Three days had passed since his father's death...
And Arthur was no longer the boy he once was.
In those two sleepless, silent nights, he had been lost in his father's final words:
"Be strong, even in the toughest moments... Always look ahead; maybe one day, a bright day will emerge from these darknesses."
A broken heart, yet a newfound resolve was igniting in his chest. His father—who had shone like a beacon during the cold nights of his childhood—was gone... but a spark of that flame still lived within Arthur's soul.
Now, three days after the great trial had passed. A trial held not only for entry into the academy but seemingly for entrance into a whole new world.
Today was the day the results would be announced—the decisive day everyone had been waiting for.
The main hall was like a sea of murmurs and anxiety, filled with faces half hopeful, half fearful, all eyes fixed on the stage.
The sound of footsteps, whispers, and held breaths intertwined in the heavy atmosphere.
At last, a tall man with a piercing gaze stepped forward.
Coach Kyle's voice thundered through the silence of the hall:
"This year, out of 326 talented candidates, only 10 will be accepted.
The names I will now read will be required to appear here tomorrow for official enrollment into the academy."
His voice sliced through the air like an invisible sword.
Arthur's eyes were dry, but his heart was pounding. Some clenched their fists, others moved their lips in silent prayer.
Then...
The first name was called.
The second... the third...
Everyone waited on the edge of a moment that could change the course of their lives forever...
Coach Kyle held the list firmly. Absolute silence enveloped the hall. His voice, dignified and firm, echoed:
"The first accepted... Lucia."
A sigh came from the corner. Lucia, eyes sparkling and lips trembling with joy, covered her mouth with her hands.
"Second... Julius."
A boy with messy golden hair and proud eyes smiled and straightened his chest. Arthur glanced at him. His heart raced—he had been accepted too...
"Third... Sophia."
A brief silence, then a few whispers. A girl with bright blonde hair rose quietly. Her eyes were cold yet deep, like a frozen sea surface. She glanced around but said nothing.
Arthur was still holding his breath. Time seemed to stretch... One name after another was read:
Fourth... fifth... sixth...
Only a few names remained...
His heart was pounding against his chest. He gathered himself, like a bird waiting for warmth in the winter cold. His mind was full of his father's image, his smile, and that final sentence: "Be strong, little Arthur..."
"Ninth... Karen."
Only one name left.
Breaths held tight in chests.
Coach Kyle paused, raised his gaze, softened his voice a little, and said:
"And the tenth... Arthur."
A moment of silence. Then... murmurs spread among the crowd.
Arthur lifted his head. Everything else seemed to fade—the voices, the faces—only the echo of that name ringing in his mind.
He had been accepted.
His eyes sparkled, but he did not shed a tear. Neither from joy nor sorrow. Just a faint smile, more like a vow within:
Iwill stay strong... for myself, for the promise I made.
Arthur looked around. Joy and calmness radiated from the faces of the accepted. Julius, dripping with pride, said loudly:
"I knew I'd get in. Luck? No... this is just the result of my effort."
Sophia, quieter than ever, like a calm lake at sunrise, wore only a soft smile. But her gaze was distant, as if her mind was wandering somewhere else.
But on the other side of the hall, different sounds could be heard—
Suppressed sobs, silent tears, sometimes anger and frustration. Those who had pinned high hopes now faced a cold, hard reality.
One quietly wept. Another knelt in a corner. For some, this trial wasn't just a chance—it was their entire future condensed.
Among them, Coach Kyle spoke again:
"Those whose names I've called, stay behind. I have something to say to you."
As the other candidates slowly left, only ten remained. The atmosphere lightened, but an invisible weight pressed heavily on each of them.
Kyle said:
"Tomorrow, at this hour, we will depart for the academy. From that moment, the academy's dormitory will be your home until you graduate. Tonight... say goodbye to those you love. From tomorrow, a new life begins."
Arthur returned silently to the orphanage. The halls, the wooden chairs, the laughter of children... all took on a new meaning for him.
The children gathered around him, some smiling, some with tearful eyes. The sisters, including Sister Maria, embraced him warmly, her eyes tired yet full of care, bidding him farewell.
After he packed his belongings, Sister Maria came quietly beside him. With a gentle but sorrowful look, she said:
"Arthur... I know you're still child.and Losing someone is never easy, especially for you, whose whole life was your father Maldrius. But there is something he wanted to pass on to you before he left."
Arthur was startled slightly. He asked softly:
"What? From father...?"
Sister Maria pulled a necklace from the sleeve of her robe. A delicate silver chain with a jade green gem that shimmered in the candlelight. Within the gem, a subtle engraving of a mighty tree was carved.
"This necklace... is something he carried for years. More than a simple keepsake."
She paused, then continued:
"The power of this necklace preserves your physical state. Not just your physical health, but magical, speed, and even mental strength. Your father... fought illness for years, but thanks to this necklace, he stayed alive. Not for himself... but for you and the children. To be with you until the time was right."
Arthur took the necklace with trembling hands. A silent tear slid down his cheek, but a calm smile appeared on his lips.
It was as if his father was still by his side. And It was as if his father's memories were etched into his heart, soul, and mind.