Echoes of the Lost Elf

After the screening test, Historias returned to the house, stretching as he stepped through the doorway. He recounted the entire experience, from the test itself to the reactions of the instructors and students. Aldred chuckled, shaking his head.

"Yeah, you reap what you sow," he said, amused by Historias' antics.

Aldren, sitting across from them, leaned back in his chair. "Well, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the academy life. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning."

Historias raised a brow but said nothing.

The conversation naturally shifted to a discussion about the academy, particularly the dormitory rankings. Aldren explained how students were placed based on their entrance test results:

Ranks 500-350: Shared rooms (4 students), basic facilities, standard meals.

Ranks 350-250: Shared rooms (2 students), access to improved training grounds.

Ranks 250-150: Private rooms with personal study spaces.

Ranks 150-90: Private rooms with enhanced magical training equipment.

Ranks 90-50: Luxury rooms, combat simulators, and alchemy labs.

Ranks 50-20: Elite training halls, priority access to rare spells and artifacts.

Ranks 20-1: Penthouse-style suites, personal enchanted rooms, and private combat arenas.

After covering the dorm system, Aldren leaned forward slightly. "You have the option to move into the dorms now or stay here until the start of the term."

"When does the term start?" Historias asked.

"April 1st."

Historias nodded. "I'll stay here until then."

"That works. All your supplies—uniforms, books, and other essentials—will be delivered directly to your dorm room before the term begins."

The next morning, just before leaving, Aldren handed Historias a small, glowing crystal.

"This is a communication crystal. If anything happens, use it," he said, his tone firm. "And try not to cause too much trouble. Oh, and don't mess with the professors."

Historias smirked. "You make it sound like I'm going to get in trouble."

Aldren stared at him blankly.

"You are going to get in trouble."

Historias chuckled but said nothing.

As Aldren prepared to leave, Historias asked, "So, how exactly are you getting back?"

Aldren shrugged. "There's only one way—I'll take the train."

"Nah."

Before Aldren could react, a teleportation circle flared beneath him.

"Wait—!"

In an instant, Aldren vanished, reappearing miles away in Sylvaris, within the heart of the Elven Kingdom. The familiar surroundings of his estate greeted him.

Aldren blinked, realization sinking in.

"YOU DAMN RECLUSE!" he roared, his voice echoing through the halls.

.....

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and before Historias knew it, March 31st had arrived.

With a flick of his wrist, he packed up his belongings using dimension magic—everything neatly stored away in a separate pocket of space. Making his way to the academy gates, he strode straight to the reception area. The receptionist, a sharp-eyed elf with neatly tied silver hair, glanced up as he approached.

"I'm here to move into my dorm," Historias stated.

The receptionist nodded, requesting his name before scanning his mana frequency. The system recognized him immediately, and the stored frequency was now permanently encrypted in the academy's database. She handed him a sleek, black identification card with gold rims. "This will serve as your student ID and dorm key. Your mana signature is embedded into it, so keep it with you at all times. If lost, inform me immediately."

The card granted access to all the amenities provided by the academy, including the training halls, libraries, and dining areas. With a nod, she gestured to a nearby staff member, a uniformed man who approached to escort him. "You are ranked 2, which places you in the Aedis Dorm," she informed him. "He will guide you to your residence."

Historias followed his escort through the grand pathways leading to the Aedis Dormitory, a structure that towered over the surrounding buildings. It was built from an elegant fusion of white marble and enchanted obsidian, glowing faintly under the setting sun. The entrance bore intricate carvings of ancient runes, each one pulsing with a steady rhythm, forming a nearly impenetrable barrier against intruders.

Inside, the lounge area exuded luxury, with high arched ceilings, cascading chandeliers of floating luminescent crystals, and plush seating arranged around an enchanted fireplace that shifted colors with the flow of ambient mana. Large windows allowed a breathtaking view of the academy grounds, while subtle arrays of runes along the walls maintained a perfectly regulated temperature.

Historias could feel the faint hum of magic in the air. Security runes were masterfully woven into the architecture—anti-teleportation wards, presence-detection enchantments, and defensive spells strong enough to hold off an army. No unauthorized entry was possible.

"I guess this is what I get for being Rank 2," he mused.

His escort stopped before an elevated platform—a floating disc known as an Aether Lift. Unlike conventional elevators, it had no walls, just a smooth, glowing surface that responded to mana signatures. Stepping onto it, Historias let it carry him effortlessly to the 8th floor. As he reached his destination, the lift slowed before gently setting him down.

Before him stood his dorm room. The door was embedded with an Arcanis Lock, a high-tier identification mechanism that required his ID to activate. He pressed the black-and-gold card against the rune-lit panel beside the entrance. A soft chime sounded as the magic recognized his signature, and the door smoothly slid open.

Stepping inside, he took in the sight of his new quarters. The room was spacious, and elegantly furnished with deep mahogany furniture and soft velvet drapes. A grand canopy bed sat near tall windows that overlooked the academy grounds. A personal study area with an array of bookshelves and enchanted lamps lined the far side of the room, and a private alchemy station gleamed in a corner.

He gave a small, approving nod. "Not bad… This could almost compare to my room in Everglen Castle."

Dropping his belongings onto the bed, he stretches, thinking that he could get used to this, as he drifted to sleep.

.....