Meeting the Twins

Shoved into small corners where no eyes pryed were the humans living in filth and misery. They make up a decent amount of the population but are forgotten, ignored and pushed aside.

But it doesn't end there. Deep underground, exposed to the unforgiving mana rift stretching through the academy dwelled people in darkness surviving on scraps.

Most of them didn't even know the outside as the city uses them as slaves to mine away anything valuable.

Thousands of them die every day to the rift if not of hunger or of the crimes committed against them. The elite and noble class ignore these wretched souls as they swim in riches, laughing their asses off at the mere thought of poverty.

The slaves, keeping the city functioning whilst being treated worse than animals, barely remain alive. Their lives are miserable and unfulfilled. Air is polluted, water is contaminated, and food is scarce.

The rift leaks mana which cannot escape through air passages to the surface. Instead, it seeps down deep below ground, poisoning everything and everyone it touches.

It contaminates the already tainted hellscape called "The Underhive". The few, educated enough to even properly try absorbing the mana will slowly decay and rot due to the waste the mana brings along with it and constantly suffer.

The Underhive is despairing to the point that the souls of the slaves couldn't take the constant anguish and agony anymore and abandoned themselves to the void.

The Abysmal Ones are they called. Lurking in the depths of Stargaze city, feasting on other helpless workers in the Underhive whiling away the days until death comes knocking.

In a twisted way, they serve a purpose. They constantly absorb the mana leaked out from the mana rift slowly growing stronger each day. Only through them are the other slaves in the Underhive even able to survive.

For some reason, the abominations do not try to escape the underground. They feel drawn towards something unknown. Something powerful.

The negligence of the authorities will cause a major disaster in the future, with the academy getting caught up in the middle.

However, despite the constant threats in the Underhive, there was a lone boy that managed to persevere.

Even in his harsh conditions, his curiosity never vanished as he wandered through the underground in search of a purpose.

It all began with finding a singular piece of paper, scribbled with symbols unknown to him. Finding something out of the ordinary like that in the underground fueled his desire to find more.

He collected more pieces of paper, sometimes even torn apart books or documents unbeknownst to him. One time, he even got his hands on a picture book, showing something so foreign and strange to him yet captivatingly beautiful.

Over the years, he got enough to make something out of it with his deduction skills. The lone boy came to the conclusion that there was something out there. Something more than the Underhive.

Fighting through Abysmal Ones and other dangers he managed to find an exit to the hellhole. He escaped the confines of the Underhive only to be greeted by a world beyond imagination.

There was color. There was light. It felt like paradise compared to the dark abyss of the Underhive. Even the people here smiled.

A concept so alien to him that he initially thought they were insane.

The Underhive learned him many things, fighting included.

However, it didn't prepare him for this whole new world awaiting him. Not knowing how to interact with the locals made it hard to blend in. So instead of doing that, he tried his best to stand out.

Proving his worth in a coliseum called Orion's Ring the lone boy fought against his peers for a living. It felt like paradise to him as he was rewarded with rare things like clean water or bread.

He quickly gained a reputation amongst the crowd as his straightforward and brutal fighting, using any means necessary to win was something new for the refined people of the surface.

As time went on, he became famous enough for even the royal academy Elite haven to notice him. Although much to the protest of the nobles, he was given the opportunity to join the ranks of the students.

This boy was of course none other than the Protagonist of this world. Going by the name Kayn Cinderash he managed to climb up from the depths of the Underhive all the way to become a new student of the Royal Academy. And this is only the beginning...

"We have arrived at the academy." Spoke a guard.

Stepping out of the carriage, I was greeted by the sight of the grand building standing tall before me. This place is truly magnificent.

Everything about it screams wealth and power. From its architecture to the guards patrolling around it; the academy oozes authority.

Plants decorate the grounds, giving it a nice touch of nature amidst the man-made structures. Towers, spires, arches, bridges, statues, and fountains dot the area. All of them crafted beautifully and elegantly.

I could see the amazed expressions of the passerby. Considering they are around my age, they should also see the academy from upfront for the first time.

The crowd swept into the academy as the gates opened wide to welcome them. The amount of new possible recruits is at an all time high with the academy having just recently opened its doors for not so privileged younglings.

I could see Adeline carrying herself with pride as she walked next to me. Her long white hair fluttered behind her in the wind, making it look like it's dancing.

She caught the envious glances of many girls while the boys looked at her with lustful eyes. Adeline seemed oblivious to this attention though, continuing forward without paying the starstruck onlookers any mind.

"Are you nervous because of the entrance test? Don't worry, if your big sister managed to pass then you will surely aswell." She ensured me. "You're going to do great!"

Although I didn't need those words of encouragement, hearing them did put a smile on my face. It is just sad she is nice to me because of a misconception.

"Alright Noah, our ways separate here for now. Go ahead and do your best. I'll wait for you after you passed the test with flying colors. Good luck!" Adeline said as we parted ways.

Adeline waved goodbye as she left the courtyard, heading towards the dormitory where most of the students stay whenever classes aren't held.

Walking through the main gate, I got escorted into a big hall filled with countless other potential candidates. Chatter erupted between the people as they couldn't contain their excitement.

This will be a huge opportunity for them to bring glory to their family name. Some of the boys even went as far as to go down on one knee to get some favor from the teachers.

Others would try to impress the staff by asking unnecessarily complicated questions. All for increasing their odds of passing.

I could feel the stares of the people looking at me. White hair stands out like a sore thumb as no one besides the Hazecrest lineage has such unique features.

But it didn't seem that my presence here was appreciated as they openly showed their disdain towards me. With looks of disgust painted over their faces.

The moment I stepped in their direction or returned their gaze, they quickly scurried away. Those cowards. It's a miracle the academy even let them in here.

Without having anyone to talk to, I just silently stood in the corner waiting for the test to begin.

Because all the people avoided me, it surprised me when suddenly a girl and a boy approached me.

Both looked identical to each other. Blonde hair, red eyes and they already wore the academy uniform.

However, that wasn't important as the girl gave me a really bad premonition. With her crazed eyes and demeanor that screams like she is looking for trouble, I knew exactly who she was.

"Luna Emberwing..." I muttered.

"Wow! You actually speak to me unlike the other NPC's in this hall. Noah Hazecrest right? Let's skip the formalities as I don't care nearly enough about my or your status to waste my time on this." Luna spoke bluntly.

"Instead of that, let me ask you a question to better know you. If you could decide, would you rather gain the ability to teleport or the power to fulfill your dream?" She blurted out the most random of questions.

There it is. The typical question she asks almost everyone she first meets. If you would pick the power to fulfill your dream she would mock you for choosing the easy way and being weak.

However, even if you say you would pick the ability to teleport, she would still make fun of you for being lame because apparently, that ability is way too handy and too op for this world.

Looking at Roy Emberwing, I could see his stoic expression as he is unfazed by how Luna behaves. He just stared into space blankly, waiting for the test to finally begin.

What a hassle.

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Author's Note: For those wondering how the twins look like, check the comments. However, if you like to use your own creativity, feel free to ignore this.