Chapter 125: Chapter No.125 Welcome To The Merlin Academy Of Magic!
[SaNovelFireael Ashwood's POV]
Chris Lincoln.
In the original novel, He was the homeroom teacher of the protagonist's group. One of the most powerful humans in the academy and a master of gravitational magic. In the novel, it is also said that he is as powerful as any elder in the Order of Celestial Blade, A knightly and Mage order of humans dedicated to defending the human continent from enemies.
Chris Lincoln is not an official elder but his power is feared and respected throughout the academy. The fact that he had taken a personal interest in my situation was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it meant I had an ally against the head instructor's unfounded accusations.
On the other, it also meant I was now firmly on his radar, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched more closely than ever.
As we made our way toward the entrance of the temporary academy, the crowd began to disperse, and students whispered amongst themselves, their expressions ranging from admiration to envy. I felt a mix of pride and unease. I had defended Lily and stood my ground against the authority of the academy, but the consequences of my actions still loomed overhead.
"Lily," I said as we stepped outside into the cool air, the sun shining brightly above. "Are you okay?"
"Yes Lily, Are you okay?" Liliana too asked with Sionna, Raven and Eveline looking equally concerned. The four girls surrounded Lily, their expressions a mix of worry and relief.
"I'm fine," she reassured them, though her voice still quivered slightly. "Just a little shaken up. Thank you, Samael. I don't know what I would have done without you."
I offered her a soft smile, my heart warming at her words. "You don't have to thank me. I would do it again in a heartbeat."
Eveline's gaze shifted to me, a playful smirk creeping onto her lips. "You certainly made quite the impression, Samael. I'm not sure if anyone has ever challenged Professor Lincoln like that before."
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I didn't challenge him; I just stood my ground. Besides, he understood the situation."
"Still," Raven interjected, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement. "You took on the head instructor and a powerful professor all in one day! You must have a death wish or be extremely brave."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Or just reckless."
Sionna, always the thoughtful one, tilted her head and added, "You know, it's not just about being reckless. You stood up for Lily when it mattered most. That takes courage."
"Thanks, Sionna," I replied, appreciating her unwavering support. "But we all know it wasn't just me. We're a team."
"Team Ashwood, ready to take on the world!" Lily declared, her spirit lifting as she threw her arms around Sionna and me.
The camaraderie we shared made me feel invincible, at least for a moment. As we stepped into the main area, we saw many participants shoving each other to look at the list of accepted applicants qualified to get admission to the academy.
Excitement crackled in the air as students surged toward the bulletin board, eager to catch a glimpse of the names that would determine their fates for the upcoming tournament. The tension was palpable, with whispers of anticipation and dread echoing around us.
"Let's see who made it!" Eveline exclaimed, pulling ahead of the group.
I followed closely behind, my heart pounding in my chest. The names on the list held the promise of glory and the threat of failure. I scanned the crowd, spotting familiar faces of competitors from other academies, each wearing a mix of determination and apprehension.
Finally, we reached the front of the crowd. The board was a chaotic jumble of names, organized by academy. My eyes darted over the list, searching for familiar entries.
"Here it is!" Eveline shouted, pointing excitedly. "The list from our academy!"
The name of our academy stood prominently at the top, followed by the list of applicants. I leaned closer, heart racing as I searched for my name among those who would represent our school.
"Yes!" I breathed, relief washing over me as I spotted "Samael Ashwood" printed clearly on the list, alongside Liliana, Lily, Sionna, Raven, and Eveline.
"Look, we all made it!" Lily exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. The weight of worry that had settled on her shoulders lifted, replaced by excitement that radiated from her.
Sionna clapped her hands together, her face aglow with enthusiasm. "This is incredible! We're actually going to compete together!"
Eveline jumped in, her expression a mix of mischief and determination. "With you leading us, Samael, we're going to show everyone what Team Ashwood can do!"
I could feel the fire of their excitement kindling within me, igniting a determination I hadn't realized was smouldering. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll have to train hard and work together if we want to succeed," I reminded them, trying to temper the enthusiasm with a dose of reality.
"Of course!" Raven replied, her bright eyes sparkling with resolve. "But we've got you to guide us. You've faced dangerous foes already, and we've seen how strong you've become. With our combined skills, we can definitely make it far!"
I felt a sense of warmth spreading through me as they rallied around me. "Thanks, everyone. But remember, we all have our strengths. Together, we're stronger than any of us individually."
"Team Ashwood, unite!" Eveline declared with a dramatic flair, causing a few passersby to chuckle.
"Let's go and stand at the entrance as instructed," Liliana suggested that now that we had passed the selection trials, we would be taken to the real academy located at the centremost continent of this realm.
That whole continent is for the academy use and no race has any power over it. It was a neutral ground where students from different backgrounds could learn and compete without the interference of their respective nations. I nodded, the reality of our situation settling in as we made our way toward the entrance of this temporary academy.
"Samael, Do you think we would be in the same batch? As this same selection trials is done in every continent or other races." Lily asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice.
I pondered her question for a moment. "It's hard to say. The academy is massive, and with so many students from different races and backgrounds, they might separate us based on skill levels or combat experience. But I hope we're all in the same batch. I'd hate to be away from all of you."
Liliana nodded in agreement, her usual seriousness giving way to a softer expression. "It would be better for teamwork. We can support each other through the challenges ahead."
"Exactly," I replied, feeling a sense of unity growing within our group. "But no matter where we end up, we can still meet up during breaks and practice together. We have to keep pushing each other to grow stronger."
Raven chimed in, "And we'll find ways to communicate, even if we're separated in classes. We can't let anything come between Team Ashwood!"
"Right!" Sionna added with a fierce nod, her indigo hair shimmering in the sunlight. "No one will stand in our way!"
As we approached the entrance, I felt a rush of anticipation mixed with anxiety. This was the beginning of a new chapter for all of us.
"Good, So everyone is here," An old man with long white hair and a long beard, dressed in ornate robes, greeted us as we arrived at the entrance. He exuded an air of authority and wisdom, his piercing blue eyes scanning the group with a mix of approval and curiosity.
"Hello younglings, I am Albus Dumbledore, the librarian of the great 'Merlin Academy of Magic' and I am in charge of transporting you all to the Academy. So please stand in the magic circle drawn on the ground and please hold hands with the person next to you. This will help ensure we travel safely together."
As we gathered in the magic circle, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The atmosphere crackled with energy, and I could sense the magic swirling around us. The moment felt monumental, as if we were on the brink of an adventure that would shape our futures.
The girls joined hands, forming a chain that connected us all. I took Lily's hand on my right and Sionna's on my left, feeling a comforting warmth radiate from them. The bond between us felt stronger than ever, and I drew strength from their presence.
"Are you all ready?" Dumbledore's voice broke through my thoughts. He raised his staff, a shimmering crystal atop it glinting in the sunlight. "On the count of three, we'll be transported to the academy. One… two… three!"
With that, he brought the staff down, and a bright light enveloped us. A tingling sensation coursed through my body, and I felt as if I was being pulled through a tunnel of light. The world around me blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors, and I couldn't help but close my eyes against the intensity.
Suddenly, the light faded, and I opened my eyes to find myself standing in a grand hall adorned with intricate tapestries and towering pillars. The scent of polished wood and ancient tomes filled the air, and the sounds of students laughing and conversing echoed around us.
"Welcome to the Merlin Academy of Magic!" Dumbledore announced, gesturing around the hall. "Here, you will hone your skills, make lifelong friends, and face challenges that will test your resolve. I hope you are all prepared for the journey ahead."
.
..
...
[To Be Continued]
-------------------------
Stone Me!, I can take it.
Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
Give your reviews, It helps.
Thanks for reading.