In the bustling heart of Merham, nobles gathered at their usual haunt - the Golden Swan tea house. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across marble floors and velvet chairs.
"Did you hear? The Military Academy accepted that Shmidt boy - at thirteen!" Lady Blackwood's teacup clattered against its saucer. "And his cousin too."
"The girl who mastered water magic?" Lord Ashworth leaned forward. "My sources say she completed the entrance exam in record time."
The news rippled through noble circles like waves in a pond. At every social gathering, every dinner party, the same names surfaced again and again.
In the merchant district, traders paused their haggling to discuss the latest gossip. "Young talents like that'll reshape the empire's future," a silk merchant declared to his customers. "Mark my words."
Even the common folk caught wind of it. Street vendors shared whispered conversations about the prodigies who'd earned spots at the prestigious academy.
"My nephew tried three times to get in." A baker shaped his dough with extra force. "These kids did it on their first try."
The noble houses scrambled to align themselves. Invitation cards flew between mansions like autumn leaves. Everyone wanted to claim some connection to the rising stars.
"The Shmidt family has always shown excellent judgment," Lady Regina announced at her weekly salon. She conveniently forgot her previous dismissal of the rural noble house. "I said from the start they were ones to watch."
The ripples continued to spread. In drawing rooms and tea houses across Merham, the names Shmidt and Devon became synonymous with rising talent and future power.
Moonlight cast long shadows through the Military Academy's windows as two cloaked figures slipped through its corridors. Their footsteps echoed against stone walls until they reached Director Vance's office.
"Come in," Vance's deep voice responded to their knock. His tall frame stood silhouetted against the window, white hair gleaming in the moonlight.
Joe Maximilian burst through the door first, his bald head reflecting the candlelight. "Vance, you sly fox. Those Shmidt children - quite the catch."
Max Hector followed, stroking his short white beard. "Indeed. The Royal Academy would welcome such talent with open arms. Name your price, Vance."
Vance turned from the window, blue eyes narrowed. "They chose the Military Academy. That's the end of it."
"Don't be hasty." Joe pulled a leather pouch from his robes. Gold coins clinked as it hit Vance's desk. "Think of the connections they'd make at my academy. The doors that would open."
"The Power and Magic Academy could fast-track their advancement," Max added. "Our resources are unmatched."
Vance's lip curled. "You mean your politics are unmatched. These children aren't pieces on your game board."
"Everything is a game board, old friend." Joe's voice hardened. "Better they learn that under our guidance than waste their potential here."
"The answer is no." Vance picked up the money pouch and tossed it back. "Now get out of my office."
Max spread his hands. "Be reasonable. With their talents-"
"I said get out." Vance's words cracked like ice. "The children stay here. This discussion is over."
Joe's face flushed red. "You'll regret this stubborn pride, Vance."
"Good night, gentlemen." Vance turned back to the window, dismissing them.
The two directors skulked out, their whispered threats fading down the corridor. Vance watched their shadows disappear into the night, his jaw set in a hard line.
Vance settled into his leather chair, fingers drumming against the polished oak desk. The moonlight cast long shadows across ancient tomes and military treatises lining his office walls.
"Six circles at thirteen." He shook his head in amazement. Leo's power surpassed anything he'd witnessed in four decades of teaching. Most students struggled to reach the third circle by sixteen. The boy had doubled that achievement before his voice dropped.
His mind drifted to the afternoon's training session. Leo's earth magic had carved perfect geometric patterns into solid granite - precision that spoke of both raw talent and disciplined control.
And Elly - her water manipulation showed similar promise. Though only at the second circle, her techniques displayed a finesse that usually took years to develop. The way she'd shaped water into complex forms during her entrance exam had left the testing masters speechless.
"Together they could reshape battlefields." Vance traced the rim of his empty teacup. The military implications alone were staggering. Earth and water magic complemented each other- one providing solid defence while the other healing and support.
"To think Joe and Max wanted to waste them on political games." His lip curled at the thought.
He pulled out their admission papers, reviewing their test scores one more time. The numbers still amazed him. If they maintained this trajectory, they'd surpass most students before graduation.
Dawn crept over Merham's skyline as bells clanged through the Military Academy's dormitories. Metal doors slammed open, boots thundered against stone floors.
"Up! Everyone up!" Officers' voices boomed through corridors. "You have five minutes to dress and form ranks!"
Leo rolled from his bunk, already alert. Around him, other boys and girls from different rooms stumbled and cursed as they fumbled with uniforms. The dormitory filled with the rustle of fabric and clinking belt buckles.
"Move it, move it!" An officer burst through the doorway. "The sun doesn't wait and neither do I!"
In the girls' wing, Elly yanked on her boots as chaos erupted around her.
"Three minutes left!" Female officers paced the halls. "Anyone not in formation gets extra drills!"
Students poured from dormitory buildings into the cold morning air. Frost crunched under their feet as they rushed to assemble in the courtyard. The sky painted shades of purple and orange above the academy's towers.
"Lines straight! Eyes forward!" Officers circled like hawks, adjusting positions and postures. "You're soldiers now, not pampered nobles!"
Leo stood at attention, breath misting in the chill. To his right, other first-years shifted nervously. Some still fought yawns or tried to smooth wrinkled uniforms.
Across the courtyard, Elly's blonde hair caught the first rays of sunlight. She stood rigid in formation, green eyes fixed ahead as instructed.
"Welcome to your first day as Military Academy cadets." A senior officer strode before the ranks. "Your old lives ended at midnight. Your new lives begin now."
The sun cleared the eastern wall, casting long shadows across the cobblestones. Morning dew sparkled on grass and leaves. Another day at the Military Academy had begun.