Every Day...

  As the sun rises, bringing forth a new day, its first rays kiss the peaks of the frost-covered mountains. The white ice glistens, and cutting through the frozen expanse, the River Dhara flows—a river so pure and radiant that it evokes the holiness of the legendary Ganga.

  Dhara carves its path across the continent, spanning thousands of kilometers, dividing the land into two halves before finally embracing the endless sea. Along its journey, it nourishes civilizations, fills ponds and reservoirs, and breathes life into the world.

  At the heart of the continent, Dhara meets a colossal crevice. The river cascades into its depths, filling the abyss before continuing on its destined course. Above this great fissure, a massive floating island defies nature—a wonder of the world.

  Atop this island stands the Arcane Academy, a bastion of wisdom founded by a legendary hero of the past. He gathered beings from every race, uniting them in a place of learning and enlightenment. Over the centuries, the academy produced countless knights, mages, and craftsmen, shaping the fate of the continent.

  In time, a great city grew around the academy—Ashram.

  Ashram, meaning a place of study and residence, belongs to none, yet is sponsored by every nation. It is a city of art and culture, its stone houses adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts and heroic tales. Towering statues stand as testaments to past champions—one particularly grand monument depicts a warrior slaying a monstrous Turtlophant, a spiked, turtle-shelled mammoth.

  Today, Ashram buzzed with excitement and celebration.

  [Drummmm, Drummmm, Drummmm]

  A procession of drummers paraded through the stone-paved streets as enormous Parriotics—massive, majestic birds—took flight from the floating island, scattering announcement flyers over the city.

  The drummers called out:

  "Hear ye, hear ye! Arcane Academy has announced its annual spring admissions! Those who seek to enter shall face the examination in thirty-five nights!"

  A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. "Woahhh!" Cheers erupted as the news spread like wildfire across the continent.

  Thousands of wagons and carriages departed from distant lands. Roaring metal trains, exhaling steam like great beasts, thundered along their tracks. Dragon riders and aerial mounts prepared for long flights, their thunderous cries echoing across the skies.

  Rich or poor, noble or commoner, knight or mage, adventurer or scholar—everyone was welcome to compete in the exams. Thousands of hopeful students set their sights on Ashram, the city of opportunity.

  The city's gates swung open, welcoming the influx of newcomers. Streets transformed into festival grounds, adorned with banners and decorations. Residential complexes prepared to house the arrivals, while merchants, innkeepers, and traders eagerly anticipated a profitable season.

  One by one, wagons lined up outside the city walls. Flying beasts and dragons descended upon the plains, while the private carriages of nobles and the wealthy glided through the gates toward their lavish residences. Arcane portals flared to life, transporting travelers in an endless stream.

  Among the students, others had arrived with different intentions—business, entertainment, and intrigue.

  Far away, amidst the towering mountains, a black blur streaked through the terrain, moving with the force of a storm. The very ground cracked under its speed. A lone wolf, sensing danger, leaped into its path—only to be ripped apart by razor-sharp fangs.

  In this land of peace and opportunity, a monster had arrived.

  The Caravan’s Journey

  A caravan of wagons carried wandering merchants and eager children toward Ashram. Bards filled the air with melodious tales of past heroes. Children played and laughed, captivated by the journey.

  The caravan had traveled for over a month, passing through villages and cities, gathering more passengers with each stop. All were heading for the seven-day recruitment exam—a yearly event that promised fortune, knowledge, and fame.

  As the wagons crossed a mountain pass, they encountered a grim sight—two groups of Red Hyenas clashed in a brutal skirmish, blocking the road. The creatures were not individually powerful, but their overwhelming numbers posed a grave threat.

  The caravan leader, an old and wise man, quickly assessed the situation.

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  "Sir, what do we do? We can't take on this many hyenas," a soldier named Friez asked.

  The old leader frowned. "You're right. Even if we wait for their fight to end, they won’t leave until they feast on their kills."

  "We should find another route," Friez suggested.

  As they deliberated, a wagon rider pointed toward the rear. A lone figure approached.

  It was a child, clad in a tattered, dark robe made of animal hide. A poorly made straw hat covered his head. He walked forward, dragging something heavy behind him—a massive Stone Wolf, its lifeless body leaving a bloody trail.

  "Oye, kid! Hoyyyyyy!" a soldier called out. "There's danger ahead!"

  The boy paid no heed. He simply walked past the caravan, dragging his kill.

  Gasps of shock rippled through the travelers. How could such a small child drag a beast so large?

  The old leader's eyes narrowed. Years of experience screaming at him that this is a opportunity.

  "Prepare to move," he ordered. "Follow that boy. And be ready for battle."

  "Huh? Why?" Friez asked, bewildered.

  "Trust me. We are about to witness something incredible."

  Though hesitant, the caravan obeyed. They trailed behind the boy, the cries of the battling hyenas growing louder.

  As they neared the battlefield, an eerie silence fell over the monsters.

  The beasts froze.

  Instead of attacking, the creatures backed away. Their bodies trembled as if gripped by an unseen force. One by one, they knelt and cleared a path for the boy.

  Not a single creature made a sound. The entire caravan held its breath as they passed through unharmed.

  Once they were clear, everyone exhaled in awe.

  "WHOA! That was insane!" Friez wiped the sweat from his brow.

  "Yeah... even I was holding my breath." The old leader chuckled. "But where did the boy go?"

  The child had vanished, leaving only a trail of monster blood.

  "Did he jump off the mountain?!" Friez gaped at the sudden turn.

  "Seems like it," another soldier muttered in disbelief.

  The old leader laughed. "Hohoho... After what we just saw, does anything surprise you? But mark my words—that boy is headed for Ashram."

  Friez grinned. "He's taking the exam too, huh? This year is going to be wild."

  "Indeed. The Seven Sword Families and the Four Great Urza Towers are sending their heirs. For the first time in history, Arcane Academy has awarded five scholarships to the most promising talents across the continent."

  "FIVE scholarships?!" Friez gasped. "They hardly give out any, and now five all at once?!"

  Little did they know—two of those scholarship holders were in their very caravan.

  In the dark confines of a wagon, a boy with fiery orange hair clenched his fists. His eyes burned with determination.

  In another wagon, a girl with blossom-purple eyes and muddy pink hair gripped her weapon.

  "Cassian... what was that boy?" she whispered.

  A metallic voice replied, its tone grim. "That was no human. Even I felt as though Death had passed by."

  __________________________________

  Kaal lay sprawled in the bushes, exhausted and motionless after his fall from the peak.

  "Ugh... That skill drains too much stamina. I have to use it less often," he whispered to himself before his eyes fluttered shut, and he slipped into a deep sleep, bathed in cold moonlight.

  A sharp, stinging pain on his nose jolted him awake.

  "Ouch! Grrr!" he yelped, grabbing his face. A flock of long-beaked, red-feathered crowites had mistaken him for dead and taken the liberty of pecking at him—and his rations. The small bag of food he carried was already torn apart, its contents devoured.

  Furious, Kaal leaped at them, but the birds merely cawed and took flight, disappearing into the night.

  Morning neared. Though the sun had yet to rise, the sky was painted in deep hues of blue, with stars still twinkling faintly above.

  From his position, Kaal could see the city in the distance. Its towering gates were now visible, illuminated by a massive fire burning atop the walls. The glow spread over the surrounding land, casting long shadows. A line of people and wagons stretched towards the entrance, being inspected by knights clad in full metal armor.

  Kaal grabbed his bundle and the robe he carried. Rising to his feet, he took off running toward the gates. As he moved, his body shifted—fur receding, limbs elongating—until, within moments, he had transformed into his human form. He quickly threw on the robe and pulled a straw hat low over his face before slipping into the long queue, waiting for his turn.

  Hours passed, and the sun climbed high. Finally, near noon, his turn arrived.

  "Oi, kid! Show me your identification," a gatekeeper demanded, eyeing him with suspicion.

  "Eh?" Kaal tilted his head in confusion.

  "What?! You don’t have any?" The soldier’s expression darkened.

  Kaal simply shook his head.

  The soldier sighed, rubbing his temples. "Listen, kid. You should’ve received a token or scroll from your village elders. Nothing like that?"

  Again, Kaal shook his head.

  The soldier clicked his tongue. "Haah... Another runaway, huh?" He exchanged glances with his companion and subtly gestured with his hand.

  Before Kaal could react, another soldier grabbed his arm. "Come with me, kid."

  He was led into a small room near the gate, where his belongings were thoroughly inspected.

  "Let’s see... Leather clothes, packed meats—half-eaten and nearly rotten—plus some monster parts... Hm, horns and claws from creatures not found anywhere near this region," the inspecting soldier muttered before turning to a senior officer seated at a desk.

  The officer, a bulky man with graying hair and a confident smirk, leaned forward. "Welcome, kiddo. Name's Razel Heart. I'm the most senior officer at this post. After reviewing your things, we don't see you as a threat, but protocol is protocol. We'll issue you a temporary identification token, and you'll be under surveillance for a few days. That means reporting here daily while you're in the city. Got it?"

  Kaal nodded in understanding.

  With that, they handed him the temporary token and allowed him passage.

  As Kaal walked away, a younger soldier turned to Razel. "Sir, isn't that kid's face kinda familiar? And those monster parts... Those weren’t from any ordinary beasts."

  Razel leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Exactly. Dangerous creatures, the kind not found near civilized lands. And he said he's heading to Arcane Academy... This year’s gonna be interesting."

  "Should I get us tickets for the entrance trials?" the soldier asked.

  Razel grinned, holding up two fingers. "Yeah, two. My wife loves these events. But damn... That boy—he looks so familiar."

  The day faded into evening. Kaal was directed toward an open field near the river Dhara, where tents had been set up for the city's poor and unsettled travelers. Volunteers bustled about, distributing food and necessities.

  Kaal had no money. No connections. No idea how to navigate the city.

  "That Razel guy told me to come here. Guess this is my best option for now... but there are way too many people," Kaal thought, observing the chaotic crowd.

  After much effort, he managed to get a small meal. A volunteer tried to guide him toward a tent, but they were already crammed with over a dozen occupants each.

  Rather than squeeze into the overcrowded shelters, Kaal slipped away into the bushes. He gathered some branches and leaned them against a boulder by the river, fashioning a makeshift shelter.

  As he lay down, exhausted, he gazed up at the bright half-moon. His transformation unraveled, his body shifting back to his true form.

  "Ahhh... Today was a long day. But I’m here now... and soon, I’ll find you too. Wait for me, buddy," he whispered, his voice tinged with loneliness yet carrying a glimmer of hope.

  With that, his weary eyes shut, and he drifted into a deep slumber.

  "CHEEEERRRSSSSS!!!"

  A deafening roar erupted across the grand arena of Aashram.

  The massive circular stadium, packed to the brim, vibrated with excitement as thousands of spectators shouted in unison. Firecrackers burst into the sky, signaling the commencement of the Arcane Academy admission trials.

  Parriotics soared above the colosseum, their riders guiding them to perch atop the towering walls.

  On the field below, thousands of teenage hopefuls stood in the arena’s center, awaiting the challenges that would determine their fate.

  The stadium was a sea of colors, a melting pot of diverse races and backgrounds. It was as if a hundred rainbows had descended upon the earth.

  A new challenge had begun.