Arcanum Academy. A month ago I'd dreamed of getting here out of curiosity. Now I stood at the gates with a single goal—to become strong enough so that no one else would die because of my weakness.

  My hand automatically reached for the scar above my eyebrow. A new mark for the collection. The hole in my stomach had healed without a trace thanks to Alice's magic, but phantom pain sometimes reminded me of itself.

  From my right came Elliot's voice.

  "Ready?"

  I nodded. The moment he touched my shoulder, I felt a faint echo of his anxiety. The connection still lived, though barely noticeable.

  *He's afraid I'll get into trouble again.*

  "Everything will be fine."

  I decided not to think about who I was trying to convince.

  I walked alongside Elliot through the Arcanum Academy grounds, feeling light nervousness before the upcoming exam. Ahead rose the academy buildings, each with its unique appearance reflecting different directions of combat magic.

  When we approached the central gates, I noticed they were carved from white marble and decorated with golden runes glowing with soft light. The gates swung open, and we entered the academy grounds, as if plunging into another world. Before us spread an enormous park with tall trees, shady alleys, and blooming gardens.

  First we encountered the Shield Faculty. Its building, resembling a fortress, was decorated with stained glass of ancient defenders, while stone blocks floated around it, as if guarded by invisible force.

  The Light Faculty resembled a temple: crystalline domes shone in the sun, while platforms with gardens and fountains floated around. Here they studied healing and restoration.

  The Blade Faculty, specializing in offense, was located nearby. Its building resembled a huge battle arsenal, made of black metal and obsidian. Images of ancient warriors and mages in battle were carved on the facade. Giant metallic fragments floated around the building, creating the impression that battle always raged here. Inside, students learned attack spells and techniques, honing their combat skills to perfection.

  Each building radiated power. The very power I'd lacked to save the Waldbergs. To protect Aura from the horror that broke her.

  I clenched my fists. No. This wasn't the time for self-pity. Time to learn.

  The moment we emerged toward the main building, a small stone flew into me. I didn't understand how it cut my eyebrow, because immediately after, some thug's bulk crashed into me.

  but there was slight dizziness.

  Blood flowed down my face, reminding me of that night. Of blood on the basement steps. Of how I hadn't been fast enough...

  Twins. Like Elliot and me. But without the cursed connection in our heads. Or with?

  One of the twins looked panicked.

  "Oh damn!"

  "Who from "Light" is nearby? The lad needs healing."

  Mira turned to her sister accusingly.

  "We're in trouble, Ari, why didn't you weaken my strike?"

  Ari shrugged defensively.

  "Why would I do that?!"

  Above me stood two redheaded twins first, they looked like my peers. Short bobs, small faces. But their eyes were red, and their makeup was quite provocative: everything around the eyes in black mascara.

  Eva approached, kneeling beside me.

  " I can heal him, what happened?"

  "Ugh... How horrible! What's wrong with your faces?"

  One of the twins, Ari, stepped forward menacingly.

  "What did you just say?"

  Unfortunately, my big mouth led to me receiving an additional punch to the stomach from Mira.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Ari crossed her arms.

  "Weren't you taught any manners at all?"

  Around my stomach, then my eyebrows, it became warm, and the wound began tingling. My head stopped spinning, so I made out the crowd around me: my brother was nearby, and a pretty upperclassman was healing me. She was short, with long black hair that seemed recently straightened. Her green eyes carefully tracked her hand movements.

  "These are sisters Ari and Mira, they're academy graduates this year."

  "So small, and already sixth-years?"

  "These 'little ones' are significantly older than you, and they're among the leaders: the strongest in the academy in recent decades."

  "Wow, I should apologize, that was awkward. And you have very beautiful eyes. What's your name?"

  The girl's cheeks suddenly flushed. She thought for a moment.

  "Look at that, what a ladies' man joining us. Apparently I've healed everything. But thanks for the compliment, I'm Eva."

  "Luten. And... thank you. For the healing and for not letting me fall back into memories again."

  She blinked in surprise, not understanding the last part. But something in her gaze changed, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

  "A small scar will remain. Sorry, I'm only a second-year."

  "Well, you're an idiot, little brother. Thank you all very much for the help, but we need to get to the entrance exams."

  I got to my feet, and we bowed to Eva, thanking her for help.

  We entered a huge hall where many tables stood with long lines leading to them. Few people talked in the crowd, but whispers could still be heard.

  "Hey, psst... Hey."

  I realized they were calling me only when Elliot pinched me.

  "Ow, what's wrong?"

  "You were there, next to Eva, right?"

  "Yeah, me, so what, jealous?"

  This was a tall, skinny guy. Light brown hair and brown eyes. My question clearly embarrassed him.

  "Come on, you're seriously crushing on her?"

  "Well, um, no, what do you mean, no! Although... yes!"

  I laughed a little.

  "My... My name is Glenn."

  "Nice to meet you, I'm Luten, and my brother is Elliot. Don't mind him, he's a bit shy."

  "Hey! Nice to meet you."

  "And you, Luten, managed to become famous."

  "Over such a small thing? Well, I met Eva, so what? Is she some kind of idol here?"

  "What's an "idol"? No, it's all about the twins. You're one of the few who got off with just light bruises after them. Why did you even mess with them?"

  "Something just slipped out, it happened that way. Anyway, nice meeting you, it's our turn. Good luck, Glenn."

  "You too."

  We approached a small table where a professor sat.

  "Hello, we're Luten and Elliot Caers."

  "Well, well, well, look who's been brought to us. Didn't know the Caers had twins, but I'm sorry for your loss anyway."

  " Thank you, sir."

  "Professor Gregorius Treymont, just call me Professor Treymont. Here are your forms, fill them out and go to the second floor, there'll be an examination room where they'll test your basic magical knowledge and other questions. In the second stage you'll go to the training ground where they'll check your magical control. Based on test results, they'll offer you an additional third stage right there. It will improve your admission chances, but it's voluntary. Though many refuse."

  I was half-listening. One thought kept spinning in my head: would I be strong enough? Would what Alice taught me be enough?

  Around us, candidates were already demonstrating magic. Fireballs, ice spears, stone walls. Impressive. But I'd seen how the guy with gray hair stopped a demon with a single gesture. That was a different level. The level I needed to reach.

  "Why do they refuse?"

  "You'll find out later. Don't hold up the line, move along."

  We walked through long and very high corridors. Everything was decorated with various sculptures and objects, red carpet spread across the floor. When we passed another group of students, they began whispering. I'd become a local celebrity.

  The lecture hall turned out to be quite spacious. Long tables spanning the entire length of the room were temporarily divided into small blocks for each test-taker. Something flew in the air—I looked closer and noticed slight spatial distortion, apparently flying observers. That's why only the lecturer sat in class with closed eyes.

  " Come in, don't be shy, you're the last ones, so close the doors behind you."

  A gray-haired teacher sat before the board with his feet up on the desk. He was dressed in a classic suit.

  " Mister Luten, correct? Instead of admiring me and examining what you shouldn't see, please take seat A-14, and your place, Mister Elliot, is G-88."

  The exam itself lasted four hours. I managed to finish a bit early and turned in the questionnaire. The lecturer (later he introduced himself as Declan Wharton) opened one eye.

  "Congratulations, Luten, you've passed the first stage. Please proceed to the hall on the first floor for the second test, it will begin in an hour and a half."