The sky above Astralis University's central landmass had already begun to shift.
High above the cliffs and tiered towers, nestled into the slope like something ancient, the Hall of Presence stood waiting.
It wasn't just another building. It was carved directly into the land—wide, circular, and quietly massive.
The sky panels above it curved like a dome, letting in the soft morning light without ever showing the sun directly. The light moved like it was alive, adjusting subtly to each moment.
There were no signs, no loud announcements, but everyone who came here understood what this place was.
A ceremonial amphitheater. The starting line for thousands of lives.
Students arrived in steady waves, but not all at once.
The university timed it deliberately—small groups per minute, guided by floating walkways, summoned pods, or light platforms that shimmered in and out of view as if the land itself was unfolding to make room.
