The remaining students stood silently, the tension easing just slightly after the Soul Crystal trial. Out of the twenty, only ten remained — the strongest among them.
Instructor Rivan turned to face them with his usual stern expression.
"You ten have passed the basic thresholds," he said. "But to complete your registration, you must now present your Spiritual Scrolls — proof of your eligibility and recognition by a registered master or spirit-bound guardian. Without it, entry is denied."
Several students immediately retrieved scrolls from within their uniforms or belts — ornate parchment sealed with sigils, glowing faintly with the spiritual energy of their previous mentors.
Anay hesitated for a moment.
His fingers touched the edge of his satchel and pulled out a dark, unassuming scroll wrapped in aged cloth — the one Master Kai had given him months ago before disappearing.
He stared at it for a breath, remembering the quiet moment it had been handed to him, no explanation given.
"I always wondered what this was for…" Anay thought. "So… this is my key. My entry. My proof."
As the scroll pulsed lightly in his hands, a strange warmth traveled through his fingers — subtle but familiar, like Kai's presence still lingered within it.
He stepped forward and handed it over with the others.
Rivan inspected each scroll with a brief nod. But when his eyes landed on Anay's, he paused.
The seal glowed faintly — not with a common marking, but with a celestial emblem.
His eyes narrowed.
"This... this is no ordinary sponsor." His tone shifted slightly — not suspicion, but curiosity. "Who gave you this?"
Anay looked down, then replied quietly, "My master... Kai."
Rivan's brows furrowed. For a moment, he seemed almost surprised. "Kai… that name hasn't echoed through these halls in years."
Without elaborating, he returned the scroll and moved on. But the weight of that name clearly hadn't gone unnoticedHere's the continuation of the scene, picking up right after the scroll registration:
Chapter 16:Dorms and questions
Instructor Rivan's voice echoed across the chamber as he addressed the final ten.
"You are now officially students of Astral Academy. From tomorrow, your real training begins. You will eat, sleep, and grow stronger within these walls. You will be tested again and again — until the weak break or the strong rise."
With a wave of his hand, thin golden disks hovered into the air — room sigils, etched with each student's name.
"Your rooms have been assigned. Find them. Memorize them. They are your sanctuaries now. Dismissed."
The students each caught their sigil as it floated toward them. Excitement and nervous energy buzzed in the air. Some looked relieved; others stared off, already imagining the path ahead.
Anay clutched his sigil and followed the flow of students into the dormitory wing. The halls were lit with soft blue lanterns, the walls carved with shifting runes that pulsed gently with spiritual energy.
He walked beside Naman, still lost in thought.
Why was Instructor Rivan so shocked when he saw Master Kai's name? What did he mean by "that name hasn't echoed here in years"? The question gnawed at him.
"You alright?" Naman asked suddenly, glancing sideways.
Anay blinked and looked up. "Huh? Yeah… yeah, no problem."
Naman didn't press. He simply nodded, his expression unreadable as usual.
The hallway split into two, then merged again into a large circular atrium where the individual dorm doors began. As Anay and Naman followed their sigils, a small surprise awaited them.
Their rooms… were right next to each other.
Anay's door bore his name, etched in silver. The wood shimmered faintly with protective runes. Naman's door stood just to the right, similarly marked.
Both boys looked at each other, then shared a small smile.
"Guess we're neighbors," Naman said.
"Yeah…" Anay replied. "Looks like it."
They opened the doors in unison and stepped inside. The rooms were simple yet elegant — a bed, a meditation alcove, a personal training area, and a window that overlooked the distant celestial towers. Everything pulsed gently with the energy of Astral.
For the first time in a long while… Anay felt like something was beginning.
Not just an academy.
A path.
A destiny
The morning sun bathed Astral Academy in a golden glow. Anay stood at the edge of the dorm balcony, watching the sky shift with floating platforms and distant creatures soaring through the air. It still felt like a dream.
After getting ready, he followed the glowing floor lines that guided students to different wings of the academy. Everything around him felt impossibly advanced — crystal-powered lifts, hovering orbs of light, translucent walls that shifted to reveal data or views of other classrooms.
"This place… it's nothing like the mountain," Anay thought, eyes wide with wonder.
He paused for a moment at a large intersection, confused. Two signs glowed before him: For new comers
Combat Wing
Academic Wing
He thought for a moment, then chose to head toward the Academic Wing first.
Inside the lecture hall, rows of students were already seated. Holographic projectors floated overhead, ready to display lessons. He took a seat quietly near the center, watching the others. Just then, a tall figure in elegant robes entered — their teacher.
"Good morning, everyone," the man said with a calm, resonant voice. His eyes glowed faintly with power, and his presence immediately hushed the room. "I am Professor Lior, and I will be your elemental theory and spiritual studies instructor. Welcome to your first official lesson at Astral Academy."
He tapped a crystal slate, and glowing runes appeared in the air.
"Let's begin with the basics — the known spiritual powers, or what the ancient texts once called Siddhis."
Several students leaned in, intrigued.
"In old times," Lior explained, "these were revered as sacred abilities. But in modern society, we classify them under elemental or psychic fields. Let me explain."
With a wave of his hand, several sigils lit up in mid-air.
Elemental Affinity: "Fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, and rare variants like ice or shadow. Once called Ishita, now simply known as elemental powers."
Size Manipulation: "Known in ancient days as Anima and Mahima. The ability to grow or shrink one's body, often enhancing speed or strength."
Weight Manipulation: "Once Garima and Laghima. Now taught as mass and weight manipulation — increasing body density or lightness to defy gravity."
Anay listened carefully, every word familiar. So, even here… they still teach traces of the Siddhis.
Lior continued:
Teleportation: "Once called Prapti. Now we call it Spatial Step or Blink — the ability to shift location instantly."
Wish Fulfillment: "This is incredibly rare. Known once as Prakamya, it allows the user to will an outcome into reality — within limits. In modern times, we simply call it the Wish Trait."
Mind Control & Mental Powers: "Called Vashita long ago. Today, we separate it into two categories — Telepathy (communication through thought) and Telekinesis (manipulating objects with the mind). Very few can awaken both."
The class sat in silence, overwhelmed and inspired.
"Remember this," Lior concluded, his gaze sweeping over them, "these abilities are not just tools. They are extensions of your soul. How you wield them will define your path at Astral — and in this world."
Anay glanced at his hand. Size… weight… wish… I've seen all these names before. Master Kai wasn't just preparing me. He was preparing me for this place.
Here's the polished continuation of the academic lesson scene:
Professor Lior paced slowly across the front of the class, the lights dimming slightly as new glowing symbols and images floated into view — an elegant dragon, a shimmering weapon, and a figure surrounded by divine energy.
"Now," he said, voice calm but powerful, "we move beyond elemental abilities… into the deeper truths of your spiritual awakening."
He raised his hand and conjured a glowing image of a translucent beast hovering beside a warrior.
"Spirit Guardians," he declared.
"Also known as Spiritual Guardians, these beings are connected to your very soul. Some of you may already feel a presence within — a silent watcher in your dreams or shadows. They are not imaginary. They are real."
Gasps spread across the classroom. Anay stayed silent, his heart still when he heard the term. Hakai…(Anay spirit guardian name)
Lior continued, "Your Spirit Guardian is a reflection of your strength, your nature… and sometimes your destiny. The stronger your spiritual power, the more powerful your Guardian will be."
He then shifted the projection to a glowing spear, which reshaped itself into a blade of light.
"Next — Spiritual Weapons. Unlike ordinary weapons, these are bound to your soul. You don't carry them. You summon them. You wield them with thought and intent. And every single one of you has one, even if you haven't awakened it yet."
Students glanced at their hands and wrists, some in awe, others skeptical.
"The strength of your weapon," Lior said, "is directly tied to the purity and potential of your spirit."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle in.
"And now… something even deeper — Beasts from the Beast Realm."
A ripple of tension moved through the class.
"Each of you," he said, "is bound — or will be bound — to a creature from the realm beyond. These Beasts are not ordinary animals. They are celestial, divine, ancient. When called, they will answer. But more importantly, if your life is in danger… they will come on their own to protect you."
An image of a massive phoenix descending through a rift appeared in the air. Anay's thoughts flashed to Ervos, still slumbering in the shadows of his soul.
"And lastly…" Lior turned to face them fully, his tone sharpening, "The Inheritors."
A sacred silence fell over the room.
"Most of you know the stories — the warriors who live for centuries, who are chosen by fate itself. Inheritors are those rare few who carry fragments of ancient power, often tied to the original Eight Siddhis or something even older. They age slowly, if at all. They endure battles that would destroy gods."
His eyes seemed to lock onto Anay for the briefest second — though it could have been coincidence.
"Inheritors are rare. But if one is among you, know this: they are not to be underestimated. They do not seek fame. They are forged by purpose."
The class sat in stunned silence.
Professor Lior finally smiled slightly and said, "Class dismissed. You'll have combat training in the next hour. Don't be late — or you'll wish you had elemental powers to shield yourselves."