Chapter 30: Arrival in the zenith academy

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Arrival in the zenith academy The hum of medical equipment formed a soft background as Alex stepped into the familiar corridor of the Avaloria General Hospital. Sunlight filtered through the sterile glass windows, casting a warm glow across the white tiles. Nurses moved briskly through the hallways, but Alex paid them no mind. He had only one destination. Room 314. He reached the door and paused for a second, letting a breath escape his lips before gently pushing it open. Inside, Lily sat upright in bed, her holographic EtherPad propped on a side table, fingers dancing across the screen. She looked up and grinned. "You're five minutes late, future hero." " I already beat the record on this level," she said, tongue out slightly in mock annoyance. Alex raised an eyebrow, "That record was mine. You little goblin." She grinned and finally looked up. "Goblins don't have this much style." "Debatable," Alex chuckled, sitting beside her. Alex chuckled, walking over to ruffle her hair. " you're sassier than yesterday. Guess we're even." "Flattery won't save you. Where's my chocolate?" He raised an eyebrow. "You're in a high-tech facility, getting the best nutrients in the galaxy, and you still crave chocolate?" Lily gave him a mock glare. "Don't dodge the question, Alex." He pulled a small packet from his pocket and tossed it to her. "Fine. Just one piece. Doctor's orders." As she unwrapped it gleefully, he sat beside her bed, the smile on his face slowly softening. "Lily... I came to say I won't be able to visit for a while." Her chewing paused. "Why? Did something happen?" He shook his head. "No. Nothing bad. Actually... today's the last time I'll see you before the entrance exam. Tomorrow, I leave for Zenith Academy." Her eyes widened. "Whoa. For real? Already?" He nodded, voice gentle. "Yeah. I've been preparing for this for a long time. You know that. But once I'm in... I'll have access to things—connections, resources—that could help us find a real cure. Not just stabilize your condition." Lily blinked, the corners of her eyes softening. "You're doing this... for me?" Alex smiled. "I'm doing it for both of us." "So you'll be off to the big, shiny academy soon, huh? Gonna forget your sickly little sister and hang out with sword-wielding royals?" Alex ruffled her hair gently. "I could never forget you. But I won't be able to visit for a while. Entrance exam's going to be intense." She pouted. "Booo." "But," he added, taking out the etherPad, "we can still video call. Anytime. And you can also watch the enterance exam live because it will be broadcasted live in all over the world." Lily's eyes lit up. "Ooh, so I get to watch you get wrecked live? Perfect." He gave a dry smile. "Oh how I wish everyone had a sister like you." "And thanks for the motivation my dear sister" Then, more seriously, he added, "Zenith is more than just status. It's the place where I can find answers. even a real cure for you." Lily blinked, surprised by the sudden sincerity. She looked away, cheeks flushing. "You big idiot... Don't make promises you can't keep." "I always keep the ones that matter." "You sap," she muttered, tearing up. He gently flicked her forehead. "Hey, no crying. I'll still call you. Every evening. Video calls, okay? So don't go finding another big brother. I'm still under contract." Lily wiped her eyes, smiling through the tears. "Deal. Just don't become some famous academy snob." "No promises," Alex said with a wink. He stayed a little longer, talking, joking, and even helping her beat a level in a mobile rhythm game before finally standing up. "Time to talk to Doctor Emma." ------------ Doctor Emma stood in her office, reviewing Lily's latest scans. She was a tall woman with sharp features, but there was warmth in her eyes when she looked up and saw Alex. "Her vitals are stable," she said before he could ask. "Still no major fluctuations. The new therapy we've used is helping." Alex nodded, then tapped on his EtherPad, transferring 200,000 credits. Emma's eyes widened. "That's... Alex again, this is a lot." "She deserves the best," Alex replied firmly. "Put her on the premium-tier Mana Circulation Therapy, and bring in a personal specialist. Don't hold back on anything. If you need more money contact me." Doctor Emma stared at him for a second, then smiled. "You're a good brother." "She's all I've got," Alex said simply. Then, with a slight bow of gratitude, he left the hospital. -------- That evening, Alex packed his gear meticulously. His new A-rank enchanted sword rested on the wall beside his bag. He checked everything twice, then stepped out onto the balcony of his small house, watching the distant glow of Avaloria's skyline. The air was crisp, and the city lights shimmered under the twin moons. Airbikes zipped by, and the distant hum of Skyrails echoed faintly. Massive digital billboards displayed academy entrance countdowns, heroic projections, and commercial ads for mana boosters. A part of Alex's heart raced. Another part whispered: This is it. The next morning. He stood at the mirror, adjusting the high-collared black coat he had chosen. A sleek, reinforced travel coat. His eyes, sharp and determined, met his own reflection. He inhaled. "The day has finally come... and I am prepared for everything fate throws at me." With that, he locked the door and left. The transportation hub to Zenith was located on the outskirts of Avaloria, a massive spire-like tower that pierced the clouds. Lines of students, all carrying high-grade gear and hopeful expressions, stretched out before it. Some wore noble family sigils. Others were commoners with determination blazing in their eyes. Alex's journey through the city was fast, thanks to the high-speed skytram. Along the way, he marveled silently at the vastness of Avaloria. A fusion of magic and technology, the city floated above ancient ley lines that powered everything from elevators to holograms. Giant flying constructs—Sky Beasts converted into transport ships—passed overhead, while elemental drones directed traffic. Magic-tech vendors sold potions and mana accessories from floating stalls. Billboards of past Zenith champions glowed bright, reminding all of the glory that awaited. Alex smiled. His fingers brushed against the hilt of his sword. "Time to become part of that legend," he murmured. Inside the spire, teleportation portals shimmered like vertical pools of water. Staff members directed students into position. As Alex approached, he noticed a few nobles giving him sideways glances, clearly judging his appearance. He responded with a bright smile. "Careful staring too long, gentlemen. You might fall in love." They scoffed. One muttered, "Peasant." "Future Zenith Elite Peasant, thank you," Alex replied, stepping onto the glowing platform. A little bit later alex turn came. "Candidate Name: Alex Dragonheart. Destination: Zenith Academy. Coordinates confirmed. Please step onto the teleportation circle." The platform buzzed beneath him. Alex looked around one last time. He thought of Lily, her fake glares and real affection. Of his parents, gone without a trace. Of the small apartment and the ramen dinners then he looked up. Alex entered the portal. ------- Zenith Academy wasn't a single building. It was a sprawling floating city, shaped like a massive gear turning in the sky. Towering spires pierced the clouds, floating islands each one infused with glowing elemental runes. A web of floating walkways connected levitating gardens, combat arenas, and impossibly grand halls. There was no other word for it. It looked divine. Like the gods had decided to build a campus for their chosen warriors and scholars. I hovered down toward the main arrival platform, my boots touching solid ground at last. The air here was different—crisp, thick with magic, and tinged with something else. Pressure. It was subtle but constant, like the atmosphere itself was testing > "Candidate Identified: Alex Dragonheart." "Welcome to Zenith Academy." A soothing mechanical voice echoed from a floating crystal orb hovering nearby. It blinked once, then zoomed off into the distance. No applause. No welcome parade. Good. I preferred it that way. I stood in silence, taking it all in. This was where future kings trained. Where transcendent sword arts were born. Where Ethan Williams—the protagonist of the game—would one day rally allies to defeat the world-ending calamity. And I... I was supposed to be long dead by now. Just a forgotten name in a dialogue box. A footnote in the lore. But here I was. Alive. Breathing. With a sword on my back, a plan in my mind, and way too many butterflies in my stomach. "Let the game begin," I whispered. A breeze blew through, carrying the scent of mana-rich flowers. Somewhere in the distance, a bell tolled—a deep, reverberating chime that echoed through the clouds. It was the sound of something ancient. Something powerful. Something waiting. A signal to enter. I didn't move right away. There were no other students nearby yet. No faces I recognized. Just me and the looming towers ahead. Far in the distance, I spotted the Central Spire—a black-and-silver tower so tall it seemed to split the heavens. That was where the Headmaster resided. And beneath it, the Grand Archive, and... The Legacy Halls. Places that, in the game, only the chosen few ever got to enter. I clenched my fists. In this life, I would walk those halls. I'd make sure of it. No matter what fate had written, I wasn't going to follow the script. I wasn't going to play the role of a dead extra. I'd burn the damn script if I had to. The floating platform lit up again, signaling the arrival of another batch of candidates in the distance. But I didn't wait. I turned away, walking toward the entrance gates—two towering structures made of white stone and enchanted steel, each engraved with ancient runes glowing faintly in the dusk light. The ground beneath me resonated with every step, as if acknowledging my presence. It felt like entering a different world. No, not just a different world. A new reality. And for the first time since transmigrating here, I didn't feel out of place. I felt exactly where I was meant to be. As I reached the gates, the academy's emblem began to shimmer above them—a golden phoenix wrapped in chains, wings spread wide. The inscription beneath it read: > "Ascend Beyond Limits. Burn Bright, Even Against Fate." I smirked. "Fate's got nothing on me." With that, I stepped forward— —into Zenith Academy.