The auditorium buzzed with energy as the last echoes of applause faded into the hum of excited chatter. The ceremony marking the end of middle school had just concluded, and Liora Veylan stood near the exit, clutching her graduation certificate tightly in one hand while scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted Kael Draven leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed and his usual calm demeanor masking whatever thoughts swirled beneath the surface.
“Hey,” she called out, forcing a smile despite the lingering tension between them. “Ready for tomorrow?”
Kael glanced at her briefly before nodding. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Tomorrow marked their entrance into Crescent Peak High School, renowned for its rigorous testing system that categorized students based on their innate abilities. These tests determined not only their roles within the school but also their future careers in the world outside—whether they’d become frontline warriors, rearguard strategists, or support specialists.
Liora hesitated, unsure if this was the right moment to bring up the forest incident again. Instead, she settled for a safer topic. “You think you’ll ace the test?”
Kael smirked faintly. “Probably. What about you?”
“I hope so,” she replied, though her voice lacked conviction. Deep down, she wasn’t sure what to expect. All she knew was that something felt… off lately. Like there was more to her than met the eye.
The next morning arrived far too quickly. As Liora and Kael entered the expansive gymnasium repurposed for the trials, they were greeted by rows of tables lined with instructors and proctors. Each student would undergo three stages: a physical combat assessment, a strategic simulation, and finally, the mysterious "Title Trial," which determined their ultimate designation.
For the first stage, participants selected weapons from a wide array—swords, bows, staffs, even firearms—and faced off against mechanical opponents designed to simulate real-world threats. Liora chose a lightweight sword, surprising even herself with how naturally it felt in her grip. She moved fluidly through the motions, her strikes precise and efficient. By the time she finished, the instructor nodded approvingly.
“You’ve got potential,” he said gruffly. “Support category looks promising.”
Kael, however, approached the weapon selection table with an air of quiet confidence. His fingers brushed past swords, guns, and other conventional choices until they came to rest on a small, unassuming leather-bound book resting at the back of the display case. It glowed faintly blue, its cover etched with intricate runes.
“This one,” Kael declared, lifting the book with deliberate care.
The instructor raised an eyebrow. “A Grimoire? You sure about that?”
Kael gave a tight smile. “Positive.”
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The Grimoire was unlike any ordinary weapon. When wielded by someone with the proper affinity, it allowed the user to manifest their imagination into reality—turning thoughts into tangible constructs. However, mastering such power required immense focus and mental discipline.
In the trial arena, Kael opened the book and began writing furiously. With each word he penned, shapes materialized before him—shields to block incoming attacks, arrows made of pure light to strike down enemies, and barriers to protect allies. His movements were fluid, almost poetic, as he danced between offense and defense, weaving his creations seamlessly into the battle.
When the fight ended, the instructor stared at him in stunned silence. “Frontline material,” he muttered eventually. “But… extraordinary versatility. Keep practicing.”
Despite their differing results, both advanced to the second stage: the strategic simulation. This involved navigating a virtual battlefield filled with obstacles and enemies while coordinating with AI teammates. Liora excelled here, proving adept at healing and shielding her allies, reinforcing the notion of her belonging in the support role. Kael, meanwhile, demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, issuing commands that turned the tide of battle multiple times.
When the final stage began—the Title Trial—anticipation hung thick in the air. Students filed into individual chambers, where holographic projections awaited them. The trials varied wildly, tailored to each participant’s strengths and weaknesses.
Inside her chamber, Liora found herself standing amidst a serene meadow bathed in golden sunlight. A soft voice echoed around her. “What is your greatest virtue?”
She paused, searching for the answer. “Compassion,” she whispered after a moment’s thought.
The ground trembled slightly, and a radiant figure emerged—a woman cloaked in light, holding a staff adorned with glowing runes. “Then let me bestow upon you the title of Saint.”
A surge of warmth washed over Liora as the title embedded itself deep within her soul. Outside the chamber, cheers erupted when her result appeared on the massive screen for all to see:
Title: Saint
Category: Support
Whispers rippled through the crowd. The title of Saint was legendary, associated with those who could heal wounds both physical and emotional. It was a rare honor indeed.
Kael’s trial took place in a dimly lit library, shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes stretching endlessly upward. The voice that spoke to him was deeper, resonant. “Who do you seek to guide?”
He frowned, caught off guard by the question. “Those who need direction,” he answered finally.
In response, a figure stepped forward—a shadowy form holding a glowing quill. “Then let me grant you the title of Hero’s Guide.”
A surge of energy coursed through Kael, filling him with purpose. When he exited the chamber, his result flashed across the screen:
Title: Hero’s Guide
Category: All
Silence fell over the audience. No one had seen the title "Hero’s Guide" in centuries, and its designation under the "All" category baffled everyone. While most titles locked students into specific roles, this one seemed limitless—suggesting Kael could excel in any capacity required. Moreover, the connection between his Grimoire and the title hinted at untapped potential.
As the day drew to a close, Liora and Kael found themselves alone once more, walking home beneath the twilight sky. The weight of their newfound titles hung heavy between them.
“That was… unexpected,” Liora ventured cautiously.
Kael nodded slowly, flipping open his Grimoire and jotting down a few notes. “Yeah. But I guess it makes sense. Someone’s gotta lead the way, right?”
His tone was lighter than usual, almost teasing. For the first time in days, Liora allowed herself to relax. Maybe, just maybe, they could rebuild what they’d lost.
Still, as they parted ways at the corner, she couldn’t shake the feeling that their titles hinted at a greater destiny—one intertwined in ways neither of them fully understood yet.
Shards of Reality . Your feedback, comments, and support fuel my creativity and make writing this story such a joy. If there’s anything specific you’d love to see more (or less) of, feel free to let me know—I’m always eager to hear from you!
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