The Academy of Celestial Arts

Xie Lin and Ming Ke followed Xiang Jin through the grand corridors of the Academy of Celestial Arts, their eyes taking in the towering spires, glowing sigils, and floating lanterns that lined the halls. The air itself pulsed with magic, and the academy buzzed with life as students in deep-blue robes moved between their classes—some engaged in quiet conversations, others practicing spell formations.

Xiang Jin walked ahead with a confident stride, his hands behind his back. “The academy is divided into four factions,” he explained. “Each student is evaluated and placed in the faction that best suits their abilities.”

He glanced at them.

“The Revivors—healers, those gifted in restoring life and mending wounds.

The Spellcrafters—mages who wield the arcane arts and create powerful spells.

The Eradicators—warriors, the frontline combatants trained in both weaponry and enhanced strength.

And finally, The Defenders—those who specialize in barriers and protective enchantments.”

Ming Ke crossed her arms. “So, we don’t get to choose?”

Xiang Jin smirked. “No. The academy chooses for you.”

They arrived at a massive chamber where students were gathered in front of a towering crystal obelisk that pulsed with shifting colors. Instructors stood at the front, watching closely as one student after another stepped forward.

“This is the Celestial Stone,” Xiang Jin explained. “It determines your natural affinity and places you in your faction.”

A stern-looking instructor, Master Luo, called out. “Step forward and place your hand on the stone. Let it read your essence.”

Ming Ke stepped forward first, pressing her palm against the smooth surface. Golden energy flared around her, crackling like lightning, before settling into a steady deep violet glow.

Master Luo nodded approvingly. “A Spellcrafter. Strong magical potential.”

Ming Ke smirked. “Obviously.”

Then, it was Xie Lin’s turn.

The moment her fingers brushed the stone, a shockwave of power rippled outward. The crystal flared between crimson and silver, pulsing with an almost unstable intensity before finally stabilizing into a deep crimson glow—the mark of a warrior.

Gasps filled the chamber as whispers broke out among the students.

Master Luo’s expression remained unreadable. “An Eradicator,” he announced. His tone, however, carried a hint of something else—caution.

Xiang Jin raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t expect that.”

Ming Ke folded her arms. “A warrior, huh? Guess you’re the one breaking bones while I throw fire from a distance.”

Master Luo’s gaze flickered toward the other instructors before he finally spoke. “The evaluation is complete. You will all be assigned to your respective factions. Your dormitory details will be given shortly.”

A few instructors exchanged knowing glances. Both Xie Lin and Ming Ke had displayed exceptional power. No one could say for certain yet—but one of them might be the prophecy child.

Yet, for now, the answer remained unknown.

Dormitory Assignments

After the evaluation, Xiang Jin led them through the academy’s sprawling pathways. The dormitories were separated by faction, each housed in different areas of the academy.

Xiang Jin turned to them. “You’ll have separate dorms, but you’ll see each other during general training sessions. Your real lessons start tomorrow.”

Ming Ke groaned. “At dawn, right?”

Xiang Jin smirked. “Of course. Hope you’re a morning person.”

With that, they were escorted to their dormitories—Ming Ke among the Spellcrafters and Xie Lin to the warriors of the Eradicators.

Exhausted from the long day, both girls barely had the energy to unpack. The weight of the evaluation, the whispers about the prophecy, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead filled their minds.

But fatigue won over.

As soon as they lay on their beds, sleep claimed them almost instantly.

Tomorrow, their true journey would begin.

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