The world twisted for a moment.
Feyi felt his body stretch through space like a thread pulled through the eye of a needle. Colors blurred around him—silver, violet, and deep blue streaks flashing through his vision.
Then everything stopped.
His feet touched solid ground again.
The sudden stillness made him stagger slightly.
For a few seconds he simply stood there, breathing slowly as his senses adjusted.
Then he looked up.
And his jaw dropped.
Before him stood the most magnificent place he had ever seen.
A massive academy stretched across a vast plateau, its architecture unlike anything in the city where he had once begged for coins.
Towering structures of white stone and black crystal rose toward the sky. Each tower had elegant curves and intricate carvings etched into its walls. Strange glowing runes drifted lazily in the air around the buildings like silent guardians.
Huge bridges connected the towers far above the ground, forming floating pathways suspended in midair.
The entire academy radiated power.
Not ordinary power.
Sorcery.
Feyi could feel it in the air itself.
The ground beneath his feet hummed faintly with energy.
Even the wind felt different here.
Pure.
Alive.
"This… is Astryx Academy?" he whispered.
Beside him stood the jade-skinned man who had teleported him here.
Aurelian Jadeborn smiled slightly as he watched Feyi's reaction.
"Yes," he said calmly.
"The greatest academy in the realm."
Feyi slowly turned in place, trying to take everything in.
Students filled the enormous courtyard before the academy gates.
But they weren't like ordinary people.
One student walked past them while floating a glowing spear beside him, controlling it effortlessly with a gesture.
Another girl practiced conjuring flames above her palms while laughing with her friends.
Two boys sparred nearby, their fists surrounded by crackling blue energy.
Even the air above the courtyard contained movement.
Floating platforms carried groups of students between buildings.
Massive winged beasts circled the sky above the academy towers.
Some looked like giant hawks.
Others resembled dragons.
Feyi felt his heart pounding.
He had spent most of his life on the streets, watching wealthy people walk by while he begged for scraps.
But this place…
This was a completely different world.
"You will get used to it," Aurelian said.
Feyi looked up at him.
"Do all students here… have powers?"
"Of course."
Aurelian folded his arms behind his back.
"Astryx Academy trains those chosen by the Orbits."
"Aspirants. Initiates. Sometimes even Exalted."
Feyi's eyes widened.
"Exalted students train here?"
Aurelian nodded.
"Only the most talented."
Feyi felt a sudden wave of nervousness.
Compared to everyone here, he felt incredibly small.
Weak.
He was still just an Aspirant.
And not even a well-trained one.
Aurelian began walking toward the academy gates.
"Come," he said.
Feyi quickly followed.
The gates themselves were enormous.
Two massive pillars of black crystal stood on either side, each carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly with golden light.
Between the pillars stretched a barrier of shimmering energy.
It looked like a curtain made of liquid glass.
As they approached, the barrier reacted.
Runes appeared across its surface.
A soft voice echoed from the gate.
"Identity recognized."
"Aurelian Jadeborn."
"Authorized instructor."
The barrier parted instantly, opening a pathway for them.
Feyi stepped through.
The moment he crossed the threshold, he felt something strange wash over his body.
It was as if invisible eyes had scanned him from head to toe.
He shivered slightly.
"What was that?" he asked.
Aurelian replied calmly.
"The Academy Barrier."
"It evaluates every person who enters."
"For security reasons."
Feyi gulped.
If such powerful protection guarded the entrance alone, he wondered what else the academy contained.
Inside the gates, the academy grounds stretched even further than he had imagined.
A massive central plaza dominated the center of the campus.
At its heart stood a colossal statue.
The statue depicted a warrior surrounded by swirling rings of energy.
The warrior's hand pointed toward the sky.
Feyi stared at it.
"Who is that?"
Aurelian looked up at the statue.
"Founder Astryx."
"The one who created this academy centuries ago."
Feyi felt a chill run down his spine.
The statue was enormous, at least fifty meters tall.
But what disturbed him most was the power it seemed to radiate.
Even though it was just stone, it felt alive.
As if the warrior's spirit still lingered there.
Around the plaza stood several large buildings.
Each building had a different design.
Some resembled grand libraries.
Others looked like training arenas.
A few towers glowed with strange magical circles spinning slowly around them.
Students moved between the buildings constantly.
Some walked in groups while discussing lessons.
Others trained in open courtyards.
Feyi noticed something interesting.
Not all students wore the same uniform.
Some wore dark blue robes.
Others wore white and silver armor-like outfits.
A few wore black cloaks decorated with glowing patterns.
Feyi pointed at them.
"Why are their uniforms different?"
Aurelian answered immediately.
"Astryx Academy has several divisions."
"Each division focuses on a different path of sorcery."
He pointed to a group of students wearing dark blue robes.
"The Arcane Division."
"They specialize in spells and elemental manipulation."
Then he pointed to the students in armor-like clothing.
"The Combat Division."
"They focus on physical enhancement and close combat techniques."
Finally, he pointed to the cloaked students.
"The Spirit Division."
"They train in soul techniques and spiritual abilities."
Feyi's curiosity grew.
"Which division will I join?"
Aurelian glanced at him.
"That depends."
"On your power."
Feyi remembered the abilities the Realm Sorcery had given him.
"Invisibility."
"Self-Fragment."
He wasn't sure which division those abilities belonged to.
They continued walking deeper into the academy.
Soon they reached a massive circular arena.
Inside, dozens of students fought each other in controlled duels.
Energy bursts exploded across the battlefield.
One student launched a wave of ice that froze half the arena floor.
Another student countered with a blast of fire.
Feyi watched in amazement.
"They're so strong…"
Aurelian nodded.
"Those are Initiates."
Feyi's chest tightened.
He still hadn't even become one.
Aurelian seemed to notice his thoughts.
"Do not compare yourself yet," he said.
"You have only just entered the path."
They left the arena and walked toward a quieter part of the academy.
Tall trees lined the pathway here, forming a peaceful garden.
Crystal lanterns floated among the branches.
The atmosphere felt calm.
Soon they arrived at a tall building made of black stone.
Above the entrance was a glowing sign:
Aspirant Dormitory
"This is where you will stay," Aurelian said.
Feyi looked surprised.
"Dormitory?"
"Yes."
"All Aspirants live here until they pass the Initiate Trial."
Feyi stepped inside.
The interior was simple but elegant.
Long hallways stretched across multiple floors.
Each room door had a glowing symbol above it.
Other Aspirants walked through the halls, talking quietly among themselves.
Some looked nervous.
Others looked excited.
They had all just arrived recently.
Just like him.
Aurelian stopped in front of a door.
He placed his hand on it.
The door glowed briefly before opening.
Inside was a small but comfortable room.
A bed.
A desk.
A window overlooking the academy gardens.
Feyi stepped inside slowly.
"This… is mine?"
"Yes."
"For now."
Aurelian turned toward him.
"Your training begins tomorrow."
Feyi sat on the bed.
His mind was still racing.
Everything had changed so quickly.
Just days ago he had been a starving boy on the streets.
Now he was living inside the greatest academy in the realm.
Before leaving, Aurelian stopped at the doorway.
"There is one more thing," he said.
Feyi looked up.
"Your clan."
Feyi remembered the system announcement.
"The Voidless Clan…"
Aurelian's jade eyes narrowed slightly.
"That clan is… unusual."
"You may wish to keep it private for now."
Feyi frowned.
"Why?"
But Aurelian only smiled faintly.
"You will understand later."
Then he stepped outside.
The door closed behind him.
Feyi lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Outside the window, the academy lights glowed softly in the night.
Students continued walking through the gardens.
Some practiced spells even after dark.
Feyi slowly clenched his fist.
He could feel the faint energy inside his body.
His new power.
His new path.
He whispered quietly to himself.
"Aspirant today…"
"Initiate tomorrow."
And somewhere deep within his spirit city, the Void Moon pulsed softly.
As if something ancient had begun to awaken.