The year-long preparation had officially begun. The academy buzzed with newfound energy as students settled into their routines, ready to push themselves beyond their limits. Kael, Ren, and their newfound companions were no different. They had one goal: to become strong enough to stand at the top of the upcoming tournament. But for Kael, the path was far more difficult than he had imagined.
Their dorm room was spacious yet modest, a place meant for rest after exhausting training sessions. Each student was assigned their own space, a bed, a desk, and a storage compartment. Kael and Ren were roommates, along with two others—Jin, a warrior from the Eastern Plains, and Lys, a sharp-witted strategist from the Central Kingdoms. The four bonded over their shared aspirations, but even within these walls, Kael could not escape the judgmental gazes of others.
Whispers followed him wherever he went. Students murmured about his dark skin, black hair, and piercing golden eyes. To them, he was an anomaly, an outsider who did not belong. Every glance held a trace of disgust, every word spoken in hushed tones carried a sharp edge of prejudice. It didn't matter how strong he was or how hard he trained—their opinions were already decided.
One afternoon, as Kael entered his alchemy class, a student sneered, "Look at him, thinking he belongs here."
Another chuckled. "I bet he cheated his way in. There's no way someone like him could actually be strong."
Kael clenched his fists but said nothing. He had endured this kind of treatment all his life. It hurt, but he refused to show weakness. Instead, he focused on the lessons at hand. The academy provided an extensive curriculum, including alchemy, beast mastery, combat training, and spiritual refinement. Alchemy, in particular, was vital. Creating potions and concoctions that could accelerate their growth would be key to reaching new realms of power before the tournament.
Their instructor, Elder Veyron, was a strict but knowledgeable master of alchemy. "Alchemy is not just about mixing herbs and liquids," he explained. "It is the fusion of energy, the manipulation of the world's essence to bring forth change."
Alchemy worked by harnessing the natural energies of the world and infusing them into concoctions. The foundation of alchemy lay in understanding the five primal forces: fire, water, earth, wind, and ether. Each ingredient carried a trace of one or more of these forces, and only through precise combinations and controlled refinement could alchemists bring out their true potential.
There were three primary methods of alchemy: Extraction, Fusion, and Transmutation. Extraction involved drawing out the essence of an ingredient, removing its impurities, and concentrating its power. Fusion was the art of combining multiple essences into a single stable potion, creating elixirs that enhanced strength, speed, or healing capabilities. Transmutation, the rarest and most difficult method, allowed alchemists to alter the very nature of materials, turning base substances into treasures of immense power.
Kael and Ren spent hours experimenting with various ingredients, working tirelessly to create potions that could push their limits. Their determination paid off when they successfully crafted a breakthrough elixir—one that could temporarily enhance their energy absorption, allowing them to advance through realms at a rapid pace.
Meanwhile, their bond with their spirit beasts deepened. Each day, they cared for their creatures, feeding them, playing with them, and helping them grow. Ren's dragon, still in its infant stage, radiated an overwhelming aura. The elders observed it with awe, realizing its future potential was beyond infinite itself. "That creature," one elder whispered, "will erase the very concept of time itself one day."
Despite the hardships, Kael found solace in his best friend. Ren trained harder than anyone, pushing his body to the absolute limit. His motivation was fuelled by his past—a past filled with pain and suffering.
One evening, after another gruelling training session, Kael found himself walking alone beneath the academy's vast celestial sky. Suddenly, an overwhelming force wrapped around him, pulling him out of reality itself. In the blink of an eye, he was no longer at the academy.
Kael stood in an endless void, surrounded by swirling galaxies and cosmic storms. The weight of the space around him felt immense, pressing against his very soul. Before him, an ancient presence manifested—a dragon, larger than any mountain, with eyes that shimmered with the wisdom of eternity.
"You have finally arrived," the voice rumbled, shaking Kael to his core.
Kael took a cautious step forward. "Who... are you?"
"I am the father of all dragons," the entity proclaimed. "The one who has watched over existence since before time began. And you, child, have been chosen."
A cold chill ran down Kael's spine. "Chosen for what?"
The dragon's gaze bore into him. "A test. One that will determine if you are worthy of the destiny laid before you."
Before Kael could ask another question, the void around him began to shift, twisting into a new reality. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized—this was no dream. This was something far beyond comprehension. The test had begun.