The entrance to the domes pulsed with steady energy,as runes etched into the ground like veins of ancient light,as Elira stepped through the threshold,the sensation hot her fully,man,not wild and overwhelming calm and layered,controlled.
The gathering array embedded in the dome floor stretched beneath her feet in soft spiral,glowing faintly with aquamarine threads,it pulled in ambient mana,filtered it,and distributed it evenly and quickly.The air itself buzzed with a slow ,smoothing rhythm,water aspected mana was thick she could fell it ,it made her body tingle.
She paused in the archway, absorbing it all like a sponge,her cord responded,a faint tug in her abdomen,a reminder of who she now is
" Student Elira Jovian" a young attendant said,handing her a small polished tag "dome 7" "you would find your key and gown waiting"
She nodded and followed the corridor deeper into the dome,the walls were smooth stone interlaced with soft silver trim,and the air cooled noticeably as she moved further in.
Her quarters were simple and functional.twin beds,three carved wooden trucks,a wide shared vanity with a small floating lamp .
She dropped her bag nearly onto the far bed,then sat , letting her senses stretch out and observing every corner of the room
She couldn't wait to start cultivating
But the peace didn't last
Kaelen burst in first , practically spinning with excitement "oh wow! Look at this place - wow wow better then I thought! I got the space close to the window
Lyselle entered second,eyes sweeping over the room with cool precision of a swordsman scanning for weakness "As if it matters where you sleep,only performance will determine who gets what in the end "
Kaelen blinked, already disarmed then glanced at the last to enter
Elira moved towards the bookshelf built into the wall .she walked over silently ,touched the carved edges,and examined the books titles like they were treasures
"So. ." Kaelen tried again,upbeat "I'm kaelen! ,wind affinity, totally didn't expect dome seven but here we are,right ?,you guys nervous about tomorrow?,or excited, I'm both honestly what about you ?.
Lyselle dropped her pack on the bed closest to the central array "Nervous? ,no Excited,maybe.if the competition isn't beneath me" she flicked her gaze towards Elira "then again ,the academy seems more concerned with reputation this year than talents"
Kaelen gave an award chuckle "uh... right,so what's your names " she looked between them
"Elira Jovian" the name dropped like a pebble in still water
Elira turned her back and opened her satchel pulls out a deep gray robe ,a slim book,and a soft black pillow,she didn't elaborate, didn't ask for their names , didn't explain her affinity just moved to her bed,sat down and flipped open the book as if they'd disappear
Lyselle let's out a scoff,half amused "charming"
Kaelen scratched her head "she's probably just shy"
Elira didn't respond,her eyes were scanning pages though her thoughts were on the evening,The Gala.
That meant tables probably enchanted to keep food warm,bread rolls, spirit glazed meats, dumplings,maybe even plum wine desserts 🤤
Now that was worth preparing for.
"Hey are you getting ready for the gala already"
Elira paused "not yet"
"Oh! Want me to help help with your hair or"
"No"
"Okay which looks better? She asked, holding up two sashes,one lavender,one silver "I want to make a good impression.my parents might not come ,but I bet the house representative will".
Lyselle , already in a sleek ,formal robe with her crest pinned perfectly to her collar,glanced over "silver,the lavender makes you look like you're begging for attention"
A soft chime echoed from the dorm door kaelen opened it to find a small floating glyph delivered straight from a house servant
"From Lord Jovian"it reads elegantly, glowing script.
Inside was a grown of deep midnight blue ,the kind that shimmered with different hues when it movednsometimes sliver or gold ,it's sleeves were sheer and long tipped with soft embroidery that curled like frost patterns.at the collar a small crystal clasp shaped like a snowflakes sat,pulsing faintly with mana
Elira blinked once
Kaelen gasped "That...that's wow, that's not a ordinary rone,this is a nobility level tailoring
Even lyselle looked over,surprised