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The metal door slowly lifted upward with a soft creak, revealing the vast hall of Caliman Academy's West Front.
Rinn crossed the entrance, and the door closed right behind him.
The space before him was wide and austere, unlike the magic halls — there were no decorations or arcane symbols here, only functionality. No windows broke the stone walls, and the lighting came from magical crystals embedded in the columns, casting a cold light that flowed down the walls. At the back, a massive bluish sphere pulsed silently. A portal.
— You are here, Rinn. Come.
The voice of Rector Yunen cut through the silence naturally, as if she had been waiting for him for hours. Her eyes rested on the boy with the same firmness as always — a direct, impassive gaze, difficult to endure for more than a few seconds.
She did not wait for a response.
She turned her back and walked toward the center of the hall.
Her footsteps echoed against the floor, guiding Rinn through that imposing emptiness until she stood before the pulsing portal at the center.
There were other mages present around the area.
They were ascended mages — scattered along the sides like sentinels, a total of four, and all of them...
Were they really... mages?
What is this?
Rinn thought, alarmed by the scene before him.
Leaning against the wall in an isolated corner of the hall, a man stood out. From afar, his appearance suggested he was around 20 years old. He wore mercenary clothes, a sword at his waist, and a neatly trimmed beard. Every now and then, he took a deep drag from his cigar, observing everything with distant calm.
Further ahead, just a few steps from the Rector, was another mage. His clothes were entirely black, and his hands were buried deep in his pockets. Cross-shaped earrings dangled from his ears, and the heavy, dark makeup on his face, along with a nose piercing, gave him a somber aura.
Beside him, a young boy around 19 years old drew attention. He wore an elegant oriental pink dress — not the synthetic, cheap kind accessible to commoners, but a luxurious one, available only to the wealthy. A small tiara rested atop his head. His hair, dark and voluminous, flowed down his back, although a small bun kept part of it tied. The delicate clothing and his more feminine features made him appear almost like a woman — something that surprised Rinn as he approached the center where Rector Yunen stood.
Finally, there was a woman. She seemed the most ordinary among the other three mages. With feminine features and a serious expression, she appeared to be around 18 to 20 years old. The woman wore short clothes that revealed her delicate, fair-skinned legs. Beneath her outfit, a white shirt peeked through, with a subtle neckline that drew attention, even though her chest was modest. Her body, without many curves, had a straighter, more uniform appearance, yet her presence was still striking.
None of them dared to speak, or perhaps they simply had nothing to say.
Even so, their eyes were keenly focused on Yunen.
Rector Yunen stopped moving upon reaching the center.
Her voice rang out clearly, reaching everyone in the hall:
— Do not make foolish mistakes. All ascended mages present here were once students of Caliman Academy. Show proper respect to your junior, who is about to complete his first trial.
Upon hearing her words, all the other mages turned their gazes toward Rinn. He felt the weight of each one, but remained silent, uncomfortable, without saying a word.
— The city of N'Lanor is under the direct supervision of Caliman Academy. This means that everyone here is subject to the Academy's rules while inside. Follow them.
The Rector maintained her unwavering posture, walking slowly. Young in appearance, with firm features and the body of someone in their thirties, but there was something in her presence that made it clear — she was much older than anyone there.
— As you all know, N'Lanor is a neglected city due to its anomalies and magical distortions. Because of that, even ascended mages can easily get lost there. N'Lanor was not always like this — in the past, it was known as the City of Wonders. — The Rector explained calmly, walking leisurely. — It was the most advanced city of its time, where mages possessed vast knowledge of magic, what we now call ancestral magic. They were guardians of primordial knowledge, and even today, fragments of this wisdom can be found throughout the city.
At that moment, the Rector pulled small papers from a hidden compartment in her dress and, with a soft gesture, made them float toward each mage present.
As the paper reached his face, Rinn grabbed it and unfolded it. It was a detailed map of the entire region, even including the dreaded Dead Forest around it.
The map was incredibly detailed, with every street and district of the city clearly outlined. Observing the vastness of the region, it became evident that it was an extensive and immense territory.
— As you can see on the map, there are areas marked in red, which are restricted. In these regions dwell magical creatures deformed by magic, and they must be avoided at all costs. Not even an experienced mage would survive an encounter with these beasts.
— Your goal is to assist your junior, just as each of you was once assisted by Academy mages before ascending. The true challenge is to find the Stone of Vision, located in the western tower of the city. After Rinn's task is completed, you may do as you wish. Each of you came on this expedition with your own personal goals, with your lives on the line.
As she finished her explanation, the mage closest to Rinn raised her hand and then asked her question:
— I have a question. The city of N'Lanor has been closed off for so long, so why is an expedition happening now? My professor said the city had been isolated for more than 50 years and that few were ever allowed in. He said this is the first time in a long while that it's reopening.
The Rector observed her for a moment before responding:
— Curious, Sabrina? You shouldn't be.
Sabrina, realizing the reply, quickly averted her gaze to the side.
— It's not curiosity, it's apprehension. You know, as everyone knows, that many mages didn't return from the last expedition. But don't worry about that. What truly matters is that there are many dangers inside, and you all volunteered for this mission... Or rather... — The Rector said, looking at Sabrina's face and then at the mage beside her, the one wearing the cross earrings, both visibly uneasy.
Were all the mages killed in the last expedition?
Rinn wondered silently, unaware that even the mages had perished. He had to swallow hard after hearing those words.
— You were ordered by your professors — added Yunen.
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