The announcement came at dawn.
A ripple of magic buzzed through every dorm crystal, followed by a single line etched into the air like fire across mist:
"All first-year candidates — report to the Grand Axis."
Karl blinked, half-dressed and still groggy.
The crystal by his bed pulsed once more, then faded.
He stepped into the corridor to find other students rushing past — some muttering, some grinning, others sharpening weapons or adjusting enchanted buckles.
No one looked confused.
Just… ready.
He followed the crowd to a courtyard larger than any he'd seen so far.
An amphitheater carved from grey marble, with runes spiraling upward like vines.
At the center stood four platforms — each glowing with different energy.
Fire. Wind. Earth. Water.
Above them, on a high arc balcony, floated a ring of crystal. Inside it stood a single figure.
Headmaster Elaris.
Her voice didn't need amplification.
"Today, you will not fight each other. You will fight the academy."
A low murmur rippled through the crowd.
"Each of you will step into one of the Elemental Trial Gates," she continued, "and face a challenge aligned to your affinity. There is no failure — only measure."
She paused.
Her eyes flicked down toward Karl.
"Some of you may find the trial chooses differently than expected."
Karl felt the mark on his chest hum softly.
Not cold.
Not fire.
Something between.
"Do not hold back," Elaris said. "The Veil never does."
Students were already stepping onto the platforms. Nyra waved at Karl before hopping onto the wind gate. Another boy — stocky, armor-gloved — marched to the earth gate with a grin.
Karl hesitated.
The water gate pulsed once as he approached — as if it had chosen him.
But that's not what he stepped toward.
He turned toward the fire gate.
And the moment his foot hit the surface, the flame flared — not out of control, but as if acknowledging something.
Recognizing it.
Karl stood still, waiting for the trial to begin.
And somewhere behind him, someone whispered:
"He's not choosing the trial. It's choosing him."