Echoes of the First Seven
(Part II — The Day of Judgment)
The dawn that broke over Spēju Akadēmija was unlike any other.
The first rays of the morning sun pierced through the sea of clouds embracing the mountaintop academy, bathing its towering spires in radiant hues of gold and amber. One by one, the shadows of the night retreated, surrendering to the warmth of a new dawn as the ancient halls of Spēju Akadēmija slowly awakened.
Dewdrops clung to the emerald grass like scattered crystals, glistening beneath the gentle morning light with every passing breeze. The cool air carried the delicate fragrance of blooming moon lilies throughout the campus, mingling with the earthy scent of ancient trees and freshly awakened gardens.
The familiar chorus of birds echoed across the academy grounds, their cheerful melodies drifting through the crisp morning air, while butterflies gracefully fluttered from blossom to blossom, gathering their daily nectar as though welcoming another peaceful day.
Students gradually emerged from their dormitories, their laughter and conversations breathing life into the once-quiet campus. Some hurried toward the dining hall with sleepy eyes, while others strolled leisurely along the stone pathways, savoring the peaceful morning before another day of lessons began. Robes of different colors swayed gently in the breeze, and the academy's courtyards slowly filled with the lively rhythm of footsteps and cheerful greetings.
For most, it was simply another beautiful morning at Spēju Akadēmija.
A day to attend classes, share meals with friends, and continue their journey toward mastering their chosen Paths.
But for others... today marked the beginning of something far greater.
The morning was calm. The sky was clear and not a single soul realized that fate had already begun moving its pieces.
From a distance, the academy looked almost ethereal— a magnificent sanctuary suspended above the clouds, where the sky itself seemed close enough to touch. Beneath its tranquil beauty, however, countless mysteries slumbered within its ancient walls, waiting patiently for those destined to uncover them.
The Academy slowly awakened.
The resonant toll of the morning bell echoed seven times across the mountain, rolling over stone courtyards, ancient halls, and enchanted forests hidden beyond the Academy walls.
Today was not an ordinary day.
It was the day every first-year student— and every transfer student— had been waiting for.
The day the Academy itself would decide their Path.
xx—xx—xx
Unlike the previous mornings, the campus was already bustling long before sunrise.
Students streamed from every dormitory, dressed in freshly pressed academy uniforms, their conversations filled with excitement, anticipation, and nervous speculation.
"I barely slept."
"My brother told me the Evaluation can see your memories."
"That's impossible."
"I heard someone fainted during last year's ceremony."
"No, I heard someone awakened three different affinities at once."
"That's just a rumor."
Darkus walked among them in silence.
His hands rested inside the pockets of his academy coat as he quietly listened to the endless flood of theories surrounding the Sorting Evaluation.
Almost every conversation contradicted the last.
Everyone claimed to know what would happen.
No one actually did.
"... Morning!"
A familiar voice shattered his thoughts.
Darkus didn't even look.
"... Morning."
Laima happily fell into step beside him, carrying a small paper bag filled with pastries.
She offered one toward him.
"Breakfast?"
"No."
"You should eat."
"I'm fine."
She frowned dramatically.
"People who skip breakfast become grumpy."
"I already am."
"... Fair point."
She shrugged before happily eating the pastry herself.
Darkus couldn't help noticing how ordinary she looked.
Just another student enjoying her breakfast. If not for the way nearby students quietly changed direction the moment they noticed her... No one would ever suspect she was the infamous "Bad News."
An invisible circle formed around them once again.
Darkus had grown used to it.
Laima had clearly been used to it for much longer.
Yet she smiled anyway.
xx—xx—xx
The Evaluation Grounds lay beyond the central district of the Academy.
Unlike the majestic Session Hall or the peaceful Grand Library, this place possessed a solemn grandeur that immediately demanded respect.
The moment Darkus stepped through the colossal gates, his breath caught.
Before him stretched a vast circular arena carved directly into the mountainside. Rows upon rows of white marble seats ascended toward the sky, capable of holding thousands of spectators. At the center rested an enormous stone platform engraved with a breathtaking array of ancient runes.
The runes pulsed softly beneath the morning sunlight, flowing together like rivers of liquid silver.
Around the platform stood seven colossal altars. Each represented one of the Academy's Paths.
The Altar of Valor burned with eternal crimson flames.
The Altar of Wisdom shimmered beneath countless floating books and runes.
The Altar of Judgment stood cold and silent, its silver scales perfectly balanced.
The Altar of Vitality overflowed with vines, flowers, and glowing emerald leaves.
The Altar of Creation was surrounded by intricate gears and hovering crystalline devices.
The Altar of Veil seemed almost invisible, fading in and out of sight whenever someone looked away.
And at the very center, slightly apart from the others stood the Seventh Altar. Unlike the rest... It bore no decoration.
No flames. No flowers. No books.
Only a smooth pillar of pale stone upon which a seven-pointed star had been carved.
It appeared... Empty. Yet for some inexplicable reason...
Darkus found himself unable to look away.
"... Beautiful, isn't it?"
Laima whispered.
Darkus nodded absentmindedly.
"... It feels..." He searched for the right word. "...Old."
She smiled softly.
"It is..." Lamia agreed, smiling, "Older than anyone alive."
Before he could ask another question, a powerful voice echoed across the entire arena.
"Students."
Every conversation ceased instantly.
Professor Aster Valen had appeared upon the central platform. Behind him stood dozens of professors dressed in robes of different colors, each representing one of the Seven Paths. Their expressions ranged from warm smiles to unreadable stoicism.None looked nervous. They had witnessed countless Evaluations before.
But to the students gathered here... This was the beginning of everything.
Professor Valen slowly surveyed the crowd.
"Welcome." His calm voice effortlessly reached every corner of the arena. "Today marks your first true step as students of Spēju Akadēmija."
He paused, allowing his words to settle.
"For centuries beyond counting, this ceremony has remained unchanged."
"Kings have stood where you now stand.So have beggars, Heroes, Scholars, Criminals, and children who possessed nothing except hope."
A gentle breeze swept across the arena, fluttering countless academy banners.
"The Academy has judged them all equally." His gaze sharpened. "And it shall judge you the same."
No one spoke. Even the wind seemed to quiet.
"The Sorting Evaluation does not measure strength. It does not measure intelligence. It does not favor noble blood. It does not reward ambition. It simply reveals where your soul resonates."
Darkus unconsciously clenched his fists.
The phrase echoed in his mind.
Where your soul resonates.
Professor Valen raised one hand toward the Seven Altars.
"The Path you receive today is not a prison. It is not a destiny carved in stone. It is merely the place where your journey begins." He smiled faintly. "What you become afterward... is entirely your own choice."
Those words carried a warmth that eased much of the tension lingering among the freshmen.
Around him, students released the breaths they hadn't realized they were holding. Some smiled nervously. Others straightened their backs with renewed determination.
Darkus glanced sideways.
Laima was staring quietly at the Seventh Altar. Her smile had faded once again.
"... Laima."
She blinked.
"Hm?"
"You've been looking at that altar since we arrived."
She followed his gaze.
"Oh."
A small smile returned to her lips.
"...It's pretty."
Darkus wasn't convinced. There had been something in her eyes. Not admiration. Recognition. Before he could ask, Professor Valen continued.
"The order of evaluation has already been decided."
A crystal sphere floated into the air beside him. Names began appearing one after another inside its translucent surface before vanishing again like drifting stars.
"The Academy itself determined the sequence."
Another murmur swept through the arena.
Darkus watched the names with mild curiosity.
He expected to be somewhere in the middle. Perhaps near the end. After all, transfer students usually weren't given special attention.
The crystal suddenly stopped spinning. One name expanded across its surface in brilliant silver letters.
The entire arena fell silent.
Darkus' eyes widened.
Darkus Rye Dmitriv.
Professor Valen looked toward the crowd.
"... Transfer Student." A faint smile crossed his face. "Please step forward."
Thousands of eyes turned toward him at once.
Darkus froze for the briefest moment.
Beside him, Laima gave him a gentle nudge on the shoulder.
"... Looks like you're first."
He exhaled slowly.
"... Apparently."
As he began walking toward the center of the arena, every footstep echoed across the ancient stone.
The Seven Altars seemed almost... alive.
Watching.
Waiting.
Judging.
And just as Darkus placed his foot inside the great Evaluation Circle...
The wind abruptly stopped.
The birds circling above the arena scattered in every direction.
Far beyond the Academy walls, something unseen stirred.
Hidden beneath layers of forgotten stone, deep within the oldest foundations of Spēju Akadēmija...
A faint silver light flickered to life for the first time in centuries.
No one noticed.
No one...
Except Laima.
Her golden eyes widened ever so slightly as she whispered under her breath—
"... It recognized him."
To Be Continued...