Before Kaiden could say more, the bus rolled through the tall iron gates — this time, into the actual university grounds. The walls towered high, engraved with glowing Flow runes that pulsed faintly in rhythm with the island's energy. The air itself felt heavier, sharper… alive.
Students inside the bus pressed their faces against the windows. The place looked unreal — massive floating platforms, waterfalls twisting upward, and glass-like bridges that connected towers floating midair. It wasn't just a school. It was a whole other world.
Kaiden's nerves started buzzing again.
"Bro… this is it, huh?" he muttered.
Gray smirked. "Welcome to Flow University."
The bus slowed near the grand plaza. A few seconds later, the speakers crackled to life — the same calm but commanding voice they'd heard during the trial.
"To the two hundred and six who made it this far," it said, echoing through the air. "Congratulations. You have reached the University of Flow Arts."
Cheers broke out inside the bus, but Kaiden stayed quiet. The voice wasn't done.
"However," the announcer continued, "reaching the gates does not mean you've passed. You are now candidates for enrollment. The real evaluation begins now."
Kaiden's stomach dropped.
"Wait, what? Evaluation? We literally just survived a death run!"
Gray sighed, leaning back on the seat. "Told you. This place doesn't do chill."
The bus doors slid open with a soft hiss. Outside, professors and staff were waiting — their uniforms sleek and formal, their expressions unreadable. Some carried Flow scanners, others held tablets glowing with blue holograms.
"Candidates," one of the professors said, "exit in an orderly manner. Proceed to the central atrium for evaluation."
Kaiden and Gray exchanged a look — part confusion, part exhaustion.
"Do we… have a choice?" Kaiden asked.
"Nope," Gray said, standing up and stretching his still-bandaged arm. "Welcome to higher education, bro."
They stepped off the bus and followed the crowd into the main building.
The moment they crossed the glass doors, a deep hum vibrated through the air. The halls were lined with glowing veins of Flow energy running through the walls like blue lightning. Floating orbs of light followed the students, scanning their faces and bodies.
Kaiden shivered. "Dude, is this normal?"
Gray shrugged. "Probably some sort of energy scan. Or… lie detector. Who knows."
As they walked, Kaiden glanced around — the other surviving students looked just as uneasy. Some wore battle scars, others still limped or held makeshift weapons. And there were those who didn't make it this far — outside the glass doors, Kaiden could see medics treating students who were alive but failed to reach the line in time. Their eyes were empty, their faces pale.
Kaiden frowned. "They were so close…"
Gray's tone softened. "Yeah. But close doesn't count here."
Before Kaiden could say anything, a sharp sound echoed overhead — a boom, like something slamming into metal. Then another. Louder.
The floating lights flickered. The entire hall trembled for a brief second.
Students froze.
Kaiden tensed. "That came from inside, right?"
"Yeah," Gray said, scanning around. "That wasn't thunder."
The voice from earlier returned, calm but heavier now, as if echoing from deep inside the campus.
"Attention, candidates. Your next test will begin shortly. Proceed to your assigned stations and prepare yourselves. This will determine your rightful place."
Kaiden blinked. "Wait, what does that mean—"
Suddenly, the massive doors ahead of them slid open with a deep mechanical hiss. A rush of cold air swept through the hallway, carrying the sound of crackling energy and distant thunder.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Beyond the doors lay an enormous arena — bigger than any stadium Kaiden had ever seen. The ceiling stretched so high it disappeared into the clouds, and in the center of the arena stood five colossal crystals, each floating a few feet off the ground.
Red. Blue. Green. Yellow. Violet.
Each one glowed with blinding light, their energy pulsing in rhythm with the island itself — like five giant hearts beating as one.
Kaiden's jaw dropped. "Bro… what is this place?"
Gray whistled. "Guess this is where the real stuff happens."
The announcer's voice echoed again, this time booming from every direction — calm but heavy with authority.
"Attention, candidates. Before you stands the Heart of Flow — the final stage of your evaluation."
The arena lights dimmed slightly, highlighting the crystals.
"There are five crystals before you," the voice continued. "Each represents a Flow path — and each will accept only ten students. Those who fail to claim a place… will not be accepted into the University."
The crowd erupted into nervous murmurs. Kaiden's heart skipped.
"Wait, what?! There's over two hundred of us!"
Gray clenched his jaw. "Five crystals, ten each… that's only fifty spots."
The announcer spoke again.
"It does not matter how you do it. Work together, compete, fight — the choice is yours. The crystals will decide who is worthy. When the count of ten is reached for each, the rest will be rejected."
The arena went dead silent.
Kaiden could feel the tension explode around him. Students started glancing at one another — sizing each other up, some backing away, others already stepping forward with that look of I'm not losing here.
Gray chuckled nervously. "Well… this just got interesting."
Kaiden's pulse spiked. "Interesting? Bro, that means we gotta fight again!"
Before Gray could respond, the ground began to shift — massive platforms rising from beneath them, forming bridges that led directly toward the glowing crystals. The entire arena hummed with energy.
Kaiden gripped his dagger. Around him, students prepared their weapons, activated their Flows, or began forming teams on the spot. Lightning sparked, blades shimmered, ice crystallized midair.
It was chaos waiting to erupt.
Then — silence.
The announcer's voice echoed one last time, deeper than before.
"Candidates of Flow Arts… your time begins now."
The crystals flared, sending shockwaves of color across the arena.
Kaiden blinked, eyes wide, adrenaline surging. "No way…"
Gray cracked a grin, eyes locked on the nearest crystal. "Guess we pick one fast."
Kaiden swallowed hard, feeling the heat of the red crystal pulse through the air.
The countdown began.
Five colors.
Two hundred warriors.
Only fifty seats.
And as the ground rumbled beneath them, Kaiden muttered under his breath —
"Here we go again…"
The lights exploded.
And the final evaluation began.