Extra's Ascent

[Congratulations, Aldrich Aldaman, you have been offered admission as a student of Eldora Institute of Mystics!]

The words every aspiring teenager longed to see flashing on their screens, bringing dreams closer to reality.

Now, Aldrich finally had the glory of experiencing that moment.

The excitement, however, was short-lived.

The day of resumption loomed closer than expected, leaving little time for celebration in exchange for thorough preparation.

Saldrich had already resumed earlier, being a first-year, second-term returning student.

Aldrich, on the other hand, would be joining as a transfer student, having missed the first term's curriculum.

For students like him, a final test awaited—one last challenge to determine their eligibility to officially enrol in Eldora Institute.

Early that morning, Aldrich rose, packed his essentials, and readied himself for the day.

Armed with his trusty bow and a quiver of arrows, he stepped out, the anticipation and preparation heavy on his shoulders.

Once his preparations were complete, he boarded the train heading Jpstate, to the grand Eldora Institute registration building.

Upon entering the hall, Aldrich was immediately struck by how cramped and chaotic it was.

The space was packed with students—hundreds of them.

"To think this many were admitted," Aldrich thought, manoeuvring through the throng, barely managing to claim a small pocket of space for himself.

The funny thing about the situation is how the numbers of those currently in the hall do not measure up to half of those who registered and tried their hand at admission in Eldora.

And yet, these hundreds of students who managed to make it this far would not all make it in.

The tests so far had been mere surface-level evaluations, a means to sort out the basics.

The upcoming trial, however, would truly determine who was worthy of Eldora and which of them wouldn't survive in the competitive environment that Eldora is.

As Aldrich observed the mass of hopefuls around him, the elevator doors at the far end of the hall opened.

Out walked two officials, both radiating an air of authority.

The woman's striking purple hair instantly drew attention, contrasting sharply with her otherwise formal demeanour.

Her companion, a lean man, carried himself with a composed yet commanding presence.

"Ahem, ahem. Silence!" the woman's voice cut through the noise, small yet resounding with an unexpected force.

The room fell into an uneasy hush.

She turned to the man, nudging him impatiently. "Get on with it, Dion!"

The man, Dion, gave a small nod before stepping forward. "Thank you, Stella," he murmured, his voice calm yet resonant.

He nodded and took a step forward.

Without a word, he placed his palm flat on the floor.

Suddenly, a bright light emanated from where his hand touched, spreading rapidly across the hall like wildfire.

The glow enveloped the room, growing so intense that the students instinctively shielded their eyes.

"You are all here for a reason," Dion's voice boomed over the disoriented crowd.

When the light subsided, Aldrich lowered his arm, blinking rapidly to adjust to his surroundings.

They were no longer in the hall.

Now, they stood on the shore of an expansive body of water, the gentle lapping of waves creating a surreal backdrop.

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, the sudden shift in scenery leaving many visibly rattled.

"Everyone, please, I need your attention," Dion called, his calm yet firm tone cutting through the commotion.

Aldrich, too, was momentarily stunned.

Not by the location change itself—he had expected as much—but by the sheer scale of the feat.

'Teleportation? He's a spatial Art user?!'

Teleportation was a rare skill, even among mystics.

And for Dion to transport hundreds of people simultaneously spoke volumes about his mastery.

The intricacies of such an Art were not lost on Aldrich.

Spatial Art was one of many forms of mystic expression, each categorized under broader disciplines: Elemental Art, Martial Art, Sealing Art, Healing Art, and others.

Spatial Art, in particular, was notoriously difficult to master, making it rare to see a user of such Art.

Its primary utility—teleportation—required not only immense mana but also meticulous control and understanding of spatial dynamics.

Estimating the mana reserve that would be required for mass teleportation along with the calculations involved?

To pull that off, he would have to assume spatial Art as his speciality and dedicate his time to mastering it.

He was no rookie. Dion's effortless execution placed him leagues above the average mystic.

'Eldora Institute really is no joke,' Aldrich mused, his awe quickly replaced by excitement.

To witness such talent firsthand was a reminder of the greatness that awaited him here.

As the murmurs died down, Dion addressed the crowd once more.

"You have all been brought here because you've shown exceptional promise as mystics. But," he paused, letting his words find their path to the ears, to ensure everyone paid attention.

"To officially gain entry into Eldora Institute, there is one final test."

Aldrich suppressed a grin, his heart racing.

'And here it comes.'

This was it—the pivotal moment he remembered from the novel.

The test that set the tone for everything to come.

"To pass," Dion continued, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "You must find the institute building on your own."

Confusion spread like wildfire.

"What does he mean?!" someone whispered.

"Is this some kind of joke?" another muttered.

Aldrich struggled to keep a straight face amidst the rising panic.

Inside, he was practically buzzing with excitement for reasons associated with his former role as merely an observer unlike now that he is here first-hand to witness the action.

'Classic Eldora,' he thought. 'Throwing them in the deep end right from the start.'

He remembered this scene vividly from the novel.

It was a test not just of skill but also of resourcefulness, determination, and the ability to adapt under pressure.

Still, he knew better than to let his knowledge show.

Feigning confusion like the others, Aldrich maintained his poker face.

The path to the institute was anything but straightforward.

And while others scrambled to make sense of the task, Aldrich silently mapped out his next move, ready to prompt into action when the go-ahead came.