The glow from the crystal had barely dimmed when Elder Frey finally broke the silence. His voice was calm but carried a weight that made every student stand straighter.
"Enough," he said. "You've all shown your light. Now, you shall be placed where you belong."
He raised his hand, and five glowing emblems appeared in the air — each symbol shining with its own hue and aura. The air thrummed with spiritual energy as faint murmurs filled the hall.
"These," Elder Frey continued, "represent the five sects of the Ardent Star Academy — your new homes, your new destinies."
He gestured to the first symbol — a blazing flame enclosed in a ring.
"The Ember Sect."
"Those who walk this path burn with passion and destruction. Their cultivation is fierce, their hearts hotter than fire itself."
The second emblem shimmered like flowing water.
"The Tide Sect."
"They follow adaptability, patience, and control. They bend — but never break."
The third symbol, a streak of silver wind, pulsed softly.
"The Gale Sect."
"They are seekers of speed, freedom, and perception — the watchers of the skies."
Then came a deep, dark sigil — a coiling serpent of shadow. The air seemed to grow heavier.
"The Dusk Sect," Elder Frey said quietly.
"A sect that cultivates balance between light and darkness. Their power lies in restraint… and in the things others fear to touch."
And finally, a radiant golden crest shaped like a star.
"The Celestia Sect."
"Those born with divine harmony in their souls. The most gifted… or the most burdened."
The students whispered among themselves, excitement and fear blending together.
Elder Frey began calling names. One by one, students stepped forward, touching the corresponding emblems that flared and accepted them. Most were placed into the Ember or Tide Sects — the most common. A few, rarer ones, were chosen by the Gale.
Finally Rian came up and stepped on the golden star, the golden star pulsed immediately. Murmurs ripples through the crowd-- The celestial sect.. Hmm High talent befeating of that " An eder hummed.
Then Lyra approached. The golden light flickered again, but instead of claiming her, both the Celestia and the Gale sigils reacted simultaneously — something that hadn't happened in years. Gasps followed as Elder Frey narrowed his eyes, muttering,
"Dual resonance… rare indeed."
And then — Cain's name was called.
Cain stepped forward slowly. Every movement of his was calm, but his eyes flickered between the floating emblems, feeling something stir beneath his skin. He extended his hand.
Nothing happened.
For a heartbeat, silence.
Then — all five emblems pulsed at once.
The hall erupted in gasps. Students backed away as a wave of energy rippled outward, the air humming violently. The fire flared, the water boiled, the wind howled, the darkness coiled, and the star blazed — all reacting to him.
Elder Frey's expression darkened. "Impossible…" he whispered.
Then, just as quickly, the chaos stilled. All the light drained into one sigil — the serpent of Dusk Sect. It glowed black and crimson.
Elder Frey slowly lowered his hand. "Dusk Sect…" he said quietly. "How fitting."
Rian frowned slightly. Lyra looked at Cain — curiosity and unease mixing in her eyes.
Cain turned away, his heartbeat steady but his mind far from calm. Inside him, the voice from before whispered again — faint, mocking.
> "They put you in the dark. How ironic."