Chapter 3: After 10 years The Academy Trials

Ten years had passed since the appearance of the unknown figure and the opening of the gates. In those years, the world had changed. Monsters roamed the lands, and the strongest individuals, known as hunters, protected humanity. Today was a significant day for Edward, who had entered the Academy to become a hunter. It was the first day of the trials, a day when his abilities would be tested—both physically and magically.

Edward stood among fifty other applicants, all waiting for their turn to be tested. Each of them came from different backgrounds, but they all shared one goal: to become hunters. Some looked nervous, others confident, but Edward remained calm, his black hair with white streaks falling over his eyes as he scanned the training grounds.

The first test was simple: running around the academy's large training field. It was a test of endurance, designed to separate those with natural physical abilities from those who relied solely on magic. Edward, being a former knight, had no trouble. His body was strong, trained in the art of combat from a young age. The whistle blew, and the applicants began their race.

Edward kept a steady pace, his breathing controlled. He noticed others struggling, their faces red from exertion. Some were panting heavily by the time they completed the first lap, but Edward wasn't among them. He wasn't trying to stand out, but he wasn't about to hold back either. His body moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, though he kept his past life as a knight hidden. He didn't want unnecessary attention, especially not today.

As the laps continued, a few applicants began to drop out, exhausted. One by one, they fell behind, but Edward maintained his pace. His mind wandered to his magic, wondering how it would fare in the next test. He had two elements: light and darkness, though he leaned more toward light. His talent was undeniable, graded as an A, but he had never fully mastered control over his powers.

When the physical test finally ended, Edward was among the first to finish, though he made no effort to stand out. The instructors marked down his performance, nodding in approval. Others, like a tall boy named Marcus, had pushed themselves to the limit to finish, sweat dripping from their faces. Marcus was a physically strong candidate, his body built for strength, but Edward wondered how he would fare in the magic trials.

After a brief break, the real challenge began: the magic assessment. A large crystal ball sat in the center of the training ground, pulsing with energy. Each applicant would touch it, and the color it radiated would reveal their magical affinity. Seven elements existed: fire, water, earth, wood, air, light, and darkness.

The first to step forward was a girl named Lila. She had long, flowing hair and sharp green eyes. She approached the crystal with confidence, her hand glowing faintly as she reached out. The crystal responded almost instantly, lighting up with a bright blue glow—water.

"Lila Merrow, water affinity," one of the instructors called out. Lila smiled, clearly pleased with her result.

Next was Marcus, the tall, muscular boy who had struggled during the run. He approached the crystal with less confidence, his brows furrowed. When his hand touched the surface, it glowed a deep red—fire.

"Marcus Darrow, fire affinity."

Marcus clenched his fist, his expression unreadable. Edward wondered if Marcus's fire magic would match his physical prowess, or if he would struggle with control as Edward did.

A few more applicants stepped forward, each receiving their results. A slender boy named Finn was revealed to have wind affinity, his light footsteps during the race making sense now. A girl with short hair, Kara, had earth affinity, her movements grounded and deliberate.

Then it was Edward's turn.

He stepped forward, feeling the weight of fifty pairs of eyes on him. His hand reached for the crystal, his fingers tingling with anticipation. As soon as he touched it, the crystal flared with two colors—white and black, light and darkness. Gasps echoed around him, and even the instructors exchanged surprised looks. It wasn't common for someone to have two elements, and even rarer for them to be opposing forces.

"Edward... light and darkness affinity," the instructor announced, his voice slightly hesitant.

Edward withdrew his hand, not surprised by the result but aware of the attention it had drawn. He knew that having two elements wasn't necessarily an advantage. His control over them, particularly darkness, was weak. But he would prove his worth in other ways.

As the magic tests continued, more students showed their abilities. A girl with silver hair, Elara, was revealed to have air affinity, the wind stirring slightly as she stepped back from the crystal. Another boy, tall and broad-shouldered, had a wood affinity, the scent of fresh leaves lingering in the air around him.

The final part of the trial was the control test. Each applicant had to demonstrate their mastery over their element in front of the instructors. Edward stood in the middle of the group, waiting his turn, observing the others.

Lila, with her water magic, created delicate streams of water that flowed between her fingers, shaping them into intricate patterns. She was skilled, no doubt, her control precise. Marcus, on the other hand, struggled with his fire. The flames burst from his hands uncontrollably, causing him to flinch as he tried to reign them in. It was clear that his physical strength didn't translate to magical prowess.

When it was Edward's turn, he took a deep breath. His goal wasn't to impress; it was to prove he could control his powers, at least to some extent. He raised his hand, focusing on the light element first. A soft glow enveloped his palm, gentle and warm. The light flickered slightly, but Edward managed to hold it steady.

Then came the darkness.

He closed his eyes, trying to summon the shadow within him. A faint black mist formed around his other hand, but it wavered, unstable. He clenched his fist, forcing the darkness to dissipate before it could spiral out of control. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to show he had potential.

The instructors nodded, scribbling notes on their tablets. Edward stepped back, feeling the weight of their judgment but also a sense of accomplishment. He hadn't mastered his magic, but he had shown enough skill to pass the trial.

As the sun began to set, the trials came to an end. The applicants gathered in the courtyard, awaiting the final results. Edward stood quietly, his thoughts focused on what lay ahead. He hadn't come to the academy for glory or recognition. His goal was simple: to become stronger and protect those he cared about.

When the instructors finally returned, they called out the names of those who had passed. One by one, names were read aloud, each followed by a cheer or a sigh of relief. Edward listened closely, his heart steady.

"Edward," the instructor called.

He stepped forward, his expression calm, though inside he felt a small surge of satisfaction. He had passed the first hurdle, but the journey was far from over. There would be more challenges ahead, more tests of strength and will. But Edward was ready. He would master his light and darkness, no matter how long it took.

And as the academy gates closed behind him, he knew this was only the beginning.