Chapter 27: Entrance exam
A crisp, commanding voice suddenly echoed through the vast chamber, a male voice deep and daunting woven into authority.
"All new students, please place your orientation letters into the crystalline receptacle beside your seat. This will finalize your registry under the Academy's System."
The voice seemed to reverberate through bone and air alike, settling deep in the chest like a whisper of power.
Zephyr blinked, then finally noticed the object near his right side—a narrow pillar of transparent crystal, no taller than his knee, glowing faintly with the same red light as the central stage. Dozens of identical pillars stood beside every seat in the auditorium, humming with a low, ambient buzz.
The other participant were already sliding their letters from their coat's pocket.
"Don't think too hard about it," keal said,
Zephyr reached into his uniform, pulling out the letter still neat and straight. He hesitated for a moment—just long enough to hear a soft tsk from Kael, who had leaned back with one foot propped on the rail like he owned the place.
"You're not making a pact with a Rift Spawn," Kael called up. Then muttered under his breath. "At least, not yet."
Zephyr rolled his eyes and dropped the letter.