Kael Lysander stood at the gates of Eldoria Magic Academy , staring up at the towering spires that glittered under the midday sun. The air buzzed with latent magic—students in pristine uniforms darted across the courtyard on broomsticks, floating books hovered around professors, and a dragon-shaped fountain spat streams of glowing water into the sky.
"This is it," Kael muttered, adjusting his satchel. His uniform fit perfectly, his silver-trimmed cloak was freshly pressed, and his name tag read "Kael Lysander – Class D, Tier 3 Mage (Wind Affinity)".
It was everything he'd hoped for… and yet, somehow, already awkward.
As Kael stepped forward, a voice boomed from behind him:
"Outta the way, weakling!"
A blur of red and gold slammed past him—a boy with flaming crimson hair riding a crackling fire hawk, scattering a flock of enchanted sparrows. Kael barely flinched as the bird's talons grazed his shoulder.
"Riven Blackthorn!" A girl shouted after him, her voice sharp. "You're going to crash again, you idiot!"
But Riven was already gone, leaving a trail of sparks in his wake.
Kael turned toward the source of the voice. A girl with platinum-blonde hair and a staff adorned with a sapphire orb marched toward him, her eyes narrowing.
"You're not hurt, are you?" she asked, scanning him for injuries.
"Nope," Kael said simply.
She relaxed. "Good. That hothead always thinks he owns the skies. Name's Luna Fenwick. Top of our class." She extended a hand. "You must be the new transfer—Lysander, right?"
"Yeah." He shook her hand. Her grip was firm, confident.
"Tier 3 Wind Mage, huh? Don't worry—you'll catch up. Eldoria eats beginners alive, but if you study hard, you might survive." She grinned. "Need help finding your dorm?"
Kael glanced down at the map in his hands. "I think I've got it."
"Let me guess—you're one of those quiet types who thinks they don't need anyone?" Luna smirked. "Trust me, here? You do."
Before Kael could respond, a commotion erupted near the library.
"My spellbook!" a first-year cried. "It's possessed!"
The book in question had sprouted tiny legs and was sprinting away, pages flapping wildly. Students scrambled to chase it, but every time someone grabbed it, the book zapped them with static shocks.
"That's Professor Orin's cursed tome," Luna groaned. "If it escapes the campus wards, it could summon a demon chicken!"
"A what?" Kael blinked.
"Long story!" Luna raised her staff. "Stasis—!"
Her glow-blue magic fizzled out inches from the book.
"Huh?" she blinked. "Why didn't that work?"
The book leapt onto a windowsill, teetering on the edge. If it jumped, it would vanish into the labyrinthine forest beyond the academy.
Kael sighed.
He held out his hand, fingers twitching once.
The book froze mid-step.
Then, as if remembering its place in the universe, it clamped shut, bowed twice, and fluttered back to the first-year's arms.
Silence fell.
"Wait… did you just—?" Luna stared at Kael.
"Do what?" he asked, tilting his head innocently.
"You cast a spell without a chant?! Without a wand?!"
"I didn't cast anything," Kael shrugged. "It just… listened."
Luna opened her mouth, then closed it. Around them, students muttered in confusion.
"Must've been a glitch," someone whispered.
"Or maybe the wind carried it?" suggested another.
"Right," Luna said slowly, eyeing Kael. "Sure. Whatever."
Dorm assignments were chaotic—Class D students were crammed into the oldest wing of the academy, where the walls whispered secrets and the floorboards occasionally tried to eat shoes.
Kael found his room: #307B .
He knocked.
"Occupied!" squawked a voice from inside.
The door swung open on its own, revealing a small, cluttered room. Sitting atop a pile of scrolls was a talking quill with wings, scribbling furiously on a parchment.
"Oh no," the quill groaned, looking up. "Not another one. I'm stuck with a Tier 3? This is a travesty!"
"You're my roommate?" Kael asked.
"Temporary punishment," the quill sighed. "Name's Ink. Professor Orin assigned me to 'observe the common folk.' Ugh. At least you're not loud."
Kael dropped his bag. "I'm not planning to be."
Ink eyed him suspiciously. "We'll see. Most freshmen scream when the ceiling collapses."
"The ceiling collapses?"
"Every Tuesday."
Later that night, Kael sat on the roof beside Luna, watching the stars flicker into view.
"You know," she said, "Eldoria's rankings mean nothing. Magic isn't about labels—it's about heart."
Kael smiled faintly. "Heart's overrated."
Below them, somewhere in the forest, a demon chicken screeched.
They both ignored it.
"Tomorrow's classes start at dawn," Luna yawned. "Try not to get eaten by sentient furniture."
"Will do."
As Luna left, Kael stared at his palm. Tiny motes of light danced above it—magic that no detection spell could ever measure.
He clenched his fist, letting the glow fade.
"Better keep this quiet," he muttered.
After all, no one needed to know.
Yet.