The Grand Induction Hall remained quiet after Proctor Roffimières finished his initial address. The floating crystal array above continued its slow rotation, scattering soft constellations of light across the marble floor and the assembled candidates. No one spoke. The stillness of the chamber held, as if the hall itself were observing the students gathered within it.

Roffimières allowed the silence to linger for a few moments longer before adjusting the small lens upon his nose. His gaze swept calmly across the platform.

[center][b]Proctor Roffimières[/b][/center]
[center][img]https://ik.imagekit.io/maxxo/Roffimi%C3%A8res.png[/img][/center]

[color=0054a6]“Curious,”[/color] he said at last, his tone measured and almost amused. [color=0054a6]“In most examinations, candidates are eager to declare themselves. Names, titles, lineage. Yet today it seems the Luminary has gathered a group more inclined toward quiet contemplation.”[/color]

A few of the other assembled candidates shifted slightly at the remark.

[color=0054a6]“No matter. The academy is quite capable of resolving such matters.”[/color]

With a gentle motion of his hand, the crystal floating beside him brightened. Thin strands of light lifted from its surface and spread outward across the platform like delicate threads of mana.

[color=0054a6]“Candidates will now be organized into examination cohorts.”[/color]

The light condensed suddenly.

Across the platform, small bands of glowing crystal materialized out of thin air. They snapped gently into existence around the wrists of various candidates, fastening themselves without resistance. Each bracelet shimmered with a distinct color, faint runic sigils circulating along its surface like drifting fireflies.

[color=0054a6]“Groups will consist of three candidates,”[/color] Roffimières continued. [color=0054a6]“Each cohort will operate as a single unit throughout the trial.”[/color]

Names began to echo softly through the chamber as the proctor called them out, each trio receiving bracelets of the same hue. A murmur rippled through the crowd as candidates glanced at the colors forming around their wrists.

Then three more bands of light appeared, glowing with a soft [b]magenta[/b] hue before settling firmly around three wrists.

Roffimières’ voice followed a moment later.

[color=0054a6][b]“Ichabod Pipton. Sa'Saori Gilderleaf. Alicia Medusozoa.”[/b][/color]

The magenta sigils along their bracelets stirred faintly.

[color=0054a6]“You will form [b]Group Magenta[/b].”[/color]

More names followed after them. One trio after another was assembled as bracelets of amber, teal, violet, and gold manifested across the platform until every candidate had been placed into a cohort.

When the final group had been assigned, Roffimières raised a finger slightly.

[color=0054a6]“One final detail.”[/color]

His voice carried calmly through the hall.

[color=0054a6]“Each group will be accompanied by a veteran student of the Luminary. These individuals will act as anchors during the examination. They are not present to solve your challenges, but to ensure the integrity of the trial.”[/color]

He turned a page within the floating tome beside him.

[color=0054a6]“Group Magenta.”[/color]

A brief pause followed before the name was spoken.

[color=0054a6]“Your anchor will be [b]Adelhein El-Melloi von Breyer[/b], known within the academy as the [b]Iron Magus[/b].”[/color]