The sun rose slowly on the final day.
The village buzzed with activity. Carts creaked as families packed belongings. Children cried, mothers scolded, and fathers made stiff farewells they wouldn't repeat. The academy had summoned its chosen ones—and though only a few were accepted, many would still travel to watch their fate unfold.
Kael stood in the middle of it all, holding nothing but a small cloth bag and the weight of uncertain eyes.
"No luggage?" asked a plump noblewoman nearby, sneering. "Even poor birds carry feathers."
Her son stood beside her, arms folded. He'd awakened the fire element, and his father had already sent word ahead to secure him noble quarters.
Kael said nothing. He stood quietly as nobles boasted, their gold-embroidered robes fluttering under banners stitched with ancient sigils. Each noble child had a separate, personal tent. He watched servants brush horses and polish boots that would never touch mud.
His eyes wandered to a girl seated alone by a small carriage—a village girl, like him. Her name was Yena. Her body glowed faintly with dual energies—water and light.
Rare dual-path essence cultivator.
She looked both nervous and proud as her mother adjusted the flowers in her hair. Some of the noble boys eyed her already. One even whispered of a marriage proposal.
Kael nodded respectfully at her as he passed. She smiled, shy but kind.
She would become known across the continent… and one day, Kael would bury her under snow and silence. But not yet.
"KAEL!"
The old man approached, carrying a wrapped bundle and a small, golden coin. "Take this."
"I don't need—"
"You'll need more than this," the old man said, pressing it into his palm. "But it's a start. Don't lose it. That coin's worth more than your bones."
Kael's throat tightened. "Will I see you again?"
The old man looked away. "Go. Before I change my mind and tie you to the damn tree."
A smirk tugged at Kael's lips, but the weight of the moment crushed it before it grew.
He stepped onto the path.
Ten wagons made up the caravan, guarded by six hunters from the Hunter Group, hired at a high price. Each wore worn armor and quiet eyes, their cloaks marked with the signature red fang of their guild.
"Move out!" called the caravan leader—a bald man with a scar over one eye. His voice carried over the rattle of wheels and stomping hooves.
As they rolled into the forest, the trees grew darker, older. The light changed. Laughter died down. The first few hours passed in uneasy silence.
By nightfall, they camped beside a stream.
Kael sat near the back with the other commoners. Nobles ate from fine containers with servants bringing hot stew. Commoners shared bread and jerky. One boy made a point to hold his nose when walking past Kael.
"You smell like tree bark and failure," he snorted.
Kael didn't respond. But one of the hunters, a woman with short silver hair and a jagged scar across her mouth, looked up.
"Say that again, rich boy," she muttered, sharpening her blade.
The boy paled and shuffled off.
Later that night, the bald caravan leader stood before the campfire. His voice was heavy and real.
"Listen, all of you. You've left your village. Now, the world will show you its teeth."
He glanced around at the fresh faces, some still too soft, too clean.
"Out here, the forest isn't just trees. It's alive. It watches. And it eats the foolish."
He pointed at the nobles.
"Gold won't stop a beast from gutting you. Neither will your name."
Then at the commoners.
"And ignorance won't save you either."
Silence fell.
"The journey to the academy is three days long. Not all of you will make it."
Gasps. Nervous glances.
He didn't smile.
"No, this isn't a test. This is just the world."
And with that, he left.
The campfire crackled as Kael looked into the woods. Shadows shifted between the trees. The world had changed already. And it was only the beginning.