The soft hum of anticipation buzzed through the air as hundreds of students gathered in the courtyard of Valtherion Academy. Some whispered nervously, others stood tall with an air of arrogance, and many simply looked around, wide-eyed at the grandeur of the academy grounds. But soon, all chatter was silenced as a figure appeared, hovering gracefully in the sky above.
It was as if time stopped.
Grandmaster Kaelen Veridane had arrived. Known far and wide as one of the top 30 most powerful mages in the world, he was a legend. A man whose control over mana was so precise, so powerful, that people often mistook him for something beyond human. His silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, his sharp features exuding a cold, calculated confidence. His eyes, a piercing violet, scanned the crowd as if he could see right through each and every one of them. His entire aura commanded respect, and for those standing below, it wasn't just respect—it was awe.
Without even a gesture, Grandmaster Veridane used mana amplification to project his voice across the entire courtyard, the sound reverberating through the massive space.
"Welcome to Valtherion Academy."
His tone was cold, devoid of warmth, yet his words carried an undeniable authority. The students, still stunned by his appearance, could do little more than listen in silence. Whispers of admiration passed through the crowd—students marveled not only at the fact that he was floating effortlessly above them but also at his reputation and appearance.
"He's even more handsome than the rumors said…"
"Floating like that without breaking a sweat. That's insane…"
As the murmurs continued, Grandmaster Veridane paid no attention. His violet eyes swept across the sea of students below, assessing them. But his assessment wasn't just of their appearances—he was analyzing their very cores.
....
Let's see what we're working with this year…
His eyes gleamed as he began measuring the students' potential through their mana auras. In Valtherion, mana wasn't just a source of power; it was a window into one's soul. Each student had a distinct aura surrounding them, and these auras came in different colors, representing their raw potential, their ability to wield mana.
The most common auras were light blue and dark blue, colors that indicated weak, undeveloped mana. There were quite a few students with those hues, and Grandmaster Veridane's gaze barely lingered on them. They would likely struggle to survive the trials ahead.
Next, his eyes caught flashes of red and dark red. These students had potential—stronger auras—but it was raw, untamed. With years of training, they could become something formidable, but as they stood now, they were far from impressive.
Nothing extraordinary so far…
And then, his eyes stopped on a particular student.
A boy, standing near the middle of the crowd, with black hair and sharp blue eyes. But what caught Grandmaster Veridane's attention wasn't the boy's appearance—it was his aura. It was completely white.
White…? That's impossible.
White wasn't a part of the typical mana spectrum. In all his years, Grandmaster Veridane had never seen a student with a white aura. It wasn't just rare—it was unheard of. He made a mental note of the boy's face.
His name tag says Ash Braker. There was something unusual about him. Hm, this boy would need further observation.
But Ash wasn't the only student who caught his attention.
Not far from him was a girl with platinum blonde hair and striking, noble features. Her presence was regal, but it was her aura that intrigued the Grandmaster. Golden. Unlike the reds and blues of the other students, her aura shone brightly like the sun. He recognized her instantly.
Seraphina Lysandor, heiress of the Lysandor family, one of the most powerful noble houses known for producing mages of immense power. Her golden aura wasn't just a testament to her family's legacy—it was a sign of her own exceptional potential.
Two unusual auras in one place… Grandmaster Veridane thought, adjusting his glasses slightly. This will be an interesting year.
Returning his focus to the entire student body, Grandmaster Veridane's voice boomed once more across the courtyard. "You stand here today not because of what you are, but because of what you might become. Valtherion Academy is not a place for mediocrity. This is where the strong rise, and the weak fall. Only those with the will to survive will make it through."
The tension in the air thickened. Some students swallowed nervously, while others straightened their backs in determination.
"There are 20 classes that you will be required to take. Each one designed to test both your mastery of magic and technology. You will learn to fuse these two disciplines, for only by mastering both will you stand a chance in the world outside these walls."
His eyes swept over the students again, as if daring them to meet his gaze. "For those who wish to specialize, sub-classes will be available. But I warn you now—these classes will push you to your limits. Valtherion Academy does not tolerate failure."
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air.
"Your journey here is not just about learning—it's about survival. This academy exists to cultivate the future leaders, warriors, and mages who will shape the world. Prove yourself here, and the world will open its doors to you. Fail, and you will be forgotten."
With that, Grandmaster Veridane's message was clear. This academy wasn't a sanctuary for the gifted—it was a crucible for the ambitious.
....
As the crowd began to disperse, Ash Braker felt a rush of thoughts flood his mind. The Grandmaster's words echoed within him, and the weight of the academy's expectations felt heavier than ever. He wasn't just here to learn—he was here to survive, to prove himself.
But something else caught his attention. Among the sea of noble heirs and prodigies, he wasn't the only commoner. He had spotted a few others like himself, and that brought him some comfort. He wasn't entirely alone in this.
Still, the pressure weighed on him. His mentor, Professor Lysell, had sent him here for a reason. She believed in him, trusted his potential. And Ash wasn't about to let her down. But as he wandered the halls of Valtherion, following the directions on his Aetheris GPS, he couldn't help but feel a bit lost.
The academy was massive. Its labyrinth of corridors and buildings blended technology and magic seamlessly, each hallway seeming to pulse with mana. As Ash moved through the academy, he tried to take it all in, but his mind was distracted.
That was when it happened.
The Bump: Ash Meets Lucius Again
Ash, too absorbed in his thoughts, wasn't paying attention as he rounded a corner. He bumped into someone. Hard.
"Sorry!" Ash blurted out, quickly stepping back to apologize. But when his eyes met the person he had collided with, they widened in surprise.
It was the same student from earlier. The one who had brushed him off so dismissively.
....
Lucius stared back at Ash, his mind racing with panic. Not again. Of all the people… why can't it be someone irrelevant? Inwardly, Lucius cursed his rotten luck. It wasn't bad enough that he had already bumped into Ash earlier—now they were face to face again.
Shit.
That was all his mind could come up with in the moment. Lucius quickly scrambled for a response, trying to remain composed. His eyes scanned Ash's face, noting the polite smile and genuine apology. But Lucius couldn't afford to let this turn into anything more.
He straightened his back, putting on the same arrogant persona as before. "Ah, it's you again, still not watching where you step?," he said curtly, his tone condescending but polite enough to avoid being overtly rude. He needed to get out of this situation—fast.
Lucius began to walk away, ready to breathe a sigh of relief once he escaped. But then, Ash's voice called after him.
"Hey, wait a second."
Lucius froze. Please no.
Turning back, he saw Ash gesturing toward their Aetheris devices. "Looks like we're heading in the same direction," Ash said, a friendly smile on his face. "Our dorms must be close by. Why don't we help each other find them?"
Internally, Lucius was screaming. Of course. Of course, it coudknt be easy now, could it? His expression remained composed, but his mind was a mess of curses. Now he had to walk with the protagonist to their dorms? This was the last thing he wanted.
Great. Just great.
But he couldn't refuse. Doing so would only make things more suspicious. So, with a tight-lipped smile, Lucius nodded. "Sure," he said, though inwardly, all he could think was complain inwardly.
Why does everything have to be so damn problematic?