Ethan rubbed his eyes and looked at the scene unfolding before him. Then he again rubbed his eyes.
After the 4th time, Aimi decided to step in.
"Stop it! Your eyes are alright. And no, it is not a dream. The magnificent display of colors in front is actually happening."
The Azure moon tide everyone was waiting for finally arrived. The evening sky filled with blueish rivers of light, the moon became a complete blue colour.
The mist on the lake started becoming transparent with the blue light, then suddenly disappeared like nothing was there to begin with.
The lake surface reflected the calm blue moon and the aurora overhead.
The scene seemed perfect for the happy ending for some romance novel.
Noble families marched toward the docks in long, proud lines.
The Vales also waited near the dock gossiping.
While eating an apple, Kael pointed towards the horizon,"Look at that".
A massive ship appeared out of the dark horizon, like a sea dragon revealing its back. It stopped a safe distance offshore before sending smaller boats toward land.
Three individuals stood at the front of the leading boats. Two men and a woman, dressed in Starfall's insignia. They were clearly in charge of the recruitment process.
The boats behind them carried students and scholars who had joined ten years ago. Many laughed and hugged their families. Others immediately began showing off. Magic flew through the air like fireworks as they constructed an entire stadium near the shore in minutes. The audience cheered in awe.
At some point, Empress Seraphina quietly rejoined the Imperial delegation. Her head scribe Elara assured the Empress that no one had discovered her weeklong little adventure with the Vales. Seraphina pretended not to sigh in relief.
Seraphina greeted the distinguished guests. The oldest recruiter was Benedict Arkwright, an A Rank Super with a calm air that demanded respect. Beside him stood his daughter, Marine Arkwright, her eyes wide with curiosity like she wanted to gossip about every table centerpiece.
The third was Rowan Strath, his immaculate, perfectly seamed clothing, straight back, clean shaved face, combed hair screamed rules were his beloved children and anyone breaking them was his personal enemy.
Later that evening, the palace hosted a grand banquet for the Starfall representatives. Every notable noble house was invited. Ethan and Kael sat stiffly beside Lady Lyra, surrounded by expensive food and suspicious stares.
Benedict, talking heartily with the Empress, raised his glass.
"I assume Her Majesty did not use her recommendations again this decade. She never entertains favoritism."
Seraphina stood with a serene smile that made several nobles nervous.
"Actually, I have used both recommendations this time."
The entire hall fell silent. Whispers erupted like popping corn.
She summoned Ethan and Kael forward.
"I have chosen these two. They will represent this decade's Starfall candidates from Solaris."
Eyes widened. Mouths hung open. Rumors sprouted instantly.
Lord Valen Dravencourt spoke first, voice heavy with disapproval. His daughter, Ruth Dravencourt, stared at the boys with sharp eyes.
"Is it not excessive to give both recommendations to House Vale?"
Other nobles chimed in.
"Foolish favoritism."
"House Vale must have begged for it."
"Backdoor entry indeed."
Ethan blinked. Kael's fists curled.
"Calm down, Minion Number One," Ethan whispered. "What matters is getting into the Academy, not how."
"But they are insulting us, our house. I really want to punch someone's face."
Ethan fought the urge to facepalm. Aimi comforted him mentally.
"Do not worry, Host. Kael is still a child. He does not have the experience to grow a thick skin like yours"
Seraphina stood and asked with a chilling calm, "Does anyone object to my decision?"
Her aura flickered for barely a moment, yet several nobles lost the courage to breathe.
Even so, they resorted to muttering behind their cups. Don't have the guts to question the Empress? Send veiled jabs at Lady Lyra Vale.
What if she throws chairs at you? Even better. Get the moral highground to hurl more insults.
"Valor and dignity, they say. Yet they take shortcuts."
Ethan prayed desperately that his mother would not flip the banquet table and start a brawl right then and there with the nobles. Thankfully, only embarrassment was served as dessert.
The next morning, crowds gathered at the newly built stadium. Rowan Strath addressed everyone with a voice that thundered without magic.
"The recruitment will consist of three trials. First, a written test of knowledge and problem solving. Duration will be four hours. The top five hundred will advance.
Second, the Maze of Stars, testing resolve and will.
Third, a duel against senior students."
Gasps rang out. Children dropped pastries from shock. Fighting a senior, is not that too much? How is that fare?
"Senior students will not use magic or weapons,"
Rowan continued. "Candidates only need to survive one minute. The duel ends only if a candidate yields, or one minute passes. Those unwilling may withdraw now."
Anyone under twenty years old could participate. Excitement and fear swirled through the crowd.
It was announced that the first trial would be held from noon, so every participant was asked to be prepared.
Rumors about leaked exam papers already began spreading among the crowd.
Some people even bought papers sold by suspicious men in shady cloaks for a hefty price.
Ethan, Kael, and Temari sat in a VIP booth with Lady Lyra Vale. Ethan relaxed comfortably.
"Thank the stars, I do not have to go through those troublesome trials. No arrogant young masters. No face slapping."
Aimi spoke in his mind.
"Host. Please stop putting down flags, do not jinx yourself."
"Stop being so negative, just enjoy the view."
....
Temari started fidgeting around the room as the trial time neared. Lyra noticed the abnormality.
"What is it, Temari? Speak your mind."
Temari gathered her courage.
"I want to participate in the trials. I do not want to be separated from Kael."
Kael froze for a moment, then his face turned a shade of red Ethan had never seen before.
Before Lyra could respond, Duchess Irenia Aurelian chimed in sweetly from the next lounge chair.
"Perhaps you could beg Her Majesty for a third recommendation. House Vale seems quite skilled at requesting them."
Her daughter, Bythra Aurelian, silver eyes sharp as blades, glanced at Ethan with quiet competition.
Kael exploded. Slapping his hand at the armrest of his chair,
"We do not need recommendations. Ethan and I will take the trials with Temari. We will earn our spots."
Ethan squeaked.
"Minion One, common, stop joking. We need to be serious, I will demote you if you keep on spouting nonsense" Ethan gripped Kael's hand tightly.
Aimi let out a long sigh.
Ethan hoped desperately his mother would say no. But Lyra misunderstood his panic as burning pride.
She stood before Seraphina with unwavering determination.
"Apologies, but we will not use your recommendations, Your Majesty. Vales will earn our entry with our own strength."
Seraphina rubbed her temples.
They barely needed one push. One sentence from Lady Irenia and the Vales are ready to challenge mountains.
"Fine," she said. "If that is what you desire. I wish the children good luck." There is no point trying to change Lyra's mind anyway.
Ethan felt his soul leave his body.
"This is how stories begin. The tournament, Arrogant young masters, then the beating, the face slapping...SHITE"
.......
At noon, participants were seated alphabetically around the arena. Starfall students distributed quills and papers. Kael gave Ethan and Temari an enthusiastic thumbs up. Ethan gave him a look that promised revenge. Temari smiled nervously.
Lyra watched them with pride. Winning was unimportant. Honor was everything. The Vale name must never bow.
Ethan scanned the questions. Most were memorization about history, magic, and ranking systems. Aimi handled all that easily.
The second part contained problem solving. Mostly ethical dilemmas, like would you save your dog or the elderly from the magical beast attack.
Ethan guessed, this portion is probably to filter out the psychos, like the one kid he remembers back on Earth who ate Pizza with chocolate and pineapple toppings.
Ethan completed the paper in less than one hour,"Cheh! What an easy paper. How are they going to eliminate people best on this?"
He looked around and saw people biting their pens off, some kids almost torn half their hair in frustration.
1st kid: "Of course you save the dragon egg! Dragons are cool!!
2nd kid: "NO. You save the cake. If the world ends, I wanna go out with dessert."
3rd Kid: "Guys, we can eat the dragon when it grows up."
Ethan/Aimi: "BROOOO...…"
Another corner:
Random kid 1: "I wiIl pick the frog prince. Slimes are sticky eww."
Random Kid 2: "A Slime Queen is love, she can give free hugs."
Random Kid 2: "you will drown idiot"
Random Kid 1: "Worth it.."
Ethan closed his eyes to remove all the distracting thoughts. He looked towards Temari. She was diligently filling up the answer sheet.
"Temari should be alright, she is good at memorizing history stuff. I am more concerned about Kael."