The students did as instructed and began to form a line… or at least, what was supposed to resemble one.
It was more a jagged cluster, with more than six or seven students awkwardly bunched together at the front.
Janis watched the mess with mild amusement before speaking. "Well, I suppose that'll do. You there," he pointed at one of the boys near the front, "yes, you—go in first."
The young man quickly complied, hurrying to the door with a mix of eagerness and nerves evident on his face. The guards stationed nearby inspected him briefly before allowing him through.
Everyone braced for a ten-minute wait, anticipating a long deliberation inside. However, to their surprise, the boy emerged just seconds later, a satisfied grin spread across his face.
Janis directed the boy to an isolated corner and motioned for the next student to step forward. Soon, one by one, students were filing in and out, each spending mere seconds in the room.
When it came time for Rowan's turn, he hesitated briefly as Janis signaled him forward. His fists tightened with uncertainty as he stepped up, casting a glance at Alaric.
Alaric leaned in and whispered, "Remember what I told you. Follow the path that fits your nature—and let it choose you."
Rowan offered an awkward, but grateful nod before stepping through the door.
Then, it was Alaric's turn.
The guards performed the same cursory inspection they had for the others, but one lingered over the pendant and rings around his neck and fingers, weighing them in his hand with a curious expression.
After a couple seconds, he glanced up. "You can go in. I'll hold on to these for now, artifacts aren't allowed in the room," he said.
Alaric paused, then nodded with quiet understanding. His eyes locked with the guard's for a second longer than necessary before he turned and stepped through.
He went into a small chamber inside which was dimly lit with an almost clinical view. The walls were smooth and unadorned, leading toward the inner section of the spell inventory.
He started forward, but with each step, his body felt heavier. It was as if an unseen force was bearing down on him, pressing him into the ground.
The familiar feeling of the pendant growing warm on his chest came again, although this time it was more a mark left behind more than the real deal.
'Ugh, this again...'
Of course the sensation was anything but pleasant, a relentless scan that targeted his very existence. Any normal person wouldn't even feel it, but it was different with him.
Worse still, he could feel the mark wearing thin; it wouldn't hold much longer.
Still, he pretended like everything was normal as he kept moving the main room.
---
The inner chamber was larger than expected, cloaked in a soft, ambient glow that dimly lit the space without a clear source. Shelves curved along the walls in quiet symmetry, each one neatly labeled with an elemental tag—Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Lightning. A few bore rarer inscriptions like Gravity, Sound, and even Spatial, their contents tucked behind faint protective wards.
Alaric didn't slow down to appreciate it.
Rows of crystal disks sat on raised stands, each containing a suspended mass of ethereal energy. The spells within stirred gently, like trapped weather systems sealed under glass. Above each medium, translucent runes hovered, brief notes describing essence type, elemental classification, and operational limits.
Alaric moved through the aisles at a steady pace, his eyes scanning the glowing symbols and the faintly humming spell mediums.
But the truth was he was pressed for time. Every second that ticked by brought him closer to the point of no return. The pendant's protective mark was already wearing thin.
'I think I have about four more minutes left.'
He passed the Fire section, briefly glancing at a spell with red flames twisting violently within its medium, but didn't linger.
'If I were still attuned to Fire like before, I might've considered this. But alas…'
He didn't linger in most of the other sections, even the ones he was attuned with and could use.
Water was versatile but lacked bite. Lightning offered speed and destructive power, and for a moment, he even considered to take a look there, but gave up anyway.
Eventually, Alaric found himself standing before the section labeled "Dark Ether and Shadow Manipulation." The spells here glowed not with flashy brilliance, but in those quieter, darker shades that hinted at something dangerous just beneath the surface.
He practically ran down the aisle, like a ten-year-old who just spotted the candy aisle at a grocery store.
Although there exists different elements, all of which with an equally wide range of specializations, the truth was, their inherent nature lent itself to certain archetypes. Fire, for instance, was known for its destructive power, making it ideal for combat-focused casters and close combatants. Water, on the other hand, was fluid and versatile, better suited for roles like healers, sleuths, and array masters.
'Most of my first life was spent as a close combatant who thrived in battle using the element of fire. But now…'
His eyes scanned the area. There were good spells for close combatants as well as sorcerers.
Alaric's strongest attunements were to Darkness and Shadows, followed by water and Lightning. With each element possessing its own distinct nature. Today, he had already decided to focus on either Darkness or Shadows, given his high affinity for both, a trait passed down through the Kingsley bloodline.
He also had the Shadow Bolt spell on him, narrowing down his options, besides, it was still ranked among the best spells an Etherist could acquire. In fact, it was a top-tier first-rank spell, and the signature technique of the Kingsley house, a noble house.
Though often mischaracterized, Shadow Bolt was purely a darkness-element spell. People tended to associate spells with other elements when some of their features resemble their natures, but in reality, the magic itself remained strictly tied to its core affinity.
'What to choose, what to choose… Darkness or shadows…'
If Alaric decided to fully commit to Darkness, an element infamous for its eerie, destructive, and downright malevolent nature, then classes in the caster category, like Sorcerer, would fit him like a glove.
But if he leaned toward Shadows, that sneaky little element all about stealth and imperceptibility, then Assassin or Rogue, both close-combat types, would suit him far better.
'But to hell with all that, it's about time for a change!'
It wasn't an impulse. Sure, he'd held his own in close combat, but he'd always been drawn to the flexibility and creativity the sorcerer's path offered, less sword-swinging, more "what the hell can I do with this shadow?"
He wandered through the spell racks, eyes scanning past familiar names. Dark Arrow: a concentrated shaft of darkness that pierced light armor like a hot knife through butter. Black Pulse: a slow wave of dark energy that did some light damage and made enemies shuffle slower than they wanted.
He even found a close-range darkness spell—Cloak of Darkness—which wrapped the user in a shadowy shroud that offered minor defense and made you harder to spot. Useful, sure, but not what he needed right now.
He moved past most of the spells quickly, wasting no time. While many of them were good, none suited his immediate need. Shadow Bolt, though fundamentally an attack spell, was versatile enough to adapt to other aspects of combat. It could be shaped to fit different scenarios, making it a reliable all-rounder. As such, he didn't feel the need to pick up another combat spell—not yet, at least.
Today was about something different something useful beyond punching faces. And it had to tie into one of two elements: Darkness or Shadows.
"Hmm. Maybe I'll find something in Arrays and Artificer."
He headed toward that section, and it didn't take long to catch his eye.
There it was: a disk pulsing with deep purple-black energy, unmistakably dark and thick with potential.
Rank 1: Umbral Circuit
The Umbral Circuit channels a stabilizing current of shadow ether into a temporary construct, often forming into strands of circuits or veins. It reinforces the construct's ether framework, granting it a semi-permanent form and preventing the natural dissipation that typically occurs with standard ether masses. This spell is essential for artificers or array masters, serving as the foundation for crafting more advanced artifacts or arrays. Once stabilized, the construct can be sculpted or modified for additional functionality.
'Perfect.'
Despite the weight pressing against his chest, he allowed himself a moment to breathe, forcing calm over his thoughts. He reached out, placing his hand on the medium. The cool surface of the glass met his fingers, and the swirling energy inside responded to his touch. He could feel the spell's potential, the way it resonated with him.
'I suppose I'll be going for either one of those classes.' The thought lingered for a moment, reflecting on the paths of an artificer or an array master.
For a long time in his previous life, he had admired the ingenuity and creative expression associated with these two classes. He even considered transitioning to them, but the dangers of changing his specialization so late had made him throw the idea out the window.
Now, though? Different story.
A small smirk tugged at his lips as he lifted the disk and t
urned for the exit.
'This'll do nicely.'
Now, he just needed to get out before the mark on him faded completely.