After passing the main wall, they entered another brief forest tunnel. But this time, the majestic castle stood waiting at its end. One by one, the carriages glided into the massive cavern that served as the castle's main entrance. The interior was brightly lit with torches, yet as soon as they stepped inside, a sudden, piercing chill washed over them.
Miss Lora's lead carriage came to a halt at a stone platform in front of a colossal gate at the far end of the cave. As soon as she disembarked, the Totitan masterfully turned the carriage around and headed back toward the entrance. Every carriage followed suit. Soon, Simon, Kai, and Jack stood together on the platform. The moment Simon stepped out, he found himself looking up in awe at the massive oak door that loomed before him.
Miss Lora pulled an ancient key from one of the pouches on her belt and unlocked the great doors. To their surprise, the path beyond wasn't a hallway, but a forest trail that slanted upward like a mountain ridge, carved with earthy stairs. They followed her lead, climbing higher into the heart of the structure.
Unlike the darkened tree tunnel in water, this path was lined with lamps at regular intervals, casting a warm, steady glow over their ascent. When they finally reached the summit, Simon froze in utter amazement. A grand gateway stood before them, emblazoned with the name "Willowgate" and the academy's willow tree crest. Beyond the gate lay a massive bridge, and at its far end sat the castle itself, looming like a titan in the night. As they crossed the bridge, Simon peered over the edge at the rushing water below.
"That's water from the Deep Emerald Ocean," Jack noted. "It winds through the forest and flows in here as a river."
They entered the castle's expansive front courtyard. In the center stood a magnificent fountain, featuring two stone dragons carved in a dynamic, dancing pose. Suddenly, the main castle doors creaked open, and a figure stepped out into the night. He had waist-length silver hair and pointed ears. Wrapped in a rich crimson cloak, he carried himself with an undeniable elegance. His features were so breathtakingly refined and youthful that one might easily mistake him for a woman, yet he was, in fact, a man.
"Sir Valandor," Miss Lora greeted him.
The man offered a gentle smile.
"Miss Lora, thank you for bringing the children here safely."
"Think nothing of it; it's my duty," she replied. "I'll leave them in your care now. I have to go and feed the Totitans."
"Very well," he nodded.
Miss Lora left them in the capable hands of Master Valandor. Kai, unable to keep his curiosity in check, leaned toward Simon and whispered, "Want to bet? I bet he's an Elf. What do you think?"
"I'm inclined to agree," Simon replied softly, his eyes fixed on the elegant figure before them.
"Greetings, everyone," the man spoke, his voice as smooth as silk. "I am Master Valandor. You've all traveled a long way; I imagine you must be exhausted."
A collective nod rippled through the group. Some of the students looked like they were on the verge of collapsing, their eyes half-closed from the long day's journey.
"However, you cannot sleep just yet," Master Valandor cautioned. "You must be sorted into your chambers tonight. Only then can you stand beside your seniors tomorrow morning."
Confusion rippled through the group, including Kai and Simon. Instinctively, they turned to Jack for answers.
"There are five chambers," Jack explained, adjusting his glasses. "It's a unique system of Willowgate."
"But why sort us at all?" Kai asked.
"Hundreds of years ago," Jack began, "discrimination among the Chosen was rampant. The Old-Bloods from ancient lineages and the New-Bloods lived in separate worlds, lacking unity. To solve this, the Headmaster of that era, Master Balobian, established these chambers to mingle the two groups. There were uprisings at first, but eventually, they learned to coexist. While many Old-Bloods have accepted the change, some stubborn ones still cling to their prejudices today."
Simon and Kai nodded in understanding as the context of their new home became clearer.
"Everyone, line up!" Master Valandor's voice echoed. "It is time to enter the Mother Hall of Willowgate."
They stepped into the heart of the castle, a world of massive stone pillars and meticulously paved floors. High above, towering stained-glass windows reflected the mystical glow of the interior. They marched toward the grand double doors situated exactly at the junction where two main corridors met. From behind the heavy wood, a dull roar of chatter and activity echoed.
As Master Valandor gripped the iron handle and pushed the doors open, Simon's breath caught in his throat. He was stepping into the vast Mother Hall. The hall was designed like a great bowl; a circular stage sat at the center, surrounded by tiers of seating that rose steadily upward. Hundreds of students were already seated, their uniforms a sea of five distinct colors.
High above the crowd, five magnificent banners, each bearing the crest of a different chamber, hung from the vaulted ceiling. As the newcomers entered, a wave of silence followed by curious whispers washed over the room. Being only twelve years old, Simon and his peers looked tiny compared to the older students. While Simon scanned the dizzying scale of the room, his gaze landed on the high platform at the far end. There sat the faculty, and in the very center was a woman with a stern, commanding expression. She wasn't elderly, yet she radiated an aura of absolute authority that commanded the respect of the entire hall.
The woman Simon had been observing rose from her seat. The moment she stood, the entire hall plunged into absolute silence. She was clad in a cloak of deep obsidian, contrasting sharply with her piercing, radiant blue eyes.
"Welcome to Willowgate," she began, her voice cold yet resonant with undeniable authority.
"You are the Chosens, handpicked by the will of the Gods. Among you sit both Old-Bloods and New-Bloods. I expect you to move forward not with hostility, but with unity. Furthermore, I trust that our seniors will extend their guidance and support to these newcomers as they find their way."
The Headmistress's gaze swept over the freshmen, pausing for a split second on Simon before moving on. Simon didn't notice the lingering look, his mind occupied with the mechanics of the school.
"So Jack, what exactly do these Chambers represent?"
"They are named after the legendary Chosens who protected Mythaion," Jack whispered back. "They were the ones who kept the world in balance. Personally, I'm hoping for Malthen—the one who defeated thousands of sea monsters using nothing but a grimoire."
Before Simon could ask more, the Headmistress spoke again. "Master Valandor, please read the sorting paper finalized by the Willowgate Academy Collective."
Master Valandor ascended the circular stage and unrolled a heavy scroll.
"Out of forty-five freshmen, nine students have been assigned to each of our five chambers: Kaelen, Malthen, Tavian, Daven, and Fynric. You are expected to uphold your chamber's duties and work in perfect harmony."
Jack was busy calculating something in his head.
"If there were six... then three would have eight, and three would have seven..."
Simon caught the remark.
"Wait, aren't there only five chambers?"
"For now, yes," Jack replied cryptically.
"What do you mean 'for now'?" Simon frowned.
"Shh! It's starting!" Kai hissed, forcing Simon to go silent as the room held its breath.
"Chamber of Kaelen... Logan Vermillion!"
As the name echoed through the hall, a wave of urgent whispers erupted among the older students. The boy who stepped forward was none other than the one with the sun-kissed blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He ascended the stage with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
"Wait, isn't that the 'blonde brat' who shoved you aside when we were getting off the ship?" Kai hissed, scowling as he nudged Simon.
Simon didn't reply immediately; his eyes were fixed on Logan. Even he could tell that the name 'Vermillion' carried a weight of its own in this world.
"Kaelen... the Chosen who single-handedly defeated the Orc armies attempting to conquer Mythaion," Jack murmured, recalling the lore.
"How did a brat like him end up in the chamber of such a legendary hero?" Kai asked, crossing his arms.
"That is the Academy's decision. How should I know?" Jack snapped back, losing his patience with Kai's constant griping.
"Talent and personality don't always go hand in hand, you know."
The roster for the Chamber of Kaelen was officially full. Simon listened intently until the last name was called, but the green-eyed boy was not among them. A quiet spark of hope flickered in Simon's chest—perhaps they would end up in the same chamber after all. Logan, on the other hand, looked visibly annoyed. Out of the other eight students joined him in Kaelen, only one was his friend, and the green-eyed boy was nowhere to be seen. But since the Academy's decree was final, he couldn't protest. He led his group toward the designated seating area, where the crimson banners of Kaelen hung proudly.
"Why wasn't I picked for Kaelen? I'm brave, aren't I?" Kai protested. Jack rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"I told you, it's not just about personality! It's about balancing the Old-Bloods and the New-Bloods," Jack snapped.
"Hmph," Kai grunted, pouting.
Jack shook his head and turned his full attention back to the stage. They were announcing the members of Malthen now. He listened with bated breath, heart hammering against his ribs until the very last name was called—but his name was nowhere to be heard.
"What? That's impossible! I have a passion for ancient languages! I belong in Malthen!"
"Well, like you said... it's not based on personality and also interested, I think?" Kai remarked with a smug grin. Jack shot him a lethal glare.
"I'm just praying I don't end up in the same chamber as you!"
Kai simply continued to smirk, but Simon watched them both in silence. A cold knot of dread began to form in his stomach; he was genuinely terrified of being separated from his friends. Moreover, the green-eyed boy hadn't been called for Malthen either.
The students of Malthen, draped in their signature purple robes, filed toward their seats. Next came the Chamber of Tavian, represented by the color brown.
"What kind of hero was Tavian?" Kai asked curiously.
"He wasn't known for destruction," Jack explained. "Instead, he dedicated his life to saving over fifty endangered species.
Thanks to him, those creatures still thrive in Mythaion today."
"Wow..." Simon and Kai breathed in unison, moved by Tavian's compassionate legacy.
As the names were called, the final spot for Tavian went to "Michael Roundor." A tall boy with deep, dark skin and a warm, welcoming expression stepped forward. As he passed by, his eyes met Simon's, and he offered a kind, genuine smile. Caught off guard but heartened by the gesture, Simon quickly smiled back.
The color of Daven was a cool, refreshing blue.
"I'm certain I'll be in Daven," Jack declared with absolute conviction. Kai looked at him, puzzled.
"Why are you so sure?"
"Daven was an Old-Blood," Jack explained. "But he was beyond brilliant. He possessed a unique and powerful magic that was entirely his own. More importantly, he was the founder of Willowgate. He and Fynric built this academy together. And I'm brilliant, so Daven is only chamber that I belong with after Malthen."
"Then I'm definitely going to Daven too!"
Kai chirped. Jack immediately scanned him from head to toe with a look of pure disdain.
"Disgusting," Jack muttered.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"
Simon watched their usual bickering and let out a soft, faint smile. Even in the middle of this nerve-wracking ceremony, his friends' antics managed to ease the heavy knot in his chest.
"Henry Evering."
The name had barely left Master Valandor's lips before the entire hall erupted into a flurry of frantic whispers. Simon caught fragments of the awestruck conversations surrounding him.
"Evering? That Evering? The most legendary name among the Old-Bloods!"
"The lineage rumored to have stood face-to-face with the Gods themselves..."
Then, another name reached Simon's ears:
"Edward."
"Is he Edward's younger brother?" someone whispered urgently.
Simon looked toward the stage and felt his breath hitch. It was him—the green-eyed boy. Despite being the center of such intense scrutiny, Henry moved with a cold, unshakeable composure.
"An Evering," Jack murmured, his voice filled with genuine respect. "That aura is the real deal."
"He's stunning," Kai whispered in awe. Simon shot him a brief look, his brow furrowing slightly. He didn't say a word, though a strange, unnameable feeling stirred in his chest. As he turned his gaze back to the stage, his eyes suddenly locked with Henry's. Simon's heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. For a moment, the world around him seemed to vanish, leaving him unable to look away. But the connection was brief—Henry's expression remained as cold as ice as he indifferently broke the eye contact and moved toward his seat.
As the final name for Daven was announced, Jack realized with a sinking heart that he hadn't been picked. Kai, seizing the moment, nudged Jack's arm with his own, wearing a mischievous grin.
"Looks like we're destined to be together, Jackie..."
"What did you just call me?" Jack snapped, turning to face him.
"Jackie! We're friends, aren't we? Friends use nicknames."
"Who on earth said I was your friend?!" Jack retorted, scowling.
Watching them, Simon felt a wave of relief wash over him. Although he wouldn't be in the same chamber as the green-eyed boy, at least he would be staying with his friends.
"And finally, for the Chamber of Fynric," Master Valandor announced.
He went through the list: "Oliver Locktack, Conner Wulian, Finn Jackman, Toad Sinderson, Amy Bolly, Suzan Longtheia, Jack Thistledown, Kai Peterson..."
He paused, a heavy silence settling over the Mother Hall before he uttered the final name with deliberate slowness.
"SimonBlackburn."
A collective gasp rippled through the room, followed by a chilling, absolute silence. Even Jack, who had only just learned Simon's surname, looked paralyzed with pure terror. While Kai and some of the other New-Bloods looked on in confusion, Simon stood frozen. The sheer intensity of the reaction made him want to disappear; he didn't even dare to step toward the stage.
"Come," Master Valandor said softly, his voice a gentle anchor in the rising sea of whispers.
Simon ascended the stage with slow, trembling steps. He could feel every eye in the hall boring into him—not with admiration, but with cold, naked dread. Even Henry, whose face had been a mask of frozen indifference, now showed a visible flicker of shock.
But what stung Simon the most was Jack. Only moments ago, they were laughing and bickering like lifelong friends. Now, Jack was staring at him as if he were a ghost—or something far worse. Seeing that look of pure terror in his friend's eyes left Simon reeling in confusion. He felt utterly hollow; what could possibly be so monstrous about the name "Blackburn" to provoke such a haunting reaction?
Master Valandor looked at Simon with a gaze full of pity and concern. Then, the Headmistress rose once more. Her mere presence acted as a silencer, instantly turning the chaotic buzz of whispers into a heavy, absolute quiet.
"The sorting ceremony is now concluded," she declared. "Since the seniors have already finished their meal, dinner will be delivered directly to the freshmen's dormitories. I expect all of you to support one another throughout this academic year. Do not judge a person based solely on their background. You are dismissed."
As the students rose from their seats, the atmosphere grew suffocating. Every gaze, whether subtle or blatant, was fixed on Simon. He felt as though he were standing on the tip of a needle—exposed, vulnerable, and deeply unsettled.
"Chamber Leaders, please escort first years to their respective dormitories," Master Valandor commanded.
The designated representatives began leading their groups away. Henry, following the line of Daven students, paused and cast a lingering look back at Simon. This time, the roles were reversed—it was Henry who was doing the watching. He stared for a moment, his thoughts unreadable, before disappearing into the moving crowd of students.
A tall senior with neatly styled brown hair approached the nine of them. A small, distinctive red mole sat just beneath his left eye, adding a unique charm to his features. He offered them a kind, welcoming smile.
"Hey, kiddos. Ready to explore the Chamber of Fynric?"
"Yes!" Kai and Toad—a tall boy with Asian features replied in unison. Both seemed completely unfazed, or perhaps entirely oblivious to the weight of Simon's surname. Jack, however, remained chillingly silent. He stayed as far away from Simon as possible, positioning himself next to Amy Bolly, a girl with freckles and twin braids.
As they followed the Chamber Leader, Kai remained steadfastly by Simon's side, walking with a deliberate energy. Despite his excitement about reaching the Fynric dorms, Kai was observant enough to sense the shifting mood; he refused to let Simon walk alone in the wake of the earlier revelation. Simon was deeply grateful for Kai's presence, yet his eyes kept drifting toward the back of Jack's head.
The way Jack pointedly ignored him—acting as if he didn't even exist was both baffling and heartbreaking.
Blackburn, Simon thought bitterly to himself, what on earth are you that makes everyone so afraid?