Part 2: The Road to Eldoria and the Unexpected Rescue
The journey to the Royal Academy of Eldoria took several days. Ace traveled mostly on foot, occasionally hitching a ride on a merchant's cart heading in the right direction. He passed through bustling towns and quiet villages, each new sight a stark contrast to the familiar solitude of his forest home. The academy itself was a magnificent structure that rose from the plains like a cluster of gleaming white towers, its grandeur almost intimidating.
A large crowd of hopeful students milled around the entrance, a mix of nervous chatter and excited anticipation filling the air. Ace clutched his satchel strap, feeling a surge of both excitement and apprehension. This was it. The first step towards fulfilling his promise.
The entrance exams were held in a vast open courtyard. A stern-looking woman with tightly braided silver hair stood on a raised platform, her voice echoing across the space. "Welcome, aspirants! The trials to enter the Royal Academy of Eldoria will test not only your magical prowess but also your quick thinking and your ability to adapt."
The first part of the exam was a written test, surprisingly. Ace found the questions challenging, covering a wide range of magical theory and history. He answered to the best of his ability, drawing on everything Uncle Elara had taught him. When he felt unsure, a strange calmness washed over him, and the answer would often just… come to mind. He finished the test feeling reasonably confident, though he knew many others looked stressed and frustrated.
After a short break, the second stage began. The applicants were directed towards a sprawling training ground. Suddenly, a section of a nearby building, old and seemingly unstable, began to groan and crumble. Dust and debris rained down, and a scream pierced the air.
Without thinking, Ace reacted. He spotted a girl with long, flowing blue hair trapped beneath a large falling stone. Panic flashed in her wide, cerulean eyes. The other applicants gasped and backed away, but Ace felt a surge of adrenaline. He had to help.
He focused his energy, feeling the familiar warmth building within him. He needed a clear shot. He took a step forward, and his foot landed on something small and round – his lucky die, which must have fallen out of his pocket unnoticed. It spun once, twice… and settled with a click, the number seven facing upwards.
A jolt of pure, untamed magical energy coursed through him. It was more potent than anything he had ever felt before. Flames erupted around his hands, burning with an intense, almost white heat. He channeled this power, not into a direct blast, but into a focused wave of heat that struck the falling stone just as it was about to crush the girl.
The heat didn't shatter the stone, but it weakened its structure just enough. With a grunt of effort, Ace pushed against the weakened section, the residual heat searing his palms but not burning him. The stone shifted, creating a small gap. He reached in and pulled the girl free.
She gasped for breath, her eyes wide with shock and gratitude as she looked at Ace, who was now panting, the surge of energy fading. "Thank you!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "You… you saved me!"
Ace just managed a weak smile. "Are you alright?"
The silver-haired examiner watched the entire scene with a keen gaze, her expression unreadable. The other applicants whispered amongst themselves, their earlier nervousness replaced with awe at Ace's sudden display of power.
"The second practical exam will commence shortly," the examiner announced, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "However, the unscheduled event has provided an… interesting demonstration of quick thinking and selfless action."
Ace helped the blue-haired girl to her feet. Her clothes were dusty, but she seemed unharmed. "I'm Lyra," she said, extending a hand. Her touch was surprisingly cool. "And I really, really owe you one."
"Ace," he replied, shaking her hand. Her grip was surprisingly firm. He had a feeling this chance encounter might be more significant than he realized.
The next stage of the exam was announced: a team-based elimination trial. The applicants were paired randomly and sent into a large, magically constructed arena filled with obstacles and simulated targets. The goal was to work with your partner to "disable" other teams until only a certain number remained.
Ace's partner turned out to be… Lyra.
"Looks like fate has brought us together again," she said with a small smile, a faint shimmer of water magic already beginning to coalesce around her hands. "Ready to work together, Ace?"
Ace grinned, a spark of excitement igniting within him. He had a feeling that with his luck and Lyra's water magic, they might just surprise everyone. He reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against his lucky die. Maybe, just maybe, Uncle Elara's wish was already starting to come true.