(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

Power stones people, Gimme it.

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The last of the questions tapered off, and a gentle quiet settled over the massive hall. Rhaena looked over the thousands of faces once more, hands resting loosely on her hips, expression bright and satisfied.

"Well," she said, dusting her palms as if wrapping up a long performance, "that concludes everything for today. I believe we've been here for… oh, approximately three hours."

A collective murmur rippled through the hall—some surprised, some exhausted, some impressed they'd lasted that long.

Rhaena grinned. "Time flies when you're being overwhelmed."

A soft ripple of laughter followed.

"Once again," she continued, her voice taking on a formal but warm tone, "I am Rhaena Chronos, your Head Instructor. If you wish to speak with me, request guidance, or—Ancestors forbid—complain about something, it will be… difficult to see me directly."

A few students groaned knowingly.

"Yes, yes," Rhaena said, waving at them, "I am extremely busy. But there are channels in place for communication. Instructor liaisons, advisor rotations, administrative requests—we'll discuss those another time once classes begin."

Mini Rhaena reappeared beside her, mimicking her proud pose.

"It has been wonderful," Rhaena said, placing a hand over her chest, "seeing your young faces for the first time. In the coming years, I have no doubt that we will grow to be the best of partners."

She gave a theatrical bow.

Mini Rhaena copied it perfectly, flipping mid-bow for flair.

The hall erupted into applause.

With a final wink, Rhaena tapped the air. Both she and her tiny counterpart dissolved into shimmering motes, the light drifting upward before fading completely.

The applause softened gradually as the administrator, Jessica, stepped back onto the stage. Her presence was calm, steady, and sharp in contrast to Rhaena's lively energy.

"I believe your Head Instructor has covered everything essential," she began, her voice clear despite the size of the hall. "I already spoke earlier, but I will leave you with one final piece of advice."

Silence fell. Jessica's words carried weight without needing theatrics.

"Your instructor mentioned something that many of you likely ignored," she said. "This academy is meritocratic. Extremely so. I know a number of you felt inspired—fired up—to put in effort and rise."

Her gaze moved across the rows, unreadable but not unkind.

"But in the years to come," Jessica continued softly, "you will discover that effort alone does not close every gap. Some people start with more—talent, resources, affinity, insight. You may try to match them with sheer willpower. But willpower is currency with limits."

A shift moved through the hall—attentive, tense, thoughtful.

"So I will tell you the quote that guided me," Jessica said, her tone firm and crisp. "You must be twice as productive to get half of what those with talent possess."

No dramatics. No softening. Just truth.

Her eyes warmed slightly. "I hope that whenever you feel discouraged or overwhelmed, you remember this day. And continue to strive. You may not all reach the same heights—but you can always surpass your past."

The hall responded with a wave of applause—less explosive than Rhaena's segment, but far more grounded. A steady, resonant approval.

Jessica waited for the sound to fade before continuing.

"Now," she said, extending her hand, "your bracelets."

A clear, resonant snap echoed through the hall.

Immediately, every student felt a light pressure against their wrist. A sleek band materialized—silver, fitted perfectly, its embedded runic strip glowing faintly in blue.

A few gasps broke out; others lifted their wrists instinctively.

"These bracelets contain exactly one thousand points," Jessica said. "Explore the functions. Study the interface. You will depend on it more than you realize."

Students tapped experimentally.

The bracelet responded instantly—glowing lines unfolding into small holographic menus, revealing tabs like:

Points • Courses • Sigils • Restrictions • Transactions • Notifications • Rules

Miniature runes lit up around each band, syncing to the wearer.

Jessica continued, "For those who will be moving out of their dorm placements—particularly those transferring into Magnum Two or Magnum Three—the receptionists on the first floor will assist you. They will help you select an available dorm in the Magnum and arrange your luggage transfer."

A thoughtful hum rolled through the hall. Some students looked satisfied—they'd expected this. Others appeared mildly panicked—they were realizing they'd have to choose.

Jessica clasped her hands lightly. "With that, I wish you a productive and enlightening decision week."

She nodded once, a quiet but powerful dismissal.

And then—

A pulse of spatial magic spread through the hall.

Soft white runes ignited beneath every seat, circling outward in intricate, seamless patterns. The floor vibrated gently—not threatening, but steady, structured.

Students looked down in confusion right before the runes flared.

One by one, bodies dissolved into strands of light.

The teleportation was clean, quiet, almost elegant—like dust caught in a sunbeam. Thousands of lights lifted upward before curving and blinking out of sight, directed to a predetermined destination.

Orion felt the shift wrap around him—cool, precise, weightless. His body dissolved cleanly, reassembling an instant later in a new space.

The orientation hall, now emptying rapidly, glimmered with the fading traces of spatial residue before growing still.

Jessica remained alone on the platform for a brief moment, watching the last few lights vanish. Her expression held its usual composure, but there was faint satisfaction beneath it.

With a quiet breath, she turned and stepped off the stage, the final flicker of teleportation sigils fading beneath her feet.

Orion reappeared on a smooth marble platform etched with soft blue lines. His feet touched down as the teleportation residue dissolved around him. Selene materialized a few steps away, adjusting her uniform with automatic precision. Seris reformed mid-stretch, nearly losing her balance. Caelum emerged with a sigh, as if the teleportation itself were exhausting.

Around them, students blinked rapidly, steadying themselves, checking their new bracelets, or simply looking around in awe.

The academy was vast.

The week ahead was theirs.

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