Astral The Beginning

The Imperial Academy of Magic was a fortress of knowledge, a sprawling campus of towering spires, labyrinthine halls, and arcane energy humming in the air. For centuries, it had been the crucible where the empire's greatest heroes, generals, and scholars were forged. Its prestige was unparalleled—students of all classes, from peasants to princes, were welcomed through its grand gates, united by their gift of magic and the desire to master it.

The academy stood as a shining symbol of Azel's magical supremacy. Its marble facade gleamed under the midday sun, adorned with intricate carvings of ancient runes and emblems that chronicled the empire's arcane legacy. The bustling streets of the capital, Anor, sprawled around it, with vibrant markets and lush gardens that painted a stark contrast to the austere grandeur of the academy's imposing architecture.

Today, the campus buzzed with anticipation. The graduation ceremony was a momentous occasion—not just for the students but for the empire itself. The future heroes, commanders, and scholars of Azel were stepping into the world, their destinies unwritten but already charged with potential.

In the quiet of her office, Salami Nortel sat behind a desk carved from enchanted oak, its surface etched with maps, documents, and scrolls. Five years ago, she had relinquished her title as Head Captain of the Black Knights to train one boy. The High Council had protested, but they'd found a compromise: she was appointed President of the Imperial Academy, a role where her unparalleled skill and wisdom could guide the next generation of mages.

Across from her, Asuma, now nineteen, stood tall. His once-frightened eyes had grown sharp with resolve, his frame lean and strong from years of rigorous training. The boy who had lost everything was gone; in his place stood a young man ready to forge his path.

"Asuma," Salami began, her tone measured yet warm, "Today marks the end of your time at the academy. Have you decided what path you'll take from here?"

Asuma hesitated, glancing out the window at the bustling courtyard below. "I haven't thought about it much," he admitted. "Most of the others are leaning toward the Department Bureau or the military, but I think the Imperial Guild suits me better."

Salami leaned back, her piercing eyes studying him. "The Guild, hmm? It's a good choice. You'll have the freedom to travel, to see the world—and to search for answers."

He nodded. "Yes, Aunt."

She smiled faintly at the term, one he had adopted years ago. "Fine. I'll approve it. After the graduation ceremony, you'll head to the guild."

"Thank you." He bowed slightly before leaving her office.

Asuma made his way to the Great Hall, the heart of the academy where students gathered to celebrate, debate, and plan their futures. Waiting for him at their usual spot were two of his closest friends, Leon and Amira.

Leon was Salami's younger brother, and his unruly hair and ever-present grin made him seem perpetually mischievous. Their relationship had started with bickering and constant rivalry, but over the years, they had grown into a tight brotherhood.

Amira, on the other hand, was Hani's younger sister. Where Leon was boisterous, she was calm and curious, always eager to learn and explore. Unlike Leon, she had taken to Asuma immediately, her kindness and quick wit a source of comfort during his early days at the academy.

Asuma dropped into the seat opposite them, a rare smile lighting up his face.

"What did sis say?" Leon asked eagerly, leaning forward.

"Did she approve your request?" Amira added, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Yeah, she approved it," Asuma replied, his smile widening.

"Yes!" Leon pumped his fist in the air. "I knew it!"

"I thought she might not," Amira admitted. "She's always been so protective of you."

"I thought so too," Asuma agreed. "For years, it felt like she was keeping me caged. Every request to leave the capital was denied. It's like she didn't trust me to handle myself. But now... now I'm finally free to go."

Leon frowned, his brow furrowed. "Still, it's weird. Why would she forbid you from leaving? What was she afraid of?"

"Maybe she was protecting him from something," Amira suggested, her voice thoughtful.

"Maybe," Asuma muttered, his thoughts turning dark. What was she hiding? What did she know?

Before he could dwell on it further, the academy's bells began to ring, their deep chime echoing across the campus.

"It's time for the graduation ceremony!" Amira exclaimed, jumping up with excitement.

"Already?" Leon groaned, scrambling to his feet. "Let's go! If we're late, Sis will kill us."

Asuma chuckled softly.

Grabbing their hands, Amira dragged both Leon and Asuma through the crowded corridors, weaving past other students who were also sprinting to make it to the grand theater in time. The sound of hurried footsteps and excited chatter filled the air as the three barely squeezed through the doors before they swung shut behind them.

Inside, the grand theater was a marvel of magic and craftsmanship. Its arched ceiling shimmered with enchanted lights that mimicked the stars, and the stage was adorned with intricate banners bearing the crest of the Azel Empire. The room buzzed with energy as students jostled to find seats, and the three friends managed to secure a spot near the front.

Dropping into his seat, Leon sighed dramatically. "Finally! I hated this place. Can't believe I'm leaving."

"Me too," Amira agreed, flopping down beside him.

"The only reason you two hated it is because you couldn't stop getting into trouble," Asuma said, smirking.

"Not all the time!" Leon shot back.

Asuma chuckled. "Right. Just most of the time. No wonder we didn't make any more friends."

"It was still fun," Leon said, grinning. "We met a lot of interesting magic users here."

"Yeah," Asuma agreed. "Those mock battles were pretty entertaining. Too bad we only ranked in the middle."

"Hey, the competition was insane," Leon argued. "Even the second princess was here!"

"Princess Uralla..." Asuma mused. "Her beauty is definitely... something else. Do all royals look like they were carved out of the heavens?"

Leon nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. It's like they were sent straight from the gods."

Amira rolled her eyes before giving Leon a playful whack on the back of the head. "Focus, idiot."

Rubbing his head, Leon grinned sheepishly. "What? It's true."

"Do you think Princess Uralla will be chosen as a Black Knight candidate this year?" Asuma asked, his tone more serious.

"Probably," Leon said. "But if you ask me, Duke Adma's son is the better pick. That guy destroyed the entire mock battle arena."

"True," Asuma admitted. "Vzar's a beast. But I don't think raw strength is the only thing they're looking for."

Amira chimed in, "Yeah, Vzar's strong, but he's single-minded. His entire personality revolves around combat. Honestly, he's the male version of me."

Asuma grinned. "You said it, not me."

Amira frowned but didn't deny it. Her reputation as a fearless fighter was well-earned—she had a habit of challenging anyone who looked remotely strong.

Before the conversation could continue, Amira's expression shifted. "Shh. It's starting."

The room fell silent as Salami Nortel, now President of the academy, took the stage. Her commanding presence filled the theater as she began the ceremony with her usual poise. The speeches started as expected, recounting the history of the Azel Empire, the deeds of the Great Saints of the Holy War, and the academy's role in nurturing the empire's brightest minds.

Teachers stepped up to give their inspirational speeches, followed by the presentation of awards. Students who excelled in specific magical fields were honored, and their names met with cheers and applause. Finally, the announcement of the top graduates brought an electric energy to the room.

Unsurprisingly, Princess Uralla was named the valedictorian, earning her place at the top of her class. Her elegant poise as she accepted the honor drew admiration from the entire theater. Vzar, the Duke's son, was announced as the second-ranked graduate, his stoic demeanor unshaken by the applause. Then came the announcement of the third-place graduate: Amira.

Asuma blinked in surprise. Third place? I knew she was strong, but I thought she was holding back. She must have been taking this more seriously than I realized.

Leon, on the other hand, couldn't contain his reaction. "If it isn't third place herself," he teased, his voice dripping with mock jealousy.

Amira smirked, leaning into the joke. "Jealous that I'm better than you?"

Leon glared at her. "How did you even get third place when you barely studied?"

"Simple. I'm just smarter than you," she said with a mischievous grin.

"You always know how to get under my skin, don't you?" Leon grumbled, crossing his arms.

Amira's grin widened. "It's a gift."

Asuma chuckled at their banter but motioned toward the stage. "Hey, pay attention. Aunt's taking the stage again."

Salami returned to the podium, her gaze sweeping over the gathered students. "Today," she began, her voice steady and powerful, "you leave the Imperial Academy as its graduates. But remember, this is only the beginning of your journey. What you do from here—whether you rise to greatness or fall into obscurity—is entirely up to you." 

She continued, "Today, I will select one student to become a candidate for the Black Knights. This is not merely an honor—it is a responsibility. As a candidate, you will undergo training after graduation. Joining the empire's strongest knight circle is a privilege few can even dream of. The training will be grueling, and many have not survived it. But those who succeed will stand among the most elite warriors of the Azel Empire."

The room fell into a tense silence. Whispers ran through the crowd like a ripple, faces turning pale as the weight of her words sank in.

Leon leaned over to Asuma, speaking in a low voice. "Getting chosen as a Black Knight candidate isn't something most people are happy about."

Asuma raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"

"The training has a ridiculously high death rate," Leon explained grimly. "Most of the candidates die in the first year. It's so brutal that most students are relieved they only select one person per year—and it's not always one of the top-ranking students. Sometimes, they choose someone unexpected."

Asuma frowned, glancing toward the stage. "I see. A process with only a 1% survival rate... No wonder everyone looks like they're attending a funeral instead of a ceremony." His gaze shifted to Salami. Did Aunt go through this same process when she was a student here?

Salami paused, letting the tension in the theater build before she spoke the name. "This year's Black Knight candidate is... Amira Balar."

The theater erupted in whispers.

Amira's head snapped up, her expression frozen in shock. "Wait, what?" she stammered, unable to believe her ears. She had placed third in the academy rankings, but never in her wildest dreams had she expected to be selected for something so life-altering—and dangerous.

Around her, students murmured, many speculating about her connection to Lady Salami and her sister, Hani, who was already a member of the Black Knights.

Amira stood abruptly. "No! I refuse!" she declared, her voice loud and clear.

The crowd fell silent, stunned. No one had ever refused candidacy for the Black Knights.

Leon leaned back, arms crossed. "Called it. I figured she'd say that."

Asuma turned to her, his brows furrowed in confusion. "Why are you refusing? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Amira met his gaze, her expression firm. "Didn't you hear? There's a 1% chance of surviving that training. Most of the candidates die, Asuma. I'm not about to be some sacrificial pawn for the empire."

Salami's calm but commanding voice interrupted. "Amira, are you certain? Do you truly wish to refuse this opportunity?"

"Yes, Lady Salami," Amira replied, standing tall. "I wish to choose my path. I won't let the empire decide my fate."

Salami studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. Your candidacy will remain open for one year. If you change your mind within that time, the opportunity will still be yours. After a year, it will pass to the next graduating class."

Amira nodded in acknowledgment, her decision resolute. Around her, the tension in the room dissipated slightly, though whispers continued to swirl about her choice.

Was refusing such a proposal a mistake? Asuma thought. If it were me, I wouldn't have refused. But Amira... She's different. She's a noble and doesn't need to risk her life for the empire.

The graduation ceremony concluded soon after. Students filed out of the theater, many saying their final farewells. Some spoke of returning to their hometowns or villages, while others planned their futures within the empire's vast bureaucracy or military. Few would see each other again. The empire was vast, and the world beyond its borders even more so.

Standing in the courtyard under the brilliant afternoon sun, Asuma's mind was elsewhere. His future lay in two goals: finding his sister and destroying the Black Guild that had taken everything from him. Joining the Imperial Guild was the best step forward—traveling as an adventurer would give him the freedom to search for answers.

"Are we heading to the guild now?" Amira's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Yeah, we should register," Leon chimed in. "And form a team."

Amira smiled faintly, glancing at the clear blue sky where twin moons hovered faintly in the distance. "Look at us, heading off on adventures. I wonder where we'll be a year from now."

Asuma shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "Who knows?"

Leon threw an arm around each of them, grinning ear to ear. "Let's worry about the future later. Right now, let's get to the guild!"

Together, the trio made their way out of the academy gates, their laughter echoing as they stepped into the bustling streets of Anor.

From the shadows of the academy, Salami watched them leave, her expression unreadable. She rested a hand on the balcony's railing, her gaze lingering on Asuma. A worried smile played on her lips. You've grown, but the road ahead will be harder than you can imagine.