Chapter 1: Entrance

It is a very busy time on the roads of the Nexus because of the various young mages going to and from. Today is the day the greatest magic academy in the world will open its gates again. These gates will only open once every five years. This event naturally attracted talented mages from all over Astoria. 

On the roads, you can see different kinds of clothing, symbolizing the different origins of the people. Some wear golden-brown robes, some silver-white robes, some wear sky-blue robes, and some wear golden-orange robes. These robes symbolize the four different kingdoms: the golden-brown ones came from Terrafirma, also known as the Earth Kingdom; the silver-white ones from the Sky Kingdom, Aerion; the sky-blue ones from the Ocean Kingdom, Maritara; and the golden-brown ones from the Sun Kingdom, Solara.

These four kingdoms formed the whole of Astoria, aside from a small, independent island like the Nexus. Nexus, known as the Central of Astoria, is comprised of different kinds of services from the various kingdoms. This place became the neutral place that maintained the balance of the world. One of the Seven Ancient Artifacts is located in this place, the Astral Academy.

The Astral Academy is the greatest magic academy in the whole world, as it provides top-tier teachings that produce legendary, powerful mages. As one of the Seven Ancient Artifacts, the Astral Academy possesses enough power to go toe to toe with one of the kingdoms.

"Astral Academy is now open; please proceed to the establishment." A voice suddenly announces this to the whole of Nexus. The moment this announcement ended, the young mages in the street walked erratically, with some even using their magic to go faster.

At their destination in the east of Nexus, there stood a massive castle, one of the Seven Ancient Artifacts, the Astral Academy.

The Astral Academy is a massive medieval castle filled with auras of wisdom and elegance. It is surrounded by small islands floating around. Now the gate to that massive academy is open. Various young men were walking inside in hopes of attending this magnificent establishment.

The young mages gathered in an open field inside the academy, with a stage at the front. On the stage, there stood a young white-haired man with a very ordinary appearance, but if you look closely at him, you can see a certain aura within him.

"Hello everyone!" The young man at the stage greeted cheerfully. "You can call me Professor Magnus, and I will be the one who will guide you in this exam. First of all..." the young man suddenly said, smiling happily, then suddenly released a silver-white aura, bringing a stifling-heavy atmosphere. It seemed as if the whole world suddenly crashed upon them, making some of the young mages collapse, some even fainting.

"Hey!"

"Stop it!"

Some young mage implore their magic to protect themselves. Some use water, plants, or land; some even use air to create a barrier, offsetting some of the aura.

"Now that's done; those who have collapsed and fainted have failed; now go now," Professor Magnus said cheerfully, not minding the trauma he caused to some of the young mage. Professor Magnus then controlled the silver-white aura to levitate the collapsed students. The floating students are then put outside the academy, making their journey there complete.

"What is wrong with him?!"

"Those who have remained standing can pass; proceed to that area. Good luck." Professor Magnus smiled, then pointed at an area. After that, he waved them goodbye while still smiling.

"Psycho!"

Now the only students who have remained are more or less a hundred, making it pale in comparison with the thousands of young mage earlier.

After a few minutes, the young mages then proceed towards the pointed area, only for them to suddenly experience blindness in their surroundings. Some panicked, some even screamed; they had just experienced a very traumatic encounter with a smiling psycho who released his mana upon them when suddenly all they could see was black. 

"Ahhh!"

"Mommy! Help me! I want to go home!"

Some young mage is still panicking, but some realize that they're in an illusion. They hurriedly awakened the mana in their bodies to release the illusion. After that, only about fifty applicants remained. Someone then suddenly appeared in front of the remaining young men. "You've passed; proceeded to the auditorium," said a young purple-haired woman, then suddenly disappeared.

"What's with these tests?! Can't they warn us?"

Inside the auditorium, there stood all the staff of the greatest magic academy in the world. At the center, sitting on a throne, were the legendary Rank 1 mage, Geostride, Ure. The Dean of the Astral Academy and the owner of one of the Seven Ancient Artifacts.

"That's Ure!"

"Woww!"

Ure, the Geostride, is a white-haired old woman. Based on her appearance, you won't associate her with being one of the strongest beings in the world right now. 

"Welcome all of you; I'm sure that you all are excited to attend this establishment, but before you all officially join us, there is a last test." Ure suddenly spoke, her voice calm and seeming to contain many mysteries and wisdom.

"Ehh? Another one?"

Ure then suddenly released her magic, and in response to that, the auditorium they're in is suddenly filled with three different kinds of orbs. The orb is floating above the young mages, making them wonder what they are. 

"This orb will go towards you if you've managed to identify the three aspects of your own being: appetitive, spirited, and rational. Then you can join our academy; now let's see," Ure said, then snapped her fingers. 

The orb suddenly flew towards the young mages. Some have one, some have two, but only ten young mages have three.

"I have two."

"I have one."

The young mages said it sadly.

"Those who have three orbs have passed," Ure said. "For those who failed, please vacate the establishment."

The failed young mages walked out sadly.

"You ten will be our new students; welcome," Ure said, smiling gently at the ten students. "You will be sorted in your doom rooms later; welcome to the Astral Academy, young mages."

To be continued: