The convoy crested the final hill just after sunrise, and for a moment, the collective chatter of the carriage line died out completely. Even the loudest, most boastful students fell silent at the sight before them.
The Imperial Academy wasn't just a single grand campus; it was practically a self-sustaining city. Massive walls of white stone cut across the landscape, framing a skyline dominated by towering spires that were linked together by high, floating stone bridges. On one side, layered training arenas carved deep into the earth; on another, vast gardens and artificial lakes mirrored the morning sun. The sheer scale of the place was overwhelming, but the true absurdity lay in its power. Thousands of intricate mana formations pulsed throughout the complex, creating a magical density that was thick enough to feel in the air.
Mist slipped out from the fabric of Orion's shadow, staring out at the view. "Big."
"Very insightful," Orion murmured.
