Morning unfolded slowly over the vast grounds of the Imperial Academy. The first light of dawn came on the academy buildings, reflecting softly from glass windows and polished marble columns. The academy, usually calm during the earliest hours, was unusually alive that day. The new academic year was about to begin, and the ceremonial grounds at the heart of the campus had already begun filling with students.
The ceremonial grounds themselves were enormous, a vast open field framed by long white walkways and gardens trimmed with perfect precision. Tall stone statues of legendary scholars and battle mages stood along the borders of the field, watching silently over the gathering crowd as if bearing witness to the next generation of talent entering the academy.
