impressive… yet somehow made her look ethereal. She paused, giving them a polite smile.
"Good evening. You both returned late."
Kai straightened like a soldier.
"Oh! Sarene—good evening! Or good night! Or good… anything!"
Avin covered his face.
Sarene shifted her gaze to Avin. "I heard what happened in the courtyard. The teachers were… talking."
"Talking good or bad?" Avin asked.
She hesitated. "Both. But mostly confused."
Kai whispered dramatically, "Translation: they think Avin awakened something insane."
Sarene left after reminding them to rest. Once she disappeared into her room, Kai shut the door and let out a long whistle.
"She's too calm, man. How do you talk to a girl who moves like a goddess?"
"I don't," Avin muttered.
"With that face? You should."
Avin ignored him and lay down again. But his mind wouldn't calm.
The voices from his awakening still echoed:
"The Forgotten Heir has returned…"
Who was he?
What had he awakened?
Eventually, Kai's soft snoring lulled him to sleep.
The next morning — 6:00 AM
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Kai jumped like a frightened squirrel.
"What—who—why so early?! I was dreaming about—the beach!"
A voice shouted from the hallway:
"Wake up! Breakfast in twenty! Trial begins in one hour!"
Kai groaned. "Perfect. They want us to take the test half-dead."
Avin washed his face and wore his training uniform—a dark navy robe with silver borders. It fit him unexpectedly well. Kai wore the same uniform… except his collar was crooked and his hair looked like storm damage.
"Why do you look like a broken mop?" Avin asked.
Kai flipped his messy hair. "Natural charm, bro."
---
Cafeteria — 6:20 AM
The main cafeteria, Moonfall Hall, was enormous—three-story ceilings lit by floating lantern orbs, polished wooden tables, and a large mural of ancient heroes across the north wall. The air smelled of warm spices, sweet bread, and fresh herbs.
Students were already rushing in, chatting loudly.
Trays moved along glowing rails, magically pulled from the kitchen to the front counters. The dishes were colorful:
Flamecrest Pepper Rice — spicy, bright red, breathing steam
Frostvale Mint Soup — cold, refreshing, light blue
Thundergale Stir-Fry — ingredients crackling with tiny sparks
Terraforge Herb Bread — soft, earthy aroma
Moonberry Juice — sweet purple drink served in chilled glasses
Kai immediately grabbed four plates.
"Kai… you're not a dragon. Calm down."
"I eat like one," Kai said proudly. "Also, food is free until 7 AM. After that, credits apply."
This caught Avin's attention.
"Explain the credit system to me again."
Kai stuffed bread into his mouth and explained:
"Alright, listen—
Every student gets 100 basic credits a week.
You earn more through tasks, tests, and house missions."
He raised three fingers.
Types of Credits:
1. Basic Credits – food, laundry, small purchases.
2. Merit Credits – earned through high rankings, used to buy techniques and gear.
3. House Points – affect your dorm privileges and academy ranking.
"Tasks?" Avin asked.
Kai nodded.
"Yep. Missions like herb gathering, beast scouting, assisting teachers, cleaning spirit wells… stuff that can kill you or bore you. No in-between."
He took a dramatic bite of meat. "Merit tests give the biggest boost. Today's test? Minimum 50 merit credits for passing."
Avin blinked. "That many?"
"And losers get nothing," Kai added. "Zero. Null. Death to your weekly budget."
They sat down at a corner table.
Students nearby whispered, stealing glances.
"That's him, right… Avin…?"
"He awakened something weird."
"I heard Professor Lira marked him specially."
"Think he'll fail or explode?"
"Both."
Kai muttered, "Why does everyone talk like you're a ticking bomb?"
"Maybe I am," Avin said quietly.
Kai blinked. "Bro… don't say mysterious cool stuff so early in the morning. I'm not awake enough for drama."
Outside the Cafeteria — 6:50 AM
Students gathered in the courtyard for the trial.
Whispers froze when the Four House Representatives arrived:
Ryuven — Flamecrest: tall, red hair blazing, confident smirk.
Lena — Frostvale: sharp blue eyes, snow-white ponytail.
Zane — Thundergale: electric glare, impatient stance.
Brant — Terraforge: towering, calm, intimidating presence.
Their eyes locked onto Avin.
Ryuven smirked. "So the rumor kid finally shows."
Zane scoffed. "Doesn't look impressive."
Lena murmured, "Looks deceive."
Brant nodded. "We judge in the arena."
Kai leaned in. "Bro… if they glare any harder, you'll catch fire, freeze, get electrocuted, and crushed. Simultaneously."
"Shut up."
The crowd split.
Professor Lira Veloria walked in—silver hair flowing, emerald eyes sharp, black uniform fitting her elegant frame. Students straightened instantly.
Kai whispered, "Oh heavens… she's—OW!"
Avin elbowed his rib.
Professor Lira's voice echoed across the field:
"Today begins the first phase of the Four-House Trial. Power is meaningless without discipline. Control, judgment, and composure will determine your ranking."
Her gaze paused on Avin.
The whispers rose like a tide.
"Is she evaluating him?"
"Why only him?"
"Did something happen during awakening?"
Kai muttered, "Bro… you collect attention like currency."
"Shut up."
Professor Lira raised her hand.
"Representatives of the Four Houses—step forward."
Ryuven. Lena. Zane. Brant.
"And Avin Renn."
Silence.
Kai whispered, "Bro… you're doomed. Goodbye."
Avin stepped forward.
Sarene watched from the crowd, her expression calm but eyes filled with quiet concern.
Professor Lira nodded.
"Let the trial begin."
The storm finally descended.