The sun had risen, and its light pierced through the thin curtains draped across my bedroom window. I groaned, squinting against the brightness that refused to let me sleep any longer.
Sitting up in bed, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as my vision slowly came into focus. With a long yawn and a stretch, I reminded myself of what today was.
Today was the day I would leave for Astralis Academy.
I should have been excited, but I was scared to be the only commoner there, I'd be surrounded by nobles, and not only that but nobles from famous bloodlines too.
Will I be okay in a school full of nobles?
That girl from the alleyway came to mind, the one wearing the same uniform I'd seen other students wear near the bookstore. If she was attending Astralis too, would we cross paths again?
I sighed and pushed the thoughts aside as I got out of bed. The carriage hadn't arrived yet, which meant I still had time to spend a few last moments with Mom and Dad.
Heading to the kitchen, I found my mother already at the stove, humming as she prepared breakfast. Outside the window, I spotted Dad chopping wood in the backyard.
"Morning, my angel," Mom said with a smile, glancing over her shoulder. "Are you excited to head off to Astralis Academy today?"
I fidgeted with my fingers and gave a hesitant nod. "I guess… I'm nervous. I'll be the only commoner there. It's hard not to feel like I won't belong there."
She turned to face me fully, her expression softening.
"I'm sure you'll be just fine," she said reassuringly. "I hope you can at least make one good friend. And if you do, bring them home sometime. I'd love to meet them."
I sat down at the table, and Mom set a warm plate of food in front of me.
"When you're finished eating," she said with a smile, "your dad and I have a gift for you. Something special to send you off."
My curiosity immediately sparked. I couldn't help but wonder what it could be. I nodded eagerly, trying to finish my food faster.
About ten minutes later, I cleaned my plate and rushed outside to find them. They were standing together, holding something behind their backs.
"I'm here! So… what is it?"
They exchanged a quick look before handing me a small, wrapped bundle. I carefully unwrapped it and found a circular object inside, a bracelet.
"A bracelet?!" I blinked, holding it up to the light. It had a stunning blue gem set in the center, shimmering with an almost otherworldly glow.
"We hope you love it," Mom said softly. "We had a professional enhance the gem with magic. They said the moment you put it on, it should boost your Aura quite a bit! I don't really understand the details, it's all magicy talk, but it should help."
I stared at the bracelet, amazed, then looked back at them and smiled wide. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around them both in a tight hug.
"Thank you… I love it."
Moments later, the carriage arrived, gleaming in the morning sun. A well-dressed attendant stepped out and opened the door with a slight bow.
"Mr. Akira, it is time for Astralis Academy."
I turned to glance at the carriage, then looked back at Mom and Dad, my heart tightening with both excitement and nerves.
"I guess… I'm off, then."
They each kissed my cheek, smiling warmly but with a trace of sadness in their eyes. I started to head off—but then Mom called out behind me.
"Wait, Akira! What about your outfit?!"
I paused, then turned to face them with a grin. "Watch this!"
I tossed a small, glowing object into the air. It burst in a flash of soft light and shimmering particles, wrapping around me like a breeze. In an instant, my clothes shifted and changed.
The uniform of Astralis Academy now adorned me, a finely tailored black coat with silver embroidery tracing elegant arcane symbols along the cuffs and hem. Underneath was a crisp, high-collared white shirt fastened with a silver pin shaped like a starburst. Dark slacks matched the coat, and a deep violet sash tied at my waist added a regal touch. The fabric felt light, yet sturdy, clearly enhanced with enchantments. It was the kind of outfit that screamed both tradition and prestige.
Mom gasped, her eyes wide with delight. "Oh my… you look so handsome!"
Dad gave me a proud nod. "Now that's an outfit fit for a mage."
I gave them one last wave, then stepped into the carriage, off to begin my first day at Astralis Academy.
Minutes later, I pressed my forehead against the cool glass of the carriage window, admiring the rolling hills and spired rooftops of the kingdom below. I'd never seen Astralis Academy before, and every passing tower and turret made my heart pound with both excitement and nerves.
One hour later…
The carriage wheels clattered to a halt, and I saw it at last: Astralis Academy. It soared before me, a sprawling complex of ivory stone and glass cupolas, its walls etched with shimmering runes that caught the sunlight. Carriages lined the circular drive like pearls on a necklace, each disgorging students in crisp uniforms.
I stepped down, my legs trembling slightly. The courtyard stretched on forever, hemmed by colonnades and fountains that danced with elemental lights. I swallowed hard. I'm really here…
Pushing through the carriage crowd, I joined a river of students flowing toward the great iron gates. Thousands of voices rose in an excited hum, none of them sounding like instructions. Unsure what to do, I simply followed, letting the tide carry me forward.
"Did you hear? A new student transferred in today!" a girl whispered to her friend, her eyes darting around eagerly.
"I hope he's cute," another chimed in, giggling.
"Headmaster said he's strong. I can't wait to see what he can do!" a boy added with a confident grin.
My cheeks burned. They were talking about me, right behind me! I ducked my head, heart thumping.
Ahead, the crowd funneled through twin gates into a grand courtyard. At its far end stood the towering entrance to the Grand Assembly Hall, an enormous dome of stained glass that glowed like a gemstone from within.
Without any further direction, we all headed toward those doors. It dawned on me that this must be the first-day assembly—the official welcome to Astralis Academy. My palms grew sweaty as I gripped the strap of my satchel.
Here goes nothing, I thought, bracing myself.
With a final deep breath, I stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited inside.
It was loud—very loud. Voices echoed off the marble walls of the massive auditorium, the sound of excited chatter and laughter bouncing from every corner. Students filled the rows from wall to wall, all dressed in their pristine uniforms, some shimmering slightly with enchantments.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed with a magical hum, and the chatter faded to a hush. A single spotlight beamed down onto the grand stage at the front of the hall. Then—crackle—a voice echoed through the sound system.
"Welcome… welcome, new students," the voice said with calm authority. A tall, robed man stepped into the light, his silver hair catching a soft glow as he looked over the sea of young faces, it was Headmaster Thaddeus!
"I welcome you all to Astralis Academy!"
A wave of awe rippled through the students.
"You stand here today at the beginning of a grand journey—a journey of learning, growth, and the mastery of magic. This academy has produced some of the finest mages in the kingdom's history, and now, it is your turn."
He raised a hand, and glowing runes shimmered into existence above him, swirling with elemental energy—flames, gusts, sparks, and droplets dancing in a mesmerizing arc.
"You've come to the right place. Here, your potential will be tested, your limits pushed, and your talents—unleashed. I hope you enjoy your time here not just as students… but as comrades, rivals, and future legends."
A hush fell over the room. The weight of his words settled in, and for a moment, no one dared to breathe.
"And now," he continued, "I would like everyone to form eight separate lines. Each of you will undergo a brief evaluation. Simply walk up and infuse your Aura into this orb. It will assess both your Aura capacity and your current power level."
As the lights returned, murmurs rippled through the hall. Whispers of curiosity, anticipation, and quiet nerves filled the air. My heart pounded as I stood from my seat and joined the growing lines. Professors called out to organize the students, and after what felt like an eternity—an entire hour of waiting—it was finally my turn.
I stepped forward.
"Professor Elysia? You're here?" I asked, surprised to see the familiar face.
She smiled warmly. "I'm glad to see you, Akira. We can catch up later, go on, follow the procedure."
I nodded and turned toward the orb. It looked like a crystal sphere, polished and faintly pulsing with light. As I placed my hand against it, voices snickered behind me.
"Heh, that kid's probably gonna rank Class 6—the lowest of the low."
"He looks so weak. I hope I don't end up in the same group as him."
I gritted my teeth but didn't let the words get to me. I closed my eyes, focused… and began to infuse my Aura.
In an instant, the orb exploded with brilliant light. A surge of energy burst out in all directions, gusts of force that rattled the floor, whipped at robes, and caused several students and even teachers to stumble back.
The hall fell into shocked silence.
W-What…? I blinked, stunned. How am I doing this? I didn't think I had that much Aura… is my pool really this deep? I couldn't make sense of it. I had always believed I was just average—at best.
As the energy settled and the glow dimmed, I stood there, hand still against the orb. Every eye in the room was fixed on me, wide with disbelief. Mouths hung open.
I scratched the back of my head, a little embarrassed.
"...Did I overdo it?"
Headmaster Thaddeus let out a hearty laugh that echoed through the silent hall. His heavy boots clicked against the polished floor as he approached me, his eyes gleaming with interest.
He placed a firm hand on my shoulder.
"Come with me after the evaluations, boy," he said with a grin. "But for now, I shall assign you your preliminary rank… Rank 4."
A gasp tore through the crowd, followed by a wave of loud disbelief.
"Rank 4?! That's impossible!"
"W-Wait… is that the transfer student?!"
"Rank 4 on day one?! No way!"
The entire hall erupted into a frenzy. Students shouted over each other, some stunned, others trying to get a better look at me. I felt the heat of a thousand eyes on me, some filled with awe, others with envy. But all of them were focused on me now.
The uproar didn't bother me as much as it should have. I was still trying to process it myself.
Rank 4? I hadn't expected to be ranked at all, let alone that high. I didn't even know I had that much power…
Headmaster Thaddeus leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin.
"Welcome, Akira. You put on quite the show today."
I stepped forward cautiously, the door closing behind me with a quiet click. I wasn't sure why, but the atmosphere in the room felt… heavier than before.
"I don't get it," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why Rank 4? I don't even know how to use magic properly. I only have one spell..."
Thaddeus chuckled, the sound low and knowing. "Not true at all. You have two spells, remember? You used Wind Missile when we first met. But more importantly..." His eyes narrowed slightly, "What awakened inside you today was not mere Aura."
That made me blink. "What do you mean?"
He waved a hand dismissively, as if he'd said too much already. "That's not important right now. Being placed at Rank 4 doesn't guarantee access to advanced classes. You'll still need guidance, structured, and personal guidance."
He clapped his hands. The large doors opened and two figures stepped in, familiar silhouettes beneath the grand archways.
"You remember these two, correct?"
I nodded, eyes flicking to Professor Elysia and the other—Professor Leon. Elysia gave a polite smile, while Leon stood with arms crossed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Thaddeus gestured to both professors. "You'll be assigned to one of them for your training. We've decided you need personalized tutoring, someone to guide your Aura development and help you grasp your spells. So then, Akira… choose your teacher."
I looked at both of them, my gaze shifting between Professor Leon and Professor Elysia. They both stood confidently, but in different ways. Leon's presence was strong and imposing—his aura burned like a fire ready to shape steel. Elysia, on the other hand, felt gentle, like a snowfall that could both calm and conceal great depth.
Leon would probably push me hard, maybe too hard. But Elysia... she felt safe. Patient. Maybe what I needed right now.
"I–I'll choose Professor Elysia to teach me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Elysia bowed, her smile kind but focused. "I'll make sure you learn everything you need to, Akira."
Thaddeus chuckled softly and began writing in a large tome at his desk. "Very well, then. Professor Elysia, he's under your care now. Please take the time to tour him around the academy before classes begin tomorrow."
I glanced toward Professor Leon. His expression was unreadable at first, his arms still crossed, his posture rigid, but I could see something in his eyes. Disappointment?
My voice came out before I could stop it. "I—I'm sorry, Professor Leon… I-I'll make sure to join your class next semester!"
Leon blinked. I don't think he expected me to say that. His expression softened, and he gave a single nod, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I'll hold you to that, kid," he said quietly. "Don't let her go too easy on you."
Elysia placed a hand on my shoulder. "Come now, my dear student. Let's walk the halls of your new home."
I gave one last glance back at Thaddeus, who was still writing something… but his eyes, just for a moment, lingered on me with a strangely serious glint.
And then I followed Elysia out the great oak doors—my first steps into Astralis Academy… as her student.
As we walked down the hall, she suddenly asked, "So, what made you choose me over Mr. Leon?"
I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts before answering. "I could sense a kind aura from both you and Professor Leon, but I also thought that male professors tend to be tougher on their students, while female professors are more patient. You just seemed like the perfect teacher for me."
I glanced up at her, and she smiled down at me. "I'm glad to hear you think I'm kind. I'll make sure not to push you too hard."
We passed a leaderboard ranking, and my gaze immediately went to the top. The number one student: Ayumi Celestryn.
I stopped in my tracks, and Professor Elysia noticed, stepping closer. "Oh? Interested in that? The students listed here are the top of Class 4."
I couldn't hide my awe. I wanted to be up there someday. As I tore my eyes away from the leaderboard and continued walking, a female student passed by. I didn't turn around, but I caught a quick glance of her, and she looked familiar.
It was the red-haired girl from the alleyway! My heart skipped a beat. It was...embarrassing to see her here. Not to mention, I saw her pin—"Class 4." She was going to be in my class?
As I disappeared further down the hall, the girl paused and stared at me, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"That boy... It can't be…"
Ayumi stood frozen, remembering the encounter in the alley. A commoner like him... in the same school as her? Impossible!
One of her friends, noticing her shock, teased, "Ayumi? What's wrong? Did you see a cute boy or something?"
Ayumi shook her head, quickly recovering. "No, you know I've turned down almost every guy here."
She turned back to her friend and walked off toward the dorms, her mind still reeling from the encounter.