The Seven Paths
(Part II — The Seven Inheritances)
An expectant silence settled over the Hall of Evaluation.
Thousands of freshmen sat shoulder to shoulder, yet not a single conversation could be heard. Even the occasional scraping of chairs had disappeared, replaced by the gentle hum of ancient mana flowing beneath the arena.
Darkus took a seat near the front, close to the field, wanting the best view of whatever was about to unfold during the Sorting Evaluation.
Naturally, Laima ended up beside him.
Not because he invited her, but because she had comfortably invited herself, settling into the seat as if it had been reserved for her all along. Without asking for his permission— or even pretending to— she flashed him her usual carefree grin, leaving Darkus with nothing more than a silent sigh of resignation.
Professor Aster Valen stood at the center of the circular platform, his gaze sweeping calmly across the sea of young faces.
"For over a millennium," he began, "Spēju Akadēmija has accepted students from every kingdom, republic, tribe, and nation known to mankind."
He slowly clasped his hands behind his back as he strode across the center stage with measured steps. His sharp gaze swept over the sea of students gathered before him, carefully observing each face, as though trying to assess every individual present for the Sorting Evaluation before a single word had even been spoken.
"Some arrive carrying extraordinary talent. Others arrive possessing nothing at all."
A few students lowered their heads.
"But talent..." He paused. "... has never been the deciding factor."
The floating platforms surrounding him suddenly began rotating. Each stopped before one of the seven towering pillars.
Brilliant mana surged through ancient runes carved into the stone floor, illuminating the amphitheater with soft streams of blue and silver light.
"The Seven Paths are not courses."
"They are inheritances."
"They are philosophies."
"They are responsibilities."
"They are promises made by those who came before you."
Darkus narrowed his eyes.
Promises...
"Today, you will learn what each Path represents."
The First Path — Valor
The platform beneath the blazing sword ignited.
Flames spiraled upward, taking the form of countless warriors standing shoulder to shoulder.
Some carried swords. Others wielded spears, axes, shields, or bows. Each phantom faced outward, as though protecting something hidden behind them.
"The Path of Valor," Professor Valen announced. "The defenders of humanity. They stand where others retreat. They walk toward danger so others may walk away from it."
The illusions came alive.
Students watched in awe as spectral knights charged monstrous beasts, protecting civilians caught in the chaos.
One illusion showed a lone swordsman standing before an army.
Another revealed a shield-bearing woman refusing to retreat despite overwhelming odds.
"They are not fearless... They simply choose courage over fear."
The phantoms vanished into sparks.
Applause echoed through the amphitheater. Many students smiled with admiration.
Darkus could already imagine countless freshmen hoping to walk that path.
The Second Path — Wisdom
The sword dissolved into shimmering particles.
An ancient tome slowly opened above the next platform. Pages turned on their own. Runes floated into the air. Entire constellations appeared between the pages.
"The Path of Wisdom. They seek truth. They preserve knowledge. They ask questions no one else dares ask."
Around the arena, illusionary libraries stretched endlessly into the distance.
Mages transcribed forgotten languages. Scholars examined ancient relics. Historians pieced together civilizations erased from memory.
"Knowledge..." Professor Valen said quietly, "...is the first weapon ever created."
Darkus found himself strangely drawn toward this Path.
He had always preferred understanding something before acting.
Beside him—
"I'd probably get lost." Laima whispered.
Darkus glanced sideways.
"In a library?"
She nodded confidently.
"They're too quiet."
"... That's your reason?"
"I'd accidentally start talking."
"... Fair."
The Third Path — Judgment
When the floating book closed, a silver scale emerged.
Its two plates balanced perfectly until One side slowly descended. Dark clouds gathered above the illusion. Masked figures chased something unseen through winding streets.
Another scene unfolded before their eyes.
A grand courtroom emerged from the darkness. A lone prisoner stood in chains before the judge's towering bench, surrounded by silent spectators whose faces were blurred beyond recognition. The air was unbearably heavy, as though the room itself mourned what was about to happen.
Then came the execution.
A woman was led forward, her long, unkempt hair hanging over her face, concealing every trace of her identity. Yet, despite the veil of tangled strands, Darkus couldn't shake the terrifying feeling that she was staring directly at them.
Not at the executioner.
Not at the judge.
At them.
An invisible malice seeped from her hidden gaze, like countless daggers laced with hatred and curses piercing through the illusion itself. A suffocating chill crawled up Darkus's spine, freezing the very marrow of his bones. Every instinct screamed at him to look away, but his eyes refused to obey, trapped by the overwhelming sensation that the woman could see him just as clearly as he could see her.
"The Path of Judgment. They uphold order."
Darkus regain his senses when Professor Valor talk again, "They investigate forbidden phenomena. They pursue truth...regardless of the cost."
The words lingered heavily.
"No kingdom is free from corruption. No power exists without consequence. When darkness hides behind law..."
"...Judgment becomes the law."
Darkus quietly noticed several professors wearing silver armbands exchange solemn glances.
This Path...
Seemed different.
The Fourth Path — Vitality
Warm green light flooded the arena. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air. Students instinctively relaxed.
A massive tree emerged from the platform. Its roots stretched beneath the arena. Its branches reached toward the endless sky overhead. Healers worked tirelessly beneath its shade.
Children laughed. Fields flourished. Even wounded magical beasts rested peacefully.
"The Path of Vitality. Those who preserve life."
"Healers. Alchemists. Botanists. They understand one truth."
Professor Valen gently touched one of the illusionary leaves.
"Life is precious..."
"...because it is fragile."
For the first time since entering the Hall, the atmosphere became gentle.
Hopeful.
Laima smiled quietly.
"I like this one."
Darkus nodded.
"It suits you."
She blinked.
"... Really?"
"You smile a lot."
"... That's your reasoning?"
"Yes."
"... I'll take it."
But she's already sorted and evaluated, didn't she? She's here before me.
The Fifth Path — Creation
The ancient tree dissolved into motes of emerald light. A gigantic crystalline gear slowly rotated into view. Countless mechanical birds emerged.
Floating weapons assembled themselves from scattered fragments. Runes intertwined with machinery. Magic and engineering became one.
"The Path of Creation. They build. They invent. They reshape civilization."
Entire cities appeared beneath the illusion. Mana-powered trains. Airships. Mechanical guardians. Enchanted bridges spanning impossible distances.
"They do not merely imagine the future. They construct it."
Several freshmen immediately burst into excited whispers.
Darkus could understand why.
Everything displayed looked incredible.
The Sixth Path — Veil
The lights dimmed. Without warning... every illusion vanished.
The arena became silent.
Dark.
Empty.
Darkus blinked.
"... Where did it go?"
A voice answered from behind him.
"Right here."
He immediately turned.
No one.
Students nearby looked equally confused.
Professor Valen smiled faintly.
"The Path of Veil."
The voice suddenly came from the opposite side.
"The unseen."
"The unheard."
"The forgotten."
An illusionary assassin appeared briefly atop one pillar before vanishing again.
Another emerged among the audience. Gone. Then another. And another.
"They gather information. They master illusion. They hide truths... or uncover them."
Laima quietly leaned toward Darkus.
"... They're showing off."
Darkus almost smiled.
The Seventh Path — Astra
The darkness disappeared. Silence returned. The final platform slowly floated toward the center.
Above it, the seven-pointed star rotated gracefully.
Unlike every previous Path, no illusion appeared. Nothing happened.
Professor Valen remained silent.
One second.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
The entire amphitheater waited.
Finally...
He spoke.
"... The Path of Astra."
No explanation followed.
Darkus frowned.
Several students exchanged confused looks.
Professor Valen continued.
"Few are invited."
"Fewer remain."
"And fewer still..."
"...are remembered."
The silence became almost uncomfortable.
"The Path of Astra has no single discipline."
"No single weapon."
"No single responsibility."
"It exists..."
"... where the other six converge."
Darkus noticed something that unlike earlier, even the professors stood straighter.
Almost respectfully.
"It is not stronger than the other Paths."
"It is simply... different."
Professor Valen slowly lowered his hand.
"You need know nothing more."
The seven-pointed star immediately dimmed.
The lesson continued as though nothing unusual had happened.
Darkus glanced beside him. Laima was staring at the symbol. Her cheerful smile had completely disappeared.
She looked... Sad.
Almost nostalgic.
"... Laima?"
She didn't answer.
"... Laima."
A slight flinch.
She blinked several times before turning toward him.
"Hm?"
"You've been staring."
"... Have I?"
"You have."
She looked back at the now-dark platform.
"... It feels familiar."
Darkus frowned.
"You've never mentioned it."
"I don't remember much."
She smiled apologetically.
"But..."
Her voice softened.
"... my heart remembers things my mind doesn't."
Darkus didn't know how to respond.
Those words, somehow felt heavier than they should.
Professor Valen's voice drew everyone's attention once more.
"Tomorrow morning for freshmen and tranferees... The Sorting Evaluation officially begins."
A wave of nervous whispers swept through the freshmen.
"You will not take written examinations. You will not answer interviews. You will not compete against one another."
Instead...
He slowly pointed toward the center of the arena.
"The Academy itself will evaluate you."
Students looked at one another.
"... How?" someone asked.
Professor Valen smiled.
"The Academy observes." He smiled, "It observes your aptitude. Your potential. Your convictions." He paused, "...And your soul."
A chill quietly spread throughout the Hall of Evaluation.
"The Academy cannot be deceived. It sees the person that you are and the person you may one day become."
Darkus unconsciously clenched his fists.
His soul being evaluated by an academy. The concept sounded absurd.
Yet, after everything he had witnessed since arriving here, it somehow felt believable.
The bell signaling the end of the session echoed gently throughout the hall.
Students slowly began leaving. Some looked excited. Others terrified.
Darkus and Laima remained seated for another moment.
"...Which Path do you think you'll end up in?" Darkus asked.
A moment later, he paused, realizing his mistake.
"Oh, wait." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "You've already been sorted, haven't you? Which Path were you assigned to?"
Laima tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Am I sorted?"
"What?"
"I don't know. ." She grinned and asked, "...You?" As if trying to change the subject
Darkus wants to brush off the latter's question but choose not too and just shrugged.
"I haven't decided."
She laughed softly.
"I don't think you get to decide.
"Professor Valen already said that."
She shook her head.
"No..."
Her golden eyes met his.
"I mean..."
She smiled— a smile that was strangely calm.
"... I don't think the Academy is choosing your Path."
Darkus raised an eyebrow.
"... Then who is?"
Laima looked toward the seven-pointed star one last time.
For the briefest moment, its surface shimmered with a faint silver glow. Almost as though it had heard her.
She whispered.
"... I think... your Path has been waiting for you all along."
Darkus followed her gaze. The star returned to normal. He wondered if he had imagined the flicker.
Somehow, he had a feeling that tomorrow's evaluation would answer far more than the question of which course he would enter.
It would also reveal why fate had led him to the one girl everyone feared.
And why, despite every warning...
He couldn't bring himself to walk away.